Captain John Parris

Series: S213003 Volume - 002F Page - 00255 Item - 00

Date: 1745/04/18

Description: SIMMONS, EBENEZER; BENJAMIN SMITH; AND JAMES CROCKATT, CHARLES TOWN MERCHANTS, TO JOHN MOORE AND JOHN CRANSTON OF KINGSTON, JAMAICA, MERCHANTS, POWER OF ATTORNEY TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM PHILIP PRIOLEAU, FORMERLY OF CHARLES TOWN, NOW OF KINGSTON, JAMAICA, MERCHANT.(2 PAGES)

There are only 3 ways that John Alexander Parris, son of Alexander Parris Jr, could have acquired these lots in Jamaica. Either he acquired them in his own right, or he inherited them from his father, or he inherited them from his uncle John Parris. John Alexander Parris did not marry until 1750, so he couldn't have acquired these lots in Jamaica through his wife. When uncle John died, he left a young son also named John Alexander who died young, perhaps in 1739. John Alexander as eldest son and heir-at-law of Alexander Parris Jr would have been the next in line to inherit whatever property his uncle John held at his death. This might have included these lots in Jamaica.

There are several webpages (with no sources, of course) that state that Nancy Willard married Capt John Parris on May 28, 1727 as her second husband (first husband was a Mosser) and died in 1730. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica, the daughter of Major John Willard and Frances Sherburne who died Oct 25 1741 in Kingston, Jamaica. Perhaps some research into the records of Jamaica will prove whether or not her husband Capt. John Parris was the son of Col. Alexander Parris.

Another possibility for research. The 1735 will of Col. Alexander Parris proves daughters Jane Dela Bere (husband John Dela Bere), Ann Davis (husband John Davis), and an unknown daughter who had married Peter Boynton. There may be a way to prove the given name of Peter Boynton's wife. On the very same day in 1717, seven lots in Beaufort were granted to what appears to be every member of Col. Alexander Parris's family. At this time, his daughters were unmarried. There are two Alexanders - surely Sr and Jr - daughter Ann, daughter Jane, son John - and two Mary's. One was Alexander's wife. The other must have been a daughter. I believe these records will prove that the daughter who married Peter Boynton was named Mary Parris.

Series: S213019 Volume - 0039 Page - 00215 Item - 06

Date: 1717/08/08

Description: PARRISH, ALEXANDER, ABSTRACT OF LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT IN BEAUFORT.

Series: S213019 Volume - 0039 Page - 00220 Item - 01

Date: 1717/08/08

Description: PARRIS, JOHN, ABSTRACT OF LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT IN BEAUFORT.

Series: S213019 Volume - 0039 Page - 00220 Item - 02

Date: 1717/08/08

Description: PARRIS, ALEXANDER, ABSTRACT OF LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT IN BEAUFORT.

Series: S213019 Volume - 0039 Page - 00220 Item - 05

Date: 1717/08/08

Description: PARRIS, ANN, ABSTRACT OF LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT IN BEAUFORT.

Series: S213019 Volume - 0039 Page - 00219 Item - 06

Date: 1717/08/08

Description: PARRIS, MARY, ABSTRACT OF LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT IN BEAUFORT.

Series: S213019 Volume - 0039 Page - 00220 Item - 03

Date: 1717/08/08

Description: PARRIS, JANE, ABSTRACT OF LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT IN BEAUFORT.

Series: S213019 Volume - 0039 Page - 00220 Item - 04

Date: 1717/08/08

Description: PARRIS, MARY, ABSTRACT OF LAND GRANT FOR 1 TOWN LOT IN BEAUFORT.

One last tidbit. I believe we have proof that Col Alexander Parris first came to SC in 1691. This is earlier than the 15 Nov 1695 warrant for 1000a for his arrival rights that most people cite. There are two records that agree - one being Col Alexander Parris's own statement.

South Carolina History by Walter Edgar

p 103

[referring to the year 1719]

Intelligence indicated that Spain intended to attack. It was too much. The colonists panicked. "Wee are now in the Utmost Confusion that Ever I knew the place which is 28 years," wrote Alexander Parris.

The entire account can be found by doing a Google book search.

So Col. Alexander Parris "knew" SC from 1691. Of course "knowing" SC and living in SC are two different things.

SCHGM 26:139

The South Carolina Gazette for Saturday, March 13, 1736 contains the following account of Col. Parris:

"On Wednesday last died Alexander Parris, Esq.: (after an Indisposition of Six Weeks) at the age of Seventy-four, wanting a few days, one of the oldest Settlers in this Province, in which he had been Forty-five Years; He had been Forty-one years married to his wife who died nigh Two years past, and from her had 53 Children and Grand-Children, who are sensible of their Loss, as he had always shown himself with the Affection of a loving Husband and a tender Parent. ....... At his own request his Corps was interred on Friday Evening in a decent plain manner, attended by most of the Inhabitants of this place. "

If he had been a resident for 45 years in 1736, that again produces the year 1691. The two sources agree.

This same article states

"Col. Alexander Parris was buried March 12, 1735/6; his wife, Mary Parris, having been buried June 15, 1734, (St Philip's Register)"

SCHGM 26:142

John Parris, eldest son of Col. Alexander Parris, was buried Sept. 24, 1735 (St Philip's Register) his will is missing but is partially recited in a deed. (footnote - This Magazine, vol 19, p 91)

John Parris left a son, John Alexander Parris, who was his heir, but in case he died under age and without legal heirs, then John Alexander Parris, son of Alexander Parris, junr. was to inherit. John Alexander Parris, son of John, died in July 1739. (footnote - St Philip's Register, July 26, 1739. "Then was buried John Parris, a Boy."

The article assumed that the John Parris who died in 1739 was the son of John Parris, and it's quite possible he was. But he also could have been the son John Parris born in 1734 to Alexander Parris Jr by his second wife Elizabeth. In either case, both John's seem to have died young. John Alexander Parris as eldest son and heir at law of Alexander Parris Jr did inherit and sell land that had been left to his uncle John Parris by the will of Col. Alexander Parris.

I hope these records will help the Parris family to extend their proven family a little further.