Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Joseph Parker (b. 1815 - d. 1882)
MSA SC 3520-3632
USCT Soldier, Howard County, Maryland

Biography:

    Joseph Parker (Jr) was born approximately in 1815 to James W & Mary Parker.1 On June 14th, 1863, Parker enlisted in Co. D of the 1st USCT on Mason's Island for a period of three years.2 The 1st USCT was organized at Camp Hamilton, Virginia, on December 22nd, 1863 until being mustered out on February 4, 1866.3 The regiment served in the Siege of Petersburg and the Fight at Deep Bottom.4

    Parker enlisted in Co. K of the 10th USCT after the war on May 8, 1867 in Philadelphia, Pa.5 The 10th USCT was originally organized in Virginia on November 18th 1863 until being mustered out on May 17th 1866.6 The unit served in the operations on the south side of James River against Petersburg and Richmond.7 The regiment also notably captured Fort Powhatan, worked on operations on the Bermuda front, City Point, and Rio Grande until mustering out of active duty on May 17th 1866.8

    On May 8, 1872, Parker was discharged at the rank of sergeant.9 On July 22 1872, Parker re-enlisted under the rank of saddler sergeant in Troop K of the 10th USCT.10 Parker was transferred on March 11, 1873 and promoted to sergeant major of the 12th cavalry on April 3, 1873.11 On July 22, 1877, Parker was discharged at the rank of sergeant major.12 Once again, Parker re-enlisted July 22, 1877 into the same infantry.13 On January 20, 1882, Parker died of heart disease in his room at Fort Concho, Texas.14 Parker was a single man at the time of his death.


    James W. Parker (Sr.), father of Joseph Parker (Jr.), successfully applied for a Dependent Father’s Pension on August 29th 1891.15 Commencing on September 1st, 1891, Parker Sr. became a pensioner at the rate of $12 per month.16 While residing at “Daisy” in Howard County, Parker Sr. died on August 18th 1896 at the age of 75.17


Endnotes:

1. SPECIAL COLLECTION (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 3520] Joseph Parker, Box 30, Folder 3, Page 9.

2. Ancestry.com. U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Compiled Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

3. National Park Service. "Regiment Details, 1st United States Colored Infantry." United States Colored Infantry. National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 2013. Web. 12 Aug. 2013.

4. Ibid.

5. SPECIAL COLLECTION (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 3520] Joseph Parker, Box 30, Folder 3, Page 7.

6. National Park Service. "Regiment Details, 10th United States Colored Infantry." United States Colored Infantry. National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 2013. Web. 12 Aug. 2013.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. SPECIAL COLLECTION (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 3520] Joseph Parker, Box 30, Folder 3, Page 9.

10. Ibid.

11. Ibid.

12. Ibid.

13. Ibid.

14. Ancestry.com. U.S., Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

15. SPECIAL COLLECTION (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 3520] Joseph Parker, Box 30, Folder 3, Page 18.

16. Ibid.

17. SPECIAL COLLECTION (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 3520] Joseph Parker, Box 30, Folder 3, Page 27.

Written and Researched by Daniel Ingham, 2013.

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