Mr. Daniel P. Parker

A well-known Boston merchant, Mr. Parker traded in textiles, owning one of the finest ships in the port, The Samuel Appleton, named for his friend and neighbor. The ship was 781 tons and was used to conduct trade with China.

On the boards of many banks and one of the Trustees of Massachusetts General Hospital, Mr. Parker was born in 1781 in Southboro and died in 1850.

The best known story associated with him relates to a visit to Boston by the much-reviled Andrew Jackson: “Mr. Daniel P. Parker, a well-known Boston merchant, had come to his window to catch a glimpse of the guest of the State, regarding him very much as he might have done some dangerous monster which was being led captive past his house. But the sight of the dignified figure of Jackson challenged a respect which the good merchant felt he must pay by proxy, if not in person. ‘Do some one come here and salute the old man!’ he suddenly exclaimed. And a little daughter of Mr. Parker was thrust forward to wave her handkerchief to the terrible personage whose doings had been so offensive to her elders.”