Researched, compiled and contributed by Keith W. Parrish, 1318 C Street SE #4, Washington, DC 20003-2343.
Josiah Parrish was born ca 1771, in North Carolina, to Henry and Mary Ann (Monk) Parrish. His father was a Revolutionary War soldier.Soon after the war he moved his family to Wilkes County, Georgia. After a few years there, he moved again & made his permanent settlement in Bulloch County, Georgia.
Josiah Parrish married ca 1793, but his wife's name and the place of, their marriage is not known. About the time he got married, he was serving in the Washington Co, Georgia militia as a private under Captain John McKenzie.
His father died in Bulloch County, in 1800. His estate was settled in 1802 and Josiah purchased part of his estate.
On September 5, 1806, he was commissioned a captain in the Bulloch County militia for the 45th District.
By 1820 he was living in Camden County, Georgia. The census for that year listed him as "Joseph Parrish" 45 years and upwards, his wife 45 years and upwards, a son at least 16 years and under 26, a daughter at least 10 years and under 16 ' a son at least 10 years and under 16, a daughter under 10 years, and a son under 10 years.
He was a fortunate drawer in the 1821 Georgia Land Lottery. But he didn't take out this land grant. He let it revert back to the State and it was later sold to the highest bidder.
Camden County land tax records show him paying taxes there until 1823.
Between 1823 and 1824, he and his sons Allen and Tyre moved their families to northern Florida, settling in Alachua County.
The 1830 Alachua County census lists: Josiah Parrish 50-60, his wife 50-60, a son 20-30 a son 15-20, and a daughter 10-15, living near the Suwannee River, St. Mary's River, Olusty Creek, & St. Afee River.
Josiah Parrish served in the Florida Indian Wars (1835-1842). His first service came when he was commissioned a captain in his own mounted militia on May 22, 1836. Four of his sons, two sons-in-law, and two grandsons also served in this unit. After four months of service his militia was mustered out on September 22, 1836, at Fort Mills. He was paid $324 for his captain's service. The next day he enrolled in Captain William Cason's First Florida Militia, as a private. This unit was involved in some Indian fighting at Wahoo Swamp on November 21, 1836. This unit recorded that private John Alford Osteen was killed by the enemy on December 15, 1836, at Garry's Ferry. Osteen was a son-in-law of Josiah Parrish. His service ended January 22, 1837 at Fort Mills, East Florida Territory.
His service continued in Captain Cason's militia. He reenrolled as a private on January 23, 1837, at Fort Mills. He served four months and fourteen days and was paid $91.74. His discharge took place on June 5,1837.
His Wife died sometime between 1830 and 1836. He remarried September 1, 1836 to Cassandra (Cassey) Cason, in Columbia County,Florida. She was the widow of Eli Cason. She was born May 10, 1799, to John and Ada (Weeks) Osteen.
The 1840 census had Josiah Parrish and his family living in Columbia County,which was formed out of Alachua County in 1832. It lists Josiah Parrish 60-70, his wife 40-50, a female 15-20, a male 10-15, and a female 10-15. The children inthe census I probably were his step-children from his wife's first marriage.
Josiah Parrish continued to live on his farm in Columbia Co., until his death on November 29, 1846. His widow lived with her son James Cason. She is listed in his household in the 1850 and 1860 census records. Cassey Parrish received 160 acres of land from the government for his military service in the Indian Wars. She sold this bounty land to Abraham Mott. Her death occurred sometime after 1860.
SOURCES: Henry Parrish's last will and testament, Bulloch County,Georgia; census: 1820 Camden Co., Ga., 1830 AlachuaCo., Fl., 1840 & 1850 Columbia County, Fl.; 1821 Georgia Land Lottery; Camden..County land taxes; muster rolls for theFlorida War 1835-1842; Josiah Parrish's bounty land application (issued to his wife Cassey).
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