What About The Massachusetts Parkers

By Melanie Dewsnup

For many decades, our Parker family tree has taken a wrong turn.   My grandfather, John Leon Parker, his grandfather Fredrick Albion Parker, and his great aunt Mary Melissa Parker (Summerhays), all traced our family back through a Parker family line that had their American roots in Massachusetts.  In the days of snail mail and lack of accessibility to records, our family genealogists used information and circumstantial evidence from the book, “The Genes of Abraham Parker” to trace our line.  The names and dates of this Massachusetts line were close enough to what we knew about our Parker family, that my grandfather John Leon Parker (particularly) felt this was the correct line.

However, recent DNA discoveries have shown that our Parker line is not a match with descendants of this Massachusetts Parker line.  Also, record/source evidence has proven that we are also not linked to this family.  We have worked diligently on Family Search/Tree to correct this mistake.

Below is the pedigree of the Massachusetts family that we have been linked to for ages – we wanted you to have the correct information, so you could see how this is not our New York Parker line.

From "The Genes of Abraham Parker 1612-1685" (p. 2)

Joshua Parker (b. 1740) married Mary Boynton (m. Mar. 15, 1764 in Westford, MA).

He had a son with Mary Boynton: Joshua, b. 1764 in Westford, Massachusetts.

They also had: Patty, Mary, and lastly Jeremiah (christened 1771).

Mary Boynton died in Westford, MA, on Nov. 30, 1771.

Joshua Sr. (b. 1740) then married Hannah Kidder (2nd Wife) of Cambridge, in Westford, on  March 8, 1774.

They had the following children: Amaziah Fassett, Hannah, Dorothy (Dolly), and Benjamin.

The source says he (Joshua b. 1740) "resided sometime in Cavendish, Vermont, then moved to Gouverneur, New York, where his daughter Dorothy (Dolly) resided and he died there about 1831."

His son, Joshua (b. 1764 in Westford, MA --“Deacon Joshua”) married Hannah Jackman of Lunenburg in 1790, and had the following children, Mary (Polly), Betsey, Levi, Joshua (b.1803), Abner, John W.

The source says, "Deacon Joshua died Dec. 22, 1827. Joshua and Hannah are buried in Cavendish, Vermont."

His son Joshua (b. 1803,) married Eunice Conant. This source says, "Joshua born April 17, 1803, married February 1830 to Eunice Conant, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Shaw) Conant who was born, June 22, 1797, and died May 18, 1882 (almost 85) in Cavendish, with Joshua dying there Aug. 22, 1879, at age 76.

He had the following succession: Charles D, grandson Charles C, great grandson Richard P." (From "The Genes of Abraham Parker" page 2.)

The Joshua and Drusilla Parker family photograph

While doing family research on my Parker family tree, my mothers cousin Barbara Sanders gave me picture pedigree of the family that she'd worked hard to put together. She did an amazing job back in the 80's and early 90's. It was great to see the photos of some of the family, but the photos of many of them were copies and a poor quality.

Thankfully she and her father Harold had collected them for which I was grateful. And I figured that had to be more pictures of the family other there, and that thought sent me off on to an adventure to find good photos of each of the family members. Slowly one my one the photos were discovered, and the hardest to find was of their 5th child France. Once his photograph was discovered in 2011 I was thrilled to share it with his grandchildren that are still living.

Head-shots didn't give me a sense of a complete family so that when I decided to create time period portrait of my own of my Parker family ancestors.  I've seen my photo posted on different sites and I want everyone to know its not an original photo, but instead my own composition of the family. Here's the copy I made for myself with the names of each family member on it, in hopes that other family members like yourself will enjoy it as well.

Joshua and Drusilla Parker

This photo was created in 2011 after I discovered photos of Joshua Parker 1809 and Drusilla H. Parker, discovered at the Summerhay Archive in Provo Utah.

 This photo of Joshua is the only photograph that has ever been discovered thus far. All the others portraits once examined are pastels rendering of this photograph.  Some of these pastels were discovered in Salt Lake City at their son Daniel home, and others were discovered in Idaho by Sharon Christensen from their son Parley Parker line.

My Journey

The Joshua Parker lineage on New Family Search is so confusing!  All the Joshua’s are merged together and the only documentation presented is from those who determined the connections in New York.

Joshua Parker from Genesse County, New York is also included in this merging.  Research was done in LeRoy, Genesee County, New York sometime before 1992 and it was determined “this” Joshua was not my lineage.  That needs to be done again and the documentation attached to his family.

Massachusetts often have wonderful town records on microfilm that can be accessed to find families.  How our Joshua got connected to the Massachusetts family is a mystery, but if the documentation can be produced for that family it would certainly clear up the discrepancy.

Professional Researchers often have to document lines to prove they are not the correct ones.  This is especially helpful with “preponderance of evidence” for DAR lineage proof. 

Researching two Parker lines was done for one lecture to show how “folklore” can often get confused with fact. It was proved that Butch Cassidy was not directly related to our Parker family. 

My Journey:

1960-1970

I was introduced to genealogy by my husband’s grandmother, Malinda Wells from Salmon, Idaho.  She had several legal sized Books of Remembrance compiled, hand-written or typed and creased after the page was folded to fit a standard manual typewriter.  My heart was touched.

In 1966 our little family moved to Salt Lake City and compiling our own Books of Remembrance was my primary project.  The Genealogical Society in the old Montgomery Ward building on Main Street had member submitted Archive Sheets in large binders.  Every month my two little ones and I would trudge to the library as they offered babysitting in the basement. 

The Xerox copier had just been invented and made available at the library for five cents a copy. My husband’s lines were extensive and his book became large quickly.  My Parker/Zachrisson lines had limited information. Most of the work was compiled in the early 1900’s.  The sources of information noted on the sheets were often books or personal knowledge.

Since there were so many LDS descendants from Joshua and Drucilla Parker, my decision was to work on the Beauvais because we were few in numbers.  So during the 1960-1980 period while raising children, etc.,  I wrote letters, obtained documents and discovered the Beauvais history.

In the 1970’s the Church greatly expanded the Genealogical Library providing cabinets and cabinets of microfilm to pour over. It was tedious work with very few indexes to guide the researcher.  You really had to be very lucky, or guided by the Spirit to find the information.  By 1972 we lived in San Diego, CA and much time was spent in the LDS Genealogical Library there and public libraries that had very small genealogical sections.  

1980-1990

By 1980 we were in Arvada, CO, but an opportunity came to attend the World Conference on Records in Salt Lake City.  At that time they showed a microfiche and all were amazed that a whole book could be transferred to his card and we could use a reader to search it---beats having your head in a reader with a very tired arm from reeling the film.  They also told us that some day we would be able to do our genealogy research from our homes. How prophetic was that! The computer age was upon us.

1980’s

By the 1980’s we were happily printing copies of records from microfilm and microfiche.  Classes were offered in our stakes and libraries.  By 1981 we were in Lubbock, TX and we lived there ten years.  After teaching classes, doing Extraction for the Church and helping others in our various places of residences my confidence grew.

Our children were leaving the nest and it was time for me to decide what to be when I grew up.  Being an Institute Secretary, students attending Texas Tech. University inspired me.   A course of study was a hard decision  – music, art, writing, etc, but my first love was research.  So began my journey to become an Accredited Genealogist with the Genealogical Library in Salt Lake City.  The man in charge of that testing was Jimmy Parker --- funny now to recall that.

My summers at BYU included being taught by the best researchers of the day.  They emphasized documentation and much of my class work was based on finding documents and proving data.  Since LDS Church records were part of my study, the Parker family became my focus.   We were to verify the old Archive Records as described in the previous 1960-1970 section of this letter.  I could not find the references indicated on the Parker sheet, so it was time to look for the “personal knowledge.” Howard Erickson was contacted.  He was helpful with pictures and some of the history of Charles Henry Parker family.  The oldest relatives of his were located and interviewed, but they had little knowledge of Joshua and Drusilla Parker. 

When I began studying the ward records of the families and followed up with obituaries, death records, marriage records and census records, I came to the conclusion the Massachusetts origin was not correct.  All the records pointed to the New York Joshua Parker.  There was no documentation to prove otherwise.  

In 1987 I received my Associate Degree in Genealogy, passed my Mid-Western States Accreditation exams at the Library and began taking clients.

1990’s

 We lived in Southern California by 1992, I was very active in my occupation and the Association of Professional Genealogists. Sharon C and I found each other, maybe through Barbara G, and she shared with me her research on the Parker’s in New York and New Jersey.  It fit my conclusions from my college days. Sharon put me in touch with Robert Smith and his research was on going and accurate.  I felt this research was in good hands.

By the latter 1990s my work was writing, lecturing and teaching classes.  We had moved to Michigan and then back to Texas by 1999 and I slowly quit taking clients, although Accreditation qualification was continued.

2000’s

In 2004 the Beauvais Book was finished and full-time care for my aunt and mother began..

Sometime in the past five or six years Greg Parker in Oklahoma sent me packet of information concerning DNA testing and the possible connection of the Virginia Parker family to the New York Parker family.  Having attended many of the DNA classes at LDS and National Genealogical Conferences, this was not foreign to me.  My husband, was part of a grand DNA project at BYU that included many Wells’ lines.  It was very helpful in determining who connected where, solving many mysteries.

Thank you for the gathering of the Joshua and Drusilla Parker descendants this month.  I was in the parking lot the first day and a woman asked me if I was Diann Wells.  “Yes I am,“I replied to Sharon Christensen.  We had never personally met.  During the dinner I got up to get some napkins off the head table and a man asked if I was Diann Wells.  “Yes, I am,” I said to Robert Smith, again we had never met.  The next day I spoke with Greg Parker.  It was good to put faces with those good researchers.  

2012 Parker Family Reunion - A Great Success

This was to date the largest Parker family reunion for the descendants of Joshua Parker 1778 and Sarah Rogers 1876.  Attending were the descendants  from their fifth child Joshua Parker 1809 line and Caleb Parker 1812 line, and included Joseph Faulkner Parker 1841 line.  That discovery was made through DNA studies done by Gregory Parker his grandson.
 

Parker Family Reunion

An Exceptional 3-Day Parker Reunion

This will be historic—a very memorable gathering of Parker Cousins.

It’s time to enjoy a Special Reunion of Joshua Parker descendents—Parker cousins from all over the US—all together in the place that Joshua and Drusilla Parker called home—Salt Lake City.

They were here at the beginnings of the city. They helped build it, were a part of its pioneer heritage, and they raised their young children here, your grandparents and great grandparents.  

Here’s a chance for us to come back “home” and to rediscover our family roots, our early Parker history, and to walk together  in our ancestors’ footsteps for a few days, getting to know  them better…as we get to know each other better, too.

It’s a privilege of a lifetime.

Our Parker Family Reunion Headquarters:                    

Just west of the Utah State Capitol Building, this is where we will meet and mingle, eat together, have classes together, SHARE with each other, have a group photo together, and explore where and how the Parkers lived and reared their families, and discover Salt Lake City like you’ve always wanted to discover it.

For Salt Lake City is where our roots go deep. 

REUNION  SCHEDULE  

Friday, September 7, 2012

Breakfast and Lunch on your Own

9:30 am to 11:00 am    Open Registration—Meet and Mingle in the LOBBY of the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel (122 W. South Temple Street, SLC, UT 84101). This is where you get your  INFO PACK on places to visit and Parker ID Badges.                                                             

11:00 am to 5:00 pm     Enjoy FREE TIME to explore Salt Lake City.                           

§  Walking/Driving Tour of Joshua Parker’s home location and Joshua’s neighbor’s house,.

       the Deveroux Mansion.

§  Visit World-Class Family History Facilities

                        The Family History Library

                        The Family Histroy Center  JSMB Bldg

                        The Church History Library

§  The Pioneer Museum

§  Brigham Young’s Beehive House—Parker relatives did hand woodgraining throughout.

§  The New City Creek Center South of Temple Square

§  And MUCH more to see and do.

                                               

5:00 pm  Check-in at Reunion Headquarters—The Old Rock Chapel, 413 N.W. Capitol St., Salt Lake City 84103                                                                                                                                

5:30 pm to 8:00 pm Catered Dinner Buffet with Special Guest, Brigham Young (really) sharing remembrances of the life with  Joshua, Drusilla and children in early Salt Lake City.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Breakfast and Lunch on your Own

10:00 am to 1:00 pm Explore This is the Place Heritage Park  2601 E. Sunnyside  Avenue, Salt Lake City 84108 ▪ Admission is $7   adults, $5 for seniors & children, infants free.    

                                            

11:00 am      At the Wood Working Shop in the Park, a Special  Parker Hosted Event for Parker Descendents with   Richard McDonald, Master Wood Carver, demonstrating        the period tools and methods that Joshua Parker used.

                             

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm       Reunion Classes, Workshops & Sharing Time  The Old Rock Chapel.    

5:00pm                                 Group Reunion Photo The Old Rock Chapel                  

5:30 pm to 8:30 pm       Dutch Oven Dinner followed by Closing Ceremonies, Recognitions, and Special

Workshop & Class Presenters ▪ Saturday, 2pm to 5pm

Sue Maxwell comes through Daniel Parker’s son Louis and she is an avid genealogist. Sue is currently vice president of the Utah Genealogical Association. Her expertise and passion is in teaching others how to find the details of their own roots and solve family mysteries along the way.

Robert Smith comes through Caleb Parker’s line, the brother of Joshua Parker. Robert lives in New Jersey and since the early 80’s has been researching the Parker line, verifying the actual New York records of Joshua’s and Caleb’s family and their father, also Joshua Parker, leading to some startling conclusions.

Jerry Parker comes through Orson Parker’s line and was inspired by the research coming out about Orson’s father, Joshua. Jerry verified the research and recently published Joshua Parker: A Family of Faith and Courage. Jerry will share many of the stories that inspired him at the Reunion.

Suzanne Hansen comes through Daniel Parker’s son Delroy and has been a Parker enthusiast ever since she acted on her mother’s wish (Mary Louise Parker Lindman) some 15 years ago to find some of her Mom’s long lost Parker cousins. Today, Suzanne is the editor of the PARKER PRESS.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

No Specific Reunion Meals or Formal Gatherings--just enjoy exploring Salt Lake City, visiting with family, and perhaps take a trip to Salt Lake City Cemetary.

9:00 am-10:00 am Attend the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir Broadcast in theTabernacle on Temple Square. Be in seats by 9 am. Broadcast starts at 9:30 am.

►Joshua Parker worked on the Tabernacle which was built between 1864 and 1867. After 10:00 am Temple Square

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Temple Square Tours Available

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Self Tours in the Visitor Centers

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Joseph Smith Memorial Building—Legacy Theatre and Family History Center

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Organ Recital in the Tabernacle 2-2:30 pm

Visit the Salt Lake City Cemetary (est. 1848)

►Joshua and Drusilla and many other Parkers are

buried here. (CEMETARY MAP provided with your

Info PACK you receive at Registration on Friday.)

For more information e-mail the Parker Family Association at Suzanne2397@gmail.com 

                                                                                                                                       

Jacob’s Ladder or stairway to heaven – As Jacob’s vision is opened, God beckons unto him to climb the stairway step by step. (Genesis 28:12-13, 22)

“In this dispensation, the Lord extends the glorious invitation of taking our ancestors by the hand and climbing with them up the stairway and through the gate. For this effort we were chosen and elected. To fulfill this promise, the priesthood was restored. From first to last, this was the central thrust of the Restoration.” (“House of Glory” p. 104)

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For many years, the Parker family tree has taken a diversion, due to inaccurate research done by many of our Parker cousins. We have been incorrectly linked to a Parker line from Massachusetts.

This Massachusetts family seemed close enough to us in dates and names – causing many of us to accept this line as our own. We have now discovered, through much effort on the part of dear cousins such as Robert Smith (Caleb Parker) in New Jersey, Suzanne Hansen (Daniel Parker) in Utah, Jerry Parker (Orson Hyde Parker), Debbie Hadden (Charles Henry Parker), and Gregory Parker (DNA testing), that documentation exists disproving this Massachusetts connection.

As we looked at the descendants of the Massachusetts family, Joshua Parker b. 1740, from Westford, Massachusetts, also had a son Joshua, b. 31 Dec. 1764, among his eight children. This Joshua married Hannah Jackman. They had 6 children, named Mary, Betsey, Levi, and Joshua (b. 1803), Abner, and John. He and his family moved to Cavendish, VT. He died and is buried there in Cavendish, 22 Dec. 1827.

The first Joshua, b. 1740 secondly married Hannah Kidder, and moved to Cavendish also. He died in Gouverneur, NY about 1831.

The grandson Joshua, (b. April 17, 1803) is also buried in Cavendish, VT. He was married to a Eunice Conant, and he died in Cavendish Aug. 22, 1879, at the age of 76.

(Book Excerpt (Parker Chapter) “Genes of Abraham” from Westford Public Library.)

This grandson, (Joshus Parker, b. 1803) – (if we follow this Massachusetts line correctly), would have to be our pioneer ancestor, Joshua Parker, b. 2 November, 1809, who married Drusilla Hartley Parker, and died in Salt Lake City, Utah, 17 July, 1880.

Clearly from Joshua’s own hand, we have the following:

“Joshua Parker, was born city of New York in the year 1809, embraced the gospel in the year Eighteen thirty eight Emigrated to Nauvoo in the year eighteen forty two lived In Illinois untill the church Broke up and then went to St. Louis remained there one year and five months and then came back up the Mississippi went to Bonaparte on the Desmoan River lived there untill the year forty nine.

And then a small company of us took up our line of march For council Bluffs iowa Arrived there all well Brother Hamilton Kearns and Family, Joshua Parker and family Brother Jacob degraw and family. Brother Dougherty and family And me and family I remained at Kainesville until the year fifty two and then took up the line of march Again for the valleys of the mountains with the Sixteenth Company of hundreds Arrived in Salt Lake City October 9^th, where I have remained until the present Time Eighteen Sixty eight with my family J Parker” (Copied exactly as written)

Our grandfather Joshua Parker, b. 1809, has stated that his parents were Joshua Parker and Sarah Rogers. They were married in the Reformed Dutch Church of New York City, on June 30, 1802.

From the New York City directories and Death Registry, we learn that Joshua Parker, (b. 1778) died at age 41, Sept 27, 1819. In the New York City death registry, Joshua’s (b. 1778) place of “nativity” or birth, is listed as “Cortlandt Manor, SNY.” He was living on Greenwich St. in Manhatten at the time of his death. A year later, Sarah, his wife, is listed in the city directory of 1820, (and is listed as a “widow”), living at 29 Charlton St., New York City.

New York City, and the small cities north near Cortlandt Manor/Tarrytown etc on the banks of the Hudson River, have revealed many more clarifications to our Parker roots in New York.

ore to come!

Melanie Dewsnup (descendant of Frederick Albion Parker, son of Joshua Parker (b. 1809)