Post Oak-Parker Cemetery

Post Oak-Parker Cemetery. Hurst Historical Landmark. The Post Oak - Parker Cemetery is the oldest site of civilization in Hurst. In 1853, Isaac Parker and his family acquired the property from Hamilton Bennett, a pioneer Church of Christ preacher. Prior to the sale of the property, Hamilton Bennett's wife died and was buried in the post oak grove, the first known burial in the cemetery., Isaac Parker was a member of the renowned Elder John Parker family that moved to Texas in 1833 and built Parker's Fort, near present day Mexia. On May 19, 1836, a large Indian raid attacked Parker's Fort and captured Isaac Parker's niece, Cynthia Ann Parker. She was to remain with the Comanche Indians until her recovery in 1860. Isaac Parker, and his son I.D. Parker, both served as members of the Texas Legislature., The first Parker known to have been buried in the Post Oak - Parker Cemetery was Isaac Parker's youngest son, William Eldridge Parker, who died January 22, 1858. After the death of his wife Lucy Parker, Isaac Parker turned ownership and operation of his homestead to his surviving son, I.D. Parker. Isaac Parker then moved to his namesake Parker county. In 1901, I.D Parker donated the land for the cemetery. He specified that the eastern half-acre tract be reserved as a public burying ground and the western-acre tract be reserved for the Parker family. More than 30 burials have occurred in the Post Oak - Parker Cemetery. Notable burials in the Post Oak - Parker Cemetery include I.D. Parker; Sarah L. Parker, wife of I.D. Parker; Lucy W. Parker, mother of I.D. Parker; and the sons and daughters of I.D. Parker., In 1968, an official Texas Historical Marker was dedicated for the Parker Family Cemetery. On December 9, 1984, an official Texas Historical Marker was also dedicated for the I.D. Parker Public Cemetery and homestead site.