In 1832, Daniel Parker, a staunch theologian, had gained permission to settle in Texas. After organizing those who wanted to go, including joinng into the Predestinarian Baptist Church, they left Illinois July of 1833 in ox drawn wagons. Daniel and the majority of his followers settled near the present city of Elkhart, where a replica of their Pilgrim Baptist Church still stands in their memory. Other members of the group preferred to settle farther west, near the Navasota River. Elder John Parker and three of his sons; Silas, James, and Benjamin, began in December of 1833 to clear land and to construct "Parker's Fort."

The large stockade was built of split cedars, buried in the ground three feet and extending up some twelve feet. Two story blockhouses were erected at opposite corners, and within the fort were two rows of log cabins. In March of 1834, the fort was complete and the families of the brothers, along with other members of the group, moved into the fort and began clearing land for fields. Life was hard and security was tight during those early days.

On the morning of May 19, 1836, while most of the men of the fort were working in the fields, a band of Indians came over the hill to the east of the fort. A lighter skinned man with the Indians displayed a white flag, and though warned not to do so, one of the few remaining men within the fort went out to try and prevent the impending disaster, After talking with several of the warriors, Benjamin Parker returned to the fort, saying the Indians wanted beef, a place to camp, and directions to water.

According to Rachel Plummer's account, Benjamin returned to the fort, after his first talk with the war party, and told his brother and father that he believed they would all be killed, and that they should run swiftly to the woods. Silas again argued with him, telling him they should push the big gate shut, and man the walls. Ben pointed out, rightly, Rachel said, that there was no time, and their "course was decided." He told her, "run little Rachel, for your life and your unborn child, run now and fast!" She said he then straightened up and went back outside

Benjamin returned to the Indians with beef but was quickly surrounded and lanced. The Indians then charged the fort before the gate could be closed.

Five settlers were killed; Elder John Parker, Benjamin Parker, Silas Parker, Samual Frost & Robert Frost. And five were captured; Rachel Plummer, James Pratt Plummer, Cynthia Ann Parker, John Richard Parker & Elizabeth Duty Kellogg

The remaining twenty-one survivors were split into two groups. Both groups made their way toward Port Houston, near the present city of Palestine. The smaller group consisted of the men out working in the fields at the time of the attack. They returned to the fort after dark, took the remaining horses, and after finding "Granny" Parker, left for Fort Houston.

Soon after a burial party of twelve men returned to collect what remains could be found of the five killed and they were buried about a mile away.

Most of the 21 returned to the area, though not all for good, and some may have for a time taken up life again in the compound, but in the near future it was only to be visited by the occasional traveler passing through.

"[1836] The second day we camped at Parker's Fort, which was then vacated, having been stormed before by a body of Comanches." - Indian Depredations In Texas

In time the wooden structures rotted, leaving an archeological site only.

.................

This site is under construction.
http://oldfortparker.org