APPOINTMENT, ARCHIBALD PAULL BURT, NOTORY PUBLIC, ST CHRISTOPHER

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1835

Overview

Handwritten document appointing Archibald Paull Burt Notary Public [Public Notary] at St Christoper [St Kitts] 18 May 1835. Burt, as a qualified lawyer, was now tasked with authenticating documents and transactions for recognition by other jurisdictions.
One large sheet of white paper folded in half with most of the main text of the appointment letter written across the document (landscape format) on the front page when folded. The letter concludes on the inside page. There are three more vertical folds indicating how the document may have been stored in the past. The document is authorised on behalf of the Crown by John Lyons Nixon (Lt. Governor, St Christopher) whose signature is on the front page under the seal. It was drafted by his acting Private Secretary IJ (?) Pedder whose signature is at the conclusion of the letter.
On the front page there is a faded seal affixed on a separate small square piece of paper. On the reverse side between two of the three folds there is information about when the warrant was confirmed (18 May 1835) and recorded (6 July 1839).

Historical information

Archibald Paul Burt - recipient of appointment
Notary Public (also known as Public Notary) - title of appointment
John Lyons Nixon: Lieutenant Governor St Christopher [St Kitts] & Anguilla 1833-1836 - appointment made by, on behalf of the monarch

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-46-1976.21

Item type

Material

Width

320 mm

Height or length

205 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Lt. Governor's seal
Pencil notations, unknown date

Contextual Information

This document is representative of the adoption of British administrative practices in overseas territories. The document is complete and in original condition.
The appointment records the advancement of the young Archibald Paull Burt in the public life of his home country prior to his arrival in Western Australia.

Sir Archibald Paull Burt (1810-1879) was born into a plantation-owning family on St Kitts Island (formerly St Christopher in the West Indies). Burt accepted the position of Civil Commissioner and Chairman of Quarter Sessions in Western Australia in 1860. In January 1861 he arrived in Western Australia with his family. Burt was instrumental in establishing the Supreme Court Australia in 1861 and became the first Chief Justice of Western Australia. Knighted for his contributions in 1873, he maintained a secluded life to ensure impartiality and professional detachment as sole judge in the colony until his death in 1879. Archibald Paull Burt’s impact and lasting legacy in Western Australia continues through his family members who have held governmental and legislative roles in the state for multiple generations.

Keywords

Burt, Archibald Paull

St Kitts

Notary Public

St Kitts

Place made

St. Kitts & Nevis

Year

1835

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance