Fayette-Pickaway-Perry County OhArchives News.....Parrett Family Reunion   1887
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marcia Loudon jloudon@nc.rr.com August 12, 2003, 12:40 pm

clipping in scrapbook

PARRETT'S REUNION

An Immense Family Without Black Sheep.

A Reporter Visits The Family Assembly 
and Takes Notes.

A Brief Sketch of their Origin

"How d'ye do, sir. How, maybe you don't recollect me, but I think when I tell 
you of a little circumstance you'll know who I am."
"All right sir, go ahead, but I don't know you now."
"Well, sir, twenty-seven years ago this month you came to my house and 
wanted to buy my horse for a price that I didn't think was enough and I 
wouldn't sell him to you. Remember?"
"No, sir, I don't."
"Don't? Well, don't you recollect that you came to my house and stayed all 
night and kept on trying to get that horse. Don't you remember George 
Parrett."
"Oh, ha, ha. I ought to recollect you. Why tarnation yes, I remember all 
about that time, you wouldn't sell me the either. Well, how are you any 
how?" S'pose you're going to the reunion."
This was the first intimation the reporter had, upon entering a car on the 
Ohio Southern railroad at Washington, that he had gotten into a whole 
nest of Parrett. George Parrett, one of the old stock, was trying to impress 
Uncle Elijah Parrett, of this city, that he ought to remember him, and amid 
all there was a ceaseless din of voices in salutation of relatives. All were 
on their way to Parrett's Crossing, a little station six miles from 
Washington, where the annual reunion of the Parrett family was to take 
place on Thursday. The reporter was naturally impelled along with the rest 
and at about eight o'clock was dumped out at the crossing, where a bevy 
of ruddy faced girls were assembled to welcome the carload of Parretts. 
They probably didn't expect a reporter of else they would not have 
appeared so anxious. Anyhow the reporter got off with the rest and was 
soon being hailed on every side. "How do you do, Mr. Parrett?" "I don't 
know you, but suppose you are a Parrett, and so how d'ye do." Had not Mr. 
Mack Parrett been with us to indicate our identity we don't know but what 
not a few of the Parrett family of the gentler sex would have been 
embracing one of the Parrett's who had not yet been with them.
Anyhow, we went to the Parrett reunion, and it was a glorious affair. There 
were nearly two hundred of the Parrett race present, and a study of their 
faces was a pleasant occupation of the reporter all day.
The oldest surviving patriarchs of the name were there with their proud 
carriage and manly bearing, yet beneath it all could be seen the teetering 
and weakness which creeping age brought forth. There were present the 
matrons of the younger generation, looking prim and neat in their summer 
silks and best bonnets. Smiles of gratification fitted across their faces, 
and nothing could excel the extreme pleasure they must certainly have felt. 
Then there was present the younger generation, the children's' children, 
all of them handsome and modest looking boys and girls. The Parrett 
family ought to be proud of the fifth generation that is accounted for at this 
reunion. They are the younger ones and not another so large a crowd in 
the three counties of Pickaway, Fayette, and Ross will average up a more 
handsome of well-developed generation.
The re-union took place the large and beautiful grove of Mr. Joseph 
Parrett, a short distance from the railroad station and easily accessible by 
the turnpikes. Upon the ground was erected a suitable platform for the 
speaker and music, while all around were scattered substantial seats, 
and a little further away were high tables, upon which was spread a 
mighty load of good things, well prepared. An organ was placed on the 
stage for the purpose of furnishing music.
The morning train brought to the station fifty-two Parretts from the vicinity of 
Greenfield and Salem. These were soon reinforced by the arrival of 
carriage load after carriage load of the family, who drove into the grove 
from their homes in the immediate neighborhood. The forenoon was 
entirely taken up by handshaking and recognition of all hands. A new 
arrival would enter the grove and immediately be taken in hand by a 
member of the committee who piloted him or her around through the 
crowd introducing to all and finally conducting them to a pleasant seat 
with the rest. The early arrivals were mostly of the younger generations, 
with the exception of Uncle Elijah and his good wife, from Circleville, who 
got there early. Along about ten o'clock the faces of the middle aged 
began to wear wistful expressions and their gaze would be frequently 
turned steadily up and down he road leading to the grove. Evidently the 
throng would not be happy it there were no more arrivals. Something was 
lacking to complete the family gathering, and there was much 
uneasiness. Soon, however, a vehicle drove into the ground and there 
was a general hum of gratification as the tall and dignified form of Eli 
Parrett, one of the landmarks, was seen alighting. He straightened 
himself up briskly, gazed around for a moment, and then that 
self-satisfied and broad smile, which is so characteristic of the Parrett 
family, broke out all over his visage and he immediately set about 
had-shaking he whole company. The quota was not yet full, however, and 
until the arrival of the other patriarch, good natured old Captain Jon 
Parrett, of Good Hope, Fayette c., who came in about half-past eleven and 
immediately set everybody humming with good humor and jollity. At noon 
luncheon was served upon the rude but comfortably constructed tables, 
and a general "falling to" was executed. Of the coalition served it is not 
necessary to delight upon. It was furnished by the Parrett family and 
everything likely to temper and strengthen a delicate, appetite, such as 
reporters generally possess, was amply provided.
After dinner the real pleasure of the reunion took place. At one o'clock Mr. 
Stawder Parrett, the President of the reunion committee called the 
talkative family together, asked them to be seated, and proceeded to 
announce the program. Little Maude Allen, of Springfield, one of the 
relatives sang very sweetly an appropriate song, which elicited much 
applause, after which two other little children sang a comic duet. Rev. R. 
Roe, the old family minister then offered up a feeling and eloquent prayer 
for the family and neighbors.
Mr. Eli Parrett, the oldest representative of the name present, was then 
called upon and spoke for a short time. He recounted some of the 
reminiscences of the family, their successes and battles in life, gave 
some sterling advice to the younger generations and closed by wishing 
them all health and happiness. Captain John Parrett, or "John, the 
cheerful," he should be called, was called. He spoke in a delightful mood 
for a while and got the entire family in the best of humor. Mr. Joseph Hidy, 
of the Washington Register, then read an address, which was brimful of 
good things and was highly appreciated. After this the speaking became 
of a general character and as the crowd felt disposed they called for the 
Hon. D I. Worthington and Madison Pavey, both congressional 
candidates, mingled with the crowd and were called to the platform. Both 
gentlemen spoke in a happy vein, both wished they were of the Parrett 
family, and both we are sure, wanted all their votes at the primaries.
Both gentlemen are well liked by the Parretts and their friends and they 
will no doubt experience much uneasiness in choosing between them. 
Rev. Williams, pastor of the M. E. church, of Jeffersonville, a fine little 
gentleman with good pulpit ability, also spoke and blessed the 
munificence and Christian spirit of the family. His remarks were perhaps 
the most eloquent of all and were also quite timely. Other impromptu 
speaking was indulged in and the entire afternoon was well spent. 
Strawder Parrett was re-elected President of the society by acclamation 
and in accepting the position he read an intelligent and scholarly address 
prepared for the occasion, in which the originals of he family were 
reverently reviewed. The origin of the Parrett family in America dates back 
to the year 1740, when Frederick Parrett left his home in Switzerland and 
braved the dangers of the great deep to seek his fortune in the great new 
world. Arriving in America he cast about and married an English lady of 
good birth. By this marriage they had borne to them nine children, of 
whom the majority were boys. These children all grew to manhood and 
womanhood, married and grew large families which spread all over the 
county, a goodly number of them coming to Ohio and settling in the 
counties of Ross, Fayette and Pickaway. The are universally frugal and for 
the most part have succeeded well in life, providing for their progeny 
ample of the world's goods.

The names of those who attended the reunion are as follows:
S J Parrett, S A Parrett, frank Parrett, T A Rodgers, Albina A Rodgers, W M 
L Parrett, Ina A Rodgers, A F Parrett, Jessie M Parrett, Geo F Parrett, Mary 
A Parrett, of South Salem; Jesse P Thomas, Mary. Henry Parrett, Peter J. 
Parrett, Henry L Parrett, M. T. Parrett, Mrs. E. S. Parrett, Anna M. Parrett, 
Maattie J Parrett, Callie J Parrett, John Parrett, Sophie Parrett, Florence 
Parrett, W A Parrett, Lizzie B Parrett, Blanch Parrett, Arthur Parrett, Maude 
Parrett, Jos Harper, Alice Harper, F. F. Parrett, Lucy Parrett, Chas A Parrett, 
Ruth M. Parrett, John Ware, A N Ware, W. J. Parrett of Lyndon; A. L Wilson, 
Kate D. Wilson, Cora Wilson, Minnie Wilson, Maude E. Wilson, Wm Ware, 
Elizabeth Ware, Benny Sloane, Thomas Murray, Margaret Murray, Geo E. 
Murray, Chas. W. Murray, Henry L. Parrett, Emil Kerr, T.  C. Kerri, of 
Greenfield; Adam Nabergall, Eilza Nabergall, Emma King, C. W.  Crosby, 
John R. Parrett, Hallie Parrett, of Good Hope; Elijah Parrett, Mary T. Parrett, 
Mack Parrett, Joe A Parrett, Circleville; Mrs. Leah Allen, Frank L. Parrett, 
Stella J. Parrett, R S Sutherland, Hannah Sotherland, John B Parrett, Alice 
Parrett, Alex Parrett, Lew Parrett, Eli Parrett, Mart McCoy, Anna McCoy T. F. 
Parrett, Mrs. Mary B Parrett, Fannie B, Carrie G, Harry C and T  F Parrett, Jr, 
L.H. Parrett, Mrs. LH Parrett, Inez, Bessie and Harry Parret, James Welton, 
Carolin W Welton, Maude and Mertie Welton, Cyrus R Parrett, Lizzie 
Parrett, Ch,as W, Lillie M, Leroy and Clarence Parrett, John A Parrett, Amy, 
Stella, and Al Clouser, of Washington CH; John A Parrett, Emma and Mary 
Parrett, Solomon Saum, Samantha Saum, Sarah Parrett, Simon Saum, 
Laura B and Arthur Saum, Clayton C. Parrett, D. W. Kesler, Tena Kessler, 
Homer, Harry and Edit Kessler, Augustus Parrett, Reyburn Kirk, W B Kirk, 
Ada and Dora Kirk, JF Parrett, Mary A Parrett, Jessie and Susie Welton, 
Mary C Boyd, Elmer T Boyd, Minnie A Straley, of Parrett's Crossing; Jos 
Hamer, Elisabeth and Medie Hamer, Jas Fent, John B Fent, Eli Smith, 
Menerva, Bella, Bertie, Herman and Lulu Smith, J. T. Davis, Mattie V Davis, 
Mary S. Parrett, Henry Kirk, Elmira Kirk, Flora, Trane C, Georgie and Lucy P 
Kirk, J. P Popejoy and Mrs. J. P.Popejoy, ES Parrett, Nettie Parrett, Earl 
and George Parrett, of Jeffersonville; Mrs. J. W. Morris, Ada B and Ray P 
Coffeeville, of Kansas; Geo B, Amelia, Gertude, Blanche, Harley, Noyes 
and Dio Parrett, Fannie Crow, Flora Harrison,, Ed A Parrett, Mary Parrett, 
Seth E Parrett, Jennie Parrett, Bennie Parrett, Helen and Robert Parrett, of 
Madison Mills; Russell Parrett, Monte Parrett, Homer, Bertie, Blanche, 
Albert and BH Parrett, Nancy Parrett, Cora and May Parrett, John M Allen, 
Jane Allen, Elden Allen or Heglers; J Parrett Allen, Mr. CCD Allen and 
daughter May of Springfield; W. A. Allemang, of New Holland.
By accurate count there were one hundred and ninty-nine of the Parretts 
and their blood relatives present. The most of them were Parretts, 
however, and those who answered to other names still bore the marks of 
the family. A registry book was kept open and all those in attendance, both 
of the family and visitors, were asked to register their names.
At six o'clock in the evening the party broke up and returned to their several 
homes, happy and contented.



Additional Comments:
From a newspaper clipping in 
David Parrett's scrapbook.
Date range 1887-1890
Marcia Loudon - jloudon@nc.rr.com, now owns the scrapbook

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