Page Name

Timeline for Thomas Bryant Parker

Gregory A. Parker

15 October 1797, Grayson County, Virginia, Birth of Thomas Bryant Parker: The best source is a letter written by Martha Ann Nelson from Kanesville, Pottawatomie County, Iowa to her mother which is dated 22 June 1851. At the end of the letter Martha Ann gives the dates of birth for her immediate family. [I have included a scanned image of a poor copy of the original letter.] We also quote from the Parker-Ross Memoirs written by Ella Minerva Parker "Thomas Bryant Parker, father of my father, Joseph Faulconer Parker, was born 15 October 1797 in Grayson County, Virginia. His parents, after many, many, years of research, are still unknown, except that his mother probably was a Miss Bryant. We are also reasonably sure he had a brother George, as father remembered his Uncle George visiting their home many times. He did not remember any mention of his grandfather however, he was only nine years old when his father died at Kanesville, Iowa on the 27th of July 1850. " [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 44]

19 January 1806, Warren County, Kentucky Birth of Catherine Hammett:"Catherine Hammett Parker was born 19 January 1806... The parents of Catherine Hammett are Reuben Hammett and Rebecca Snodgrass." [Information posted on Ancestry.com by Bryant Mills. Contact: bmills@msn.com ] Note: Thomas Bryant Parker is 9 years older than his first wife (Catherine Hammett).

17 October 1818, Fayette County, Kentucky Birth of Martha Ann Nelson: "Martha Ann Nelson, second wife, was born 17 October 1818 in Fayette County, Kentucky, daughter of Dr. Ambrose Nelson and Joyce Faulconer. Joyce was the daughter of Joseph Faulconer and Frances Nelson.” [See Parker-Ross Memoirs] Note: Thomas Bryant Parker is 21 years older than his second wife (Martha Ann Nelson).

1819-1825 Several land patents were granted to Parker's, Flemming's, Nelson's, Bryant's, Massie's and one Faulkner. See Parker Land Patents and Land Patents Before 1826.

27 October 1825, Howard County, Missouri, Married Catherine Hammett;"Nothing is known of Thomas Bryant Parker’s life in Virginia. Neither do we know how long he was there. On the 27th of October, 1825 he married his first wife, Catherine Hammett, of Baltimore, Maryland. They were married in Howard Co., Missouri, by Aquillo Jones.”[SeeParker-Ross Memoirs page 45]

10 October 1826, of Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Birth of 1st child Rebecca Snodgrass Parker; She died 22 August 1836 in Missouri "…Rebecca Snodgrass Parker was born 10 October 1826, place not given, died 22 August 1836 in Missouri.” [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 45] She was born in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri. She died before her 10th birthday and does not have any descendents. Note: Rebecca Snodgrass Parker was named after her maternal grandmother Rebecca Snodgrass.

April 1828, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Established residence in Marion County, Missouri; This is inferred from the diary of Thomas Bryant Parker dated 30 June 1848. "History of the travels of Thomas Bryant Parker and family from Marion County, Missouri, where he had resided 20 years, 2 months and a few days, set out in search of a home where liberty and the inalienable rights of conscience may be enjoyed without molestation, hiss or taunt by the serpent tongue of persecution. [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 53]

24 September 1828, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Birth of 2nd child John Fletcher Parker; John Fletcher Parker, was born 24 September 1828 in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, married Mary Edgar. Mary born, date unknown, and died in 1890. John Fletcher died in 1900, leaving one daughter, Lillian, adopted about 1850.” [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 45]

1830 Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, 1830 Census; White males: one under age 5, one with age 15-20, one with age 20-30, and one with age 30-40. White females: one under age 5, one with age 10-15 and one with age 20-30.

25 February 1830, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Deed or indenture, "I also have indentures or deeds which I had copied from the records in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, while there doing research. One from William and Susan Massie to Thomas Bryant Parker, dated 25 February 1830.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs]

25 February 1830, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Land Purchase ; "On February 25, he purchased five acres of land from William Massie and wife for $50.00.” [See Dragoo-Carr publication page 44 (Vi Parsons is the Author)]

25 September 1830, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Birth of 3rd child William Hammett Parker ; "William, the second son and last child of Thomas Bryant and Catherine (Hammett ) Parker, was born 25/6 September 1830 in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri. He married Nancy Wells, daughter of Zachary Wells and Mary (Polly) Balleu of Kentucky in 1850. They were both dancers and were married on the stage. She was born, 15 of March 1830 and died 1890. William Hammett died 1909 in Fresno. They left a family of seven - four boys and three girls: John Fletcher Parker (named for his uncle), James Thomas Parker, William Henry Parker, Ira Edgar Parker, and three daughters - Mary Ann, Nancy Catherine and Lorena Pauline.” [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 45] Note: Hammett is maiden surname of his maternal grandmother?

6 September 1832, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Death of Catherine Hammett Parker ; "His first wife, Catherine Hammett Parker, died there 6 September 1832…" [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 54] Does anyone know the cause of death?

25 October 1835, Marion County, Missouri, Married Martha Ann Nelson - "This may certify that on 25 October 1835, I Joined in marriage, Thomas B. Parker and Martha Ann Nelson, agreeable to law given under my hand this 13th day of January 1836.” - George C. Light, M.G.M.E.C. filed for record on the 23rd day of January 1836. Stanton Buckner, Recorder.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 55]

22 August 1836, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri ; Death of Rebecca Snodgrass Parker, "…Rebecca Snodgrass Parker was born 10 October 1826, place not given, died 22 August 1836 in Missouri.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 45] 16 November 1836, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri ; Birth of 4th child Robert Pollock Parker. "Robert Pollock Parker, the first child of Thomas Bryant and Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker, was born 16 November, 1836 at Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri. He died in September 1892 at Redlands, California; married Mary Clark of Provo, Utah, daughter of William and Mary (Doyle) Clark.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 67 ] They had nine children: Robert Bryant Parker, born 5 December, 1862 at Provo, Utah, died 1952 at Redlands, California; Alpha Elizabeth Parker, born 15 August, 1864 in Provo, Utah, died 22 August, 1919 at Redlands, California; Thomas Nelson Parker, born in 1866, in Provo, Utah, died an infant; Ambrose Bassett Parker born 5 June, 1868 in Provo, Utah, died 27 December, in Caruthers, California; Ara Ann Parker born 3 January, 1873 at Willow Creek, Madison County, Mont; died 10 December, 1944 at El Monte, California; Mary Eleanor Parker and Asburn Alexander Parker, twins, born in 1875 at Joseph, Sevier County, Utah died as infants; Lura Evelyn Parker born 10 August, 1881, Washburn, Barry County, Missouri, died in December 1911 or 1914; Zelma Frances Parker, born 3 January, 1884 at Seligman, Barry County, Missouri; died September, 1884. [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 67-69]

25 December 1837, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Land donated to Methodist Episcopal Church ; "Grandfather, Thomas Bryant Parker, must have been quite a religious man. I have a record showing where he and some other men bought a piece of ground and gave it to the Methodist Episcopal Church in December 1837, in Palmyra. George and I visited the spot where a new church had just replaced the old one. Thomas Bryant Parker’s marriage certificate shows that he was married in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Nauvoo Temple Records show that they received their endowments and were sealed there on 23 January 1846. He held the Priesthood of a Seventy.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 55]Also, in the Dragoo-Carr publication we read: "Thomas was one of the contributors of a lot to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in Palmyra, Missouri.” [See Dragoo-Carr publication page 44] See Palmyra Deed Book.

16 March 1838, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Birth of 5th child Thomas Bryant Parker. The second child of Thomas Bryant and Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker was Thomas Bryant, Jr., born 16 March, 1838 at Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, drowned October 4, 1840. [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 70] 15 April 1839, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri ; Birth of 6th child Ambrose Nelson Parker. "Ambrose Nelson Parker, third son of Thomas Bryant and Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker was born 15 October, 1839 in Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri. He lived a short but full life, being of a religious nature and a very diligent worker in the church. He was very attentive to his widowed mother, kind to the neighbors and indeed to everyone around him. Daddy said of him: I don’t believe your Uncle Net, (as he was lovingly called) ever did anything wrong in his life. He was such a good boy always, and a fine, energetic man of very good habits.” His patriarchal blessing given on the 29 May, 1856, at Provo by Isaac Morley, confirms this statement. He never married, but lived with his mother in a home bought from uncle Andrew Ross, which stood on the lot where the Parker schoolhouse now stands, and which he and his mother later gave to the city of Provo for that school. He died in 1861, at the age of twenty-two, in Provo and was buried in the city cemetery there." [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 70-71] This quote from the Parker-Ross Memoirs page 71 has the date of birth as 15 October 1839. However, the attached letter from Matha Ann Nelson has the date of birth 15 April 1839. [This also agrees with the Dragoo-Carr publication page 44.] Do we have additional information?

1840 Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, 1840 Census ; White males: three under age 5, one with age 5-10, one with age 10-15, and one with age 40-50. White females: one with age 20-30 and one with age 20-30.

4 October 1840, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Death of Son Thomas Bryant Parker. "The second child of Thomas Bryant and Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker was Thomas Bryant, Jr., born 16 March, 1838 at Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, drowned October 4, 1840." [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 70] How do we know he was drowned and where is the record? Where was he buried? Vi Parson has a date of December 4th. [See Dragoo-Carr publication page 44]

7 April 1841, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri ; Birth of 7th child Joseph Faulkner Parker. "Joseph Faulconer Parker, born 1841, died 1936 at Joseph, Utah. Married first, Mary Elizabeth Ross, born 1845. Married second Adelia Cooley, born 1874.” [See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 55]

23 October 1842, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Birth and death of 8th child Elizabeth Joyce Parker ;

1843, Baptism of Thomas Bryant Parker. "A humble servant of the Lord, an elder by the name of Cyrus Hancock, came to them in Palmyra, Missouri and brought the glorious Gospel. It was readily accepted and Joseph’s father, Thomas Bryant, was baptized in 1843 and his mother, Martha Ann, about a year later.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 61]

1844 ; Baptism of Martha Ann Nelson ; See baptism for Thomas Bryant Parker.

9 January 1844, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Birth of 9th child Alma Mormon Parker. "The sixth (6) child of Thomas Bryant and Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker Alma Mormon Parker was born 9 Jan. 1844, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri died 1896 Willow Creek, Gallatin County, Montana, Married, Susannah Roxelane Topham, 1862, Provo, Utah, She was born 1844, Hancock County, Illinois, daughter of John Topham and Jane Thornton, died 1917 or 1918 at Willow Creek, Montana.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 72]

4 March 1845, Near Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois ; Birth of Mary Elizabeth Ross ; "My mother Mary Elizabeth Ross was born March 4, 1845, near Nauvoo, in Hancock County, Illinois. Her parents, my maternal grandparents, were Thomas Ross of North Carolina and Rachel Smith of Tennessee... They were all of Virginia and some of Huguenot descent.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 1]

20 January 1846, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois Thomas Bryant Parker and Martha Ann Nelson receive their endowments ; "…Nauvoo Temple Records show that they received their endowments and were sealed there on 23 January 1846. He held the Priesthood of a Seventy[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 55]

23 January 1846, Nauvoo, Illinois Thomas Bryant Parker and Martha Ann Nelson are Sealed ; "…Nauvoo Temple Records show that they received their endowments and were sealed there on 23 January 1846. He held the Priesthood of a Seventy”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 55] See Nauvoo Land and Records.

29 March 1846, Nauvoo, Illinois ; Birth of 10th child Exile Liberty Parker. "The seventh child of Thomas Bryant and Martha Ann Parker was Exile Liberty Parker, born 22 March 1846, Nauvoo, Illinois, died 1890 in Montana. Married Anderson Ewing. Born about 1844, had one child Almeda Ewing, born about 1865, Marion, Montana, died 1910.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 73] Vi Parson has a date of 29 March which agrees with the attached Martha Ann Nelson letter?[See Dragoo-Carr publication page 44]

May 1847, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Thomas has lung fever ; See the Journal entry dated 13 August 1848.

7 June 1848, Palmyra, Marion County, Missouri, Land sold ; One of the deeds we found was dated July 7th, 1848 for a five acre plot where he resides, sold by Thomas Bryant and Martha Ann (Nelson) Parker to Mr. John B. White and Clement White for the sum of $56. This ground and residence, sold just 23 days before they left with the pioneers, proves that they had to almost give their property away to leave and go where they could worship as they pleased, and as Grandfather said "from the serpent tongue of persecution”.[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 61] Note: This paragraph states that they left 23 days before July 7th which indicates they left on June 15 instead of June 30? However, this is most likely a typographical error and is more consistent if the date is June 7th . Does anyone have a copy of this deed?

30 June 1848, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, Started Migration ; "After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother [June 27, 1844], when the Saints were driven from Nauvoo [Exodus beginning 4 February 1846, Temple was burnt 9 October 1848], Joseph F. Parker’s parents joined in the western movement. Leaving Nauvoo in 1848, they stopped with the Saints at Kanesville where upon request of President Brigham Young, they remained four years.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 76]

30 June 1848, Journal Entry; "History of the travels of Thomas Bryant Parker and family from Marion County, Missouri, where he had resided 20 years, 2 months and a few days, set out in search of a home where liberty and the inalienable rights of conscience may be enjoyed without molestation, hiss or taunt by the serpent tongue of persecution.

Being in my 51st year worn down by hard labor in part, but mostly by affliction, but worst by quackery. Set out with nearly a helpless family of 5 sons and 1 daughter, an infant just running about well. One son John Fletcher, the oldest in his 20th year who was able to amply support the tottering old frames of his parents at the eve of starting, was advised to forsake the affectionate hands who administered to his wants in helpless infancy by the heirs of God Eternal vengeance (Amen).”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 53]

30 June 1848 ; Journal Entry ; Set out with 2 yoke of cattle, one pony, 3 cows, being intensely hot. Traveled 10 miles. Got stalled and camped for the night.[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 53] Why two journal entries for June 30, 1848?

1 July 1848, Journal Entry and Robert Pollock Parker Shot ; "Very hot. Traveled 10 miles. Got stalled and stayed the night on the ground. That night wife taken quite ill. Drove out a few hundred yards to a cabin and stopped to regain the wife’s lost health. Here we spent two weeks during which time the little girl Exile Liberty had a serious attack of the putrified sore throat, which however held diligent application of onions stewed in tar and frequently applied to the place by anointing. The wife still being quite ill we then moved ½ mile to N. B. Nelson’s - a brother to my wife to use the utmost diligence to regain her health. Here things seemed to go tolerably well until the 28th of July when some person not known fired a gun at Robert who is in his 12th year, and grazed his forehead - splitting the skin to the skull bone and carried away the flesh from one-half of his left forefingers bone from the tip to the second joint. Consequently, leaving the bone so bare as to make it, impossible to be recovered with flesh. Hence, a surgeon was called on to amputate the finger which was done in a tolerably bunglin style by Dr. Nite (Knight). No serious effect seemed to result from the wound in the forehead and no clue of information could be had as to whether the affair was by accident or design. He was told to pick up some sticks to go under the dinner pot and in so doing rambled to the edge of the river and was in the act of washing his face, when the gun fired. He fell in the edge of the water, so it revived him immediately from the stun, being wet all over. Hence, it would be impossible to account for his not being drowned, the water being deep enough to cover the body all over.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 53]

28 July 1848, Robert Pollock Parker shot ; see journal entry for 1 July 1848.

12 August 1848, Journal Entry ; "Weather still very hot and wet. Wife’s health somewhat improved, we think. On this day broke out another trouble. Having loaned a yoke of the cattle to our friend Nelson to draw a load of wheat to Lorgrange 12 or 13 miles distant, who returned at night and reported one of the steers died. Evidently by over driving being so very hot and the animal not having been used but little.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 53] This is probably La Grange which is 18.7 miles north of Palmyra on highway 61 next to the Mississippi river.

13 August 1848, Journal Entry ; "It seems the little girl, Exile Liberty, from the various causes, no doubt but mostly from the bite of mosquitos and gnats, which have troubled us no little, has a most frightful eruption of the skin which has existed for about four weeks, but did not deem it worthy of notice in our journal previous to this date. Myself not able to do labour of any kind mainly caused by a spell of the lungfever which I had in May 1847, and was attended by 3 or 4 able doctors, but they with all my friends, lost all hope of my recovery for about 10 days, after thus being mangled in the jaws of death and spitting out perhaps not less than half of my lungs. I am still left a breathing old cripple, full of thanks for the Father that it is no worse with me and mine.

It might be well here to remark that through going security for treacherous friends, afflictions and quackery, I was reduced to the necessity of backing off of my possessions with no more property than the merciful statutes of Missouri would allow me.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 53]

26 August 1848, Journal Entry ; "A serious affair took place; my wife was delivered of a girl child, thought to be a seven months child, which died soon after being born, whose name we called Margaret.” (End of diary)[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 53]

26 August 1848, Pioneer Trail, Birth and death of 11th child Margaret Parker ; "Birth of Their eighth and last child, a little girl, Margaret, was born and died 26 August 1848 on the Plains, enroute to join the Saints in the Valleys of the Mountains.[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 73]

1848, Kanesville, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Arrived in Kanesville ;

1850 ; Called to serve in St. Louis ; "In the Spring of 1850 he was called to come to St. Louis, Missouri to do some work, and was to have been gone for some time, but he returned in about ten days and said he had come to get ready to die. He immediately set about getting things in order and all the time relatives and friends were trying to talk him out of the idea, but when he got all of his books and accounts fixed up, which took him about one month to arrange everything, he called grandmother to him and said: "You had better come now and let me explain this to you”, but before he had finished explaining he said he felt a bit sick and would go and lie down for a while. It was then about seven o’clock in the evening. Mr. McKenzie (Dr.) was called in and said he should not have any cold water. Grandfather heard this and called grandmother to him and said: "Will you grant a dying man his last request? My breast feels hot, when I get so I cannot ask for water, I will make some sign and you put a little water in my mouth, will you”? He gradually grew worse until about nine o’clock the next morning he quietly passed away. He was buried in the Kanesville Cemetery.

Just before he died he made the request of grandmother that she would take their family to the Valley’s of the Rocky Mountains to Utah with the Latter-day Saints.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 61] Do we have more information on the burial location? Who is Dr. McKenzie? Is there a church record for this calling? Was it a mission? Did he go back to convert family members?

27 July 1850, Kanesville, Pottawatamie County, Iowa ; Death of Joseph Faulconer Parker ;

30 July 1850, Kanesville, Pottawatamie County, Iowa ; Burial of Joseph Faulconer Parker ; Do we have pictures of the gravesite or a record of burial?

Spring 1852 Sold tavern to elder Orson Hyde ; "In the spring of 1852 Grandmother sold the tavern and farm land to Elder Orson Hyde and left Kanesville, Iowa, in the cornpane of Captain Reese and her brother, Napoleon Bonapart Nelson, who was second Captain. They were going to Utah on the Northern trail and then on to the gold fields in California. They traveled together until they reached Sublette Cutoff in Wyoming.”[See Parker-Ross Memoirs page 61-62] Where is the bill of sale between Orson Hyde and Thomas Bryant Parker?

Additional Notes

• Joan Tuft has Joseph F. Parker’s missionary journal and has an entry about the Genealogy of the Parkers: "William Kanelies Parker, born Tenisee; his Mother was a Rumsy”[See Dragoo-Carr publication page 45]
• There is a George D. Parker living in Missouri at the time Thomas Bryant Parker was there he is listed in the 1880 Census and was born in 1809 in Virginia. Has anyone eliminated this person as being the brother of Thomas Bryant Parker?

Associated Images

1820 Census Map of Missouri

1830 Census Map of Missouri

1840 Census Map of Missouri Marion County was created December 23, 1826 with Palmyra being the County Seat. It was formed from Ralls County.

Most popular routes for travel.

Copy of the letter from Martha Ann Nelson to her mother. See Matha Ann Nelson Letter for a text version.

Page 1 of a copy of the original letter.

Page 2 of a copy of the original letter.

Page 3 of a copy of the original letter.

Copy of the envelope for the original letter.