James Marion Parker
Born April 12, 1829 in SC
Married March 6, 1854 to Margaret Matilda Waggoner
in Buncombe Co., NC
Died March 19, 1915 in Buncombe Co., NC
Buried in Wagner Cemetery, Buncombe Co., NC
Parents: William Shipley Parker & Margaret "Peggy" Smith
According to Census records, James Marion Parker was born in SC. Not much is known about his early life, but, judging by the birthplaces of his brothers and sisters his family did seem to move around quite a bit between Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. We believe that they traveled along the Buncombe Turnpike, maybe taking livestock from the mountains south to Greenville to market.
It looks as though he may have volunteered for service in the Mexican War.(1846-1848). This has not been proven yet, though and is just speculation. He is known to have recieved a federal pension in his later years and it was thought that he had served with the Union Army in the Civil War. However, we now believe that he served with the Confederate Army. He is shown enlisting as a "prisoner" to the 60th N.C. Infantry. Odds are he was drafted against his will. This same unit included several of his relatives and neighbors. As of yet evidence has not been found of his enlisting with the Union Army, however it is possible.
After the war, he returned to the Reems Creek community of Buncombe County. In 1880, he and a neighbor, a Mr. Brank, ceded land for a church, to be Pleasant Grove Union Church. In his later years, the family of his son, Robert, lived with him.
Children:
Ellen Parker
William Parker
M. Emmaline Parker
Shipley Parker
Edward Franklin Parker
Marion Cooper Parker
Robert Shipley Parker
Rebecca E. Parker