Does anyone have evidence as to the identity of Abigail Adams that married Aaron Parker? I have evidence - but it is conflicting as to which one it was. Abigail Adams b. Sep 7, 1697 in Sherborn, Middlesex, MA to Moses Adams and Ruth Whitney OR Abigail Adams b. Jun 7, 1697 Chelmsford, Middlesex, MA to Pelatiah Adams and Ruth Parker "The Genealogical Dictionary of New England Settlers" and F.C. Pierce in his book - "The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635" both state that it was the former. But the American Ancestry volumes claim it was the latter. It is possible that the OTHER one married Nathaniel Perry - but i do not know which is which. Any help would be aprreciated. Jo Hogle

Jo Hogle's 19 Jan 2003 post to both Parker lists (see trailing message) raises the question as to the identity of Abigail, wife of Aaron Parker. He was born 9 Apr 1689 at Chelmsford, MA [VRs, 105]. He was son of Moses Parker, and grandson of Abraham Parker, the immigrant. The question comes about because numerous secondary sources incorrectly name Aaron's wife. Secondary sources are often based on the work done in earlier secondary sources. So, an error in one source can be repeated by another source. The error gets repeated so often that it is often accepted as fact. Aaron & Abigail Parker resided in that part of Chelmsford which was set off to Westford, MA in 1729. The births of their children were recorded at Chelmsford, MA (first seven) and Westford, MA (last three): 1. Aaron Parker, born 19 Aug 1713 [VRs, 105]. 2. Samuel Parker, born 1 Jan 1717 [VRs, 111]. 3. Moses Parker, born 16 May 1718 [VRs, 109]. 4. Abigail Parker, born 17 Oct 1720 [VRs, 105]. 5. Mary Parker, born 20 Oct 1723 [VRs, 109]. 6. Lucy Parker, born 11 Jan 1726 [VRs, 109]. 7. Elizabeth Parker, born 18 Jul 1728 [VRs, 120]. 8. Isaac Parker, born 20 May 1731 [VRs, 78]. 9. Joseph Parker, born 2 Jan 1735 [VRs, 79]. 10. Esther Parker, born 4 Jul 1738 [VRs, 78]. Here are five secondary sources that identify the wife of Aaron Parker: -- Edwin Hodgman's 1883 "History of the Town of Westford, MA," extracted in "Parker in America," page 9: Aaron Parker married Abigail ADAMS about 1712. -- American Ancestry biography for Francis Jewett Parker, extracted in "Parker in America," page 115: Aaron Parker married Abigail ADAMS about 1712. -- W.H.M.A.'s 1905 "Genealogy of the Five Brothers," extracted in "Parker in America," page 531: Aaron Parker married, 13 Aug 1712 at Concord, Abigail WINSHIP, daughter of Samuel & Mary (POULTER) WINSHIP. -- Ezra Stearns' 1908 "Genealogy and Family History of the State of NH," page 231: Aaron Parker married Abigail ADAMS about 1712. -- Andrew Adams' 1898 Adams Genealogy (page 89): Aaron Parker, born 9 Apr 1689, "probably" married 1st in 1712 Abigail ADAMS, born 7 Jun 1697 at Chelmsford, dau of Pelatiah & Ruth (--?--) ADAMS. He married 2nd Dorothy Fletcher; resided Jaffrey, NH. An Abigail ADAMS mentioned in the trailing message as a possible wife of Aaron Parker was Abigail, born 7 Sep 1697 at Sherborn, MA [VRs, 9], daughter of Moses & Lydia (WHITNEY) ADAMS. Frederick Pierce's 1895 Whitney genealogy (page 24) states this Abigail ADAMS married Nathaniel PERRY. The Sherborn VRs (page 101) substantiate that marriage: Abigail ADAMS married Nathaniel PERRY, 22 Dec 1714. I am inclined to dismiss this Abigail ADAMS as a candidate wife of Aaron Parker. Another Abigail ADAMS mentioned as a possible wife of Aaron Parker was Abigail, born 7 Jun 1697 at Chelmsford, MA [VRs, 10], daughter of Pelatiah & Ruth (--?--) ADAMS. Aaron & Abigail Parker's marriage was recorded at Concord, MA [VRs, 80]: Aaron Parker married Abigail WINSHIP, 13 Aug 1712, by Justice Minott. Samuel WINSHIP married, 12 Apr 1687 at Cambridge, MA, Mary POULTER [Cambridge VRs, 430; & Medford VRs, 325]. They had five children. All the children were living 22 Feb 1708/09, and shared in the division of their father's estate [NEHGR 141:385]. Their children were: 1. Samuel Winship, b 8 Jan 1687/88 [Cambridge VRs, 775]. 2. Mary Winship, b 12 Dec 1689 [Cambridge VRs, 775]. 3. Elizabeth Winship, b 26 Nov 1691 [Cambridge VRs, 774]. 4. John Winship. 5. Abigail Winship [probable wife of Aaron Parker]. Aaron & Abigail Parker named their second son Samuel probably in recognition of the child's grandfather, Samuel WINSHIP. The child was not named after any of Aaron's ancestors, brothers or uncles because none were named Samuel. Pelatiah and Ruth (names of the parents of Abigail ADAMS, born 7 Jun 1697) are not among the names of Aaron & Abigail Parker's children. Nelson Dean > Does anyone have evidence as to the identity of Abigail Adams that married > Aaron Parker? > I have evidence - but it is conflicting as to which one it was. > > Abigail Adams b Sep 7, 1697 in Sherborn, Middlesex, MA to Moses Adams and > Ruth Whitney > OR > Abigail Adams b Jun 7, 1697 Chelmsford, Middlesex, MA to Pelatiah Adams & > Ruth Parker > > "The Genealogical Dictionary of New England Settlers" > and F.C. Pierce in his book - "The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came > from London, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635" > both state that it was the former. But American Ancestry volumes claim > it was the latter. > > It is possible the OTHER one married Nathaniel Perry - but I do not know > which is which. > > Jo Hogle