PARKS-L Archives

From: "Daniel J. Yeager" <>
Subject: Parke and Parks of Conn.
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 08:21:09 +0000

My cousin, Nancy Abbott has just procurred a book that has a lot to do with our Parks line. I have notices other
people mentioning some of the names that are related to our line so I thought I would pass this information
along. Our Parks line ends with Robert Parks and Lucy Brookins of Vermont. We are both trying to trace the
Parks line upward and this book seems to match pretty much with what we have received from a member of the Park
Society. Please let me know if anyone has anything different from what is in this book.

Robert Parks and Lucy Brookins had the following known children:

1.) Cynthia Jane Parks, b. 1 June 1834 in Wells Rutland Co., VT.; d. 25 Dec 1897 in Antelope Co., Nebraska; m.
26 Nov. 1863 in Wells, Rutland Co., VT. to Edmund Wilmot Hubbard, Sr.
2.) Octavia Parks, b. 16 Dec 1840 in Wells, Rutland Co., VT; d. 25 Jan 1911 in Venus, Knox Co., Nebraska; m.1
Jan 1863 in VT. to Sylvanus L. Whitmore
3.) Florence Parks, b. 23 Oct. 1845; d. April 1898 in Nebraska; m. Lucius R. Riley
4.) Sarah A. Parks, b. 1848 in VT.; d. 1940 in Knox Co., Nebraska; m. 22 Oct. 1884 in Knox Co., Nebraska to
Alonzo A. Strope
5.) Robert Parks
6.) Eloisa Parks
7.) Helen Parks
(Robert, Eloisa, and Helen we do not have proven information on yet.)

Dee Yeager


> I have procurred a book entitled "Parke and Parks of Conn." written by Frank
> Sylvester Parks in 1906. Frank also wrote, at later dates, "Parke and Parks
> of Mass." and "Parks Records Volume 3." This is rather lengthy.
>
> Page 25-28
>
> 1. Robert 1 Parke, (Or Sir Robert Parke, as he has been sometimes called),
> was born in Preston, England in 1580. He was a personal friend of John
> Winthrop, to whom he addressed a letter relative to his proposed journey to
> New England, in February, 1629-30. Following is a copy, preserving all the
> quaint old Orthography:
>
> <letter snipped ... I can type later if wanted; probably be easier to
> photocopy >
>
> "He and his family sailed from Cowes, Isle of Wight, for America, on board
> the "Arabella," with seventy-six passengers, March 29, 1630, and landed in
> Boston, Mass., June 17, 1630; making the voyage in seventy-eight days.
>
> <much snipped here ... >
>
> Sir Robert Parke married 1st, Martha, a daughter fo Capt. Robert and
> Elizabeth (Antsy) Chaplin, of Bury, England. Her father gave her portion of
> L300. It is probable that she died in England before the family came to this
> Country, as no mention has been found of her here. He married 2nd, at
> Wethersfield, about 1644, Mrs. Alice Thompson. She was the widow of John
> Thompson, of Preston, England, and the mother of Dorothy THompson, who
> became the wife of Thomas 2 Parke. There is upon record a curious order for
> the General Court of Massachusetts, dated May 30, 1644, in favor of Robert
> Parke, to the effect: "That he may proceed in marriage with Alice Thompson
> without further publishment."
>
> He died at Mystic, February 4, 1664-5, aged 84 years. The diary of Thomas
> minor, under date of Feb 1664, has the following: "The 4th of ffebruarie mr
> perke departed this life and was buried the 7th day being Tuseday in the
> yeare 1664." His grave is in the White Hall graveyard, at White Hall,
> Mystic, Conn. His house was east of the present road and southeast of the
> burial ground and stood just south of a small knoll, somewhat rocky.
>
> His will is dated May 14, 1660, and was admitted to probate March 14,
> 1664-5. This will mentions only three children, William, the oldest; Samual
> and Thomas. One authority has stated that his oldest son, named Robert,
> stayed in England and had the homestead. Others have said that he may have
> had other children, possibly Joseph, Richard, Edward and Ann.
>
> Children of Robert 1 and Martha Parke:
>
> 2. William 2 b in England.
> 3. Thomas 2, b in England.
> 4. Samuel 2, b in England.
> Anne 2, b in England. lived at Roxbury, MAss., where she married Edward
> Payson, August 20, 1640, and died Sept. 10, 1641. She had one child who died
> young.
>
> Page 30-33
>
> 3. Thomas 2 Parke, (Robert 1), was born in Preston, England; came to America
> with his father in 1630, and removed with him to Wethersfield in 1639. There
> he married Dorothy Thompson, and there at least two of his children were
> born. About 1675 he removed to the Pequot Plantation, (New London,) Conn.,
> where he became a Deacon in the Church of which the Rev. Richard Blinman,
> (his brother-in-law, they having married sisters,) was pastor. He resided in
> Pequot for about six years and then moved to Southertown, (now Stonington,)
> where he became a Selectman. While residing in Southertown he sent the
> following letter to his brother William, in Roxbury, Mass. What is now
> Stonington, was at that time a part of Massechusettes.
>
> < a letter to his brother William snipped >
>
> After residing in Mystic, within the bounds of Stonington for a number of
> years, he removed with his son Thomas 3 Jr., to lands belonging to them in
> the northern part of New London, where in 1680 they were reconed as
> inhabitants. In 1681 he was Collector of Taxes for New London. In October,
> 1686, he was one of the petitioners to the Legislature for the incorporation
> of the town of Preston. The petition was also signed by three of his sons,
> Thomas Jr., Nathaniel and John. In 1698, he, together with his sons Robert
> and John and nine others, organized the First Church of Christ, of Preston,
> and he became its first Deacon.
>
> He died July 30, 1709, after a long and well spent life. He must have been
> about ninety years of age, although the exact date of his birth has not been
> discovered. His will, dated Sept. 5, 1707, and recorded in New London,
> provided for his wife, Dorothy; for children John, Nathaniel, WIlliam,
> Martha, Dorothy and Alice; for grandson Samuel, son of Thomas; and grandson
> James, son of Robert.
>
> He married Dorothy Thompson, daughter of John and Alice Thompson, of
> Preston, England.
>
> In New London about 1680. "One hundred acres of land in one entire piece,"
> were voted to "Mr. Thomas Parkes, Senior," to remunerate him for furnishing
> cedar clapboards, nails and work for the parsonage house.
>
> The second entry in the Town Meeting Book of Preson, is as follows: "1689,
> Mar. 30. At a town meeting granted to Thomas Parke Senr. one hundred acres
> of land which was formerly granted by New London lying on ye east side of
> gt. to sd. Parke his land,' etc.
>
> Children:
>
> 8. Martha 3, b Oct. 26, 1646
> 9. Thomas 3, b April 18, 1648.
> 10. Robert 3
> 11. Nathaniel 3
> 12. Doroty 3, b March 6, 1652
> 13. William 3, bapt. 1654
> 14. John 3
> 15. Alice
>
> Page 34-35
>
> 9. Thomas 3 Parke, (Thomas 2, Robert 1),was born at Wethersfield, Conn.,
> April 18, 1648. In 1667 he lived in Stonington, where the town record dated
> Jan. 31, 1667, has the following: "One hundred acres of land laid out to
> Thomas Park Jr." Again on June 18, 1667: "It was voted that young Thomas
> Parks shall have his hundred acres where it may be found after all the other
> grants are perfected that were before him." He married Mary Allyn, of
> Norwich, Jan. 4, 1671-2. She was a dr. of Robert Allyn. She was born at
> Salem, Mass., Nov. 19, 1648. In 1681 he was a Constable of the town of New
> London, and in 1686, without any change of residene, he became a Constable
> of Norwich. When Preston was laid out his farm was included in that town. He
> probably died before 1699, as "Mary Park, widow," joined the 1st Church, of
> Preston, in that year.
>
> Children:
>
> 22. Samuel 4, b Nov. 26, 1673
> 23. Thomas 4, b Jan 20, 1765-6.
> 24. Mary 4, b Jan 28, 1677-8.
> Jonathan 4. b April 6, 1679; d unmarried.
> 25. Deborah 4, b Dec. 1680; m John Clark. CHildren: Deborah, Dorothy, John,
> Joseph and Jerusha Clark.
> 26. Eleazer 4, b about 1682.
> 27. Hannah 4, b in Preston; m Amos Woodward. He b June 5, 1693, at Woburn,
> Mass; sone of Daniel and Elizabeth (Dana) Woodward. CHildren: DOrothy,
> Jacob, Hannah, and Ebenezer Woodward.
>
> Page 43
>
> 26. Eleazer 4 Park, (Thomas 3, Thomas 2, Robert 1), was born about 1682. He
> was a farmer, and lived in Preston all his life, becoming a large landowner
> in Preston, Groton and Canterbury. "Mary widow of Thomas Parke," deeded land
> to her youngest son Eliezer, signed by herself and children. March 13,
> 1710--Preston Land Records, book 2, page 386. He married Eliphel Button, of
> Preston, Feb. 4, 1716-17. She was a duaghter of Peter and Mary (Lamphere)
> Button. She b Dec. 16, 1694; d Nov. 3, 1781. In 1720 he was Sergeant, in
> 1733 Tythingman, and in 1736 Surveryor, of Preston. He died Nov. 14, 1769,
> in Preston. His will, made Feb. 5, 1757, and filed in the Probate Office, in
> Norwich, Dec. 5, 1769, mentioned his wife, Eliphel; gave to son Ruben, "Land
> in Canterbury where he now dwells, to son Simeon land in Canterbury where he
> lives; to sons Asa and Abijah, the homestead in Preston." He also mentions
> son Peter and daughters Sarah Cook, Eunice Park and Mary Park. The inventory
> of his estate, filed Dec. 18, 1769, amount to L1023: s3: d9.
>
> Children:
>
> 88. Sara 3, b Jan 18, 1717-18; m Cook.
> Elizabeth 5, b Aug 15, 1719.
> Ebenezer 5, b April 23, 1721
> 89. Rueben 5, b Feb. 27, 1723-4
> 90. Peter 5, b Nov 27, 1725
> 91. Eunice 5, b Feb 19, 1727-8; m Ebenezer Avery, Nov. 9 1758, his 2nd
> wife. Chiled: Ebenezer Avery, b Oct. 10, 1760.
> 92. Simeon 5, b March 21, 1730.
> 93. Asa 5, b Feb. 4, 1732; d March 10, 1821, at Preston; in Rachel Park,
> (No. 194) (Adam 5, Samuel 4, Thomas 3, Thomas 2, Robert 1.) He was a
> Tythingman, of PReston, 1756; Surveyor, 1768, 1776 and 1789.
> 94. Abijah 5, b May 24, 1734
> Elijah 5, b Jan. 23, 1735-6
> 95. Mary 5, b Nov 13, 1737
>
> Page 59
>
> 92. Simeon Parks 5, (Eleazer 4, Thomas 3, Thomas 2, Robert 1), was born in
> Preston, Conn., March 21, 1730. He married Anne Button of Voluntown, at
> Stonington, Conn., July 15, 1755. She was born 1737 and died at Wells, Vt.
> July 19, 1820. He was a farmer in Canterbury, Conn., where he received land
> from the estate of his father in 1769. It was probably after that year that
> he moved to Wells, Vt., where he lived until his death, which occurred July
> 17, 1812. Tradition says that when he moved to Vermont, he and his wife made
> the journey on horseback, the wife riding behind her husband on a pillion,
> and that they were among the first settlers in the state.
>
> Children:
>
> 232. Elijah 6, b Sept. 25, 1756
> 233. Elizabeth 6, b Oct. 30, 1757; d July 30, 1816. Never married; was
> blind.
> 234. Ebenezer 6, b March 29, 1759.
> Anna 6, d. y.
> 235. Phebe 6, B Aug. 21, 1763; m Palmer Davis.
> 236. Elithel 6, b Nov. 28, 1766; m Eleazer Smith.
> 237. Simeon 6, b March 21, 1768.
> 238. Anna 6, b June 20, 1770; m Jesse Pellet, Oct. 17, 1786
> 239. Thankful 6, b Aug 24, 1773
> 240. Martha 6, b May 7, 1776
> 241. Patty 6; m Abither Seekel.
>
> Page 80
>
> 232. Elijah Parks 6, (Simeon 5, Eleazer 4, Thomas 3, Thomas 2, Robert 1),
> was born at Canterbury, Ct., Sept. 25, 1756; m Anne Smith, at Canterbury,
> March 16, 1780; she died 1793. They probably went to Wells, Vt., with his
> father and brother Simeon. The Vermont Historical Magazine says the he "was
> a Revolutionary soldier; was in the battle of Saratoga, and at the surrender
> of Burgoyne. Taught school at Wells for twenty years, and was Town Clerk
> nine years." He moved to Granville, N. Y., where he married Margaret Walker.
> He died there in 1821.
>
> Children by 1st wife:
>
> Alithea 7, b Nov. 23, 1780; d. y.
> 465. Joseph 7, b May 20 1784.
> 466. Elijah 7,
> 467. Nancy 7, m John Clark, and d 1808
>
> Children by 2nd wife:
>
> 468. John 7; "went west."
> 469. Loren 7
> 470. Simeon 7; "went to Illinois."
> 471. Royal 7; "went to Mississippi"
> 472. Almon 7; lived at French Creek, N. Y.
> 473 Sally 7
> 474 Polly 7
> 475 Eunice 7
>
> Page 113
>
> 466. Elijah 7 Parks, (Elijah 6, Simeon 5, Eleazer 4, Thomas 3, Thomas 2,
> Robert 1), born at Wells, Vt., 1790; died 1859. He married Hannah Hotchkiss.
> She died 1842, aged 52.
>
> Children:
>
> 904. Robert 8
> Lucy 8, died 1836, age 23.
> Anna 8, m Royce Tyler.
> Viana 8, m Ezra Howard, and died 1854, age 37.
> Hannah D. 8, m James F. Cone.
> Polly 8, m Orson Ives.
> 910. Hobart E. 8, b 1830
>
> Pages 169 - 170
>
> 904. Robert 8 Parks, (Elijah 7, Elijah 6, Simeon 5, Eleazer 4, Thomas 3,
> Thomas 2, Robert 1), was born at Wells, Vt. He married Lucy Brookins.
>
> Children:
>
> 1989. Jane C. 9
> 1990. Robert H. 9; was in the Civil War, in the 5th N.Y. Died at
> Alexandria, VA., 1861.
> 1991. Eloisa 9
> 1992. Helen 9, b. 1840; d 1860
> 1993. Octavia 9
> 1994. Florence 9
> 1995. Sarah 9
>
> 910. Hobart E. 8 Parks, (Elijah 7, Elijah 6, Simeon 5, Eleazer 4, Thomas 3,
> Thomas 2, Robert 1), was born at Wells, Vt., 1830, and died 1868. He married
> Fanny Hutchins.
>
> Children:
>
> Cornelius 9, D. y.
> 1996. Addie 9
> 1997. Lillian 9
> 1998. Edna 9
> 1999. Fanny 9
>
> This is the last mention of either Hobart or Robert. None of the children's
> lines are followed further. There are quite a number of Parks cousins in
> Wells, Vt. by the time of Robert and Hobart's birth. I will try to track
> them later on when the writers' cramp wears off : )
>
> Re Robert H., Jane's brother, I found one NY Civil War record that might
> refer to him but might not.
>
> Robert Parks
> Residence not listed; 24 years old.
> Enlisted on 8/21/61 at Fairhaven, NY as a Private.
> On 9/23/61 he mustered into "F" Co. NY 2nd Cavalry
> He died of disease on 12/19/61 at Arlington, VA
> Sources:
> - New York: Report of the Adjutant-General

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• Parke and Parks of Conn. by "Daniel J. Yeager" <>