Which Zephaniah Parker am I looking for?

Question

I'm a direct descendant of a man named Zephaniah Parker (1820-1855). According to my research he was born in 1820 in New York state. The 1850 census places him in Harford, Cortland County, New York. The census was taken in September of 1850 and states that he is 30 years old. He is married to Philinda Parker (Moffatt) who is 31. His children Fernando (7), John (5), Almira (3), and Zephaniah (1).

I have found some evidence that his father may be Able Parker (1769-1846). The problem is the date of birth. The evidence I found shows Able Parker as the father of two sons named Zephaniah. One born to Sarah King in 1797. One born to Nancy Goodspeed in 1805. In this research I have found evidence that the later Zephaniah was married to Philinda Moffatt.  Could this be the same person? I wasn't sure because of the birthdate descrepancy.

There is one piece of research that leads me to believe they might be father and son. Abel Parker had a son named Abel born in 1813. The 1860 census places Abel Parker Jr. and his family on a farm in Deerfield, Wi. The neighboring farm is owned by Zephaniahs widow, Philinda, her new husband Timothy, and Zephaniahs children.

I just found another piece of information. Abel Parker Jrs first wife was named Lucy Moffatt. Possibly Philinda Moffatts sister. Now I'm very confused.

Comments

It would aide us in helping you if you said more about the sources where you've found this various information. Some sources are stronger than others. And we'd also be able to suggest additional sources if we know what you've already checked.

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The only source for the elder Zephaniah Parker I have found is the 1850 census. He does not show up in the 1860 census but his wife (Philinda) and children do. Philinda appears to have married a man named Timothy Spaulding some time after the 1850 census. In 1860 the census entry lists a daughter Sarah Parker who is 6 years old and a son George Spaulding who is 2. Zephaniah appears to have died sometime between these two children.

The younger Zephaniah does not show up on his mothers 1860 census entry but a Zeph Parker, age 12, shows up living with a family named Blakasele (William) in Manchester, Wi. I noticed that their census entry also shows a Parker family (James R.) on the same page. So, I search for information on these two families and find that the 1850 census has the James R. Parker family living next to the Abel Parker family from my first post. Abel and James R. show up on ancestry.com as brothers in famiy trees.

Answer 1

I also have the same dilema--figuring out who is the father of Zephaniah Parker (born about 1820 in New York), the husband of Philinda Moffatt.  Do you have any further information on Zephaniah?  Any and all information will be appreciated.  I do have additional information on Philinda.  Thanks

Virginia Nichols