The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-06-12
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
 RECEIVES GIFTS The More Notable Recall the Adventurous Life of Capt. Rodney Parker. A NEW HAVEN SAILOR. An Interesting Recollection of the Bold and Intrepid
 Navigator.
A NEW HAVEN SAILOR.

Historical society number of articles relating to her late husband, and his family. These mementos have been highly prized by their donor, and are now given to the Historical society in order to assure their safety and pre- servation. Among them are:
 Large photograph of Captain Rodney Parker, who sailed many coastwise vessels out of this port from 1888 to 1884.
 A cane presented to Captain Parker J. Hoyt, accompanied by the following sketch of the recipient (wrltten by Mrs. Parker):
 Captain Rodney Parker was born June 14th, 1920, in shawangunk, New York. His father, Capt. John Parker (who married Cynthia Hedges) manned his vessel with his own boys; and brought cheese and other farm products down the old Pennington canal, Rodney Parker went to Clin- ton, Conn, at the age of twelve years At the age of eighteen, he was master of a vessel, bringing pine wood from Virginia, and he brought the first wood for the New York & New Haven railroad MT James Hoyt was at that itime superintendent of the railroad, and the engraving on the head of the cane represents the schooner Katie J. Hoyt, named for his daughter. The owners of the vessel, their purpose be- | ing unknown to Captain Parker, had a picture taken and presented this cane, made by Tiffany & Co.,, of New York city, to him, as a token of their esteem and appreciation. MT. James Hoyt and MT. Eli Quintard are the only two donors whose names Mrs. Parker now remembers. This cane was highly prized by Capt. Parker and his family. In giving it to the His torical society, the donors feel sure that they are placing it where 1t will lever be safely cared for
 Captain Parker andf His three broth CTS, Henry, Jeremiah. and John, sailed from this port for many years and were well known here. Captain Rod- ney Parker was shipwrecked twice. losing both vessels but no lives The first disaster occurred, March 4, 1872, off the Delaware capes, by collision with the schooner Charles F. Ray Imond. The crew were exposed to the mercy Of the winds and waves for Ieighteen hours in an open boat. When the crew, nearly frozen and discour- 1aged, lost hope of rescue, Captain Parker, who had a strong and power ful voice, sang to them the old hymns; 1 From Every Stormy Wind That l Blows and Jesus, Hover of My Soul" They were rescued by the steamship Albemarle, Captain Walker, and landed in lew York city. The second casualty was the wreck of the
 schooner Rodney Parker, on Romel Shoal
 In 1874, Captain Parker built the sec ond Rodney Parker at Mystic, Conn, This vessel he sailed for nine years, and she more than paid for herself; he was two-thirds ownery and she was sold in 1883 to other parties, Since that time she has met with various misfortunes, and was wrecked on the coast of Maine She was afterwards raised, and lowed to Mystic, where she was rebuilt, and now sails from that port a trim schooner, still bearing the name of Rodney Parker.
 Upon invitation of MT. Thomas Fitch
 Rowland, a personal friend, Captain Parker was one of the few persons who stood upon the deck of the Mon
 tor when she was launched-the ves- sel that did such wonderful work dur ling the Civil war.
 Captain Parker married Jane Chad wick, who died in 1872. They had four children Charles Rodney, cashier at the Fifth Avenue hotel, New York Joseph Chadwick, Clinton messenger, died December, 1905; John Hubbard, died September, 1904; and Jennie Louise, died July, 1871 In June, 1884, he married Miss Alice R. Carpenter, of Rockville, Conn, who has resided in New Haven since 1861. At that time he gave up his seafaring life, and for nearly nineteen years lived happily and contented in his home, and the companionship of his wife A sailor until his last days, he had no sea- vices. He never used tobacco or li- quor, which was remarkable, and re- cord to be proud of He was of even Temperament, optimistic, courageous and brave during his many trials and afflictions, and sincere, earnest, IChristlan man. He died January 21, 1903, after a years illness, with in- tense suffering patiently borne, be- loved and mourned by all who knew Ihim.
 Captain Parker was for many years a member of the Methodist church of lClinton, Conn, and later of the St.. John Street Methodist church of this city From 1891 until his decease he was connected With the Church of the Redeemer.
 Other donations to the society in- iclude a Bible (octavo) saved from the wrecked schooner Harry Conrad, March 4, 1872 On the record pages lof the Bible are the following notes: Schooner Harry Conrad launched Nov. 2S, 1871, from shipyard of Warren O.. Nettleton, Fair Haven, Conn. Schooner Harry Conrade was lost March 4, 1872, by collision with the schooner Charles E. Raymond, off the Capes of Della ware at D. m. Crew rescued by the Steamship Albemarle, Captain Walker, March 5, at p. m., in perishing con- dition, and landed in New York, Mar. 6, all hands nearly frozen Many thanks for the timely rescue of eight persons, for which Captain Rodney 4 In.