A W Simpson & Co

Albert Simpson came to Armidale by horse-drawn coach in 1863 on his way north. In those days a coach didn’t travel much over twenty (20) miles per day, and so Simpson stayed overnight in an Armidale hotel. He was approached by a miner from Hillgrove to represent him in the Mining Court the next morning. He agreed to represent the man for a fee of 100 sovereigns (200 sovereigns if he won). He won the case and was asked by the townsfolk to stay and practise, because they did not have a solicitor. Simpson returned to Armidale to set up practice on Monday 23 November 1863. We have a photo of his first office, but we don’t know where it was exactly. A W Simpson & Co is one of the oldest legal firms in Australia still retaining its original name. We understand at latest count we are now the 9th oldest law firm in New South Wales. An article in the Armidale Chronicle of 9 December 1875 said “Mr Simpson is having built a very comfortable brick office in Faulkner Street.” Thus we understand it