William Parker (1610 - 1673)

Born 1610 in Mulbarton, Norfolk, England

Husband of Elizabeth (Woodcocke) Parker — married 20 Sep 1626 in London, England

Husband of Grace (Bennett) Lloyd — married 1652 in England

Descendants

Died 24 Jul 1673 at about age 63 in St Mary, Islington, Middlesex, England

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Biography

The contemporary Parker immigrant families (George, John, and William Sr) of Anne Arundel, Calvert, and later Baltimore Counties were prosperous and prominent early settlers in 17th century Maryland. Recent comprehensive research has shown that they maintained strong transatlantic ties to family and to the mainstream merchant and legal communities in London with multiple back-and-forth trips, probably in their own company-owned ships. Additionally, legal referrals for high-profile cases were made from London with delegate power of attorney (POA) and Letters of Administration (LOA) sent to Maryland from no lesser personages than the mayor or aldermen of London and by successive archbishops of Canterbury from the prerogative court. ^[1]

The relationship between the Parkers of Calvert and Anne Arundel and the prominent PACA family of Baltimore Co. and Annapolis has also not been generally appreciated. ^[2]

William Parker of England: Birth and Parentage

William Parker, Sr., merchant of London (Hanbury Co) was born in Stepney, Middlesex County, England, about 1607 (daughter Mary born 1632) ^[2]

No facts have been found, so far, on William and George’s father, and his father was not William Parker, son of Baron Morley and who d.s.p.^[3]

Occupation

William Parker was a London Merchant of Stepney. ^[4]

Stepney

Stepney is an inner-city area in the East End of London that grew out of a medieval village around St Dunstan's church and the 15th century ribbon development of Mile End Road. St Dunstan's, Stepney is an Anglican Church which stands on a site which has been used for Christian worship for over a thousand years. It is located in Stepney High Street, in Stepney, London Borough of Tower Hamlets. ^[5]

Virginia

1620 Arrival in Upper New Norfolk County, Virginia

There was a William Parker born 1604, who came to Virginia in 1620, then became a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, dying in Nansemond County in the 1660's. This William Parker received a land Grant in Upper New Norfolk County, Virginia in 1638. ^[6] To all to whome these presents shall come I Sir John Harvey Knight Governor &c. send &c. whereas &c. Now Know yee that I the said Sir John Harvey Knight doe with the consent of the Councell of State accordingly give and grannt unto William Parker three hundred and fiftie acres of land scituate lying and being in the Countie of Upper New Norfolke runing South East into the woods North west upon Nansmund river begining at a Creeke called Powells Creeke and butting upon the land of the said William Parker The said three hundred and fiftie acres of land being due unto him the said William Parker by and for the transportacon of Seaven persons into this Colony whose names are in the Records menconed under this Pattent To have and to hold &c. dated the 18th of June 1638 ut in aliis

Francis Malden 400 ac. at Nansemund Riv. N. S. abutting S.E on the Island "commonly called Dumplin Island". Due 50 acs. for his own personal adventure and his wife Katherine and 300 acs. for Trans. 6 persons Nov. 26 1636. More records of these people cleared it up for me. ^[7]

1626 First Marriage to Elizabeth Woodcocke

William Parker married firstly in England the widow Elizabeth Woodcocke ^[2]

Before Grace, William married Elizabeth “Eliza” Woodcocke, 20 Sep 1626, at St. Dunstan’s-in-the-west, London, England. She was born about 1610, probably in London, Middlesex County, and died in 1636 (year third daughter was born), probably in London. Ancestry trees list only three daughters born to them: Thomasine, Sarah and Mary.^[8]

Maryland

1635 to the Cliffs

Col. William Parker made an even earlier trip, and was probably the first Parker to arrive in the Chesepeake Bay area. “Records of the landing of Col. William Parker II, son of William Parker of London, England, in 1635, at the Cliffs, a place on the eastern coast of the Chesapeake Bay, four miles south of St. Mary’s, are found in the library at Annapolis, Maryland.” ^[9]

1649-50 Immigration to Maryland

William Parker is likely one of the Puritans who founded Anne Arundel County in 1649. He was certainly in Maryland by 1651 when he obtained a certificate for an unnamed tract of 200 acres on 24 Oct 1651 in Anne Arundel Co (AB&H: 286-87 [SR7344]). ^[2]

The William Parker who settled in Maryland was among the settlers from Virginia who arrived at "Providence" in now Anne Arundel County in 1649-1650. William Parker can be assumed to have been in Virginia before that.

“It appears the first William Parker made more than one trip to Maryland. He is said to have been one of the Puritans who founded Anne Arundel Co. in 1649 ^[10].

He received grants of 600 acres called Parker’s Cliffs<?b> on the middle cliffs and <b>St. Edmond’s on the upper cliffs his nephew George Parker inherited his Calvert Co. lands (HOC). (emphasis mine) ^[11]

Herrington Hundred, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

Samuel Chew laid out Herrington.

Thomas Marsh took up lands on the west side of Herring Creek, beginning at Parker's Branch, and running to Selby's Cove; he also held a thousand acres adjoining Richard Bennett, running up the bay. He held a tract adjoining John Norwood, running down the bay, 600 acres more. He gave the name to Marshe's Creek, so dif- ficult to locate in the division of the two counties. Edward Selby held lands on Selby's Cove, adjoining Thomas Marsh. He also ad- joined Thomas Meeres on the west side of South River, next to John Watkins; in all some 1000 acres. William Parker adjoined Thomas Marsh on Herring Creek, and also, Richard Bennett, Samp- son Warring, and Thomas Davis on the bay, holding 1200 acres. William Durand adjoined Edward Selby, running down the bay; John Covell adjoined William Durand; Thomas Emerson adjoined William Parker; Captain Edward Carter, near Herring Creek, ad- joined William Ayers, whose lands were assigned him by Thomas Marsh. Richard Ewen adjoined Richard Bennett and Richard Tal- bott, on Herring Creek. Richard Wells, Chirurgeon, was on the west side of Herring Bay, adjoining Stockett's Creek, holding 600 arces. The three Stockett brothers were on Stockett's Run; they did not come from Virginia. Back on the Patuxent, Colonel Rich- ard Preston held 500 acres, and built a house which still stands; it is the oldest house in Maryland. He was an important man, in both Maryland and Virginia. Commander Robert Brooke, with his body guard of forty, was still below on the Patuxent, holding at first a whole county. Richard Bennett held thousands of acres at Herring Creek, and later as many more upon the Eastern Shore.

From these surveys, running form 100 to 1000 acres, we get a list of the most prominent settlers in 1649-50. The leaders took up land in several sections. The largest land-holders were in the south- ern section, where the soil was remarkably rich. ^[12]

“PARKERS: A village on the Pauxent River, near Broome Island Village, Calvert County. No doubt all mentions of ‘Parker’ in southern Maryland are traceable to William Parker whom Stein describes, as one of the Puritans, who in 1649, founded Anne Arundel County. In 1651, he was granted two tracts, one of them being Parker’s Cliffs on Middle Cliffs at Parker’s Creek. Later he returned to England where he died in 1674. ^[13]

1652 Second Marriage to Grace

William Parker married secondly in England Grace, the widow of Francis Mauldin (Malden). ^[2]

Francis Mauldin’s son (William’s stepson) was transported into Maryland as “Frances Malin” in 1653, later became prominent as Captain Frances Maulden (Q:68) and died testate in Calvert Co in 1710/1711, leaving modern descendants. ^[2]

married Grace aft 14 Oct 1697? her 2nd husband
 ^[4]

a. William Parker Jr died by accident


b. Elizabeth Parker
.

Grace married 1st Francis Maulden of Dumplin Island
 (Norfold Co., VA) a. Francis Maulden Jr. ^[4]


Francis Maulden md. Grace, her 1st husband They had a son Francis Jr. Grace md, #2 William Parker of Stepney, A London Merchant, dec'd by Oct. 18, 1680 ^[14]

William Parker and Grace had William Parker Jr. and a dau. Elizabeth.

1654 Public Service

William Parker, Sr, of Calvert County served as a member of the Lower House in 1654, on the Parliamentary Commissin 1654-1658) in the Lower House again in 1659-1660, and on the provincial court (1654-1657). ^[15]

1658 Calvert County

On June 19, 1658, he patented 600 acres in Calvert County called Parker’s Cliffes on the Westside of the Chesapeake Bay adjoining the land of Sampson Warring and Thomas Davis (Q:55 (SR7345). Importantly, this patent mentions “William Parker transported himself and his family into the province to inhabit”; tract name is not given on the patent but is found in the Maryland State Archives’ Land Record #55. ^[2]

1658 Immigration Land Grants

William immigrated in 1658 (4.1) and 1665 as William, Sr., transporting his son, William, Jr. (9.38). Grace Parker, wife of William was transported in 1663 and 1666 (5.418, 9.399). Other men named William Parker were transported between 1668 and 1679.” ^[16]

1661 Travels to and from England

Grace Parker, second wife of William Sr, was living in Maryland on 20 Nov 1661 when she joined him in a deed to John Homewood (LRAA:IT#5:141) She returned to England (probably with her husband) on occasion, however, as she is next listed as transported back into Maryland in 1663 (Patents, 5:418) and again in 1666 (ibid, 9:399). She was living in Maryland on 31 May 1664 when she gave a deposition but no age is given (Prov Ct; AM: 217). Apparently William Sr. also made a round-trip to England and transported his son William Jr. as recorded in 1665 (Patents 9:38) and made a resulting claim for 200 acres of land by patent on 4 Sept 1666 for a tract located on the south side of Herring Creek near Parker’s Branch. On 1 Nov 1667 “William Parker of the Cliffs, Calvert County, gentleman,” deeded the same property to James Maxwell (LRAA; 1H#1 :163). The fact that Grace did not relinquish her dower rights in this deed suggests that the seller was William Sr’s son William, jr, who was in the colony but was not known to be married in that year. ^[15]

1673 Will

^[17]

Will of William Parker, gent of London and Maryland: 3 Jan 1673; 24 July 1673 (new style).

• “William Parker of the ship Ricahrd and Martha, Hanbury Co.,
• planter in Maryland, New England…
• executrix wife Grace…
• children Elizabeth Parker, William Parker, Thomasin Kent, Sarah Edmondson, Mary Paca, of Anne Arundel of the Province of Maryland, new England, and Dorothy Whittle.”^[17]

Due to current lack of data, the mothers of these children cannot yet decisively be assigned, but Grace was clearly the mother of (at least) Issue: William Jr. and Elizabeth Parker.^[17]

1673 Death in London

He died in London between the time his will was made there on 3 January, and when it was probated by his wife Grace on the following24 July 1673 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. ^[15]

1674 Administration of Estate by Son

On 16 May 1674 “William Parker of the Cliffs, Calvert Co., gent. By his attorney George Parker exhibited his Oath as Administrator of the estate of his father William Parker, deceased.” The appraisers were John Hance and George Parker. His total estate value was at least 35,249 pounds of tobacco including one servant, three slaves, the part ownership of two ships, and 1300 acres of land.^[15]

Widow Grace's Remarriage to Edward Lloyd

Grace married thirdly Edward Lloyd, a prominent Quaker (ca 1620-1696) who came to Anne Arundel Co. from Lower Norfolk, Va, in 1650 and lived there until 1663, removing to Talbot County in 1668 when he then returned to St. Mar’s Parish, White Chapel, Middlesex Co., England, where he died in 1696. Lloyd was the founder of one of Maryland’s most important political families and served in both the Virginia House of Burgesses from Lower Norfolk 1644-1646 and in the Maryland Lower House (1658) and the Upper House (1659-1666). During the period of Puritan rule in Maryland by the Bennett-Claiborne Commission, he was military commander of Anne Arundel Co in 1650-1652.^[15]

Grace married 3rd Edward Lloyd as his 3rd wife^[4]
 Grace md. #3 Edward Lloyd, as his 3rd wife. ^[14] Grace died after Oct. 14 1697.

1679 Land Sales

In 1679 Richard Snowden bought of George Yate a tract of iron-ore land on South River.

In 1686 Richard Snowden was granted "Robin Hoods Forest," a tract of 10,500 acres:

in 1688 Richard Snowden bought lands of William Parker, near West River. He was living in 1704. ^[18]

1680 Death

William Parker d by 18 Oct 1680 ^[4]

1680 Grace in Middlesex

18 Oct 1680 Edward Lloyd of the Parish of Whitechapel, Co. Middlesex, and Grace his wife and Elizabeth Parker of same place spinster to Samuel Lane of A. A Co., Maryland and Frances Mauldin power of attorney, to receive what is due said Lloyd and Parker from the estate of William Parker late of the Cliffs deceased^[17]

1681 Estate

11 August 1681 Edward Lloyd late of the W. R. C #209, Parish of Stepney, now of St. Mary Matseller (sic) also (alias) Whitechapel in the Co. of Middlesex, gent., and Grace (wife) late widow and sole executrix of William Parker Sr, late of Stepney aforesaid and Henry Buckerfield of London, Woodmonger, and Elizabeth exector only daughter (living) OF SAID William Parker, Sr, and sister and heir at law of William Parker jr, late of the cliffs in Maryland”usually dec’d” (died intestate) who was the only son and heir at law of said Wiliam Parker Sr, to Samuel Lane Chirurgeon and Francis Mauldin (who was at least 23 years old in 1680) planter, both of Maryland, power of attorney. ^[17]

1697 Grace and Richard Bennett

14 October 1697 Grace Lloyd of London, W. R. C #1: 838 relict and executrix of Edward Lloyd, formerely of the Province of Maryland, planter but since of the Parish of St. Mary White Chappell, Co., Middlesex, merchant, to her kinsman Ricahrd Bennett of Mryland, all debts due to her in Maryland in consideration of five shillings and love and affection. ^[17]

The latter bequest was to Richard Bennett (1667-1749) who was the stepson of Philemon Lloyd (1646-1685) of Anne Arundel Co. who came to Maryland from Virginia in 1650 with his father Edward Lloyd (1620-1696, only child of his father. Philemon Lloyd had married firstly as her second husband in 1669 Henrietta Maria, widow of Richard Bennett (ca 1639-1667). Philemon was thus Grace Parker Lloyd’s stepson. The degree of relationship between Grace and Richard Bennett her stepgrandson is thus fairly remote. ^[17]

Children

Named by Cavanaugh

William Parker's children as given by Cavanaugh are:

1. Elizabeth Parker, daughter of William Parker and his wife Grace. ^[17] See Elizabeth, b. 1660, Maryland.
2. William Parker, son of William Parker and his wife Grace. ^[17]William Parker Jr died by an accident and his estate went to his sister, Elizabeth ^[19] See William b. 1624 or William, b. 1630 or William, b. 1653, MD
3. Thomasin Kent, daughter of William Parker, mother not determined. ^[17],
4. Sarah Edmondson, daughter of William Parker, mother not determined. ^[17] See Sarah, b. 1636, Talbot Co, MD
5. Mary Paca, of Anne Arundel of the Province of Maryland, new England. Daughter of Willliam Parker, mother not determined. ^[17]. See Mary, b. 1634 Nottinghamshire, England. However, the existence of a daughter named Mary is in doubt. Mary Parker, Robert Paca's second wife, is traditionally given as William Parker's daughter. But I've seen two different abstracts of William Parker's will. (1) His will transcript in American Wills Proved in London, pp. 25-26 doesn't include a daughter Mary. (2) The transcript in English Origins of New England Families, Vol. II, p. 833 does include her, but the author of the article used an abstract by Horatio Gates Somerby, the notorious genealogy fraud. Somerby was actually a competent researcher when the mood struck him and when he wasn't fabricating documents for wealthy clients, and lots of his work was spot-on. But, because of his reputation, all his work must be checked and re-checked. So, in this case, was he correct or not? ^[20]
6. Dorothy Whittle, daughter of William Parker, mother not determined. ^[17],

Others Linked on WikiTree

The following additional children are linked on WikiTree at the moment. Since there are several possible duplicates and dates which don't fit the parents' narrative, further work is needed to resolve these issues:

1. Margaret, b. 1649, London

Stein remarks that descendants of William Parker’s nephew George (died 1681) still live in Calvert County.” ^[21]

Sources

1. ↑ Cavanagh, p. 144-145
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6} Harrison Dwight Cavanagh. The Parkers of Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties. Pages 144-150 in Colonial Chesapeake Families: British Origins and Descendants. 2014. Vol 2, page 145 Accessed November 8, 2015 jhd
3. ↑ He could have moved from Norfolk County to London, and also have been a merchant. I do believe his name was William Parker since both William and George appear to have names first born sons William. Some Ancestry trees suggest George’s father was James, but neither William, George nor their sons named a son James, so that’s unlikely. John is a common name in George’s family, but not in Williams’, although facts about William’s early marriage and children are scarce. George is listed in his LDS Ancestry file as born in Stephney, Middlesex Co. (London), England in 1630. That means their parents were probably living in London at that time. Their father could also have been a merchant of London. Research of James Edmondson
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} "Sally’s Family Place, Parker, on-line: cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
5. ↑ Wikipedia. Stepney. cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
6. ↑ Research of Regina Cogar, Ancestry Boards, http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.unknown/433/mb.ashx?pnt=1, posted 23 Sep 2000. VA Patents 1, p. 543, Library of Virginia Digital Collection: Land Office Patents and Grants. William Parker 350 Exmd:
7. ↑ Nugent, Cavaliers & Pioneers, cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
8. ↑ Research of James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
9. ↑ George & Jewell Parker, 400 Years of Parkers England to Texas, 1968. Cited by cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
10. ↑ Donna Valley Russell, The American Genealogist, April 1993
11. ↑ Early Families of Southern Maryland, Vol 5, Parker, Page 14, "William Parker", cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
12. ↑ Warfield, Early Settlers of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, p. 18.
13. ↑ Hamil Kenny, Ph. D., "Parkers" Places of Maryland, Their Origin and Meanings. p. 186. Research of Nancy Brine, cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} Email from Waunita Powell, cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4} Cavanagh, p. 146
16. ↑ Skordas, Early Settlers of Maryland. cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015
17. ↑ ^{17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12} Cavanagh, p. 147
18. ↑ Warfield, Early Settlers of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, p. 361.
19. ↑ Maryland Genealogies, cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015.
20. ↑ Vickie White, Re: Katherine Brent? wife of RIchard Marsham, Calvert Co., MD. January 27, 2008. http://www.genealogy.coaker.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/brent/490/
21. ↑ Stein, Early Families of Southern Maryland, Vol 5, Parker, p. 14, "William Parker" cited by cited by James Edmondson. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/62731149/person/48193027452/media/1?pgnum./ Accessed March 29, 2015

1. Archives of Maryland page 635