Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Parry, Oliver
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Solebury Township


   OLIVER PARRY gentleman, only son of Benjamin Parry, was 
born in New Hope, December 20, 1794, and became a wealthy 
and prominent citizen of Philadelphia, dying at his home in 
that city February 20, 1874, aged 80 years.  He also is 
buried in the Friends' Solebury burying ground.  May 1, 
1827, he married Rachel Randolph, of Philadelphia, daughter 
of Major Edward Randolph, a patriot of 1776.  He had by her 
eight daughters and four sons.  The first son was Major 
Edward Randolph Parry, of the United States army, born at 
New Hope, July 27, 1832, and married December 17, 1863, to 
Frances, daughter of Gen. Justin Dimick, of the United 
States army.  In May, 1861, Major Parry entered the army as 
first lieutenant in the 11th United Stated infantry and 
served throughout the war with great credit.  In 1864 he was 
made captain of the 11th, afterward transferred to the 20th, 
and on re-organization of the army was promoted a major for 
gallant services.  He was in the terrible fighting along the 
line of the Weldon railroad, and before Petersburg, Va., 
commanding his regiment in several actions.  In 1865 he was 
assistant adjutant-general of the regular brigade, Army of 
the Potomac, and was serving upon the staff of General 
Winthrop when the latter was killed.  At Lee's surrender he 
was attached to army headquarters.  In 1868 Major Parry 
commanded Forts Phillips and Jackson at the mouth of the 
Mississippi river, and Fort Ripley, Minn., in 1869.  He 
resigned on account of ill health in 1871, and died at the 
"old Parry mansion" in New Hope, April 13, 1874, and was 
buried on the 16th at Friends' Solebury burying ground.  
Major Parry was one of the few representatives of Bucks 
county in the regular army during the civil war, and was a 
gallant soldier. The second son was Richard Randolph Parry, 
gentleman.  He was born December 5, 1835, and was married 
October 11, 1866, to Miss Ellen L. Read, of Portland, Me.  
He has three children:  Gertrude R., Adelaide R. and Oliver 
Randolph Parry; the latter born March 29, 1873.  Richard 
Randolph Parry is a member of the Bucks County Historical 
society, and also of the Historical society of Pennsylvania, 
a director of the New Hope Delaware bridge company, and a 
warden of St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal church, 
Lambertville. The third son, George Randolph Parry, 
physician in Philadelphia, was born in Philadelphia, 
September 3, 1839, and began the study of medicine in the 
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1859, and graduated in 
1862.  He entered the medical department of the University 
of Pennsylvania in 1864, and was graduated in 1867.  He 
began the practice of medicine the same year at Union 
Springs, N. Y., remaining there until 1880.  He then located 
in New Hope, in the ancestral home, the "old Parry mansion," 
where he has been in active practice ever since.  Dr. Parry 
is a member of the Bucks County Historical society, and also 
of the Historical society of Pennsylvania.  He was married 
March 2, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Van Ettan, by whom he has 
had two daughters:  Elizabeth Randolph and Jane Paxson.  The 
fourth son, Oliver Paxson Parry, was born June 20, 1846, and 
died December 13, 1852.  The "old Parry mansion" in New Hope 
borough, erected in 1784 for Benjamin Parry, Esq., has never 
been out of the family, and is now owned and occupied by his 
grandsons, Richard Randolph Parry and Dr. George Randolph 
Parry. Daniel Parry, Esq., a gentleman of liberal fortune, 
lived and died in New Hope.  He married in early life, but 
left no issue.  The Bucks county papers, in speaking of his 
death, described him as a man of large benevolence, and a 
generous friend to the destitute; he was the youngest 
brother of Benjamin Parry.  Colonel Caleb Parry, of the army 
of 1776, cousin of Benjamin Parry, was instantly killed at 
the battle of Long Island.  Much mention is made of him in a 
work entitled "Campaign of 1776," published by the Long 
Island Historical society, and in sundry other works.  The 
Parry family in the United States are allied by marriage, 
and intermarriage, with some of the oldest colonial 
families, such as Morris, Tyson, Randolph, Vaughn, Paxson, 
Bull, Wayne (General Anthony Wayne), Lewellyn, Winslow, and 
others of note.