Missing Link (LK=WP)

Missing Link (LK=WP)
Hugh Alexander Park

PS Newsletter, Vol. 43, No. 3, Page 41 (2007)

Mrs. George Mack (Jeannie) Park PS#1344 is the researcher of this lineage. Her husband has participated in the Parke Society Volunteer DNA project and the results have shown a 67-marker match with PS#848. This is the Alexander Park lineage (LK=KY) to descendant John Park who lived in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. However, Jeanne is still searching for the paper trail link.

Hugh Alexander Park was born 21 July 1819 in upper South Carolina, perhaps the Fairfield District, and died 22 October 1864 in Romulus, Alabama. His wife, Margaret C. "Peggy" McDaniel, was born 5 January 1819 in either Scotland or South Carolina, and died 21 Swptember 1906 in Romulus. According to the family story, Hugh and Margaret eloped about 1842. Oral history maintains that Margaret was born in Scotland, and that a sister died and was buried at sea. Margaret was about 12 years old when she arrived, possibly in New York. However, census data states she was born in South Carolina.

Hugh served in Company G, 3rd Alabama Reserves, 23rd Regimant—Capt. Hassell’s Company from April 19, 186(4?) until his death from pneumonia. This was a company of seniors—Hugh was 47 and enlisted under H.A. or Alexander Park for the duration of the war. There is only one roster card in his records, and he received no pay.

Hugh was buried as Alexander Park in Old Wesley Chapel Cemetery. This cemetery was next to the log church that was the original Wesley Chapel Building. In 1990, the cemetery was devastated by a tornado. Hugh’s wife, Margaret, and many of his children are buried in the more recent Romulus Methodist Cemetery.

Census data for 1850 places Hugh Alexander Park, his wife Margaret, and four children in Pickens Co., Alabama. In 1860 the family is listed in Romulus, Tuscaloosa Co., with an additional 2 children. From deed information, it is surmised that the family did not move but instead the county lines changed. Beginning with the 1870 census, Margaret is listed as head of household. Hugh Alexander Park/Margaret C. "Peggy" McDaniel had seven children:

  1. John Polk Park (1843 SC/AL-1920 never married. His mother and a niece, Cordie, were living in his household in 1900. John was a Civil War veteran serving in the 2nd Alabama Calvary Company D, April, 1862 - May, 1865; paroled in South Carolina.
  2. Elizabeth Betsy Ann Park (1846 AL - bef. 1855 AL); buried Old Wesley Chapel Cemetery.
  3. Robert Daniel Park (1848 AL - 1893) m. 14 Dec 1874 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Mary Pearlie Powell. They had four children.
  4. Hiram Glass Park (1849 AL - 1889 AL) m. ca 1872 Idelia Harper, daughter of John Harper/Jane Hasson. They had eight children.
  5. Mary Jane Park (1852 - 1882) m. 21 Mar 1872 in Romulus William Sims "Billy" Hulsey, son of Guilford and Eliazbeth Hulsey. One child and Willie Cordia Ann Hulsey (the "niece cordie" living with John Polk Park and his mother in 1900?).
  6. Mack Alexander Park (1854 AL - 1918 AL) m1 23 Oct 1883 in Northport, Alabama Roena Alice Darden. Roena died 20 Apr 1885. Mack m2 in 1887 Annie Rebecca Nix, daughter of Thomas Nix/Elizabeth Smith. Mack and Roena had one daughter. Mack and Annie had eight children.
  7. Andrew Preston Park (1858 - 1950) m. Nancy L. "Nanny" Edwards. They had 3 children.

Jeanne Park has provided excellent documentation as well as including research from others who are searching the given names Hugh Alexander or Alexander, and also Robert. For more information on this Missing Link, please contactMrs Jeanne Park, 1220 Little Florida Road, Farnham, VA 22460-2021.or Jean Churchill, sdtjs2001@yahoo.com.