McManus 168

Edward Parker was born in 1822, to Charles Parker, a flax spinner, and Isabella Hodgson.^[1] The Parker family had dealt with flax for a long time, his grandfather, also Edward, having been a flax spinner.

Family Life 

The Parker family made its way to Dundee in the later 1840s, although Edward Parker, the oldest son, would appear not to have arrived until the early 1850s. He married Margaret Eleanor Walker in 1851. She was the daughter of William Walker of Bolton, the head of the largest and most successful tanning business in the County of Lancashire and her mother was a member of the Society of Friends.^[19] His first child, William Walker Parker, was born in Dundee in 1853.^[20]

Edward Parker and his wife Margaret were adherents of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Both were heavily involved in the raising of funds to erect a new Wesleyan Church in Ward Road, to replace the old chapel at the top of Tally Street.^[19]

In 1865, contractors were sought for the new Wesleyan Methodist Chapel:

‘New Methodist Chapel in Dundee – We understand that the Wesleyans in Dundee, who have for some time found the chapel in Tally Street much too small for their increasing numbers, have resolved on the erection of a new chapel to seat from 800-1,000 people. It is contemplated to have a schoolroom, vestries and classrooms beneath.’^[21]

Edward Parker was one of the people dealing with the likely contractors. His father, the Provost, at the time of laying a Memorial Stone for the new chapel, also deposited a bottle with mementos of the moment, in a cavity under the stone.^[22] This was not the only cause that Edward and Margaret Parker threw themselves into.

On the first visit to Dundee of John Bartholomew Gough, a Temperance Orator from the United States, Margaret was inspired to take more than an interest in the Temperance Movement.^[19] Both she and Edward became activists for the cause, battling the evils of drink.^[19] Margaret went on to become a leading figure, in the UK and the US, in the Temperance Movement and also, the advocacy of women’s rights.^[23] It was reported that her husband Edward supported her throughout all her endeavours.

Work Life

The Parkers forged successful  businesses in Dundee. Edward’s father, Charles Parker, as well as having a background in the flax business, established a renowned foundry and engineering works at ‘Ladybank Works,’ Chapelshade. Edward Parker and his brothers, Charles Hodgson, Robert Overend and ultimately, Frederick Carr Parker, were all involved in the family firm of ‘Charles Parker & Sons,’ at Ladybank Works and, latterly, at Clepington Foundry. Edward himself, operated Mid Street Mill and ‘West Mills’ flax spinning works in Lochee – ‘West Mills, belonging to Edward Parker, are driven by two engines, together of 40 horse-power. They contain 1,124 spindles and 12 power looms, and employ 170 hands.’^[24] In addition to the works, Parker and another operator, James Donald at Pitalpin, employed a great number of hand looms in the village of Lochee and the surrounding district.^[24]

An advertisement in 1863 indicated that Edward Parker had purchased ‘Quarry Mill’ in Lochee.^[25] There is uncertainty as to whether Quarry Mill and West Mills were one and the same.

‘The Quarry Mill, Lochee has been purchased by Mr Edward Parker, merchant, Dundee for the sum of £3,150. We understand that the present spinning machinery is to be removed and replaced entirely with Parker’s mathematical power-looms.‘^[25]

Note: for further information on the Parkers – see entries on Charles Parker and Charles Hodgson Parker.

Following the deaths of his father and his own teenage son, Harry, Edward Parker, his wife and three youngest children moved from Newport to London by 1881.^[7] He had pursued a career as a flax / flax yarn merchant and spinner in Dundee and raised his own family in Newport, across the River Tay.

Edward Parker had gained a reputation as having been a member of a successful, prominent family in Dundee. In supporting his wife in her endeavours, while she was touring (she gave many lecture tours) at home and abroad, he demonstrated a selfless character and was declared to have been among the most amiable of men.^[23]

His death, in 1887, occurred while his wife Margaret was abroad in the United States. Ironically, she received letters from him, describing himself to be ‘well and strong’ after the news of his death.^[26]