Captain Robert Charles Harker, son of General and Mrs Francis Harker of Swinfore, Ireland, was government resident of Plettenberg Bay for November 1826 to December 1847 when this post was abolised. He was granted a pension and the use of th residency for his lifetime.
Prior to his arrival in South Africa, Robert Harker served for a total of 20 years in the 96th regiment (Later the East Yorkshire) in England, Jersey, Guernsey, Nova Sotia and Bermuda.
In February 1809 he married Maria Herrick of the city of Cork, Ieland, they had four daughters and three sons when they arrived in cape Town in december 1823, and 2 years later a fourth son, John was born at Woddville, Robert Harker's beautiful farm east of George. A natural son, Henry Adolphus, later given the surname of Harker, was bon in the same year. Robert soon gave up farming and became a government official at Plettenberg Bay. He also acted as Postmaster and justice of the peace.
At various times he owned land in and around the bay including partnership with a son in law - Dukamma, lying between the Keurbooms ad Bitou rivers north of Wittedrift. Part of this he ranmed Uplands.
Captain Harker's beloved wife, Maria, died on 18 December 1834 and he buried her in the sequestered corner of the residency grounds.
Over the next quarter of a century he also buried four other members of his family here: His eldest son Edward Herrick Harker, Edwards wife Wilhelmina, daughter of H.S du Toit JP of Uitenhage, an infant granddaughter Maria Sandenbergh, and his eldest daugher's husband, John archibald Sinclair. This scott was the manager and joint proprietor of the "Whale Fisher" at Plettenberg Bay from 1831 until he died on 29 January 1859. Less than two months later on 16 March 1859 Robert Charles Harker died at Harkerville the area west of Plettenberg Bay named after hime, and was laid to rest here, next to his Irish born wife.