Parker, Samuel (5)

a Presbyterian minister, was born at Ashfield, Mass., April 23, 1779. He was of Puritan ancestry, noted for their piety and decided character. During 1798 and 1801 he pursued his preparatory studies under the superintendence first of the Rev. Mr. Strong, of Williamsburg, Mass., and afterwards of Dr. Smith of Ashfield. He graduated at Williams College in 1806. taught a year in the academy at Brattleboro, Vt., and in the fall of 1807 sent to Shelborough, Mass., and commenced theological study with the Rev. Theophilus Packard. In the pecuniary straits, as well as the demand for duty, he was licensed at the end of the year 1808 by the Northern Congregational Association of Hampshire County to go to Steuben County- , N.Y., and to Northern Pennsylvania. After three months there, he entered the Andover Theological Seminary, and graduated with the first class of that institution, immediately after which he was sent by the Massachusetts Missionary Society to Middle and Southern New York. In 1812 he was called to Danby N. Y.; was ordained and installed pastor Dec. 23 of that year and continued to labor there for fifteen years when he was called to become financial agent to New England for Auburn Theological Seminary. In 1830 he became pastor of the Church at Apulia, N. Y.; in 1833 of the Congregational Church at Middlefield, Mass.; and in 1835, 1836, and 1837 he made his exploring tour beyond the Rocky Mountains, under the American Board of Foreign Missions the result of which was the establishment of several missions. After his return he wrote his book on Oregon, and spent several years in lecturing and supplying pulpits temporarily. He died March 24, 1866. Mr. Parker was in character a bold, decided man, full of energy and. Resolution doing with his might whatever he undertook. His preaching was sound, doctrinal, and scriptural. He was a distinguished counselor in Church polity and discipline. Naturally a fine scholar, he took an interest in languages science, and art, as well as in the practical duties of life. He claimed to be the first to suggest the possibility of a railroad through the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. He published the journal of an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky Mountains, 1835, 1836, 1837 (Ithaca, 1838, 12mo; Lond. 1841, 8vo; 5th Amer. ed. Auburn, 1846, 12mo). See: North Amer. Rev. Jan. 1840, p. 129; Lond. Monthly Rev. Nov. 1838, p. 349; Lond. Athen. 1838, p. 790; Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1867, p. 315; Record of the Alumni of Dartmouth College. (J. L. S.).