Throughout his career in British Columbia, Gosset was praised and reviled.  Did he deserve either or both reputations?   Please read on and judge for yourself the enigma of William D. Gosset.

 

The parents and siblings of  William Driscoll Gosset* and other Vital Statistics Father: John Noah Gossett OR Gosset born 1793, London, London, England died 30 Aug 1870, London, London, England     son of Matthew Gossett and Margaret Durell Mother: Maria Margaret Driscoll born 26 SEP 1805, London, London, England died 03 OCT 1883, London, London, England     daughter of Thomas Driscoll and Unknown   Children:   1. William Henry Gossett born About 1819, London, London, England, Pedigree 2. William Driscoll Gossett* born 13 APR 1822,  London, London, England, Pedigree 3. Caroline Anna Gossett born About 1824, London, London, England, Pedigree 4. Louisa Henrietta Gossett born About 1826, London, London, England died 1838,<London, London, England>Pedigree 5. Louisa Henrietta Gossett born 18 JUN 1828, London, London, England, Pedigree 6. Elizabeth Marie Gossett born 18 JUN 1828, London, London, England died 21 FEB 1868, <London, London, England>, Pedigree

Gosset, like all Royal Engineer officers, was a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, where he learned his trade as an engineer, obtaining his commission upon completion

"From June to September 1843, about 8 men under Lt. Gosset, RE., assisted in the undertaking for determining the longitude of Valentia by transition of chronometers.  Thirty chronometers were conveyed in every transition; and to privates Robert Penton  and John M'Fadden was entrusted the service of bearing the chronometers, and winding them up at stated times and places.  On receiving the chronometers from Liverpool the reciprocations took place repeatedly between Kingston and Valentia Island.  Professor Sheepshanks and Lieutenant Gosset carried out the scientific purposes of the service, while the sappers not engaged with the chronometers attended to the main duties of the camp and observatory at Feagh Main, under the subordinate superintendence of Corporal B. Keen Spencer." -- History of the Royal Sappers and Miners : from the formation of the corps in March 1772 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers in October 1856. Pgs. 425-425 Volume 1

"A party of 16 non-commissioned officers and men, afterwards increased to nineteen of all ranks, under Serjeant James Steel, was detached on the 1st May 1849 with sufficient camp-houses, equipage, and stores, to carry out the re-measurement of the base line on Salisbury Plain, last done in 1794, by means of the compensation bars invented by General Colby.  No man of officer on the survey had ever seen the apparatus in position before; and Serjeant Steel, therefore, has the credit of acquiring a full knowledge of the adaptation and the uses of the various instruments belonging  to the apparatus, unassisted by the teaching of any practitioner.  This he achieved by more than three months unwearied study of some manuscript records on the subject, and by closely observing the results of a series of experiments which he conducted. On the completion of the service corporal Jenkins was entrusted with one of the great theodolites, and removed with a camp party from the base detachment to a mountain station.  The remainder were soon dispersed on the general duties of the survey, and Serjeant Steel, after again comparing the bars and microscopes with the standard measures, returned with the compensation apparatus, etc, to Southampton. While on Salisbury Plain Serjeant Steel was visited by the Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Pasley, frequently by Colonel Hall and Captain Yolland, and by about fifty other officers of the royal engineers; also by Professors Airy, Sheepshanks, and Cape.  The last gentleman was very free with his inquiries.  The mode of aligning the instrument did not, at first, satisfy him, but eventually the process having been minutely explained by the Serjeant, he went away convinced and gratified.  Captain Gosset was present at the laying of the first bar and Captain Hawkins at the last." -- History of the Royal Sappers and Miners : from the formation of the corps in March 1772 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers in October 1856. Pg.40

On the personal side, Captain Gosset married his cousin, Helen Dorothea Gosset in June 1852, at Eton.

"The principle survey of Cobham Camp of 1853, comprising of four large sheets, was compiled, lithographed and colored under the direction of Captain W. D. Gosset, RE.   Corporal Sinnett drew the 12-inch plan of the encampment furnished for the use of Colonel Vicars." -- History of the Royal Sappers and Miners : from the formation of the corps in March 1772 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers in October 1856. pgs.130-131.

"Serjeant Donald Geddes possessed varied ability both as a surveyor and a mechanic.  He was also a clear-headed and suggestive clerk of works.  When discharged in the summer of 1853, he was in subordinate charge of the electrotype apparatus and copper-plate printers at the ordnance map office at Southampton, under Captain W. D. Gosset." -- History of the Royal Sappers and Miners : from the formation of the corps in March 1772 to the date when its designation was changed to that of Royal Engineers in October 1856. Page 514

Captain Gosset, upon completing his surveys in Ceylon returns to England and is immediately posted to British Columbia as the Colonial Treasurer.  He brings with him his wife, who is quite pregnant, on the ocean voyage that they share with Colonel Moody and his family.

On the sailing, Gosset met Robert Burnaby (who would soon become Col. Moody's secretary). It appears that Burnaby recognized Gosset as an enemy of his brother, Richard Burnaby.

 

"Gosset is an old Marplot of Dick's, and promises to keep up his character.  I think there will be a row between him and Moody before they have been in Columbia very long: but he may get better, tho' at present he is queer.  I soon levelled him, he was rather high and mighty at starting, but we came to an understanding very shortly and no doubt shall pull along."  -- Robert Burnaby, 12th November 1858

 

Mrs. Moody, who, with her children and husband Colonel  Moody, also traveled in the same vessel.

Burnaby had this to say about Mrs. Gosset.

In the first days of the new year of 1859, the "Ned McGowan War" breaks out. Moody is dispatched out to see what is afoot and soon sends a letter to Derby for reinforcements.

This appears to be his second temporary position as Commissary as he has been also working as Commissary to the Boundary Commission Royal Engineers.

After completing surveying trips to British Columbia, Moody returns to Victoria to draw up plans for the new Capital.

Lt. Anderson, who had arrived in the Colonies in December of 1859, met Gosset upon arriving at Esquimalt.

Based on his time with Gosset at Esquimalt, this is what Anderson had to relate to his family.

According to Woodward, Gosset received, in Regimental Pay,  202 Pounds per Annum plus Colonial Allowance, though the amount of the Colonial allowance is unknown.  He was treasurer and postmaster for the Colony of British Columbia.  Treasurer for the Colony of Vancouver's  Island.

 

CAPTAIN GOSSET, R.E., Treasurer of British Columbia is, we regret to learn, suffering from an attack of nervous debility, induced, we believe, by t too close application to official duty. He is at present on a visit to Victoria, testing the vaine of change of air and temporary relaxation from the harassing cares of official life. We heartily wish our Treasurer a speedy convalescence and return amongst us. -7th November, 1861 - The British Columbian

 

 

 

  He left on sick leave Sept 1862.

Captain William Driscoll Gosset (standing) and other members of the boundary commission, circa 1860. Photos courtesy of BC Archives; top image call number A-02095 bottom image call number A-02096

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