$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!