February 25

It has often been recognized that in certain families the apple does not fall far from the tree. Among notable Americans, the two Adams presidents and the two Bush presidents are but two examples that spring immediately to mind. Another is the Parker family. No, not the Parker of fountain pen fame. I refer to Sir Hyde Parker who was born on the 25th in 1714. He became Vice-admiral of the British navy. His son, Hyde Parker, Jr. was also Vice-admiral of the British navy, followed in short order by his son, Hyde Parker, III who also became Vice-admiral of the British navy. This apparently was done by the British navy to save a couple of dollars on the navy’s stationery costs.