Cynthia Parker Grave LbNA #75963
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Add Location| Owner: | Baby Bear
 |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Mar 6, 2022 |
| Location: | Foster Cemetery |
| City: | Fosterville |
| County: | Anderson |
| State: | Texas |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Not yet found! |
|---|---|
| Last found: | N/A |
| Last edited: | Mar 8, 2022 |
Difficulty: Easy
Distance to Letterbox: 1/4 mile round trip
Here is the story behind the box:
There is no indication either way as to whether this is an original grave marker. It is made of stone and mortar, with a sloped face at the top into which is etched "Cynthia Ann Parker". It looks like white rocks once filled the etching. Scratched into the lower corners are "Died 1864" and "Moved 11/1910", and these were probably added later, as they're inconsistent with the lettering for Cynthia Ann's name. However, it was actually her daughter, Topsanna, who died in 1864 (some accounts say 1863), and her mother outlived her, passing on in 1871. Cynthia Ann Parker was one of five captives taken by the Comanche in the 1836 Fort Parker Massacre near Groesbeck, TX. Over time, four of those captives either escaped or were ransomed back to "white society", but Cynthia Ann ultimately went native. She was a young girl, anywhere from eight to eleven years old when she was abducted, and she was raised by a Comanche couple. At some point, she became the only wife of chief Peta Nocona -- it was common practice for chiefs to have multiple wives, something he eschewed due to his devotion to Cynthia Ann -- and they had three children, the best known of which was Quanah Parker, who has his own story. Pecos, the second child, was not quite a teenager when he died in 1863, his final resting place unknown, while Topsannah (Prairie Flower) was born in 1858. She was with her mother at the Battle of Pease River, near Crowell, TX, when they were captured by a group of Texas Rangers led by Sul Ross. Some accounts indicate that Peta Nocona was killed in the battle, while others say that he escaped, only to die a few years later of his wounds. Cynthia Ann and Topsannah were repatriated to "white society", where they were discouraged from their "savage ways" by relatives north of here in Van Zandt County. Topsannah caught the influenza and died of pneumonia, leaving her heartbroken mother to finish her last days refusing food and water, unhappy about not being with the only family she'd ever known. Topsannah was buried in Asbury Cemetery near Edom, while her mother was buried here. Some accounts erroneously indicate that Prairie Flower was buried here, too, referring to the cemetery as "Fosterville" and referencing relatives in "Van Zandt" as if it was a city and not a county. Both now rest with the great Quanah Parker at Fort Sill.
Directions:
From Fosterville, go north on CR 315 for a few miles, then go right on CR 478 (Sign for Foster Cemetery). Go about a mile, and you will see cemetery on your left. Park off roadway.
To the Letterbox:
Walk across grass to the main gate and enter (Be sure to link the gate so cows don't get in!!!). Once in, go straight across the middle to an oak tree and headstone and marker for Parker. Then go on further and a little right to new chain linked fenced plot. Beyond that is a big cedar, with yaupon on the left. Box is in a hole with rock in front on that left side of tree.
Hike length: 0.1 miles
Distance to Letterbox: 1/4 mile round trip
Here is the story behind the box:
There is no indication either way as to whether this is an original grave marker. It is made of stone and mortar, with a sloped face at the top into which is etched "Cynthia Ann Parker". It looks like white rocks once filled the etching. Scratched into the lower corners are "Died 1864" and "Moved 11/1910", and these were probably added later, as they're inconsistent with the lettering for Cynthia Ann's name. However, it was actually her daughter, Topsanna, who died in 1864 (some accounts say 1863), and her mother outlived her, passing on in 1871. Cynthia Ann Parker was one of five captives taken by the Comanche in the 1836 Fort Parker Massacre near Groesbeck, TX. Over time, four of those captives either escaped or were ransomed back to "white society", but Cynthia Ann ultimately went native. She was a young girl, anywhere from eight to eleven years old when she was abducted, and she was raised by a Comanche couple. At some point, she became the only wife of chief Peta Nocona -- it was common practice for chiefs to have multiple wives, something he eschewed due to his devotion to Cynthia Ann -- and they had three children, the best known of which was Quanah Parker, who has his own story. Pecos, the second child, was not quite a teenager when he died in 1863, his final resting place unknown, while Topsannah (Prairie Flower) was born in 1858. She was with her mother at the Battle of Pease River, near Crowell, TX, when they were captured by a group of Texas Rangers led by Sul Ross. Some accounts indicate that Peta Nocona was killed in the battle, while others say that he escaped, only to die a few years later of his wounds. Cynthia Ann and Topsannah were repatriated to "white society", where they were discouraged from their "savage ways" by relatives north of here in Van Zandt County. Topsannah caught the influenza and died of pneumonia, leaving her heartbroken mother to finish her last days refusing food and water, unhappy about not being with the only family she'd ever known. Topsannah was buried in Asbury Cemetery near Edom, while her mother was buried here. Some accounts erroneously indicate that Prairie Flower was buried here, too, referring to the cemetery as "Fosterville" and referencing relatives in "Van Zandt" as if it was a city and not a county. Both now rest with the great Quanah Parker at Fort Sill.
Directions:
From Fosterville, go north on CR 315 for a few miles, then go right on CR 478 (Sign for Foster Cemetery). Go about a mile, and you will see cemetery on your left. Park off roadway.
To the Letterbox:
Walk across grass to the main gate and enter (Be sure to link the gate so cows don't get in!!!). Once in, go straight across the middle to an oak tree and headstone and marker for Parker. Then go on further and a little right to new chain linked fenced plot. Beyond that is a big cedar, with yaupon on the left. Box is in a hole with rock in front on that left side of tree.
Hike length: 0.1 miles