The Parker's of Clay and Laurel County

By Dr. David Anthony Parker

Daniel Parker was born in 1750 and was from Chowan County, then a province of the Colony of North Carolina. He married Susan Terrill. It is also known that John "Renta" Baker also married Elizabeth Terrill of of Chowan County, North Carolina. It is very probable that Susan and Elizabeth Terrill were related. Also, both of their families migrated to the area that would be come Clay County, Kentucky and stayed close for years to come. Daniel Parker and John Baker both fought Valiantly in the American Revolutionary War and afterwards, both were early pioneering families who settled in Southeast Kentucky.

One of John Baker's sons was Robert Julius "Bob" Baker, who married Elizabeth Hammond and later, Katie Bowling, the widow of John Amis. Robert Baker settled in what would become Clay County but his father, John, moved to what would become Owsley County. Daniel and Susan Parker also settled in Clay County for a time and two of Daniel Parker's son's (Pleasant and John) were also early land owners according to the Clay County Tax records of 1810.

Clay County was formed April 1, 1807 and the area included a large part of what would become Laurel and Jackson Counties. Shortly after the formation of the County, the first meeting of the new Government and Court of Clay County was held in the cabin of Robert Baker.

Significant trouble began to brew in those early days, between a man by the name of John Amis who had also moved into the area in 1800 and another man named William Strong. By 1806, Amis was a co-founder and part owner of the Goose Creek Salt Works at Manchester. At the same time William Strong and a group of virginia farmers and cattle ranchers were setting down roots in the area as well.

About 1806, trouble began to brew between Strong and Amis which led to a bitter feud in what is known as the "Cattle War". John Amis, who was also a successful lawyer, and a Circuit Judge in Kentucky, was unfortunately, shot and killed by an outlaw involved in the feud. Judge Amis was holding the first Circuit Court ever held in Clay County, and this Court was being held at the cabin of Robert Baker.

Three men would play a significant role in those early days, in keeping the peace. The first was Robert McJilton, who was followed by Robert Baker and Pleasant Parker. When the War of 1812 broke out the Kentucky Govenor asked Thomas McJilton to make up a company of militia from Clay County to fight, and he chose Robert Baker and Pleasant Parker as his co-leaders.

Over time, both Baker and Parker would serve as sherrif in the vast area of Clay County, until the formation of Laurel would that would take place several years later. Pleasant Lewis Parker was commissioned Sherriff of Clay County in the early 1820's. Pleasant Parker declined the re-appointment as Laurel County Sherriff in 1842 (by this time he was almost 60 years old).

Pleasant Parker also played a significant role in the early development of the region. This was Pleasant Lewis Parker's appointment as "Gate Keeper" of the Wilderness Road as it became a turnpike for travel and commerce. The inportance of the "toll road" can't be underestimated. The road was critical to the development of the region and it's upkeep was vital, so the Kentucky Legislature levied a minimal toll so it could be maintained. Pleasant Parker's reports are recorded in some of the first entries in the Laurel County Record book "AA" at the Court House.

All five of Daniel and Susan Parker's sons were early settlers in the area...John Parker in Whitley County, Richard Parker in Knox, Alfred in Clay, and Pleasant and Edward in Clay/Laurel. If you are a Parker that hails from one of these counties, there is a good probability you are related to the family. I encourage you to message me if you descend from one of these. It would be great to know you. Parker7151@sbcglobal.net.

Pleasant the oldest son, would spend the better part of 50 years in Clay/Laurel/Jackson until his death at his farm along the south branch of the Rockcastle, in 1857. His sons were Joseph, Alexander, Green and John H. Parker. Many of their descendants still live there in the same area he settled in, long ago.

​Edward Parker, the youngest son, followed the family to Kentucky and moved to the area in 1820. He was the father of Felix, Daniel, and Edward Jr,

Edward and Polly (Young) Parker also had several daughters, most of which married Laurel or Jackson County men. My father descends from Edward Parker's son Felix.