John Parker Allen

John Parker first appears on the 1860 census in Westmoreland near the Kinsale Post Office. His father works as a farmer with an estate valued at $3,300 and personal property valued at $3,370.

During the Civil War William H. Allen served as a captain in the Confederate Army. He appears to have served in several cavalry units; Fifteenth Battalion Cavalry, Sixteenth Battalion Cavalry, Capt. Howard's Co. Cavalry (Local Defense) , McRae's Battalion Cavalry and Capt. Swindell's Co. of Partisan Rangers.

On the 1870 census the family is still in Westmoreland County, now serviced by the Nominy Grove Post Office. William Allen's wealth has taken at hit, most likely because of the war, his estate is now valued at $1,000 and personal property at $150.

On April 30th, 1879 John married Sarah Frances Hardwick also of Westmoreland County. Her father was Samuel Redman Hardwick, owner of Peckatone Plantation. They were wed in Washington, DC, but were apparently still living in the Northern Neck.

On the 1880 census the newly married couple is in the Cople district of Westmoreland. John is working as a farmer. A 10-year-old white girl named Elnora Butler is living with them and is listed as a servant.

Their first child, Elizabeth Catherine Allen was born in 1881 and son Russell was born in 1885 while they were still living in Westmoreland.

In the 1900 census the family is now living in Washington, DC on G St. SW. Youngest son Edgar is listed as being born in Washington, DC in 1891. John's work is listed as Motorman RR. Fifteen year old Russell works as a fruit salesman. Their home is rented.

In 1910 the family still lives on G St in DC and is probably renting the same home. The two oldest children have moved out. Edgar works as a clerk in a drug store. He would go on to be a doctor. Sallie is marked as having given birth to 4 children with 3 still living. John's occupation is Street Car Motorman.

The 1920 census shows John Parker and Sallie still renting a home on G St. SW. Their son Russell is living with them along with his wife and two children. At age 63 John Parker is still working as a Street Car Motorman. Russell drives an ice wagon.

By 1930 Sallie had moved in with their daughter Bessie. The best match for John Parker in the census records shows that he was still living in Washington, DC as a boarder with Thomas Segar on 9th St. SW. He is marked as being divorced, on Sallie's entry she is marked as married. At age 72 his occupation was given as none.