Deacon Edward Parker

     Edward was born in 1693 in Wallingford, New Haven County, Connecticut. Edward married Jerusha Merriam on 4 August 1716. Edward & Jerusha had children: Ralph [1718-1748], Etheldred [1719- ], Edward [1721-1792], Joel [1723-1761], Ephraim [1725- ], Amos [1726-1748], William [1728-1752], Eldad [1731-1779], Joseph Merriam [1734-1734], Joseph [1735- ] & Timothy [ca 1737-1782]. Edward's wife, Jerusha, died on 27 December 1745 in Wallingford leaving him a widower. Edward married 2nd Rebecca Hotchkiss on 1 December 1748 in Wallingford. Edward's wife, Rebecca, died on 23 February 1762 in Wallingford leaving him a widower. Edward married 3rd Ruth Hart on 30 September 1762 in Wallingford. Edward departed this life on Monday, 21 October 1776 in Cheshire, New Haven County, Connecticut, at age 83 years. He was buried there in Hillside Cemetery. The inscription on his tombstone reads: In Memory of Dec. Edward Parker who died Oct 21 1776 In the 84th year of his age.