Topic starter
21/10/2009 8:10 pm
I am trying to find information on the pilot of the Effie Afton, Nathan Parker to determine if he was the Nathan Parker married to Lucy Augusta Gates. I have family records indicating she married a pilot of this name and moved to Cheshire, OH, Newport, NY and then Illinois where she died. Lucy was born about 1831 which makes her the right age. She apparently traveled with him for a while before they set up housekeeping.
22/10/2009 9:11 pm
Leslie,
I suggest you check out the book "Hell Gate of the Mississippi -- The EFFIE AFTON Trial and Abraham Lincolm's Role In It" by Larry A. Riney, copyright 2006. You may be able to contact the author for any information he found concerning Capt. Nathaniel W. Parker. Good luck!
24/10/2009 3:22 am
Leslie
I will no vouch for sure but the 1852 list of pilots licensed has a N. W. Parker licensed for the upper Mississippi at St Louis. In the 1850 census for 5th ward St Louis, Page 192 : N. W. Parker is listed as a pilot born in 1811 in Kentucky. his wife is Elizabeth born in 1818 in Louisiana. and 5 children are listed, all born in Missouri, Mary E in 1831, James H. 1834, Ann 1839, Nathan 1841, and Charles 1848. N. W. Parker was worth $3000.00 in 1850. My guess is Capt Nathaniel W Parker was not married to your Lucy.
Utah Riverrat
24/10/2009 5:15 am
Leslie
I did some more digging on Nathan and Lucy. found them likely where you did in the 1860 Census for Wayne Co. Illinois at the Johnsonville P.O.. where Nathan Parker is listed as a steamboat captain. born 1826 in Ohio. with wife Lucy A. born 1836 in Ohio
two children are listed Samuel E. born 1851 in Ohio and Mary T (K) born 1857 in Kentucky. Mary K's birth is given as 23 Dec 1856 in Campbell Co. KY in records submitted to the Mormon church. (look again at the census and compare with other entries on the page for KY). I am guessing that Nathan's father is Ebanazar Parker b 1793 in Penn, and his mother is Mary born 1803 in Mass. Nathan likely has a brother Samuel Parker born 1828 in Ohio who may also be a river pilot. his wife is Helen born 1841 in Ohio. These three families were living next to each other.
Carl Utah riverrat