Background
Parker, Josiah was born on May 11, 1751 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. Son of Nicholas and Ann (Copeland) Parker.
United States representative politician Member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia
Parker, Josiah was born on May 11, 1751 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, United States. Son of Nicholas and Ann (Copeland) Parker.
He attended the Virginia Convention that met in March, July, and December of that year.
They had one child, Anne Pierce Parker (ca 1775, Isle of Wight Co, VA - 21 March 1849). When the American began in April 1775, Parker enlisted in the Continental Army. He was promptly commissioned a major in the 5th Virginia Regiment on 13 February 1776, promoted to lieutenant colonel on 28 July 1777, and became its colonel on 1 April 1778.
His regiment served in Virginia under General Charles Lee until the autumn of 1776, when the 5th Virginia Regiment was transferred to George Washington’s army. The regiment thereafter saw action at the Battle of Trenton, Battle of Princeton, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. During Cornwallis's Virginia campaign in 1781, the notorious Colonel Tarleton ransacked his home.
In August 1781, Lafayette sent him to Portsmouth, Virginia on a reconnaissance. He found the British had embarked for Yorktown. Parker recovered 25 cannons the British had thrown into the sea to prevent their capture.
In 1786, Parker was commissioned a naval officer at Portsmouth, Virginia. However, he was elected to the First United States Congress, was reelected to the Second and Third Congresses. He was elected as a Federalist to the Fourth through Sixth United States Congress.
Parker then returned home and engaged in agriculture. He died in 1810, and was buried in the family cemetery on his plantation, "Macclesfield", in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The Col. Josiah Parker Family Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
A World War II Liberty Ship, SS Josiah Parker, was named in his honor.
Member local committee of safety, 1775. Member Virginia Revolutionary Convention, 1775. Member Virginia House of Delegates, 1780-1781.
Member United States House of Representatives from Virginia, lst-6th congresses, 1789-1801.
Married Mary (Pierce) Bridger, 1773.