James Parker II

James Parker Jr. (March 3, 1776 – April 1, 1868) was a United States representative from New Jersey. He served as the Collector of the Port of New Jersey in Perth Amboy from 1829 to 1833. He was Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Early life Parker was born at "Shipley", his father's farm in Bethlehem in the Province of New Jersey on March 3, 1776 to James Parker Sr. (1725–1797) and Gertrude MacGregor (née Skinner) Parker (1739–1811). His father was on the provincial council before the Revolution, an active member of the board of proprietors of the colony, and the owner of large landed properties. His uncle was Brig. Gen. Cortlandt Skinner,

Career Parker moved to Perth Amboy after the Revolution. He graduated from Columbia College of Columbia University in New York City in 1793, and then became a merchant in Manhattan, New York City, but on the death of his father returned to Perth Amboy.

Slavery During the early decades of the 19th century, James Parker held several Black people in slavery in his household. These people included a woman named Nancy (inherited from his father's estate), Nancy's children, and a man named John Annin. Parker purchased John Annin, also known as Jack, in 1807 and then manumitted by him in 1822. In 1818, Parker grew concerned about the problem of slave traffickers kidnapping Black people from New Jersey for sale in the domestic slave trade. He was one of the organizers of an association for the purpose of opposing the practice of kidnapping, which was formed in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on July 30, 1818. He was the Secretary of the organization. The following year, he took the issue of human trafficking to the New Jersey legislature and successfully advocated for a law that made it more difficult for slave traders to take Black people out of the state of New Jersey.

Personal life On January 5, 1803, Parker was married to Penelope Coats Butler (1788–1823), the daughter of Anthony Butler and Elizabeth (née Coates) Butler. Together, they were the parents of:

James Parker (1804–1805), who died young.

Descendants Through his son Cortlandt, he was the grandfather of James Parker (a major general in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the Philippine–American War during 1899), Richard Wayne Parker (also a United States Representative from New Jersey).