Parsons, Jonathan, 1705-1776

Jonathan Parsons was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on November 30, 1705, the son of Ebenezer Parsons and Margaret Marshfield. After graduating from Yale College in 1729, he briefly studied theology at Yale. In 1730, he became pastor of the First [Congregational] Church in Lyme, Connecticut, where he remained until 1746, when he became pastor of a new Presbyterian church in what is now Newburyport, Massachusetts. His church at Newburyport later became one of the largest congregations in North America. Parsons married Phebe Griswold (d. 1770), sister of Connecticut Governor Matthew Griswold, on December 14, 1731, and they had 13 children, including Samuel Holden Parsons, who later became a major general during the Revolutionary War and was one of the first judges of the Northwest Territory. After the death of his first wife, Parsons married Lydia Clarkson (d. 1778), widow of Andrew Clarkson, in October 1771. Jonathan Parsons died on July 19, 1776.

Clergyman.

Jonathan Parsons (1705-1776) was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts . He graduated from Yale College in 1729 and was ordained a minister in 1730. He served pastorates at the Congregational Church in Lyme, Connecticut, from 1731 to 1745 and at the First Presbyterian Church of Newburyport, Massachusetts, from 1746 to 1776.

"The Rev Jonathan Parsons, the writer of the following sermons, was born in West-Springfield, Mass. Nov. 30th 1705--graduated at Yale College in 1729--ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Lyme, Conn 1730--dismissed, & installed pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Newburyport in 1746--& died July 19, 1776, aged 71."--p. [4]