Updates

I just wanted to post some updates to my own research for Joshua's parents.

First, I went to Belmont county, OH, and the Joseph Parrish who died there left a will mentioning his sons Joseph and James.  Additionally he mentioned his grandson Joseph, and granddaughter Charity.  Based on the names, I believe this is the Joseph Parrish who married Charity Bosley.  As it stands currently, there is no proof this Joseph is the same as Joseph Parrish of Shirley Twp, Huntingdon Co, PA, and there is nothing linking him to Joshua.

Second, I have new tax records that have Joshua in Frankstown, Huntingdon Co, PA in 1798, 1799, and 1800.  He's listed as "removed" in 1800, which is also the first year he shows up in the Greenfield, Bedford, PA tax records.  At this point his movements from 1793 until his death in 1840 are pretty well documented.

Finally, I've tried to find out more about John Parrish of Huntingdon Co, PA (in Allegheny Twp in 1800, in Springfield in 1810), however there is little to nothing available.  Although he is in Huntingdon County in both the 1800 and 1810 census records, he is nowhere to be found in the tax records.  This likely means that he was extremely poor and not only did not own any land of his own, he also didn't own a cow or a horse.

Personally, I think the connection between John Parrish and Joseph Parrish & Abarilla Parrish McGinnity (the latter two of Indiana Co, PA) is fairly well established, even though Abarilla's exact connection to John isn't known.  And the circumstantial evidence of the baptism of Margaret McGinnity (Abarilla's daughter) in 1823 by Prince Gallitzin at the age of 16, with her godfather being John Parrish (not the same as above, this one is presumed to be Joshua's son John, born circa 1794), Joshua appears to be connected to them as well.

Basically to sum up, this mystery has not been solved and the award is still available.  It is still my current belief that Joshua was indeed born in the US.  Possibly he moved east after his father (?) Joseph Parrish of Shirley twp died and then moved back out west when Prince Gallitzin decided to start a Catholic church out there.

Reward Increase!

Hello!

Due to a stand-still in the research department, I (along with another relative looking for Joshua) have decided to raise the reward to $300!  He's still missing, and we're still very interested in solving this mystery.  Please ask if you have any questions!

Records are Updated!

The records are now updated.  I do have some tax records from 1804 to 1815 in Bedford County, but I don't know how much good they'll do helping find his parents.

Some final notes, Joshua served in the Bedford County militia where he was elected lieutenant in 1797.  I also have that he was elected lieutentant in the Huntingdon County militia October 14, 1791.  That one I have not seen for myself.

Once again, feel free to ask any questions regarding clarifications, etc.  And good luck!  :)

$200 Reward: Joshua Parrish 1770-1840

Like everyone researching their family histories, I've got my share of roadblocks.  This blog may end up being a place to post about others, but for now it will be dedicated to the never-ending search for Joshua Parrish's origins.  As it stands now, I am offering $200 to the first person who can provide concrete evidence as to his parents.

Here are some of the specifics.  Eventually, I will writeup all of the records I currently have.

First, Joshua is my fifth great-grandfather.  He was born November 20,1770.  He married Barbary Timble, a woman herself with an interesting and difficult to trace genealogy.  Her father was arrested as a Hessian mercinary near the start of the Revolutionary War.

We first find Joshua in the 1793 tax rolls of Germany twp, PA.  He was likely working for John Parr who sadly died in 1794/5 as it has been recorded in history books he learned his mill trade at "widow Parr's mill".  Supposedly Joshua was originally a Quaker, in the Sociey of Friends.  If true, I have never found proof.  In any case, Joshua and his family would convert to Catholicism, following Prince Demetrius Gallitzin (a Russian nobleman turned Catholic Priest) into the wilds of early Cambria and Bedford counties in PA.

Joshua stayed active in church life until his death in 1840, coincidentally the same year Prince Gallitzin would die.

Although much of his life has been recorded, his true parentage does not appear to have been.  For example, in one history book alone, they give two differing accounts.  One claims he was born in England, while another entry states he was born in the Conewago Settlement in Pennsylvania.  The truth is, one might be true or possibly neither is true.  No one knows for sure.  Another theory is he was born in Maryland, yet another in Virginia.

To claim the reward, a verifiable source must be provided that tells who his parents are, or at least gives one of his parents.  Theories will not count towards mystery solved.  Additionally there are many erroneous reports on the web linking him to various 'parents'.  I will state up front, none are verified and the truth is they are likely false.

I will update this blog with additional details as possible.  Happy searching!

Welcome!

Hello!

For newcomers, this blog is designed to track my efforts, successes, and failures in trying to find my ancestor Joshua Parrish.  Specifically, who were his parents?  Many other researchers are also actively involved in this effort.  The hope is we will find where he came from.