Parrish, Doctor Claiborn

Date of birth
05.28.1807
Place of birth
Orange County, NC
Date of death
07.11.1883
Place of death
Durham, NC
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Born: 05.28.1807, Orange County, NC

Spouse: Ruth Ward

Died: 07.11.1883, Durham, NC

Given the first name "Doctor" because legend had it that the seventh son would have a gift of healing, DC Parrish made his way as an Orange County farmer at Round Hill before becoming a founding father and early mayor of Durham, serving in that post for seven terms. Popularly known as "Colonel" DC Parrish, he seems to have been bestowed that rank through service in a local militia sometime between the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Owned land in present-day downtown Durham that had previously belonged to Dr. Bartlett Durham - donated land for Trinity Methodist Church on North Church Street and for the Durham County Courthouse.

Father of EJ Parrish, Father-in-law of Julian S. Carr

Related People
Parent of

Parrish, Edward J.

Merchant, manufacturer, and tobacco company executive, Parrish played a major role in marketing the output of Durham factories on a national and international scale. He was also a significant landowner, developer, and civic leader in the early decades of the city's growth. Read a more complete bio at NCpedia.org.
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Related as a builder

Related as an architect

Related buildings

Parrish (round Hill) School Fragment

The reuse of earlier structures made building efficient and economical for many Durham County farmers. Local tradition holds that a portion of the antebellum Round Hill academy established by D. C. (Doctor Claiborne) Parrish survives in a later-built residence once occupied by the Lee Mangum family. When Parrish moved into Durham after the Civil...
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