Freestone Past/Present
J.R. “Sonny” Sessions

Fort Parker Memorial Park
  Located just west of Groesbeck in Limestone Co. this historic cemetery 
originated while Freestone Co. still part of Limestone. Have deep roots here 
where many of my mother’s family and ancestors are buried.
  A large impressive monument remembering the Indian massacre and its 
victims, located on a circle drive in the middle of the well kept grounds
greet you. If you haven’t visited this historic place it well worth a trip to see. 
This is the resting place of early settlers and many Limestone Co officials 
including my friends Judge Fountain Kirby and Judge Norton Fox, and 
many former Sheriffs including my mother’s great grand father Anthony 
Sharp who served as its Confederate Sheriff.
Peggy and I attended Memorial Service here in May l997 along with many 
local dignitaries. Guest speaker Historian Ray Walter’s speech was 
published in the Groesbeck Journal and quite interesting. Personally always 
wondered how and why the massacre victims buried here instead of at the 
Fort which some distance away. Text of Ray Walter’ Address:
  Fort Parker Memorial Park is one of the oldest cemeteries in Central Texas, 
originally called Lewisville, for the community of Lewisville approximately 
one mile away (named for J.J. Lewis who is buried in this cemetery.)
  One often asks how did the cemetery begin? After the excitement of the 
Fort Parker massacre on May l9, l836, was over, a few of the remaining 
friends buried the victims near the Fort, owing to their grief and fear of the 
return of the Indians the graves were not dug very deep. The Indians came 
back, dug up the bodies, and held a war dance over them. When the soldiers 
came from Fort Houston, near Palestine, they carried the bodies to a distant 
hill that was covered by an oak grove and buried them all in one grave as the 
sun was slowly sinking in the west.
  If you should be on historic hill top with massive oaks in the background, 
the sun slowly sinking over the distant horizon, sadness fills you. A picture 
arises in your mind of the Parker colony in the state of Illinois; you can 
imagine their decision of coming to a new country where they could worship 
as they thought best. The scene arises in your mind of the hustle and 
confusion that goes with the preparation of a long journey. They traveled 
slowly during the week, but on the Lord’s Day would camp, let their 
livestock rest, and held services led by Elder John Parker, who was leading 
them into the promised land. After services they visited each other and made 
plans for the future with confidence. But all these hopes and joys ended on 
the l9th of May 1836. What prompted the attack is still a mystery though 
many historians accuse the settlers of counterfeiting and horse-stealing. A 
suit was filed in Harris Co., Texas. However, the fort was not burned but 
deteriorated. After the lapse of a few years the remaining families of the 
Parker Colony returned to their claims and wrote to friends back home to 
come and help settle this new country.
  Mr. Ray Walters gave some of the history of the Cemetery which lengthy 
so will not try to present it all at this time. Mr. Walters tells of a stroll along 
the walks in the old part of the cemetery.  Graves of the first buried here, 
among these is Benjamin Usry a half  brother to Cynthia Ann Parker and 
Silas Bates who was l8 at the time  spent the night in the Fort and hewing 
logs for a cabin when he learned of the massacre and faithful in the upkeep 
of the cemetery. He told of the monument over Sharlott Sharp being brought 
to Texas from Missouri in an ox cart in l855. Nearby is the grave of Simp 
Dixon who terrorized the area and involved in the Lee-Peacock feud in 
Fannin County, a detachment of U.S. Troops sent to kill him at house near 
Lewisville who   when ordered to surrender drew his two pistols and fired 
upon them, shot by a soldier died instantly, Dixon had served the 
Confederacy with Bob Lee and Bickerstaff, was buried in the cemetery 
cross-wise because he was cross with the world.
  Mr. Walters now deceased with much historical information buried with 
him. This the only time I ever saw Mr. Walters who told me we distantly
kin. The huge monument at the grave of the massacre victims whom were all 
reburied in a single grave. In l921 the Legislature appropriated $2,500.00 
which was matched with local funds and the base was built, later $1,500.00 
was matched also and figures put on the foundation. 
  A visit here highly recommended to those with historical interests.