8th General Assembly of Newfoundland


The members of the 8th General Assembly of Newfoundland were elected in the Newfoundland general election held in May 1861. The general assembly sat from 1861 to 1865.
Hugh Hoyles, leader of the Conservative Party, had been appointed premier and invited to form a government in March after his predecessor was dismissed by the governor. Hoyle's government was defeated in a non-confidence vote prompting a general election in May which Hoyles and his party won, allowing Hoyles to continue as Newfoundland's premier until March 1865, when he accepted a post on the Newfoundland Supreme Court. Frederick Carter succeeded Hoyles as party leader and premier. Carter formed a coalition government with Liberals Ambrose Shea and John Kent.
Frederick Carter was chosen as speaker, serving until April 1865, when William Whiteway became speaker.
Sir Alexander Bannerman served as colonial governor of Newfoundland until 1864. Sir Anthony Musgrave succeeded Bannerman as governor.
Frederick Carter and Ambrose Shea represented Newfoundland at the 1864 Quebec Conference on Canadian Confederation.

Members of the Assembly

The following members were elected to the assembly in 1861:
MemberElectoral districtAffiliation
John BemisterBay de VerdeConservative
Stephen MarchBonavista BayConservative
John Henry WarrenBonavista BayConservative
Matthew W. WalbankBonavista BayConservative
Daniel W. ProwseBurgeo-La PoileConservative
Edward EvansBurinConservative
Hugh HoylesBurinConservative
Edmund HanrahanCarbonearLiberal
Thomas GlenFerrylandLiberal
Edward Dalton SheaFerrylandLiberal
Robert CarterFortune BayConservative
John HaywardHarbour GraceLiberal
Henry J. MooreHarbour GraceLiberal
Thomas ByrneHarbour MainLiberal
Patrick NowlanHarbour MainLiberal
Ambrose SheaPlacentia and St. Mary'sLiberal
W. G. FloodPlacentia and St. Mary'sLiberal
Richard McGrathPlacentia and St. Mary'sLiberal
John LeamonPort de GraveConservative
John KentSt. John's EastLiberal
Robert John ParsonsSt. John's EastLiberal
John KavanaghSt. John's EastLiberal
John CaseySt. John's WestLiberal
Thomas TalbotSt. John's WestLiberal
Henry RenoufSt. John's WestLiberal
Stephen RendellTrinity BayConservative
John WinterTrinity BayConservative
F.B.T. CarterTrinity BayConservative
William WhitewayTwillingate and FogoConservative
Thomas KnightTwillingate and FogoConservative

Notes:

By-elections

By-elections were held to replace members for various reasons:
Electoral districtMember electedAffiliationElection dateReason
Placentia and St. Mary'sPierce M. BarronLiberal1861W G Flood resigned seat in 1861
CarbonearJohn RorkeConservative1863E Hanrahan resigned seat in 1863
Bonavista BayFrederick J. WyattConservative1864M W Walbank resigned seat in 1864

Notes: