Founder of Fort Parker. Served as a Sgt. during the Black Hawk War under Capt. Thomas B. Ross. After his release, he moved his family to TX, where they lived in several colonies before finally settling on a league of land that was granted to him in April 1835. This land was situated about 3 miles north of the site where the present town of Groesbeck is located in Limestone County. During the spring of 1835, he and his brother, James, built a fort on this land, which later became known as Fort Parker. On January 1, 1836, a daughter was born to Silas and Lucinda, who they named Orlena, and she was born at the Fort. In early May of 1836, General Sam Houston ordered the evacuation of Fort Parker, but Silas, believing the fort to be safe, refused to leave. About the 17th of May, scouts learned from friendly indians that an attack on the fort was scheduled for dawn on May 19th. This information was passed on to the settlers at the Fort but Silas stood firm. His family was not going to run. There were bitter arguments that threatened to erupt into violence and most of the settlers decided to leave. They left but Parker and his kinsmen remained. Early on the morning of May 19, 1836, the Fort was indeed attacked and Silas was killed. His wife and two youngest children, Silas, Jr. and Orlena were saved, but the two oldest children, Cynthia Ann and John were taken captive by the indians.
Founder of Fort Parker. Served as a Sgt. during the Black Hawk War under Capt. Thomas B. Ross. After his release, he moved his family to TX, where they lived in several colonies before finally settling on a league of land that was granted to him in April 1835. This land was situated about 3 miles north of the site where the present town of Groesbeck is located in Limestone County. During the spring of 1835, he and his brother, James, built a fort on this land, which later became known as Fort Parker. On January 1, 1836, a daughter was born to Silas and Lucinda, who they named Orlena, and she was born at the Fort. In early May of 1836, General Sam Houston ordered the evacuation of Fort Parker, but Silas, believing the fort to be safe, refused to leave. About the 17th of May, scouts learned from friendly indians that an attack on the fort was scheduled for dawn on May 19th. This information was passed on to the settlers at the Fort but Silas stood firm. His family was not going to run. There were bitter arguments that threatened to erupt into violence and most of the settlers decided to leave. They left but Parker and his kinsmen remained. Early on the morning of May 19, 1836, the Fort was indeed attacked and Silas was killed. His wife and two youngest children, Silas, Jr. and Orlena were saved, but the two oldest children, Cynthia Ann and John were taken captive by the indians.
Family Members
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