Nahum Parker
March 4, 1760 Mass. – November 12, 1839 N.H.
“There is a number here that talk more of war than they did when we first met…” Nahum Parker Dec. 29, 1809
Washington City
29 Dec., 1809
Dear Polley,
I am in good health. I hope you and the family enjoy the same blessing. There is a number here that talk more of war than they did when we first met. Yet I do not think that a majority can be found who will declare war at present. However, that may be, I am determined to give myself as little anxiety as possible, and I hope you will neither borrow nor beg trouble. Enjoy the innumerable blessings you possess and be thankful therefore. This is probably the last letter I shall write to you this year. The year is almost done, a new one succeeds, and we travel on to meet the pain and pleasure allotted us here, and by and by we shall lie down in quiet. Let us do our duty, be reconciled to god, and march cheerfully on. I wish more wrote to me of the home concerns.
I am your, Nahum Parker
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Submitter: Sherri Cawley Notes:
This letter dated December 29, 1809 is written from Washington City and addressed to Parker’s wife, Polley in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. Despite Nahum’s letter, war was declared by the United States on June 12, 1812.
Nahum Parker was an active and passionate Patriot. A Senator from New Hampshire, he was born in Shrewsbury, Mass. on March 4, 1760. He served valiantly during the Revolutionary War and served in the Continental Army at the battle of Saratoga in 1777. The Battle of Saratoga was the major turning point of the American Revolution. This battle proved to the world that the fledgling American army was an effective fighting force capable of defeating the highly trained British forces in a major confrontation. As a result of this successful battle, the European powers took interest in the cause of the Americans and began to support them.
Parker began his military career as a Private in Capt. John Maynard’s detachment, Col. Job Cushing’s regiment from September 29, to October 14, 1777. Parker also served as a Private in Capt. Isaac Martin’s Company, Col. Josiah Whitney’s regiment and from May 4 to July 4, 1777, under Maj. Gen. Spencer at Rhode Island. He served in Capt. Asa Rice’s Company, Col. Job Cushing’s regiment from July 27 1777 to August 29, 1777. Parker marched to Manchester on an alarm, was discharged at Bennington. He then served in Capt. Seth Newton’s Company, Col. Abijah Stearns’s regiment from April 1 to July 2 1778. He was 20 years of age in 1780, 5 ft. 8 in., with a light complexion. He was under command of Lieut. Jackson of the artillery. Parker marched to camp July 5, 1780. He was finally discharged on November 18, 1781.
Parker and his wife eventually settled in Fitzwilliam, Cheshire County, N.H., in 1786. He was an active member in all manner of public service, including the State house of representatives 1794-1804, 1806-1807 and member of the Governor’s council in 1804 and 1805. He was elected as Republican to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1807, to June 1, 1810, only a short six months after this letter was written. After he resigned he became justice of the court of common pleas for Cheshire and Sullivan Counties from 1807 through 1813. He was associate justice of the western circuit 1813-1816 and judge of the court of sessions, Cheshire County, in 1821 and of the court of common pleas, Hillsborough County, in 1822; member of the State senate and its president in 1828. He died in Fitzwilliam, N.H., November 12, 1839. He is interred in the Town Cemetery.