Charles Parker

Charles Parker (4 March 1809 – 29 June 1898) was a New Zealand politician and a carpenter.

Early life

Parker was born at Newent, Gloucestershire, England, on 4 March 1809. His parents were Sarah Potter (17 November 1783 – 16 July 1876), a weaver, and her husband, Edmund Parker (2 November 1767 – 7 November 1853), a builder. Charles was raised in his mother's home town of Cheltenham, Gloucester. He trained as carpenter and builder. On 6 April 1837, he married his first cousin Hannah Phipps (22 June 1815 – 14 December 1889) in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Emigration to New Zealand In 1849 Charles, Hannah and six children sailed on the Kelso to Nelson, New Zealand. The family settled in Motueka, where Charles was soon successful in business, becoming a property developer as well as a builder. Charles and Hannah had 13 children: Charles (1838–1903), Frederick (1839–1905, married Anne Jane Sutcliffe), Elizabeth (1840–1912, married Thomas Boyes), Henry (1842–1866), Ellen (1844–1845), Edward (1845–1845), Walter (1846–1911), Thirza Ann (1849–1929, married Robert William Skilton), Edmund (1851–1923, married Annie Morris), Emily (1853–1923), Jessie (1855–1904), Arthur William (1857–1946, married Eliza Jane Wilson), and Horace (1859–1867).

He was buried at Motueka cemetery on 2 July 1898. His wife Hannah died 14 December 1889, and is also buried at Motueka cemetery.

Their gravestone reads:

Our father and mother Charles PARKER died 29 June 1898 aged 90 years Hannah PARKER died 14 December 1889 aged 75 years also our sister Jessie PARKER died 6 December 1904 aged 49 years.