Hi Jan.
I have been looking back across my notes and the following snippets I would have probably sent on to you when we researched before . They might help or inspire someone. All information is from Wicklow Parish Church ( C of I ) , Wicklow Town whose registers are now held at the RCB. This is not a thorough search for the name Parker in these registers, but just when I came upon the name researching certain years.
From the Baptismal Registers: To John (Butcher) and Catherine Parker.
Born Baptised
1) James 15/7/1844 31/7/1844
2)Martha Elizabeth 15/10/1848 10/12/1848
3)Catherine 12/8/1850 24/11/1850
4)Mary 17/10/1852 13/2/1853
5)Martha 5/11/1854 18/3/1855
6)Elizabeth 28/1/1857 10/5/1857
7)Benjamin Peter 6/2/1862 25/5/1862
Martha to John (Soldier) and Eliza Parker. Baptised 18/5/1760
Daniel to John and Ann Parker. Baptised 3/4/1795
Confirmation on wednesday the 25th of July 1832 of John Parker aged 15 by the Archbishop of Dublin, Richard Whately.
From the Burial Registers.
Age Burial
Parker: Martha Elizabeth 3 mths 27/11/1849
Parker: Benjamin 12yrs 9/10/1858
Parker: Elizabeth 103yrs 26/1/1872
Parker: John 58yrs 13/2/1874
Parker:Richard Knott 38yrs 11/5/1830
Parker:James 73yrs 4/2/1840
There are no Parker headstones to be found in the graveyard but from the old maps of the same that I looked at we found that there were Parkers buried at the end of the path near the wall. The graveyard offically was closed circa 1905 and after that date it was only any family that had free space left in a grave or someone that had prepurchased a plot could bury in the same graveyard. The Sexton of the time, a Mr Fred Haughton kept a book to keep track of burials after the graveyard was closed and he records two Parker burials in detail.
On the 11th of November 1915 the burial of Peter Parker of Main Street, Wicklow. Burial fee of 5 shillings paid by John Parker, his brother. Location of the grave 154ft south of the porch and west of the path. Depth of the grave 5ft 3ins. Burial by the Revd PB Johnson. Plot no 256.
On the 2nd of February 1944 the burial of John Parker of the Market Square , Wicklow. The burial fee of five shillings paid by a Mr Tony Burk to Mr Russell. Burial 153 ft south of the porch and west of the path. Grave 5ft deep. Burial by Revd Jennings.
There is certainly great information in the Sexton,s note book when there is no headstone to be found.
You are trying to find the death of Catherine Parker, Jan. The Civil Registers show a Catherine Parker,s death 1871 aged 81. Registrars District of Rathdrum. This Catherine is my own GGG granny who died at Ballygriffin, which is just outside Arklow on the southern side.
I will be at Wicklow Parish Church tomorow and will have a look there to see if there is anything new to be found there.
John.