Lt. Isaac Parker
1680 - 1762
Lt. Isaac Parker was my 7th great grandfather, and one of the first pioneers to settle at township No. 4 on the Connecticut River, then the most northwestern English settlement in New England. That township is now called Charlestown, New Hampshire. My Parkers arrived there in 1740 from Chelmsford, MA, and in 1744 the village was fortified to protect the settlement during the King George War. Lt. Parker was second-in-command at the fort.
It was a dangerous time to be living in the wilderness, and on April 19, 1746 Lt. Isaac Parker, Capt. John Spafford and Stephen Farnsworth were captured by the Mohawk Indians and carried to Canada, where they were retained for 17 months before being returned to Boston under a flag of truce. Unfortunately, I can find no information about those 17 months of his captivity. Isaac's son, David Parker was wounded by Indians in an ambush near the fort two months later. UPDATE! See the Stephen Farnsworth captivity story for more information on this event.
Lt. Isaac Parker or his son, Isaac Parker Jr. was captured at Fort #4 by the Indians again, in 1757. According to Nona B. Bruce on page 9 of her The Fort at No. 4, 1740 to 1760, all returned. This quote comes from "The Connecticut River" by Bacon, page 245:
"In the spring of the next year, 1757, a, band of Indians and French soldiers again came upon Charlestown, and at a time when only a handful of men were in the fort. Three groups of settlers out for their day's occupations were attacked. It was the morning of the 19th of April, historic date of after years. One group was going to the mill; another to a maple sugar camp in the woods; the third was on a hunting trip. The men bound for the mill were first waylaid and the mill was burned. Next those at the sugar camp were intercepted, and lastly the hunters. Five were taken off to Canada and sold there as usual. One of them was Deacon Adams of the town church. Only two survived their captivity. These were David Farnsworth, another of the Farnsworth family of first settlers, who escaped, and Thomas Robbins, one of the hunting party. The next summer a band ambushed Asahel Stebbins's house, killed him and captured his wife. With her they also took off Isaac Parker. The same season the lower Valley region about the Massachusetts line was once more raided. At Hinsdale Captain Moore and his son were killed, the rest of his family captured, and their house burned down. These were the last raids into the valley settlements."
Lt. Isaac is believed by most sources to be the son of Joseph Parker II and Elizabeth Unknown of Chelmsford, son of Joseph Parker and Margaret Puttow. He was married to his second cousin, Ruth Blood, daughter of Nathaniel Blood and Anna Parker, daughter of James Parker and Elizabeth Long. Joseph and James Parker were brothers who were founders of the Groton Mass. area with their other brothers Abraham, John and Jacob. It is believed they also had a sister who came to the area in 1644 after settling first in Virginia, Mary Parker Chamberlain. One other sister, Anne Clyfe, possibly stayed in England. Their Aunt, Sarah Parker Converse, came to Woburn with the Winthrop Fleet in 1630.
The ancestry of Lt. Isaac Parker has been called into question by a fellow genealogist, Kathy Beals, who has discovered a series of articles about our Parker brothers. These articles were posted in the Boston Transcript as Note #694 beginning 15 Mar 1905. The key piece of evidence discussed was a deed.
[begin quote] re: Isaac3 Parker (Isaac2, Abraham1)
...he early went to Groton. The Concord town records show the marriage there Dec 16, 1708 of Isaac PARKER and Ruth BLOOD, both of Groton. An Isaac who had wife Ruth, and whose residence is given as Swansea, sold, May 12, 1710, land in Chelmsford "which belonged to my father Isaac Parker." Unless there were two Isaacs who each had a wife Ruth, all this refers to one couple, and Swansea was only a temporary residence, for the children are recorded at Groton. The Shattuck Genealogy gives a different parentage to Isaac, but the evidence seems unchallengeable for the belief that there was but one Isaac, and he has himself given his father's name, as above. He had a daughter Esther, and that was the name of his mother; he had a son, Abraham, which was the name of his grandfather. After a long residence in Groton he removed to Charlestown, NH where he was a prominent citizen, and where, too, he was captured by Indians and held prisoner for several months. Children, recorded at Groton: Isaac, b. Mar 7, 1709, married Mary _____; William b. Aug 19, 1710, m. Susanna KEMP; Thomas, b. Sept 24, 1712; Esther, b. Sept 24, 1714; Ruth, born July 2, 1716; prob. m. Joseph SANDERSON; Nathaniel, b. Feb 25, 1717-18, m. Eleanor WALKER; David, b. Feb 20, 1719-20; Anna b. Nov 9, 1721; Abraham, b. Sep 24, 1726, prob. m. Lois BLOOD Mar 16, 1749. [end quote]
If this lineage is correct, the parents of Isaac 3 PARKER, would be Isaac 2 PARKER b. 13 Sep 1660 in Chelmsford, who m. 11 Apr 1681, Esther FLETCHER. Isaac 2 PARKER was the son of Abraham 1 PARKER who married Rose WHITLOCK. Esther FLETCHER was the dau of William FLETCHER and Lydia ( ) Bates.
I personally am convinced of the accuracy of the Joseph line of descent. I have read most if not all of the town histories in western Massachusetts where Lt. Isaac's children and grandchildren settled, and without exception they listed Joseph II as his father. While it is possible that some of those lineages could have been copied from other works, some were quite obviously taken from family tradition. Who better to know than his own immediate descendants? And I have not found any further evidence to connect our Isaac with Swansea. If anyone has any evidence supporting either lineage, please contact Kathy Beals at kcbeals@jps.net or myself at smartin@javanet.com.
My lines of descent from John Parker through James and Joseph:
1 John PARKER Abt. 1525 - 1581
... +Margaret Parker UNKNOWN Abt. 1525 - ?
2 [6] John PARKER Abt. 1560 - 1613
... +Unknown Parker UNKNOWN Abt. 1560 - Abt. 1605 m: 1580-1590 in Great Burstead, Essex, England
3 John PARKER 1591 - Aft. 1630
... +Anne Parker UNKNOWN Abt. 1595 - Aft. 1630 m: Abt. 1614 in prob Great Burstead, England
4 [1] James PARKER 1617 - 1700
... +Elizabeth LONG 1621 - Bef. 1672 m: May 23, 1643 in Billerica MA Father: Robert LONG Mother: Sarah TAYLOR
5 Anna PARKER 1646/47 - 1727/28
... +Nathaniel BLOOD 1650 - 1727/28 m: June 13, 1670 in Chelmsford, MA Father: Richard BLOOD Mother: Isabell WILKINSON
6 [3] Ruth BLOOD 1683 - 1759
... +[2] Isaac PARKER 1680 - 1762 m: December 16, 1708 in Concord, MA Father: Joseph PARKER II Mother: Elizabeth UNKNOWN
7 William PARKER 1710 - 1761
... +Susanna KEMP 1720 - 1753 m: March 30, 1736 in Groton, MA Father: Samuel KEMP Mother: Sarah LACY
8 Samuel PARKER 1746/47 - 1826
... +Rebecca HUNT 1745/46 - 1802 m: December 27, 1768 in Groton, MA Father: William HUNT Mother: Elizabeth HILDRETH
9 Elijah PARKER 1782 - 1846
... +Nancy BEALS Abt. 1785 - 1820 m: 1806 in Charlemont, MA Parents Unknown
10 Samuel PARKER 1817 - 1891
... +Lucretia PHILLIPS 1820 - 1897 m: January 30, 1840 in Ashfield, MA Father: Abiram PHILLIPS Mother: Lucretia JEPSON
11 Eugene Leston PARKER 1844 - 1918
... +Elizabeth SMITH 1845 - 1934 m: Unknown in Plainfield? MA Father: John D. SMITH Mother: Sarah STRAW
12 Eugene Fredrick PARKER 1870 - 1955
********
4 [5] Joseph PARKER 1622 - 1690
... +Margaret PUTTOW Abt. 1630 - 1673-1683 m: April 16, 1650 in Great Burstead, Essex, England
5 [4] Joseph PARKER II 1653 - 1725
... +Elizabeth Parker UNKNOWN Abt. 1660 - Bef. 1684 m: Abt. 1678 in Dunstable MA probably
6 [2] Isaac PARKER 1680 - 1762
... +[3] Ruth BLOOD 1683 - 1759 m: December 16, 1708 in Concord, MA Father: Nathaniel BLOOD Mother: Anna PARKER
I have met some fabulous people on the internet that descend from these Parker brothers or their relatives in the Groton and Charlestown areas. I would like to thank Fort #4 descendant Charles Wetherbee for sending me pictures of the fort, one of which I used for the header graphic. I'd also like to thank James Parker's descendant Janice Farnsworth for the following transcription relating to my Grampa Parker. And I can't say enough about Groton researcher Elinor Skeate for generously sharing her very thorough database every time I get confused.
In the summer of '98, I had the good fortune to meet some of the "Parker Gang" in Groton. Bill McNulty, aka MACEIRE, led us on a tour of all the places we'd been reading so much about, while Rufus Frost tried to contain his unbridled adulation of my Parker ancestors (having discovered none of his own, as yet). Sue Gardner made the day a complete delight, and has generously scanned for me this picture of the gang standing in front of the oldest inn in America! Here we are, from left to right: SueG, SueWE, RFrost and MACEIRE. Thanks for the memories, guys!
LIEUT ISAAC PARKER
Source: History of Charlestown, NH - The Old No. 4
by Rev. H. H. Saunderson printed 1876
p.502
The Parkers were among the first settlers (of No. 4)
and Lieut Isaac Parker was among the most prominent men
in the township. On the Proprietor's Records his name
is found in connection with the most important business
transactions. On the Town Records it is found six times
as moderator and eight times as one of the selectmen;
and when it is considered that he died April 1, 1762,
only nine years after the organization of the town, it
shows that he must have possessed the confidence of his
fellow townsmen to an unusual degree. He had been
moderator, and had also been elected first selectman
the March previous to his decease. Mrs. Parker died
March 25, 1759.
Lieut. Isaac Parker, Capt. John Spafford and Stephen
Farnsworth were the first captives taken by the Indians
from No. 4. They were taken on the l9th of April 1746
They were carried to Canada where they were retained
through the following winter when they were returned to
Boston under a flag of truce.
Lieut. Parker was a member of Capt. Hobb's company in
1748 in which he held the position of lst Lieutenant and
did his duty most bravely and manfully in the almost
unexampled fight which they had with Sackett on the 26th
of June 1748 (see pp45-47) He was also a lieutenant
in Col. Meserve's regiment in 1756. After Capt. Stevens
left for the war in Nova Scotia, Lieut Parker was put
in his place as commander of the post of Charlestown (NH)
The following is an extract of a letter from him while
acting in this capacity, dated Charlestown, Oct 3, 1756
It was directed to Governor Wentworth:
Charlestown
October 3 1756
To Governor Wentworth
"This day arrived here one Enoch Byshop, an English
captive, from Canada, who was taken from Contoocook about
two years since. He left Canada twenty six days ago, in
company with two other English captives, viz. William
Hair late of Brookfield, entered into Shirley's regiment
and taken at Oswego. The other name unknown taken from
Pennsylvania. They came away from Canada without gun,
hatchet or fireworks and with no more than three loaves
of bread, and four pounds of pork. As they suffered
much for want of provisions, his companions were not able
to travel any further than a little on this side Cowoss
(Coos) where he was obliged to leave them last Lord's
day, without any sustenance but a few berries. Six men
sent out this evening to look for them but it is to be
feared they perhished in the wilderness."
The letter of Lieut Parker also contained important in-
formation given by Byshop of the movements of the enemy
confirming intelligence which had been previously re-
ceived. The inhabitants of No. 4 having failed to gain
the needed force for their protection from New-Hampshire
had, at the instance of Gov. Shirley, forwarded a petit-
ion to the King. Before an answer had been received,
the settlement still being in great danger, Lieut Parker
on Sept. 1, 1757 had addressed a letter to Lord Loudoun
informing him of the circumstances of its situation. To
this he received the following answer:
New York, Sept. 12th 1757
"Sir. I am commanded by His Excellancy the Earl of
Loudoun to acquaint you that he has received your letter
of the first instant and to assure you that he will give
proper orders for the protection of the inhabitants in
your part of the country.
I am likewise to acquaint you that his Lordship has re-
ceived the Petition of the inhabitants back from England
with directions thereupon.
I am Sir Your Most Humble Servant
Jo. Forbes, Adjutant General."
To Mr. Isaac Parker at No. 4 on Connecticut River
_______________
p.503
Isaac Parker Jr. was also a useful and respected citizen
and would probably have stood before the public much more
prominently had it not been for the overshadowing in-
fluence of his father which appears to have been only
second to that of Capt. Phineas Stevens. He was still
placed often on the important committees and entrusted
with business of such consequence s would at least be
adapted to show the confidence of the public, both in his
trustworthiness and ability. He died about two years
before Lieut Parker (senior) and in his death and that
of his father, subsequently a loss was experience which
doubless affect the little settlement deeply. For there-
by was removed not only an exemplary member of the church
which had been but a short time formed, but a citizen
of much promise.
Nathaniel Parker, though his name occurs occasionally
in the Proprietor's records, was not entrusted with much
public business, and of David, another son of Lieut
Parker, little more is known than that he was wounded
in a fight which Capt. Stevens and Capt. Brown had with
a party of Indians on the l9th of June, 1746 who laid
an ambush for them while they were going to the meadow
for their horses into which fortunately, they did not
fall.
p.504
Elijah Parker, son of Isaac Parker Jr. and his wife,
Mary, b. July 4th 1750 married Nov. 3, 1769 Elizabeth
Farwell dau of William and Bethiah Farwell b. at Mans-
field, CT Aug 12, 1751. Their children:
1. Isaac Parker b. Apr 9, 1770
2. Dolly (or Dorothy) Parker b. May 15, 1772 m. (l)
Lemuel Cone of Westminster; she m. (2) Benjamin
Bellows of Charlestown, NH
3. Elizabeth Parker b. Apr 14, 1774 d. Mar 20, 1791
4. Jacob Parker b. May 25, 1776
5. Elijah Parker Jr. b. June 26, 1778
6. Ora Parker b. March 30, 1780
7. David Parker b. April 4, 1782 m. Fanny Jones on
April 1810 and their children:
1. Fanny Jones Parker b. Dec 3, 1813
2. Mary Ann Parker b. Jan 2l, 18l4.
3. Isaac Parker b. Mar 25, l816 d. l837
4. David Parker, Jr. died at Evansville,
Indiana June 5, 1837.
David Parker was a colonel in the 16th Regiment of
New Hampshire Militia whence his title Colonel
Parker, by which he was always called. He was a
prosperous farmer and lived where Edwin Hubbard,
Esq. later lived and Col. Parker died May 4, 1846
His widow at last accounts was living at Vergennes
VT with her daughter.
8. Polly (or Mary) Parker b. June l9, 1784
9. Enos Parker b. May 1, 1786
10. Patty (or Martha) Parker b. Mar 7, 1788
11. Phineas Parker b. Apr 2l, 1790
12. Sophia Parker b. Feb 7, 1792
13. John Parker b. Feb 17, 1794
l4. Sarah Parker b. March 9, 1797
Elijah Parker, Senior died Dec. 25, 1804. Mrs. Parker
died Sept 9, 1840.
p.504
Stephen Parker b. Oct 18, 1770 died Feb 7, 1865 m.
Mary Bellows who died 1845 aged 63. Their children:
1. Solomon Parker b. at No. 4 1798 m. Miriam Wright of
Westminster and settled at Middlebury, VT. He was a
paper amker and had five children.
2. Mary A. Parker b. Jan l7, 1798 at No. 4 m. Mar 14,
1820 Lewis C. Osgood.
3. Stephen Parker, Jr. b. 1800 m. (1) Caroline Bowles
(one son by this marriage in 1876 resided in Stock-
ton, CA) Stephen Parker Jr. m. (2) in Cleveland,
Ohio.
4. Eliza Parker m. Hiram Leach and lived in Middlebury
VT and had eight children.
5. Milicent Parker d. in infancy.
6. Sibil Parker b.___m. James C. Stebbins.
7. Laura Parker b. Apr 28, 1813 m. George Parker (see
profile below)
8. Sarah Parker m. Aurelean Justus Cook of Springfield
VT had 3 living children.
9. Royal Bellows Parker m. Nancy Miller of Nantucket
and resided at Stockton, CA and had nine children
eight lived.
10. Elithea Parker m. Levi Harlow of Fort 4 and had
nine children.
George Parker (son of Joseph and Anna (Upham) Parker
b. at Nantucket, Mass. April 8, 18l4 m. July 7th, 1839
Laura Parker (above) dau of Stephen and Mary (Bellows)
Parker, b. April 28, 18l3 Their children:
1. George Lewis Parker b. Mary 7, 1841 d. Jan 7, 1842
2. Susan Sophia Parker b. Feb 27, 1844
3. Willie Leverett Parker b. Apr 9, 1856.
George Parker came to Charlestown, NH in 1843.
_______________________________________________________
Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth
NEW!
Subject: Wife of Lieut Isaac Parker
Source: The Fort at No. 4 1740 to 1760 by Nona B. Bruce 1990 ISBN0962247111
p.9 1757 to 1759
One hundred of Lieut Col. John Goffe's men were stationed at Charlestown. New Hampshire was now beginning to take over supplying men for the western frontier that Massachusetts had been maintaining. In August a party of Indians killed Asahel Stebbins and took his wife prisoner, along with Isaac Parker and David Hill. All returned. During the winter, Charlestown was garrisoned with one hundred regular troops under command of Capt. Charles Cruikshanks. Early spring in the village of Charlestown saw an outbreak of smallpox. According to William Heywood's Journal in the New York Historical Society, from the 11th of March to April 28, 1759, 32 men, women and children came down with the disease and five died. Lieut. Isaac Parker's wife died after a ten day illness. The Parker house was designated the "pox house" and the cases were moved to it as they became ill. In just one week eight came down with the "terrible pox".
