Parker, Joseph

SOCIETY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION: Joseph Parker of Cheapside, London original member 1780

His father Joseph Parker became amanuensis at age 13 to Isaac Watts (DNB 1674-1748) and kept that role for 21 years, attending at Watts' deathbed. Watts' will PCC 1748 left "to my trusty and diligent servant Joseph Parker fifty pounds and all my wearing apparel". Parker had married at St Giles Cripplegate 7.11.1738 Christian Revell, their son Joseph (the SCI member) was born about 1745 and was apprenticed for 7 yrs from 19.1.1759 as son of Joseph of Stoke Newington to Benjamin Porter of the Mercers' Company. He married by lic at St Botolph Aldersgate 10.6.1766 Mary Wilton sp botp. She was the daughter of Samuel Wilton, hosier of Newgate St, will PCC 1779, and her brother Samuel (Surman Index 1744-1778) was minister of the Weigh House Chapel, his will PCC 1778. Joseph Parker junior was a linendraper at 114 Cheapside by 1771 and at 127 Cheapside by 1781. His children Joseph 1773, Samuel 1774. Mary 1776, Wilton 1779 and Thomas 1781 were born in London. By 1782 when he voted for John Sawbridge in London his address was Hertford and his children Nathaniel 1783, Jonathan 1784 and Elizabeth 1786 were born there. From about 1786 he lived at Mettingham in Suffolk and his children Esther 1788 and Clementia 1789 were born there. (Births of 10 children registered at Dr Williams Library 1796). Norfolk Record Office have letters to him at Mettingham 1786 from Wm Gordon at Stoke Newington (COL/8/84.85). In 1790 he voted for Vanneck in Suffolk. His father was buried 14.3.1793 at Bunhill Fields age 78 from Stoke Newington, his will PCC 9.3.1793 mentioned his son Joseph and his dau Sarah Parker. Joseph Parker of Mettingham subscr 1795 to Poems of Mrs Sarah Spence of Bury St Edmunds. He died on 24.12.1834 at Bradwell, Suffolk and was buried at Denton Independent chapel on 1.1.1835 age 90 (Congregational Magazine)