Parents of Joseph G. Parsons Sr.

One of the mysteries concerning Joseph is who were his parents and where did they come from. There are large groups of Parsons in the South and North East and probably all Parsons have some genetic relationship. On the genealogy web sites, researchers have guessed many different parents and places but with no documentation of even circumstantial evidence. Below is some thoughts I have had in my research.

First, there is a statement in the Garrett family records that the Garretts came to Anson County, N.C. in a wagon train from the Northern neck of Virginia with the Parsons. We know there were several Parsons' family located in Anson County, N.C. from land records (this county is on the border of South Carolina). It was here that the Goolsbys also lived....Joseph married Alcey Goolsby about 1763-65. The Goolsby moved to Laurens County, S.C. in 1767 after receiving a grant of 550 acres from King George III. Joseph and Alcey acquired 100 acres next to the Goolsbys in Laurens County in 1768.

But there must have been a special relationship the Parsons had with the Garretts.

Joseph's middle name "Garrett", may have been Joseph’s mothers name. There was a common practice in those days to take the mothers family name and use it as a middle name. It was a way to continue the family name, especially if there was an only son. Garrett is a name seen in the descendants of Joseph in several instances.

The Grave marker below is for Captain Sam who is buried in Warrior Creek Baptist Church, Laurens Cty. S.C. Picture is from Find-a-Grave.

The note at the bottom by Charles Hawkins on Find A Grave is significant for this reason. He is buried, what seems to be in the Garretts family plot and is "almost at the head of the grave of Edward Garrett II". Captain Sam died Nov. 4, 1848 and was the only son of Joseph left in South Carolina. Everyone else had died or moved to Jefferson County, Al. Captain Sam was a member of the church along with the Garretts. It seems odd to me that he would be buried with the Garretts, but if they were related then perhaps that's the reason.

Perhaps Joseph's mother was a Garrett and that is the connection. Of course this is just speculation but no researchers have made any connection with Joseph's father or mother so further research is needed. All there is on the genealogy sites are guesses with no documentation or even circumstantial evidence.

Second, in my research there is good evidence that Joseph lived in Anson County, North Carolina before settling in Laurens County, South Carolina. Alcey, his wife, lived in Anson County prior to 1767 according to land documents. She and her parents were there when Joseph and Alcey married. Also, there is the record of a Joseph Parsons witnessing a land sale with the mark "J" in Anson County before 1767. Years later Joseph Garrett Parsons Sr. witness at least 2 land sales with a mark "J". If these Josephs were the same person, that places Joseph Garrett Parsons Sr. in Anson County. I have found three or four Parsons families in Anson County at this time period. Rebecca Parsons, James Parsons, John Parsons and Samuel and Rebecca Parsons. Samuel and Rebecca had a son named Joseph who was born in 1760 according to his petition for government support. Rebecca shows up in census but does not have a husband. James and John have no record. Its possible that James or John was her husband and died during the revolutionary war, but further research is needed. I believe that Joseph could have been the son or relative of the Parsons in Anson County, N.C.

If the above is correct, this places the Gooslbys, Garretts and Parsons all in Anson County before 1767. After 1767 they all have relocated to Laurens County South Carolina.

Harold Parsons Jr. Birmingham, Al