From the files of Stephen M. Lawson
Ancestry of Thomas Parker
The
ancestry of Thomas PARKER (d. 1782) is very tentative. Early PARKER
records in Nansemond Co., VA and Chowan Co., NC appear to support the
lineage as presented here. However, it is difficult to clearly identify
various PARKERs with the same given names, and various compilers reach
differing conclusions based on the same records. The first Thomas
PARKER in this lineage currently has unproven paternity and may be the
son of William PARKER, the immigrant, or a grandson through Richard
PARKER I or through an as yet unidentified son of William. For a list
of various sources consulted, refer to Notes
on the Parker Ancestry.
Thomas Parker
The
paternity of Thomas PARKER has not been determined with any certainty.
Thomas PARKER - b. about 1626 or 1645, possibly in Nansemond
Co., VA; d. after 1704, VA. Believed to be son of Richard PARKER I, but possibly
Richard's uncle or first cousin. Resided in that portion of Nansemond
Co., VA which later became part of NC. Between 1679 and 1683, he
patented several tracts of land near the head waters of the Southern
Branch of the Nansemond River in the Upper Parish. No record has been
located providing his wife's name..
Children of Thomas Parker
- Thomas - b. about 1667, VA; d. 1717, Chowan Co., NC. Will
dated Jan. 23, 1717 and proved in Oct. Court 1717, Chowan Co., NC.
Thomas PARKER, Jr. received a patent to 240 acres in "Upper Par. of
Nansimund County" on Oct. 3, 1690, adjoining the land of Thomas Parker,
Sr. An entry in the Journal of John COMER of Boston in 1729 says that
he received a letter two years previous from a Baptist Church in NC
signed by three sons of Thomas PARKER, Jr.: Thomas, Joseph and John.
Thomas first married Elizabeth. Thomas second married Jeane, who may
have been Jean or Jane (EARLY) EVANS, daughter of William and Ellener
EARLY and widow of Peter EVANS, or she may have been daughter or widow
of another EVANS. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth PARKER: Peter. Children
of Thomas and Jeane PARKER: Thomas married Sarah NORFLEET; Joseph
married Ruth; John married Mary STONE; William married Ann (possibly
Ann KING, daughter of Henry
KING, Sr. and Catherine); Sarah; and Francis married Elizabeth
THOMAS.
- Peter - b. about 1686, VA; d. before 1720,
Chowan Co., NC.
- John - Possible son of Thomas PARKER, Sr. John received a grant
of 87 acres adjoining the land of Peter PARKER on Oct. 9, 1696.
Peter and Elizabeth Parker
Peter PARKER - b. about 1686, VA; d. before Apr. 1720,
Chowan Co., NC. Son of Thomas PARKER. The will
of Peter PARKER was dated Sep. 15, 1716 and proved in April Court 1720,
Chowan Co., NC. Peter's estimated birth year based on records that he
owned 140 acres in Nansemond Co., VA in 1704, purchased additional land
in Nansemond County in 1706, and sold some of the land in 1717. In
1714, Peter PARKER's land joined 387 acres in Chowan Precinct that was
purchased by Thomas PARKER.
Elizabeth -
Children of Peter and Elizabeth Parker
- John - Eldest son and executor of his father's will. Possibly the
John PARKER who married Rachel, daughter of Nicholas SESSUMS and
Elizabeth. The will of Nicholas SESSUMS, dated May 26, 1764 and proved
Oct. 1764 in Edgecombe Co., NC, in which he names daughter Rachel
PARKER. Rachel was the wife of John PARKER of Coharie Run, Sampson Co.,
NC, whose Apr. 24, 1800 will names wife Rachel. Based on the dates and
locations, it is possible that John PARKER, husband of Rachel SESSUMS,
was the brother of Thomas PARKER (d. 1782). Children of John and Rachel
(SESSUMS) PARKER (order uncertain): Luke; Josiah; Rev. Francis;
Lourany; John; Sarah; Elizabeth; Nicholas; William married Nancy Ann
OWEN; Louis; Sussums; and Thomas.
- Thomas - b. after 1697; d. by Oct. 1782,
New Hanover Co., NC.
- Joseph - Married. Son of Joseph PARKER: Job.
- Mary -
- Ann -
Thomas and Martha (Maples) Parker
Thomas PARKER - b. after 1697; d. by Oct. 1782, New Hanover Co.,
NC. Believed to be son of Peter PARKER
and Elizabeth. The will
of Thomas PARKER, written in 1775 and proved Oct. 1782, New Hanover
Co., NC, names daughter Laucesiah HIGHSMITH and wife Rachel. A
photocopy of the recorded will is desired to verify the persons named
and analyze the wording. Thomas Parker lived in Occoneechy, Northampton
Co., N.C. in Jan. 1745 when he purchased 500 acres in Edgecombe
Co., N. C. By Aug. 1752, he moved to New Hanover Co., N.C. It is
probable that Thomas was married first between 1729 and 1742 to Martha
MAPLES, of James City Co., VA. Thomas married second by Aug. 1752
Rachel.
Martha MAPLES - d. by Aug. 1752, NC. She of "of James City
County,"
VA, and may have been a widow when married to Thomas PARKER. Probably
the first wife of Thomas and mother of Lucretia.
Daughter of Thomas and Martha Parker
- Lucretia - b. NC. Married
Daniel HIGHSMITH.
Children of Thomas and Rachel Parker
- Rachel - Married Jacob POWELL.
- Mary - d. before Mar. 14, 1775. Married Mr. GAY.
- Elizabeth - Married Mr. LEE.
- Thomas - d. 1774, New Hanover Co., NC. Married Katherine HOWARD.
Son of Thomas and Katherine PARKER: Jacob.
- John - d. 1788, Duplin Co., NC. Married Elizabeth. Children of
John and Elizabeth PARKER: Peter; Elizabeth; Rachel; Mary; Sarah
married Thomas McCANNE; Asa married Phoebe WOODS; and Jacob.
- Hardy - Married on Jan. 15, 1798 in Duplin Co., NC to Susan
PARYDICE. Children of Hardy and Susan PARKER: Hardy A.; and John.