Matt Parrott was one of the more prominent businessmen in late 19th century Nevada. His frequent encounters with burglars gives insight into the lawlessness that still prevailed as the Wild Wild West era came to a close.

Matt, born in 1844 in Bedfordshire, England, came to the USA in 1865, and by 1875 had settled in Reno, Nevada.

Another family from Bedfordshire settled in Oakland Co., Michigan in 1852. A second family, also from Bedfordshire, settled in Macomb Co., Michigan sometime after 1840, and mostly remain there to this day. A third family from Bedfordshire also emigrated to the USA in 1888 and became established in Texas. Finally, Befordshire businessman Matt Parrott settled in Reno, Nevada, in 1875. It is not currently known if these families are related--a Y-DNA test would help make that determination.

Finally, one of the early American Parrott families also came from Bedfordshire a couple of centuries earlier, but there is no way of knowing if they are the same family without a Y-DNA test. It is known that there were at least two unrelated P-rr-tt families in Bedfordshire at the time (i.e, 1600s).

1. Parrott .

Parrott married someone.

His children were:

   2 F    i. Jane Parrott was born in 1842 in Bedfordshire, England and died in 1900 in New York, at age 58. {Find A Grave ID: 79273373}

Jane married Robert Goodman on 27 Oct 1862 in Colmworth, Bedford, England. Robert was born in 1841 in England and died in 1914 in New York, at age 73. {Find A Grave ID: 79273352}

   3 M    ii. Matthew A. Parrott was born on 12 Aug 1844 in Bedfordshire, England and died on 22 Nov 1919 in Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada, at age 75. {Find A Grave ID: 125199954}

.Notes: .Our friend Matt Parrott went down to the meadows yesterday afternoon and shot 22 ducks and one snipe.

Reno Evening Gazette, 15 Jan 1877, p 3
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Cool.---Matt. Parrott, who had eleven pistols stolen from him some time ago, recovered the last one yesterday. A fellow came in and asked him what he would give him for such a pistol Matt. said that he would not give him anything for that pistol, but would keep it until he brought the man who sold it to him. Soon A. came in with B., who had stolen all the pistols, and told Matt that he might have the pistol, saying that an Indian had hid them in a sack, and finding them he had concluded to keep one of them. Matt. thought his coolness a little remarkable, but was very glad to get his pistol back and concluded to let the matter drop. Some man will not be as lenient as Matt., but will try the effect of a little law. One or two years in the State Prison would make some of these fellows sick of petty thieving as a profession.

Reno Evening Gazette, 30 Jan 1877, p 3
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ETC.\emdash Matt Parrott
GUNS, PISTOLS, has on hand everything which a gun-ner needs, and can repair anything in his line neatly and satisfactorily. He has a fine turning lathe, and is adding to his facilities daily. Knife blades put in and keys fitted or made promptly. Go and see him.

Reno Evening Gazette, 05 Feb 1877, p 3
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Matt Parrott reports game plentiful on the meadows. One gunner bagged 21 ducks in one day this week. Last Sunday Parrott got a good bag of ducks and snipe, and two skunks.
When asked how he came to shoot two skunks, Parrott made the rather singular explanation: "The second one didn't stink." He didn't bag the skunks.

Reno Evening Gazette, 24 Sep 1880, p 3
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Guns and Ammunition.
MATT. A. PARROTT has a splendid stock of fishing tackle, pocket cutlery, guns, pistols, etc Shells loaded to order on shortest notice. East side Virginia street, Reno, Nev. s7tf.

Nevada State Journal, 03 Dec 1881, p 2
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Four Dollars Reward.
A coal black mare, no brand, but marked by a bit cut out of left ear. Strayed from the canyon below glendale, Tuesday night. I will pay above reward for her recovery.
Reno, December 14th.
MATT PARROTT

Nevada State Journal, 31 Dec 1892, p 2
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Probably the Burglar of Matt Parrott's Store.
Word was received yesterday that Officer Cozzens of Carlin attempted the arrest of a negro, who resisted and the officer had to shoot him before he could overcome him. The wound is not a dangerous one, but served to bring the individual to time. It is thought that the negro is the man who burglarized Matt Parrott's store. The horse that was stolen at Clark's and ridden to Stillwater by the negro came into Wadsworth riderless and covered with foam, and it is probable that the negro made his way back to the rail-road and continued on East and was recognized by the officer at Carlin, who was compelled to bring him down with a gun in order to arrest him.

Nevada State Journal, 12 Jul 1895, p 3
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A Successful Deer Hunt.
Matt Parrott and George Pierce returned from a successful deer hunt last evening. They went to Wilcox Valley, a few miles north of town, and had splendid luck, having killed five deer which the hunters brought to town. They had a pretty rough experience as far as the weather was concerned, but their success repaid them for all of the hardships they underwent.

Nevada State Journal, 24 Dec 1895, p 3
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ATTEMPTED BURGLARY.
Matt Parrott Favored With a Midnight Visitor.
A burglar attempted to effect an entrance into Matt Parrott's store at 11 o'clock last night, but met with a rather warm and unexpected reception.

The fellow tried to force the rear door of the place, but failing in this broke a pane of glass in one of the windows nearest the door, presumably in order to unlock it.

Mr. Parrott was sleeping in the room and was awakened by the failing glass and plainly saw the man endeavoring to unlock the door. Matt had a 22-calibre revolver close at hand and after waiting until the would-be burglar was directly in front of him took a shot at him and then opened the door and let his dogs loose. The fellow evidently was not seriously hurt as he ran out the back yard and up the alley, with the dogs in pursuit.

Mr. Parrott says the fellow was a short, heavy set man and that he is sure that he hit him, as he staggered against the side of the building after the shot was fired. The officers were notified, but no arrest has yet been made.

Reno Evening Gazette, 19 Oct 1900, p 3
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WHY MATT PARROTT WANTS NEW BRIDGE
Matt Parrott is in favor of a new city hall, provided the city also erects a bridge to accommodate the hundreds of residents located east of the present crossing. In speaking of the matter yesterday Mr. Parrott stated that the wishes of a great portion of the residents of the city should be considered in regard to this important matter.

"If improvements are to be made," said Mr. Parrott "let us make them where they are the most needed first. I think the bridge is the most important of the two improvements contemplated."

Nevada State Journal, 20 Sep 1905, p 3
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RENO BURGLARS ARE CAPTURED
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ARRESTED BY THE POLICE AT OGDEN
Thieves Who Entered Matt Parrott's Store Are in Jail\emdash Much Of the Plunder Stolen Secured.
Through the diligence of Chief of Police Leeper the men who burglarized Matt Parrott's gun store on Virginia street some time ago were last night captured in Ogden, and are now in the city jail at that place awaiting the arrival of an officer from this city to take charge of them. The police of Ogden claim to have good evidence against the men and claim that they not only captured them, but secured a great deal of the booty they had stolen from the gun store.

Immediately following the burglary Chief Leeper sent out to all officers along the line of the Southern Pacific a good description of the goods stolen and also the measurements of the footprints made in the snow by the burglars. The officers at Ogden received one of these descriptions and kept a close watch for any plunder answering the description.

Two men, loaded with knives, pistols and guns, were arrested by the police of Ogden last night, and this morning Chief of Police Browning telegraphed Chief Leeper that he had the men in custody and would hold them until a Reno officer could go to Ogden and take charge of them.

Matt Parrott this afternoon swore to a complaint charging the men with burglary and the warrant for their arrest was immediately telegraphed to Ogden.

Reno Evening Gazette, 17 Jan 1907, p 5
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SIX FINE DEER ON DISPLAY AT PARROTT'S STORE
Matt Parrott, the well-known Reno sportsman, and Fred Lehrbus returned to Reno last night from Fish lake, in the northern portion of Washoe county, and brought with them six large bucks, shot during the past few days. They now have the deer on display at Matt Parrott's gun shop on Virginia street, and interested numbers of sportsmen have been present at the store all day viewing the bucks and commenting upon them. These deer are the largest ever seen in Reno and will furnish much venison for the hungry people of Reno this week.

Matt Parrott stated this morning that he saw more than fifty deer while hunting, and that he could have brought more to Reno with him, but for the limit placed by the law upon the number of deer to be shot each year by a single hunter.

Reno Evening Gazette, 26 Dec 1907, p 2
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ROBBERS GET OVER $600 FROM RENO STORE
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DAYLIGHT ROBBERY TAKES PLACE EARLY THIS MORNING
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BURGLARS ENTER VIRGINIA ST. GUN STORE
Burglars, believed to be the same persons who entered the Clay grocery store, the warehouse of the W. I. Mitchell company and the Riverside cigar store this week, at an early hour this morning entered the gun store of Matt Parrott on Virginia street and carried away nearly $200 in cash and revolvers and knives valued at more than $400. The thieves entered the store through a rear window and after securing their plunder left through the rear door, making good their escape.

The burglary was one of the boldest ever committed in the city and as the thieves left no clue which might lead to their identity the officers have very little hope of capturing them.

Matt Parrott, the owner of the store, always sleeps in a little bed room in the rear part of his store, and it was not until he had left the building early this morning that the thieves entered. This goes to prove that the thieves were watching the building and were quite familiar with the habits of the owner.

Matt Parrott left the building at 5 o'clock for the purpose of feeding his horses and it was between that time and 6 o'clock when he returned to the store that the burglars entered and made their rich haul.

They broke the glass in a small window in the rear of the building and en-tering through this made their way to the cash drawer. This they pried open with a jimmie, after which they secured its contents, amounting to about $200 in gold, silver and bills. In their hurry to obtain this money they dropped two $20 gold pieces and several $5 bills on the floor, where they were picked up by the owner on his return to the store.
After securing the money the thieves took from a show case many valuable revolvers and hunting knives and from a gun rack secured other weapons. They also took considerable ammunition and then made their escape through the rear door.

On his return to the store at 6 o'clock Matt Parrott discovered his loss and immediately notified Chief of Police Burke who visited the store and investigated the burglary. He is now working on the case and is putting forth every effort to capture the thieves.

Reno Evening Gazette, 18 Apr 1908, p 1
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MATT PARROTT ROBBED AGAIN
Second Time in a Month the Store Is Opened and Money Stolen
For the second time in a month, Matt Parrott's gun store on Virginia street was burglarized last night between 10:15 and 10:30 p. m. and several pistols and about $25 in small change was taken.

The burglars had evidently watched their chance and were familiar with Parrott's habits, for when he left the store at the usual time to go to the postoffice, they made they way to the back door and pried the hinges with a stone-cutter's hammer. The frame of the door was also forced in. After getting in they took four revolvers from the case in the front of the store, which is exposed to the gaze of passers-by and then, using the same tool they broke the old-fashioned cash drawer from its fastenings and took all the small change.

The work occupied at most 10 minutes, but when Parrott returned from the postoffice he found that he had again been victimized. His only comment was, "Well, they treated me better this time."

Four rough-looking men followed Parrott from the store to the Douglas alley corner when he went to the postoffice. He believes they then returned and burglarized the place.

Nightwatchman Christie was first told of the burglary. Later Captain Cadle, Deputy Sheriff Tom Eraston and Patrolmen Berry and Summers investigated, but no clew was found. The fruits of the last raid have been located and are still in San Francisco, but as yet the prisoner held there has not been brought to Reno to answer for the crime.

Nevada State Journal, 13 May 1908, p 2
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PARROTT READY TO FIGHT.
Matt Parrott who is very anxious that the bridge should be built, and a number of other citizens equally as anxious to see the Second street bridge completed were present and were very angry. Matt Parrott threatened to tear down the fences of the Virginia & Truckee and to remove the obstructions despite the restraining order issued by Judge Orr, but after thinking the matter over finally decided that he had better let the law take its course.

Reno Evening Gazette, 18 Aug 1908 p 1
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MATT PARROTT HAS HIS STABLE ROBBED
A Shotgun and Several Boxes of Shells Are Taken by Persons Unknown
Petty thieves looking for anything of value that they might steal last night entered Matt Parrott's stable on Scott street and carried away several boxes of shot gun shells and a gun. The officers have no clue as to who the thieves might have been and there is very little possibility that they will ever be captured.

Matt Parrott's gun store has been burglarized several times within the past few months, but this is the first time thieves have entered his stable. The police believe that the stable was entered by "hop heads" as professional burglars would, in their opinion, have looked for larger game.

Reno Evening Gazette, 05 Oct 1908, p 2
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MATT PARROTT HAS DISPOSED OF BUSINESS
Premier Sporting Goods Dealer Retires; Forty-Six Years As Handler of Firearms

After being in business for 46 years without a lapse of idleness Matt Parrott, premier sporting goods dealer of the state, is about to retire, having disposed of his stock and good will to J. McDonald of San Francisco. McDonald is expected to reach Reno to-morrow or the next day to take over the active management of the store. The deal was consummated several days ago but Parrott has been conducting the business till McDonald could adjust his affairs at San Francisco.

The consideration has been given out as $10,000. The building and the lot on which it is located are not included in the deal. Parrott said today that he expects to begin at once the construction of new living quarters on the back part of the lot which runs clear through to the alley. It is considered one of the best business locations in the city.

Parrott is ranked as one of the city's earliest residents. He came to Reno in 1875 and the following year opened a repair shop. In 1884 he moved to the present location and has conducted a sporting goods house and repair shop there ever since.

Reno Evening Gazette, 07 Apr 1917, p 8
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MATT PARROTT VERY ILL
NOT EXPECTED TO LIVE
Matt Parrott, one of the oldest merchants of Reno and a resident of this city since Reno first appeared on the map, is very ill at the Mount Rose hospital and is not expected to live. Mr. Parrott conducted a sporting goods store on Virginia Street up until about two years ago when he sold out.

Reno Evening Gazette, 18 Nov 1919, p 7
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MATT PARROTT DIES; WAS RESIDENT OF RENO SINCE '75
Matt A. Parrott, pioneer of Reno and known to sportsmen all over western Nevada, died this morning at the Mount Rose hospital following an illness of five weeks from pneumonia. He was unconscious for four days and died at two o'clock.

Coming to Reno in 1875 Mr. Parrott established the first sporting goods store and gunsmith's establishment in Reno in a building where the McKissick hotel now stands. Later he bought a lot opposite the Sundarland building where he conducted a store until he was burned out in the early '80s and then moved across the street next to the Sunderland building where he conducted his store forty years. Two years ago he sold out and retired from business.

Though never taking a very active part in public affairs Mr. Parrott was well known, especially among the fishermen and hunters of Reno and western Nevada. For years he supplied all the fishing tackle, guns and ammunition used here and did an extensive business. Many tons of shot supplied by Mr. Parrott and on which he made a profit have been shot around Reno during the past half century and though a comparatively poor man when he came here Mr. Parrot leaves an estate valued at over $50,000.

Mr. Parrott left his home in Bedfordshire, England in March, 1865 for New York. He removed from there to Missouri, thence to California and came to Reno in December, 1875 and has resided here ever since.

He was a great hunter and fisherman and in the early days was considered an authority on hunting and fishing in this vicinity. He was a great lover of animals and owned from one to three dogs and the same number of horses nearly all his life. He was seventy-five years old.

Three sisters, Mrs. Jane Goodman of Wayne county, N. Y., Mrs. Helen Bateman and Mrs. Mercy Wagstaff of Bedfordshire, England survive. Mr. Parrott was never married and it is understood that his estate is to be divided between his sisters with some other bequests.

Funeral services will be conducted by Reno Lodge No. 14, I. O. O. F. of which he was a member.

The death of Mr. Parrott removes one of the real old timers of Reno. He was a source of much information concerning the early days of this city and county and his store was always full of old timers who discussed the days when Reno was emerging from the village class.

Reno Evening Gazette, 22 Nov 1919, p 6

   4 F    iii. Helen Parrott Bateman was born in Bedfordshire, England.

   5 F    iv. Mercy Parrott Wagstaff was born in Bedfordshire, England.