Author: George Abbott Lipphardt
Birth: 09 Dec. 1703 in Portsmouth, NH
Death: 29 April 1781 in Portsmouth, NH
Type of Service: Signed Association Test in 1776
DAR #A087764 (approved Nat’l #184712)
Cemetery: Unknown; Portsmouth, NH
Spouse: Elizabeth Grafton & Abigail Forbes
Children: Zerviah Stanley, William, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia, Catherine, Samuel, Sarah & Matthew

Synopsis: The Honorable William Parker, signed The Association Test in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1776. *William Parker is the father of Samuel Parker. He was a Superior Court Judge of New Hampshire.

The Honorable WILLIAM PARKER, the oldest son of his father, William Parker, was born in Portsmouth in 1703, received his education in one of the public schools, and then became apprentice to his father. He made himself thoroughly acquainted with that business, but relinquished it soon after he came of age, and was employed for several years as master of one of the public schools. In his leisure hours he pursued the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1732. He was clerk of the commissioners who settled the boundary line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts in 1737; was appointed Register of Probate by Gov. Belcher; afterwards became Judge of Admiralty, and was for many years the only Notary Public in the Province. From 1765 to 1774 he was a member of the general assembly. In August, 1771, he was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court, which office he held until all those who received their appointment from the King were in the Revolution removed.

After Judge Parker left the bench he was confined to the house with the gout. He took no part in the politics of the day; neither did his health permit him to attend to any other concerns than the education of his family. He died April 29, 1781, aged seventy-seven. Of his character, the analyst of Portsmouth says, "that he was esteemed a well-read and accurate lawyer; he had diligently studied the law, not only as a profession but as a science. While at the bar he was consulted, and his advice relied on in the most important cases which came before the courts. But his studies were not confined entirely to the law. He gave much of his attention to classical literature and the belle letters, in which he made great proficiency." In 1763 the corporation of Harvard college conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts, although his preliminary education was received in a tan yard. He was emphatically a self-made man.

10 March 2016: According to Tom Hardiman of the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Athenaeum, "there is no grave stone currently visible in any of Portsmouth’s cemeteries for William Parker. It is likely that he was buried with the family at his home site, which was obliterated in the 19th century by the construction of the Steam Factory. The site is currently the offices of Heinemann Publishing. If you Google Parker Street in Portsmouth, it is between Parker and Rock street, near the railroad tracks. The gardens described by Brewster have long been paved over.

The Association Test of 1776.
The Declaration of the Independence of the United States was well ascertained to be the voice of the people, before it was signed in the Congress at Philadelphia on the 4th of July, 1776. On the recommendation made by Congress, March 14, 1776, the signatures of the people were obtained to an obligation to oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies. The fullness of the returns gave the signers of the Declaration assurance that their acts would be sanctioned and sustained by the country. We give below a document from the Secretary of State's office, which shows all the names of the citizens of Portsmouth in 1776, and the position in which they stood in regard to the Revolution. It will be seen that while four hundred and ninety-seven signed the Association test, thirty-one were either absent or refused to sign. Of the latter, fifteen were reported as "being notoriously disaffected to the common cause.”
To the Selectmen and Committee of the Town of Portsmouth: COLONY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, In Committee of Safety, April 12th, 1776.

In order to carry the underwritten Resolve of the Hon. Continental Congress into execution, you are requested to desire all Males above twenty-one years of age (luanticks, idiots, and negroes excepted,) to sign to the Declaration on this paper; and when so done, to make return hereof, together with the name or names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly, or Committee of Safety of this Colony.
M. WEARE, Chairman.
ASSOCIATION TEST OF 1776. 215
In Congress, March 14, 1776.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils, or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all persons to be disarmed, within their respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated and refuse to associate, to defend by arms, the United Colonies, against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.

Extract from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec'y. In consequence of the above Resolution, of the Hon. Continental Congress, and to shew our Determination in joining our American Brethren, in defending the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of the Inhabitants of the United Colonies: We the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we will to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with Arms, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets, and Armies, against the United American Colonies.