FAMILY HISTORY AND STORIES
Olive Parker Zacchilli's Family Notes
Following are original notes with comments from Olive Zacchilli's file.
(Letter from Ms Marsden to Cranmer Parker son of Owen Parker)
Mrs M had been to St Andrews to look for a family bible, said bible reported to be buried at the head of one nameless Parker's head. Another report that bible was lost in fire that destroyed the settlement on Parker's Island.
One of Thomas and Frances' daughters married Christopher Young. That is a Long Island name and it may be that the Parker family were in New York during the Revolutionary War On my last visit to Campobello, I tried to locate the graves of Thomas and Frances but it was impossible. I have deed proving Thomas and Frances settled in Campobello Island about 1790. They spent some previous time in Halifax, N.S. They were loyalists and arrived in N.S. about 1785 or 90. Thomas & Frances (first settlers) had eleven children, eldest Tom, youngest George. Mrs. Clarke, daughter of George still living (1939) often visited her uncle Thomas and her cousin Owen Parker who lived at Friars Head, Campobello. Mrs Clarke says her Grandmothers name was Frances Rightman(?) They came to Virginia and were people of high standing.
(Notes from Olive)
There are supposed to be eleven children. I have a Samuel and Jeremiah, but not positive proof and I believe one or two died very young. Also Elizabeth and James have not been thoroughly searched.
When Revolutionary War broke they had to choose between joining the Revolutionaries or staying loyal to the King. They chose the latter and as history tells us, the Loyalists congregated in New York then as the war spread they escaped to New Brunswick, founding St Johns.
I also have information these Parkers owned (most of) Staten Island in New York and this might be interesting to look up. Mrs Marston writes, " one of Thomas and Frances daughters married Christopher Young. That is a Long Island name and it maybe that the Parker family were in NY during the Revolutionary War as the British held NY almost 4 years".
Supposedly Owen told his sons Skiff and Cranmer in 1930 the following: My Grandfather came from England with his parents..to St John. My Grandfather served in the Rev. War as a soldier and I recall my mother (Susan Thirsting(???), Benjamin's 3rd wife) have once told me I was related to William the Conqueror
Olive's notes: I had the bright idea that if the family dates back to Wm the Conqueror perhaps we could tie the First Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury, Mathew Parker 1504 under Elizabeth I into the picture. A book called "Under Four Tudors" might give light.
(MZ note) In general the history appears correct. Thomas and Frances do not appear to be directly related and readers should note that a Frances Parker (daughter of Benjamin Sr, not a Thomas and Frances) did marry a Christopher Young and the Parkers were a prominent name in Staten Island history. Mathew Parker was the 15th Archbishop of Canterbury and was appointed by Elizabeth I As far as Olive's "bright idea", although this is still in the realm of reality, it is far from proven. The book "Under Four Tudors" can not be found.
Notes for OWEN WATERS PARKER:
Letter to Olive, June 4, 1960 from George Skiffington. Story told to George Skiffington Parker by Owen ( ) are George's notes: My Grandfather came from England (Shropshire or Shrewsbury) with his parents and landed in Saint John [although rumor also has it that they landed in Halifax]. I remember my grandfather having served in the Revolutionary War as a soldier. I also recall my mother having once told me that I was related to William the Conquror and also related to a man buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery, St Andrews who was a relative of George the 3rd of England.
My father as a young man was a fish dealer and general merchant at Mowatt's Harbor, Deer Island. He bought Mowatt's Island from Captain John Mowatt, who had the island deeded him by the Government. He (Benjamin Parker] prospered in this business and bought and operated several vessels: "Johannah", "Empress", "Reval" and several others.
These boats were used in International Official Business and occasional smuggling of contraband merchandize from America into Canada and v.v. BP still owed CJM $40. for the island. This was to be paid for by a vessel loaded with herring destined from Deer Island to the West Indies which was reported to have been lost. Afterwards. BP's oldest son, George Parker, brother of Owen Waters Parker, said that he paid CJM the $40.00 (There may not be any record of this) and the island was still known as Parker's Island up to 15 years ago, when as far as can be ascertained, the name was changed to Mowatt's Island. There is some doubt, though, that this island does not belong to Parkers.
Father (BP Sr) owed some man in St George a bill (denomination unknown)and a lawyer named Alf Anderson was consulted by my brother, George Parker to negotiate settlement and Parker's Island was sold. Although no Sheriff's proclamation has been found, CJM still claims the island.
This island was sold later to Elijah Greenlaw who lived on Parker's Island. Later sold for taxes and bid in by Mr Lambert of Lambert's Cove about 10 years ago (1950's). BP Jr (OWP's brother) lived at Richardsonville, Deer Island and is now 86 years old (MZ says this has to be OWP talking) His brother. George, also told OWP that he had paid Mowatt $40.00 due on the island and that the receipt was held by a man named Alf Anderson (lawyer) of Deer Island.
(OWP) My father, according to common talk, used to place a bushel basket of gold dollars on his store floor at Parker's Island and offer to give contents to any man who could lift the basket from the floor. (GSP adds: Not any man. Just his two small nieces 10 or 12 years old.)
With reference to lost bible in Mrs Marston's letter I recall one bible having been placed under the head of Jeremiah Parker when dying but I do not know if the J. Parker is any relation of mine. (MZ Jeremiah , son of Thomas (1775).
Lawyers from New York, once called on my brother Jim Parker approximately 30 years ago about a large sum of money held in New York for the descendants of Parker family. There is also a rumor that my father BP Sr buried a lot of money on Parker's Island during his life time (This ends by father's story - GSP) On this subject Olive writes: "Luther and Skiff figures Mrs Marston's daughter's husband, a lawyer, probably probed this and claimed the money."
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