William was known by his middle name "Robert" when he first arrived in New Hampshire. There has been much confusion over the name, as one source states it as Robert, while others state his name as William. I am certain he was named William Robert, but went by both names, perhaps as "William" formally (as in business) and as "Robert" casually (to close friends and family). Historical documents I have uncovered point to both names with identical biographical and historical information.
According to most sources, (see *)he was born in Scotland and lived for a time in Ireland. (However, the family name of "PARKINSON" has been established in Ireland since the 17th century, so it is quite possible he was born in Ireland.) He left from Port Rush on the northern coast of Ireland for Boston, Massachusetts Bay, America with his wife Esther and young son Henry on August 4, 1746 aboard the sloop, "Molly".(see * and **) He settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire shortly after his arrival in Boston because of the prejudice against Scots-Irish in predominantly English Boston. Londonderry was a Scots-Irish settlement that welcomed immigrants of all cultural and religious backgrounds. Many children were born to the Parkinsons during their stay in New Hampshire, and many descendents of those children still live in the Londonderry area today. Some of William Robert's and Esther's children migrated with their parents to western New York State where there were new opportunities for Scots-Irish settlers, just before the War of the Revolution. When war came, all of the Parkinson men in this branch of the family served on behalf of the Patriots; William Robert's son Henry long-term with George Washington's forces at Valley Forge as Lieutenant and Quartermaster (see Henry's memorial and bio on this site).
The patriarch William Robert Parkinson, the subject of this biography, was a farmer, teacher, community organizer and avid supporter of the local church. He wore many other hats, as well. He and his wife Esther were pillars of their community and contributed much to the quality of life in their New York settlement.
There is no record at this date of where this dear man was buried. Certainly, he was buried in Sharon, but his tombstone has since crumbled with the passage of time. It is possible he was buried on his family property.
*Information from the book "The Londonderry Parkinsons" by James W. Parkinson 1912-1990.
**Information from "The Jamesons in America", page 306.
According to most sources, (see *)he was born in Scotland and lived for a time in Ireland. (However, the family name of "PARKINSON" has been established in Ireland since the 17th century, so it is quite possible he was born in Ireland.) He left from Port Rush on the northern coast of Ireland for Boston, Massachusetts Bay, America with his wife Esther and young son Henry on August 4, 1746 aboard the sloop, "Molly".(see * and **) He settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire shortly after his arrival in Boston because of the prejudice against Scots-Irish in predominantly English Boston. Londonderry was a Scots-Irish settlement that welcomed immigrants of all cultural and religious backgrounds. Many children were born to the Parkinsons during their stay in New Hampshire, and many descendents of those children still live in the Londonderry area today. Some of William Robert's and Esther's children migrated with their parents to western New York State where there were new opportunities for Scots-Irish settlers, just before the War of the Revolution. When war came, all of the Parkinson men in this branch of the family served on behalf of the Patriots; William Robert's son Henry long-term with George Washington's forces at Valley Forge as Lieutenant and Quartermaster (see Henry's memorial and bio on this site).
The patriarch William Robert Parkinson, the subject of this biography, was a farmer, teacher, community organizer and avid supporter of the local church. He wore many other hats, as well. He and his wife Esther were pillars of their community and contributed much to the quality of life in their New York settlement.
There is no record at this date of where this dear man was buried. Certainly, he was buried in Sharon, but his tombstone has since crumbled with the passage of time. It is possible he was buried on his family property.
*Information from the book "The Londonderry Parkinsons" by James W. Parkinson 1912-1990.
**Information from "The Jamesons in America", page 306.
William was known by his middle name "Robert" when he first arrived in New Hampshire. There has been much confusion over the name, as one source states it as Robert, while others state his name as William. I am certain he was named William Robert, but went by both names, perhaps as "William" formally (as in business) and as "Robert" casually (to close friends and family). Historical documents I have uncovered point to both names with identical biographical and historical information.
According to most sources, (see *)he was born in Scotland and lived for a time in Ireland. (However, the family name of "PARKINSON" has been established in Ireland since the 17th century, so it is quite possible he was born in Ireland.) He left from Port Rush on the northern coast of Ireland for Boston, Massachusetts Bay, America with his wife Esther and young son Henry on August 4, 1746 aboard the sloop, "Molly".(see * and **) He settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire shortly after his arrival in Boston because of the prejudice against Scots-Irish in predominantly English Boston. Londonderry was a Scots-Irish settlement that welcomed immigrants of all cultural and religious backgrounds. Many children were born to the Parkinsons during their stay in New Hampshire, and many descendents of those children still live in the Londonderry area today. Some of William Robert's and Esther's children migrated with their parents to western New York State where there were new opportunities for Scots-Irish settlers, just before the War of the Revolution. When war came, all of the Parkinson men in this branch of the family served on behalf of the Patriots; William Robert's son Henry long-term with George Washington's forces at Valley Forge as Lieutenant and Quartermaster (see Henry's memorial and bio on this site).
The patriarch William Robert Parkinson, the subject of this biography, was a farmer, teacher, community organizer and avid supporter of the local church. He wore many other hats, as well. He and his wife Esther were pillars of their community and contributed much to the quality of life in their New York settlement.
There is no record at this date of where this dear man was buried. Certainly, he was buried in Sharon, but his tombstone has since crumbled with the passage of time. It is possible he was buried on his family property.
*Information from the book "The Londonderry Parkinsons" by James W. Parkinson 1912-1990.
**Information from "The Jamesons in America", page 306.
According to most sources, (see *)he was born in Scotland and lived for a time in Ireland. (However, the family name of "PARKINSON" has been established in Ireland since the 17th century, so it is quite possible he was born in Ireland.) He left from Port Rush on the northern coast of Ireland for Boston, Massachusetts Bay, America with his wife Esther and young son Henry on August 4, 1746 aboard the sloop, "Molly".(see * and **) He settled in Londonderry, New Hampshire shortly after his arrival in Boston because of the prejudice against Scots-Irish in predominantly English Boston. Londonderry was a Scots-Irish settlement that welcomed immigrants of all cultural and religious backgrounds. Many children were born to the Parkinsons during their stay in New Hampshire, and many descendents of those children still live in the Londonderry area today. Some of William Robert's and Esther's children migrated with their parents to western New York State where there were new opportunities for Scots-Irish settlers, just before the War of the Revolution. When war came, all of the Parkinson men in this branch of the family served on behalf of the Patriots; William Robert's son Henry long-term with George Washington's forces at Valley Forge as Lieutenant and Quartermaster (see Henry's memorial and bio on this site).
The patriarch William Robert Parkinson, the subject of this biography, was a farmer, teacher, community organizer and avid supporter of the local church. He wore many other hats, as well. He and his wife Esther were pillars of their community and contributed much to the quality of life in their New York settlement.
There is no record at this date of where this dear man was buried. Certainly, he was buried in Sharon, but his tombstone has since crumbled with the passage of time. It is possible he was buried on his family property.
*Information from the book "The Londonderry Parkinsons" by James W. Parkinson 1912-1990.
**Information from "The Jamesons in America", page 306.
Family Members
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