The name of Parry is closely interwoven with the history of eastern Pennsylvania, having been established in this part of the state when the country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. The ancestors of Isaac Parry were in comfortable financial circumstances, and at the time of the Revolutionary war the homestead farm was foraged by both armies. On one occasion some British scouts made their way to the farm and seeing some fat sheep caught and killed one, compelling Mrs. Parry to cook it for them in the Dutch oven, but before their feast was prepared some American troops arrived on the scene and the British fled, so that the Continental troops enjoyed the meal instead. The ancestry of the family is traced back through several generations to Thomas Parry, Sr., who emigrated from Radmanshire, Wales, settling in America in colonial days. He became one of the pioneer residents of Montgomery county, and assisted materially in promoting its substantial development and moral improvement. He lived a straightforward, honorable life, leaving an example for his descendants that is well worthy of emulation. He was a consistent member of the religious Society of Friends and successive generations of the family have always adhered to that faith, living lives of simplicity without vanity. They have been conservative to a considerable degree, and yet they have won success and gained the respect of all with whom they have been associated. The family has largely been represented in the great department of agriculture, and yet certain of its representatives have entered professional and commercial life. Samuel Parry was a broadminded, intelligent business man, whose ability was often sought by people of the neighborhood who wished him to write wills, settle estates or act as guardian to minors. Thomas Parry, Sr., the progenitor of the family in America, obtained a large tract of land near Baronhill, Montgomery county, where he improved an extensive farm, being one of the prominent and successful agriculturists of his day. Upon the home place he reared his family and continued to reside until his death.

            His son, Thomas Parry, Jr., was reared to manhood on the old homestead, and after his marriage located in Warminster township, Bucks county, where by purchase he became the possessor of large landed holdings. Settling thereon he improved the property, and a part of it is yet in possession of his descendants. He continued to reside thereon until his death.

            Jacob Parry, son of Thomas Parry, Jr., was reared on the home farm in Warminster township, and t the time of his marriage took his bride to that farm and reared his family there.

            Isaac Parry, son of Jacob Parry, inherited the old homestead and he, too, reared his family there.

            Isaac Parry, son of Isaac Parry, in turn inherited the old homestead, reared his family thereon, and died on the farm. Isaac Parry was born in June, 1774, and passed away in October, 1857. He first married Sarah Hopkins, and they became the parents of three children: Rebecca, Jacob, and Richard H. After the death of his first wife Isaac Parry wedded Mary Nixon, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Robert) Nixon, also of a prominent early family of Bucks county. By the second marriage there were six children: Tacey, who died unmarried; Thomas, Samuel, Isaac C., Susanna, and Mary, who was the wife of Joseph Saunders, of Philadelphia.

            Thomas Parry, second child of Isaac and Mary (Nixon) Parry, was born at the Parry homestead in Warminster township, was reared upon the farm there and at the time of his marriage took his bride to the old home place. He wedded Lydia Conard, a native of Horsham township, Montgomery county, and a daughter of Josephine and Hannah (Nixon) Conrad. In his younger days her father was engaged in the lumber business at Philadelphia but afterward removed to Horsham township, Montgomery county, where he purchased land and carried on farming. He also built a mill known in after years as Walker's mills. This is still in use, being operated by Eugene Blair. Jonathan Conard spent the remainder of his life at that place and died upon his farm near the mill. He was a member of the religious Society of Friends, and was highly respected. His children were: John; Charles, a carpenter and builder of Philadelphia; Susanna, the wife of W. Folk; Deborah, the wife of N. Cleaver; Mary, the wife of B. Brown, of Byberry; Ann, the wife of B. Morgan; Lydia, who became Mrs. Thomas Parry; and Rebecca J., who died unmarried. All were members of the Religious Society of Friends. Following his marriage Thomas Parry lived on a farm which he purchased from Jonathan Conard, now the property of Isaac Parry. He remodeled this farm, made substantial improvements, and continued to carry on agricultural pursuits there throughout his remaining days, passing away in 1857 at the age of forty-five years. He followed general farming and also attended the city market, and was practical and successful in all his business dealings. He was a devoted member of the Friends Society, ever active in church work and was a generous contributor toward the erection of the Warminster Meeting, which was built on one corner of his farm and is yet standing as a monument to the religious enterprise of its promoters. Politically he was an Abolitionist in early life. He at all times commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated because of his upright life and honorable purpose. To him and his wife were born eight children: Edward H., who served in the First New Jersey Calvary during the war of the rebellion, joining the army with the rank of corporal and returning with the rank of lieutenant, is now proprietor of a hat store in Philadelphia. Rebecca C., who became the wife of J. Tyson, of Abingdon, but both are now deceased; Isaac is the third of the family; Oliver, is a farmer of Warminster township; William is a practicing physican of Haynesport, New Jersey; Charles C. is a farmer of Wrightstown township; Thomas E. is living in California; Joseph S. is an attorney-at-law of Hobeken, New Jersey.

            Isaac Parry was born upon the home farm, June 30, 1844, and under his father's instructions he learned the various methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1869 he was married, after which he rented the homestead and continued its cultivation for two years. In 1872 he purchased the Hart homestead, including the town site of Ivyland. He removed to this farm, remaining thereon for five years, and then sold forty acres of the land to Edwin Lacey, who desired to build the town of Ivyland there. Later he sold the remainder of the farm to Comly Walker, and in 1877 removed from the place. In 1878 he took up his abode upon the old Parry homestead, and in 1886 purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property, making his home thereon continuously. In 1877 he bought the interest of L. W. Damenhower in a coal and feed business at Bradyville, and continued in the business twenty-eight years. He secured an extensive patronage throughout the surrounding country, and gave his personal attention to his mercantile interests, while his farm is operated under his personal supervision. He is both a practical and successful agriculturist and business man. In his political views Mr. Parry has always been a stanch Republican, and his filled some township offices, including those of auditor and supervisor, yet he has always preferred to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. In addition to his agricultural and commercial interests, he is a stockholder in the National Bank and in other corporations. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance, is known for his reliability and enterprise, and stands to-day as one of the representative men of his community. Mr. Parry was married March 11, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Logan, who was born at Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of George and Jane (Shoemaker) Logan, belonging to one of the old and honored families of eastern Pennsylvania. The children of the Logan family were Elizabeth; Theodore, now deceased; and Albanus. To Mr. and Mrs. Parry have been born three children: Samuel D., who is principal of the Olney public school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; George, a practicing dentist of Jenkintown; and Charles K., who is engaged in the lumber business of (missing info) Phildelphia as a member of the Righter, Parry Lumber Company. The children have been provided with good educational privileges, thus fitting them for the responsible and practical duties of life.

Text taken from 226-228

Davis, William W. H.,  A. M. History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905]  Volume III

Transcribed May 2001 as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project,