James Parker (1725-1797)

He was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. In 1746, he embarked for the northern frontier for the expedition against the French as a Captain of one of the six New Jersey companies. On his return, he went into the West India trade in New York with Beverley Robinson and his great-uncle, Andrew Johnston. He was President of the Board of Proprietors of East Jersey (1762-63). In 1764, he was appointed a Member of the King's Council and he served as Mayor of Perth Amboy in 1771. He was suggested as a Delegate for the Provincial Congress in 1775, but being a Loyalist at heart he declined the invitation and moved his family to his country seat, "Shipley," where he had hoped to sit out the Revolution. However, he quickly became an object of suspicion and was arrested for alleged "pernicious activity" and imprisoned at Morristown. In 1783, he moved with his family to New Brunswick where they remained for two years before returning to their family home (see image) in Perth Amboy, to which he had added a wooden extension in 1760. His citizenship was restored in 1785 and he was urged to run for Congress but did not give his consent until it was too late. In 1763, he married Gertrude, daughter of the Rev. William Skinner, of St. Peter's Church, Perth Amboy, and maternal granddaughter of Col. Stephanus Van Cortlandt, Mayor of New York. They were the parents of 5-children.