Samuel Parker (bishop of Massachusetts)

Samuel Parker (August 17, 1744 – December 6, 1804) was an American Episcopal Bishop. He was the second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.

The Right Reverend

Samuel Parker

D.D.
Bishop of Massachusetts
ChurchEpiscopal Church
DioceseMassachusetts
Elected1804
In office1804
PredecessorEdward Bass
SuccessorAlexander Viets Griswold
Orders
OrdinationFebruary 27, 1774
by Richard Terrick
ConsecrationSeptember 14, 1804
by William White
Personal details
Born(1744-08-17)August 17, 1744
DiedDecember 6, 1804(1804-12-06) (aged 60)
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
NationalityAmerican
DenominationAnglican
ParentsWilliam Parker
Elizabeth Parker
SpouseAnne Parker
Children15
OccupationEpiscopal bishop
Alma materHarvard

Education and Ordination

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Parker was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the son of William Parker, a lawyer and judge during the American Revolution.[1] He graduated from Harvard University in 1764, and taught for several years.

After being offered a job as assistant rector of Trinity Church, Boston, Parker was ordained deacon on February 24, 1774 and priest three days later on February 27, in London. He began as assistant rector at Trinity in November 1774, becoming rector in 1779. After the Revolution, he helped build churches with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.

In 1803, Parker was unanimously elected second bishop of Massachusetts. He was consecrated September 14, 1804, in Trinity Church, New York, but developed gout and never served in the post. He died in Boston on December 6, 1804.

Consecrators

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Parker was the tenth bishop consecrated in the Episcopal Church.

Publications

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  • Annual Election Sermon before the Legislature of Massachusetts (1793)
  • Sermon for the Benefit of the Boston Female Asylum (1803)

Family life

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Parker's sons included Suffolk County district attorney Samuel Dunn Parker, acting Mayor of Boston William Parker, businessman John Rowe Parker, and educator Richard Green Parker.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Sprague, William Buell (1859). Annals of the American Pulpit: Episcopalian. 1859. Robert Carter & Brothers. p. 296.
  2. ^ Mayor, Boston (Mass. ). (1894). Address of Alderman Parker to the City Council of Boston January 23, 1845. Retrieved July 26, 2019.

Further reading

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Episcopal Church (USA) titles
Preceded by Bishop of Massachusetts
1804
Succeeded by