F O R W A R D

    In assembling the facts and preparing the within record of the Parrish family I have endeavored to make it as complete as possible, though the task has been extremely difficult.  A few of the family were not sufficiently interested to cooperate with me to the extent of supplying information that only they could supply, with the result that only meager records are given on some families.  Most of the family have responded willingly and graciously and I am indebted to them for there fine spirit of cooperation shown me in the work, which I am happy to acknowledge.  I especially thank Colonel Howard Parrish (Hy) son of the late Dr. Jesse A. Parrish of Valdosta, Ga. (Now in the armed services and stationed in Virginia) for his able assistance in procuring early records of the family, and Mrs. Lawrence J. Sandage (HY) of Donaldson, Ark., grand-daughter of Absolom Parrish (HY) for her splendid achievement in assembling the data on the family in the Southwest.  I am indeed grateful for the help and words of encouragement given by hundreds of others which makes this record possible.

    I regret that the desire to record this history did not come to me years ago, at a time when much more, and more definitive records of the earlier members of the family could have been secured.  I sincerely hope that some member of the family of each generation in the years to come will continue this record and bring it up to date.  Early in my efforts, I realized that it was humanly impossible to record all line of the family and found, therefore that it was advisable to confine my efforts on the lines from which most of the family in Georgia have directly descended and even then the task has been tremendous as the descendants have been traced to every state in the Union.

    Publishing this record is the realization of a zealous desire and I truly hope it will be found interesting and informative.  My compensation for the time, effort and cost expended in its preparation will be the appreciation of those of the family who come after me in the centuries to follow.  I am indeed glad that I am a member of the Parrish family.  Though but few have distinguished themselves politically, they have religiously; though but few have occupied high places of political honor, many have occupied high places in His Kingdom, which is the highest honor.

    Through marriage, Parrish blood has co-mingled with the blood of some of the finest families on earth, bringing forth a people who comprise the foundation of higher civilization upon which the fate of our nation depends.

    Pioneers at heart, aggressive in nature, reticent in demeanor, honest, kind, charitable, and home lovers, we may by justly proud of our family.