Harriet A. Roche

Canadian author

Harriet A. Roche (née Mills, later Boomer) (1835–1921) was a Canadian author. Harriet, her sister, and her mother first came to Canada from England in 1851, after Mrs. Mills accepted a teaching position in the Red River Colony. Harriet and her mother returned to England in 1857. In 1858, Harriet Mills married Alfred Robert Roche. The couple traveled to the Transvaal in 1875, but became ill. Mr. Roche died during their return voyage. Harriet Roche married her second husband, Rev. Micail or Michael Boomer, of the Diocese of Huron, Ontario, Canada in 1878. She published two books about her experiences: On Trek in the Transvaal; or, Over Berg and Veldt in South Africa (1878) and Notes From Our Log in South Africa; and, On Foot Through the Colonies At the Paris Exhibition (1880).

Miss Harriet Mills was born on in Bishop's Hull, England, to solicitor Thomas Milliken Mills and his wife Ann Benton Mills. They were followed by her older sister Mary Louisa (Miss Mills). A new building was erected for the school and it was given the name of St. Cross. Mrs. Mills is said to have been very thorough in her instruction and management. The young ladies were trained in all the social etiquette of the day in addition to the more solid education imparted. Miss Mills (the elder daughter) assisted her mother with the music and modern languages. Miss Harriet Mills (the younger daughter) was more of a companion to the girls, and accompanied them on walks, in winter on the frozen river, in summer towards the plain. Soon after her elder daughter's marriage Mrs. Mills left Red River. Harriet and her mother returned to England in 1857, where her mother was appointed the principal of Queen's College, Harley Street, London, England. Harriet attended the lectures to continue her education.

After her return to Canada, Harriet married her second husband, Rev. Micail or Michael Boomer, of the Diocese of Huron, Ontario on 17 November 1878. Harriet's second book, Notes From Our Log in South Africa; and, On Foot Through the Colonies at the Paris Exhibition, was published in London, Ontario by the Free Press Printing Company, 1880. The title page indicates the author as "Harriet A. Boomer, author of On Trek in the Transvaal". Dean Boomer died March 4, 1888. At some point after Dean Boomer's death, she published Little Miss Ellerby and her big elephants: respectfully dedicated to all whom it may concern, a juvenile "dream" that is really about reducing parish debt. Mrs. Boomer died on 1 March 1921, in London, Ontario, Canada.