John Langdon Parsons

John Langdon Parsons (28 April 1837 – 21 August 1903), generally referred to as "J. Langdon Parsons", was a Cornish Australian minister of the Baptist church, politician, and the 5th Government Resident of the Northern Territory, 1884–1890.

Biography Parsons was born on 28 April 1837 at Botathan near Launceston, Cornwall, a son of Edward Parsons and his wife Jane, née Langdon. He was educated at local schools and Bellevue Grammar School, Plymouth

He left for South Australia aboard Orient in company with merchant Charles H. Goode, arriving in July 1863, and preached his first sermon at George Stonehouse's Baptist church on LeFevre Terrace, North Adelaide on 19 July. He proceeded to Angaston, where he attracted large congregations, and married a granddaughter of George Fife Angas on 23 January 1866. and the first service was held in the new North Adelaide Baptist Church on 6 November 1870.

He left the ministry on account of failing health, [Parsons] was one of the most scholarly men in South Australia. As a lecturer he achieved the highest, distinction, his erudition being as marked as his eloquence. The political character of Mr. Parsons was aptly described by Mr. Geo. E. Loyau in his "Representative Men of South Australia" (1883) in the following words:—"Mr Parsons is a logical and straightforward politician; and whilst having the interests of the constituency he represents thoroughly at heart, he never appears to forget the duty he owes to the country at large." For the last three years his health progressively deteriorated. His breathing became more difficult, as a consequence of a heart complaint brought on by rheumatic fever when a child. Nevertheless, he continued to sit in the Legislative Council until a week before his death. His mind remained clear and he suffered no pain throughout his illness.

Family Parsons married Rosetta Angas Johnson (1846 – 17 March 1876), granddaughter of George Fife Angas, on 23 January 1866 Elsie Mary Parsons (17 August 1868 – 1932) married Allan Campbell Kerr (c. 1852 – 2 January 1898) on 1 June 1893. She married again, to David Herbert Power, of Wirrilla, Manoora on 16 May 1900. Sir Herbert Angas Parsons (23 May 1872 – 2 November 1945) married Mary Elsie Bonython (1874 – 1956) in 1900. He was a politician and judge. He married again, to Marianna Dewhirst (1852 – 31 December 1937) on 4 August 1877. She was the eldest daughter of Edward Dewhirst, Inspector of Schools. Hilda Muriel Parsons (1878–1962) Percivall Hugh Parsons (1879 – ) Walter Langdon Parsons (16 August 1881 – 2 March 1955) married Florence Mary Raymont (1884–1949) in 1910. He was a politician E(rnest) Harold Parsons (1883 – ) married Alice Mary Dibben ( –1970) of Pinnaroo on 17 September 1913 Ida Lillian Parsons (1885–1891) F. L. Parsons ( – ) Their last (summer?) residence was "Botathan", Aldgate