Jonah PARKE (1716 – 1785) was Alex’s 7th Great Grandfather; one of 256 in this generation.

Jonah Parke was born in 1715 in Alexandria Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  His father was  Roger PARKE Jr.   His mother was NOT Susannah ROBINSON. He may have married Elizabeth PARLEE, a previously unknown daughter of our ancestor Jean Parlee.  If this Elizabeth was indeed his wife, then his son Nathaniel married his first cousin.  Jonah died about 1785 in Alexandra Township, Hunterdon County, NJ and is burried in Kingwood Township,  Hunterdon, NJ.

Elizabeth Parlee may have been born about 1712.  Her parents were Jean PARLEE II and Anne REZAEU. Her brother Jean PERLIER is also our ancestor.  Elizabeth died in 1754.

One source states that Jonah married [unknown] Stout around 1738, but the only Stout/Parke marriage I could find was between his sister Grace Parke and Jacob Stout.  Here is the most complete Stout site – http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/t/o/William-R-Stout/GENE9-0002.html

Children of Jonah

	Name	Born	Married	Departed
1.	Nathaniel PARKS	c. 1738 in Kingwood Township,	Elizabeth PARLEE 1760 Canaan, Connecticut	1818 in New Brunswick, Canada
2.	David Parks	1740 Hunterdon, NJ		Went to Greene Co. Pennsylvania
3.	Jonas Parks	1742 Hunterdon, NJ	Phebe Price c. 1769
4.	Sarah Parks	1745 Hunterdon, NJ	Joshua Hunt 1765 Mercer, NJ	1822 Fayette City, Fayette County, PA or Greene County, PA Burial: Garards Fort Cemetery, Garards Fort, Greene, PA
5.	Joshias Parks	1747 Hunterdon, NJ
6.	Jonathan Parks	1749 Hunterdon, NJ
7.	Jonah Parks	1752 Hunterdon, NJ
8.	Roger Parks	1755 Huntingdon, New Jersey	Elizabeth Dallas 6 Sep 1774 Shelburne Parish, Loudoun, Virginia.	6 Nov 1813 Quebec City, Canada British POW Buried at Anglican Cathedral in Quebec City
9.	Ozias Parks	27 Aug 1756 in Hunterdon, New Jersey	Jane Robbins	Dec 1824 in Hunterdon, New Jersey

Jonah and his predecessors spelled his name Parke, but in the historical record, his son Nathaniel is consistently referred to as Parks.

During the Revolution, Jonah was fined for refusing to take oath but he would have been too old to enter the Army.  His son Nathaniel and grandson Joseph entered the Loyalist Army.

Much of this information comes from the Roger Parke, Book by Cecilia B. Parke page 60. She has the general consensus of various reseachers on Nathaniel Parke of Kingwood, is that he was probably the son of Jonah Parke of Alexandria and Kingwood Township, Hunterdon Co., N.J. Jonah has already been established as the brother of Joseph Parke (Will 1752, Greenwich Township, Morris Co., NJ) who died in 1754, Sussex Co., NJ. Jonah was named executor of the Will. The Will was witnessed by two of Joseph’s friends, the Lanning brothers formerly from Hopewell, Hunterdon Co., NJ.

Children

Three of Jonas’ children David, Sarah and Roger all moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania in the southwest corner of the state.

1. Nathaniel PARKS (See his page)

2. David Parks

David moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania.

David Park appears as a witness in his brother-in-law Joshua Hunt’s 1810 Green Co., Pennsylvania Will and was probably the same David Park(s) who was living in Franklin Twp., Fayette Co., PA in 1800-20.

3. Jonas Parks

Jonas’ wife Phebe Price was born about 1746. Her parents may have been Nathan Price and Pleasant Smith. Phoebe died 1783 in Virginia.

The Huntingdon tax list of 1778-97 shows both Jonas Parkes Jr and Jonas Parkes Sr eligible for the Militia (18-45) age group, born between 1735-62.

Phoebe Price, a Quaker, was dismissed from the Quaker faith at Quakertown, for marrying “out of meeting.” Her family were some of the original residents of Quakertown, Bucks, Pennsylvania.

There was a Lt Jonas Parks in the Dutchess County Militia

Children of Jonas Parke and Phoebe Price

i. Jonas Jr. Parke, b. abt 1770

ii. Mary Parke, b. 1771

iii. Sarah Parke, b. abt. 1773; m. [__?__] Carey; buried in the Quaker Cemetery, Quarkertown, NJ,

iv. Roger Parke, b. 27 May 1775, Hunterdon Co, NJ; d. 15 Mar 1865; m. Deborah Parke,( b. 24 Mar 1778);  m2. [__?__] Hunt.,

v. Phoebe Parke., b. 9 Jan 1795, Hunterdon Co., NJ; d. 6 Oct 1856, Guernsey Co., Ohio.; m. 6 Sep 1817 to David Bunting Hartley (b. 28 Sep 1786 in Pennsylvania – d. 1845 in Terre Haute, Indiana)

4. Sarah Parks

Sarah’s husband Joshua Hunt was born in 1745 – Hunterdon, New Jersey. His parents were John Hunt (1688 – 1740) and Sarah Ely (1697 – ). Joshua died Dec 1810 Burial: Garards Fort Cemetery, Garards Fort, Greene County, Pennsylvania in Dunkard, Greene, Pennsylvania. Findagrave has pictures of the gravestones of four of Sarah and Joshua’s children.

Joshua is believed to have been captured in an attempt to reach the British lines and was freed on condition he join the Revolutionary Army.

The family moved to the extreme southwest corner of Pennsylvania next to West Virginia before 1800. They farmed in Dunkard Township, Greene County, remaining there until their deaths in 1810 and 1820.

Will of Joshua Hunt

“.I, Joshua Hunt,being weak in body but sound in memory & understanding have made this my last will and testament in the following manner First of all that my lawful debts & my funeral expenses be paid. I bequeath unto by beloved wife Sarah my real estate and my personal property to be for her use during her life time & after her death my real estate is to be equally divided between my sons Jonos & Joshua Hunt my personal estate to be equally divided between my Sons & Daughters which is John Hunt, Margaret Ilef (Iliff), Roger Hunt, Samuel Hunt, William Hunt, Jonos Hunt, Sarah Denny, & Joshua Hunt.

I do constitute and appoint ‘Jonos’ & Joshua Hunt to – my Exers & confirming this to my last will & testament as witness my hand & Seal this eleventh day of Jany 1810.” Joshua Hunt signed with his mark “8”Witnessed by Nichs. Blake, David Parks, John Thomas Registered 26 Dec 1810 and Jonas & Joshua Hunt appointed executors same day..

Children of Sarah and Joshua:

i. John Hunt b. 1765 New Jersey; d. 21 Mar 1826 Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey; Burial: Pennington Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Plot: Row 8 Grave 10, Pennington, Mercer, NJ; m. 16 Feb 1784 – Hunterdon, New Jersey to Rhoda Reed (b. 1762 Hopewell, Mercer, NJ – d. 21 Dec 1809 Hopewell; Burial: Pennington Presbyterian Church Cemetery Plot: Row 8 Grave 11)

ii. Margaret Hunt b. 1767 in Alexandria, Hunterdon, New Jersey m. 1778 Sussex County, New Jersey to Thomas Iliff (b. 1764 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania) Thomas’ parents were James Iliff (1733 – 1777) and Elizabeth Calvin (1739 – 1777). Margaret and Thomas had seven children born between 1788 and 1800.

iii. Roger Hunt b. 1769 in Alexandria, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 29 April 1845 in Jackson, Greene, Pennsylvania; m. ~1800 to Catherine Carmichael (b. 1775 – d. aft. 1825) Alternatively, m. Catherine Michael (b. 1779 in Maryland – d. 1813 in Maryland)

Roger appeared in the 1793 Alexandria Twp.HunterdonNJ Militia Lists. Served War of 1812?.

In 1800, he was living in Springhill Twp., Fayette County, PA.

In a Monongalia Co., VA Deed dated Apr 15 1806, Roger purchased 100 acres for $200.00 Virginia money from Samuel Brawn’s Fayette Co., PA Estate(V. OS 3,p.420). In a Monongalia Co., VA Deed of Sale of Mar 13 1812, ‘Rodger’ & Catherine Hunt then of Greene Co., PA sold by marking ‘X’ this same land to Jacob Feather for $250.00(V.OS 5,p.302). He last appears in the 1830 Greene Twp., Greene Co. PA Census & is probably buried in Wood Cemetery, Jackson Twp.(Center.Twp), Greene Co., PA.

iv. Samuel Hunt b. 1771 in Alexandria, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 1809; m. Hazel [__?__]

v. Jonas Hunt b. 6 Jul 1774 in Alexandria, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 7 Dec 1839 in Morgantown, Monongalia, West Virginia; Burial: Hunt-Eckhart Cemetery, Morgantown; m. 29 May 1809 Dunkard, Greene, Pennsylvania to Jane Seaton (b. 12 Jun 1782 in Greene, Pennsylvania – d. 25 Apr 1858 in Clayton, Iowa) Jane’s parents were James Seaton (1751 – 1830) and Mary Clark (1758 – 1826). both buried in the Old Seaton Cemetery Carmichaels, Greene County, PA. Some genealogies say Janes’ mother was Mariah Cunningham with the same vital dates. Jonas and Jane had eight children born between 1810 and 1828. After Jonas died in 1839, Jane followed her children to Clayton County, IA around 1850.

Jane’s father James Seaton III had served in the Revolution with the Washington County PA militia and was on infrequent  duty on guard against British aided Indians. He and Mary had survived numerous Indian raids into the area during the 1780’s and 1790’s although neighbors were casualties. In 1782 he was listed as an owner of one slave. On April of 1786, he surveyed 300 acres in Washington County, Pennsylvania which is presently Greene Co. On July 10, 1789, he patented the triangle of land extending from Little Whiteley Creek & extending north in Cumberland Twp., Greene County, Pennsylvania. In the 1798 is listed as the owner of a two story frame dwelling near Carmichaels, Greene, PA of ten windows & 104 lights valued at $250, with a kitchen building of logs with eight windows setting on a two acre lot.

Family Researcher H. Andrew Brown found deeds showing that Jonas Hunt purchased 18 acres of land at ‘White Oak Flat’ on Nov 13 1826, later left to his son Joshua. On Dec 6 1836, Jonas and Jane Hunt sold 72 acres and buildings from White Oak Flat for $1,000.

Subsequently, they moved across the line to Monongalia Township, east Monongalia County, Virginia (later West Virginia). The land was astride the road from Morgantown to Coffin’s Ferry. Greene County is in the extreme southwest corner of Pennsylvania with the Monongahela River running down the east side of the county north forty miles to Pittsburgh. West Virginia was formed in 1863, and Morgantown is the county seat of Monongalia County.

Jonas Hunt is found on an 1810 Census of Greene County, Pennsylvania in Dunkard Township–Dunkard Township on the Virginia border. The family fits into the Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania 1820 census. On the 1830 census, they are located closer to the River in Monongahela Township– After 1837, they were locating across the border to Virginia.

“The last will and testament of Jonas Hunt of Monongalia township, Greene County.

I Jonas Hunt considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) first I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane Hunt all my persinal (sic) and real property during her life of widow Hood and the and at the expiration of widow hood or at her death I wish all of my property both real and personal sold at the expiration of that time, and the money divided equally among my children which is as follows James, Matilda, Sally, Mary, Billy, Betty, and Joshua. Item I wish my children to be educated (say common education Reading writing and arrithmatic).”

“I hereby appoint my beloved wife Jane Hunt my executrix and James Seaton, Jr. my executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness hereunto set my hand and seal the sixth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.

Signed: Jonas Hunt Witnesses: James Seaton, Jr. & Thomas P. Seaton

Although his mother and Uncle James Seaton, Jr. were executrix and executor, James S. Hunt did an estate appraisal, itemized in Brown’s work. The real estate including the 130 acre farm with personal property was valued at $2,431, with cash and two notes raising the amount to $2,477.

Jane Hunt never remarried. She and most of her family eventually settled in Clayton County, northeast Iowa, or Clarke County south and westerly of Des Moines, Iowa.

vi. William Hunt b. 16 Nov 1780 in Alexandria, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 29 Apr 1845 in Greene, Greene, Pennsylvania

vii. Sarah Hunt b. 1782 in Alexandria, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. Mar 1850; m. 1805 – Pennsylvania to
Daniel Denney (b. 1779 in New Jersey)

viii. Joshua Hunt b. 7 Jul 1785 in Alexandria, Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 23 Jul 1875 in Maidsville, Monongalia, [West] Virginia; Burial: Bethel Cemetery, Morgantown; m. Sarah “Sallie” Robbins (b. 1784 – d. 1864 in Monongalia, West Virginia Burial: Bethel Cemetery, Morgantown)

In the 1850 census, Joshua and Sarah were farming in District 37, Monongalia, Virginia.

Likeness of Joshua Hunt printed when he was 74 years of age.

5. Joshias Parks

Joshias was arrested and forced to join the Revolutionary Army.

8. Roger Parks

Roger’s wife Elizabeth Dallas was born in 1755 in Loudoun, Virginia. Her parents were Dennis Dallas and Mary [__?__]

Roger’s birth information is from his war records.

He was married to Elizabeth Dallas on the 6th day of September, 1774 by Rev David Griffin of Shelburne Parish, Loudoun Co., VA. They were listed for 9 years in Loudon Co., paying tithes to Cameron Parish from 1774-1783. Roger Parke was living beside William Parke and Andrew Buckalew in Cameron Parish.

1777 – 1783 – 4th Regiment of Virginia; Roger (Rodger McPark, pvt, later records, Roger M Parke, Corporal.) Muster Roll & Pay Roll served with Capt Abraham Kirpatrick’s Company on the 3rd-4th-8th-12th Cont Line.

The 4th Virginia Regiment was raised on Dec 28, 1775 at Suffolk Court House, Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown, South Carolina on May 12, 1780 by the British and the regiment was formally disbanded on January 1, 1783.

In 1785, records find Roger & Elizabeth in Springhill Township, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania, were their first child of record, John R. Parke, was born.

Records five years later, in 1790, Monongalia Co., VA/WV, son, George W. was born (spelled Monongehala, Levi Parke Family Letters) and in 1791 son, Joseph. A daughter, Mary Polly, was born in 1793. She was called Polly as a child and continued to use the name in her adult years. Jonathan, was born in 1796.

Roger had a 400 acre land grant ca 1785-1796 when the Monongalia Co., Court House Burned in 1796. In 1803 Monongalia Co., records, Roger Parke sold 400 acres on Indian Creek, to James Williamson who later sold to Charles Boyes.

In the War of 1812, at the age of 57, Roger enlisted in Capt. Willoughby Morgan’s 2nd Company Monongalia Co., VA/WV. He was captured Sep 5, 1813 and POW records show he died two months later on Nov 6, 1813 from wounds receivved at Ft Erie, NY on the Canadian border.   He was buried at The Anglican Cathedral in Quebec City, Canada.

Roger was probably captured in one of the Skirmishes at Ball’s Farm, Upper Canada (July 8 – September 6, 1813): A series of skirmishes that occurred just west of Niagara, Upper Canada, between the American and British lines during the blockade of Fort George (July 1 – October 9, 1813).

Blockade of Fort George, Upper Canada (July 1 – October 9, 1813): A British attempt to reoccupy Fort George following their victories at Stoney Creek (June 6, 1813) and Beaver Dams (June 24, 1813). There were frequent skirmishes (Ball Property) and raids (Black Rock) during this period. The blockade was lifted in order to redeploy troops in response to developments elsewhere along the American-Canadian border, especially Wilkinson’s Campaign on the St. Lawrence, which began in October, and the British defeat at Moraviantown in Upper Canada, which occurred on October 5.

Monongalia Co., VA/WV court records 1821, Roger Parke’s son in law, Jehu Lash, is assigned as administrator to his estate.

1823 Coshocton Co Oh Court records, two sons of Andrew Buckalew swore in Court they knew Roger Parks, father of George Parks, personally.

1823 Recorded list of heirs of Roger Parks were named; John, George, Joseph, Jonas, Mary/Polly Lash, Deborah, David, Jonathan & Joshua Parks

Roger’s sons George and Joseph enlisted in the War of 1812 Monongalia Co. VA/WV under Capt. Willoughby Morgan at the same time as their father.  Younger brother Jonathan enlisted Monongalia Co. in 1814 after his father’s death.  George and Joseph were captured at the Battle of Frenchman’s Creek at Ft. Erie 28 Nov 1812 and sent to a Quebec POW camp.. They remained there until the War was over in 1815. Their father Roger Park was captured 5 Sept 1813 and died a few weeks later 6 Nov 1813 buried at the Anglecian Cathedral in Quebec City, Canada.  See my blog post the Battle of Frenchman’s Creek Nov 28, 1812 for more of the exciting story.

Since I started writing about it on this page, here’s a lot of the basics.

During the war, the Americans launched several invasions into Upper Canada (present-day Ontario). One section of the border where this was easiest (because of communications and locally available supplies) was along the Niagara River. Fort Erie was the British post at the head of the river, near its source in Lake Erie.

In 1812, two American attempts to capture Fort Erie were bungled by Brigadier General Alexander Smyth. Bad weather or poor administration foiled the American efforts to cross the river.

The Battle of Frenchman’s Creek took place in the early hours of November 28, 1812, in the Crown Colony of Upper Canada, near the Niagara River. The operation was conceived as a raid to prepare the ground for a larger American invasion. The Americans succeeded in crossing the Niagara and landing at both of their points of attack. They achieved one of their two objectives before withdrawing but the invasion was subsequently called off, rendering useless what had been accomplished. The engagement was named, “the Battle of Frenchman’s Creek” by the Canadians, after the location of some of the severest fighting. To contemporary Americans, it was known as, “the Affair opposite Black Rock”.

After the American defeat at the Battle of Queenston Heights, command of the U.S. Army of the Centre on the Niagara Frontier passed from Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer of the New York Militia to his second-in-command, Brigadier General Alexander Smyth of the Regular U.S. Army. Smyth had deeply resented being subordinated to a militia officer and this was the opportunity for which he had been waiting. He immediately planned to invade Canada with 3,000 troops. Assembling his forces at Buffalo, he directed a two-pronged attack in advance of his main invasion. Captain William King, with 220 men, was to cross the Niagara and spike the batteries at the Red House, beside Fort Erie, in order to enable Smyth’s main invasion force to land without facing artillery fire. At the same time, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Boerstler, with 200 men, was to land in Canada between Fort Erie and Chippawa and destroy the bridge over Frenchman’s Creek in order to hinder the bringing-up of British reinforcements to oppose Smyth’s landing.

The British commander-in-chief in North America, Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, had forbidden any offensive action on the Niagara Frontier. This left the local British forces with no alternative but to wait for the Americans to make the first move and try to counter any attempt at invasion. The regular troops were distributed among the defensive outposts and supplemented with militia and Native American forces.

In a floridly worded proclamation, published on 10 November and addressed “To The Men of New York”, Smyth wrote that, “in a few days the troops under my command will plant the American standard in Canada” and he urged New Yorkers not to “stand with your arms folded and look on in this interesting struggle” but to “advance…to our aid. I will wait for you a few days.” Smyth’s statement of intent appears to have attracted no attention from his opponents across the border.

Captain William King of the 13th U.S. Regiment of Infantry was detailed to attack the Red House with 150 troops and 70 U.S. Navy sailors under Lieutenant Samuel Angus. King’s soldiers came from Captain Willoughby Morgan’s company of the 12th U.S. Regiment of Infantry [the Parke brother’s company] and Captains John Sproull and John E. Wool’s companies of the 13th Regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Boerstler was directed against Frenchman’s Creek with 200 men of his own 14th U.S. Regiment of Infantry. Colonel William H. Winder, commander of the 14th Regiment, was in reserve, with 350 of his own regiment.

Captain King’s force landed at the Red House under fire from the defenders and charged Lieutenant Lamont’s detachment of the 49th Regiment. Angus’s sailors, armed with pikes and swords, closed in for hand-to-hand fighting. Lamont’s troops drove back the attackers three times but King made a fourth assault which hit the British left flank and overwhelmed them; capturing Lamont and killing, taking or dispersing all of his men. The victorious Americans set fire to the post, spiked the guns and set off back to the landing-point, where they expected their boats to have re-landed in order to evacuate them. However, in the moonless darkness, King’s force became dispersed and split into two parties: one led by King and the other by Lieutenant Angus. Angus returned to the landing-point and found only four of the party’s ten boats there. Unaware that the six missing boats had not in fact landed, Angus assumed that King had already departed, and he re-crossed the river in the remaining boats. When King’s party reached the landing-point, they found themselves stranded. A search downriver found two unattended British boats, in which King sent half of his men, and the prisoners that he had captured, over the Niagara while he waited with his 30 remaining men for more boats to come from Buffalo and pick him up.

Lieutenant Colonel Boerstler made for Frenchman’s Creek but four of his eleven boats, “misled by the darkness of the night or the inexperienced rowers being unable to force them across the current, fell below, near the bridge and were forced to return”. Nevertheless, Boerstler’s seven remaining boats forced a landing, opposed by Lieutenant Bartley and his 37 men of the 49th Regiment. Boerstler led the attack, shooting with his pistol a British soldier who was about to bayonet him. Bartley’s outnumbered force retired, pursued to the Frenchman’s Creek Bridge by the Americans, who took two prisoners. Boerstler’s men were then attacked by Captain Bostwick’s two companies of Norfolk Militia, who had advanced from Black Rock Ferry.

After an exchange of fire in which Bostwick’s force lost 3 killed, 15 wounded and 6 captured, the Canadians retreated. Boerstler now encountered another problem: many of the axes provided for the destruction of the Frenchman’s Creek bridge were in the four boats that had turned back and those that were in the seven remaining boats had been left behind when the Americans fought their way ashore. Boerstler dispatched eight men under Lieutenant John Waring to “break up the bridge by any means which they could find”. Waring had torn up about a third of the planking on the bridge when it was learned from a prisoner that “the whole force from Fort Erie was coming down upon them”. Boerstler quickly re-embarked his command and rowed back to Buffalo, leaving behind Waring and his party at the bridge.

In response to the attack, Major Ormsby advanced from Fort Erie to Frenchman’s Creek with his 80 men of the 49th Regiment, where he was joined by Lieutenant McIntyre’s 70 light infantrymen, Major Hatt’s Lincoln Militia and some British-allied Native Americans under Major Givins. Finding that Boerstler’s invaders had already gone, and being unable to determine any other enemy presence in the pitch dark, Ormsby’s 300 men remained in position until daybreak, when Lieutenant Colonel Bisshopp arrived from Fort Erie. Bisshopp led the force to the Red House, where they found Captain King and his men still waiting to be evacuated. Outnumbered by ten-to-one, King surrendered and the Parke brothers were captured.

When the news arrived in Buffalo that King had spiked the Red House batteries, General Smyth was overjoyed. “Huzza!” he exclaimed, “Canada is ours! Canada is ours! Canada is ours! This will be a glorious day for the United States!” and he dispatched Colonel Winder with his 350 men across the river to evacuate King and the rest of his force. Winder collected Lieutenant Waring and his party and then landed. However, he had only disembarked part of his force when Bisshopp’s 300 men appeared. Winder ordered his men back to their boats and cast off for Buffalo but his command came under a severe fire as they rowed away, costing him 28 casualties.

According to U.S. Army records, Captain King’s troops had 15 killed and wounded; Lieutenant Colonel Boerstler’s command had 8 killed and 9 wounded; while Colonel Winder had 6 killed and 22 wounded

In spiking the guns at the Red House battery, the Americans had accomplished the more important of their two objectives: an invading force could now land between Chippawa and Fort Erie without facing artillery fire. However, subsequent events would render their service useless.

With the Red House batteries out of action, Smyth immediately pressed on with his invasion plans. However, attempts to embark his 3,000 men ended in chaos; with only 1,200 men managing to board because of a shortage of boats and the artillery taking up an unexpected amount of space on board. Amid torrential rain and freezing cold, a council of war headed by Smyth decided to postpone the invasion pending more thorough preparations that would enable the embarkation of whole force.

On November 31, Smyth tried again, ordering his men to embark two hours before dawn in order to avoid enemy fire. This time, the embarkation was so slow that, two hours after daylight, only 1,500 men were on board. Rather than attempt an amphibious landing in broad daylight, Smyth once again postponed the invasion. By this time, morale in Smyth’s command had plummeted: “all discipline had dissolved; the camp was a bedlam”. This, and widespread illness among the troops, persuaded a second council of war called by Smyth to suspend all offensive operations until the army was reinforced.

After arguing with Brigadier General Peter B. Porter, Alexander Smyth challenged him to a duel, but both men went unscathed. The historian John R. Elting wrote of the duel, stating “Unfortunately, both missed.”

The Army of the Centre went into winter quarters without attempting any further offensive operations and General Smyth requested leave to visit his family in Virginia. Three months later, without Smyth resigning his commission or facing a court-martial, his name was dropped from the U.S. Army rolls by President James Madison.

After the war, Smyth resumed the practice of law, and again became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1816, 1817, 1826, and 1827. He was elected to the Fifteenth United States Congress and reelected to the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and Eighteenth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1817 to March 3, 1825. He was elected again to the Twentieth and Twenty-first Congresses, serving again from March 4, 1827 until his death.

Smyth died in Washington, D.C., and was interred in the United States Congressional Cemetery. Smyth County, Virginia is named after him.

In 1813, the Americans won the Battle of Fort George at the northern end of the Niagara River. The British abandoned the Niagara frontier and allowed Fort Erie to fall into American hands without a fight. The Americans failed to follow up their victory, and later in the year they withdrew most of their soldiers from the Niagara to furnish an ill-fated attack on Montreal. This allowed the British to recover their positions and to mount raids which led to the Capture of Fort Niagara and the devastation of large parts of the American side of the Niagara River.

A Commemoration of thew Battle of Frenchman’s Creek is planned for November 28, 2012 at 1:00 pm. More details to come. Contact events@discover1812.com for more info.

After being released, George and Joseph both returned to Virginia and started their own families. On April 12, 1816, George W. married Margaret Morris in Monogalia Co., VA[WV]. Thier first child Roger, born January 11, 1819, was named after George’s father. Zadock Parke, their second child, was born February 1820 and was named after Margaret’s father, Zadoc Morris, b 1759 Monongalia Co., VA.

The War of 1812 and the death of their Father had a strange effect on this family. George changed the spelling of his last name to Parks moved to Coshocton Co OH in 1820, receiving 160 acres for his Fathers service in the War of 1812. Joseph always spelled his name Park and moved to Wood/Wirt Co in 1819.

Children of Roger and Elizabeth

i. David Parke?  b. 1775 in Loudoun, Virginia; d. 1850 in Virginia, Coshocton, Ohio

Roger and Elizabeth were listed for 9 years in Loudon Co., paying tithes to Cameron Parish from 1774-1783. Some sources say there are no records found during this time on the birth of children. Roger Parke was living beside William Parke and Andrew Buckalew in Cameron Parish.

ii. John Parke b. 1785 in Springhill, Fayette, Pennsylvania; d. 1860 in Marion County, Virginia

iii. George Washington Parke b. 1790 in Monongalia, [West] Virginia; d. 1864 in Putnam, Ohio; m. Margaret Morris (b. 1792 in Monongalia, [West] Virginia) Margaret’s parents were Zadock Morris (1750 – 1842) and Ellen “Polly” Evans (1760 – 1801). George and Margaret had seven children born between 1816 and 1833.

Monongalia, West Virginia — The name Monongalia may be a misspelling of Monongahela. Alternatively, the conventional Latinate ending “-ia”

George enlisted in the War of 1812 Monongalia Co. VA/WV under Capt. Willoughby Morgan at the same time with his father Roger and brother Joseph.  Younger brother Jonathan enlisted Monongalia Co. in 1814 after his father’s death.  George was captured at the Battle of Frenchman’s Creek at Ft. Erie 28 Nov 1812 and sent to a Quebec POW camp along with his brother Joseph. They remained there until the War was over in 1815.

After being released, George and Joseph both returned to Virginia and started their own families. On April 12, 1816, George W. married Margaret Morris in Monogalia Co., VA[WV]. Thier first child Roger, born January 11, 1819, was named after George’s father. Zadock Parke, their second child, was born February 1820 and was named after Margaret’s father, Zadoc Morris, b 1759 Monongalia Co., VA.

15 Sep 1823 – Roger’s son George received a grant of 160 acres in Coshocton County, Ohio for Roger’s service in the War of 1812.  The grant was signed by the famous John Calhoun, then Secretary of War.

Roger’s heirs received a grant of 160 acres in Coshocton County, Ohio for his service in the War of 1812.

(Levi Parke Family Letters; beginning page of this letter is missing to Frank E Parke from Martin T. Parke) more pleasant and much better if some of your Brothers and Sisters were living with or near you. I am a great fellow for home, but I want some body else there also no Baching for me. Our orange crop will be small. We still have a few on the trees yet to eat. Our figs will be ripe about July 1st. The peach crop here is good and are beginning to ripen and in two or three weeks the Trains will be loaded down with peaches in trainsit for the hungry North. Well! Dinner is ready wish you could be with us for dinner. The little I know of the family lineage I have by asking your Father in 1890. To my questions here is his reply. ‘My Father, George Parke and my Mother, Margaret Morris (her maiden name) was born in Monongehala County Va. My Grand Father’s name on my father’s side of house was Roger Parke and on my mother’s side my Grand Father’s name was Zadock Morris.’ Our uncle Zadock and my Father was born in Va. Your Father was born in Ohio soon after emigrating from Va. I have three letters written by your father to me. Did he ever get his Pension? Let me know. Your Father certainly wrote a good steady hand for his age. Now write again. Yours truly M. T. Parke

In the 1850 census, Roger was a physician living in Monroe, Coshocton, Ohio with his daughter Maria and son Andrew. The census states that Roger was born in Maryland.

iv. Joseph Park b. 23 Oct 1791 in Fayette City, Fayette, Pennsylvania; d. 2 Feb 1861 in Wirt, West Virginia; Burial: Rector Cemetery, Wirt County, West Virginia Joseph was the husband of Bridget Park. The inscription shows his age at death as 69 years, 10 months, & 10 days; m. 1819 – Burning Springs, Wirt,, West Virginia to Bridget Stanley (b. 22 Mar 1800 in Wood County, West Virginia – d. 8 Aug 1858 in Wirt County, West Virginia). Joseph and Bridget had eleven children born between 1822 and 1841.

Burning Springs takes its name from the natural gas which bubbled up through the spring and would burn when lit. In the early 19th century, wells were drilled at the springs to produce brine which was evaporated to produce salt. Some petroleum was produced along with the salt brine. By 1836, the salt wells were producing 50 to 100 barrels per year of oil that was sold as illuminating oil.[1] The wells at Burning Springs produced and sold petroleum many years before the Drake oil well at Titusville, Pennsylvania. The first well at Burning Springs drilled to obtain oil rather than salt was begun in 1859, after the Drake well.

Joseph enlisted at the same time with his father Roger and brothers, George, Joseph.  Joseph enlisted in the War of 1812 Monongalia Co. VA/WV under Capt. Willoughby Morgan. He was captured at Ft. Erie 28 Nov 1812 and sent to a Quebec POW camp along with his brother George. They remained there until the War was over in 1815.

In the 1850 census, Joseph and Bridget were living in District 70, Wirt, Virginia where Joseph was a blacksmith.

As of the 2010 census, the population of Wirt County was 5,717, the least of any county in West Virginia. The population 160 years before in 1850 was 3,353.

v. Jonas Parke b. 1792; d. 1850 in Washington, Decatur, Indiana

vi. Mary “Polly” Parks b. 1793 in Monongalia County, Virginia; m. 30 May 1810 Monongalia, Virginia to Jehu (Jehue or John) Lash (b. 2 Dec 1786 Virginia) Jehu’s parents were Dr. Jehu Lash and Phebe Morgan. (b. 20 Sep 1762, in Berkeley County, VA – d. 15 May 1824, in Marion County, VA) Phebe and Jehu were not married. Phebe had another illegitimate child Hyram Thompson (b. May 14, 1801, VA)

Phebe’s father Colonel Morgan Morgan (wiki) ( 1688 — 1766) is traditionally believed to have founded the first permanent white settlement in present day West Virginia at Cool Spring Farm, and he is credited with founding the first church in what is now West Virginia.

Morgan Morgan had eight children by his wife, the former Catherine Garretson. One son, David Morgan, became famous as an Indian fighter due to an encounter with Delaware natives at his homestead. David developed the area now known as Fairmont, West Virginia. Another son, Zackquill, founded Morgantown, (Home of the Mountaineers). Francis Harrison Pierpont, governor of Virginia and later West Virginia, was a descendant of Colonel Morgan. Morgan Morgan held military and civil positions in colonial VA which entitled his female descendants to membership in the Colonial Dames of America. In addition to settling West Virginia, Morgan’s descendants founded Marion County, Fairmont and Morgantown.

Between 1810-1820 Polly and John had three children while living in Monongalia Co., VA. The family relocated to Preston Co., VA. in the 30’s & 40’s.

Jehu Lash grew up in the Marion County area, and on August 6, 1819, purchased the first lot sold in Middletown (now Fairmont West Virginia). This lot (half an acre) was located on the south side of Madison Street at Hull Alley; [two blocks from the Monganahela River] Lash paid Boaz Fleming $27.00 for it.

In 1814, Jehu Lash, Jr. was said to have found a huge bone, thought to be the leg-bone of a mastodon, in the little swamp that still lies by Benoni Avenue just below Seventh Street, in Fairmont.

In 1820 Jehu was a resident of Western Division, Monongalia, Virginia

Monongalia Co., VA/WV court records 1821 show Roger Parke’s son in law, Jehu Lash (married to Mary/Polly) was assigned as administrator to his estate.

“Jehu Lash shot a Middletown tax-collector in the foot in 18–? At his trial Jehu took oath that the tax-collector was stealing his chickens. The tax-collector was later sued by a Middletown lovely for breach-of-promise. After this he became disgusted with life and took a job selling farm-gates, and moved to Milford (now Rivesville).”

vii. Deborah Parke b. 1794 [West] Virginia

viii. David Parke b. 1795 [West] Virginia

ix. Jonathan Parke b. 1796 in Monongalia County, [West] Virginia; d. 1836 in Monongalia County, [West] Virginia

Jonathan enlisted in Monongalia Co. in 1814 after his father’s death and his brothers’ capture.

1837 Monongalia Court Records Jonathan Parke Estate. Monday 23 Oct 1837 This day it was proven to the satisfaction of the court, that John, George, Joseph, Mary (the wife of Jehu Lash) and Joshua Parks are the only heirs at law and legal representatives of Jonathan Parks dec… who was a soldier in the late war with Great Britain in Capt, Thomas Sangsters company of infantry and 12th regimant, which is ordered to be certified.

xi. Joshua Parke b. 1798 in Monongalia County, [West] Virginia

9. Ozias Parks

Ozias’ wife Jane Robbins was born 17 Mar 1753, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Jane died in 1796.

Ozias was found in the same area with Jonah Parke in Kingwood Township, Hunterdon, NJ. Jonah has not been confirmed as the father but Ozias was most likely the son of Jonah or one of his brothers.

Ozias was arrested and forced to join the Revolutionary Army.

Children of Ozias and Jane:

i. Rev. Joseph Parke was born 27 May 1787, Hunterdon, NJ; d. 1866 in Van Buren Township, Shelby County, Ohio; m. 9 Jun 1808 to Hannah Hartpence (Hortpence) (b ~1790 in Hunterdon, New Jersey – d. Aft 1870 census Troy, Miami, Ohio). Joseph and Hannah had nine children born between 1809 and 1832.

In the 1850 census, Joseph and Hannah lived in Van Buren, Shelby, Ohio where Joseph worked as a hatter and taxonomy.

ii. John Parke b. 3 Sep 1790 in Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 2 Oct 1864 – Pusheta, Auglaize, Ohio; m. 2 Nov 1816 to Charlotte Byron (b. ~1793 New Jersey)

In the 1850 census, John and Charlotte were farming in Washington, Morris, New Jersey. By 1860, they had moved to Pusheta, Auglaize, Ohio.

iii. Ozias Parke b. 27 Sep 1792 in Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 5 May 1877 in Delaware, Hunterdon, New Jersey; Burial: Lower Amwell Graveyard, Sergeantsville, Hunterdon; Inscription: 84y 7m 8d; m. 20 Jun 1822 Hunterdon, New Jersey Age: 29 to Margaret Moore (b. 18 Feb 1801 in Hunterdon, New Jersey – d. 28 Mar 1889 in Raritan, Hunterdon, New Jersey Inscription: 88y 4m 15d) Margaret’s parents were William Moore (1765 – 1849) and Margaret [__?__] (1764 – 1857).

In the 1850 census, Ozias and Margaret were farming in Delaware, Hunterdon, New Jersey.

iv. Jonathan Parke b. 17 Aug 1794 in Hunterdon, New Jersey; d. 16 Jul 1865 in Logan, Ohio; m1. ~1819 to Mary [__?__] (d. bef. 1850) ; m2. 3 Nov 1853 Clark County, Ohio to Martha Stephenson (b. ~1796 in Bath, Virginia – d. 1873 in Quincy, Logan County, Ohio) Jonathan and Mary had seven children born between 1819 and 1836.

In the 1860 census, Jonathon and Martha were living in Quincy, Logan, Ohio where Jonathon was a carpenter. Mary wasn’t present in the 1850 census, so maybe she was a second wife.

v. Mary Parke b. 20 Sep 1796 in Hunterdon, New Jersey; m. 27 Jan 1810 – Hunterdon, New Jersey to John Hummer (b. ~1793 New Jersey)

Sources:

http://www.barney.org/family/wga44.html#I7872

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=27633286

http://genforum.genealogy.com/parke/messages/412.html

“Descendants of Roger Parke,” compiled by Cecilia B. Parke This book can be purchased from Cecilia Parke 7162 Cambridge St. Spring Hill, FL 34606 for $45.00.

http://1812news.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/battle-of-frenchmans-creek-honoured/