Person Page - 3433

     Elizabeth J. Jackson was born circa 1883 at Principio, Cecil Co., Maryland, USA.¹ She married Earnest Courtland Parks, son of William A. Parks and Mary Elizabeth Townsend, on 24 November 1903 at Wilmington, New Castle Co., Delaware, USA.¹

     Lt. Col. Ernest Courtland "Ernie" Parks Jr. was born on 31 May 1909 at Delaware, USA.¹ He married Cassie Gertrude Wadkins in 1949.²

Lt. Col. Ernest Courtland "Ernie" Parks Jr. was buried in September 1961 at Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, USA;
Per Find a Grave:
LTC Ernest Courtland “Ernie” Parks Jr.
Birth     31 May 1909, Delaware, USA
Death     Sep 1961 (aged 52), Colorado, USA
Burial     Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, City and County of Denver, Colorado, USA
Plot     Fairmount Mausoleum Chapel Floor Columbarium D Section 1093
Family Members
Parents
     Ernest C Parks 1878–1952
     Elizabeth J Parks 1883–1964
Spouse
     Cassie Gertrude Wadkins Parks 1921–1985 (m. 1949)
Created by: Carolyn Merrill • Relative · Niece/Nephew
Added: Dec 16, 2022
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 247450507.¹
Lt. Col. Ernest Courtland "Ernie" Parks Jr. died in September 1961 at Colorado, USA, at age 52.¹

     Cassie Gertrude Wadkins was born on 5 November 1921 at Alabama, USA.¹ She married Lt. Col. Ernest Courtland "Ernie" Parks Jr., son of Earnest Courtland Parks and Elizabeth J. Jackson, in 1949.¹

Cassie Gertrude Wadkins died on 20 March 1985 at Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, USA, at age 63.¹
Cassie Gertrude Wadkins was buried after 20 March 1985 at Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, USA;
Per Find a Grave:
Cassie Gertrude Wadkins Parks
Birth     5 Nov 1921, Alabama, USA
Death     20 Mar 1985 (aged 63), Denver, City and County of Denver, Colorado, USA
Burial     Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, City and County of Denver, Colorado, USA
Plot     Fairmount Mausoleum Chapel Floor Columbarium D Section 1093
Family Members
Spouse
     LTC Ernest Courtland "Ernie" Parks Jr 1909–1961 (m. 1949)
Children
     Charles Michael "Mike" Parks 1946–1990
Created by: Carolyn Merrill • Relative · Niece/Nephew
Added: Dec 16, 2022
Find a Grave Memorial ID: 247450476.¹

     Charles Michael "Mike" Parks was born on 15 November 1946 at West Point, Troup County, Georgia, USA.¹
Charles Michael "Mike" Parks died on 8 March 1990 at Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, USA, at age 43.¹
Charles Michael "Mike" Parks was buried after 8 March 1990 at Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Denver Co., Colorado, USA;
Per Find a Grave:
Charles Michael “Mike” Parks VVeteran

     William D. Parks was born between 1791 and 1794 at Maryland, USA; Aged 26-44 (1776-94) in the 1820 census; 30-39 (1791-1800)) in 1830 census. These two data points narrow his likely birthday to 1791-1794.^2,3 He married Unknown (?) before 1810
;
Four of William's five known children were born before his 1st known marriage (to Rarah RYLAND) in 1824. I assume that he had an earlier wife. Riedy has posited that Thomas R. was born ca 1810, so his earlier marriage may have been prior to 1820.^2,4 William D. Parks married Sarah Ryland on 16 January 1824 at Kent Co., Maryland, USA,
;
His 1st? of 2? wives.
William Parks in the Maryland, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1667-1899 William D. Parks married Maria Ann Huffington on 29 March 1832 at Kent Co., Maryland, USA,
; His 2nd? of 2? wives.^6,7
William D. Parks died between 14 January 1834 and 10 February 1834 at Kent Co., Maryland, USA; Presumably died between date of will and date of probate thereof.¹
     ;
PLEASE NOTE: I had made a decision to link Alexander R. PARKS #8074 as the son of Reuben #71532) and Priscilla (CROSWELL) PARKS (100437), though I did not have conclusive evidence either of the parentage or of the meaning Alexander's known middle initial of "R." I have now been shown evidence that I find persuasive that Alexander R. PARKS (1824-1893) could well have been the son of a William D. PARKS (unk-1834) and Sarah RYLAND (unk-unk). Therefore, I have now added a William D. PARKS as the father of Alexander R.- GA Vaut
To review:
     I am researching the father of Alexander Reuben PARKS 1824-1893 #8074. At the same time, I had begun gathering information on a separate Reuben PARKS who might be Alexander's father, but I don't have conclusive evidence of this yet. It now seems that This Reuben PARKS (1780-bef1840) seems to have definitely had a son named Reuben (1814-1879), so it is unlikely that he also named a later son Reuben, as well
     Many Ancestry trees show a Reuben PARKS as the father of Alexander R. (Reuben?) PARKS #8074. However, none of them seem to show any hard evidence of a son Alexander in the household of this Reuben. Similarly, while these trees show a DOB of 1780 in Somerset Co., MD, and a DOD of "Bef. 1840) also in Somerset Co., MD, none of the cite sources for these dates or place.
     More recently, I have received very new information form a researcher on Ancestry (sreidy00) with the following facts which point to a William D. PARKS as Alexanders R."s father:
     William D. PARKS had perhaps three wives. By dates, Alexander would have been the child of his second wife, Sarah RYLAND. Given local naming patterns, it is highly possible that Alexander's middles initial R was for "Ryland" (i.e., Alxander Ryland PARKS). However, I have yet to find any documentary proof for the meaning of the R.
     On a purely circumstantial basis, in the 1863, 1864, 1865 and 1866 tax lists, Alexander R. PARKS was living in Kent Co., in the same town as or very close to, two other sons of Willliam D. PARKS: William W. PARKS and George Washington PARKS. (N.B. As the tax lists are in alphabetical order, the proximity of names on the list does not automatically imply geographical proximity, but their location (usually town) is listed for each, and they provide this information. An 1877 real estate map for Still Pond, Kent co., MD, shows an A. R. PARKS and a W. W. PARKS resident there (George W. had moved to Chetertown, Kent Co., MD according to the 1870 federal census).
     I find the evidence persuasive and continue to work on developing this theory.

Then, there is the issue of DNA matches on Ancestry.com:
     The Ancestry DNA ThruLines for Mary "Polly" Joslin EVANS currently hypothesizes four sons of John and Mary (EVANS) PARKS. This is based on a total of six DNA matches with my wife Ellen Downing (MEEK) VAUT #2. These DNA matches may or may not be correctly attributed to John and Mary EVANS) PARKS.
     As of 29 April 2025, Ancestry.com DNA ThruLines shows four DNA matches for my wife Ellen downing (MEEK) VAUT #2, with descendants of the father of this "PARKS" (the possible grandfather of Alexander Reuben PARKS #8074). An image of the ThruLines chart is attached.
     This is strong, but not conclusive evidence that my wife and the other four DNA matches to her, share the common ancestors shown on the chart. However, I have learned in researching other early American ancestors, there are often two (or even more) family marriages between an early ancestor and today's DNA test that could give multiple family linkages between two modern individuals and cause multiple DNA matches. All four of the DNA matches seem to depend on a common EVANS ancestor, and not a common PARKS ancestor. My wife has multiple EVANS families in her identified ancestry, at least two of which were from Maryland, as did her PARKS family).
     My research on the ancestors of Reuben PARKS (CROCKETT, EVANS, and EWELL, in addition to PARKS families) shows that there were multiple intermarriages between these and related families (e.g., TYLER, MISTER, etc.) Many of these families were living on Smith Island (Somerset Co., MD) and neighboring Tangier Island (Accomack Co., VA) two small islands in Chesapeake Bay, only about eleven miles apart, since settling there in the 1600's.
     I have attached a map showing the locations of Smith and Tangier Islands.
     The failure of DNA matches alone to accurately predict the path of linkage to ancestors is confirmed by the fact that Ancestry also shows six EVANS DNA matches for my wife, all of which descend from the same PARKS line. [See ThruLines image attached.]
     I also want to call attention to three particularly helpful sources that I have relied on to build the ancestry of Reuben Parks: EDV-3.

; S. Riedy has hypothesized a possible ancestry for William. She emphasizes that it is only based on circumstantial evidence and may be in error. An image of this ancestry is attached.

William D. Parks appeared in the census of 7 August 1820 at Election District 1, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
William Parks in the 1820 United States Federal Census
     It is unknown if Wiliam was married at this time (7 August 1820). His first known marriage seems to have been in 1824 (to Sarah RYLAND). This makes it a bit awkward to explain the presence of two of the four younger males and the three younger women in his household. Possible explanations are:
I do not have firm information the birthdates of all of William's children. Five sons are mentioned in his 1834 will, at least two of whom were apparently under 14 at the time (James D. and George W.) Thomas R. is identified as under 21 in 1834.
p. 92, line 32

William D. Parks appeared in the census of 1830 at District 1, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
William Packs in the 1830 United States Federal Census

     There is no adult female in this household, so William's wife Sarah (RYLAND) PARKS (m. 1824) had apparently died by this date and he didn't remarry to Maria Ann (MNU) until 1832. Wiliam's son Thomas, may have been born ca 1810. If so he may have been living on his own by 1830. I do not have firm information the birthdates of all of William's children. Five sons are mentioned in his 1834 will, at least two of whom were apparently under 14 at the time (James D. and George W.) Thomas R. is identified as under 21 in 1834. James R. might possibly have not been born by 1830; his DOB is unknown to me.
     There is one other PARKS listed in Kent Co., MD in the 1830 census. I have hypothesized that it is a John PARKS, Jr., but I have so far found no family link between that John, Jr. and William D. PARKS.
p. 400, line 16

William D. Parks left a will on 14 January 1834 at Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
Per sreidy00 message:
William Parks of Kent County MD Will, Abstract of Kent Co Wills, Christou Jr & Barnhouser, Vol 2, p 108, 14 Jan 34-10 Feb 1834 Liber 11 p301:

     William W. Parks was born on 10 May 1819.³ He married Margaret A. Barrett before 1843 at Kent Co., Maryland, USA,
;
Record #1: William Parks in the Maryland, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1655-1850

Record #2: William Parks in the Maryland, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1667-1899
William W. Parks died on 26 April 1896 at age 76.³
William W. Parks was buried after 26 April 1896 at Still Pond UMC Cemetery, Still Pond, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
From Find a Grave
William Parks

His estate was probated between 30 April 1896 and 12 December 1900 at Kent Co., Maryland, USA,
;
Estate administration records found on FamilySearch (images attached).⁸
     William W. Parks was listed as a resident in William D. Parks's household in the census report on 7 August 1820 at Election District 1, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
William Parks in the 1820 United States Federal Census
     It is unknown if Wiliam was married at this time (7 August 1820). His first known marriage seems to have been in 1824 (to Sarah RYLAND). This makes it a bit awkward to explain the presence of two of the four younger males and the three younger women in his household. Possible explanations are:
I do not have firm information the birthdates of all of William's children. Five sons are mentioned in his 1834 will, at least two of whom were apparently under 14 at the time (James D. and George W.) Thomas R. is identified as under 21 in 1834.
p. 92, line 32

William W. Parks was listed as a resident in William D. Parks's household in the census report in 1830 at District 1, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
William Packs in the 1830 United States Federal Census

     There is no adult female in this household, so William's wife Sarah (RYLAND) PARKS (m. 1824) had apparently died by this date and he didn't remarry to Maria Ann (MNU) until 1832. Wiliam's son Thomas, may have been born ca 1810. If so he may have been living on his own by 1830. I do not have firm information the birthdates of all of William's children. Five sons are mentioned in his 1834 will, at least two of whom were apparently under 14 at the time (James D. and George W.) Thomas R. is identified as under 21 in 1834. James R. might possibly have not been born by 1830; his DOB is unknown to me.
     There is one other PARKS listed in Kent Co., MD in the 1830 census. I have hypothesized that it is a John PARKS, Jr., but I have so far found no family link between that John, Jr. and William D. PARKS.
p. 400, line 16

William W. Parks and Margaret A. Barrett appeared in the census of 7 August 1850 at Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
William W Parks in the 1850 United States Federal Census
p. 249-B,lines 34-38, dwelling 631, family 631

William W. Parks appeared in the census of 8 July 1860 at Slave Schedule, Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
William Parks in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules
All Enslaved People (Gender)     Age
     Female          9.¹¹

William W. Parks and Margaret A. Barrett appeared in the census of 9 July 1860 at Election District 2, Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;

William H Parks in the 1860 United States Federal Census
p. 882, lines 5-16, dwelling 376, family 376
5 PARKS, William W. 43 [1817] WM W Farmer $6,700 $1,200 MD Atended School 5 (years?)
6 " , Margaret A. 38 [1822] F W MD
7 " , James T. 17 [1843] M W MD
8 " , Anna A. 14 [1846] F W MD
9 " , Rufus F. 12 [1848] M W MD
10 " , Margaret M. 9 [1851] F W MD
11 " , Mary R. 5 [1855] F W MD
12 " , Nathaniel 3 [1857] M W MD
13 " , Nettie E. 1 [1859] F W MD
14 WALKER, Richard 17 [1843] M Black Laborer MD
15 BUTLER, Lavinia 28 [1832] F Black Domestic MD
16 PLACIDA(?), Oliver 13 [1847] M Black Laborer MD.¹²

William W. Parks lived in 1863 at Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
WM W Parks in the U.S., IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918

William W. Parks lived in 1864 at Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
Wm W Parks in the U.S., IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918

William W. Parks lived in 1864 at Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
Wm W Parks in the U.S., IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918

William W. Parks lived in 1865 at Hanesville, Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
Wm W Parks in the U.S., IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918

William W. Parks lived in 1866 at Still Pond, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
Wm W Parks in the U.S., IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918

William W. Parks and Margaret A. Barrett appeared in the census of 1 August 1870 at Chestertown, Kent Co., Maryland, USA;
William W Parks in the 1870 United States Federal Census
p. 177-B, lines 16-25, dwelling 345, family 342