John Watts was a member of both the Queensland Legislative Assembly and the Queensland Legislative Council. Watts managed the Eton Vale station with Arthur Hodgson and later took it over. During his time in Queensland Watts wrote an account of farming and pastoral life, and the difficulties associated with it, as experienced by the early pioneers of South-East Queensland. He also commissioned an 18-carat gold swag necklace by Danish creator Christian Ludwig Qwist (1818-1877) who arrived in Australia circa 1852. The necklace, a fine example of silversmithing and craftsmanship. Watt's papers and necklace are held by the State Library of Queensland. The necklace is considered a treasure of the John Oxley Library.

James Taylor was a member of the Queensland Legislative Council and the Queensland Legislative Assembly.