Emily, known as Nellie, was the daughter of George Lovell Harmer, John Harmer’s oldest brother. This makes her John’s niece. Emily was baptised at All Saints Church, Heathfield, on 14th October 1849. You can read more about the family’s early life in Heathfield here.
Emily grew up with her parents and siblings at ‘Alley’ in Heathfield, and moved with her family to Brighton around 1859/1860.I have not been able to locate Emily in the 1871 census, but we can assume that she remained in Brighton after her parents’ deaths, probably entering service.
First marriage
Emily married Henry Robert Harrap (the son of a draper born 1842 at Boston, Lincolnshire) at Brighton on 1st December 1873. The couple emigrated to Australia, probably before 1881 as they do not appear in the UK census for that year.
Henry died on the 2nd April 1883 at Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, with his occupation given as ‘draper’s assistant’. Emily remained in Australia after her husband’s death.
Second marriage
In 1905 Emily married Henry Thorpe (born 1845 in England) at Sydney, Australia. It seems probable that Henry had emigrated to Australia in October 1883. Sadly Henry died the year after their wedding at Sydney on 25th February 1906 aged 61. His occupation was given as a ‘hotel keeper’, and street directories from 1890 – 1899 suggest that the hotel in question was The Oxford Hotel, 162 King Street, Sydney.
Death
Emily died at 16 Kinneil Court, Elizabeth Bay Road, Sydney, on 10th February 1932. She was 83 years old, and was buried two days later at Rookwood Cemetery.
