Missing Link (LK=5R63b)

Missing Link (LK=5R63b)
Richard Parks

PS Newsletter, Vol. 49, No. 3, p. 43-44 (2013)

This Richard Parks has the extra designation of "b" because there was some question as to his parentage when he was entered into our Society data base. More recent research has proven that he is indeed the son of Jonathan (4R9) and Elizabeth (Whiting) Parks. The Town of Pomfret, Connecticut birth records show that Jonathan and Elizabeth had two children with the given name of Richard. The first Richard was born 28 September 1733 but he died 1 September 1735. However, on 15 February 1736 the records show another son was born to this couple also with the given name Richard, and this is almost certainly Richard (5R63b).

Much credit is due to Frank J. Doherty for his excellent research and compilation of The Settlers of the Beekman Patent of Dutchess Co., New York. According to his research, Richard Parks was taxed first in Beekman and then later in Pawling. In 1760, he leased a farm in the Pawling area of the Patent and paid rent through 1786. Before 1767, he kept an active account at the Merritt store on Quaker Hill. In 1766, he was one of the petitioners for land allegedly unpatented in the Gore area of Pawling. He also took part in local government, being an election inspector in 1781, an assessor in 1782, and also acted as clerk at the elections of 1798 and 1799. He was friendly with the Livingston family.

Richard was married, but his wife's name is unknown. The 1800 census for Pawling has Richard Sr., age 45 or over and a female, also age 45 or over, probably his wife. No record of his death has been found. Richard Parks had at least three children:

  1. Richard Parks, Jr. was born after 1755, probably in Dutchess Co., New York. He married Phebe Kelly who died 26 September 1823 at Pawling. Although the 1800 census for Richard Jr. lists children within this household, when Richard died 20 February 1826, he left no living direct descendants. His brother, Jacob Parks of Pawling, and his brother-in-law, David Sheldon of Pine Plains, were two of the administrators listed on the bond which was filed 8 March 1826.
  2. Jacob Parks was born 6 March 1757 in the Town of Pawling, Dutchess Co., NY. He married Deborah Stevens, daughter of William Stevens, born 26 December 1761 and died 19 September 1828 NY. Deborah's name is one that appears in the minutes of the Dover Baptist Church for not attending church as often as she should.
  3. Jacob Parks served in the Revolutionary War and is well documented by his pension application and record (S9985 New York). He served as Sergeant in the company commanded by Capt. Woodard and the regiment commanded by Col. Schenck in New York. On 15 February 1834, Jacob Parks, aged 77 years, appeared in court to give his affidavit to petition for his pension. He stated that he was born in the Town of Pawling, Dutchess Co., on 6 March 1757, that he was living in Pawling when called into service, and that he continued to reside there after the war until the town in which he resided was detached from Pawling and became Dover. He stated that he was now ill and in need. He gave the names of three men who can testify as to his character and their belief that he served in the war. Sworn testimony from several men is included in the pension papers. Jacob died 9 October 1845 at South Dover, NY.

    On 8 March 1816, Jacob made out a legal instrument which noted the grandchildren of daughter, Hannah now wife of Justus Holloway. He also named daughter, Lydia wife of John P. Brady, and their daughter Keziah Brady. This paper was later destroyed. (from "The Settlers of the Beekman Patent of Dutchess Co., NewYork). Jacob and Deborah Parks may have had other children besides Lydia and Hannah.

    1. Lydia Parks born about 1788, NY, married 20 May 1807 at Dutchess Co., NY to John P. Brady. John was born 21 September 1779, NY, and possibly died 8 May 1859 at Clear Creek, Illinois. Lydia died in 1854. Lydia's material is documented through her father, since two from her line were accepted by the NSDAR (DAR #98844 Edith Wallbridge Carr; also DAR # 104224). The 1850 US Census for Dover, Dutchess Co., NY lists the following household members: John P. Brady age 71, Lydia Brady age 62, Richard P. Brady age 38, Nancy Brady age 23, and Kesiah Wiley (probably married dau.) age 26. Further research of this branch provides conflicting information with little source material.
    2. Hannah Parks was born about 1780 NY married about 1800 to Justus Halloway, born 1778 Dutchess Co and died before 1850 in NY. A Family Line researcher lists three children of this marriage (surname Halloway): Debbie, b. 1802; Seath Ann, b. 1808; and Anna, b. 1815. Hannah appears as household head on the 1850 in the census for Pawling, Dutchess Co, NY, with Debbie, age 48; Seath Ann, age 42; Anna, age 35; also Ephraim Edwin, age 7; and John Edwin, age 5. Although Debbie is listed as "idiot" in 1850, in 1860 she is the household head, "blind" with the Wilcox family. Nothing more found.
  4. Hannah Parks born about 1765, Dutchess Co., NY, married David Sheldon, son of Capt. Thomas Sheldon/Lucy Spaulding. David was born 9 August 1763 at Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., and died there on 18 August 1829. There is only one NSDAR record for Thomas Sheldon (A102664) who served in the Revolutionary War. His wife was Lucy Spalding; both died in Dutchess Co., NY. DAR member #661603, whose application was accepted, is a direct descendant of Thomas and Lucy Sheldon's son, Jonathan (ca. 1770–1822, Delaware, NY). The Family Line researcher has assumed that Jonathan and David are brothers - both children of Thomas & Lucy Sheldon.

    Another researcher lists the following children of the marriage of David and Hannah Parks Sheldon: Lucy (1787–), Abijah (1790–1858), Richard Sheldon (1791–1835), Lydia (1795– 1865), Jacob (1799–), Eunice (1802–1899), Phebe (1802–1831), Deborah (1805–1866), Charles (1807–), and Amy (1809–1902). I have documentation for Lydia.

    1. Lydia Sheldon was born 11 June 1795 at Pine Plains, and died 22 May 1865 Washtenaw Co., MI. She was married in 1812 to Henry Wilbur (1792, NY–1872, MI). The 1850 US census for Superior Township, Washtenaw Co., MI lists Henry Wilbur age 59, b. NY; Lydia, age 55, b. NY; John Gale Wilbur, age 24, b. NY; Eletha Ann Wilbur (Gale), age 22, b. NY; and Andrew Wilbur (Gale), age 1, b. MI. Further research has proven that John Cook Gale married Eletha, and Andrew is their son.

From the amount of research material I have been able to gather on Richard (5R63b) Parks and his descendants, it appears that the Parks surname of this branch ends with the sixth generation. If anyone is interested in what material I have on the more recent generations, please wobens1899@gmail.com to me.

Sources: The Settlers of the Beekman Patent of Dutchess Co., New York by Frank J. Doherty Barbour collection of Connecticut Birth records, United States Census data, Revolutionary War Pension records, NSDAR records, Marriage, Death and Cemetery records, Family researchers.