unknown 6 Paterson Street Launceston Tasmania Australia Mary Ann Richards Percy Charles

Charles Henry Francis Shearn, born about 1845, was the eldest son of Henry Shearn and Sarah Eliza Hall. By the time he was 18 years old, Charles had opened a store in the village of St Leonards and he carried on business successfully for many years. On 15 Feb 1871 he married Mary Ann Richards. Also in 1871, he was appoined a director at the formation of the New Native Youth Goldmining Company at Lefroy. Charles and Mary's son, Percy Charles, was born on 14 Nov 1873 and died on 9 Mar 1893. Charles later set up business as a shipping, mining, housing, land and commission agent at 67 George Street. He became an agent for several foreign companies and legal manager and a member of the Launceston Stock Exchange.

Charles was a great worker for the Holy Trinity and St John's Church of England as a lay reader, Sunday school teacher and acting superintendent. Prior to the death of his son Percy in 1893, Charles visited the gaol and invalid depot as a lay reader. He was honorary treasurer of the Institute of the Blind Society, on the committee of the City Mission, a member of the YMCA and of the Olive Branch and Star Tent IOR. He sympathised with Temperance reform and the poor, and his obituary states that 'his purse was also at the disposal of a deserving case'.

Charles Stearn died aged 72 on 5 July 1917 at his residence 'Percyville', 127 Invermay Road. He was buried at the Carr Villa Cemetery in Section B1 No 3, next to his son. Charles' wife and son also appear in the Album.

Angela Prosser Green & Marion Sargent Aug 2009; Jun 2021