title: 1877 Williams colonial by-election
text: # 1877 Williams colonial by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of The Williams on 12 February 1877 because of the resignation of William Watson.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 16 January 1877 | William Watson resigned from parliament. |
  | 17 January 1877 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
  | 5 February 1877 | Nominations in Dungog |
  | 12 February 1877 | Polling day |
  | 23 February 1877 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Candidates
  
  * William Johnston was a general merchant at Clarence Town. This was his first occasion standing for the Legislative Assembly.
  * John Nowlan was a cattle breeder from Maitland who had represented The Williams from 1866 until 1874.
  
  ## Result
  
  1877 The Williams by-election Monday 12 February :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | William Johnston (elected) | William Johnston (elected) | 526 | 56.4 |
  | John Nowlan | John Nowlan | 409 | 43.6 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 938 | 98.4 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 15 | 1.6 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 953 | 68.2 |
  