A BECKETT, SIR WILLIAM, eldest son of William à Beckett, Golden Square, London, attorney, and Sarah Abbott, St. George’s, Hanover Square [dau. of William Abbott, witness at her wedding ?]; b. 2 Jul 1806; adm. 22 Jan 1816 (Packharness'); adm. Lincoln’s Inn 15 Nov 1822, called to bar 30 Jun 1829; emigrated to New South Wales 1837; acting Solicitor-General, New South Wales Mar 1841, confirmed Mar 1843; acting Judge of Supreme Court, New South Wales Jul 1844-5; Judge of Supreme Court for district of Port Phillip (Melbourne) Feb 1846 - Jan 1852; Chief Justice of Victoria 24 Jan 1852; knighted by patent 19 Nov 1852; retd. 1857; returned to England 1863; helped to found the Melbourne Punch; wrote a great number of the biographies in The Georgian Era, 1832-4; author, Outer Harness, 1854, and other works; m. 1st, 1 Oct 1832 Emily, dau. of Edward Hayley, London; m. 2nd, at Port Philip, Australia, 30 Oct 1849 Matilda, sister of his deceased wife; d. 27 Jun 1869. DNB.