Biography
Parker was the son of Thomas Watson Parker of Lewisham, Kent, England. In order to improve his poor health, he joined the British East India Company and travelled to India, China and the Cape of Good Hope. He came to Sydney in 1838 as private secretary to Sir George Gipps. He married in 1843 Emmeline Emily, third daughter of John Macarthur, who survived him without issue, linked him to the colonial establishment. In 1846 he was nominated by the governor as a member of the Legislative Council. In May of that year he was elected chairman of committees and was again and again re-elected to this position until the coming in of responsible government in 1856.
Parker was elected as member for Parramatta in the first Legislative Assembly and was a candidate for the speakership in May but was defeated by one vote, Daniel Cooper being elected. In September 1856 John Hay carried a vote of no-confidence in the Cowper ministry. He recommended to Governor William Denison that Parker would be the most likely man to conciliate parties, and that he should be asked to form a coalition government.
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