Charles Harper (minister)
| Charles Harper | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 January 1799 |
| Died | 2 November 1872 (aged 73) |
| Spouse(s) | Julia Gretchen Lukin |
| Church | Anglican |
Charles Harper (1799 – 1872) was Toodyay's first Anglican minister, and the first ordinand from Western Australia. While being a minister of the church was probably far from his intentions when he set sail for the Swan River Colony in 1837, his family's clerical background and his own disposition suited him well for this vocation. Harper served the Toodyay district for over 30 years, first as registrar of births, deaths and marriages, then from 1849 as an ordained minister.
Harper was born on 30 January 1799, and worked as a solicitor in London. In June 1837 he married Julia Gretchen Lukin, the sister of Lionel Lukin, and granddaughter of Lionel Lukin (1742-1834). Young Lukin had returned to England from the Swan River Colony to settle a land dispute in the Murray district. This was successfully resolved with Lukin relocating his land grant to Deepdale, a grant in Toodyay that had originally been allocated to Governor Stirling. Lukin and Harper became partners, and in 1837 the Harpers, together with Lukin and his young bride Jane, set sail for Western Australia on Eleanor, arriving at Fremantle on 23 December. The Harpers were to have five children, four daughters and a son Charles Harper (junior) who became a prominent and highly respected citizen in Western Australia.
In 1839 Charles Harper took out a long-term lease on "Nardie", located on the Avon River several miles upstream of the townsite of Toodyay. When their infant daughter Isabella died in 1840 she was buried on the property, with Harper holding a simple burial service. This burial site became the future Nardie Cemetery. While the Harpers lived at Nardie the homestead became known for "the gentle refinement of its mistress and the outspoken concern of its master for the spiritual welfare of his neighbours". Harper became a popular lay preacher while continuing his farming activities, which included stock and acreage under wheat and barley. In 1843 he was appointed the local registrar for births, deaths and marriages. His career path was set.
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