Long before us, in the Eighteenth-Century, Zachariah Parker Jr. settled in our quiet corner of Mansfield known as Wormwood Hill. Here he married his wife Abigail and together, they had six children. While we aren’t exactly sure what made Zachariah choose this land as his final resting place, we like to believe that the very beauty and potential we saw in this property is what initially brought him here too.
While the land itself has known many hands, many seasons, and many stories since Zachariah first broke ground, each generation has added its own chapter without erasing what came before. What has never changed is the sense that this place holds something worth preserving. What follows is a living timeline of the people, moments, and milestones that have shaped it. We invite you to read it not just as history, but as an ongoing story, one we are honored to continue, and grateful to share.
A FEW WORDS TO SHARE:
- The Burdicks
Rhoda Parker was born in Mansfield and later married into the Fletcher family, becoming Rhoda Fletcher.
[ March 6, 1763 ]
Birth of Daughter Rhoda Parker
Zachariah Jr. married Abigail Swift Hall, a widow, in Mansfield, Connecticut.
[ August 21, 1761 ]
Marriage to Abigail Swift Hall
Their first known child, Abigail Parker, was born in Mansfield. She later married and became Abigail Turner.
birth of first daughter
[ June 1761 ]
Zachariah Parker Jr. was born in Weston, Massachusetts, to Zachariah Parker Sr. and Rebeckah Parks
[ OCTOBER 27, 1732 ]
Birth of Zachariah Parker Jr.
Amasa Parker was born in Mansfield, representing the youngest known child attributed to Zachariah Parker Jr. and Abigail Swift Parker. His children lay to rest in the Parker Cemetery, Wrescum & Abigail.
[ may 24, 1772 ]
Birth of Son Amasa Parker
Lois Parker was born in Mansfield and raised as part of the growing Parker household.
[ may 7, 1769 ]
Birth of Daughter Lois Parker
Thomas Parker, the eldest son of Zachariah Parker Jr., was born in Mansfield and would later take over the Wormwood Hill property.
[ april 26, 1767 ]
Birth of Son Thomas Parker
Ruth Parker was born in Mansfield, one of several daughters raised on the Parker homestead. She later became Ruth Clarke.
[ March 17, 1765 ]
Birth of Daughter Ruth PARKER
Zachariah Parker Jr. purchased the farmstead at what is now 640 Wormwood Hill Road in Mansfield from Capt. Richard Fletcher and established a long-standing Parker family farm on the land.
[ date unknown, 1777 ]
Purchase of the Wormwood Hill Property
The Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, announcing the colonies’ intent to separate from British rule.
[ July 4, 1776 ]
Declaration of Independence Adopted
The battles of Lexington and Concord signaled the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, drawing local farmers and militiamen into active resistance.
[ April 19, 1775 ]
Start of the Revolutionary War
The Lexington Alarm marked the outbreak of armed conflict between colonial militia and British forces. Men across the colonies were called to immediate service, including Zachariah Parker Jr.
[ April 19, 1775 ]
The Lexington Alarm
Abigail Parker died in Mansfield after more than forty years as matriarch of the Parker family.
[ August 2, 1803 ]
Death of Abigail Swift Parker
Thomas Parker married Hannah Atwood in Mansfield, beginning the next generation of Parkers who would steward the Wormwood Hill farm.
[ March 28, 1793 ]
Thomas Parker Marries Hannah Atwood
Zachariah Parker Jr. and his brother acquire multiple parcels of land throughout Mansfield, Connecticut, including 56.9 acres on what is now Woodland Road.
[ date unknown, late 1700's ]
zachariah parker jr. and his brother purchase more land
The Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War, securing independence for the United States after eight years of conflict.
[ september 3, 1783 ]
End of the American Revolutionary War
Zachariah Parker Jr. sold 54 acres and the dwelling to his son, Thomas. Amasa was sold 46 acres across the “highway” from the homestead. Together the two sons paid their father $350.00.
[ date unknown, 1813 ]
wormwood hill land is split up
Zachariah Parker Jr. died in Mansfield, leaving behind a legacy of military service, farming, and multigenerational land stewardship.
[ January 10, 1818 ]
Death of Zachariah Parker Jr.
The Wormwood Hill property remained in the Parker family until 1895, marking more than 115 years of continuous family ownership.
[ date unknown, 1895 ]
End of Parker Family Ownership at wormwood hill
Thomas Parker, eldest son of Zachariah Parker Jr., died marking the close of the second generation of Parker stewardship on the land.
[ March 9, 1831 ]
Death of thomas parker
Jon built a small cabin at the back of the Woodland Road property for a customer, marking the first structure created by our family on the land.
[ Spring 2019 ]
Cabin Built on Woodland Road Property
The property owner sold the Woodland Road property to Jon, beginning our family’s direct stewardship of the land.
[ Fall 2019 ]
Property Purchased by Jon
We began transforming the cabin Jon built for the previous owner into an off-grid campsite, laying the foundation for our future vision.
[ January 2020 ]
Off-Grid Project Begins
We became engaged beneath a willow tree we had planted on our one-year anniversary, in an area surrounded by ferns and overlooking the vernal pool.
[ August 2020 ]
Engagement at the Willow Tree
We built our timber-frame barn, which would become our family home and a centerpiece of the homestead.
[ April 2021 ]
Timber-Frame Barn Raised
300 wine grape vines were planted, beginning our vineyard and expanding the agricultural life of the property.
[ May 2021 ]
Vineyard Established
The build of our home was complete, officially settling into the homestead full-time.
[ August 2022 ]
Completion of Our Home
Jon and Janese were married on the property, celebrating their wedding beneath the willow tree planted on their one-year anniversary.
[ June 2021 ]
jon and janese get married
Our first Fall Fest took place, bringing together friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the season with food, games, and a much-debated chili cook-off.
[ October 2022 ]
first annual fall fest
Our first daughter was born, welcoming a new generation to the land.
[ December 2022 ]
Birth of Our First Daughter
Woodland Ridge Acres was formally established, giving a name and identity to the land, farm, and homestead rooted in centuries of agricultural history.
[ march 20, 2023 ]
woodland ridge acres is established
We brought home our first baby chicks, beginning our flock of laying hens.
[ April 2023 ]
First Laying Hens Arrive
Our second daughter was born in April 2024, continuing our growing family on the land.
[ April 2024 ]
Birth of Our Second Daughter
Our third daughter was born, further deepening our family’s roots on the Woodland Road property.
[ October 2025 ]
Birth of Our Third Daughter
Our first homestead cows arrived: Moolissa and her calf, Penny, marking an important step in our farming journey.
[ May 2023 ]
First Homestead Cows Arrive
In the spring of 2026, Parker’s Place Farmstand will open at Woodland Ridge Acres, offering a variety of fresh, locally produced goods including honey, eggs, flowers, baked goods, and other seasonal farm offerings.
[ spring 2026 ]
parker's place opens
The first known child, Abigail Parker, was born in Mansfield. She later married and became Abigail Turner.
birth of first daughter
[ June 1761 ]
Zachariah Parker Jr. was born in Weston, Massachusetts, to Zachariah Parker Sr. and Rebeckah Parks.
[ OCTOBER 27, 1732 ]
Birth of Zachariah Parker Jr.
Rhoda Parker was born in Mansfield and later married into the Fletcher family, becoming Rhoda Fletcher.
Birth of Daughter Rhoda Parker
[ Date unknown, 1763 ]
Zachariah Jr. married Abigail Swift Hall, a widow, in Mansfield, Connecticut.
[ August 21, 1761 ]
Marriage to Abigail Swift Hall
Thomas Parker, the eldest son of Zachariah Parker Jr., was born in Mansfield and would later take over the Wormwood Hill property.
Birth of Son Thomas Parker
[ Date unknown, 1767 ]
Ruth Parker was born in Mansfield, one of several daughters raised on the Parker homestead.
[ Date unknown, 1765 ]
Birth of Daughter Ruth Parker
Amasa Parker was born in Mansfield, representing the youngest known child attributed to Zachariah Parker Jr. and Abigail Swift Parker. His children lay to rest in the Parker Cemetery, Wrescum & Abigail.
Birth of Son Amasa Parker
[ Date unknown, 1772 ]
Lois Parker was born in Mansfield and raised as part of the growing Parker household.
[ date unknown, 1769 ]
Birth of Daughter Lois Parker
The battles of Lexington and Concord signaled the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, drawing local farmers and militiamen into active resistance.
Start of the Revolutionary War
[ April 19, 1775 ]
The Lexington Alarm marked the outbreak of armed conflict between colonial militia and British forces. Men across the colonies were called to immediate service, including Zachariah Parker Jr.
[ April 19, 1775 ]
The Lexington Alarm
The battles of Lexington and Concord signaled the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, drawing local farmers and militiamen into active resistance.
Start of the Revolutionary War
[ April 19, 1775 ]
The Lexington Alarm marked the outbreak of armed conflict between colonial militia and British forces. Men across the colonies were called to immediate service, including Zachariah Parker Jr.
[ April 19, 1775 ]
The Lexington Alarm
Zachariah Parker Jr. purchased the farmstead at what is now 640 Wormwood Hill Road in Mansfield from Capt. Richard Fletcher and established a long-standing Parker family farm on the land.
Purchase of the Wormwood Hill Property
[ date unknown, 1777 ]
The Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, announcing the colonies’ intent to separate from British rule.
[ July 4, 1776 ]
Declaration of Independence Adopted
Zachariah Parker Jr. and his brother acquire multiple parcels of land throughout Mansfield, Connecticut, including 56.9 acres on what is now Woodland Road.
zachariah parker jr. and his brother purchase more land
[ date unknown, late 1700's ]
The Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War, securing independence for the United States after eight years of conflict.
[ september 3, 1783 ]
End of the American Revolutionary War
Abigail Parker died in Mansfield after more than forty years as matriarch of the Parker family.
Death of Abigail Swift Parker
[ August 2, 1803 ]
Thomas Parker married Hannah Atwood in Mansfield, beginning the next generation of Parkers who would steward the Wormwood Hill farm.
[ March 28, 1793 ]
Thomas Parker Marries Hannah Atwood
Zachariah Parker Jr. died in Mansfield, leaving behind a legacy of military service, farming, and multigenerational land stewardship.
Death of Zachariah Parker Jr.
[ January 10, 1818 ]
Zachariah Parker Jr. sold 54 acres and the dwelling to his son, Thomas. Amasa was sold 46 acres across the “highway” from the homestead. Together the two sons paid their father $350.00.
[ date unknown, 1813 ]
wormwood hill land is split up
The Wormwood Hill property remained in the Parker family until 1901, marking more than 120 years of continuous family ownership.
End of Parker Family Ownership at wormwood hill
[ date unknown, 1901 ]
Thomas Parker, eldest son of Zachariah Parker Jr., died marking the close of the second generation of Parker stewardship on the land.
[ March 9, 1831 ]
Death of thomas parker
We began transforming the cabin Jon built for the previous owner into an off-grid campsite, laying the foundation for our future vision.
Off-Grid Project Begins
[ January 2020 ]
Jon built a small cabin at the back of the Woodland Road property for a customer, marking the first structure created by our family on the land.
[ Spring 2019 ]
Cabin Built on Woodland Road Property
The property owner sold the Woodland Road property to Jon, beginning our family’s direct stewardship of the land.
Property Purchased by Jon
[ Fall 2019 ]
Jon built a small cabin at the back of the Woodland Road property for a customer, marking the first structure created by our family on the land.
[ Spring 2019 ]
Cabin Built on Woodland Road Property
We became engaged beneath a willow tree we had planted on our one-year anniversary, in an area surrounded by ferns and overlooking the vernal pool.
Engagement at the Willow Tree
[ August 2020 ]
We began transforming the cabin Jon built for the previous owner into an off-grid campsite, laying the foundation for our future vision.
[ January 2020 ]
Off-Grid Project Begins
300 wine grape vines were planted, beginning our vineyard and expanding the agricultural life of the property.
Vineyard Established
[ May 2021 ]
We built our timber-frame barn, which would become our family home and a centerpiece of the homestead.
[ April 2021 ]
Timber-Frame Barn Raised
The build of our home was complete, officially settling into the homestead full-time.
Completion of Our Home
[ August 2022 ]
Jon and Janese were married on the property, celebrating their wedding beneath the willow tree planted on their one-year anniversary.
[ June 2021 ]
jon and janese get married
Our first daughter was born, welcoming a new generation to the land.
Birth of Our First Daughter
[ December 2022 ]
Our first Fall Fest took place, bringing together friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the season with food, games, and a much-debated chili cook-off.
[ October 2022 ]
first annual fall fest
We brought home our first baby chicks, beginning our flock of laying hens.
First Laying Hens Arrive
[ April 2023 ]
Woodland Ridge Acres was formally established, giving a name and identity to the land.
[ march 20, 2023 ]
woodland ridge acres is established
Our second daughter was born in April 2024, continuing our growing family on the land.
Birth of Our Second Daughter
[ April 2024 ]
Our first homestead cows arrived: Moolissa and her calf, Penny, marking an important step in our farming journey.
[ May 2023 ]
First Cows Arrive
In the spring of 2026, Parker’s Place Farm Store will open, offering a variety of fresh, locally produced goods including honey, eggs, flowers, baked goods, and other seasonal farm offerings.
parker's place opens
[ spring 2026 ]
Our third daughter was born, further deepening our family’s roots on the Woodland Road property.
[ October 2025 ]
Birth of Our Third Daughter
Zacheriah Parker found his final resting place on this land, where he remains to this day.
