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Parrish Surname

Our branch of the Parrish family is first found in North Carolina in the late 1700's, yet were probably related to the older Parrish families of Virginia. The Parrishes, as a whole, were of English origin. Over the past, the name has been interchangeable with "Parish", and has thus been difficult to research, considering its existence as a word in the English language.


1st Generation:

Henry Parrish was born at an unknown date, probably in Virginia or North Carolina. He died before May 1811 in Wilson Co., Tennessee.

Henry's origins and parents are unknown. By the mid-1780s he was living in Franklin County, North Carolina; where he married and began raising a family, but it is unknown how long he had been living there. A guess is that he was descended from or related to the Parrishes of Spotsylvania County, Virginia. He might have been related to other Parrishes who also lived in Franklin County, North Carolina during the same time he did, including a Joel Parrish (c. 1746-1819), John Parrish, Edward Parrish, Edmund Parrish and William Parrish. Another guess is that he might have been related to a James Parrish (died 1830) who lived in Fayette and Woodford Counties, Kentucky (James Parrish's grandson James Ware was married to Henry Parrish's granddaughter Elizabeth H. Parrish - but that could have just been a coincidence.) Another possible clue is that Henry's oldest son had the middle name Whitlock, and perhaps Henry had some connection to a Whitlock family. Although there is no yet known connection between an early Parrish and Whitlock, a man named John Whitlock was one of the witnesses to the will of Joel Parrish in Spotsylvania County, Virginia in April 1791. Note also that two other grandchildren of Henry married people with the last name Whitlock.

There was a Henry Parrish who served as a soldier in the American Revolution out of North Carolina. He was paid for his war service in February 1782 and his voucher indicates that he served in the Halifax District of North Carolina. The Halifax District was an area that included 7 adjacent counties in North Carolina: Warren, Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Martin, Halifax and Northampton. Because of this, it is entirely possible that the Henry Parrish soldier was this Henry. However there was also a Henry Parrish who lived in nearby Edgecombe County, North Carolina (also part of Halifax District) at the same time - so the soldier could have been him instead. That Henry Parrish was married to Sarah Moore (daughter of Samuel Moore).

Henry was married to Elizabeth Strother, probably in the mid-1780s. He purchased land in Franklin County in December 1788 and sold the same land in March 1792. Henry's whereabouts between 1792 and 1798 are unclear. The obituary of his son David indicated that they moved to Tennessee when David was in his fourth year 27, which would have been 1793 or 1794. However other records suggest that they remained in Franklin County, North Carolina for several more years. In October 1795 and March 1798, Henry was described as a legatee of his wife's deceased father when he was distributed property from the estate in Franklin County, North Carolina; the inference is that Henry was then living there. In March 1796, Henry was named in an inventory of the estate of Philemon Bowers of Franklin County, North Carolina regarding a small debt. Perhaps during the 1790s they were mobile and moved back-and-forth between North Carolina and Tennessee.

In October 1798, Henry was described as a resident of Sumner County, Tennessee when he was issued a lease for land on Barton's Creek in Sumner County (this land became part of Wilson County in 1799). One year later, in October 1799, he transferred that lease to someone else; but continued to live nearby. Henry resided in Wilson County for the duration of his life. By 1805, he began living on a 150-acre property on Cedar Lick Creek (now the Middle Fork of Cedar Creek near Tucker/Tuckers Gap). Henry died sometime before May 1811, when an inventory of his estate was entered and his widow Elizabeth and son David were described as administrators. His widow and children continued to live on their 150-acre property in Wilson County which they received a deed for in September 1814. The majority of his children sold the property in December 1818.

Henry married Elizabeth Strother circa 1785 in Franklin Co., North Carolina.

They had the following children:

1 Mary "Polly" J.* Parrish was born circa 1787-1788 5 in Franklin Co., North Carolina. She died after 1860, probably in Cooper Co., Missouri.
She married Green Seat in about 1808 in Tennessee. He was born circa 1786 in Virginia and died between 1850 and 1860 in Cooper Co., Missouri.
They had the following children:
Stokely Strother Seat (1809-1896)
md. 1st Elizabeth Hughes
md. 2nd Mary Ann Ranken
Zuritha Seat (c. 1812-aft. 1860)
md. Joseph Dunham
Sophronia Seat (1813-1885)
md. Thomas Parker
William Henry Seat (1824-1880)
md. Tabitha D. Maddox
Elizabeth Seat (1825-1895)
Regina Seat (1826-1908)
md. Calvin Henry George
James C. Seat (c. 1827-1863)
md. Catherine J. Rennison
Mary A. Seat (1830-1895)
md. Henry Russell Emmons

For the first few years after their marriage (c. 1808-1810), Mary and Green probably lived in Davidson County, Tennessee; where his family was living. In August 1810, Green purchased 240 acres just across the county line on Mill Creek in Williamson County, Tennessee. They likely moved there at that time. Sometime between 1815 and 1820, Green out west to Cooper County, Missouri; where he was an original settler of Boonville Township. In December 1818, Polly signed a Wilson County deed along with many of her siblings. Because she signed her deed herself, while the same deed was signed by the husband(s) of other married sisters, it might be an indication that Green was already out west in Missouri and she was still in Tennessee. Perhaps a temporary separation like that might account for the year 9-year gap between births of her documented children. In October 1824, while living in Missouri, they sold their land in Tennessee. Green and Mary resided in Cooper County for the duration of their lives.

* She was provided with the middle initial J. on several contemporary records. Many online family trees provide her middle name as "Jude". It's more likely though that her middle name was "Judd", which was a name that was commonly used in her mother's family.

2 David Whitlock Parrish
3 Frances "Fanny" Parrish was born circa 1791 in Franklin Co., North Carolina. She died after 1818.
She married Samuel Ross Anderson on or after February 20, 1811 in Wilson Co., Tennessee 18. He died after 1819.
It is not clear if they had children or how many children they might have had, but most researchers have accepted that their children were William Henry Anderson (1813-1880), Henry Perry Anderson (1815-1866), Currin M. Anderson (1817-1881) and Elizabeth Frances Anderson (c. 1820-1860s).

It is unclear what happened to Frances or her husband. She was last found in December 1818, when she appeared on a deed along with many of her siblings to sell their father's land in Wilson County. In September 1819, Samuel was documented in a lawsuit between him and his wife's ex-stepfather Lewis Shapard. My guess is that both Frances and Samuel died relatively young. Their possible children were in Alabama by the late 1830s, where many of the Parrish relatives had moved.

4 William S. Parrish was born circa 1792 in Franklin Co., North Carolina. He died before June 1844 in Tipton Co., Tennessee.
He married first Martha H. Davis on or after February 11, 1812 in Wilson Co., Tennessee 18. She died sometime between 1826 and 1838, in Tipton Co., Tennessee.
William and his first wife probably had at least 8 or 9 children, but the names of most of them are unknown. Possible children include:
Robert H. Parrish (c. 1819-) who married "Litta"
Frances Parrish (1825-1891) who married Enos Lamb
Joel Currin Parrish (c. 1827-) who married Paulina Lamb
He married second Lucinda Black, widow of John Howe, circa 1838 in Tipton Co., Tennessee. She died sometime between 1850 and 1852, in Tipton Co., Tennessee.
They had one child:
Zuritha Anna Parrish (1843-1927)
md. Joseph Daniel Garland

After his first marriage in 1812, William continued living in Wilson Co., Tennessee. Sometime between 1820 and 1825, he moved west to Tipton Co., Tennessee; where he remained. He died before June 1844, when his widow Lucinda Parrish was appointed administratrix of his estate. Then in July 1844, she resigned as administratrix and Robert H. Parrish (probably his son) was appointed administrator in her stead.

5Nancy Parrish died after 1818.

She was last found in December 1818, when she joined most of her siblings in selling her father's land. It is possible she was married to William Person. Between 1839 and 1842, a William Person and his wife Nancy were described among the heirs of Mary Strother Felts, who died without children. The court documents infer that William and Nancy were likely living in, or near, Smith County, Tennessee. I have so far been unable to identify William's wife Nancy as any other Strother descendant. There was a William Person documented in Smith County between at least 1820 and 1843, but otherwise no other information that connects them to this family.

6Susannah Parrish died after 1818.

It is possible that Susannah was married to a James Sullivan. In December 1818, when she joined with most of her siblings in selling their father's land, she was described as "Susannah Parrish". However a James Sullivan signed that deed instead of her. It's a guess that that James Sullivan was related to the Sullivan family of Smith County, Tennessee that was connected to the Strother family (including William Sullivan who married Susannah's step-cousin Anne Felts and Elizabeth Sullivan who married her uncle Judd Strother).

It's also possible that she was married to someone with the last name "Turner"; as a "Susan Turner" was described as one of the heirs of her aunt Mary Strother Felts when she died in 1839; and that person has not yet been identified as any other Strother descendant.

7 Elizabeth "Betsy" S. Parrish was born on July 1, 1800 17 in Wilson Co., Tennessee. She died on May 10, 1845 17 in Columbia, Lowndes Co., Mississippi. She is buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi.
She married David Coolidge Richards on August 9, 1827 in Wilson Co., Tennessee 18. He was born on October 13, 1796 17 in Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts and died on January 31, 1881 17 in Columubus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi. He is buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi.
They had the following children:
William Coolidge Richards (1828-1916)
md. Sarah Frances Evans
John Henry Richards (1829-1895)
md. Anna Catherine Baird
Caroline F. Richards (1831-1833)
James Webb Richards (1835-1854)
Edward Parish Richards (1840-1896)
Laura Elizabeth Richards (1844-???)
md. George Harris
After their marriage in 1827, Elizabeth and David moved to Alabama. They were living in Shelby County, Alabama in 1830. Then in about 1833, they moved to Lowndes County, Mississippi (at the same time as her sisters Harriett and Zuritha). They settled in the city of Columbus, Mississippi, where they both remained until their deaths.
8 Martha "Patsy" W. Parrish was born on January 15, 1803 in Wilson Co., Tennessee. She died sometime between 1860 and 1870, probably in Lafayette Co., Mississippi.
She married Hobson Ferrell on December 12, 1822 in Wilson Co., Tennessee 18. He was born on March 31, 1800 in Halifax Co., Virginia and died on January 25, 1883 near Oxford in Lafayette Co., Mississippi 23.
They had the following children:
Henry James Ferrell (1824-1873)
Benjamin Hobson Ferrell (1826-1907)
md. Betty P. Ivy
Elizabeth H. Ferrell (1828-1838)
Zuritha Fannie Ferrell (1830-1908)
md. Ransom Wiseman
Hubbard Hatcher Ferrell (1832-1881)
md. Mary Elizabeth Driver
Joseph Hobson Ferrell (1834-1884)
md. Mary Fannie Tooke
Martha M. Ferrell (1836-1915)
Samuel D. Ferrell (1838-1863)
Mary E. Ferrell (1841-1870)
md. James Isom
Robert Wall Ferrell (1843-1917)
md. Julia Driver
William S. Ferrell (1845-1919)
md. Penelope Driver
Sometime between 1822 and 1824, they moved to Tipton County, Tennessee where they remained for at least 14 years. In October 1838, they sold their land in Tennessee. By 1840 they were living in Marshall County, Mississippi. Then during the 1850s, they moved to neighboring Lafayette Co., Mississippi, where they remained.
9Harriett S. Parrish was born on February 22, 1805 17 in Wilson Co., Tennessee. She died on October 31, 1862 17 probably in Noxubee Co., Mississippi. She is buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi.
She married James Eckford on or after May 6, 1830 in Morgan Co., Alabama. He was born on May 31, 1800 in Innerleithen, Peeblessshire, Scotland 17 and died on April 25, 1873 in Noxubee Co., Mississippi 17. He is buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi.
They had the following children:
John Thomas Eckford (1831-1897)
md. Margaret Caroline Hardee
Mary Eliza Eckford (c. 1835-1837)
Zuritha "Zura" E. Eckford (1839-1912)
md. Clark Russell Barteau
James William Eckford (1840-1873)
md. Frances Holt Lucas
Henry Parrish Eckford (c. 1841-1881)
md. Ella Bland
Walter Scott Eckford (c. 1844-???)
md. Sarah Jane Walker Gilmer, widow of James Atwood Bullock (see below)
Robert P. Eckford (1849-1935)
md. Blanche Beal
During the 1820s, Harriett probably moved to Tipton County, Tennessee; where at least two of her siblings (William and Martha) were living. She was described there in March 1828. She likely met her husband - James Eckford - while living there. The Eckfords lived in Tipton County and James' brother William was married to her sister Zuritha. Then on May 6, 1830, Harriett was issued a license to marry James Eckford. They were married soon after. They lived in Morgan County, Alabama for about 3 years. Then in about 1833, they moved to Columbus in Lowndes County, Mississippi; where they remained for several years. During the 1840s, they moved to neighboring Noxubee County, Mississippi, where they remained.
10Zuritha Parrish was born on or about September 9, 1807 17 in Wilson Co., Tennessee. She died on January 30, 1837 in Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi 17. She is buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi.
She married William Eckford in about 1827, possibly in Tipton Co., Tennessee. (He was born on October 7, 1802 in Petersburg, Fauquier Co., Virginia 17 and died on July 12, 1852 in Cullom Springs, Choctaw Co., Alabama 17. He is buried in the Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi.)
William Joseph Eckford (1830-1862)
md. Isabella Roseann Gates
Mary Elizabeth Eckford (1833-1835)
Caladonia Eckford (1835-1835)
Zuritha Eckford (1837-1837)

A guess is that Zuritha and William were married in Tipton County, Tennessee (both of them had relatives that lived there, and that county's marriage records have not survived before 1840).

By 1830, they had moved to Morgan Co., Alabama, where they were living as late as 1833. Then probably in 1833, they moved to Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi. Zuritha remained there until her death in 1837. Her husband afterwards remarried.

11Henry "Harry" J. Parrish was born circa 1809 in Wilson Co., Tennessee. He died in June 1836 22, probably in Columbus, Lowndes Co., Mississippi.
In 1814 and 1815, Henry "Harry" Parrish was described as one of the heirs of Henry Parrish. Those records suggest that he was the youngest child, and likely born after his sister Zuritha, whose birth was documented in 1807. Henry's whereabouts over the next two decades are unknown, and he likely spent time living with different relatives. By the mid-1830s, Henry had moved to Lowndes County, Mississippi; where three of his sisters (Elizabeth, Harriett and Zuritha) were then living. Henry died not long after, and apparently was never married. His estate records (dated in 1837 and 1838) indicate that he died in June 1836. The administrator of his estate was James Eckford who was described as "one of the heirs in right of his wife". Two other brother-in-laws, David C. Richards and William Eckford, were also involved with the administration of his estate. At the time of his death, Henry owned 80 acres of land in neighboring Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. He received a patent for that land posthumously in February 1841.

2nd Generation:

David Whitlock Parrish was born on December 19, 1789 2,13,27 or December 19, 1790 9 in Franklin Co., North Carolina. He died on March 31, 1876 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2,9,13,27. He is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.

Father: Henry Parrish
Mother: Elizabeth Strother

Sometime in his youth (probably between 1792 and 1798), he moved with his family to Wilson County, Tennessee, where he spent the remainder of his childhood and adolescence. In 1811, David's father died and he served as one of the administrators of his father's estate. Not long after this, 22-year old David enlisted in the Calvary during the War of 1812, and had one year of service in Thomas Bradley's Company. He returned to Tennessee and settled in Sumner County (adjacent to Wilson County). In July 1813, David married to Lucinda Hunt; but she died within 3 years. In June 1816, in Sumner County, he married Lucinda's sister, Lutilda Hunt.

In July 1815, David purchased 97.5 acres in Sumner County off of Station Camp Creek. He and his family lived there for at least the next 16 years, where they continued to purchase additional land. In 1833, they moved to Christian County, Kentucky 7,27; where his wife's parents had recently moved. There, in March 1833, they purchased 400 acres of land from John and Martha Gilmer. In May 1834, he then sold his land that he still owned in Sumner County, Tennessee. Then in 1835, David's wife Lutilda. In March 1838, David was married a third time to Mildred M. Gilmer. She died in 1843 and he never remarried. David was quite wealthy. In 1860, he had real estate valued at $56,000.00 and personal estate at $23,000.00.

In June 1850, David and one of his sons (unclear which one) were involved in a serious accident when the crossing the Red River in Clarksville in nearby Montgomery County, Tennessee. The bridge collapsed as they were crossing it in a wagon. Their horses were killed and David and his son both survived, but with considerable injuries.

David's estate (it was known as "Aspen Plains" in 1884) was in the southern portion of Christian County, Kentucky; less than one mile from the border with Tennessee. Today, David's real estate is in what is now Fort Campbell and also the neighboring city of Oak Grove. His house (originally built in 1833, but added to many times over the years) is still standing to this day where it is used by the Survivor Outreach Services in Fort Campbell (address is 5001 Screaming Eagle Boulevard). David Parrish died on March 31, 1876 in Christian County, Kentucky, at the age of 86.

Obituary, Clarksville Weekly Chronicle, Apr. 15, 1876, Pg. 3:
"OBITUARY.
DAVID W. PARRISH was born in Franklin County, N.C., December 19, 1789, and died at the residence of his son, Jas. H. (sic) Parrish, in Christian County, Ky., March 31, 1876, aged 86 years, 3 months and 12 days.
Mr. PARRISH was in many respects a remarkable man. He possessed a fine constitution, and his habits of toil and temperance were well calculated to bring him length of years. He was very intellectual, and had the good sense to follow through life the business to which he was so well apprenticed in his boyhood. No marvel that his life was a success, and that he amassed considerable wealth. To his country he was a good citizen in peace and a good soldier in war. To his friends he was true, kind and generous. To his family he was tender, affectionate and devoted. Though his children were settled in life, yet to him they were children as long as he lived. He grew too old to manage his farm, too feeble to fill his place in society, but never too old or feeble to look after the interests of his children, for whom he seemed to feel the same fondness as when they climbed on his lap in childish innocency. He worked for his estate, willed it to his offspring, and became his own executor. The honesty, integrity, and fine judgment of such a man fits him pre-eminently as a witness for Jesus and religion. Whatever christianity may have developed in him in life, or whatever sanction it may have received from him in death, is entitled to our serious consideration and credence. At one period of his life he had well nigh made the mistake so often made by others - that of estimating the power and influence of religion by the character of its devotees. This was temporary, and he soon adopted opposite and orthodox course, estimating christian character by the standard erected by the Divine Master. Christ claims the homage of youth, and Mr. PARRISH painfully felt and tearfully repented his remissness in this particular. Scripture teaches us to train our children in the way wherein they should go, assuring us that when they are old they will not depart from it. Mr. PARRISH repeatedly referred to his christian mother, and ratified on his death-bed the net in which she consecrated him to God in his infancy. Although eighty-six years of age, surrounded by a group of his own loving children, yet the name of mother and thoughts of her love and counsel softened his couch of pain and death, and sweetened his cadence to the tomb. Whatever of duty he may have neglected in life, in old age, affliction and death he trusted his mother's God. Christ says, "Repent and believe the gospel." Mr. PARRISH with broken heart and brimful eye, bewailed his sins and said, "I have been lying here giving up everything and rolling all my burden upon Jesus." Our savior enjoins separation from the world. Mr. PARRISH renounced the world and gave his hand to the writer in church-fellowship amid the sobs, tears and thanksgivings of his family and neighbors. O, it was a sweetly solemn to see him, in the full vigor of a gigantic and unimpaired intellect, hold forth his trembling and emaciated hand and receive the sacramental symbols of his own comfort. And when prayer was offered that the communion typed on earth should be realized in heaven, his hearty "Amen" and "Lord grant it" told plainly of a soul full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. But the man who honored his father and mother, loved the companions of his bosom, tolled through a long life to raise in comfort a large and loving family of children, has gone to his reward. This is the testimony he leaves as a legacy to those who knew him and who were cognizant of his virtues. Religion is true. Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ His Law, the conversion of the soul through the operation of the Holy Spirit are doctrines to be realized in life in order to make death peaceful and happy. Experiencing these blessed doctrines, we can triumph over fear by faith in live in death itself, "I know my heart is changed and my sins forgiven. My prospects for heaven are far brighter than I could have expected considering my long delay in giving my heart to God." Testifying thus he ascended to God.
Fair mourners with tributary tears will water for years to come the charnel house where sleeps so well the dust of their sainted father, and the delicate fingers that wiped the death damp from his brow will scatter flowers o'er his house of clay, while from trembling lips will fall in broken ascents peans of praise to the memory of one so sadly missed by them. If the law of sympathy lives beyond the tomb, then the angel father may be permitted to hover about the dwelling places of those he loved and ministered to on earth, to hush the notes of sorrow, and beckon the mourner to the skies.
T.J. Duncan."

David married first Lucinda Hunt on or after July 3, 1813 in Sumner Co., Tennessee 1. She was born circa 1793 in Franklin Co., North Carolina. She died between 1813-1816 in Sumner Co., Tennessee.

They had no known children. If any were born, they died in infancy.
Father: Sion Hunt
Mother: Sarah Hartsfield

Lucinda died not long after her marriage. Her husband later married her sister Lutilda (variously assumed to either be a twin sister or a younger sister). Some researchers have assumed that Lucinda and Lutilda were the same person, but that seems unlikely (There was two separate marriage bonds - one for Lucinda in 1813 and one for Lutilda in 1816; and years later David was described as being married three times 27).

David married second Lutilda T. Hunt on June 5, 1816 in Sumner Co., Tennessee 1.

They had the following children:

1 Eliza T. Parrish was born on June 27, 1817 in Sumner Co., Tennessee 15. She died on June 23, 1852 24 or June 24, 1852 15 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.
She married William Donaldson on January 28, 1836 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He was born circa 1812 in Kentucky 5 and died after 1850.)
They had the following children:
David S. Donaldson (1837-1838)
Presley W. Donaldson (c. 1840-1876)
md. Elizabeth Amelia Gilmer
Isabelle Frances Donaldson (1841-1842)
Laura Donaldson (1843-1849)
Gabriella Donaldson (1843-1898)
md. Benjamin Franklin Bacon
James William Donaldson (1850-1850)

William Donaldson was a tailor. During their marriage; he and Eliza lived in the city of Clarksville in Montgomery County, Tennessee.

Clarksville Jeffersonian, Jun. 26, 1852, Pg. 1:
"Died...On Wednesday, the 23d. inst., Mrs. Eliza T. Donaldson, of this place."

2 Elizabeth Henry Parrish was born circa 1819 in Sumner Co., Tennessee. She died on December 27, 1848 28 probably in Yazoo Co., Mississippi.
She married first Micajah Walker Gilmer on or after August 18, 1838 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He was born on December 8, 1804 in Georgia and died before October 19, 1840 in Montgomery Co., Alabama.)
They had one child:
Sarah Jane Walker Gilmer (c. 1840-1921)
md. 1st. James Atwood Bullock
md. 2nd. Walter Scott Eckford
She married second James Ware on March 15, 1843 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He was born on December 1, 1814 in Frankfort, Franklin Co., Kentucky and died on July 26, 1884 in Vicksburg, Warren Co., Mississippi. He is buried in the Cedar Hill Cemetery, Vicksburg, Warren Co., Mississippi.)
They had two children:
Julian Eugene Ware (1844-1920)
md. Amanda Jane Noland
Helen Elizabeth Ware (c. 1847-1943)

Sometime between 1838 and 1840, Elizabeth and her first husband Micajah moved to Montgomery County, Alabama. He died there in 1840. She afterwards returned to Christian County, Kentucky with her infant daughter. In 1843, she remarried to James Ware (James' mother's maiden name was Parrish - possibly a distant relative). By 1844, they had moved to Mississippi, where they lived until her death. In 1850, the family was living in Yazoo County, Mississippi.

3 Martha A. Parrish was born circa 1821 in Sumner Co., Tennessee. She died sometime between 1848-1850 in Fayette Co., Texas.
She married Micajah Clark on December 23, 1845 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He was born circa 1823 in Elbert or Newton Co., Georgia and died between 1850-1860 in Fayette Co., Texas.
They had one child:
James David Clark (1848-1941)
md. Lila Penelope Coppage

Soon after their marriage, Martha and her husband moved to Fayette County, Texas; where they both remained until their deaths. Later her son James left his home in Texas as a teenager and moved to Kentucky to live with his grandfather (David Parrish).

Micajah Clark was the first cousin of Micajah Gilmer (who married Martha's sister Elizabeth) and also Mildred Gilmer (who married Martha's father David).

4 Mary W. Parrish was born on April 1, 1825 in Sumner Co., Tennessee 2. She died on March 31, 1906 in New Providence (now Clarksville), Montgomery Co., Tennessee 2. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.
She married Collin H. Roberts on December 3, 1844 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He was born on June 18, 1816 in Montgomery Co., Tennessee 2 and died on January 29, 1889 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2. He is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.)
They had the following surviving children:
Martha W. Roberts (1845-1846)
Mary A. Roberts (1847-1848)
James Taylor Roberts (1848-1935)
md. Katie Shepard
Charles W. Roberts (1852-1926)
md. May Donaldson
David Parrish Roberts (1854-1855)
Peter Edgar Roberts (1858-1920)
md. Mary Virginia Beasley
Fannie G. Roberts (1861-1936)
After their marriage in 1844, Mary and her husband first settled in Montgomery County, Tennessee; where they lived until the 1860s. In January 1866, her father deeded her 175 acres of his land in Christian County, Kentucky. Mary and her family moved there at that time, where they remained until her husband's death in 1889. There, they lived adjacent to her sister Lucretia's family. At some point between 1889 and 1900, Mary moved to Montgomery County, Tennessee with her daughter Fannie. There, they spent time living with different relatives including Lutilda Cummings (her niece) and Lucy Thomas (her brother James' sister-in-law).

The Leaf-Chronicle, Mar 31, 1906, Pg. 5:
"Death of Mrs. Mary Roberts
Passed away at home of Mrs. Lucy Thomas in New Providence.
Mrs. Mary Roberts, one of the oldest citizens in this county, died this afternoon at 12:15 o'clock in the home of Mrs. Mary (sic) Thomas, in New Providence. Mrs. Roberts would have been 82 tomorrow. She had been ill about eight weeks and for several days prior to her death was in critical condition with pneumonia. She was a life-long member of the Methodist chrch (sic) and a good Christian woman. She is survived by one daughter, Miss Fannie Roberts, and three sons, Taylor Roberts, of Montgomery, Ala.; Charles Roberts of Texas, and Pete Roberts, of Shawnee, Okla.
The funeral arrangements will not be completed until the arrival of her sons tonight."

5 James Strother Parrish was born on February 2, 1827 in Sumner Co., Tennessee 7,9. He died on January 9, 1908 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., Alabama 9,10. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Montgomery Co., Alabama.
He married first Zerilda Matilda West on December 6, 1847 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (She was born on June 22, 1829 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2 and died on November 20, 1864 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.)
They had the following children:
Henry Wynne Parrish (1848-1931)
md. Ida H. Beaumont
Drury West Parrish (1850-1852)
Edmond C. Parrish (1851-1855)
Frank Parrish (1853-1855)
David Parrish (1855-1857)
Dudley Parrish (1857-1859)
Charles B. Parrish (1859-1921)
md. Cornelia May Tanner
Mary Parrish (1862-1904)
md. Fleming M. Ragsdale
He married second Margaret V. Poindexter on March 7, 1866 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (She was born on May 31, 1846 in Tennessee 2 and died on February 8, 1871 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, Christian Co., Kentucky.)
They had one child:
Minor Q. Parrish (1868-1870)
He married third Jane Dabney Ward on December 21, 1871 in Montgomery Co., Tennessee 11. (She was born circa 1842 in Tennessee and died on February 9, 1884 in Christian Co., Kentucky 12. She is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.)
They had one child:
David Walker Parrish (1873-1877)
He married fourth Harriet C. Otis, widow of Albert Gallatin Houghton, on April 26, 1898 in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., Tennessee. She was born on September 27, 1825 in Wilbraham, Hampden Co., Massachusetts and died on July 13, 1903 in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York. She is buried in the Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York.
They had no children.

James was a farmer and spent most of his adulthood in Christian County, Kentucky. There, he took over the estate of his father (today within the limits of Fort Campbell; and very close to the city of Oak Grove and the border with Tennessee). Then in September 1885, James sold his farm and moved to neighboring Montgomery County, Tennessee; where he lived in the city of Clarksville. It was probably while living there that he met a widow named Harriet Houghton from Brooklyn, New York; who was briefly staying in Chattanooga, Tennessee. During their brief marriage (between 1898 and 1903), James and his wife lived together in Brooklyn, New York. After her death in July 1903, he returned to Clarksville, Tennessee. For the last 5 years of his life, he frequently moved - he spent winters living with his sons in Montgomery, Alabama, and he spent summers living with his sister Amelia in Christian County, Kentucky or with his sister-in-law Lucy Thomas in Montgomery County, Tennessee.

Hopkinsville Kentuckian, Jan. 11, 1908, Pg. 3:
“JAMES S. PARRISH
Died Monday in Montgomery, Ala., Aged 82.
Mr. Jas. S. Parrish, known as Capt. Parrish by reason of his long connection with the old Christian County Hunting Club, died at the home of son, in Montgomery, Ala., Jan. 6th, in the 82nd year of his age. He was born in Green county, Ky. (sic), but came to Christian county in his youth and when 21 years old became a member of Salem Baptist church. After his marriage he settled on a fine farm in the Western part of the county, where he lived for many years. He was twice (sic) married and two sons, Henry and Charlie Parrish, by his first wife, survive him, both of whom live in Montgomery, Ala. One sister, the widow of Hon. Jas. A. McKenzie, lives in this county. Capt. Parrish’s second wife died four years ago (sic).
He was a man of a most companionable nature and had a wide circle of friends. He raised fine horses, was a great hunter and was fond of pleasure even in his old age. Many of his summers, while he lived in Christian county and in Clarksville, were spent at Cerulean Springs, which has for several generations been a popular watering place. His home was noted for its hospitality. He owned many slaves before the war and many of his old family servants are still living in this section.”

6 Frances "Fannie" David Parrish was born on October 16, 1828 14 in Sumner Co., Tennessee. She died on August 16, 1880 14,15 in Christian Co., Kentucky. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.
She married first William Thomas Whitlock on October 17, 1848 in Christian Co., Kentucky 14,19. (He was born on December 18, 1819 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2 and died on December 7, 1856 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2. He is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.)
They had no children.
She married second John Alexander Keesee on December 4, 1860 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He was born on March 8, 1822 16 in Tennessee and died on December 18, 1896 16. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee.)
They had no children.

Obituary, Clarksville Weekly Chronicle, Sep. 18, 1880, Pg. 3:
"In Memoriam.
FANNIE D. PARRISH was born Oct. 16, 1828. She was faithful in all the experiences of woman-maidenhood, wife-hood, and widowhood. She was twice married; first to Wm. Whitlock, Oct. 17, 1848, and again to John A. Keesee, Dec. 3 (sic), 1860, who sustains most heavily her great loss. At Salem church (Baptist) in Christian county, Ky., she found infinite peace in Christ the Lord, October 1850, and united with that church. She led a consistent christian life, and died in the faith of the gospel, Aug. 16, 1880. For two years past - long years to her - she suffered excruciating agony. Every means within reach was resorted to for her recovery, but in vain; mortal disease claimed her for its own. She was a timid woman, and extremely sensitive to pain, and hence had a horror of the pangs of death beyond almost any one I ever knew. But her life for years past was a prayer for supporting grace in the dying hour. Sixteen months ago, the last time I saw her, she told me her life was entirely devoted to God, the Bible and prayer; that nothing of a worldly or frivolous nature had any longer interest for her. She was bright and cheerful, and walked a mile with me to church, and when questioned about visiting us, replied, "I am in Clarksville for the last time. I don't feel like coming in." When importuned for her picture, she said she had sat for her last picture. She was a devoted friend, conscientious christian, and modest, unassuming lady-like woman, whose every impulse was to please her devoted husband. (All praise to her husband whose devotion, careful attention and untiring nursing during her protracted illness, were unsurpassed; and to her sisters, who vied one with another in kind attention, leaving their own families to spend alternate weeks and months with her.)
Saturday preceding her death she was ecstatically happy. She had prayed time and again to feel once more as she did when her sins were pardoned - she never doubted her conversion at any time, but still for the thirty years intervening her conversion and the Saturday mentioned, she had never enjoyed the rapture of that hour, but that day, she lifted her hand and shouted "old Salem! Thank the Lord, I have obtained the blessing! I am just as happy as I can be, or ever was!" She exhorted her friends to meet her in Heaven; sent messages of loe to absent ones, and turned to her weeping husband, saying: "I hate to go and leave you in your loneliness, but I must go, and I want you to get religion and meet me in Heaven." Then she made arrangements for her burial, selecting the time, place and person to attend to each particular pertaining to it, and requesting that brother Hanner preach her funeral sermon - she seemed to think of everything. Monday morning at 10 o'clock, a. m., Aug. 16, 1880, she calmly and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, at her home near Garrettsburg, Ky. Perfect love had cast out all fear.
To her sorrowing friends, let me say - "Fannie is not dead, but sleepeth." May we so live that our lives may close as beautifully and peacefully as hers did; and that we may glide down the stream of time into the heaven of perfect rest.
J.E.W."

7 Lucretia Parrish
David married third Mildred Meriwether Gilmer on or after March 8, 1838 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. She was born in 1805 in Georgia 3. She died on November 2, 1843 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.
Mildred was the daughter of Nicholas Meriwether Gilmer and Amelia Gatewood Clark of Oglethorpe Co., Georgia and later Christian Co., Kentucky. A few months after her marriage, Mildred's step-daughter Elizabeth Parrish married her brother Micajah Gilmer.
They had the following children:
8 Amelia Clark Parrish was born on July 27, 1839 26 or July 27, 1840 3 in Christian Co., Kentucky. She died on June 15, 1925 in Richmond, Wayne Co., Indiana 3,26. She is buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green, Warren Co., Kentucky.
She married first James Churchill Blakey on November 25, 1858 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He died sometime between August 1859 and December 1859 in Macon or Montgomery Co., Alabama.)
They had no children.
She married second James Andrew McKenzie on August 16, 1864 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19. (He was born on August 1, 1840 in Christian Co., Kentucky and died on June 25, 1904 in Christian Co., Kentucky. He is buried in the Fairview Cemetery, Bowling Green, Warren Co., Kentucky.
They had eight children:
David Parrish McKenzie (1866-1872)
William John McKenzie (1868-1871)
Gilmer Ewing McKenzie (1870-1872)
Wallis Gillespie McKenzie (1872-1872)
Mary Louise McKenzie (1873-1956)
md. 1st. Hubert Pleasant Potter
md. 2nd. Jonathan Bailey Browder
John Atherton McKenzie (1874-1882)
Katherine Amelia McKenzie (1876-1963)
md. Henry Lamar Monarch
James Andrew McKenzie (1878-1941)
md. Mary Jane Willis

Amelia lived with her first husband in Alabama, where he died just about a year after their marriage. He wrote his will on August 13, 1859 and it was proven on December 10, 1859. In his will he described himself was a resident of Macon County, Alabama; but the will was probated in neighboring Montgomery County, Alabama. After her husband's early death, Amelia returned to Kentucky and continued living with her father until her remarriage in 1864.

Amelia and her second husband settled in Christian County, Kentucky; on land deeded to her by her father in January 1866. They were living there when her husband died in 1904. She continued living there for several more years. Sometime during the 1910s, she moved to Richmond, Indiana, to live with her daughter Katherine - and died there.

Amelia's husband James McKenzie was a prominent politician. He served as a representative in the Kentucky State Legislature from 1867 to 1871 and then in the United States Congress as a Representative from Kentucky from 1877 to 1883. Later he served as Kentucky Secretary of State and as the United States' Minister [Ambassador] to Peru.

9 Maybelle Parrish was born on January 21, 1841 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2. She died on August 21, 1842 in Christian Co., Kentucky 2. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.
10 William "Will" H. Parrish was born on February 28, 1841 2 in Christian Co., Kentucky . He died on October 30, 1861 2 near Bowling Green, Warren Co., Kentucky . He is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.
Clarksville Chronicle, Nov. 8, 1861, Pg. 1:
"Obituary.
DIED. - On the 31st inst., near Bowling Green, Ky., from the effects of shooting himself accidentally, WILL. H., son of D. W. Parish, of Christian Co., KY., and a member of the Oak Grove Rangers..."

3rd Generation:

Lucretia Parrish was born in August 1831 in Sumner County, Tennessee 5. She died on May 11, 1903 in Longview Pct. (now Oak Grove), Christian Co., Kentucky 15,20. She is buried in the Flat Lick Cemetery, near Herndon, Christian Co., Kentucky.

Father: David Whitlock Parrish
Mother: Lutilda T. Hunt

Lucretia moved with her family from Sumner County, Tennessee to Christian County, Kentucky in 1833 7. Her mother died in 1835, when she was not quite 4 years old. Lucretia spent the remainder of her life in the extreme southern portion of Christian County, Kentucky. Her family were wealthy slave owners and influential citizens.

Lucretia was married in 1852 to John Robert Whitlock, who lived nearby. John was the younger brother of William Whitlock, who was married to Lucretia's sister Frances. After the marriage, John and Lucretia apparently lived for a short time in or near Cadiz in Trigg County, Kentucky, where their first child was born. By 1855, they had settled in southern Christian County, where they remained until their deaths. In January 1866, her father deeded her 175 acres of his estate. Their land was in Longview Precinct and is within the current city limits of Oak Grove.

Obituary, Hopkinsville Kentuckian, May 15, 1903, Pg. 1:
"AGED WOMAN
Dies Near Kennedy of Infirmities Incident to Old Age,
Mrs. J. R. Whitlock died last Monday [May 11] at the home of her son-in-law, Mr. Thos. Jones, near Kennedy, aged 73 years. Rev. R. L. Cave, of Clarksville, conducted services Tuesday and the interment took place in the Parrish burying ground."

Obituary, Weekly Leaf-Chronicle [Clarksville, TN], May 15, 1903, Pg. 6:
"MRS. J. R. WHITLOCK
A Well Known Lady of Kennedy, Ky., Passes Away.
Mrs. J. R. Whitlock passed away at the home of her son-in-law, Thomas Jones, near Kennedy, Ky., at 8 o'clock this morning. She was 73 years old, and a woman of many estimable traits. She was a sister of James H. Parrish. Rev. R. L. Cave will conduct the funeral Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock. The interment will be in the Parrish family burial plot."

Lucretia married John Robert Whitlock on or after February 7, 1852 in Christian Co., Kentucky 19.
For information on their children, see his page.

Sources:

1. Marriage records, Sumner Co., Tennessee
2. Cemeteries of Christian County, Kentucky. Christian County Genealogical Society, 2004.
3. Family Histories, Christian Co., Kentucky. Christian County Genealogical Society, 1986
4. International Genealogical Index
5. Assorted US Federal Census records
6. Death notice of Collin Roberts, Nashville Christian Advocate, May 16, 1889
7. Perrin, William H. County of Christian, Kentucky, Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey Pub. Co., Chicago & Louisville, 1884
8. Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900, Ancestry.com
9. DAR Genealogical Research System. http://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/
10. Obituary of James S. Parrish, Hopkinsville Kentuckian, Jan. 11, 1908, Pg. 3
11. Marriage registers, Montgomery Co., TN
12. Obituary of Jane D. Parrish, Semi-Weekly South Kentuckian, Feb. 15, 1884, Pg. 3
13. Obituary of David W. Parrish, Clarksville Weekly Chronicle, Apr. 15, 1876, Pg. 3
14. Obituary of Fannie D. Parrish [Keesee], Clarksville Weekly Chronicle, Sep. 18, 1880, Pg. 3
15. Tombstone inscriptions, Flat Lick Cemetery, Christian Co., KY
16. Tombstone inscriptions, Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, TN
17. Tombstone inscriptions, Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, Lowndes Co., MS
18. Original marriage records (bonds, licenses, certificates), Wilson Co., Tennessee
19. Original marriage records (bonds, licenses, certificates, registers), Christian Co., Kentucky
20. Obituary of Mrs. J. R. Whitlock, Hopkinsville Kentuckian, May 15, 1903, Pg. 1
21. Obituary of Eliza T. Donaldson, Clarksville Jeffersonian, Jun. 26, 1852, Pg. 1
22. Lowndes County Probate Records, Vol. A, Pg. 401
23. Death notice of Hobson Ferrell, Oxford [MS] Eagle, Feb. 1, 1883, Pg. 3
24. Death notice of Eliza T. Donaldson, Clarksville [TN] Jeffersonian, Jun. 26, 1852, Pg. 1
25. Abstract of death notice of Elizabeth H. Ware, Nashville Christian Advocate, Jan. 5, 1849
26. Death certificate of Amelia C. McKenzie, 1925, Wayne Co., IN, #20886
27. Obituary of David W. Parrish, Kentucky New Era [Hopkinsville, KY], Apr. 7, 1876, Pg. 2
28. Online obituary index, Nashville Christian Advocate. https://www.tngenweb.org/records/davidson/obits/nca/index.html