Sir Peter Parker, 2nd Baronet

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Captain Sir Peter Parker, 2nd Baronet (England, 1785 – August 31, 1814, Fairlee, Maryland) was an English naval officer, the son of Vice-Admiral Christopher Parker and Augusta Byron.

Parker was the descendant of several Royal Navy flag officers. His father was the son of Admiral Sir Peter Parker, and his mother the daughter of Vice-Admiral John Byron. Educated at Westminster School, he entered the Royal Navy in 1798, serving under his grandfather and his grandfather's friend, Lord Nelson in HMS Victory. He rapidly rose through the ranks, and was promoted to Commander and given command of the armed brig HMS Weazel. The Weazel was the first British vessel to sight the Franco-Spanish fleet leaving Cádiz, an action that precipitated the Battle of Trafalgar. For this service he was promoted Captain.

Parker was briefly a Member of Parliament. He was returned unopposed as a Tory for the Irish borough constituency of Wexford at a by-election held on 3 March 1810. He resigned the seat in 1811 and was replaced at a by-election on 1 July 1811.

In 1810, he was given command of the frigate HMS Menelaus. He was sent to Bermuda in 1814, and from thence to join the British forces in the Chesapeake Bay under Admiral Sir George Cockburn and took part in the blockade of Baltimore. A bold and efficient commander, he became known for his ferocity in destroying American farms and property along the Chesapeake. Having for several days raided Kent County, Maryland, he landed a shore party and attempted a night attack on a detachment of Maryland militia at Fairlee, Maryland on the night of August 30, 1814. Unexpected resistance from the militia precipitated the Battle of Caulk's Field; while British and American sources differ on the result of the battle, Parker was one of the casualties. Hit (like his grandfather) in the thigh while leading his Marines, he bled to death from the femoral artery before he could be aided, and died on the field. His body was sent to Bermuda, and subsequently interred at the family vault at St Margaret's, Westminster, a public funeral with military honors being held on both occasions. He was eulogized by his first cousin, Lord Byron.

He married Marianne Dallas, daughter of Sir George Dallas, 1st Bt.. They had three sons:

[edit] References

Political career
  • The Parliaments of England by Henry Stooks Smith (1st edition published in three volumes 1844-50), 2nd edition edited (in one volume) by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1973)
  • Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922, edited by B.M. Walker (Royal Irish Academy 1978)
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Richard Nevill		 Member of Parliament for Wexford Borough
1810-1811		 Succeeded by
Richard Nevill
Baronetage of Great Britain
Preceded by
Peter Parker		 Baronet
(of Bassingbourn)
1811–1814		 Succeeded by
Peter Parker