Peter Parker Bt RN (1721 - 1811)

Born 1 Jan 1721 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Nugent) Parker — married 1761 (to 1803) in St Margaret, Westminster, Middlesex, England

Descendants

Died 21 Dec 1811 at age 90 in Weymouth Street, Westminster, London, England

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Biography

Peter Parker Bt RN was born in Ireland.

Peter (Sir 1st Baronet) Parker was born on January 1, 1721, in Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, the son of Anne and Rear-admiral. He married Margaret Nugent on January 14, 1761, in London, London, England. They had four children in 13 years. He died on December 21, 1811, in Westminster, London, at the impressive age of 90.

Early Life

Peter (Sir 1st Baronet) Parker was born on January 1, 1721, in Dublin, Ireland,^[1] to Anne Goodwin and Rear-admiral Christopher Parker. Baptised on the 6 Jan 1721 at Hunslet Moor, St Cuthbert, Yorkshire, England.^[2]

Early Career

Born the third son of Rear-Admiral Christopher Parker, Parker joined the Royal Navy at an early age. Promoted to commander on 17 March 1735, he was deployed with a squadron under Admiral Edward Vernon to the West Indies in 1739 at the start of the War of Jenkins' Ear.^[3]

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Peter Parker, 1st Baronet (1721–1811) was a British naval officer.

Peter Parker was born in Ireland. He became a lieutenant in the Royal Navy in 1743 and captain in 1747. In 1761, he took command of HMS Buckingham and helped cover operations on Belle Île. For 10 years he was out of the service on account of the reduction of the navy.

He was knighted in 1772 and rejoined the service in 1773.

During the American Revolution, he was sent to provide naval support for an expedition reinforcing Loyalists in the Southern Colonies. Parker hoisted his flag aboard HMS Bristol, and on June 28, 1776, led a naval attack against the fortifications on Sullivan's Island (later called Fort Moultrie after their commander), protecting Charleston, South Carolina. After a long and hard-fought battle, Parker was forced to call off the attack, having sustained heavy casualties, including the loss of HMS Actaeon, grounded and abandoned. Lord William Campbell, the last British Governor of the Province of South Carolina, was mortally wounded aboard the Bristol. Commodore Parker was himself wounded by a flying splinter which injured his leg and tore off his breeches, an incident which occasioned much mirth in the newspapers. He subsequently served under Lord Howe in the invasion and capture of New York City and commanded the squadron that captured Newport, Rhode Island. He subsequently became Commander-in-Chief, North American Waters, and then Commander-in-Chief, Jamaica. At this time, Parker acted as a patron and friend of Horatio Nelson, then serving aboard the Bristol, an attachment which would endure for the remainder of Nelson's life.He was created baronet in 1783. He was, against his will, returned as MP for Seaford, and would later serve as member for Maldon. In 1793 he became Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth. ^[3]

Senior Command

Promoted to rear admiral on 20 May 1777, Parker became Commander-in-Chief, Jamaica Station, with his flag in HMS Bristol, in December 1777. At this time, Parker acted as a patron and friend of Horatio Nelson, then serving aboard the Bristol, an attachment which would endure for the remainder of Nelson's life. Promoted to vice admiral on 29 March 1779, he returned to England in the second-rate HMS Sandwich, accompanied by various prisoners including Admiral De Grasse captured at the Battle of the Saintes, in August 1782.

Created a baronet on 28 December 1782, Parker was, unwillingly, returned as Member of Parliament for Seaford in May 1784, and then as member for Maldon in 1786. Promoted to full admiral on 24 September 1787, he became Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth in 1793.] He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 16 September 1799 and was Chief Mourner at Nelson's funeral in January 1806.^[4]

Marriage and Family

Peter (Sir 1st Baronet) Parker married Margaret Nugent in London, England, on 14 January, 1761, when he was 40 years old.

His father Rear-admiral Christopher passed away in 1763 in Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, at the age of 73.

His wife Margaret passed away on January 18, 1803, in England at the age of 78. They had been married 42 years.

His son Christopher (Vice Admiral) passed away on May 26, 1804, in Essex, England, at the age of 42.

He died at his home at Weymouth Street in London on 21 December 1811 and was buried at -, England. Parker also owned the Manor of Bassingbourne at Takeley in Essex: in accordance with his wishes the manor was demolished in 1813.

Children

Christopher Parker (1761-1804) Vice Admiral
Walter Parker (1763-????)
Antoinetta Parker (1765-1829)
Ann Parker (1773-1862)

Sources

1. ↑ Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-22: Stephen, Sir Leslie, ed.; London, England: Oxford University Press; Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22; Volume: Vol 22; Page: 1002
2. ↑ West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1512-1812: West Yorkshire Archive Service; Wakefield, Yorkshire, England; New Reference Number: RDP47/3
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-22: Stephen, Sir Leslie, ed.; London, England: Oxford University Press; Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22; Volume: Vol 15; Page: 265
4. ↑ Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1600-1889: Volume: Vol. IV, Page 562

• History of Parliament online: Peter Parker
• http://www.thepeerage.com/p57323.htm#i573230
• Wikipedia. Admiral Sir Peter Parker