Rev. James Parker was of Dorchester, Mass., perhaps as early as 1630. He was freeman in 1634, removed to wymouth, Mass., and from there was a deputy to the General Court, 1639-1642. Winthrop says “Those of the lower part of the river Piscataquack invited one Mr. James Parker of wymouth, a godly man and a scholar, one who had been many years a deputy for the public court, to be their minister.”58, Vol. 2, pg. 93 In a list headed “Gifts bestowed on the colony since 1634,” Winthrop names “Mr. Parker of Weymouth, his brother, L300, L50 to Mr. Parker and Mr. Stone their disposing.”58, Vol. 2, pg 342

From Portsmouth James Parker removed to Barbodos, whence he wrote a letter to Gov. Winthrop under date of 24—4th 1646: “We got well to this island of Barbados through grace . . . I am here engaged to preach only for the present. . . . Whether I shall return for New England I know not. On this, I thinke I shall.” (Hutchinson Papers, vol. 1, p. 175) A letter from Richard Vines, dated Barbados, 16 July 1647, reads; “Mr. Parker with his wife and family are well seated in a good plantation of 20 acres, besides a good stipend and many good guifts, well approved of in his function, opposed by none, unless by antinomians and such like.” (Hutchinson Papers, vol. 1, p. 222)

Savage states that James Parker died in 1666, while on a visit to Boston. This is an error. He died at Barbados in 1652, and his will was proved by his widow Mary, who was a daughter of Rev. John Maverick of Dorchester.