parshall

Maidie Barkwill, wife of Earl, was born Jessie May Parshall, daughter of Isaac Randolph Parshall and Margaret Leighton, this is the history of our direct ancestors in the Parshall family--mostly a transcription of the 1903 publication....

History of Isaac Randolph PARSHALL’s family

From “The History of the Parshall Family”, James Clark Parshall, 1903

"James Parshall was born, beyond a doubt, in England, probably about the middle of the seventeenth century. There are no records extant showing the exact date, but the fact that he died about twenty-three years after his marriage indicates that he had not, in all probability, reached a very advanced age. He died at Southold, Suffolk County, NY, 15 Sept., 1701, married probably at Easthampton, Suffolk County, about 1678, Elizabeth, only daughter of David and Mary (Lerringman) Gardiner, of Easthampton.

Mary, born about 1679	Benjamin, probably died as infant
Israel, born 1680	Margaret, married Caleb Howell, 1710
David, born 1683

The first record of him that we have is a deed, under date of Dec. 12, 1679, by which it appears that he was at that time a resident of the Isle of Wight, or Gardiner’s Island, as it is now known, and which was included within the limits of the township of Easthampton. As this deed is the earliest known record in which his name is mentioned, I reproduce it here in full:

This indenture mad ye twelfth of December in the two and thirtieth yeare of ye reighn of our Soveraigne Lord Charles ye Second by the grace of God King of England &c and in ye yeare of our Lord Christ one thousand six hundred seventy-nine Between John Yongs Senr of the Towne of Southold on the one part and James Parshall of ye Ile of Whight in New England on the other part. Witnesseth that the said John Yongs for and in consideration of a full satisfaction to me payd have granted and sould and by these presents doe grant and sell unto said James Parshall, the first division of Acquabauk being five lots of upland which the sd Yongs purchased of Joseph Horton and John Tucker, butting and bounding as followith—To the North Sea or Sound , North—and to the East the land of Mary Wells, and to the sd John Yongs his late division West:--Also five lotts of meadow lying and being on the South side the River and on the East side of the deepe Kreek butting and bounding as followeth—on the Northwest to a tree marked in manner of a crows foot to a pine tree marked with ye sd John Yongs his mark South Est. To have and to hold &c. “In witness whereof I the sd John Yongs have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written.

It was prior, in all probability, to the date of this deed that he had married his wife. It is of record that his eldest son, Israel, was born in March, 1680, and there is every probability that his daughter Mary was older than her brother. Her name is mentioned first, in contemporary records which would be absolutely inexplicable on any other hypothesis. This would indicate a date hardly later than 1678 for his marriage. The parents of Elizabeth Gardiner were married, 4 June, 1657, hence she could not have been more than 20 years of age at the time of her marriage, and may have been two or three years younger. Her parents had three sons beside daughter Elizabeth, but as the dates of their birth are not of record, we have no means of knowing whether she was the eldest child. As to the age of James, we can only conjecture: It is not probable that he was more than 40 at the time of his marriage and he was probably considerably younger. The males of the early generations of the family in America seem to have died comparatively young, and it is probable that at the time of James’ death, he had not reached his sixtieth year. His eldest son died at 58; his second son at 43; his third son probably in childhood, and the only one of his grandsons of whom we can speak with certainty, died at about 50 years of age. I believe the birth of James may safely be placed between 1640 and 1650.

That he was of English ancestry and a descendant of the (English Parshall family described in appendix) is morally certain. The family was a small one and the similarity of name leaves no room for doubt on the subject. …

Elizabeth Gardiner, wife of James, was the only daughter of David Gardiner, Esq., second proprietor of Gardiner’s Island, and granddaughter of Capt. Lion Gardiner, the founder of the family which bears his name and the first proprietor of the estate. David, her father, was educated in London, where, 4 June, 1657, he married Mary Lerringman, a widow, of St. Margarets, Westminster. He died very suddenly at Hartford, Conn., whither he had gone, probably on public business, 10 July, 1689. His grave was discovered in 1836, in the ancient burying ground back of the Congregational Church at Hartford, and bears this inscription:

Engrave the remembrance of Death on they heart When as thou doest see how swiftly hours depart.”

Her grandfather, Lyon, or Lion, as he wrote it, born in 1599, of English parentage, was an engineer in the service of the Prince of Orange in the Netherlands. On 11 Aug., 1635, with his wife, and a single female servant, Elizabeth Colet, and eleven other male passengers, he embarked at London in a small vessel, the Bachilor, of only 25 tons burthen, and reached Boston, 28 Nov., in the same year. In possession of the Gardiner family, on Gardiner’s Island, is an old Bible, on a blank page of which is written, in the handwriting of Lion Gardiner, the following:

“In the year of our Lord, 1635, the 10^th of July, came I, Lion Gardiner and Mary my wife from Worden, a town in Holland, where my wife was born, being the daughter of one Diricke Willemson, deureant; her mother’s name was Hachir, and her Aunt, sister of her mother, was the wife of Wouter Leandrdson, old burger Muster, dwelling in the hostrade, over against the Bruser in the Unicorne’s head; her brother’s name was Punce Garretson, also old burger Muster. We came from Worden to London and from there to New England, and dwelt at Saybrook fort for four years—it is at the mouth of Connecticut river—of which I was commander, and there was born to me a son, named David, 1636, the 29^th of April, the first born in that place, and in 1638 a daughter was born, named Mary, 30^th of August, and then I went to an island of my own, which I had bought and purchased of the Indians, called by them Monchonack, by us, Isle of Wight, and there was born another daughter, named Elizabeth, the 14^th September, 1641, she being the first child of English parents that was born there.”

He commanded the fort at Saybrook during the Pequot War and was a man of great energy and force of character. He died late in 1663. The following is a description of his tomb at Easthampton:

“On a sunny knoll in the old burial ground of Easthampton, (L.I.) amid blue-eyed grass and cinquefoil, rises the granite tomb of the first English planter within the limits of the present State of New York. On the slab beneath the roof whose pediments bear the escutcheon of his family, lies in helmet, cuirass, and greaves, the efficy of Lion Gardiner. On the plinth is enscribed, on the four sides, a brief summary of his life:

“ ‘ An officer of ye English army and an Enginery of ye Master of Workes Fortification of ye Leaguers of ye Prince of Orange in ye Low Countries. In 1635 he came to New England.

“ ‘ In service of a Company of Lords and Gentlemen He build’d and command’d Say Brook Forte.

“ ‘ After completed his terme of service he moved in 1639 to his island of which he was sole owner. Born 1599, he died in this towne in 1663.’ “

(Much more on our Gardiner ancestors and family can be found in several places on the internet. A great, complete and accurate page to start,which includes excerpts from Lion Gardiner’s personal journal can be found at www.lihistory.com )

It appears to have been several years after the purchase of the land at Aquebogue, before James finally removed to Southold. The rate lists of 1683 do not contain his name, but in the census of Southold taken in 1686, it appears that he was then a resident of that place; his family consisting of “six white males, two white females, three male slaves, and two female slaves.” The names of the different members are not given. The census of 1698, however, gives the names of James and his family as follows:

Whether the name of Margaret is an error for Elizabeth or was the name of a second wife, the evidence fails to disclose. I strongly incline to the former hypothesis. We have no record of the death of Elizabeth, nor of a second marriage of James. Elizabeth was living June 26^th, 1690, as the following receipt to the executors of her father’s will show:

“Receipt and release of James Parshall of Southold to John, David and Lyon Gardiner dated 26^th June, 1690, for ninety pounds current mony as a legacy and for any other sum due Elizabeth Parshall his wife, and daughter of David Gardiner late deceased.

“I do also hereby engage, in case of a nonpayment of the sd above obligation never to exact or desire any more than ninety pounds, as my wife’s and my full proportion of the estate of my father in law Mr David Gardiner deceased.

“Memorandum: If the sd Estate shall be wasted or destroyed by robbery or fire before the obligation of ninety pounds be performed then I am to bear my proportion of what shall be wasted or destroyed—June 26^th 1690—

His will, made in 1692, a little more than two years after the above receipt, mentions his wife but without naming her. I insert that extremely interesting document in this place:

“In ye name of God Amen—Southold this 14^th of Oct, 1692 I James Parshall of the town of S’hold in ye County of Suffolk upon Long Island in ye Province of N. York being weak in body but of sound memory do ordain & establish these presents to be my last will & testamt in manner & form following—First--I bequeath my soul to Jesus Christ my merciful redeemer & my body to ye earth by decent burial in ye last assured hopes of its resurrection again at ye last day & as to my outward estate all my just debts being first paid & funeral charges allowed for by my executors I do will & dispose as followeth—Imprimis I do give and bequeath unto my two sons Israel & David all my accommodations of both upland & meadow to them & their heirs forever equally divided between them two only my eldest son Israel is to have the easternmost side of this my accommodation of upland in Occabauke with all the improvements thereon that is to say my dwelling house barn outhouses fences orchards & improved lands—also my will is that all my implements of husbandry & arms be equally divided between my sd two sons. 2ly I do give & bequeath to my beloved wife one bed with all the furniture thereunto belonging—4ly I do give & bequeath her choice of my Indian Girls also my will is that my wife enjoy one room of my dwelling house & half my orchard during her widowhood and no longer—5ly I do give & bequeath to my eldest daughter Mary one bed with all ye furniture thereunto belonging Also I give unto my sd daughter my other Indian Girl—6ly my will is yt all ye rest of my estate shall be equally divided between my wife & all my surviving children—7ly My will is yt & if my two grown Indian Slaves do serve faithfully five years (that then and not else they shall be free) Lastly—My mind & will is yt my beloved brothers in law John Gardiner & David Gardiner together with my friend Mr. Thomas Mapes be executors to this my last will & testament. And I do advise them to put out my two sons to such trades as they shall incline to learn for the confirmation hereof I have hereunto set my hand & fixed my seal in Southold this 14 day of Oct in ye year of our Lord God, 1692.

The following minute of the proceedings on the probate of the foegoing instrument is of record:

By the tenor of these presents know ye yt on ye 28 day of Oct. 1701 at ye manor of St. Georges in ye County of Suffolk before ye Honoble Coll William Smith Judge of the Prerogative Court in ye sd County was proved & approved ye last will & testament of James Parshall late of S’hold in ye sd County deceased on ye 15 day of Sept. 1701 who by his sd will did nominate and appoint his brothers in law John & David Gardiner & Thomas Mapes his executors—and ye administration of the goods & chattels of ye sd deceased was granted to ye sd David Gardiner & Thomas Mapes.

A careful perusal of this will makes it appear probable that all the children of James mentioned in the Census of 1698, were born prior to the date thereof. Bejamin probably died in childhood as no records of him are extant. The bare mention of his name in the Census of 1698 is all that is known of him..The Census of 1698, also contains the last record of his eldest daughter Mary. “Margaret Junjr,” married Caleb Howell in 1710, after which she also disappears from the records.

James was “a gentleman,” in the sense in which the word was used in Colonial times, and a man of considerable means, which he probably brought with him from England. The following, relative to James, appears in a work relating to Long Island:

“Israel and David Parshall were sons of James Parshall, who married Elizabeth, the only daughter of David Gardiner, who lived on the Pesapunck Neck at Mattituck, and afterwards became the second proprietor of Gardiner’s Island. Of the Parshalls we have no account. James, who styles himself ‘Gent of the Isle of Wight’ with his wife figures conspicuously in the settlement of his father-in-law’s estate.

“He owned and occupied large tracts of land at Aquebogue, lived upon the North Road, and left his estate to his sons Israel and David. The name of Parshall is not now, we believe, to be found in Southold, or even in Riverhead Town.”

As a curiosity, rather than as possessing any particular genealogical value, I insert the following quaint deed of an Indian Girl:

Know all men by these presents that I James Paresall belonging to Southold in ye County of Suffolk on ye Island of Nassaw yeoman have sold and delivered unto John Parker of Southampton fuller and Indian Garle aged about eight years daughter of one Dorcas and Indian woman, which said Sarah was my slave for her life time; and I doe by these presents sell her ye said Sarah unto him the said John Parker during her naturall life, to be unto him ye said Parker his heires, executes and administrats to make good ye sale of ye above Indian Gairle to him ye said Parker his heirs and assigns; and I doe acknowledge to have received of him ye said Parker for and in consideration of said Indian Garle as full satisfaction, the full and just sum of sixteen pounds current money of the province.

In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale this 27^th day of March 1698.

The place of burial of James is unknown, though doubtless it is some ancient cemetery in or near Southold. No stone marks his final resting place. The place of his sepulcher is as problematical as that of Moses. The cemetery at Mattituck, where his sons Israel and David lie buried was not opened until 1715, some fourteen years after the death of James, hence it is not probable that he rests there. (about 1/3 to ½ of the graves in that cemetery are unmarked) It should be a matter of keen regret that the first ancestor of (the Parshall) family in America lies in a forgotten grave.

David married, in about 1704, his cousin Mary Gardiner, daughter of David and Martha (Youngs) Gardiner. Martha Youngs was the daughter of Col. John Youngs, and granddaughter of Rev. John Youngs, the first clergyman at Southold.

David, born about 1705	Abigail, married Barnabas Horton, 1739
Mary, b. 1707. Married Deacon Nathaniel Wells, 1726	Jonathon born about 1715-16
Sarah, married Joshua Hallock, 1726	Bethia, b. 1724, married Rev. David Youngs, 1743

David, like his brother Israel, was a large land owner in Southold, and was probably one of the wealthiest men in the community where he resided. He appears to have been of a more retiring disposition than his brother and took a less conspicuous, if not less active part in the affairs of the town. He also appears as a private in the Southold Militia Co., in 1715.

David’s wife died suddenly, 19 Apl., 1725, “age 40 years” and he died about 1725-6 at “age 43 years and six months”. His will, dated 24 Jany., 1725-6 and proved 16 Mch., 1725-6, is as follows:

In the name of God, Amen. The 24^th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1726, I, David Parshall, of Southold, in the County of Suffolk, and Colony of New York, husbandman; being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory * * * this my Last Will and Testament.

Imprimis: I give and bequeath to my eldest son, David Parshall, the one-half of my land that I now live upon. The outermost side & also the land one half of my undivided Land within my Eastermost piece of Meadow Groiund at Sawmill Brrok Lying between Israel Parshall on the East side and Joseph Brown the West side & my half of all the rest of my Meadow ground.

Secondly, I will & bequeath to my youngest son Jonathan Parshall, the one-half of my undivided land that I now live unpon. The West half also the one-half of my undivided Land & my Meadow Ground not given before.

Thirdly: I give & bequeath to my youngest son Jonathan Parshall, Sixty pounds in Current money of New York, my will is that the said 60 pounds shall be put to use at the discretion of my Executors while my said son shall come to the age of 21 years.

Fouthly: I give & bequeath all the rest of my estate after my lawful debts are paid unto all my children equally to be divided between them at the discretion of my Executors.

Further: my will is that if any of my Daughters shall die before marriage then their part shall be divided equally between the rest of my daughters who are survivors.

Lastly: I constitute & ordain my brother Israel Parshall, Samuel Swezey & John Wells my only & sole executors of this my last Will & Testament.

He appears to have been greatly attached to his wife, whose untimely death he survived but a few months.

David Parshall (Jr) married Sibyl White, daughter of Capt. Ephriam and Sarah (Herrick) White. To fix even approximately, the date of David’s birth, is a matter of considerable difficulty. From the circumstance that his father, David, speaks in his will of his youngest son, Jonathan, being “under age,” we are led to infer that at the time the will was drawn (Jany., 1726) David was of age, or very nearly so, which would make the date of his birth not later than 1705. But he married Dec., 1736, at which time he would necessarily have been 31 years of age, which for the time, seems almost incredible. Marriages then were usually contracted very early in life, men marrying at from eighteen to twenty-two years of age. Moreover his wife was born in 1716, and such a discrepancy was also unusual. On the whole, however, the former date seems to me the more probable.

David, born about 1737-38	Sibyl.
Desire, married Daniel Downs, 1755	George, who "drownded" 1755
Elias, born about 1746

His will, dated 11 Mch., 1759, proved 28 Feby., 1760, mentions all his children by name. I insert an epitome of the will in this place:

I, David Parshall, of the town of Southold . . . Yeoman . . . to my eldest son David Parshall all land Northward of the New York Road & Meadow at Sawmill Brook—To my second son Elias Parshall all my lands which lyeth between the North Rode & the South Rode where I now live, with all the buildings upon the same & also all that West Meadow—upon the North side of Peconeck River (allows his wife the improvements of it until he shall come of age)—To 3^rd son James Parshall land Southward of the South Rode and the Meadow adjoining to said land & all the buildings which stand upon it. Land bounded upon the East by the lands of Nathan Perry; South by Samuel Wells, West by Isaiah Tuthill & North by Kings Rode allowing his mother now my wife, the improvement until he come of age. To youngest son John Parshall 100 pounds, when he shall come of age. To my daughter Mehitabel 30 pounds when eighteen or day of marriage. To my wife Sebil Parshall-----?

His widow, Sibyl, subsequently married and Mr. Havens, and after his death made her home with her son Elias, at Patchogue, NY, where she died at the extreme age of 96 years. A silver snuff box, which belonged to David (in 1903 was) in the possession pf Mr. Oliver A. Dutcher, of Cobleskill, NY. A great-grandson.

Elias, like his grandfather David, married a cousin, Anna Youngs, daughter of Christopher and Anna (Wells) Youngs. The Census of 1776, shows that he and his brother David were the last of the Parshalls remaining in Aquebogue. When Elias’ brother David died, it marked the final passing away of a family which had been prominent in Southold Township for more than a century.

Anna, married Isaac Howell	Charity, died in infancy
Elias, born 1771	Charity, born 1782, married Capt. Isaac Brown, 1802
David, died in infancy	Lewis, born 1783
David, born 1777	Daniel, born 1787
Polly, born 1775, married Jesse Reeve	Hannah. b. 1794, married Justus Overton, 1816

Elias Parshall was ship builder during the greater part of his life. He probably resided at Aquebogue until after the close of the Revolutionary War. It appears from the Census of 1776 that he was then a resident of Southold, and it is probable that he was during the War. In 1779, he was obliged, with others, to flee from the Island to escape the persecution of the British force, as appears in the following:

At a meeting of the Governor and Council of Safety at Windham the 21^st of September, 1779

On motion of Elias Parshall, of Southold on Long Island, representing that he is a friend of the United State, that he had lately built on said island a small vessel of about 20 tons, for trade; that by means of the threats and usage from the enemy, within whose power the inhabitants of said island are, he dared not remain longer on said island, and has therefore brought over part of his family and effects on board of said vessel to this State, which are now in the river at East Haddam, and moving liberty of landing and safe protection for said efforts for his own benefit; and further shewing that Matw Welles of said South Hold, a friend to the States, has also come over from said island in said vessel, with his family and effects, for the same occasion and for safety: Resolved, that the said Parshall be permitted to land his said goods and effects within this State, and that they shall and may remain safe & free from any arrests, in his own care, unless and until other order shall be given concerning them; provided that said effects and goods be under the inspection of Colo. Jabez Chapman, whi is to examine and see that no articles are introduced from the enemy and contrary to law, and to make report to his Excellency the Governor in the premises. And the said Parshall is also permitted to bring over the rest of his family, and to be reported accordingly.

Subsequently, he removed to Patchogue, where he had a ship yard. He also was the owner and captain of a merchant vessel with which he made regular trips between New York and the West Indies. This vessel he commanded in person until after the marriage of his daughter Charity to Capt. Brown, when he retired from active command and was succeeded by his son-in-law. On one occasion his vessel was attacked by pirates, whom he defeated after a vigorous resistance. A set of silver buttons given him by his passengers to commemorate the event are still in possession of his great-grandaughter, Mrs. Louretta Neff, of Masontown, PA. (In 1903) ( Elias died June 20, 1823, and is buried in a “Patriots’ Plot” in Waverly Ave. cemetery, Patchogue, Long Island, where his brother Daniel is also buried.--GEC)

In the name of God Amen the Eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and tweny one I Elias Parshall of the town of Islip Countu of Suffolk and State of New York feeling the decays of the body but of sound mind and memory But knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death I do therefore make this my last will and testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body I commit into the earth to be buried in adecent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors. Nothing doubting but the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching such wordly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with this life I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. First, I order all my juast debts should be paid and Likewise funeral Charges out of my estate I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anna Parshall all my houshold furniture to dispose of as she shall think proper together with the whole of my other estate during her natural life the whole to be disposed of as she the sd Anna Parshall shall think proper and further whatever of said property shall remain after the decease of the said Anna Parshall and all Necessary Expenses paid except the said houshold furniture, the one equal quarter I give and bequeath to my Beloved grandchildren Lewis Parshall, Daniel Parshall, and Josiah Parshall the sons of my son Lewis Parshall Deceased to be equally divided between them when they arrive at the age of Twenty one years and in case of either of their decease to go to the survivor or survivors. The other three quarters to be disposed of as she the said Anna Parshall shall think proper at her decease. Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my well beloved wife Anna Parshall and my son in law Isaak Howell to be the executrix and executor to this last will and testaments ratifying and confirming this my only last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and my seal this day and years above written. Signed sealed published pronounced declared by the said Elias Parshall as his last will and testament in presence of us the subscriers.

In the name of God Amen I Anna Parshall of the Town of Islip County of Suffolk and State of New Tork, being at present feeble in Body but of sound disposing mind and memory, calling into view the mortality of my body do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following (viz) First of all I give and recommend my immortal soul into the hands of God who at first gave it, hoping for acceptance thereof only for the sake of Jesus Christ. My body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent manner at the discretion of my friends expecting to receive it again by the mighty power of God at the morning of the general resurrection and as touching my worldly estate I give and dispose of it in the following manner. Item I do give and bequeath unto my daughter, Anna Howell, one great bible, one broadcloth cloak and two silver tablespoons. Item I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Polly Reave two silver tablespoons. Item I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Charity Brown two silver tablespoons. Item I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Overton one bed, bedstead, underbed and cord, also my largest iron pot, one brass kettle, one coverlet, one Dutch blanket and six silver teaspoons. Item All the remainder of my household furniture, beds, bedding and clothing I do give and bequesth to my said four daughters Anna, Polly, Charity and Hannah to be equally divided between them. Item I do give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Clarissa Adeline Brown the sum of twelve dollars. Item I order all my just debts and funderal charges to be paid as soon as may be after my decease, and afterwards all the remainder of my property which will then be left I do give and bequeath unto my three daughters aforesaid, (viz) Anna, Polly and Hannah to be equally divided between them. Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my son in law Isaac Howell, together with my friend William Beale Executors to this my last Will and Testament, and I hereby revoke and disannul all former wills made by me and executed and declare this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I the said Anna Parshall have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty sixth day of July in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Signed, sealed published and declared by the said Anna Parshall to be her last will and testament in presense of

I do hereby certify that the foregoing are tru copies of the last Wills and testaments of Elias Parshall and Anna Parshall, respectively, late of the town of Islip, in the county of Suffolk, deceased, as recorded in Liber E. of Records of Wills in this office; that the will of the said Elias Parshall, deed, was admitted to probate & recorded, and Letters Testamentary thereon issue to Isaac Howell the executor therein named on the 7^th day of October, 1823; and the will of the said Anna Parshall deed, was admitted to probate & recorded, and Letters Testamentary thereon issued to Isaac Howell & William Beale the executors therein named, on the 26^th day of October, 1824.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Surrogate’s Seal of office at Bridgehampton in the said county, this 15^th day of February, 1851. A. T. ROSE, County Judge

Elias Parshall (Jr) was born ( September 11, 1771) in the same house as his father. (Southold, Suffolk Co., NY) He removed from Long Island to Morris Co., NJ, ( where he met and married his wife Jane Tingley) and subsequently to Fayette County, PA, where he spent the remainder of his life and where many of his descendants still reside(d in 1903). He engaged in milling and flat boating to New Orleans, returning by way of New York. For several years he kept a hotel in Masontown, PA and carried on a shoe factory, bringing his leather across the mountains from Maryland and Virginia. A man of rare talent for business and affairs, he laid the foundation of the fortune which his descendants have ever since enjoyed."

Nathaniel, born 1791	Jane, born 1795, married Bernard Dannels, 1813
Eliza--married a Mr. Spitznagle	Elias, born August 3, 1797
John, born 1795	James, born August 3, 1797

Elias married Anna, daughter of Frederick Strubel, after Jane died, and they had one child known of: Anna Parshall, born 1811, who married John Deffenbaugh. Elias died February 13, 1856 in McClellandtown, Fayette County, PA.

Elias’ son James was born as one of twins on February 23, 1800 in McClellandtown, PA. Little of him is known, but his twin brother Elias was a farmer and a stock dealer and amassed a large fortune, living in a spacious mansion near McClellandtown. James married Hannah Coldron in McClellandtown on March 28, 1821. James and Hannah apparently spent most of his life in or near McCLellandtown where all his children were born. The 1850 census finds James, a tenant farmer, in Jefferson Township of Greene County, PA with his wife Hannah, and children:

By the 1870 census, James, at 70, was a "fruit grower" with real estate valued at $1,000, which indicates he was a landowner at that time. James Parshall died at Jefferson, PA on March 28, 1881, Hannah died October 25, 1882.

This regarding James' daughter Mary Jane, is from "History of Green County, Pennsylvania", Samuel P. Bates, Chicago, 1888--Page 593:

"Jessie C. Patterson, farmer, Waynesburg, Penn., is one of the industrious young farmers of Center Township, where he was born September 22, 1854. He is a son of James and Mary J. (Parshall) Patterson, natives of Washington and Fayette counties, respectfully.... "

(The 1903 publication had no biographical information on John Parshall and was the last of our Parshall ancestors described in that book, except for the names and birth dates of Isaac's children)

John Parshall, son of James and Hannah (Coldron) Parshall, was born in Fayette County, PA on January 17, 1831. He married, in Greene County, PA on March 15, 1855, Phebe Patterson, daughter of James and Julia Ann (Quick) Patterson. They lived in Washington and Claysville in the Fayette, Greene and Washington counties area of Pennsylvania, and later in Wheeling, WV.. All I know of him, so far, was that he was a farmer.

Hannah Julia Parshall, born 1856, married a Mr. McVay	Issac Randolph Parshall, born April 15, 1860
James Patterson Parshall	William Thomas Parshall, born 1870
Sarah Ann, born 9/6/1863, m. William Palett, 1892	Ida Belle Parshall, b 1875, m. William Crouch 1895

John's family can be found in the census for 1870 and 1880. In 1870 John was listed as a homeowner and laborer in Franklin Township of Greene County, PA, with Phebe and their children: Hannah at 14, James was 12 and our Isaac was 9. Next door to them was his brother Nathaniel, also a homeowner and laborer. 1880 finds the family in Morris Township of Washington County and both he and son Isaac were listed as laborers--the James was not still at home then, but the census includes John and Hannah's younger children, William, Sarah and Ida.as well as Hannah, who by then was married to a Mr. Baldwin, and her son J.O.C. Baldwin, born in 1880. There are no 1890 census records for that part of the country available, but in 1900 his family, less the then married son Isaac, were in Wheeling, WV.

Isaac Randolph Parshall was born April 15, 1860 in Claysville, PA. He preferred to use his middle name, Randolph, and was married in Wheeling, WV on November 29, 1888 to Margaret Thompson Leighton. Margaret was a daughter of Peter Hill Leighton, a glass blower at Wheeling Glass works, and granddaughter of Thomas H. Leighton, long-time Superintendent and “chemist” at Cambridge Glass Co. of East Cambridge, MA.

After marriage, they evidently settled in Greene and Washington Counties of PA, where he was born and his family had lived. Their twin daughters Phoebe and Cecelia and son John Randolph “Hill” were born in “Little Washington” Fayette County. Daughters Jessie May, Margaretta and Beulah were born in Claysville, like their father:

This picture [ thumbnail below-left] is known to be of the Parshall family, but its date and identity of subjects has to be guessed at.....

Randolph and Margaret had twin girls Cecelia and Phoebe in 1889, Hill Parshall in 1891, Jessie in 1892, Margaret in 1894 and Beulah in 1896. The adults are easy enough to identify. Hill Parshall and the other twin seem to be elsewhere when it was taken. The girl standing appears to be a young teen-ager, and must be one of the twins. The younger children, would most likely be left to right: Margaretta at about 3 or 4?, Beulah at about 2-3, and Jessie May at about 6 or 7.

The Census of 1900 shows the Randolph and Margaret Parshall family in Wheeling, WV, where Randolph was a painter—of houses pictures or signs is not known. They were divorced by the 1910 Census, which shows a struggling single mother in an apartment on Wm L. Court alley in Parkersburg, WV. Margaret was a cook for a “private family”, Phoebe was listed as “works at home”, Cecelia was a ”dress maker” for a “private family”, Jessie was described as off at the Rubber Co. as a stenographer, Margaretta a waitress, and Beulah a 13 year old student. Hill, as Randolph and Margaret’s son was known, does not appear with his mother in the 1910 census—he would have been about 19, so probably was living on his own somewhere else.

These wonderful snaps in about 1909 are (Left) twins Phoebe and Cecelia Parshall, and the series are Jessie May and Margaretta .

Sometime in 1911, after Margaret's daughter Cecelia had died, She and her daughters had moved to Akron, Ohio, where Jessie May, in addition to being a stenographer, was working part-time in the evening as a "gypsy fortune-teller" and making her singing debut in a short-lived vaudeville career.

NOTE: This following bit of info is not divulging family secrets...it was front-page news in the Akron paper for 3 or 4 days:

Jessie had taken the stage name of Mae Lois Leighton, and was then approached by a "long-lost cousin" Warren Leighton, who said he was a "Secret-Serviceman"--he claimed Leighton was her real name and she was actually the daughter of a wealthy English couple. If he had the money, he could travel to England and obtain the proof she would need to claim her inheritance! Jessie fell for this story and gave the man enough to go to England. When her mother, Margaret Parshall found out about this, a rather heated dispute arose that resulted in Jessie being the subject of a “identity” hearing in the Probate Court. The court could find no reason to fine or hold her, and the suit was dismissed. After that hearing Jessie May Parshall rejected her Parshall family name, claiming for the rest of her life that she was an abducted daughter of an English millionaire—Frederick Gordon Leighton, and used the name of Mae Lois Leighton. On her application for a Social Security account, Maidie, as she was then known, listed her parents as Frederick Gordon Leighton and Lois Mae Ruttencutter, and a birth in Boston, MA. I have found no record of her birth either in MA or Claysville, PA. No one has ever found any official record of either Frederick Leighton or Lois Ruttencutter. Some of the family agree with the newspaper reporter who pondered whether this claim to millions was, in fact, a publicity stunt created by Jessie May, and simply got out of hand. The long-lost cousin wrote back for more money, and after receiving it, was never heard from again. (There are birth records for that time in Boston, but Pennsylvania did not require registrations until later, and the only child registered to Randolph and Margaret in Washington County was Margaretta in 1894)

After that “identity hearing”, Jessie/Mae/Maidie accompanied her recently windowed friend Elinor (Barkwill) Herrington on a visit to Wilson Creek, WA , to visit Elinor's sister and brothers. While in Wilson Creek, Jessie married Elinor’s brother Earl Kester Barkwill, whose family had, in 1840 emigrated from England to Washington County, Ohio. Details of Jessie/Maidie and Earl Barkwill’s family will be included in a separate section.

Randolph Parshall died from “carcinoma of the stomach” in Summit County, OH on March 6, 1937. His residence at the time was Munroe Falls, OH, and the death certificate indicates he was divorced from his second wife, Laura Parshall. I do not yet know when Margaret Parshall died, although she is in the Akron City Directory for 1930.

Phoebe Patterson Parshall. May 7, 1889-March 16, 1971. Phoebe is supposed to have had a daughter, Pauline Allbright, but I have not yet found anything else except that name in Barbour Herrington's notes. Phoebe (Parshall) Dunn died March 16, 1971 in Broward County, Florida, and her death certificate indicated her profession as Nurse. Informant was a Margaretta Bucher of Fort Lauderdale. Unknown as of yet who Margaretta Bucher was.

Cecelia Parshall, born 7 May 1889 at Washington, Pennsylvania--died about 1911, probably in Parkersburg, WV.

John Randolph Hill Parshall, born 22 March 1891 at Washington, Pennsylvania. The Akron census of 1920 includes a Hill Pearsall, the right age at birth place to be our Hill Parshall, as a conductor on the “street railway” with a wife, Ada L., born about 1883 in PA. No children are shown with them. The 1930 census shows Hill Parshall as a paper hanger in Akron with family: wife Nellie J. Mason (married about 1928) , a son Frances J. Parshall, born 1929 and a daughter Grace E. Parshall, born early 1930. Hill Parshall died in Akron, Ohio, August 6, 1970 at the age of 79.

Jessie May Parshall, born 17 August 1892 at Claysville, Pennsylvania. Changed her name to Mae Lois Leighton, she died Maidie L.L. Barkwille, in Porterville, CA July 10, 1981.

Margaret(ta) Elizabeth Parshall, born 8 July 1894 at Claysville, Pennsylvania. Margaretta was in Akron in 1920 and in 1930, she was still single, a stenographer at the rubber works. She retired in Florida, married late in life to a Mr. Hall--no known children. She died in Broward County, Florida, after 1985.

Beulah Thelma Parshall, born 27 April 1896 at Claysville, Pennsylvania. She first married Edward O. Archer, and they were counted in the Akron 1920 census. He was then an electrician at the Rubber Co., and they had a daughter, Margaret Eileen Archer, born about 1919. There was a Beulah Barbour, born April 27, 1896 that died in Broward County, FL in January of 1972 that must be our Beulah.

About 1915, Jessie Mae/Maidie returned to Akron and made somewhat of a truce with Margaret Parshall. Maidie and her family settled in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey. The picture below was about 1916...Adults are (Left) Phoebe Parshall with ? on her lap, Margaret Parshall with Alys Mae Barkwill. Seated between Phoebe and Margaret is Phoebe's daughter Pauline. The other children, ?????

and this one was taken in 1926, when Earl and Maidie Barkwill and family migrated west to Los Angeles:

Left to Right: Leighton Earl Barkwill, Alys Mae Barkwill, then (Phoebe's daughter, Pauline) then Phoebe Parshall (with ?? in front), Maidie Barkwill, Gramma Parshall with Frances James Barkwill in front of Earl Barkwill --just before departure for California. Note the "smokey the bear" hat Leighton Barkwill is wearing...that was Earl Barkwill's Marine Dress hat from WWI.

This last Parshall picture is Richard Shrank and his daughter Jennie on a visit with Margaretta in Florida, about 1980, when she would have been about 86. Jennie would be Margaretta's great grand-niece....

From letters and cards between Margaretta and Alys-Mae Shrank, we also know that Margaretta was a Realtor in Broward County, Florida. She owned at least two apartment houses, had a (step?) daughter who was married, and for a time lived in a house owned by them. After Jessie May Parshall (Maidie Barkwille) died, Margaretta was the last of her family's generation. She began to loose her sight in 1980 and by 1985 she was continuing correspondence with friends and family by having a friend write her letters. I have not yet been able to determine when Margaretta died, nor what her daughter's name was. Her older sister Phoebe, and Phoebe's daughter Margaret Eileen were also in the Broward County area in the 1970s.