The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Were, Jonathan Binns
Were, Jonathan Binns, C.M.G., J.P. Victoria, was the third son of the late Nicholas Were, of Landcox, Somerset, and was born at Wellington, in that county, on April 25th, 1809. Mr. Were engaged in mercantile pursuits, and left Plymouth for Port Phillip in July 1839, ultimately establishing himself as a merchant in Melbourne. In 1852 he unsuccessfully contested South Bourke for a seat in the old Legislative Council, the late Mr. Henry Miller defeating him. Four years later Mr. Were was returned to the Legislative Assembly for Brighton, in opposition to Mr. John Dennistoun Wood. He, however, resigned in March 1857, and never re-entered political life. Mr. Were, who was consul in Melbourne for several foreign nations, was the first chairman of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce in 1841, and, was re-elected in 1852. In 1881 he was created C.M.G. in recognition of his services in connection with the Melbourne Exhibition of the previous year. He died on Sept. 6th, 1885.