John Parker

Ancestor Number

A087552 »

Date of Birth

September 25, 1740

Place of Birth

Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware

Date of Death

March 3, 1793

Place of Death

Hancock County, Georgia

Spouse(s)

Sarah Gordy

Children

Hannah, Jacob, Priscilla, John, Elizabeth, Mary (Polly), William, Peter, Elisha, Nancy

American Revolution Service

Pvt. Capt. Chas. Pope’s Co. & 1st Delaware Battalion of Continental Troops, commanded by Col. John Haslet Apr.11,1776. Date of Enlistment Jan. 17, 1776: Capt. John Learmonth May 1777 – June 1778.

State of Service

Maryland

Donor

Donated in memory of John Parker RS by Janie Parker Price

John Parker was born on September 25, 1740, at Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware, the son of George and Sarah Parker.

He lived with his family in the Del-Marva area of Delaware and Maryland. During this time, boundary lines were changed between counties, and even though the Parker family were living in the same area, the names were changed from Sussex County to Somerset, Worchester or Dorchester, Maryland.

On June 3, 1760, Parker married Sarah Gordy in Sussex County, with whom he had 10 children: Hannah, Jacob, Priscilla, John, Elizabeth, Mary (Polly), William, Peter, Elisha and Nancy.

From the earliest days of the American Revolution, the Delaware Continental Congress encouraged the organization of The First Regiment of Delaware. John Parker of Lewestown enlisted on January 17, 1776, as a Private in Captain Charles Pope’s Company of 1st Delaware Battalion of Continental Troops commanded by Colonel John Haslet.

The Delaware Continentals were ordered to report to General Washington at Amboy, New Jersey. Parker first encountered the enemy at the Battle of Long Island, New York. After the withdrawal from Long Island they were victorious at New Rochelle. Parker’s Regiment retreated into New Jersey after the Battle of White Plains. Colonel Haslet was killed in the Battle of Princeton and Colonel Hall was given command. Parker’s Regiment took part in the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown. The Muster Roll of Valley Forge lists Private John Parker, Delaware, ID: DE31745, fifth Division, 1st Maryland, Company Captain John Learmonth.

As a soldier in the American Revolution, John received Bounty Land Grant of 287 and 1/2 acres on the Oconee River in Washington County, Georgia, Warrant No. 607, June 4, 1784. Parker and his brother Jacob, also receiving Bounty Land, moved their families to Georgia. Little is known about his life in Georgia other than various land transactions. Again, shifting county lines changed locations of records. Parker wrote his will in Green County on February 18, 1793. He died in Hancock County on March 3, 1793. His burial place is unknown.

Sarah lived in Georgia until her death on September 28, 1825. Many of their descendants moved to Alabama, and eventually to Texas.