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Archiver > AL-AfricaAmer > 1999-01 > 0915336859


From: "Sandra Johnson" <>
Subject: [AL-AfricaAmer-L] FW: Society replaces slave marker
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999 23:14:19 -0500


-----Original Message-----
From: Bennie J McRae Jr. [mailto:]
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 1999 3:34 PM
To:
Subject: Society replaces slave marker

(Alabama News)

TALLASSEE

Society replaces slave marker

Copyright 1999. The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama. Published
Saturday, January 2, 1999.

A preservation group has replaced the grave stone of a slave who was the
personal servant of Gen. Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812.

The slave. William Parker, is buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Tallassee.

"The original stone that marked his grave was crumbling, so we replaced it
and
we just recently put the new stone up in December," said Elishia Johnson,
vice president of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society.

The cemetery is off North Ann Avenue on the City's Outskirts near Lake
Talisi.

Johnson and society members Herbert and Johnsalean Cook, stopped at the
grave
Thursday and looked at the words cut in the stone.

"William Parker, body servant to General Andrew Jackson during the War of
1812, died 1871, aged 85 years."

"It is the same wording that is on the original stone, Johnson said. Added
at the bottom are the words: "Original stone to he placed in the THS
Museum."

THS stands for the Talisi Historical Society, The museum is yet to be built.

"The dedication of the new stone will be held in February as it is Black
History Month," said Johnsalean Cook.

"Legend has it that Parker fell in love with a young women named Patience,"
Johnson said. Parker was in the Tallassee area with Jackson in 1814 when
Jackson was leading his Tennessee forces against Creek Indian warriors in
such clashes as the Battle of Horseshoe Bend that spring, Johnson said.

Patience was a black slave who was owned by an area Creek chief, named Peter
McQueen, who was "a mixture" of white and Indian lineages, Johnson said.

"According to the legend, Parker and Patience asked Jackson to free Parker"
and
arrange for McQueen to free Patience so Parker and Patience could marry,
Johnson said.

''Jackson freed Parker and he was allowed to remain in this area and marry
Patience," Elishia Johnson said.

"Records at the archives in Montgomery state that Parker and Patience had a
long life together, spanning some 58 years," Elishia Johnson said. "They
raised a family of children and grandchildren."

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