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2 Fort Parker inhabitants on May 19, 1836 3 External links 4 References 5 Footnotes |
History
Fort Parker was founded about two miles west of Groesbeck, Limestone County, Texas by Elder2 John Parker (1758-1836), his sons, Benjamin, Silas and James, plus other members of the Pilgrim Predestinarian Baptist Church of Crawford County, Illinois. Led by John and Daniel Parker, they came to Texas in 18333. Daniel's party first settled in Grimes County, then later moved to Anderson County near present-day Elkhart. Elder John Parker's group settled near the headwaters of the Navasota River, and built a fort for protection against Native Americans. It was completed in March of 1834. Fort Parker's 12-foot high log walls enclosed four acres. Blockhouses were placed on two corners for lookouts, and six cabins were attached to the inside walls. The fort had two entrances, a large double gate facing south, and a small gate for easy access to the spring4. Most of the residents of the fort were part of the extended family of John and Sarah (Duty) Parker.
Soon the settlers were making their homes and farming the land. Several had built cabins on their farms, and used the fort for protection. Peace treaties were made with surrounding Native American chiefs. Perhaps the Fort Parker inhabitants expected that other tribes would honor the treaties as well.
On May 19, 1836, all appeared to be peaceful at Fort Parker. Men were in the fields working, the large gates of the compound were open, and the gun of Texas Ranger Silas Parker was not even loaded. But that day, a large party of Native Americans, including Comanches, Kiowas, Caddos, and Wichitas,5 attacked the inhabitants of Fort Parker. Around mid-morning, riders appeared under a white flag, and Benjamin Parker went out to talk to them. He was killed, and before the fort's gates could be closed, the raiders rushed inside. Five were killed, some were left for dead, two women and three children were captured, and the rest escaped into the wilderness.6 One of the captives was a nine-year-old girl, Cynthia Ann Parker, daughter of Silas and Lucinda (Duty) Parker. Cynthia Ann lived with the Comanches for nearly 25 years. She married Comanche chief Peta Nocona and was the mother of three children, including Quanah Parker. In 1860, she was among a Native American party captured by Texas Rangers. She was identified by her uncle, Isaac Parker, and returned to her family. Cynthia Ann never readjusted to the Anglo society, and died at the age of 43 in 1870. Quanah Parker became a leader among the Quahadi Comanches. After most of the Comanches and other tribes on the Staked Plains were defeated, Quanah Parker and his group surrendered to authorities and was forced to a reservation in Oklahoma Territory. He was made chief of all the Comanche tribes on the reservation.
Fort Parker inhabitants on May 19, 1836
External links
References
Footnotes