Click here to return to the main file

Lieutenant Moses Parker (1718–1797), son of Aaron Parker and Abigail Adams

Bridget Cummings (1722–1778), daughter of John Cummings and Elizabeth Adams

---

Moses, the son of Aaron and Abigail Parker, was born on 16 May 1718 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. [1] Lieutenant Moses Parker died on 13 July 1797, age 79, in Westford, Middlesex County. [2] He married first Bridget Cummings on 6 June 1744 in Westford. [2] He married second the widow Anna Barrett by an intention dated 20 August 1779 in Westford. [2] She was born in 1735 in Lexington and died on 25 August 1823, age 88 in Winchendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts.

Bridget, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Adams) Cummings, was born on 15 November 1722 in Chelmsford. [1][3] Bridget, the wife of Lieutenant Moses Parker, died on 19 October 1778, age 55, in Westford. [2]

Moses and Bridget are buried in the Fairview Cemetery in Westford. The inscription on his gravestone says, "Sacred to the memory of Lieut. Moses Parker who died July 13, 1797, age 79. The inscription on Bridget's says, "Here lies the body of Mrs Bridget Parker the wife of Lieut. Moses Parker. She departed this life Octr 19th 1778 in the 56th year of her age." [4]

Anna is buried in the Old Centre Burial Ground in Winchendon. The inscription on her gravestone says, "Erected in memory Mrs. Anna Parker relict of Lieut Moses Parker who died Aug 25, 1823 Aged 88 Years." Another, perhaps later, stone says, "Anna Fiske Parker born in Lexington 1735 died in Winchenden 18123. Mother of Bethiah Barrett her first husband Oliver Barrett Revolutionary Soldier died at Albany N.Y. 1777." [4]

Bridget is referred to as the wife of Moses Parker in her father's estate papers. [5]

Moses and Abigail, the children of Aaron Parker, were admitted to communion on 27 November 1737 in the church in Westford. [6]

Bridget, the daughter of DeaconCummings, was admitted to communion on 9 December 1739 in the church in Westford. [6]

Moses Parker was the lieutenant of the second military company in Westford in 1771. [3]

Children of Moses Parker and Bridget Cummings: The births of all but the first recorded in Westford as the children of Moses and Bridget. [2] Baptisms were recorded as the children of Moses in the church in Westford. [6]

i. Bridget Parker, the daughter of Moses, was baptized on 7 July 1745. [2]

ii. Bridget Parker was born on 30 October 1746. She was baptized on 2 November 1746. Bridget, the wife of Lieutenant Ezekiel, died on 9 August 1800, age 53, in Groton, Middlesex County. [7] She married Ezekiel Fletcher of Groton by an intention dated 25 July 1766 in Westford. [2] Ezekiel, the son of Samuel and Mary (Lawrence) Fletcher, was born on 3 April 1741 in Westford. [2][8] Lieutenant Ezekiel died on 7 July 1806, age 65, in Groton. [7]

Ezekiel and Bridget are buried in the Old Burying Ground in Groton. The inscription on his gravestone says, "In memory of Lieut Ezekiel Fletcher who died July 1806 aged 65." The inscription on her gravestone says," In Memory of Mrs. Bredget Fletcher wife of Lieut Ezekiel Fletcher who died Aug. 9, 1800 Aged 53." [4]

iii. Elizabeth Parker was born on 8 March 1749. She was baptized on 12 March 1749. Miss Elizabeth Parker, the daughter of Lieutenant Moses and Bridget, died on 20 February 1829, age 80, in Westford. She apparently never married.

Elizabeth is buried in the Fairview Cemetery. The inscription on her gravestone says, "In memory of Miss Elizabeth daughter of Lieut. Moses & Mrs. Bridget Parker who died Feb. 20, 18129, age 80." [4]

iv. Isaac Parker was born on 18 July 1751. He was baptized on 21 July 1751. He died on 17 June 1753 in Westford. [2]

v. Lucy Parker was born on 17 July 1753. She was baptized on 22 July 1753. Lucy, the wife of Samuel, died on 2 March 1818, age 64, in Methuen, Essex County, Massachusetts. [9] She married Samuel Richardson of Methuen by an intention dated 12 February 1780 in Westford. [2] Samuel, the son of Caleb and Tiffen (Bodwell) Richardson, was born on 22 February 1748/9 in Methuen. [9] He died on 15 July 1836, age 87, in Methuen. [9] He married Mrs. Dolly [Clements] Jones of Dracut, Middlesex County [bordering Methuen] by an intention dated 20 January 1822 in Methuen. [9] Dolly [called the wife of Oliver on her gravestone] died on 7 October 1843, age 82 in Dracut. [10] Dolly Clements married previously Oliver Jones by an intention dated 19 May 1785 in Dracut. [10] Oliver, the husband of Dolly, died on 4 October 1816, age 55 in Dracut. [10]

Samuel and Lucy are buried in the Elmwood Cemetery in Metheun. Samuel's stone has a Revolutionary War marker. Lucy's says, "In memory of Mrs. Lucy Richardson consort of Mr. Samuel Richardson who died March 2, 1818, age 64." [4]

vi. Moses Parker was born on 14 August 1755. He was baptized on 17 August 1755. He died on 17 December 1775, age 20 years and four months, in Westford. [2]

Moses is buried in the Fairview Cemetery. The inscription on his gravestone says, "Memento mori Here lies the Body of Moses Parker Son of Mr Moses Parker & Mrs Bridget his wife who departed this Life Dec. 17, 1775 Aged 20 years 4 months and 3 days." [4]

Moses and John Parker are on the muster roll of Captain Timothy's company of Colonel William Prescott's regiment of Minute Men who marched on the Alarm of 19 April 1775. [3]

vii. John Parker was born on 12 July 1757. He was baptized on 17 July 1757. He died on 5 February 1778, age 20, in Westford. [2]

John is buried in the Fairview Cemetery. The inscription on his gravestone says, "In memory of Mr John Parker Serjeant major was Killed by a fall on ye ice with a stick of timber on his shoulder on Febr ye 5th 1778. Aged 20 years 6 months & 22 days." [4]

viii. Isaac Parker was born on 22 August 1760. He was baptized on 24 August 1760. He died on 27 August 1825, probably in Genessee County, New York. He married Bridget Fletcher.

ix. Captain Aaron Parker was born on 26 September 1762. He was baptized on 3 October 1762. He died on 29 December 1823, age 61, in Westford. [2] Captain Aaron Parker married Joanna Fletcher by an intention dated 12 March 1791 in Westford. [2] Joanna, the daughter of Jonathan, Jr. and Sarah (Spaulding) Fletcher, was born on 19 April 1764 in Westford. [2] Joanna, the wife of Captain Aaron Parker and the daughter of Jonathan Fletcher, died on 3 or 4 September 1838, age 74, in Westford. [2]

Aaron and Joanna are buried in the Westlawn Cemetery in Westford. The inscription on his gravestone says, "Erected in Memory of Capt. Aaron Parker who died Dec. 29, 1823 Æt. 61." The inscription on Joanna's gravestone is obscured by earth. [4]

x. Abigail Parker was born on 10 February 1765. She was baptized on 17 February 1765. She married Jeremiah Hildreth on 6 March 1788 in Westford. [2] Jeremiah, the son of Ephraim 3rd and Elizabeth (French) Hildreth, was born on 22 February 1761 in Westford. [2] He died on 17 April 1817 in Westford. [2]

References:

1. Vital Records of Chelmsford, Massachusetts: To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem: Essex Institute, 1914).

2. Vital Records of Westford Massachusetts: To the End of the Year 1849 (Salem: Essex Institute, 1915).

3. Edwin R. Hodgman, History of the town of Westford in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts: 1659–1883 (Westford: Westford Town History Association, 1883).

4. Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 25 May 2023), memorial pagee for

5. "Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871," database with images, Ancestry, case 5427 (John Cummings).

6. Ancestry.com, "Massachusetts, U.S., Town and Vital Records, 1620–1988," database with images Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2495) > Westford > Church Records, with Births, Marriages, and Deaths. 

7. Vital Records of Groton, Massachusetts: To the End of the Year 1849, 2 vols. (Salem: Essex Institute, 1926–1927).

8. Records of Littleton, Massachusetts: Births and Deaths (Littleton: Littleton, 1900).

9. Vital Records of Methuen, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849 (Topsfield: Topsfield Historical Society, 1909).

10. Vital Records of Dracut, Massachusetts to the Year 1850 (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1907).

©2019 A. Buiter

Revised 25-May-2023