Hello Pharr researchers,
I am a college professor doing some research into early shipping disputes in Australia/NZ, and came across this information that I thought you might find helpful.
Robert Elam Pharr was a seaman aboard the barque "Tartar" (312t, port of registry San Francisco).
The vessel arrived in Port Jackson, Sydney NSW on 22 August 1853. The vessel had left San Fran on 22 April 1853 and travelled via the Sandwich Islands and New Zealand. It had a crew of 16, 150 steerage passengers, and 2 cabin passengers (8 came from Sandwich Is, none from NZ it would seem). The master's name was Matthew Madigan.
Shortly after arriving in Sydney Pharr and a crewmate (the steward William Henry Lewis) had the Tartar arrested in order to claim unpaid wages in the Vice Admiralty Court of New South Wales.
In the action he is named as Robert Elam Pharr, seaman, “of Sydney”, claiming £20
(also William Henry Lewis, steward, “of Sydney”, claiming £62)
From my research it appears that most people taking actions in the Vice Ad Court were described as "of Sydney", even if they had come straight from the US/UK, which I believe was a lawyer's "little white lie" in order to make sure there were no issues of jurisdiction (eg, look, here's a local lad claiming wages, nothing unusual here). Pharr's claim was filed on 31 August 1853 and withdrawn a few days later, again not an uncommon outcome, suggesting they got paid.
This material came from the NSW State Records office near Penrith, which holds the Vice Admiralty Court files (his is case no 103), which I have photographed. The arrival records for the Tartar can be found in the "ships and mariners in Australian waters" database found on their website - just go to the arrival month mentioned above and they had pdfs of the records.
I hope this helps - it was a pleasant surprise to find the name (such a distinct one!) when I searched for more details. In exchange I would gladly receive anything that helped flesh out his story a little post arrival in Sydney.
Best wishes,
capitalkiwi