Martin Parker

Notes:

"According to the memoir of his grandson Chrisman Harrison Parker, John fought in the War of 1812, and was at the Battle of New Orleans when the British General Packenham was killed." [Parker's Genealogy & History Establishment]

From the memoir of Chrisman Harrison Parker:

"I have heard my grandfather tell how the Torys came and robed his mother while that war was going on; - They come one day; and robed the house; - taking the bedding; emtying the feather-beds or ticks over the ground. The feathers come of them rising above the tops of the trees. They then went into the feild and striped the harness off the horse granfather was plowing, and led Him away. - By this time they had gathered the sheep and cattle; - and horses and drove them away. Lleving my great grandmother and her children destitute - undaunted she geathered leaves to sleep on; living as best she could. Clothed her children and cotten and Flaxe, garments of her own make; - The next morning after the robery; she geathered her children and all the hoes and went into the feild. Those who had hoes howed those who had none pulled weeds and grass: - at last the war ceased, and great grandfather come home, and settled down to honest toil. Where he lived and died.

"My granfather grew up in in North Carolina, and maired there, and when my father was three years olde mooved to Tennsee: where he raised his family. In the War of 1812. Granfather Parker, entered the servis of his country and was at Battle of New Orleans when Pakenham was killed.

"My mother, - Celety - Harrison, Parker lost two brothers in the War of 1812. I have heard my mother say grandmother Harrison kept the clothing of her two lost sons as long as she lived; and once a year would look them over; and weep as she folded them up and laid them carfully away."

John married Elizabeth Carrel on 9 Jan 1793 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Elizabeth (daughter of James Carrel) was born in 1775 in North Carolina; died on 3 Dec 1859 in Whitley County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"John married Jane. According to [great-grandson] Chrisman Parker's memoir, John and his wife raised their children in North Carolina, where their family farm was raided by the Tories while John was away fighting for his country's freedom, and where John lived out his days. Many people believe that our John who later moved to Tennessee and then Kentucky was the John Parker who married Elizabeth Carrell in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on January 9, 1793 and was bondsman for the marriage of William Parker and Candace Austin there on October 28, 1801; that his father was the John Parker who died leaving a will in Wilkes County in 1791, naming his wife Mary, step-daughter Maryann Coons, and his children John, William, James, and Diana. That may be true, but since there are so many Johns and Elizabeths, it's difficult to be sure that you've got the right people." [Parker's Genealogy & History Establishment]

The memoirs of his great-grandson Chrisman Harrison Parker (1823-1914) state that this John Parker was born in England.