no image
Privacy Level: Open (White)

Alexander Parker (bef. 1628 - 1689)

Alexander Parker
Born before in Chipping, Lancashire, Englandmap
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 8 Apr 1669 in Spitalfields, Middlesex, Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , and
Died after age 60 in London, Englandmap
Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Cayley private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 8 May 2020
This page has been accessed 460 times.

Contents

Biography

Alexander was a Friend (Quaker)

Birth

Alexander was baptised on 21 June 1628 at Chipping, Lancashire.[1] His father was Robert (d. 1661).[1][2]

First Years as a Quaker

Alexander was converted to Quakerism in 1653 and was a close associate of George Fox.[3] He became one of the set of early Quaker missionaries known as the Valiant Sixty.[4] He received some financial support from a Quaker fund set up to assist those who travelled to spread the Quaker word.[5] Alexander accompanied George Fox in 1654 when Fox was arrested and sent to the Marshalsea Prison in London, and he accompanied Fox on a number of subsequent occasions,[6] including to Scotland in 1657.[7][8]

In 1655 Alexander was in London, alongside the charismatic speaker James Nayler, about whom he wrote with praise to Margaret Fell, saying that "James is fitted for this great place, and a great love is begotten in many towards him."[9] After the controversies which led to James Nayler being imprisoned and largely disowned by Quakers, Alexander visited him in gaol, and in correspondence with Margaret Fell sought to convey Nayler's repentance and desire for reconciliation with George Fox. He expressed worry about a group of Friends who were set on preventing this happening.[10] He implored George Fox take a less harsh view of Nayler, apparently weeping as he did so.[11]

Alexander was also moderate in his political tendencies in the late 1650s, in contrast to some Quakers. In the lead-up to the Restoration, he urged Friends not to take sides.[2] Later in 1660, when it became clear that Quakers were likely to face severe persecution, Alexander Parker wrote to Fox regretting the radical outspokenness of some Friends, saying, "Better had it been if all had been kept still and quiet in those times, for because of the forwardness and want of wisdom in some, is one great cause of our present sufferings."[12] Despite his moderate leanings, he was himself arrested twice in 1660.[2]

In a letter of 1660 Alexander gave an early description of how Quaker worship should be conducted, exhorting Friends: "be not careless, nor wander up and down either in body or mind, but innocent sit down ... and turn in thy mind to the light, and wait upon God...."[13]

Reigns of Charles II and James II

In 1662 Alexander was again arrested at a Quaker meeting in the Bristol area.[2][14][15] He faced further brief periods of imprisonment in the 1660s and 1670.[2]

In 1666 Alexander was one of the leading Quakers who put their names to a statement on Quaker beliefs and discipline, The Testimony of the Brethren. This was partly prompted by threats of breakaway groups of Quakers.[16]

Alexander was in correspondence, if not closer friendship, with William Penn and paid for 1000 acres in Pennsylvania, although he never went to North America.[2]

During the 1670s Alexander continued to show his moderation and desire to heal disputes. He was active in trying to avert the Wilkinson-Story split from the main Quaker movement.[2]

In 1678 Alexander helped George Fox draft a letter to Charles II about the plight of Friends, who were suffering intense persecution. Five years later, in 1683, he and other leading Quakers gave an address to Charles II on Friends' sufferings.[2]

In the summer of 1684 Alexander travelled with George Fox on a visit to the Netherlands.[2] In 1686 he suffered a brief final period of imprisonment.[2]

Marriage and Children

Alexander married Prudence Goodson, daughter of William Goodson(n),[17] on 8 April 1669.[2][18] She was the widow of Charles Wager, a naval officer,[2] by whom she had a child, Charles, who was to become a First Lord of the Admiralty.[2][19] Alexander and Prudence had eight children, including:

Alexander's wife died on 9 July 1688.[2][35][36]

Death

Alexander died of a fever on 9 March 1688/9 (1689 in modern reckoning) and was buried at Bunhill Fields Quaker Burial Ground, London the same day.[37] His will was proved on 24 April 1689. In it he is described as a haberdasher of small wares of George Yard, Lombard St, City of London.[38]

Research Notes

Father

There are two Robert Parkers baptised at Chipping, Lancashire who could be his father:

  • Robert, son of Thomas, baptised 8 March 1590[39]
  • Robert, son of Rawff, baptised 1 February 1601[40]

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NP1Q-7YY : 24 March 2020), Alexander Parker, 1628
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, entry for 'Parker, Alexander (162801689)', print and online 2004, revised online 2008
  3. ↑ William C Braithwaite. The Beginnings of Quakerism, 2nd edition, William Sessions, 1981, p. 178
  4. ↑ Ernest E Taylor. The Valiant Sixty, 3rd edition, William Sessions, 1988, p. 41
  5. ↑ Ernest E Taylor, The Valiant Sixty, p.63
  6. ↑ Norman Penney (ed.). The Journal of George Fox, J M Dent and Sons, 1924, pp. 103 and 109
  7. ↑ Norman Penney, The Journal of George Fox, pp. 159-162
  8. ↑ William C Braithwaite, The Beginnings of Quakerism, pp. 350 and 352
  9. ↑ Isabel Ross. Margaret Fell, Mother of Quakerism, 3rd edition, William Sessions, 1996, p. 100
  10. ↑ Isabel Ross, Margaret Fell, pp. 110-111
  11. ↑ H Larry Ingle. First among friends. George Fox & the Creation of Quakerism, Oxford University Press, 1994, p. 149 and 182
  12. ↑ Rosemary Moore. The Light in their Consciences. The early Quakers in Britain 1646-1666, Pennsylvania State University Press, 2000, p. 174
  13. ↑ William C Braithwaite, The Beginnings of Quakerism, p. 509
  14. ↑ Norman Penney, The Journal of George Fox, p. 200
  15. ↑ H Larry Ingle, First among Friends, p. 208
  16. ↑ Rosemary Moore, The Light in their Consciences, p. 224
  17. ↑ Wikipedia: William Goodsonn
  18. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWJH-Y2K : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker, 08 Apr 1669, Marriage; citing p. 12, Spitalfields, London, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  19. ↑ Charles Wager
  20. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWJQ-MVH : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker in entry for Mary Parker, 17 Jul 1672, Birth; citing p. 41, Spitalfields, London, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  21. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Monthly Meeting of Devonshire House, Houndsditch, London: Births, RG6/1102, FindMyPast
  22. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ65-4YP : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker in entry for Anne Parker, 09 Aug 1673, Birth; citing p. 95, Middlesex & Surrey, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  23. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Monthly Meeting of Devonshire House, Houndsditch, London: Births, RG6/1102, FindMyPast and accompanying image: "sixth month' misinterpreted as Jiune in transcript as at 14 May 2020
  24. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQV1-P83 : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker in entry for Eleanor Parker, 13 Apr 1675, Birth; citing p. 47, Spitalfields, London, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  25. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Monthly Meeting of Devonshire House, Houndsditch, London: Births, RG6/1102, FindMyPast and accompanying image
  26. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7KV-CF2 : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker in entry for Elizabeth Parker, 26 Jun 1676, Birth; citing p. 110, Middlesex & Surrey, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  27. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Monthly Meeting of Devonshire House, Houndsditch, London: Births, RG6/1102, FindMyPast and accompanying image
  28. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ6R-RZV : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker in entry for Alexander Parker, 28 Feb 1677, Birth; citing p. 119, Middlesex & Surrey, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  29. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Quarterly Meeting of London and Middlesex: Births, RG6/498, FindMyPast and accompanying image
  30. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Quarterly Meeting of London and Middlesex: Births, RG6/498, FindMyPast
  31. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VWZ3-2BK : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker in entry for Joadsopn Parker, 07 Jun 1680, Birth; citing p. 132, Middlesex & Surrey, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London. First name mistranscribed as Joadpson when accessed 14 May 2020.
  32. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Quarterly Meeting of London and Middlesex: Births, RG6/498, FindMyPast and accompanying image
  33. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQNJ-RYV : 11 December 2014), Alexander Parker in entry for John Parker, 12 Mar 1681, Birth; citing p. 139, Middlesex & Surrey, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  34. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Births 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Monthly Meeting of Devonshire House, Houndsditch, London: Births, RG6/1102, FindMyPast and accompanying image
  35. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQ7X-NY9 : 11 December 2014), Prudence Parker, 09 Jul 1688, Death; citing p. 598, Middlesex & Surrey, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
  36. ↑ England & Wales, Society Of Friends (Quaker) Burials 1578-1841, LONDON AND MIDDLESEX: Quarterly Meeting of London and Middlesex: Burials, RG6/499, FindMyPast and accompanying image
  37. ↑ England & Wales, Quaker Birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1578-1837 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Quarterly Meeting of London and Middlesex. Ancestry.co.uk and accompanying image. The transcript on Ancestry wrongly gives the year as 1688. The Quarterly Meeting record gives the death day as 9 March. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography says this was the burial day and that Alexander died the previous day.
  38. ↑ The National Archives, Kew, catalogue entry PROB 11/395/95
  39. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7ML-9MZ : 24 March 2020), Robt. Parker, 1590
  40. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7ML-9MD : 24 March 2020), Robt. Parker, 1601
  • Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, entry for 'Parker, Alexander (162801689)', print and online 2004, revised online 2008, available online via some libraries
  • Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Vol. 43, pp. 230-232, Wikisource
  • Wikipedia: Alexander Parker (Quaker)




Is Alexander your ancestor? Please don't go away!
 star icon Login to collaborate or comment, or
 star icon contact private message the profile manager, or
 star icon ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA
No known carriers of Alexander's DNA have taken a DNA test. Have you taken a test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.


Comments

Leave a message for others who see this profile.
There are no comments yet.
Login to post a comment.

Featured Eurovision connections: Alexander is 35 degrees from Agnetha Fältskog, 22 degrees from Anni-Frid Synni Reuß, 29 degrees from Corry Brokken, 23 degrees from Céline Dion, 21 degrees from Françoise Dorin, 22 degrees from France Gall, 23 degrees from Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, 29 degrees from Lill-Babs Svensson, 21 degrees from Olivia Newton-John, 30 degrees from Henriette Nanette Paërl, 31 degrees from Annie Schmidt and 17 degrees from Moira Kennedy on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.

P  >  Parker  >  Alexander Parker

Categories: Devonshire House Monthly Meeting, Middlesex | Bunhill Fields Friends Burial Ground, Islington, Middlesex | Valiant Sixty | Chipping, Lancashire | Quaker Notables