Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Coralynn Brown]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

PARKER This name has borne no inconspicuous part in the settlement and development of New England, and is now found in all parts of the country and this state. Not all of its bearers have been traced to a common origin, but most are known to have descended from the Puritan Fathers of New England colonies. The name has been honored in all generations, has been especially well known in military annals, and those who bear it in this region have held up its prestige. It has been associated with civil reforms, as well as active in military operations. (I) Captian James Parker was born in England about 1617, and came to America about 1638-39. He was a subscriber to town orders in Woburn in 1640, and was made a freeman in that town in 1644. He was one of the grantees in Billerica, Mass., and lived a short time in that town. He was one of the original proprietors of Groton, in which town the major part of his life was spent. He was one of its first selectmen, chosen in 1662, was made deacon of the church in 1663, and was sergeant and later captain of the militia. He was an extraordinary man, and active in all pertaining to the welfare of the community, being especially prominent in military affairs. He was moderator at most of the town meetings, and a member and chariman of the important committees, laying out lands, highways and boundaries. In 1693 he was representataive in the genearl court, under the charter from William and Mary. He lived to be eighty-four years old, and his will was made May 25, 1700. He was married in Woburn, in 1643, to Elizabeth Long, and resided in Woburn, Billerica, Chelmsford and Groton. Five of his children were born in Woburn, five in Chelmsford and one in Groton, the last being the offspring of his second wife, whom he married late in life, being eighty-one years old when the child was born. Children: Elizabeth, born 1645. Anna (or Hannah), born 1647. John, born 1649. Joseph, born 1651. James, born 1652, killed by Indians in 1694. Josiah, born 1655. Samuel, born 1656. Joshua, born 1658. Zachariah, born 1659. Eleazer, born 1660. Sarah, born 1667. (II) Joseph, fourth child and second son of James and Elizabeth (Long) Parker, was born in 1651 in Groton, Mass. His first wife's name was Elizabeth, and his second wife Hannah. Children: Sarah, Elizabeth, Simon, Joseph, Benjamin and John. (III) Joseph (2), fourth child and second son of Joseph (1) and Elizabeth Parker, was born March 1, 1689, in Groton, Mass. The name of his wife was Elizabeth. He had a son Isaac. (IV) Lieutenant Isaac, son of Joseph (2) and Elizabeth Parker, was born in Groton, Mass. He married Ruth Blood of that town, in Concord, Dec. 16, 1728, Justice Minot officiating. Children: Isaac, William, Thomas, Esther, Ruth, Nathaniel, David, Anna and Abraham. Lieut. Parker owned a sawmill on Mulpus brook, and was a man of consequence in his native town. About 1740 he removed to Township No. 4, now Charlestown, New Hampshire. His children were all born in Groton, and with him to No. 4 went his son Isaac. In this new town he was a man of much importance in local affairs, as is attested by his repeated election of office - six times moderator and eight times selectman. Lieut. Parker, Capt. John Spafford and Stephen Farnsworth were the first captives taken by the Indians from No. 4 in April, 1746. Being carried to Canada by their captors, they remained in captivity till the succeeding spring, when the trio were returned to Boston from Quebec under a flag of truce. Lieut, Parker was a member of Capt. Hobb's company in 1748, of Capt. Phineas Stevens' company in 1750, and in Col. Merrow's regiment in 1756, and was commadner of the post at Charlestown. The following is an extract from a letter Lieut. Parker wrote to Governor Wentworth, Oct. 3, 1756, which is worth copying here, and shows him to have been of fair education: "This day arrived here one Enoch Byshop, an English captive from Canada, who was taken from Contoocook about two years since. He left Canada, 26 days ago, in company with two other English captives, viz. William Hair late of Brookfield, entered into Shirley's regiment and taken to Oswego. The other man unknown, taken from Pennsylvania. They came away from Canada without guns, hatchet, or firearms, and with no more than three loaves of bread, and four pounds of pork. As they suffered much from want of provisions, his companions were not able to travel any farther than a little on this side of Cowoss (Coos) where he was obliged to leave them last Lord's day, without any sustenance but a few berries. Six men were sent out this evening to look for them, but it is to be feared they perished in the wilderness." He also addressed a letter to Lord Londoun conerning the defences at No. 4, and his lordship replied to the communication under date of Sept. 12, 1757. This brave soldier bore his part, and it was certainly an important part, in the mammoth undertaking of the sturdy pioneers who blazed the way for us who came after. He died April, 1762, his wife preceding him to the grave three years previously. (V) Isaac (2), first son of Lieut. Isaac (1) and Ruth (Blood) Parker, was born in Groton, Mass., Sept. 13, 1730. [trans note: no way 1730, since his first son was born in 1736] The name of his wife was Mary, who died March 8, 1755 [trans note: now just a minute....these dates mean she died when he was age 25 & she has to have been around that age as well. Below they list about 9 or 10 children she is supposed to have had. Not by age 25 she didn't.]. He removed with his father to Township No. 4 about 1740. Children: Mary, Isaac, Ruth, Thomas, Rebecca, Jacob and Elizabeth. The above were born in Groton. Born in No. 4 were: Sarah, Elijah and Anna. Isaac (2) married (second) Mehitable _____. Children by 2d wife: Sarah, Thomas and Mary. He held office in No. 4, and was an exceedingly useful and respected citizen, but was overshadowed by the superior ability of his noble father, who outlived him. He was a church member and a promoter of every worthy cause. Thus cut off at the early age of thirry, his death was a direct personal loss to the striving little community on the banks of the flowing Connecticut. (VI) Thomas, fourth child and second son of Isaac (2) and Mary Parker, was born in Groton, Mass., Aug. 1, 1736, and removed with his father to Township No. 4, now Charlestown, New Hampshire, when about four years of age. The name of his wife was Olive. Children: Betty, John, Hannah, Olive, Thomas, Phineas and Samuel. (VII) Deacon Thomas (2), fifth child and second son of Thomas (1) and Olive Parker, was born in No. 4 on the Connecticut river, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, Nov. 8, 1766. The name of his wife was Sally, born Aug. 29, 1770. Children: David, Thomas, Sally C., Otis, Betsey, John, Olive, Sophronia, Mary and Nehemiah. He was one of the first settlers of Winslow, Kennebec county, Maine, on the west side of the river on which is now Waterville, and his was the first white child born therein. Of the Baptist church he was a founder, a pillar, a deacon, and gave liberally of his means toward its support, and was a prosperous farmer. (VIII) Thomas (3), son of Thomas (2) and Sally Parker, was born in Waterville, Maine, Oct. 6, 1793. He had a son Nehemiah. Like his father this Thomas tilled the soil for a livlihood, and possessed abundant the military spirit, serving in Capt. Hitchings' company in the war for Sailors' Rights, in Lieut-Col. Sherwin's regiment, the Second Brigade and Eighth Division. (IX) Nehemiah, son of Thomas (3) Parker, was born in Fairfield or Waterville, Maine, Sept. 20, 1822, died Sept. 6, 1889, in Benton, Kennebec county, Maine. He married Elvira Brown, born Dec. 10, 1827, in Benton, died there Aug. 5, 1865. Children: 1. Thomas W., went to California and there died. 2. George D., married Lilly Sylvester. 3. Joseph C. 4. Charles F. 5. Orrin F., married Evelyn Vickery; children: Frank H., Manlety N. and Luke. 6. Willis N. 7. Edward F. 8. Fred S., married Luella Maud Thompson; children: Fred . Jr. and Edward F. Mr. Parker was a prosperous farmer, and resided on his one-hundred-and-ten-acre farm in the town of Benton all his life, was a staunch Democrat, and an attendant at the Methodist church. (X) Edward F., son of Nehamiah and Elvira (Brown) Parker, was born Dec. 20, 1863, in Benton, Maine, was educated in the public schools of his native town, and took an engineering course in the American School of Correspondence, where he graduated with honors. At the age of twenty he entered the employ of the Somerset Fiber Company, which was afterward consolidated with the Kennebec Mills, and is now known as the United Box Board and Paper Company, of which he is now (1908) general superintendent. The company employ two hundred hands, and manufacture soda pulp. Mr. Parker is a member of the Siloam Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Fairfield; Fairfield Lodge, No. 60, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Hiram Encampment No. 22, Waterville; Canton Halifax of Waterville; M. W. of A., Fairfield. Like his father, he is a Democrat. He married, Oct. 24, 1907, Minnie, daughter of Elezer Watson, of Fairfield.