Rev, Robert Parker was the son of Rev. Nathaniel and Mary (Rhodes) Parker. He was born Fishing Creek. Rev. Parker was the husband of Susannah (Gilbert) Parker. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church: Genesee (Western New York/now Upper New York) Conference 1820 F 1822 East Genesee Conference at organization 1848 Genesee Conference by change of boundaries 1872.
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Western New York Conference Journal
1875, Pgs. 50-51
PARKER.--The Rev. Robert Parker was born at Fishing Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of March, 1792. He was the fourth child, and one of eight children of the Rev. Nathaniel Parker, a Local Preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at home, in Sparta, Livingston County, New York, on Thursday evening, the 3d of December, 1874, in his eighty-third year. The family moved to New York State in 1800, and to Sparta in 1806. Robert was converted at the early age of eleven, and joined the church. He was married in 1818 to Susannah, daughter of Major Gardner Gilbert, a Revolutionary soldier of some note, who was for over a year private secretary to Gen. Washington. Father Parker had three children, two of whom are now living, viz,: Mrs. Judge Hubbard, of Geneseo, Livingston County, New York, and Augustus L. Parker; one son, Nathaniel G., died in his twelfth year. Father Parker joined the Genesee Conference in 1820, and continued a member thereof until his death, 47 years in active work and 7 years superannuated. The Genesee Conference, at the time above mentioned, included Western and portions of Central and Northern New York, part of Pennsylvania, the whole of Upper Canada, and a part of Michigan. Father Parker's first circuit was called Canisteo Circuit, and included Dansville, Livingston County, New York, and Painted Post, Steuben County, New York. His last circuit was Rogersville, Steuben County, New York, which was included in his first circuit. With his brothers, Revs. Samuel and John Parker, he worked faithfully, early and late, for nearly half a century. His earlier circuits required three hundred miles travel, which occupied six weeks' time. Riding from morning until evening twilight through thick forests marked only by Indian trails, swimming bridgeless rivers, climbing hills and mountains, and preaching nightly in log hut, school-house or barn, or out of doors, summer and winter, this veteran did an amount of labor for his Master that few modern preachers conceive of. He lived a life of remarkable piety and earnestness; willing to work wherever there was work to do. He never asked for a good appointment; content with what his charge could pay him, he never received sufficient compensation, in return for his arduous labors, to support his family. Some eight years ago Father Parker became totally blind, but his spiritual sight was as good as ever, and he continued to labor on. Subsequently an operation for cataract restored him to sight. About five years since, he was thrown from a carriage with such force as to break his thigh. Since then he has been confined to his bed for the greater part of the time, and for the last two years of his life was almost entirely bereft of reason by a paralytic stroke. But, strange as it may appear, during all this latter period he never lost his hold on the higher life, but prayed as intelligibly and eloquently, and sang the old familiar hymns as sweetly as when in the vigor of manhood. And when he was summoned home, he died like a child going to sleep. The funeral of Father Parker was largely attended by relatives and friends, from the residence of his son. By special request of the surviving widow, Rev. Mr. Wooden, a personal friend of the deceased, conducted the services. In the course of his brief but earnest sermon, the speaker paid eloquent and touching tribute to the character and life-work of the "prince and great man in Israel who had fallen," and held him up as a bright exemplar for preacher and people of the present day. After the sermon, the mortal remains of the devoted servant of God were conveyed to Greenmount Cemetery, where they were tenderly and tearfully deposited.
Obituary
The Dansville Advertiser
Dansville, NY
December 10, 1874
Page 3
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Western New York Conference Journal
1875, Pgs. 50-51
PARKER.--The Rev. Robert Parker was born at Fishing Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of March, 1792. He was the fourth child, and one of eight children of the Rev. Nathaniel Parker, a Local Preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at home, in Sparta, Livingston County, New York, on Thursday evening, the 3d of December, 1874, in his eighty-third year. The family moved to New York State in 1800, and to Sparta in 1806. Robert was converted at the early age of eleven, and joined the church. He was married in 1818 to Susannah, daughter of Major Gardner Gilbert, a Revolutionary soldier of some note, who was for over a year private secretary to Gen. Washington. Father Parker had three children, two of whom are now living, viz,: Mrs. Judge Hubbard, of Geneseo, Livingston County, New York, and Augustus L. Parker; one son, Nathaniel G., died in his twelfth year. Father Parker joined the Genesee Conference in 1820, and continued a member thereof until his death, 47 years in active work and 7 years superannuated. The Genesee Conference, at the time above mentioned, included Western and portions of Central and Northern New York, part of Pennsylvania, the whole of Upper Canada, and a part of Michigan. Father Parker's first circuit was called Canisteo Circuit, and included Dansville, Livingston County, New York, and Painted Post, Steuben County, New York. His last circuit was Rogersville, Steuben County, New York, which was included in his first circuit. With his brothers, Revs. Samuel and John Parker, he worked faithfully, early and late, for nearly half a century. His earlier circuits required three hundred miles travel, which occupied six weeks' time. Riding from morning until evening twilight through thick forests marked only by Indian trails, swimming bridgeless rivers, climbing hills and mountains, and preaching nightly in log hut, school-house or barn, or out of doors, summer and winter, this veteran did an amount of labor for his Master that few modern preachers conceive of. He lived a life of remarkable piety and earnestness; willing to work wherever there was work to do. He never asked for a good appointment; content with what his charge could pay him, he never received sufficient compensation, in return for his arduous labors, to support his family. Some eight years ago Father Parker became totally blind, but his spiritual sight was as good as ever, and he continued to labor on. Subsequently an operation for cataract restored him to sight. About five years since, he was thrown from a carriage with such force as to break his thigh. Since then he has been confined to his bed for the greater part of the time, and for the last two years of his life was almost entirely bereft of reason by a paralytic stroke. But, strange as it may appear, during all this latter period he never lost his hold on the higher life, but prayed as intelligibly and eloquently, and sang the old familiar hymns as sweetly as when in the vigor of manhood. And when he was summoned home, he died like a child going to sleep. The funeral of Father Parker was largely attended by relatives and friends, from the residence of his son. By special request of the surviving widow, Rev. Mr. Wooden, a personal friend of the deceased, conducted the services. In the course of his brief but earnest sermon, the speaker paid eloquent and touching tribute to the character and life-work of the "prince and great man in Israel who had fallen," and held him up as a bright exemplar for preacher and people of the present day. After the sermon, the mortal remains of the devoted servant of God were conveyed to Greenmount Cemetery, where they were tenderly and tearfully deposited.
Obituary
The Dansville Advertiser
Dansville, NY
December 10, 1874
Page 3
Rev, Robert Parker was the son of Rev. Nathaniel and Mary (Rhodes) Parker. He was born Fishing Creek. Rev. Parker was the husband of Susannah (Gilbert) Parker. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church: Genesee (Western New York/now Upper New York) Conference 1820 F 1822 East Genesee Conference at organization 1848 Genesee Conference by change of boundaries 1872.
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Western New York Conference Journal
1875, Pgs. 50-51
PARKER.--The Rev. Robert Parker was born at Fishing Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of March, 1792. He was the fourth child, and one of eight children of the Rev. Nathaniel Parker, a Local Preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at home, in Sparta, Livingston County, New York, on Thursday evening, the 3d of December, 1874, in his eighty-third year. The family moved to New York State in 1800, and to Sparta in 1806. Robert was converted at the early age of eleven, and joined the church. He was married in 1818 to Susannah, daughter of Major Gardner Gilbert, a Revolutionary soldier of some note, who was for over a year private secretary to Gen. Washington. Father Parker had three children, two of whom are now living, viz,: Mrs. Judge Hubbard, of Geneseo, Livingston County, New York, and Augustus L. Parker; one son, Nathaniel G., died in his twelfth year. Father Parker joined the Genesee Conference in 1820, and continued a member thereof until his death, 47 years in active work and 7 years superannuated. The Genesee Conference, at the time above mentioned, included Western and portions of Central and Northern New York, part of Pennsylvania, the whole of Upper Canada, and a part of Michigan. Father Parker's first circuit was called Canisteo Circuit, and included Dansville, Livingston County, New York, and Painted Post, Steuben County, New York. His last circuit was Rogersville, Steuben County, New York, which was included in his first circuit. With his brothers, Revs. Samuel and John Parker, he worked faithfully, early and late, for nearly half a century. His earlier circuits required three hundred miles travel, which occupied six weeks' time. Riding from morning until evening twilight through thick forests marked only by Indian trails, swimming bridgeless rivers, climbing hills and mountains, and preaching nightly in log hut, school-house or barn, or out of doors, summer and winter, this veteran did an amount of labor for his Master that few modern preachers conceive of. He lived a life of remarkable piety and earnestness; willing to work wherever there was work to do. He never asked for a good appointment; content with what his charge could pay him, he never received sufficient compensation, in return for his arduous labors, to support his family. Some eight years ago Father Parker became totally blind, but his spiritual sight was as good as ever, and he continued to labor on. Subsequently an operation for cataract restored him to sight. About five years since, he was thrown from a carriage with such force as to break his thigh. Since then he has been confined to his bed for the greater part of the time, and for the last two years of his life was almost entirely bereft of reason by a paralytic stroke. But, strange as it may appear, during all this latter period he never lost his hold on the higher life, but prayed as intelligibly and eloquently, and sang the old familiar hymns as sweetly as when in the vigor of manhood. And when he was summoned home, he died like a child going to sleep. The funeral of Father Parker was largely attended by relatives and friends, from the residence of his son. By special request of the surviving widow, Rev. Mr. Wooden, a personal friend of the deceased, conducted the services. In the course of his brief but earnest sermon, the speaker paid eloquent and touching tribute to the character and life-work of the "prince and great man in Israel who had fallen," and held him up as a bright exemplar for preacher and people of the present day. After the sermon, the mortal remains of the devoted servant of God were conveyed to Greenmount Cemetery, where they were tenderly and tearfully deposited.
Obituary
The Dansville Advertiser
Dansville, NY
December 10, 1874
Page 3
Memoir
Methodist Episcopal Church
Western New York Conference Journal
1875, Pgs. 50-51
PARKER.--The Rev. Robert Parker was born at Fishing Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of March, 1792. He was the fourth child, and one of eight children of the Rev. Nathaniel Parker, a Local Preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at home, in Sparta, Livingston County, New York, on Thursday evening, the 3d of December, 1874, in his eighty-third year. The family moved to New York State in 1800, and to Sparta in 1806. Robert was converted at the early age of eleven, and joined the church. He was married in 1818 to Susannah, daughter of Major Gardner Gilbert, a Revolutionary soldier of some note, who was for over a year private secretary to Gen. Washington. Father Parker had three children, two of whom are now living, viz,: Mrs. Judge Hubbard, of Geneseo, Livingston County, New York, and Augustus L. Parker; one son, Nathaniel G., died in his twelfth year. Father Parker joined the Genesee Conference in 1820, and continued a member thereof until his death, 47 years in active work and 7 years superannuated. The Genesee Conference, at the time above mentioned, included Western and portions of Central and Northern New York, part of Pennsylvania, the whole of Upper Canada, and a part of Michigan. Father Parker's first circuit was called Canisteo Circuit, and included Dansville, Livingston County, New York, and Painted Post, Steuben County, New York. His last circuit was Rogersville, Steuben County, New York, which was included in his first circuit. With his brothers, Revs. Samuel and John Parker, he worked faithfully, early and late, for nearly half a century. His earlier circuits required three hundred miles travel, which occupied six weeks' time. Riding from morning until evening twilight through thick forests marked only by Indian trails, swimming bridgeless rivers, climbing hills and mountains, and preaching nightly in log hut, school-house or barn, or out of doors, summer and winter, this veteran did an amount of labor for his Master that few modern preachers conceive of. He lived a life of remarkable piety and earnestness; willing to work wherever there was work to do. He never asked for a good appointment; content with what his charge could pay him, he never received sufficient compensation, in return for his arduous labors, to support his family. Some eight years ago Father Parker became totally blind, but his spiritual sight was as good as ever, and he continued to labor on. Subsequently an operation for cataract restored him to sight. About five years since, he was thrown from a carriage with such force as to break his thigh. Since then he has been confined to his bed for the greater part of the time, and for the last two years of his life was almost entirely bereft of reason by a paralytic stroke. But, strange as it may appear, during all this latter period he never lost his hold on the higher life, but prayed as intelligibly and eloquently, and sang the old familiar hymns as sweetly as when in the vigor of manhood. And when he was summoned home, he died like a child going to sleep. The funeral of Father Parker was largely attended by relatives and friends, from the residence of his son. By special request of the surviving widow, Rev. Mr. Wooden, a personal friend of the deceased, conducted the services. In the course of his brief but earnest sermon, the speaker paid eloquent and touching tribute to the character and life-work of the "prince and great man in Israel who had fallen," and held him up as a bright exemplar for preacher and people of the present day. After the sermon, the mortal remains of the devoted servant of God were conveyed to Greenmount Cemetery, where they were tenderly and tearfully deposited.
Obituary
The Dansville Advertiser
Dansville, NY
December 10, 1874
Page 3
Inscription
"Rev.
Robert Parker
Mar 31, 1792
Dec 3, 1874"
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