Died
21 May 1854
Born
c1761
Sources
Ancestry
Lancashire Online Parish Clerk
Place
Themes
Walks
John Parker
Slate Merchant
The gravestone makes idiosyncratic use of different fonts and italicization.
SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF
JOHN PARKER
of BRIDGE END SOUTERGATE in
this PARISH, SLATE MERCHANT. who
died on the 21st day of May 1854.
Aged 93 Years.
Also of JANE his Wife who died on
the 7th day of May 1842
Aged 74 Years.
I am here but for to abide
With my dear partner by my side
John Parker was fairly unusual in his longevity.
Ancestry has some references to the family:
John Parker, son of Joshua and Mary Parker, was baptised at Kirkby Ireleth on 18 February 1761. (Ancestry) He had at least the following siblings: Margaret, baptised 31 December 1758; Anne, baptised 8 May 1764; Joshua, baptised 15 March 1767; Joseph, baptised 17 March 1771; Henry, son of Mary Parker, widow, baptised 20 March 1774. The father, Joshua Parker, had been buried on 3 February 1774. A Mary Parker, of Soutergate, was buried on 4 December 1797. (Lancashire Online Parish Clerk)
John Parker married Jane Barrow 14 February 1804 at St. Cuthbert’s. Kirkby Ireleth (Lancashire Online Parish Clerk)
1841 Census
In the 1841 Census, living at Soutergate, Kirkby Ireleth, are John Parker (80), Yeoman, and Jane Parker (73).
1851 Census
In the 1851 Census Jane has died, and John Parker (90) is living at Bridge End, Soutergate, Kirkby Ireleth. He is a widower, a Landed Proprietor, and born in Kirkby Ireleth. He shares the house with another John Parker (42) Nephew, Shoemaker, born Kirkby Ireleth; Isabella Parker (20) Niece, House Servant, born Kirkby Ireleth; and another Isabella Parker (10) Niece, Scholar, born Dalton. Two Johns and two Isabellas must have made for some confusion!
Electoral Register for 1855
There are 3 Parkers on the Electoral Register for 1855: John Parker, of Soutergate, Kirkby Ireleth, by dint of his Customary Freehold of house and land at Soutergate; Henry Parker, of Chapels, Kirkby Ireleth, by dint of being Occupier of house and land, rent upwards of £50 per year, at Chapels; and Joseph Parker, of Chapels, Kirkby Ireleth, who owned houses (note plural) at Soutergate. John and Joseph can be found on the 1835 Register, together with Robert Parker at Pearl Syke.
