McManus 168

Charles Hodgson Parker was born to Charles Parker and Isabella Hodgson in 1824.^[1] His working life began in his teens, when his family lived at Priestfield in Darlington.^[11]

Family Life

Charles Hodgson Parker married Jane Robinson in 1846 in Darlington.^[14] However, their marriage was short lived. Having given birth to two boys, Thomas Laidman and William Robinson, Jane died of influenza and was buried on 27 March 1850 in Dundee.^[15] Their son William also died that year – the previous month.^[16][17] The family lived on Bucklemaker Wynd at the time.

Charles, grieving for a wife and son after 4 years of marriage, was still the father of a young boy and also a partner in a recently established business (1849). The 1851 census indicated that he moved back into his father’s household at 10 Reform Street.^[9] His son, Thomas Laidman Parker was subsequently raised by his grandparents, Charles Parker and Isabella Hodgson. Soon after, Charles H Parker, machine maker,^[18] married for a second time, to Amelia Jane McLean, at Murraygate,^[2] on 14 October 1851.^[18] Between 1852-1865, Charles and Amelia bore 10 children although, not all survived.

By 1861, Charles and Amelia had moved out of the town to the more salubrious district of Broughty Ferry^[19] – an indicator of their affluence and aspiration.

Work Life

Charles Parker Snr founded his business of ‘Charles Parker & Sons,’ manufacturers, machine makers, millwrights etc.^[4] in Dundee in 1849.^[20] It has been claimed that ‘nearly all of the world’s nineteenth century jute weaving machinery was made in Dundee,‘ with ‘Charles Parker & Sons’ being one of the principal makers.^[20]

The Parkers applied for numerous patents for their various products, manufactured from Ladybank Works and, later, Clepington Foundry. They also exhibited their products at different exhibitions. At the Great French Exhibition in Paris held in 1855, it was reputed that;

‘Charles Parker & Sons of Dundee exhibit some power-looms for the manufacture of navy canvas, which are not remarkable in themselves but it may be permitted to mention here that this firm has just succeeded in constructing a loom for oilcloth canvas, nine yards wide, working from 20 to 30 picks aper minute.’^[21]

The firm also displayed extensive exhibits at the International Exhibition held in London in 1862.^[22]

Charles Hodgson Parker did not remain in Dundee. In 1865, a farewell soirée for held for him, presenting as a farewell gift, a silver tea and coffee service, inscribed –‘Presented to Charles H Parker Esq by the workmen of Ladybank Foundry, as an expression of their respect and good wishes – Dundee, May 1865.’^[23]

By December of 1865, Charles H Parker had established himself in Sheffield.^[23] The length of his stay in Sheffield remains uncertain. His daughter, Rosalie was born there in 1867 and notices were placed advertising articles for sale from his Corporation Street premises in 1868^[24].

Certainly, by 1881, the Parker family had made a major emigration journey to Canada where Charles eventually was employed as a clerk with Ontario Central Railways.^[25] He and Amelia continued to add to their family while in Canada.^[25]

Charles Hodgson Parker died in Toronto in 1893,^[7] his wife Amelia surviving him by six years.