Parker, James, 1725-1797

James Parker (1725-1797), the son of Janet Johnstone (d.1741) and John Parker (1693-1732), served on the northern frontier during the French and Indian War as a young man. Sometime after 1746, he left the army and partnered with Beverly Robinson and Andrew Johnston in a mercantile business. The company traded with the West Indies and in 1750-1751, Parker traveled to Jamaica for business reasons. Soon after this trip he settled in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to manage the family estate, which included the mansion known as The Castle. Parker served in a number of different capacities throughout his lifetime. He was an agent for the East Jersey Proprietors; an agent for the Hunterdon and Sussex County properties of Sir Robert Barker, an absentee landlord; a lawyer; a councilor under Governor William Franklin (1764-1775); and mayor of Perth Amboy (1771). Though he had loyalist connections and sympathies, he remained neutral and moved his family to the farm he called Shipley" in Bethlehem (now Union), Hunterdon County, New Jersey. In November of 1777, James Parker and two others were taken as loyalist hostages to ensure the safety of patriot captives. Parker was soon allowed to return to his family at Shipley, where they remained until the end of the war. In 1783, the Parkers moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey for two years before returning to the family home in Perth Amboy. James Parker died on October 4, 1797.

From the description of James Parker journal, 1789-1790. (New Jersey Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 53210080

Loyalist and lawyer, of Perth Amboy, N.J.; owner of Shipley Tract, Union Township, Hunterdon County, N.J., and moved his family to "Shipley Farm" in 1774.

From the description of Diary, 1752-1783. (New Jersey Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 71013104

James Parker (1725-1797), the son of Janet Johnstone (d.1741) and John Parker (1693-1732), served in the colonial military as a young man. Some time after 1746, he left the army and partnered with Beverly Robinson and Andrew Johnston in a mercantile business. The company traded with the West Indies and in 1750-1751, Parker traveled to Jamaica for business reasons. Soon after this trip he settled in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to manage the family estate.

John Parker (1729-1762), James' younger brother, served for five years (1745-1750) as a midshipman on board the British vessel Chester, and soon after sailed to Jamaica, Virginia, and Newfoundland. He then earned the rank of colonel through his service in the campaigns against the French in 1755 and 1756, and at Fort William Henry in 1757.

From the description of James Parker and John Parker papers, 1752-1781. (New Jersey Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 54070347