Born on 17 May 1802 at London, England, the son of Edward Parker, printer, and his wife Mary. Began work as an apprentice printer. Commenced studies for the Wesleyan ministry. He married, in 1828, to Mary Cook Woolmer. Appointed Assistant Protector of Aborigines for the Port Phillip District in 1837. Arrived at Melbourne on 3 January 1839 per "Hope" from Sydney, New South Wales. Established the Larnebarramul Aboriginal Station at Franklinford c1841. His wife died in 1842. He married secondly, on 27 December 1843 to Anne (or Annie / Hannah) Edwards, daughter of Leonard Edwards of Richmond near Melbourne. Continued to live at Franklinford after the abolition of the Aboriginal Protectorate in the late 1840's. Became a farmer. Acted as a local preacher. Member of the Legislative Council (1853-54). Died on 27 April 1865 at his residence, Mount Franklin, Victoria, and was buried on 29 April 1865 at the Franklinford Cemetery, Vic.

[marriage (second) certificate; death certificate; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 5); Thomson & Serle A Biographical Register of the Victorian Legislature, 1851-1900]

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