John Harper (1784 - 1842)

Born 24 Feb 1784 in Hetton - Rylstone, Yorkshire, England

Husband of Miriah (Bridges) Harper — married 30 Nov 1803 in Bury, Lancashire, England

Descendants

Died 20 Dec 1842 at age 58 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

John Harper was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to New South Wales

Convict - convicted in York on 9/3/1811

Transportation for natural life but reduced to 14 years. He arrived in NSW, Australia in 1813 on the ship “Earle Spencer” along with 200 convicts.

He worked on Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta when John McArthur had to go back to England. John Harper is mention in records associated with John McArther. John Harper got his pardon on 28 November 1821. In 1822 he was a Butcher in George Street, Sydney. In 1835 he had a Butcher shop at 7 George Street, Sydney, The Rocks. At some time he become the Mayor of Paramatta.

Prior to being convicted, John was married in England to Mariah Bridges and had at least 2 boys and one girl. John never returned but had another family in Australia with Charlotte Bradley. There do not seem to be any official records of them being married. In 1828 Charlotte did try to leave John and some legal charges were laid and later dropped. The article indicated that they were not married at that time but John had instructed the servants to address Charlotte as Mrs Harper and treat her as lady of the house. The outcome of the trial indicated they should lawfully get married. Not sure if this happened.

Charlotte is buried with John in Parramatta as Charlotte Harper.

Sources

• BDM, convict record, Old Baileys, Family documents,