o West Cotes, Cambuslang, Scotland. In 1821, James, Marion Allen Park and thier family left West Cotes, Scotland, due to the suffering and changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, econonic instability and uncertainty of any future in their homeland. James and Marion joined with other families in immigration societies made up of farmers, weavers and other trades. They were left their homeland for a better life, when land became available in Upper Canada offered by the government. The previous year, another Park family (James Park and Jean Maxwell) made the same voyage, although I have found no relationship between the two families, except by a marriage between two of the different families children.
o Lanark/Dalhousie, Ontario, Canada. In the mid 1830s, approximately 15 years after arriving in the Upper Canada wilderness, all the brothers except for one (Joseph and Agnes Duncan Park) found the land hard, rocky and difficult to farm. My ancestor, William and Jane Duncan Park and related families relocated to Western Canada.
James and Marion Allen Park's children: 1. James/Euphemia went to Plymton Township, Lambton County. 2. Hugh/Janet went to Lambton and remained in Wesern Ontario.. 3. Mary went north near Carlton Place, Lanark. 4. Marion remained in the Dalhousie area near Poland. 5. Andrew remained in Scotland (the only one). 6. Joseph remained in Dalhousie near present "Park Lake". 7. Martha reamiend in the Watson's Corner area. 8. John relocated to Utah. 9. Elen/Helen remained in the Watson's Corners area. 10. William (my direct) line moved to Western Ontario, then cross the plaines and setteld in Mill Creek, Utah. 11. Margaret went to Fullarton, Perth, Ontario. 12. David went to Nevada. 13. Jane went to Lambton then to Perth (?).
o Western Ontario, Canada. Accepting the invitation by missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), William and Jane Park joined the church. In the mid-1840's, two or three representatives of the Park and Canadian Branch ventured to Nauvoo, Illinois. While there they actually met the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.
However, while the Park's were returning to Canada to gather their families to join with the Saints in Nauvoo, the LDS prophet, Joseph Smith and his brother, were murdered by a mob in Carthage. When the Canadian Party arrived in Illinois, Nauvoo was practically vacant of Saints. The membership had relocated to Winter Quarters, where they would spend the winter. The Canadian Company made their way to join with the Saints.
In the early spring, when the grasses were high enough to feed the stock, the Saints began their journey across the Great Plains. Their route followed just north of the Oregon Trail on what would become known as the Mormon Trail. Near Fort Bridger (Wyoming) the Mormon Trail turned southwest towards the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, a trail first traveled earlier by the ill fated Donner Party.
o Mill Creek, Utah. William and Jane Duncan Park settled in Mill Creek (present day South Salt Lake, just south of 4500 South on State Street,m and on the south side of Mill Creek. William Duncan Park, my direct line lived on 3900 South and 5th East, across from Granite High School. Both homes are no longer there. Gordon Lane, just off State Street, is named after my Gordon family. The other Park brothers and relatives settled in West Jordan, Nevada, Provo, central Utah, and southeast Idaho.
Today, even though Scotland is under the British Crown, an ancient Roman wall still seperates Scotland from England. The country side has salmon spawning in streams running through green grassy meadows, with scattered ancient homes with gray slate roofs, tower houses, castles and the noted Jedburgh Abbey. I visited the region in the early 1990s, staying in an old home while touring this fasinating land where my ancestors lived.
A Gordon for me,
If ye are not a Gordon
Ye're no use to me.
The Black Watch are braw,
The Seaforths and a'
But the cocky wee Gordon's
The pride o' them a'.
~ Anonymous
John Milton Park
1895 - 1985
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Lanark County Genealogy Society Canada * Cambuslang, Scotland (List of Inhabitants) * * * * Scottish History *
Yup -- need to find the right Scottish words!! ;o)
This site is still under construction -- bear with me!
John Park Martinson (c) 2004