A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of East Sydney on 15 July 1877 because John Davies was appointed Postmaster-General in the fourth Robertson ministry. Such ministerial by-elections were usually uncontested however on this occasion a poll was required in Central Cumberland (John Lackey and William Long), East Sydney, Orange (Edward Combes) and West Sydney (John Robertson). Each minister was comfortably re-elected. Only Camden (Thomas Garrett) and Goldfields South (Ezekiel Baker) were uncontested.
<includeonly> John Davies was appointed Postmaster-General in the fourth Robertson ministry.</includeonly>