Will Peter Parsons

Born : ca 1762?
Died : after 1795

Father : John Parsons - born 1736, Maryland died 1795, Maryland
Mother : Rachel - born

Spouse : Sally Layfield - born 1765

  1. George Layfield Parsons - born 1799
  2. Nancy Parsons -
  3. Maria Parsons -
  4. Sally Brittingham Parsons -
  5. William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
  6. Richie Parsons -
  7. Handy Parsons -
Notes :

(Individual note) According to Mary Hester Parsons Hayman, her great grandfather ran a water mill near Pittsville.

(Individual note) According to Mrs. Shannonhouse, Peter Parsons 5-17 son of John 4-4 had four children, Joseph Truitt, Mina Smyly, Anne Maria and Peter Ritchie, for whom Isaiah Smith was appointed guardian when they were orphaned in 1823. He would have been 61 years old when he died, leaving four young children, certainly an unusual circumstance. A. Wootten believes that the Peter Parsons father of these young children must have been another Peter Parsons.

(Individual note) I identify Peter Parsons as son of John based on the tradition given by Aunt Hes that her great grandfather's ancestor was named John Parsons. She also identified a brother of her great grandfather as Billie Parsons, who Etha Parsons Yohe identified as her own great great grandfather, based on family tradition (her mother descended from him, while her father was a brother of Aunt Hes and descended from Peter. Furthermore, Aunt Hes mentions a third brother Billie Bell Parsons. Etha identifies Billie Bell as the son of William J. Parsons, her great grandfather, and claims that Aunt Hes is in error--he is in fact a nephew of Will Peter Parsons.

(Individual note) John Parsons is known to have had a son Peter, to whom he left land in his will when he died in 1795.



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Sally Layfield

Born : ca 1765?

Father : William (Billie) Layfield - born 1765 died 1831
Mother : Unknown Layfield -

Spouse : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795

  1. George Layfield Parsons - born 1799
  2. Nancy Parsons -
  3. Maria Parsons -
  4. Sally Brittingham Parsons -
  5. William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
  6. Richie Parsons -
  7. Handy Parsons -
Notes :

(Individual note) BOOKEXCURSION

(Individual note) BOOKPEDIGREE



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George Layfield Parsons

Born : about 1799

Father : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795
Mother : Sally Layfield - born 1765

Spouse : Eunice Furman - born 1794
Married

  1. Daniel F. Parsons - born 1829
  2. Richard L. H. Parsons - born 1830
Notes :

(Individual note) Eunice Furman, wife of George Layfield Parsons, known as Nicey, is recorded in the Parsons family history. The old family Bible of Daniel and Nancy Fooks, printed 1781, assigns him three wives, first, Thuzzy Fooks, second, Gertrude, and lastly, Unity Parsons. In the family tree, his wives are listed as Nicey Furman, son Lemons, (2) Thursa Fooks, son Daniel Francis, and third, Sally Dennis, daughter Caroline. However, (see below), in the 1850 census he is listed as living with Sally Firman. This family is confused!

(Individual note) In the 1840 Worcester County Census, George L. Parsons is listed living in the Western District of Worcester County.

(Individual note) In the 1850 Worcester County Census, George was living with his family in household \# 100 in the 4th district, along with Sally Firman, born Delaware c. 1785.



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Nancy Parsons


Father : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795
Mother : Sally Layfield - born 1765


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Maria Parsons


Father : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795
Mother : Sally Layfield - born 1765


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Sally Brittingham Parsons


Father : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795
Mother : Sally Layfield - born 1765


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William Hafford Parsons

Born : 07 DEC 1794
Died : 26 FEB 1871, Parsonsburg, MD?

Father : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795
Mother : Sally Layfield - born 1765

Spouse : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

  1. Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
  2. Joshua James Parsons - born 1822 died 1905
  3. Peter Truitt Parsons - born 1824 died 1904
  4. Elija Bridell Parsons - born 1827
  5. Ebenezer Handy Parsons - born 1832 died 1916
  6. Sarah Elizabeth Parsons - born 1829 died 1874
  7. Mary Ellen Parsons - born 1835
  8. Eunice (Nicy) Caroline Parsons - born 1838
Notes :

(Individual note) Went blind at thirty years old. Lived on farm between Pittsville & Psnsburg.

(Individual note) In the 1820 census, taken January 29 1821, No William Parsons is listed in Worcester Co. with a one year old child.

(Individual note) In the 1840 census, Hanford Parsons was living in the Western District of Worcester County, Maryland with 4 younger children whose ages match those listed in the 1850 census. Additionally, one son age between 10 and 15, and one age between 15 and 20, are listed. Two persons employed in agriculture are tabulated.

(Individual note) In 1850 census, William H. Parsons was living in Houshold \# 273 in the 4th district with his wife and daughters Mary E. and Eunice. 1850 Worcester County Census Transcription by Ruth Dryden.



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Richie Parsons


Father : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795
Mother : Sally Layfield - born 1765

Spouse : Betsy Adkins -
Married

  1. Daniel Francis Parsons -


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Handy Parsons


Father : Will Peter Parsons - born 1762 died 1795
Mother : Sally Layfield - born 1765

Spouse : Nancy Godfrey -
Married



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Mary Briddel

Born : 09 SEP 1797
Died : 17 JAN 1884, Parsonsburg, MD?

Father : David Briddell - born 1775, Maryland
Mother : Sarah Holloway - born 1776

Spouse 1 : Married

Spouse 2 : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?

  1. Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
  2. Joshua James Parsons - born 1822 died 1905
  3. Peter Truitt Parsons - born 1824 died 1904
  4. Elija Bridell Parsons - born 1827
  5. Ebenezer Handy Parsons - born 1832 died 1916
  6. Sarah Elizabeth Parsons - born 1829 died 1874
  7. Mary Ellen Parsons - born 1835
  8. Eunice (Nicy) Caroline Parsons - born 1838
Notes :

(Individual note) Notes which R. W. Phippin copied from originals in possession of Olive Adkins state that Mary Briddel was born a Holloway. If so, did she become a Briddel through marriage? adoption?

(Individual note) Five sons and three daughters, Isaac H. the eldest.

(Individual note) Woodrow T. Wilson published THIRTY-FOUR FAMILIES OF OLD SOMERSET COUNTY, MARYLAND in 1974, which includes Briddell refs--check.



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Isaac Henry Parsons

Born : 01 JUN 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg.
Died : 17 JUN 1899
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse 1 : Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)
Married 1840

  1. George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?
  2. Daniel J. Parsons - born 1843, MD? died 1917
  3. Samuel Peter Parsons - born 1845 died 1915
  4. Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941
  5. Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927
  6. Isaac Washington Parsons - born 1856 died 1940

Spouse 2 : Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916
Married 30 September 1872

  1. Gertrude May Parsons - born 1873, MD died 1953, Md.
Notes :

(Individual note) BOOKPEDIGREE

(Individual occu note) 1850 Census gives occupation as farmer.

(Individual note) Patented `Parsons Luck' in 1846 for 52.5 acres, Worcester Co., Maryland.

(Individual note) Patented `Addition to Readen' in 1853 for 7 acres, (now) Wicomico Co., MD.

(Individual note) Patented `Palestine' in 1867 for 2 acres, 3 perches, 9 rods, Worcester Co., Maryland.

(Individual note) In the 1850 census, Isaac is listed with his family living in Household \# 133 in the 4th district of Worcester Co., Maryland. 1850 Worcester County Census Transcription by Ruth Dryden.

(Individual note) From the Program of the 6th Annual Convention of the Wicomico County Volunteer Firemen's Association, Parsonsburg, MD, June 23, 1931 and letters from Mary Hester Parsons and Etha Parsons Yohe. Where personal pronouns are used, Mary Hester speaks.

(Individual note) Isaac was the eldest son of the eight children of Hafford and Mary Bridell Parsons, who raised him at their home between Pittsville, known as Derrickson's Crossroads and Parsonsburg. When Isaac was a boy he learned the blacksmith trade with one Isaac Dale, at that time the best blacksmith anywhere around, but he would get too much toddy, being plenty of it obtainable. Isaac said that when Mr. Dale would get groggy he couldn't work and would give the shop over entirely to him, so by having a chance to do things himself, he soon knew enough about blacksmith work to go to work for himself. He was especially expert in making farm implements. In 1840 he married Catherine Truitt, who had a private school nearby, and settled near Pittsville on a part of the Truitt farm which had belonged to her father where he built a shop. Here Mary Hester Parsons and her three older brothers were born. Mary Hester was only a baby by the time they left the old Truitt farm.

(Individual note) Mary Hester writes that her first recollection of life was on a farm a few miles from Nelson's known as the Smith farm. There her sister Beck was born in 1850. They lived there until 1854. Isaac worked the farm and doing blacksmith work when not busy on the farm, but he got tired of renting and decided to buy land and make a farm of his own. In 1854 Isaac H. Parsons purchased of George Kendall Perdue 60 acres of land on the north side of the fork known as Johnson's Forks, where he built a home. Not much else was near at the time. He erected a blacksmith shop at the Fork where the Post Office later stood. Here he made all the tools for grubbing and clearing the farm. His old anvil now resides in Rebecca Wootten Phippin's collection.

(Individual note) Before continuing Isaac's story, we sketch the history of the town of Parsonsburg. Back in the nineteenth century, a decade or more before the outbreak of the Civil War, a stranger named Johnson had appeared in those parts one day.

(Individual note) No one seemed to know who he was, where he came from, or what he came for, evidently he was favorably impressed with the location, fertility of the soil, and general surroundings, and after looking about, purchased land at the cross roads and named the place Johnsons Forks. He lived about a mile away on the south side of the present road. He had a sea chest, brass bound, with a hollow end where he supposedly kept his money. He also had a desk with secret drawers. He divided his large farm into sections--one was called Old Savannah, one Old Russia. There was a lot of swamp land and the ex-slaves used to go in wading waist deep to gather high bush huckleberries, almost as tall as young trees. The house was large with exposed rafters, a large deep cellar, and each end of the house was brick with large fireplaces.

(Individual note) Gradually he became more communicative and related to his newly found friends, as they sat on the spacious plantation verandas, interesting stories of his travels in many countries, freely admitting in conversation that he was something of a nomad, a statement recalled and confirmed a short time later when he suddenly disappeared. All that was left was Johnson's Forks and curiosity. He has never been heard from since.

(Individual note) Quite a period elapsed after their nomadic visitor departed, before an attempt was made to establish business and build homes at Johnsons Forks. Isaac Parsons purchase of his farm in 1854 began a new period of building.

(Individual note) The land that he bought was covered in forest trees, there being none of the land cleared except a small lot of about three acres about half mile from the Forks that had a single story house on it of one large room, that was entirely surrounded by woods. When he came to look the land over he could not find a high place to move the house on but he decided to move the house and build the ground to it. He cut down a place big enough for the house and stables and neighbors helped him move the house to the spot he wanted it on. There it still stands on the identical spot where it was placed behind tall maples he planted like sentinels. It certainly took courage to start a home and raise a family in such a wilderness, but the family was happy. ``Being five children of us we did not have much room,'' Mary Hester continues, ``so my father built a lean-to for a kitchen and we made out fine. Then the Tug of War began. Clearing of land for a farm, the lot where the house was moved from was big enough for a garden and trucks so we made out pretty good. We had one horse, yoke of oxen and two cows. Having no pasture, we rented pasture for cattle where Claten Jackson now lives and on the old White farm now belonging to Charlie Wilkins. Those cattle had to be driven to pasture each morning and gone after at night, which we small children had to do. Beck, my sister, was too small to leave or to take. Usually I stayed with her and mother went if the boys were not at home.''

(Individual note) There were a number of free negroes in this section and Mr. Parsons hired them to grub the 60 acres, paying one dollar for every 3600 square feet, supplying the man with his own make of grubbing tools.

(Individual note) At that time there were few homes and these were widely separated.

(Individual note) Isaac built a large square two story store opposite from where Ennis Brothers store later stood. Here he sold everything from needles to wagons, and here in 1867 a part of the store became the first Post Office.

(Individual note) Mr. Parsons continued his building operations after establishing the general store by putting in operation a saw mill and grist mill. These activities which were a great credit to the enterprise of Mr. Parsons were forming a nucleus around which would be built homes and places of business, a real town in fact, no doubt already visioned by this far sighted business man when he invested his money at Johnsons Forks. Produce, mostly corn, was hauled over this route to Salisbury, the farmers agreeing on a certain day for the trip, some coming from as far as Berlin, sometimes as many as twenty five wagons traveling in the caravan.

(Individual note) If any of them had repair work to be done on their farming implements they left them at the shop, expecting them to be repaired and ready for them on their return from Salisbury the following day, and very rarely were they disappointed, Mr. Parsons often working in the shop with his helpers all night in order to finish the job.

(Individual note) Of course, the farmers always made a considerable stop at the Forks to feed up, and many a loose coin was passed over the counter of the Parsons store for various kinds of merchandise, all of which showed a keen perceptiveness for business possessed by a man who was at the threshold of a new town in the making, a town soon destined to lose and forget the name Johnsons Forks, and adopt the name of the promoter with a burg at the end of it.

(Individual note) The roads were bad, as this was a large corn belt stretching to Berlin and there was a lot of hauling by heavy wagons. There were not any bridges, so trees were dropped in the river so the wagons could cross.

(Individual note) One night returning from Salisbury, a driver who had been drinking heavily fell off of his wagon and was accidentally run over near where now stands the headquarters of the Parsonsburg Fire company. The sharp new tires of the loaded wagon severed his head from the body. The wagon came on in without him, but it was said that he came back on dark nights to look for his head. Superstition was rife in those days, especially among the negro slaves, some of them declaring after the fatal accident that they had seen a headless man walking about the cross roads in the dim moonlight. It is not surprising that Johnsons Forks was left to its solitude and ghostly perambulators after nightfall for a long time after that.

(Individual note) Mary Hester tells us her memories of this story. ``At the time the Parsons family moved to the Forks it was said that there were Ghosts to be seen and heard all around here, a man having been killed by falling from his wagon and it running over him and killing him while drunk. It happened on the road right in front of where the Fire Engine house now stands. Everybody almost at that time was superstitious and many of them believed there really were Ghosts to be seen. I could not believe there was unless I was alone, I some time had shivers. On one occasion mother had to go with my brother Pete for the cows, he being too small to go alone, it was late and the cows were pastured in an old field just this side of Morris Leonard's. It was a hot summer afternoon. Beck and I were undressed all but one little garment and put to bed and told to go to sleep. When they left no sleep for us! We thought Ghosts were all around us. Scared to death, we lay there and trembled. A limb or something struck the house--might have been the house readjusting itself after having been moved--anyway the noise sounded to us like a gun. We hopped out of bed with but little on and started to where mother and Pete had gone for the cows. There were woods on each side of the road--it was all woods where Mr. Owen lives. We ran and called mother until we got where Owen's house stands. We heard the cow bells jingling and we began calling the cows by their names. We called Goo Pink, Goo Julia, Goo Pink, Goo Julia. Mother heard us and thought something had happened and she tried to run but was so scared she could not. She told Pete to run to us. It was all over, we thought, when mother got to us. But it was NOT. We were in nice condition to be spanked and we needed it. These things, although trifling as they were, were real to us and soon as clear to me as things that took place long since.''

(Individual note) ``I never saw or heard any more Ghost. I think that cured me but often when teams were going by I've heard them tell of things they had seen at the Forks.''

(Individual note) George W. Parsons daughter, Etha, recalls her grandmother. ``Grandmother graded the wool from the sheep, carded it and used a foot spinning wheel to spin the yarn. The fine wool was to knit their winter stockings, the next grade to weave counterpanes and the coarse to weave carpets. Grandmother packed the wool in saddlebags and rode horseback to an old woman who made her living weaving. They used leaves from trees and bark for dyes. Red oak, apple bark, bay leaves mad yellow. They would get limp indigo and mix it in a large vat away from the house, mix it with urine, every day add more until they had the color they wanted. They used something to set the color--probably coperus. Then the article was rinsed through many waters until all odor was removed, then aired. They would take a lath and wind the yarns around and around making stripes in colors they wished to make their carpets and take the chart to the weavers. Grandmother had beautiful counterpanes made for each of her children.'' (Rebecca Phippin has two of these-- blue and white and red and white--in her collection).

(Individual note) Mary Hester tells us of school life in early Parsonsburg: ``After we adjusted a little I and the boys started to school in the house now occupied by Anne Spence. The room next to the Church is the same room. (Etha Yohe tells us it measured 18 by 20 feet). In Winter sometimes from twenty five to forty children were enrolled for school but they did not attend regularly in those days.

(Individual note) ``My first teacher was Greensbury Freeny and his father assisted with the younger children. Mr. Joshua Freeny the father of Greensbury (later Doctor) was an awful cross and strict man I thought, and I was a timid child and was so afraid of him I cried half of the time. He had a long black gum switch and kept it by him all the time. When he thought it time to scare us he would strike on the floor with his old gum switch and almost make us jump off our seats when he hollered out ``mind your books''. He asked my father why I cried so much. Pa said I was afraid of him and I would never learn anything while I was afraid so the old man changed to putting his arm around me when I went up to recite and that scared me almost as bad as the gum switch.

(Individual note) ``Our chance for an education was very limited, there was no system about books when I first started to school. A child could take almost any kind of book and get what they could out of it. There were no classes. Each scholar recited or read his own. Often the teacher would be looking over some of the bigger boys arithmetic and never heard a word we had read. When we started to our seats he would say get your lesson over. And by the way what kind of accommodation do you think we had for comfort? Well, we had a large fireplace in the end of the room, three seats made of pine slabs with the flat side up. They had holes in the under or round side with large pegs inserted in the holes for legs. These were placed against the wall and those who were fortunate enough to get a seat against the wall had a place to lean and rest his back a little, the other seat were placed facing the fireplace with nothing to lean on to rest. Only our elbows on our knees and the teacher did not want us to stoop over but not having had any better arrangements we made out pretty good. When ``ignorance is bliss it is folly to be wise'', you know, so we had that blessing.

(Individual note) ``Every child had to furnish his own book besides the parents had to pay the teachers salary out of their own pockets. So I think we did right well even to learn to read and write. Many barely did that much.

(Individual note) ``The old Gomly's spelling book was in most families and when the children learned all that was in them they could usually read, write and knew the multiplication table and could do simple addition.

(Individual note) ``Later the McGuffy's readers were used in the school, still later we had history, grammar, Geography, but none of the girls took up grammar unless they chose to do so, as the teachers did not insist. I chose to do so though did not get far.''

(Individual note) Mary Hester continues, ``I think it is about time I get back to our lives on the farm. My father began clearing land. Labor was cheap and those who owned slaves would hire them out for a certain amount for a month, or year, and my father worked at his trade blacksmithing and made quite a good thing by working at his trade and hiring cheaper labor. By keeping at clearing land it was new and produced fine. He soon had a nice little farm. He built a new addition to the first house, moved up to the Forks and we had as comfortable a house as any of our neighbors.

(Individual note) By that time the boys were grown up and able to farm or do blacksmithing or almost any kind of work that the majority of the Parsons are able to do. Then the War Cry broke out. ''

(Individual note) The dispute between the north and south over the slavery question was at this time agitating the minds of the people here on the Eastern Shore and in our community, as it was in every part of our beloved land, and discerning minds could see that it was only a question of time when the people of the two sections would be in deadly conflict. When the war finally began, Thomas White, Daniel, Joseph and Samuel Hayman, three brothers, were called; also James Workman, John J. Perdue, Leven D. Davis and Beauchamp Hobbs.

(Individual note) Etha Yohe described the religious life of early Parsonsburg. ``Before a church was built in Parsonsburg, people went to Melsons where a church had been built in 1780 and where camp meetings were held. The families formed a circle with their wagons and made a large covered construction in the center for services. It was a plain, rough structure, boards on small logs for seats. They slept in their wagons. They used the large iron pots used for butchering for cooking. Each family put in a chicken for pot pie that was served on long outside tables. Bread and cakes had been brought from home.

(Individual note) ``They were very emotional people, sometimes shouting and singing all night. The mourners bench would be full of sinners praying for forgiveness. The family and friends stayed beside them shouting and praying.

(Individual note) ``In 1839 the first church was built in Parsonsburg. It was started on a Christmas morning by a Mr. Kendal who suddenly got tired just praying to God to show him how to get a church in Parsonsburg. He just started cutting down trees and when people came to investigate, they too started chopping. By March the mission chapel was built. It was not finished inside but had only benches with a three inch board for a back. It had a gallery where the slaves were permitted to come. One time at a big meeting with lots of shouting and singing a slave woman fell over the railing down on the people below, but no one was hurt.

(Individual note) ``Later George Parsons who did beautiful cabinet work built a Bible table and very good pews. He was the first Sunday School Superintendent, a post he held for sixty years.

(Individual note) ``In 1855 a camp meeting was held on the grounds where the Community House now stands. There were about 50 tents, a boarding tent, a refreshment stand, a horse pound and in the center a large tabernacle. It was just a roof and elevated end for the choir and preacher's table. The first bench near the pulpit was the mourner's bench but was used for seats only in the evangelistic services. On every corner of the campground was a large post. A box about four feet square was braced to the post. It was filled with sand and at night they put a little straw on the box and tossed on large knots of light wood and the fire would leap in the air and the air would be filled with the aroma of rosin.

(Individual note) ``Then a large bell was installed over the camp tabernacle. This rang every morning for a short prayer service. Many took their meals in the boarding tent which had a large kitchen in the back with two cook stoves. Out back were iron pots, one for hot water, one for beef or vegetable stews. There was a staff of negro mammys and negro waiters. Our families had kitchens in back of our tents and a maid.''

(Individual note) In 1866 after the close of the war there was much agitation in this and other sections for a railroad, and the project was finally accomplished during the following year, in 1867, when the Wicomico and Pocomoke railroad pushed east through Walston's Switch toward Berlin. Rail service on these tracks continued until 1973. The same year Johnsons Forks was consigned to obscurity when Uncle Sam established a Post Office making the official name Parsonsburg. Isaac H. Parsons was honored by receiving the appointment as Post Master. The same year George W. Parsons built a home, a saw mill and a basket factory.

(Individual note) Mr. Parsons had four sons and two daughters: George W. Parsons, Samuel Peter Parsons, Daniel J. Parsons, Isaac W. Parsons, Rebecca Parsons, and Mary Hester Parsons. Each of his sons learned the blacksmith trade, married and settled near the father, the daughters also married and settled in the vicinity, each of his children reared large families who in turn settled in the growing little community. His second wife was Laura Ann Collins Layfield, and together they had another daughter, Gertrude May Parsons. Laura Ann had three daughters, Ida, Jane and Annie (`Aunt Annie') Layfield, by her first marriage.



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Joshua James Parsons

Born : 24 January 1822
Died : 14 September 1905

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse : Eliza Jane Cormean - born 1829

  1. Maria E. B. Parsons - born 1849
  2. Wilmer Parsons -
  3. Jennie Parsons -
  4. Ellen Parsons -
  5. Laura Parsons -
  6. Noe Parsons -
  7. Nain Parsons -
Notes :

(Individual note) In the 1850 census, J. J. Parsons was living in household 130 in the 4th district of Worcester Co., Maryland, with his wife and year-old daughter, in addition to his brother Elijah and his wife Miranda.



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Peter Truitt Parsons

Born : 21 April 1824
Died : 1904

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse : Gatty M. A. Walston - born 1818
Married 18 December 1849, Worcester Co., MD

  1. Virginia Parsons -
  2. Louise Parsons -
  3. Dennard Parsons -
Notes :

(Individual note) In the 1850 Worcester County Census, Peter Parsons was living in household 229 with his wife.



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Elija Bridell Parsons

Born : 23 March 1827

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse : Miranda C. Gordy - born 1826
Married 11 February, 1850, Worcester Co., Maryland

  1. Will Parsons -
  2. Forest Parsons -
  3. Eliza Parsons -
  4. Robe Parsons -
  5. Priscilla Parsons -
  6. Miranda Parsons -
Notes :

(Individual note) In 1850 Worcester County Census, Elija was living with his older brother Joshua in household \# 130, 4th district, with his new bride.



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Ebenezer Handy Parsons

Born : 29 March 1832
Died : 13 February 1916

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse 1 : Louisa Matthews -
Married after 1850

  1. Rose Parsons -

Spouse 2 : Lizzie Jones -
Married

  1. Eva Parsons -
  2. Manford Parsons -


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Sarah Elizabeth Parsons

Born : 22 July 1829
Died : 9 June 1874

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse : Isaac Selby Jarman - born 1826 died 1905
Married after 1850

  1. Albert Washington `Walsh' German - born 1862 died 1943
  2. G. Jarman -
Notes :

(Individual note) In 1850 census, living in the household of Hester Fooks, household 83 in the 8th district.



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Mary Ellen Parsons

Born : 11 January 1835

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse : James Wells -



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Eunice (Nicy) Caroline Parsons

Born : about 1838

Father : William Hafford Parsons - born 1794 died 1871, MD?
Mother : Mary Briddel - born 1797 died 1884, MD?

Spouse : Thomas Wells -



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Katherine Truitt

Born : 02 JUN 1809
Died : 21 NOV 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : George Truitt - born 1758, Maryland died Maryland
Mother : Elizabeth Parker - born 1765

Spouse : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Married 1840

  1. George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?
  2. Daniel J. Parsons - born 1843, MD? died 1917
  3. Samuel Peter Parsons - born 1845 died 1915
  4. Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941
  5. Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927
  6. Isaac Washington Parsons - born 1856 died 1940
Notes :

(Individual note) BOOKPEDIGREE

(Individual note) BOOKEXCURSION



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George W. Parsons

Born : __ ___ 1842, Parsonsburg, MD?
Died : __ ___ 1923, Parsonsburg, MD?
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Mother : Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)

Spouse 1 : Henrietta M. Melson - born 1844 died 1878

  1. Charles W. Parsons -
  2. Arthur K. Parsons -
  3. Etta Parsons -
  4. Harold G. Parsons -
  5. Katie Parsons -

Spouse 2 : Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Parsons - born 1859 died 1917



[Index to database]



Daniel J. Parsons

Born : 01 SEP 1843, Parsonsburg, MD?
Died : 20 DEC 1917
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Mother : Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)

Spouse 1 : Maria E. Layfield - born 1848 died 1880
Married 5 December 1867

  1. William Wilson Parsons -
  2. Rosa M. Parsons -
  3. Alfarata Parsons - born 1875

Spouse 2 : Janie M. Layfield -

  1. Edna Parsons -


[Index to database]



Samuel Peter Parsons

Born : 14 AUG 1845
Died : 09 OCT 1915
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Mother : Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)

Spouse 1 : Emma Burbbage - born 1850 died 1872

  1. Hubert Alvin Parsons -

Spouse 2 : Elizabeth Bond -
Married

  1. Mazie Parsons -
  2. Frank T. Parsons -
  3. Alice Parsons -


[Index to database]



Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons

Born : 28 NOV 1847
Died : 16 JAN 1941
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Mother : Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)

Spouse : Benjamin Franklin Hayman - born 1844 died 1908
Married 25 November 1869

  1. Fred E. Hayman - born 1870
  2. Mary Catherine (Mollie) Hayman - born 1881
  3. Elizabeth E. (Lizzie) Hayman - born 1878
  4. Anna E. (Annie) Hayman - born 1873
  5. Harry Graham Hayman - born 1875 died 1938
  6. Lillian (Lillie) Hayman - born 1872
  7. Carl Hayman - born 1879 died 1879


[Index to database]



Rebecca Catherine Parsons

Born : 1850
Died : 1927

Father : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Mother : Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)

Spouse : Joseph James Hayman - born 1844 died 1891

  1. Dr. Edwin Henry Hayman -
  2. Joseph Kerwin Hayman -
  3. Willard Hayman -
  4. Jessie Hayman -
  5. Ella Hayman -


[Index to database]



Isaac Washington Parsons

Born : 9 May 1856
Died : 17 August 1940

Father : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Mother : Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)

Spouse : Mary Kate Parsons - born 1858 died 1919
Married

  1. Etha Parsons - born 1875, Maryland
  2. Corliss G. Parsons - born 1881 died 1944
  3. Fred Parsons -


[Index to database]



Laura Ann Collins

Born : 20 JAN 1839
Died : 17 JUN 1916
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : Joseph R. Collins - born 1811
Mother : Jane Parker -

Spouse 1 : George Wilson Layfield - born 1836 died 1867

  1. Janie Layfield - born 1861
  2. Ida Layfield - born 1863 died
  3. `Aunt' Annie Layfield - born 1865 died 1937

Spouse 2 : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Married 30 September 1872

  1. Gertrude May Parsons - born 1873, MD died 1953, Md.


[Index to database]



Gertrude May Parsons

Born : 01 AUG 1873, Parsonsburg, MD
Died : 12 OCT 1953, Salisbury, Md.
Buried : Salisbury, Md.

Father : Isaac Henry Parsons - born 1819, Farm between Pittsville and Parsonsburg. died 1899
Mother : Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916

Spouse : Alphonso Wootten - born 1875, MD. died 1937, MD
Married 18 June 1902, Jerusalem United Methodist Church, Parsonsburg, Maryland

  1. Victor Lynn Wootten - born 1903, MD died 1978, MD
  2. Nathaniel R. Wootten - born 1904 died 1985, MD
  3. Rebecca Anne Wootten - born 1915, MD
  4. Alwyn Henry Wootten - born 1917, MD died 1978, MD


[Index to database]



Elizabeth Parker

Born : 4 April 1765

Father : Elisha Parker - born 1750

Spouse 1 : George Truitt - born 1758, Maryland died Maryland
Married 10 February 1785

  1. Rebecca (Becky) Truitt - born 1786, Maryland
  2. Abigail Truitt - born 1788, Maryland
  3. Elisha Parker Truitt - born 1789, Maryland
  4. Sarah Truitt - born 1790, Maryland died 1793, Maryland
  5. George P. Truitt - born 1793, Maryland
  6. Elizabeth (Betsy) Truitt - born 1795, Maryland died 1873
  7. Daniel Tingle Truitt - born 1798, Maryland died 1884, Kansas
  8. Samuel P. Truitt - born 1800, Maryland
  9. Polly Truitt - born 1803, Maryland died 1804, Maryland
  10. Hester (Hetty) Parsons - born 1806, Maryland
  11. Katherine Truitt - born 1809 died 1871, Parsonsburg (then Johnsons Forks)

Spouse 2 :



[Index to database]



Henrietta M. Melson

Born : 17 MAR 1844
Died : 12 SEP 1878
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Spouse : George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?

  1. Charles W. Parsons -
  2. Arthur K. Parsons -
  3. Etta Parsons -
  4. Harold G. Parsons -
  5. Katie Parsons -


[Index to database]



Charles W. Parsons


Father : George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?
Mother : Henrietta M. Melson - born 1844 died 1878

Spouse : Nora Hastings -

  1. Rodman Parsons -
  2. May Parsons -
  3. Laura Ann Parsons -
  4. Leonore Parsons -
  5. Henrietta Parsons -
  6. Helen Parsons -


[Index to database]



Arthur K. Parsons


Father : George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?
Mother : Henrietta M. Melson - born 1844 died 1878

Spouse : Birdie -

  1. Marie Parsons -
  2. Kathleen Parsons -
  3. Mildred Parsons -


[Index to database]



Etta Parsons


Father : George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?
Mother : Henrietta M. Melson - born 1844 died 1878

Spouse : George W. Riggin -

  1. Howard Riggin -
  2. Harris Riggin -
  3. Gertrude Riggin - born 1910


[Index to database]



Harold G. Parsons


Father : George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?
Mother : Henrietta M. Melson - born 1844 died 1878

Spouse : Ruth Edwards -
Married



[Index to database]



Katie Parsons


Father : George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?
Mother : Henrietta M. Melson - born 1844 died 1878

Spouse : Latimer Hornaday -
Married



[Index to database]



Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Parsons

Born : 25 SEP 1859
Died : 10 MAR 1917
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Spouse : George W. Parsons - born 1842, MD? died 1923, MD?



[Index to database]



Maria E. Layfield

Born : 03 MAY 1848
Died : 20 FEB 1880
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : William Wilson Layfield - born 1813 died 1888
Mother : Maria Brittingham - born 1814

Spouse : Daniel J. Parsons - born 1843, MD? died 1917
Married 5 December 1867

  1. William Wilson Parsons -
  2. Rosa M. Parsons -
  3. Alfarata Parsons - born 1875


[Index to database]



William Wilson Parsons


Father : Daniel J. Parsons - born 1843, MD? died 1917
Mother : Maria E. Layfield - born 1848 died 1880

Spouse 1 : Nancy Holloway -
Married

  1. Horace Parsons -

Spouse 2 : Annie Layfield -
Married

  1. Mary Parsons -
  2. Martha Parsons -


[Index to database]



Alfarata Parsons

Born : 11 December 1875

Father : Daniel J. Parsons - born 1843, MD? died 1917
Mother : Maria E. Layfield - born 1848 died 1880

Spouse : Daniel Edward Parker - born 1865 died 1918
Married 7 March 1894

  1. Thelma Parker -
  2. Hubert Daniel Parker -
Notes :

(Individual note) Alfarata appears to be responsible for much of the genealogical of our family papers.



[Index to database]



Nathaniel Brittingham


Spouse : Mary Truitt -
Married

Notes :

(Individual note) "Nathaniel [Brittingham] married Mary Truitt, daughter of James Truitt Jr. James Truitt, in his will written Oct. 17, 1770, in Worcester Co, Md., and probated on July 25, 1775, in Sussex Co., Del., left a bequest to his daughter, Mary Brittingham (Sussex Wills, B: 556)." So, he must have jumped the border between 1770 and 1775. Brittingham history manuscript at Delmarva Research Center, Salisbury.



[Index to database]



Janie M. Layfield


Spouse : Daniel J. Parsons - born 1843, MD? died 1917

  1. Edna Parsons -


[Index to database]



Edna Parsons


Father : Daniel J. Parsons - born 1843, MD? died 1917
Mother : Janie M. Layfield -

Spouse : Ollie B. Parker -

  1. Lola Parker -
  2. Laura Ann Parker -
  3. Olive Parker - born
  4. Daniel J. Parker -
Notes :

(Individual note) Fondly known as `Cousin Edna.'



[Index to database]



Emma Burbbage

Born : 29 MAR 1850
Died : 28 OCT 1872
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Spouse : Samuel Peter Parsons - born 1845 died 1915

  1. Hubert Alvin Parsons -


[Index to database]



Hubert Alvin Parsons


Father : Samuel Peter Parsons - born 1845 died 1915
Mother : Emma Burbbage - born 1850 died 1872
Notes :

(Individual note) Died young.



[Index to database]



Benjamin Franklin Hayman

Born : 06 NOV 1844
Died : 03 NOV 1908

Father : Jacob Hayman - born 1806 died 1882
Mother : Mary Nelson - born 1806

Spouse : Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941
Married 25 November 1869

  1. Fred E. Hayman - born 1870
  2. Mary Catherine (Mollie) Hayman - born 1881
  3. Elizabeth E. (Lizzie) Hayman - born 1878
  4. Anna E. (Annie) Hayman - born 1873
  5. Harry Graham Hayman - born 1875 died 1938
  6. Lillian (Lillie) Hayman - born 1872
  7. Carl Hayman - born 1879 died 1879


[Index to database]



Fred E. Hayman

Born : 29 August 1870

Father : Benjamin Franklin Hayman - born 1844 died 1908
Mother : Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941

Spouse : Annie Dennis -
Married

  1. Walter Hayman -
  2. Frank Hayman -
  3. Louise Hayman -
  4. Edith Hayman -


[Index to database]



Mary Catherine (Mollie) Hayman

Born : 15 May 1881

Father : Benjamin Franklin Hayman - born 1844 died 1908
Mother : Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941

Spouse : Robert E. Lank -
Married

  1. Mildred Lank -
  2. Hayman Lank -


[Index to database]



Elizabeth E. (Lizzie) Hayman

Born : 23 March 1878

Father : Benjamin Franklin Hayman - born 1844 died 1908
Mother : Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941

Spouse : Albert J. Lank -
Married

  1. Herbert Lank -
  2. William Lank -
  3. Julia Lank -
  4. Harry Lank -
  5. Raymond Lank -


[Index to database]



Anna E. (Annie) Hayman

Born : 24 October 1873

Father : Benjamin Franklin Hayman - born 1844 died 1908
Mother : Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941

Spouse : Charles E. Hearn -
Married

  1. Charles Hearn Jr. -
  2. Ruth Hearn -
  3. Edwin Hearn -


[Index to database]



Harry Graham Hayman

Born : 04 DEC 1875
Died : 23 APR 1938

Father : Benjamin Franklin Hayman - born 1844 died 1908
Mother : Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941

Spouse : Jennie Belle Bradley - born 1882 died 1963
Married 16 December 1903

  1. Harry Graham Hayman -


[Index to database]



Lillian (Lillie) Hayman

Born : 11 February 1872

Father : Benjamin Franklin Hayman - born 1844 died 1908
Mother : Elizabeth Mary Hester Parsons - born 1847 died 1941

Spouse : Ernest Parsons -
Married

  1. Carlton Parsons -
  2. Helen Parsons -
  3. Allen Parsons -


[Index to database]



Joseph James Hayman

Born : 6 November 1844
Died : 1891

Father : Jacob Hayman - born 1806 died 1882
Mother : Mary Nelson - born 1806

Spouse : Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927

  1. Dr. Edwin Henry Hayman -
  2. Joseph Kerwin Hayman -
  3. Willard Hayman -
  4. Jessie Hayman -
  5. Ella Hayman -
Notes :

(Individual note) Twin brother of Benjamin F. Hayman.



[Index to database]



Edwin Henry Hayman


Father : Joseph James Hayman - born 1844 died 1891
Mother : Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927

Spouse : Rosa White -
Married



[Index to database]



Joseph Kerwin Hayman


Father : Joseph James Hayman - born 1844 died 1891
Mother : Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927

Spouse : Albie Johnson -
Married

  1. Lillian Hayman -
  2. Elsie Hayman -
  3. Kathryn Hayman -
  4. Albin Hayman -


[Index to database]



Willard Hayman


Father : Joseph James Hayman - born 1844 died 1891
Mother : Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927

Spouse : Evelyn Squires -
Married



[Index to database]



Jessie Hayman


Father : Joseph James Hayman - born 1844 died 1891
Mother : Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927

Spouse : Isaac Hallam -
Married

  1. Grace Hallam -


[Index to database]



Ella Hayman


Father : Joseph James Hayman - born 1844 died 1891
Mother : Rebecca Catherine Parsons - born 1850 died 1927


[Index to database]



Nora Hastings


Spouse : Charles W. Parsons -

  1. Rodman Parsons -
  2. May Parsons -
  3. Laura Ann Parsons -
  4. Leonore Parsons -
  5. Henrietta Parsons -
  6. Helen Parsons -


[Index to database]



Rodman Parsons


Father : Charles W. Parsons -
Mother : Nora Hastings -

Spouse : spouse Rodman Parsons -

  1. child Rodman Parsons -
  2. child2 Rodman Parsons -


[Index to database]



May Parsons


Father : Charles W. Parsons -
Mother : Nora Hastings -

Spouse 1 : Eddie Porter -

  1. Betty Porter -

Spouse 2 : George Marvel -
Married



[Index to database]



Laura Ann Parsons


Father : Charles W. Parsons -
Mother : Nora Hastings -

Spouse : Harry Charles Bradford -

  1. Jr. Harry C. Bradford -


[Index to database]



Leonore Parsons


Father : Charles W. Parsons -
Mother : Nora Hastings -

Spouse : Melvin Baldwin -

  1. child1 Melvin Baldwin -


[Index to database]



Henrietta Parsons


Father : Charles W. Parsons -
Mother : Nora Hastings -

Spouse : Wallace Reese -



[Index to database]



Helen Parsons


Father : Charles W. Parsons -
Mother : Nora Hastings -

Spouse : Franklin Lyster -

  1. Jr. Franklin Lyster -


[Index to database]



Birdie ____


Spouse : Arthur K. Parsons -

  1. Marie Parsons -
  2. Kathleen Parsons -
  3. Mildred Parsons -


[Index to database]



Marie Parsons


Father : Arthur K. Parsons -
Mother : Birdie -

Spouse 1 : James Bernice Moore -

  1. James Bernice Moore Jr. -

Spouse 2 : John H. Porter -
Married



[Index to database]



Kathleen Parsons


Father : Arthur K. Parsons -
Mother : Birdie -

Spouse : Frank Bell -

  1. Betty Bell -


[Index to database]



Mildred Parsons


Father : Arthur K. Parsons -
Mother : Birdie -

Spouse : Arthur Austin -
Married

  1. Ann Austin -


[Index to database]



George W. Riggin


Spouse : Etta Parsons -

  1. Howard Riggin -
  2. Harris Riggin -
  3. Gertrude Riggin - born 1910


[Index to database]



Howard Riggin


Father : George W. Riggin -
Mother : Etta Parsons -

Spouse : Lillian Coates -

  1. Mary Riggin -


[Index to database]



Harris Riggin


Father : George W. Riggin -
Mother : Etta Parsons -

Spouse : Maria Grier -

  1. Jane Riggin -
  2. Harriet Riggin -


[Index to database]



Gertrude Riggin

Born : 1910

Father : George W. Riggin -
Mother : Etta Parsons -
Notes :

(Individual note) Unmarried.



[Index to database]



spouse Rodman Parsons


Spouse : Rodman Parsons -

  1. child Rodman Parsons -
  2. child2 Rodman Parsons -


[Index to database]



child Rodman Parsons


Father : Rodman Parsons -
Mother : spouse Rodman Parsons -

Spouse 1 : Ralph Barnes -

Spouse 2 : Joseph Elliott -



[Index to database]



child2 Rodman Parsons


Father : Rodman Parsons -
Mother : spouse Rodman Parsons -


[Index to database]



Eddie Porter


Spouse : May Parsons -

  1. Betty Porter -


[Index to database]



Betty Porter


Father : Eddie Porter -
Mother : May Parsons -


[Index to database]



Harry Charles Bradford


Spouse : Laura Ann Parsons -

  1. Jr. Harry C. Bradford -


[Index to database]



Harry C. Bradford


Father : Harry Charles Bradford -
Mother : Laura Ann Parsons -


[Index to database]



Melvin Baldwin


Spouse : Leonore Parsons -

  1. child1 Melvin Baldwin -


[Index to database]



child1 Melvin Baldwin


Father : Melvin Baldwin -
Mother : Leonore Parsons -

Spouse : Charles Wright -



[Index to database]



Wallace Reese


Spouse : Henrietta Parsons -



[Index to database]



Franklin Lyster


Spouse : Helen Parsons -

  1. Jr. Franklin Lyster -


[Index to database]



Franklin Lyster


Father : Franklin Lyster -
Mother : Helen Parsons -


[Index to database]



James Bernice Moore


Spouse : Marie Parsons -

  1. James Bernice Moore Jr. -


[Index to database]



James Bernice Jr. Moore


Father : James Bernice Moore -
Mother : Marie Parsons -

Spouse : Mary Lee Philips -
Married

  1. Harriet Moore -
  2. Ginny Moore -


[Index to database]



Frank Bell


Spouse : Kathleen Parsons -

  1. Betty Bell -


[Index to database]



Betty Bell


Father : Frank Bell -
Mother : Kathleen Parsons -

Spouse : Joe McEvoy -
Married

  1. Gregory McEvoy -
  2. Kathleen McEvoy -


[Index to database]



Ralph Barnes


Spouse : child Rodman Parsons -



[Index to database]



Joseph Elliott


Spouse : child Rodman Parsons -



[Index to database]



Charles Wright


Spouse : child1 Melvin Baldwin -



[Index to database]



Joseph R. Collins

Born : circa 1811

Spouse : Jane Parker -
Married Dec 16, 1836, Worcester Co., Maryland

  1. John B. Collins - born 1837, Maryland
  2. Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916
  3. Samuel Z. Collins - born 1841, Maryland
  4. Joseph M. Collins - born 1842, MD
Notes :

(Individual evnt note) Elisha Collins Parsons and neighbor Joseph R. Collins entered into an agreement to build a ditch to drain the water off both their lands. Their property was adjoining along with several other people. Mark Parsons, descendant of Elisha Collina Parsons tells me that Elisha was named for Joseph Collins his neighbor; presumably Joseph R. Collins' father as J. R. was born 1811 and E. C. Parsons in 1807.

(Individual note) R. W. Phippin believes related to Peter. Says Dr. Charles Truitt's wife descends from this line. 1840 MD Census gives 2 Peter Collins, both in Somerset Co: 243 middle D and 205 upper D. 1850 MD Census lists one, in Somerset Co.: 431 Princess.

(Individual note) Becky says "I remember a Quint Collins--Uncle, or whatever?--I think they were from Norfolk.

(Individual note) Dr. Charles Truitt's wife must have been a Collins as two daughters were our cousins. Eileen Truitt m. Burke Wright moved South, and Mildred Truitt, remained single, moved also after retirement from Benjamin's. They used to live on Church St. in a big house long gone.

(Individual note) HAW examined microfilms of the 1840 census at the Virginia State Archives in October 1993. Joseph R. Collins is listed in the Western District of Worcester County by census taker James Hooper, along with one boy and one girl, both under the age of five, and two females aged 20-30, one of which is presumably his wife. The other may be the Charlotte Purnell listed in the 1850 census below.

(Individual note) In the 1850 census, Joseph R. Collins is listed in household \#370 4th district with four children, along with Charlotte Purnell, aged 35.



[Index to database]



Jane Parker


Spouse : Joseph R. Collins - born 1811
Married Dec 16, 1836, Worcester Co., Maryland

  1. John B. Collins - born 1837, Maryland
  2. Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916
  3. Samuel Z. Collins - born 1841, Maryland
  4. Joseph M. Collins - born 1842, MD
Notes :

(Individual note) Not listed living with J. R. Collins in 1850 census.



[Index to database]



John B. Collins

Born : circa 1837, Worcester Co., Maryland

Father : Joseph R. Collins - born 1811
Mother : Jane Parker -
Notes :

(Individual note) One of Laura Ann's brothers sent Nattie and Lynn the billy goat from Norfolk, according to Rebecca Wootten.



[Index to database]



Samuel Z. Collins

Born : circa 1841, Worcester Co., Maryland

Father : Joseph R. Collins - born 1811
Mother : Jane Parker -


[Index to database]



Joseph M. Collins

Born : circa 1842, Worcester Co., MD

Father : Joseph R. Collins - born 1811
Mother : Jane Parker -


[Index to database]



George Wilson Layfield

Born : 2 January 1836
Died : 12 May 1867

Father : William Wilson Layfield - born 1813 died 1888
Mother : Maria Brittingham - born 1814

Spouse : Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916

  1. Janie Layfield - born 1861
  2. Ida Layfield - born 1863 died
  3. `Aunt' Annie Layfield - born 1865 died 1937


[Index to database]



Janie Layfield

Born : 1861

Father : George Wilson Layfield - born 1836 died 1867
Mother : Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916

Spouse : Daniel J. Layfield -



[Index to database]



Ida Layfield

Born : __ ___ 1863
Died : young

Father : George Wilson Layfield - born 1836 died 1867
Mother : Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916


[Index to database]



`Aunt' Annie Layfield

Born : 30 MAR 1865
Died : 05 MAY 1937
Buried : Parsonsburg Methodist Church Cemetery

Father : George Wilson Layfield - born 1836 died 1867
Mother : Laura Ann Collins - born 1839 died 1916


[Index to database]



Alphonso Wootten

Born : 04 SEP 1875, Dorchester County, MD.
Died : 28 JUL 1937, Salisbury, MD
Buried : Wicomico Memorial Gardens, Salisbury, MD

Father : Nathaniel J. Wootten - born 1821, Sandown? died 1882
Mother : Emmaline S. Windsor - born 1834 died 1911, Mrs. T. B. Windsor.

Spouse : Gertrude May Parsons - born 1873, MD died 1953, Md.
Married 18 June 1902, Jerusalem United Methodist Church, Parsonsburg, Maryland

  1. Victor Lynn Wootten - born 1903, MD died 1978, MD
  2. Nathaniel R. Wootten - born 1904 died 1985, MD
  3. Rebecca Anne Wootten - born 1915, MD
  4. Alwyn Henry Wootten - born 1917, MD died 1978, MD
Notes :

(Individual note) Most of the following information is from `Sketches of Pleasing Personalities in the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County', compiled and printed in Salisbury 1934-1935. I augmented it from newspaper clippings and recollections of those who knew Mr. Wootten.

(Individual note) Al Wootten (1875-1937).

(Individual note) No man has been more active in the business life or a busy city than Al Wootten. Born in Dorchestercounty, Md., Sept. 4th, 1875, he established his residence in Salisbury June the 30th, 1896.

(Individual note) Early in life he married Miss Gertrude May Parsons of this county. Four children were born to them three sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living and reside ln Salisbury.

(Individual note) From 1896 until Feb. 1902, Mr. Wootten was employed In the Traffic Department of the B. C. & A. Railway.

(Individual note) The years between 1902 and 1916 he was busily engaged in making brick--the firm name being the Wicomico Brick Co. The Wicomico Brick Co. was located in White Haven, MD on the Wicomico River and in Salisbury, MD on the B. C. & A. Railway. A receipt dated 7 October 1908 shows Mr. H. G. Hayman purchased 400 red bricks for $3.60 and 200 salmon bricks for $1.40. Mr. Hayman was Mrs. Wootten's cousin.

(Individual note) From that time until 1921 Mr. Wootten was engaged in selling supplies to the farmers.

(Individual note) Seeking a larger outlet for hls activities, he established the Victor Lynn Transportation Co. in February of 1921, which he owned and managed until 1930, at which tlme he sold his holdings to Day and Zimmerman, a Delaware Corporation.

(Individual note) The flrst trip made by the Victor Lynn carried a load of sweet potatoes to the Baltimore market, and brought back 50 drums of oil for the American Oil Co. On the same trip small shipments of groceries were received consigned to each of the three wholesale houses in the city. The first boat was a small oil burning freighter, named the `Victor Lynn' after Mr. Wootten's eldest son. In 1922, that boat burned, and was replaced by a larger and more commodious steamer. This second boat, also the ``Victor Lynn'', soon plied the waters between the Eastern Shore and Baltimore. It has Mr. Wootten's energy and initiative that made possible the splendid Victor Lynn system of today which covers practically the entire Shore (1935). As the Victor Lynn Company played a large role in family history for nearly forty years, we digress to tell some of the story of Mr. Wootten's company.

(Individual note) The Salisbury Times of 29 Oct. 1952 stated under the headline `Portrait of Victor Lynn Lines Founder is Unveiled Here', that Al Wootten started the Victor Lynn line Feb 1, 1921 with one boat, the first ``Victor Lynn''. At one time, there were four boats being operated by the company--the Victor Lynn, the Henrietta Frances, the Cleo and the City of Salisbury. In May, 1929, the Henrietta Frances, propelled by two Deisel engines, was bought from E. S. Adkins Co. and placed into freight service between Salisbury and Baltimore. At that time, the Steamer Victor Lynn made three trips per week, leaving Salisbury at 3 p. m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for Pier No. 4, Pratt Street in Baltimore. She arrived there in the wee hours of the morning, and she left at 4 p. m. for the return. With the Henrietta Frances, daily service began between Salisbury and Baltimore.

(Individual note) From an old newspaper clipping, we hear of the part the Victor Lynn played in an exciting Bay rescue. On 1 August 1929, 28 boys traveling from Annapolis to Camp Milbur on the Magothy River aboard a converted steel lifeboat named the Maid of the Mist ran into trouble about a half mile south of Gibson Island. A serious leak had developed, killing the motor, an old Chevy engine, just as the wind began to rise. Bailing was a losing proposition as the wind developed to storm at nightfall. The boys tried to put on some of the few life jackets aboard but the waves were too high. They returned to the boat to flash out an SOS on their flashlight. The water was nearly at the gunwales when a freighter outbound for China spotted them and relayed their distress signal. The first ship arriving at the scene was the Victor Lynn under the command of Capt. Mason Webster, of Mount Vernon. He and several crewmembers put off in boats and took the boys from their sinking vessel. Ten minutes later she went to the bottom. Capt. Webster, bound for Salisbury, took the boys with him and transferred them to the Henrietta Frances, bound for Baltimore, where the boys were delivered to Pier 4 Pratt St early on the morning of 2 August.

(Individual note) Though the Victor Lynn was the mainstay of the fleet, the pride of the fleet was the `City of Salisbury', bought by Mr. Wootten in 1930 for $1,500. She had been built the `Joppa' in 1885 by Harlan and Hollingsworth for the Maryland Steamboat Company. She was 198 feet six inches overall, with a beam of 54 feet 6 inches outside her wheelboxes. The feathering paddlewheels were 22 feet in diameter. For thirty-six years she had plowed the Bay between Baltimore and the Choptank, serving eighteen landings on the way to Cambridge and Denton. In 1921 the `Joppa' switched to a Nanticoke River route, eventually serving the Wicomico River. She was laid up in 1929. In 1934 she was rebuilt as a deisel by the Salisbury Yacht Building Corporation, and in 1935 she was rechristened the `City of Salisbury' and joined her sisters in the Victor Lynn fleet. On December 26, 1941, Gertrude M. Wootten gave to her four children a two-thirds interest in the `City of Salisbury', the interest she had obtained in 1938 at the close of Al Wootten's estate. The vessel was appraised at $120,000 and Mrs. Wootten paid a gift tax on the transaction. On December 31, 1941, the five owners sold the vessel to the U. S. Navigation Company, a New York Corporation, for $120,000. In 1945 she was sold to the United States government, who renamed her the U. S. S. Colonel Henry R. Casey in 1947. She was employed in mine planting. In 1950 or 1955 (sources vary), she was sold to Mexican interests.

(Individual note) By October 1952, of the four ships of the Victor Lynn fleet, only the ``Victor Lynn'' was left, but by that time there were 200 trucks operating in seven states with terminals in New York City, Jersey City, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Milford and Salisbury and operations in Virginia and the District of Columbia also, employing 350 people. Water operations ceased in 1954. Sale of the company was reported in the Salisbury Times of 26 February, 1959, to Eastern Freight Ways.

(Individual note) Returning to the short sketch of Mr. Wootten, the 1935 book continues.

(Individual note) Retiring from active work after the sale of the Transportation Co. Mr. Wootten realized a lifelong ambition in the building of a beautiful Colonial home at 300 E. Williams St. where he now (1935) resides with his family.

(Individual note) Genial and affable--with a ready smile--no man is more popular than Al Wootten, and none have contributed more to putting Salisbury in the front rank of Maryland cities than he.

(Individual note) The sale Of the Victor Lynn Transportation Co. was supposed to mark his retirement from the fleld of active business, but he is still young--still active, and liable at any time to launch a new project--bigger and better than anything he has yet done.

(Individual note) Quiet and unassuming in manner, friendly and likeable, he rates high in the estimation of all who know him.

(Individual note) He may or may not be the typical 100% American, but his average is highly satisfying to those who have done business with him for these many years.



[Index to database]





7 OCT 1997
Database maintained by Al Wootten