Note: Print and copy these histories! No one knows how long this web page will last—10 years? 20 years? Paper has proved the most durable medium for preserving histories so far, so if we can get printouts in the file drawers of scattered family members, these stories are more likely to be there for our grandchildren. Putting them on floppies, CDs, etc., also increases the chance they will survive.
Journals. Samuel Rose Parkinson kept a journal from 1873 to 1914 (ages 42 to 83). We are gradually having the known volumes transcribed and will post transcripts as we complete them. Note: I have now transcribed all the journals and am gradually proofreading them. Contact me at the address on the front page if you need them early or would like to help.
This page includes a pair of Improvement Era articles by Lydia Alder, a niece who traveled with Samuel's company. One of the articles quotes Samuel. The page includes also references to diaries of other members of the company.
William Goforth Nelson and Tayler Nelson, History of the Life of William Goforth Nelson, (1906), excerpt from chapter 14. FHL film 02378080 item 10
Nelson was Samuel's missionary companion on their 1873 exploration mission to Arizona.
Samuel sums up the experience of the 1860 Franklin pioneers. Includes photo.
Good 7-page overview by two of Samuel's children. William C. is better on the early years, and Caroline fills in some gaps on his later life. Transcript courtesy of Dula Parkinson.
An 8-page history by Samuel's youngest daughter. This builds on William C.'s history but has much better detail for Samuel's family life and later years. Transcript courtesy of Dula Parkinson.
Carmen, a granddaughter, was the family organization's official historian. This 18-page history was distributed by the family at the 1966 reunion. Good detail, including Samuel's final testimonies and events not included in the other histories. Transcript courtesy of Dula Parkinson.
An strange but interesting account from Samuel's courtship, as told by two of Samuel's children. Transcripts courtesy of Dula and Benson Parkinson.
Compiled by a great-grandson, includes stories from the other versions plus a version of the peepstone story.
Note: If you know of other histories that should be included here, please contact the webmaster (see below). Eventually we would like to include histories of all the children.
I'm aware of three books on Samuel Rose Parkinson:
Just off the press, this carefully-researched, 900-page book by a third grandson may prove the definitive treatment of Samuel's life. It includes a 70-page biography as well as a complete ancestory and a descendancy and over 1000 pages. Click here for more information.
This 199-page treatment covers Samuel's whole life in detail. Lester, a grandson, recently died. It's out of print, but Lester's widow Shirley has given permission for us to distribute a transcript or PDF. If you are able to help with scanning or typing, please contact the webmaster.
Sam is another grandson and the current president of the Samuel Rose Parkinson Family Organization, which sponsors this page. This work includes a 43-page history of Samuel and biographies of other members of his family. Sam tells me he has about 35 copies of this book left. (Contact the webmaster and I'll put you in touch with him.)
A very lauditory account that nevertheless includes many interesting details.
