Stephen Parker

He was given an Absolute Pardon on the 5th June 1815 for helping to construct Cox's Road through the Blue Mountains under William Cox.

Married Harriet Pugh 30 Aug 1813

Stephen and Harriet had three children; Elizabeth 1814, David 1817, and Sophia 1819. On August 27th 1822, Stephen was in a boat at Cockle Bay (Now Darling Harbour). He was with a young boy in the boat. (I have not been able to determine the name of the boy, his Son David would have been only 4-5 so it likely not him). The boat was upset with them both aboard. Stephen drowned, but the boy made it to shore. Inquest at Rising Sun, Prince Street found the cause of death to be accidental drowning.

Born in Haylesbury Wiltshire, in 1772, In 1802 in the parish of Norwood, Isle of Wight, he was convicted and sentenced to death for stealing a pig. The sentence was later changed to life. Records were amended from 'to be hanged' to reprieved and transported to NSW. In June of that year he was held aboard a prison hulk, Portland moored at Portsmouth. Arrived in 1804. In 1806 the Sydney Gazette published that Stephen Parker was to receive 50 lashes for stealing corn. 1813 he was given permission to marry Harriet Pugh, given permission by Colonial Secretary because he was a convict. 1814 Stephen was working on the mountain road to make the Blue mountains easier to pass. The next year he was pardoned as a free man because of the work he did on the road across the Blue Mountains, it was to help local people gain access to better farm land. Stephen died in 1822 it was believed that he was collecting firewood by boat on Cockle Bay with his son David, when the boat began to take in water, his son made it to shore but Stephen drowned.

Winchester. At the Assizes for the county of Hants, this week at our Castle, before Mr. Justice Lawrence and Mr. Justice Le Blanc, there were fifty prisoners for trial, thirteen of whom were capitally convicted, and sentenced to suffer death, viz: … and Stephen Parker, for stealing fat pig, the property William Cole, of Northwood. Salisbury Journal, 15 March 1802. -------------------------------------------------- Hulk Reports at Portsmouth. HO-9-8-1 Received 14 (convicts) from Winchester, 15 Jun 1802. Stephen Parker, age 33, Felony. Tried at Winchester, 9 Mar 1802, Sentence: NSW Life - Coromandel.

Born at Heytesbury, Wiltshire, eldest son of Stephen Parker and Elizabeth (nee Clark). His great-nephews William and John Flower emigrated to Australia in about 1852.

Family connections for Stephen (Parker) are: PARKER Stephen (Parker) son of Stephen (Parker) & Elizabeth (Clark) was born about 1771 at Haylesbury Wiltshire & became an agricultural labourer. He was tried for stealing a pig of William (Cole) of Northwood parish Norwood Isle of Wight at Portsmouth Assizes at Winchester Castle on 9 3 1802, sentenced to death by hanging reprieved to Life, held at Winchester Castle & hulk PORTLAND at Portsmouth from 15 6 1802 & arrived in NSW as a convict on 7 5 1804 after a voyage of 6months on COROMANDEL. In 1806 he was sentenced to 50lashes for stealing corn. He was an emancipist when he apparantly married with permission Harriet (Pugh her second marriage) on 30 8 1813 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. He was set to work on road over Blue Mountains & was issued his Absolute Pardon for his work, possibly on 1 1 1816. He died on 27 8 1822 age50/2 after drownibg in a boating accident in Cockle Bay (Darling Harbour) while collecting wood with his son David. [Some details taken from this Website] Harriet (Pugh) was born on 1 10 1797 & baptised on 18 2 1799 age16m at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She became housekeeper to & had a second relationship with John (Deaves). She was recorded in 1828 with her children as lodger of John (Deaves) at Sussex St Sydney. She died in 1883 age about87 mother of 10children. Details of Harriet (Pugh)s family are given in entry for Edward (Pugh FRIENDSHIP 1788) on this Website. Stephen (Parker) & Harriet (Pugh) produced 3children: 1.Elizabeth (Parker) was born on 3 12 1814 & baptised on 30 4 1815 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She was recorded in 1828 with her mother as lodger of John (Deaves) at Sussex St Sydney. 2.David Edward (Parker) was born on 21 2 1817 & baptised on 23 3 1817 at St Peters CofE Richmond. He was helping collect wood in a boat with his father when his father was drowned in boating accident in Cockle Bay (Darling Harbour) on 27 8 1822-he was able to reach shore. He was recorded in 1828 with his mother as lodger of John (Deaves) at Sussex St Sydney. 3.Sophia Jane (Parker) was born on 29 3 1819 & baptised on 18 4 1819 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She was recorded in 1828 with her mother as lodger of John (Deaves) at Sussex St Sydney. She died on 5 11 1894 age75. [William (Cole) & John (Flower) (great nephews of Stephen (Parker) emigrated to Australia about 1852] Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.