Parke in Sligo and Leitrim
The earliest family found by these researchers appeared to be that of a ? Parke in Sligo, who had married the sister (Alice?) of a Sir Roger Jones:
Thomas Heazle Parke (Surgeon Major to Stanley’s Emir Pasha Expedition) wrote to his sister, Henrietta Stoker, to say that:
“It is believed the first Parke came over from Kent and came over with Sir Frederick Hamilton, of Manor Hamilton. The first Parke, I can find, is Capt. Robert Parke, of Sligo and Leitrim, who was one of the jurors in an inquisition, held in Sligo on 24th Sept. 1627. He was an owner of large estates, by purchase. He married Alice, sister of Sir Roger Jones, Governor of Sligo”.
Benjamin Parke, brother of Thomas Heazle, wrote to the latter saying:
“I went to Burkes’ office today and young Burke gave me the enclosed list, and said that these being the charges, I could act upon them, so I reserve him for the last. I then went to the Record Office where, fortunately, I know a fellow and we went through the very book that could probably refer to the family and found no Parke prior to 1627. However, I was not satisfied and spent 3 or 4 hours amongst “O’Haras” “Wood Martins” and “O’Rourkes” and I find the oldest in O’Rourkes which, before, I did not observe and that is O’Rourke in speaking of ‘Major Parke’ (evidently the first Parke and brother-in-law of Sir Roger Jones) says that his son, Captain Robert Parke lived at Newtown Castle in 1609 so it would look as if his father, Roger, must have come over in the 15th Century (he means 16th century) when you find the son in possession”.
Benjamin Parke also quoted an “extract from “O’Rourkes””:
“The first Parke “Roger” came over with Sir Roger Jones, who was Constable of the Castle of Sligo in 1606 and evidently lived in the country previously. He married Sir Roger Jones’ sister and had issue two sons, Robert and William – from the latter, the Parkes of Dunally descended”.
Betham’s extracts of prerogative wills shows that of Captain Robert Parke to be dated 7th October 1671 and his death to be 24th November 1671.