PARKERS HAVE HOOSIER HOMESTEAD FARM

Article taken from the July 22, 1976 Tri-County Truth

Mrs. and Mrs. PAUL M. PARKER of R. 1 Huntertown have received a certificate from the State of Indiana designating theirs, a Hoosier Homestead Farm, one which has been owned by the same family for over 100 years.

The farm was a land grant purchase from the government, November 7, 1835, by Parker’s great-grandfather, BENJAMIN PARKER.  The deed to the original 40-acre tract was signed by President Andrew Jackson.

Acreage was added and the farm went to OMRI PARKER and his wife, MARIE, the first teacher in Perry Township.  From them it went to BURT PARKER, father of PAUL, and the farm has been in Paul’s name since 1969.

Parker says he remembers his grandmother well, though he was quite young when she died in 1903.  He said she used to tell of teaching and living in the homes of her pupils during the school term.  She was paid $1.25 a week for her duties.  She also told of seeing Indians moving through the county and of wagons transporting wheat up to their hubs in mud on Lima Road.

Parker said he began attending Central High School in Fort Wayne in 1914 and rode to and from school on the Interurban, a large trolley powered by overhead electric lines.  The Interurban ran across the southeast corner of the Parker farm en route from Fort Wayne to Huntertown, Garrett, Auburn, and Kendallville.

Parker also said he remembered the first car he ever saw………a buggy-like McIntyre which went on Lima Road in front of the farm.  As a matter of fact, it wrecked near the Parker home. 

The Parkers have been married 51 years, and they took a wedding trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a Model T in 1925.  Parker and his father were both born in the same house they now live in.

Until the main barn burned in 1969, the far was a working one.  During the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1940’s, the Parker farm entered crops and animals in Allen County Fair competition, especially before the fair was moved from Huntertown in 1925.

Crops included certified wheat, oats, beans, and potatoes, and they sold open-pollinated corn for seed at $1 a bushel, shelled by hand.  They had Holstein and Jersey cattle for milk, some Shorthorn cattle, one of which was a grand champion in competition, Poland China hogs, Shropshire Sheep and Barred Rock and White Rock chickens.  At its maximum, the farm contained 120 acres, but some has been sold off now. 

The Parkers have one son, OSBORNE PARKER, of Richmond, VA, a faculty member at the Commonwealth University of Virginia.  During the years of active farming, when she wasn’t occupied with other chores, MRS. PARKER organized a pencil collection.  It is currently housed in numerous cases and contains about 3,000 entries.

The couple’s Hoosier Homestead Farm certificate, dated June 21, 1976, is signed by Gov. Otis Bowen and Lt. Gov. Robert Orr. Representatives of the Indiana Department of Commerce, Farm Bureau, Indiana Historical Bureau and the Museums and Memorial Division of the Department of Natural Resources helped process the award application. 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

BENJAMIN PARKER HOMESTEAD

_____________________________________________________________________________________

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN   #2662-2674

Omri Parker                          29 M                Farmer           born NY

Margaet                                 18 F                                         born Ohio

Manford                                  1 M                                         born IN

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN  #2663-2675

Danford Parker                    27 M                Farmer           born NY

Parmelia Parker                   27 F                                         born NY

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN   #2664-2676

Sarah Parker                         33 F                                         born NY

Albert W. Parker                  13 M                                        born IN

Allen Parker                                     10 M                                        born IN

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN   #2668-2680

Walter Parker                       31 M                Farmer           born NY

Lucy Parker                          33 F                                         born Ohio

Niersel Parker                      7 M                                         born IN

Oscar Parker                                      6 M                                         born IN

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN  #2677-2689

Benjamin Parker                  32 M                Farmer           born NY

Mary Ann Parker                 25 F                                         born NY

Josephine Parker                  7  F                                         born IN

Benjamin S. Parker               4 M                                         born IN

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN   #2682-2694    (Parker??)

Valdestine Pakes                  27 M                Farmer           born NY

Cynthia                                  29 F                                         born NY

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN   #2699-2711

S______  Parker                    22 M                Laborer          born NY

Elizabeth Parker                  19 F                                         born NY

1880 Census of  Perry Township, Allen Co., IN   193 C

Sarah Parker             widow            Female, 60     born NY         Keeps house

            Both parents born NY

Edgar Parker            son, single      male, 17          born IN           School teacher

1880 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN  193 D

Danford Parker        married          male, 56          born NY         Farmer

            Both parents born New York

Permelia Parker       wife                 female, 56      born NY         Keeps house

            Both parents born NY

Wilson Parker           son, single      male, 28          born IN           Farm Laborer

Mabel Chaplin          other               female, 10      born IN

1880 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN  194A

Omri Parker              married          male, 56          born NY         Retired farmer

            Both parents born NY

Maria Parker            wife                 female, 45      born PA          Keeps house

            Both parents born PA

Stephen Parker        son, single      male, 28          born IN           At home

Celia Parker              dau, single     female, 22      born IN           At home

1880 Census of Huntertown, Allen County, IN   193 C               (Abigail Parker)

Versal Hatch                         married          male, 65          born PA          Farmer

            Both parents born PA

Abigail Hatch            wife                 female, 63      born NY         Keeps house

            Both parents born NY

Antha Hatch              dau, single     female, 23      born IN           At home

1810 Census of LeRay, Jefferson Co., NY

Amasiah Parker

            2 males 26 to 45            1765-1784

            1 female under 10         1800-1810

            1 female 10 to 16           1794- 1800

            1 female 16 to 26           1784-1794

1820 Census of Pamelia Township, Jefferson Co., NY

Amasiah F. Parker

            1 male under 10            1810-1820

            1 male 16 to 26             1794-1804

            1 male 26 to 45             1775-1794

            2 males over 45             before 1775

            1 female under 10         1810-1820

            1 female 16 to 18           1802-1804        

            2 females over 45          before 1775

1840 Census of Perry Township, Allen County, IN

Amojiah F. Parker   (Pronounced says "Amaziah")

            1 male 15 to 20................born 1820-1825

            1 male 20 to 30................born 1810-1820

            1 male 60 to 70................born 1770-1780............Amaziah F.

            2 females 20 to 30...........born 1810-1820

            1 female 40 to 50.............born 1790-1800............prob. wife, Sophronie

1870 Census of Perry Township, Allen County, IN  taken July 15, 1870

1850 Census of Eldorado Co., California on the Consumnes River, taken Oct. 7, 1850

Note that while Hiram is in California, his wife, Sarah, and family are back in Perry Twp.

1860 Census of White Oak Township, El Dorado, CA ………… Post Office, Clarksville

1870 Census of Mud Springs Twp., Edorado Co., CA  taken July 12, 1870    371-321

By the 1880 Census, Sarah is a widow, and she and Edgar are back in Indiana and Edgar is a teacher.   

                        _________________________________________________________

1870 Census of Putah, Yola Co., CA

1880 Census of Hamilton, Butte, CA   280A

“Sonet” is no doubt Sewell

PARKER BURIALS AT PERRY TOWNSHIP CEMETERY, HUNTERTOWN, IN

OLD SECTION:

PARKER, A. F.                                 1775 Mass.-Jan. 23, 1819                  Sophronie

PARKER-HATCH, ABIGAIL         1818-1908                   wife of Newman Hatch

PARKER-MILLER, ADELINE       Sept. 23, 1840            21Y  8M  13D

                                                            Daughter of A. F. Parker

                                                            Consort of Philander Miller

PARKER, ALICE                             1879-1908       S. B. & M. B.

PARKER, ALLEN C.                       1894-1895

PARKER, ALVORD H.                    July 26, 1854              16Y  3M  2D

                                                            Son of H. L. & S. R.

PARKER, ANN                                 April 16, 1787 Vermont-Feb. 11, 1842

                                                            Consort of Benjamin

PARKER, BENJAMIN                    March 2, 1785 Vermont-1834

PARKER, BENJAMIN                    May 1, 1871    54Y  3M  14D                   Walter & Mary

PARKER, BERNARD                      1900-Aug. 14, 1976                            Ellen T.

PARKER, DANFORD                      1824-1909                                           Permelia

PARKER, DANFORD BALLOU    1893-1974

PARKER, EDGAR H.                      July 13, 1862, Eldorado Co.-Jan. 17, 1948  Lila

PARKER, ELISA S.

            VAN DI GRIFT                     April 1817, Jefferson Co., NY-June 23, 1850

PARKER, ELLEN T.                        1857-1940                                           Bernard

PARKER, GEORGE M.                   1893-1974

PARKER, MRS. GERRY                 Lot purchased March 8, 1916

PARKER, H. MANFORD                Jan. 24, 1875              “Nicky”           24Y  1M 8D

                                                            Son of O. & M.

PARKER, INFANT DAU.                1834                D. & P.

PARKER, 4 INFANTS                     C. H. & B.

PARKER, LILA U.                           1862-1939                                           Edgar

PARKER, MARGARET                   July 4, 1982

PARKER, MARGARET MOODY   June 22, 1863      31Y  9M  14D       Wife of O.

PARKER, MARIA MOODY                        1828-1904                                           Wife of Omri

PARKER-FAY, MARTHA P.          1881-1921                   Wife of J. P. Fay

PARKER, MARY ANN                    Aug. 30, 1865       38Y  10M  8D       Wife of Benj.

                                                            Jr. and Walter

PARKER, MARY B.                                     Jan. 25, 1846 Elyna, Ohio-Feb. 27, 1918

                                                            O. E. S.                       A. & S. B.

PARKER, MARY E.                                     1858-1885                                           Wilson

PARKER, OMRI                               Nov. 18, 1880             58Y  25D        Margaret

PARKER, PERMILA RICHARDS 1823-1902                   Wife of Danford

PARKER-KNOTT, ROXANNA E.  1847-1905                   Wife of Samuel M. Knott

PARKER, SARAH E.                       1871-1941                                           Burt

PARKER, SHELDON B.                 1847-1927       Mason             A. & M.B.

PARKER, SOPHRONIE                  April 17, 1853            58Y     Relick of A. F.

PARKER, STEPHEN L.                  July 25, 1852, Perry Twp.-Dec. 22, 1916

                                                            63Y  4M  28D   son of Omri and Margaret

PARKER, WALTER                                     July 13, 1820-March 31, 1859          Benj. & Mary

NEW SECTION:

PARKER, ROBERT LEE                1890-1954                   R. P. & R. L.  

PARKER, RUTH LILLIAN                         Jan. 25, 1893-June 22, 1953      R. L. & R. P.

PARKER, DANFORD S. obituary 

APOPLEXY CLAIMS PIONEER CITIZEN

DANFORD S. PARKER DIES SUDDENLY AT HUNTERTOWN

Well-Known Resident of Allen County for Seventy-five Years – Seemed in Excellent Health

One of the pioneer residents of Allen county, DANFORD S. PARKER, died suddenly of apoplexy at 1 o’clock Monday morning at his home in Huntertown, aged eighty-six years, four months, and twenty-two days.   Mr. Parker came to Allen county 75 years ago and spent three-quarters of a century as a resident of the county.

Death came unexpectedly.   Mr. Parker had been in excellent health Sunday, and Sunday evening enjoyed a hearty dinner with the members of his family.   About midnight he complained of stomach trouble, but little was thought of the incident at the time and simple home remedies were administered to relieve him.   When, a little later, relatives went to the room they discovered he had suffered a stroke of apoplexy and death came in a short time. 

The deceased was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1822 and came with his parents to this county in 1834.   The family settled on the Perry township farm near Huntertown, where death occurred.   In 1855 Mr. Parker got the gold fever and went to California, where he lived 3 years before returning to Allen county.   In 1844 he was united in marriage to PERMELIA RICKERT, who, with two children preceded him in death.   The two children surviving are Mr. Wilson Parker and Mrs. Harvey Fitch, with whom he made his home. 

Mr. Parker was for years a democrat in politics but later turned to the cause of prohibition.   He was one of the most widely known men in the county, and he lived a model life.   For years he was a conspicuous figure in religious work at Huntertown.  Mr. Parker was the first president of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Association in Allen county.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock from the Universalist church at Huntertown.  

______________________________________________________________________________________

The following paragraphs in the local history books tell a little about the PARKER family:

NATHANIEL FITCH  who first came to Allen County in 1832 entered Perry in 1836.  His marriage to MISS SARAH DELONG was the first celebrated after the organization of the township, and within the township borders.  MR. FITCH, was a self-made blacksmith, and a man of all-around ability, whose forge was the first to be set up in Perry, the date being 1837.  At nearly the same time, JAMES VANDERGRIFT, engaged in the manufacture of plow points and steel traps, both useful implements in a pioneer community.  BENJAMIN AND AMAZIAH PARKER followed the DUNTENS from Jefferson County, New York, in 1834, and soon became prominent in the affairs of the settlement.  MR. AND MRS. JASON HATCH from Pennsylvania came with their son, NEWMAN HATCH, in 1834.  NEWMAN HATCH was married in 1839 to MISS ABIGAIL PARKER, daughter of the Benjamin Parkers.  PHILEMON RUNDELS, who came the same year, GEORGE SIMON, and JAMES VANDOLAH and family credited to 1836, were valuable additions to the colony.  A notable year was 1837 during which arrived WILLIAM HUNTER, who purchased a large tract of land, including that part which subsequently was platted as Huntertown.  MR. HUNTER at once became an active citizen.  The years immediately following this witnessed a sudden increase in immigration, and names can scarcely be mentioned in detail.  Most of them are still familiar, however, to Allen County citizens, the BOWSERS, the TUCKERS, the GLOYDS, JAMES THOMPSON, ISAAC BENWARD, RAPIN ANDREWS, JACOB HILLEGASS, VACHEL METCALF, DR. E. G. WHEELOCK, AUGUST MARTIN AND SAMUEL SHRYOCK are among them.  Dr. WHEELOCK was of course the first physician of the colony.

The first school taught, in 1835, though housed in a log cabin like many other pioneer schools, was far superior to the common run of such schools.  It is said that the first term was taught by EBENEZER AYERS, but this is probably incorrect, and the honor should be give to MISS ELIZA PARKER, the daughter of BENJAMIN. 

BENJAMIN AND AMAZIAH PARKER came from Jefferson County, N.Y. in the spring of 1834, and were prominent movers in many of the improvements subsequently inaugurated in the township.  In the same season, EPHRAIM DUNTEN, JR. located near the present sight of Huntertown, where he erected a building in which he kept the first tavern in the township.  Subsequently he moved to Fort Wayne, where he engaged in business for a short time.  Returning to Perry Township, he made it his home until 1854, when he fell victim to cholera and died.

THE FIRST MARRIAGE—-In 1836, NATHANIEL FITCH AND SARAH DELONG were married in the residence of the bride’s parents.  (Actually they were married in 1840 and it was may have been at the home of her sister, CHRISTINA FAIR or cousin, GEORGE W. DELONG). This was the first marriage solemnized in the township.  In the same year, HORACE F. DUNTEN was united in marriage with MISS ALMENA TIMMERMAN, in Swan township, Noble County, Indiana and at the same time HIRAM L. PARKER, a resident of Perry township married MISS SARAH RICKARD, in the same township and county.  ROBERT BLAIR AND MISS LUCY DUNTEN, residents of Perry township, were married in the same year.

THE FIRST SCHOOL was taught by ELIZA PARKER, in 1835, a log cabin on Section 6. The tuition fund was contributed by residents of the town-ship, whose children attended the school, and it was the place where some of the best farmers of the township received their education.  It was greatly in advance of the subscription schools of that period;  its teacher was a lady who had acquired a good education in the East, and its scholars were led beyond the ordinary routine of reading, writing, and elementary arithmetic.  Among its surviving pupils are DANFORD, OMRI, SUEL PARKER, LUCINDA DUNTEN AND MALINDA HUNTER.  Lucinda Dunten subsequently became a teacher, and in this capacity was identified with the schools of the township for a number of years. 

        ____________________________________________________________________________________

PARKER, AMAZIAH   1775-1849

AMAZIAH and BENJAMIN PARKER were two of the early settlers of Perry Township in the area of Huntertown.   Local histories say they followed the Dunten’s from Jefferson Co., New York about 1834.    One Amaziah Parker was a settler of Jefferson Co., NY.    Among the settlers of the county of Jefferson were several Parker names:

Amaziah Parker of Champion Township, Jefferson Co. NY

Amaziah Parker of LeRay, Jefferson Co.  (where the Duntens came from)

Ezra Parker of Watertown, Jefferson Co.

James Parker of Antwerp, Jefferson Co.

Joseph Parker of Alexandria, Jefferson Co.

Leonard Parker of Worth, Jefferson Co.

Nancy Parker of Brownville, Jefferson Co.

Nathaniel Parker of Theresa, Jefferson Co.

Samuel Parker of Rutland, Jefferson Co.

Solomon Parker of LeRay, Jefferson Co.

William Parker of Watertown, Jefferson

But our histories name just BENJAMIN AND AMAZIAH as the early settlers to this area.  

We find a short genealogy for AMAZIAH FASSETT PARKER at Ancestry.com which says:

            His father was JOSHUA PARKER

            His mother was either MARY BOYNTON or HANNAH KIDDER/JACKMAN

            Marriage of Joshua and Mary was March 15, 1764 and they had children:

                        Joshua, born 1764

                        Patty, born 1766

                        Mary, born 1769

                        Amaziah Fassett, born 1775

                        Hannah, born 1778

            Children listed for Hannah were Polley, Betsye, Levi, Abner, Joshua, and John W. 

None of it has been proven as far as I know, and if this is the same Amaziah who came to IN.

We do find A. F. Parker in the Perry Township Cemetery, and Amojiah F. Parker here in the 1840 census.   Also that the records show that many of those younger Parkers who came to this area were born in Jefferson Co., New York.     Though the date of death for A. F. Parker in the cemetery records  is 1819 that has to be incorrect as he was here in 1840 for the census and none of them were here in 1819 anyway.   Probably misread from the tombstone or records.   It probably should read 1849.  

Amaziah Parker is found on the 1810 Census of LeRay, Jefferson Co., NY

            2 males 26 to 45 ……….. born 1765 to 1784   (Amaziah would be 35)

            1 female under 10……….born 1800-1810

            1 female 10 to 16…………born 1794-1800

            1 female 16 to 26…………born 1784-1794

Amaziah F. Parker is found in Permelia Township, Jefferson Co., NY in 1820 census

            1 male 0 to 10

            1 male 16 to 26            

            2 males over 45

            1 female under 10

            1 female 16 to 26

            2 females 26 to 45

Amojiah or Amoziah F. Parker is found in the 1840 census of Perry Twp., Allen Co., IN

            1 male 15 to 20…………born 1820-1825

            1 male 20 to 30…………born 1810-1820

            1 male 60 to 70…………born 1770-1780………Amaziah F.

            2 females 20 to 30………born 1810-1820

            1 female 40 to 50……….born 1790-1800………prob. wife, Sophronie

        ______________________________________________________________________

PARKER, BENJAMIN  1785-1834

From the Helm’s History of Allen County we find among the settlers of the Huntertown area were BENJAMIN and AMAZIAH PARKER who came from Jefferson County, New York.  

Benjamin appears to have been born in VT but Amaziah in MA.     It may show the family moving from MA to VT and then to NY.   Were they brothers?    The lineage shown on line doesn’t indicate that they are.    But that lineage is not complete.  

We need more information about those two Parkers from the local family if they have researched it carefully.    We are looking for copies of the wills  of the Parker family, plus land contracts and abstracts that might give more on the family connections.

From the article “Parkers have Hoosier Homestead Land” from the Tri-County Truth we find that Omri Parker is listed as the son of Benjamin Parker.  

“Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Parker of R. 1 Huntertown have received a certificate from the State of Indiana designating theirs, a Hoosier Homestead Farm, one which has been owned by the same family for over 100 years.   The farm was a land grant purchase from the government, November 7, 1835, by Parker’s great-grandfather, BENJAMIN PARKER.   The deed to the original 40-acre tract was signed by President Andrew Jackson.”     From that article we are shown that:

PAUL PARKER, whose father was BURT PARKER

Whose father was OMRI PARKER

Whose father was BENJAMIN PARKER.   

We still need to find the rest of the children.  

Was DANFORD a son of Benjamin??

Was SUEL/SEWELL a son of Benjamin??

And HIRAM L. ?

Also find a MARY Parker born 1820 in the home of Omri Parker at age 50

And JOHN PARKER born 1824 in the home of Danford Parker at age 46.  (from 1870 census)

And WALTER, born about 1820??

A diary written by Danford’s wife, Permelia, as they went West to California says that DANFORD, HIRAM, and SUEL are brothers, but says nothing about OMRI except that they wrote to him while on this trip.   In the end it appears that SUEL stayed in California or at least moved there.  HIRAM L. also stayed to live in California. 

1840 Census lists Ann (wife of Benjamin) in one household and Amaziah and family, in another

1850 Census lists Omri, Benjamin Jr., S_______ (prob. Suel), Danford, and Sarah.   Sarah was probably the wife of Hiram Parker who was in California at the time.     

From the burial records we find that BENJAMIN PARKER, born 1785, died 1834 to probably be one of the earliest to die in this area.    Born VT with wife (consort) Ann, also born VT.   Ann died in 1842 so was not in the 1850 census but was in the 1840 census with 5 males and 2 females in her household including herself.     So indicates that Benjamin died between the time they moved to Allen Co. and the 1840 census.   Then Ann died between 1840 and 1850.   Cemetery records indicate the dates of death.    

        ___________________________________________________________________________________

PARKER, DANFORD   1823-1909

DANFORD PARKER is mentioned as a student of one of the first schools in Perry township which was taught by ELIZA PARKER.    Three of the Parker children are mentioned as going to this first school, DANFORD, OMRI, AND SUEL.   

We know that OMRI is the son of Benjamin and Ann, but are DANFORD and SUEL also sons of Benjamin??   

DANFORD made a “gold rush” trip to the West in April of 1855 and stayed until April 1858. 

There is a very interesting diary written by Permelia when they were on their trip to the west in 1855.  You can find this and read the whole diary in "The DeKalb County History 1837-1887" written by John Martin Smith.  It is a 3-volume edition.  The diary is found in Vol. 2, pages 1242 to 1252 under items about the "gold rush".  Danford and Permelia left for the West on April 17, 1855 taking with them their two children, Wilson and Roxana, along with HIRAM Parker and SUEL Parker and their families. and James Dunten, Ephraim Cone, Vincent Hatch, Mr. Word, Mrs. Hargrove and Mr. Axtel. 

They started back on April 5, 1858 so gone a little over 3 years.  Daughter Etta Parker, who married Harvey Fitch, was the one who transcribed the journal in 1934.  Etta would have been born about a year after they had returned to Indiana......or at least a year after they started home as she was born in April of 1859.    Our "Etta Fitch" was probably named for her mother whose first name was Permelia and this was also "Etta's" first name.  The Etta may come from Hiram's wife who was "Sarah Etta", and probably Permelia’s sister.   (This 3 volume set of DeKalb Co. History will be found in the local libraries probably.   Sets were still available to buy about 10 years ago in Auburn.)

The diary answers some of our questions about relationship of these early pioneers.    It says that DANFORD, HIRAM and SUEL were brothers.    Though it does not say that OMRI was their brother, they wrote to him while on their trip.    This diary also solves the mystery of the Sarah who was listed alone with her children in the 1850 census.   Apparently she was the wife of HIRAM PARKER.    The children in the diary match Sarah’s children.   I always wondered why Sarah did not have a husband, yet had another younger son born much later on.  Two of Hiram and Sarah’s children mentioned were Allen and Melvin.   I do not have a Melvin except for Suel’s son, but could be there was another one.       Did find Hiram in the gold fields in the 1850 census as well as in 1860 and 1870 where he and his family were living.   By 1880 he must have died as Sarah was a widow and back in IN.

The 1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN

            Danford Parker………..27 M…………..born NY

            Parmelia, wife…………27 F……………born NY

            Roxanna, dau…………..3 F…………….born IN

1870 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN

            Danford………………….47

            Permelia………………..47

            Rosey…………………….23

            Wilson………………..…18

            Etta………………………11

            John……………………...46……..Works on farm……..need relationship

1880 Census of Huntertown

            Danford………………….56

            Permelia………………..56

            Wilson…………………..28 and single

There is one LDS entry that says that Danford’s parents were Benjamin Parker and Ann Shumway.   They were also said to be the parents of Omri, born Oct. 24, 1822.  

Need some kind of record to say that this was true and that all three, OMRI, DANFORD, AND SUEL were children of BENJAMIN and ANN.    Also now we can add HIRAM to that list.   We also know that ELIZA, the school teacher, and ABIGAIL, wife of Newman Hatch were daughters of Benjamin and Ann.  

        ______________________________________________________________________________________

 PARKER, SUEL/SEWELL

SUEL PARKER is listed as one of the Parkers going to the first school of Perry Township while ELIZA PARKER was the teacher.   He is listed with DANFORD and OMRI.

1870 Census of Putah, Yola Co., CA

Sewell W. Parker…………40 M………..born NY………about 1830

Jane Parker……………….38 F…………born CAN…….about 1832          

Melville Parker……………19 M…………………………..about 1851

William Parker……………12 M…………………………..about 1858

Pomroy Parker……………. 3 M…………………………..about 1867

Sewell W. Parker married Eliza Ann Bently………June 26, 1848 in Allen Co., IN

                        _____________________________________________________

1880 Census of Hamilton, Butte, CA    280A

Sonet W. Parker………..married………male, 51……..born NY……….Blacksmith

            About 1829……..both parents born NY

Eliza J. Parker………….wife……………female, 48……born CAN…….Keeps house

            About 1832……..both parents born NY

William D. Parker………son, single…….male, 21……..born CA………Painter………abt. 1859

Sewel Parker……………..son……………..male, 13……..born CA… Appr. Blacksmith…….1867

Obvious that this is Sewell though the name was spelled as Sonet.

1880 shows son Melville, Melvin was living in Butte and also on the census there

                        _____________________________________________________

The 1850 Census which I believe belongs to Sewell/Suel follows:

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN

            S__________  Parker……….22………….born NY…………Laborer

            Elizabeth Parker…………….19…………..born NY

            Melvin Parker……………….. 1 ………….born IN

                        _____________________________________________________

Bits and pieces of this family are put together by a dairy written by Danford Parker's wife, Permelia, who went with several families to go west to the gold fields.    In it it says that DANFORD, HIRAM and SUEL are brothers though it doesn't add that Omri is a brother too.    But Omri wasn't on the trip so perhaps that was why he wasn't mentioned.    They did mention writing to Omri while on their trip though.    Suel and his family is mentioned several times in this diary.    The whole diary is of the year (1855) it took to travel west to California.  They ended up staying with Hiram L. Parker and his family for 3 years.   Probably Hiram was their guide to get there as he had been there as a miner.   Suel also must have decided that California appealed to him as they were there in 1870 and 1880.  

Am still looking for a mention of the parents of any of the three………DANFORD, HIRAM, or SUEL.     Need a legal paper or something to tell us that.    Perhaps Etta, Harvey Fitch’s wife, had more of the family written out.   Anyone out there have that proof of parentage??

The diary of Permelia Parker about 1855 is found in the 2^nd Volume of a 3-volume set of the History of DeKalb County by John Martin Smith.   It was written and printed about 1987 and yet a few years ago was still for sale in a book store in Auburn.    Also will probably find copies in the local libraries, Garrett, Auburn, and ACPL.    Look under the “gold rush” section.     

        ____________________________________________________________________________________  

PARKER, HIRAM L.  

HIRAM must have had a busy life with all his traveling.

In 1850 we find his wife, SARAH, and children were here in Perry Township

1850 Census of Perry Township, Allen Co., IN    2664-2676

At the same time we find HIRAM in California

1850 Census of Eldorado County, California on the Consumnes River taken Oct. 7, 1850

So that explains why Sarah was alone in 1850.   Hiram was taking advantage of the gold rush in California. 

1860 Census of White Oak, El Dorado, California   P. O. Clarksville      

1870 Census of Mud Springs, Eldorado, CA taken July 12, 1870    371-321                     

By 1880 Sarah and Edgar are back in Perry Township, Allen Co., IN and Edgar is teaching school.   Sarah says she is a widow and 60 years old. 

Local histories say that in 1836 HIRAM L. PARKER , a resident of Perry Township, married MISS SARAH RICKARD in the same township and county.     Are Sarah and Permelia, who married Danford Parker sisters??   

We later find that probably Allen G. Parker was in DeLamar, Lincoln Co. Nevada in the 1900 Census.   Still apparently in the mining business as the men in the group he is with are all listed individually and some were day laborers, barbers, miners, and one was even a gambler.     Allen  is listed as a bartender.   On this census he shows that he was born June 1840, is 60 years old,  and both of his parents were born in New York.  

EDGAR H. PARKER is in Allen Co., in Wayne Twp. in 1900

Says he was born in CA, his wife is Lila and has children:

            Martha, Gregor, Carl D., Cora A., and Edgar M.

In 1910 they are in Fort Wayne and have added Ruth and Dorothy to their family. 

In 1920 they are still in Fort Wayne and looks like son Edgar has married Dallie, and

            Daughter Ruth has married William Henderson and Dorothy is still at home.

In 1930, still in Fort Wayne, and Dorothy at 24 is the only child left at home. 

Lila was Lila Dunten.     

        _______________________________________________________________________

PARKER, ELIZA

Taken from Allen Co. histories:

“ The first school was taught by ELIZA PARKER, a log cabin on Section 6.  The tuition fund was contributed by residents of the township, whose children attended the school, and it was the place where some of the best farmers of the township received their education.  It was greatly in advance of the subscription schools of that period;  its teacher was a lady who had acquired a good education in the East, and its scholars were led beyond the ordinary routine of reading, writing and elementary arithmetic.  Among its surviving pupils and DANFORD, OMRI, and SUEL PARKER, LUCINDA DUNTEN, AND MELINDA HUNTER.   Lucinda Dunten subsequently became a teacher, and in this capacity was identified with the schools of the township for a number of years.”  

We have also noted that ELIZA or ELLEN PARKER, married JAMES VANDERGRIFT, who was one of two blacksmiths in Perry Township.   That marriage took place April 6, 1843 in Allen Co.   We find that Eliza S. was buried as Eliza Vandergrift in the Perry Township Cemetery.  Later James Vandergrift remarried (twice) and moved to Illinois.     

ELIZA was born April 1817 in Jefferson County, New York and she died June 23, 1850. 

It is also noted that we have this little bit of added information about Eliza………

Log Cabin School 1835

1st teacher was Ebenezer Ayres ??  Caswell school ??

Eliza Parker, (father - Benjamin Parker)

1st teacher, Parker Schoolhouse #3.  

From this information we assume that Eliza Parker was the daughter of Benjamin and Ann and that she was an early school teacher of the township and that she married James Vandergrift but died early in her life, 1850, at about 33 years of age.   

        ________________________________________________________________________

DESCENDANTS OF AMAZIAH F. PARKER  ………… First Generation in Allen Co

1.  Amaziah F. Parker   b: Dec 28, 1775 in Westford, MA  (Amaziah Fassett Parker)

        d:  Jan 23, 1849 in Allen Co., IN  (buried Perry Twp. Cem.)

            +  Sophronie  b: abt 1795  d: April 17, 1853

                        2.  Adelene Parker  b: abt 1809  d: Sept 23, 1840

                                    +Philander Miller

There may be more children.   Need more information on this family.

DESCENDANTS OF BENJAMIN PARKER  …………  First Generation in Allen Co

1.  Benjamin Parker  b: March 1, 1785 in Vermont  d: Sept 6, 1834

            +  Ann Shumway  b: April 16, 1787  d: Feb 11, 1842

                        2.  Abigail Shumway Parker  b: 1818 in Watertown, Jefferson Co., NY

                               (or June 27, 1815)  died Jan 21, 1908    m:  Jan 31, 1840, Allen Co.

                                    +  Newman Versal Hatch  b: Oct 18, 1815 in PA or NY

                                           d: June 21, 1900

                                                3.  Chloe Ann Hatch  b: abt 1841 

                                                            +  Daniel Webster Hatch  b: March 20, 1841 in

                                                                   Hatch Hollow, Erie, PA 

                                                3.  Theodore J. Hatch  b: abt 1844  d: Oct 21, 1882

                                                            +  Mary D.  b: abt 1849 or 1851 (cem. records) -1929

                                                                        4.  Harry C. Hatch  b: abt 1871            

                                                                               d:  May 21, 1883

                                                                        4.  Emmett E. Hatch  1872-1921

                                                                                    +  Ida Lenora  1874-March 19, 1926

                                                                                                5.  Carlton Aylmer Hatch

                                                                                                        b: Oct 23, 1894

                                                                                                        d: Oct 30, 1921

                                                                                                        m: June 9, 1913

                                                                                                            +Daisy P. Chapman

                                                                                                                 1891-1972

                                                                        4.  Theodore Hatch (Ernest) 1874-1952

                                                                        4.  Clyde Hatch  1878-1917

                                                                        4.  Edith M. Hatch  d: Sept 12, 1878 

                                                3.  Theron Versil Hatch b. abt 1845  d: 1928 

                                                         married Sept 28, 1869 in Allen Co., IN

                                                            +  Amelia E. Kell  1849-1922

                                                                        4.  Arthur Hatch  b: July 1872

                                                                                    +  Cora M.  b: Feb 1873  (poss. wife as

                                                                                           seen on 1900 census

                                                                                                5.  Howard K. Hatch

                                                                                                        b: Nov 1896

                                                                                                        m: May 12, 1920

                                                                                                            + Leah Elva Sloffer

                                                                                                                  b: Nov 12, 1896

                                                                        4.  Edwin Jason Hatch  b: Jan 27, 1874 

                                                                               m: May 1, 1907 Allen Co., IN

                                                                                    +  Verne L. Bosler

                                                                                                5.  Versil E. Hatch1908-1963

                                                                                                        m: Nov 25, 1928

                                                                                                            +  Mary M. Rhodes

                                                                                                                   b: 1909 Noble Co.

                                                                        4.  Ethel May Hatch  b: 1877-Sept 16, 1879

                                                                        4.  Clinton Jacob Hatch  May 1889-1938

                                                                                    +  Lovetta  from 1930 census

                                                                                                5.  George Robert Hatch

                                                                                                5.  Marie Hatch           

                                                                                                5.  Vera Agnes Hatch 

                                                3.  Alice Hatch  b: 1846  1846-1906  m: Oct 1, 1867

                                                            +  George V. Kell  1846-1918

                                                                        4.  Gertrude W. Kell   Feb. 1870-1967

                                                                        4.  Louie A. Kell  Apr 1872-1954

                                                                        4.  Jessey E. Kell  b Nov 1874-1968

                                                                        4.  Beatrice A. Kell  b: Sept 1876-1961

                                                                        4.  V. George Kell  b: Sept 1878

                                                                        4.  Frank B. Kell  b: May 1881

                                                                        4.  Dorotha A. Kell  b: Nov 1884

                                                                        4.  Walter V. Kell  1889-1973

                                                                                    +  Myrtle M.  b: 1892

                                                3.  Klezia Hatch b: 1848

                                                3.  Samuel Brenton Hatch  b: abt 1851  d: 1933

                                                            +  Althea L.  1851-1917

                                                                        4.  Mabel A. Hatch  b: abt 1874  d: 1959

                                                                                    +  Merlin C. Wood    b: Sept 14, 1886

                                                                                           d: Dec 1966 

                                                                        4.  Hugh W. Hatch  b: abt 1876

                                                                        4.  Alice A. Hatch   1877-1971

                                                                               married Aug 19, 1908  

                                                                                    +  Carl Ira Sloffer  b: Dec 6, 1876

                                                                                           d:  Aug 6, 1966 

                                                                                                5.  Walter Brenton Sloffer

                                                                                                        b: Dec 10, 1915

                                                                                                            +  Audrey M. McComb

                                                                                                5.  Martha Alice Sloffer

                                                                                                        b: Sept 26, 1912

                                                                                                            +  Delphis Martin

                                                                        4.  Herman S. Hatch  d: 1943

                                                                                    +  Jennie  1883-Feb 16, 1983

                                                3.  Antha Hatch  b: 1857

                                                3.  Mary Gertrude  b: May 30, 1859  d: Oct 30, 1902

                                                            +  Fremont L. Jones  m: Oct 11, 1879  

                                                3.  Florence Hatch  b: abt 1864

                        2.  Omri Parker  b: abt 1822 in Jefferson Co., NY  d: Nov 18, 1880

                                married March 7, 1850 in DeKalb Co., IN

                                    +  Margaret Moody  b: abt 1831 in PA  d: June 22, 1863

                                                3.  Manford Parker  b: abt 1849  d: Jan 24, 1875

                                                3.  Stephen Lewis Parker  b: abt 1852  d: Dec 22, 1916

                                                3.  Charles Parker  b: abt 1854 in Indiana

                                                            +  Ella  b: abt 1859

                                                                        4.  Celia Parker  b: Feb 1890

                                                                        4.  Margaret Parker  b: Aug 1891

                                                                        4.  Danford Parker  b: May 1893

                                                                        4.  Angeline Parker  b:  Feb 1895

                                                                        4.  Mary Parker  b: Nov 1896

                                                3.  Celia Parker  b: abt 1858

                                                3.  Sarah Parker  b: abt 1853  (given on world tree – may

                                                        or may not belong)

                                    +  Maria Moody, 2^nd wife of Omri Parker,  b: 1828  d: 1904

                                                3.  Burt O. Parker  1869-1967

                                                            +  Sarah Emrich  1871-1941 

                                                                        4.  Paul M. Parker  b: abt 1890

                                                                                    + Cressa

                                                                                                5.  Osborn Parker  b: 1920

                        2.  Benjamin Parker, Jr.  b: abt 1818 in NY  d: May 1, 1871 

                                married Aug 29, 1843 in DeKalb Co., IN

                                    +  Mary Ann Maltby  b: abt 1825 in NY  d: Aug 30, 1865

                                                3.  Josephine Parker  b: abt 1843

                                                3.  Benjamin S. Parker  b: abt 1846

                                                3.  Sophronia Parker  b: abt 1849

                                                3.  Volney Parker  b: abt 1853

                                                3.  Warren Parker  b: abt 1855

                                                3.  Wallace Parker  b: abt 1858

                                                3.  Elmer Parker  b:  abt 1861

                                                3.  Ellis Parker  b:  abt 1864

                        2.  Eliza Parker  b: abt 1817 in Jefferson Co. NY  d: June 23, 1850

                               married June 1843

                                    +  James Vandergrift

DESCENDANTS OF HIRAM L. PARKER  …………  2^nd Generation  

1.  Hiram L. Parker  b: abt 1813 in New York  d: before 1880  m: 1836 in Allen Co., IN

            +  Sarah Etta Rickert/Rickerd  b: abt 1820 in NY

                        2.  Albert W. Parker  b: abt 1837

                        2.  Allen G. Parker  b: June 1840 in IN, still living in Nevada in 1900

                        2.  Sarahetta Parker  b: abt 1845

                        2.  Edgar H. Parker  b:  July 13, 1862 in Eldorado Co., CA  d:  Jan 17, 1948

                                in Allen Co., IN      married Feb 1, 1881 

                                    +  Lila U. Dunten  b: Jan 19, 1862  d:  March 7, 1939 in Huntertown

                                                3.  Martha Pearl Parker  b: 1881  d: Feb 12, 1921

                                                            +  James P. Fay

                                                3.  Gregor E. Parker  b: abt 1884

                                                3.  Carl D. Parker  b: abt 1886

                                                3.  Cora A. Parker  b: abt 1892

                                                3.  Allen C. Parker  1894-1895 Huntertown

                                                3.  Edgar M. Parker  b: abt 1898

                                                3.  Ruth Parker  b: abt 1903

                                                            +  William Henderson  b: abt 1895

                                                3.  Dorothy Parker, b: abt 1906

                        2.  Melvin Parker  b: abt 1850

DESCENDENTS OF DANFORD S. PARKER   1823-1909  …………  2^nd Generation

1.  Danford S. Parker  b: 1823 in Jefferson Co., NY  d: 1909 at home at Huntertown, IN

        married October 27, 1844 in Allen Co., IN

            +  Permelia Rickert  b: 1823 in NY  d: 1902

                        2.  Roxana Parker  b:  1845-1847  d: 1906  m:  1872

                                    +  Samuel M. Knott  b: 1841 in Crawford Co, OH  d: Feb 11, 1892

                                                3.  Robert D. Knott  1874-1904

                                                3.  Fred W. Knott  1877-1966

                                                            +  Cora E.   1874-1922

                                                3.  Flint D. Knott  b: 1879

                                                3.  Lena M. Knott

                                                            + Haynes

                                                3.  Infant Knott  (may have been named Sammie according

                                                        to the KNOTT Bible)

                        2.  Wilson D. Parker   b: abt 1851  d: 1915

                                    +  Mary  1858-1885

                        2.  Permelia Etta Parker  b: April 15, 1859 in Huntertown, IN   d: Nov 10,

                                1942   married Aug 30, 1879

                                    +  Harvey Fitch  b: July 15, 1853  Perry Twp   d: Sept 13, 1948

                                                3.  Audrey Estella Fitch  b: Aug 19, 1882  d: Dec 19, 1958

                                                       married Feb 6, 1907 

                                                            +  George Solomon Hursh  b: Feb 6, 1882  d: 1962

                                                3.  Nina Luella Fitch  b: Aug 16, 1884  d: Aug 29, 1969

                                                        married Oct 24, 1910

                                                            + Henry Albert Emrick  b: Dec 20, 1872  d: Feb 16,

                                                                  1942

                                                                        4.  Alice Emrick  b: Feb 8, 1916-Feb 23, 1916

                                                3.  Parker Eugene Fitch  b:  March 22, 1886  d: April 14, 1974

                                                        or 1975   marriedJan 11, 1910

                                                            +  Mary Alma Urbine  b: Aug 14, 1885  d: Aug 3, 1967

                                                                  in Avilla, IN 

                                                                        4.  Mary Louise Fitch  b: March 31, 1911

                                                                               d:  March 28, 2001 at St. Mary’s Convent

                                                                               at Notre Dame, IN

                                                                        4.  Etta Philomena Fitch  b: Nov 30, 1915

                                                3.  Cecile Fitch  b: June 23, 1892  d: Oct 16, 1980

                                                        married June 3, 1914

                                                            +  Vernie Edgar McComb  b: Dec. 14, 1892 in Leo

                                                                   d: July 28, 1963

                                                                        4.  Marjorie Etta McComb  b: July 13, 1915  

                                                                                d:  May 11, 1976  m:  Aug 7, 1937

                                                                                    +  Loren Woodrow Freck

                                                                        4.  Audrey Marscelle McComb  b: Jan 29, 1917

                                                                                    +  Walter Brenton Sloffer

                                                                        4.  Barbara Ann McComb  b: Sept 19, 1918

                                                                                    +  Russell Edward Kelham

                                                                        4.  Phyllis Ruth McComb  b: Sept 9, 1920

                                                                                    +  Francis Edward Brown

                                                                        4.  Danford Maurice McComb  b: Feb 21, 1911

                                                                                    +  Betty May Frasier

                                                                        4.  Russell Kenneth McComb  b: Sept 26, 1923

                                                                                    +  Juanita Scheean

                                                                        4.  Dorothy Luella McComb  b: Feb 28, 1925

                                                                                    +  Jack Edward Lucas

                                                3.  Cleo Fitch  b: Nov 7, 1894  d: Jan 6, 1895

                                                3.  Earnest Harvey Fitch  b: June 27, 1900   d: Jan 25, 1969

                                                       married Oct 2, 1919

                                                            +  Bernice Louise Strayer  b: july 3, 1898  d: in OR

                                                                        4.  Richard Walter Fitch

                                                                                    +  Phyllis M. Pulver

                                                                        4.  William Harvey Fitch

                                                                                    +  Phylis Coral Keibler

                                                                        4.  Alice Suzanne Fitch

                                                                                    + Todd Henry Enyeart

                                                                        4.  Cleo Fitch  1927-1928

DESCENDENTS OF SUEL/SEWELL W. PARKER    1830-   …………2^nd Generation

1.  Sewell W. Parker  b: abt 1830 in New York,  married June 26, 1848 in Allen Co., IN

            +  Eliza Jane Bentley   b: 1832 in Canada

                        2.  Melville Parker  b: abt 1851

                                    +  Lydia A.  b: abt 1857 in CA

                                                3.  Jennie L. Parker  b:  abt 1876

                                                3.  Roy Parker  b: abt 1878

                        2.  William D. Parker  b: 1858

                        2.  Sewell Pomroy Parker  b: 1867   married 1897 in Sacramento, CA

                                    +  Sallie Ann Thurston

                        _________________________________________________________________