William Lambie Nelson

Reverend Doctor William Lambie Nelson was a member of the West Moreton Shire Council and a clergyman of Ipswich.

William Lambie Nelson was born in 1807 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. His father was Robert Nelson and his mother was Jane Nelson (nee Lambie). He was educated in Edinburgh University.

Nelson was an apprentice printer and book binder before attending school in Edinburgh. During his education, he tutored the family of Lord Ivory.

He married Agnes Nelson (nee Muir) ( -1885?) and had three children; two daughters and a son.

He was licensed as a religious preacher and acted as assistant to his wife's uncle, Dr Muir of St. Stephen's Established Church, Edinburgh, and also Dr Nisbet of St John's, Edinburgh. Nelson then was appointed to the Quod Sacra Church as the officiating minister while his sons attended Edinburgh University.

Nelson brought his children to Australia under the belief that the climate would be better for his eldest son's poor health, but his son died soon after their arrival in Sydney on the 30th of August 1853 and was buried in Ipswich Cemetery. His second son was Sir Hugh Muir Nelson (1833-1906), a member of assembly for Northern Downs. His daughter was Mrs John Watts ( -1863).

In May 1860, Nelson attended the first Queensland Legislative Assembly and stood as a candidate for the representation of West Moreton for the first general election where he won his seat. However, on the 16th of May 1860, before meeting of the first parliament, a petition of challenge was put forward to Governor Bowen against Nelson's retention of his seat due to being disqualified for election as an ordained clergyman. The petition was considered by the Committee of Elections and Qualification and it was decided that Nelson's election was void. In the subsequent by-election on the 9th of July 1860, Joseph Fleming was voted to fill Nelson's vacant seat.

Nelson was a squatter on land he called Tartha Station on the Moonie River. Tartha Station was not successful and Nelson moved to Toowoomba in 1963, buying land and building a house he called 'Gabbinbar' which is on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Nelson was the Presbyterian Minister during the building of St Stephen's church in Limestone Street, Ipswich; St Stephen's Uniting Church in Neil Street, Toowoomba; St John's church on Bell Street, Toowomba; and St John's church in Southport and he supported the construction of Presbyterian churches in Dalby, Warwick, Murphy's Creek, Laidley, and Tenthill.

On the 27th of July 1886, Nelson married Sarah Pring.

Nelson died on the 13th of June 1887 in Southport, Queensland.