Aaron’s birthplace was North Carolina, according to his death certificate, and his Father’s name was Mike Parker. The 1860, 1870 and 1880 Roane County Tennessee Censuses also list his birthplace, as well as that of both his parents, as NC. The death certificate of Aaron’s daughter, Ellen Frances Parker Sensaboy, lists her Father’s birthplace as Sevier County, TN.
The Muster Roll of soldiers of the War of 1812 lists Michael Parker, fourth Co. detached, Edgecombe, NC. The 1830 Edgefield district, NC census, page #314, lists a Michael R. Parker who may have been Aaron’s Father.
Aaron’s Declaration for Pension (for his service in the Civil War) was filed March 14, 1907 with the U. S. Pension Office, Aaron later drew a pension in the amount of Thirty dollars a month starting May 25, 1912. In his declaration Aaron states he married Catherine M. Whaley in eighteen fifty three in Cocke County, TN.
Catherine was born March sixteenth, eighteen thirty nine in Sevier County, Tennessee. Catherine’s parents, William M. Jr. and Elizabeth Parton Whaley, probably lived in the Big Greenbriar Cove area of the present day Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Deeds, because land sales in the Sevier County, Tennessee courthouse, indicate Catherine’s father and two of his business partners owned a total of about ten thousand acres of land, at various times, in the Big Greenbriar Cove area of Sevier county.
The 1850 Sevier County, Tennessee census list Catherine’s family as follows; William Whaley (Whaley) 35, Elizabeth 34, Catherine 12, Ausburn 9, Mary 6, William 4, Isaac 3, Sarah 6/12
The 1855 Sevier County, Tennessee Census lists Aaron------, Catherine ---, Lucinda, Ellen Frances b. Oct. 17, 1855, Mary E. b. Ca 1858, Micha L. b. ca. 1861, William M. b. March 29, 1865, Joseph C. b. ca. 1867, Mary E., Eliza Ann b. ca. 1870, Elsie Jane b. ca. 1874.
Ruby Ruth Keylon Ward remembered hearing stories about Uncle John Whaley, who was a Baptist minister. John’s brother, Ike, ran a whisky still and sold moonshine whisky. Once during Uncle Ike’s absence, one of his customers came by his home to make a purchase. Ellen Frances got the customer’s whisky for him by crawling into Ike’s locked house.
Ellen Frances’ Roane County, Tennessee Death certificate, indicates she died March 14, 1942, at the age of 86. Rockwood, TN rt. #2 Ellen’s birth place was Sevier County, TN. Her date of birth was given as Nov. 27, 1855. Ellen’s place of residence is given as Rt... # 2 Ten Mile, TN, Civil district # 4. Cause of death - bronchial pneumonia. The informant was Mary Lou Pelfery. Ellen’s brother, William, died June 20, (1939?) and is buried in Reed’s Cemetery in Meigs County, Tennessee. James Marion Keylon says William was a deaf-mute who could read lips.
Ellen Frances Sensaboy Parker said Aaron was once on a ship during a storm. The storm was so violent he had to hold on to a mast to avoid being swept overboard by the waves which almost beat him to death. Ellen said, "It’s a wonder it didn’t kill him as mean as he was."
Jewell Dean Keylon Cappola McNanmara said, tax collectors approached Ellen’s daughter, Katherine Melissa Sensaboy Keylon, in the nineteen forties to collect back taxes on property in Sevier County, TN, which had been owned by her Mother, Ellen Frances Parker Sensaboy. Katherine could not afford to pay the back taxes and gave permission for the land on which the taxes were due to be included in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
No surviving family member knows exactly where the property was located. Since Ellen Frances’ Grandfather, William M. Whaley, once had vast land holdings in the Big Greenbriar Cove area of Sevier County, it could be reasonably assumed that the land was once part of her Grandfather’s property.
A List of killed and Wounded 3rd division states, Aaron Parker - shell concussion of head, date of casualty - May 14, 1864, place of casualty - Resaca, GA. A letter from the Adjutant General’s office dated July 1, 1880 repeats the place, date and injury.
In his Declaration for Original Invalid Pension #325865, filed Oct. 31, Nineteen hundred eleven. Aaron states he lived in the 8th district of Roane County and that his postal address was Tabor Post Office for a period of five years before he enlisted in the Union Army on Feb. 25, 1862. He remained at this address for three years after his discharge from the Army on April 4, 1865. Aaron says, on May 15, 1863, while in the line of duty at Resaca, GA, he was stunned by the explosion of a shell very close to his head. This caused him permanent dizziness and partial loss of hearing. At Sail (Sale Creek, TN) creek, around June 1863, he contracted chronic diarrhea. This being the case, Aaron and his family lived at the Tabor address from 1857-1868. Aaron stated his occupation was that of a mechanic and building houses.
The 1860 Census of Roan County verifies Aaron lived in Roan County since it lists Aaron 32, b. NC, value of personal property-100, occupation-farming, family members - Catherine 21, b. TN, Ellen F. 4, b. TN, and Mary E. 2, b. TN.
Tennessee Post Offices and Post Master Appointments notes Tabor Post Office was located in Roan County from Jan, 15, 1852 - Sept. 13, 1872 and in Meigs County from April 19, 1882 - May 31, 1905 when it was moved to Big Springs.
Aaron submitted a Declaration for Original Invalid’s pension #325865 wherein he stated, before entering the service he had been a mechanic and also had built houses, by 1868 his combat injuries disabled him to such a degree he could only do light farm work. Aaron further stated he moved to Woods Landing in 1868. Woods Landing was in the tenth district of Roan County, TN. Aaron and his family remained here from 1868 to 1877.
Aaron said that after his injuries at Rosacea, a Doctor Fowler gave him sick furlough from the hospital and sent him home to recover. Aaron remained home from June 9, 1864 until Sept. 1864. During this time he made his own medicine from herbs and roots, although US Army doctor, McMillian T. Lee, advised him that "medicine wouldn’t do a jar on the head no good."
Tennessee Confederate Military History by Clement A. Evans, states on page one hundred twenty seven, "Battle of Rosacea, GA was fought May 12 through May 15, 1864. Federal dead, one thousand seven-hundred ninety. C.S.A. dead, one hundred seventy."
The 1870 Roan County Tennessee Census of the tenth district, post office - Woods Landing, list the following, Parkes, Aaron 39 b. NC, Parkes, Catherine 31 b. TN, Parkes, Ellen F. 14, Parkes, Mary E. 12, Parkes, Micha L. 9, Parkes, Wm. 6, Parkes, Jas. 3.
In his Declaration for Original Invalid Pension #325865, filed July 28, 1880 in Roan County, TN Aaron states, I moved to the eleventh district of Roan County, Tennessee in Jan. 1871 where I have resided until the present date. My post office address at this time is Half Moon Island. Aaron was living here when he gave his pension affidavit in Kingston, TN. On July 28, 1880. Tennessee Post Offices and Post Master Appointments by D. R. Frazier, notes Half Moon Post Office located in Roan County May 29, 1871 - April 29, 1905, after which time it was moved to Euchee.
The 1880 Roan County Tennessee Census, eleventh district, family 32, dwelling 33, post office - Half Moon Island. The following Parkers are in Aaron’s household; Aaron 52 b. NC, Father and Mother b NC, Catherine 47 b. TN, Father and Mother b. TN, Lucinda 19, William 15, Joseph 13, Eliza 10, Jane 6, and Susan 3. All children are born in Tennessee, all children’s Father is listed as born NC, all children’s Mother is listed as born in TN.
Catherine Whaley Parker died on Sept. 24, 1881 at Jackson Ferry, Tennessee, per Aaron’s statement in a Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions document submitted Sept. 25, 1912, with Aaron’s application for a pension. It is unknown if the Parker family lived here at the time. Catherine is buried at Reed’s Cemetery in Meigs County, TN.
By 1884 Aaron may have been living in Cumberland County, Tennessee, This is where his Declaration for pension application indicates he and Lee Ann were married. It is assumed that neither Aaron or Lee Ann could write, since all the pension papers requiring their signatures are signed with an X.
The 1890 Veteran’s census notes the following, Aaron Parker, Union Army, Pvt., 5th Tennessee Infantry. Post office - Ormes store, Stunned by a shell exploding, chronic diarrhea, able to do moderate labor. Tennessee Post Offices and Post Master Appointments notes Ormes Store Post Office in service Feb. 28, 1839 to June 1, 1892. Located in Bledsoe County Tennessee.
Joseph Moyers married Aaron and Lee Ann Patton on Dec. 20, 1884 in Cumberland County, Tennessee according to Aaron’s Declaration for pension, dated March 8, Nineteen seven. In Lee Ann’s Claimant affidavit (for a widow’s pension) on Dec. 14, 1914 in Cumberland County, TN. Lee Ann says they were married by Justice of the Peace J. A. Myers. There are no records of this marriage, since a nineteen five fire destroyed the Cumberland County courthouse This was Lee Ann’s first marriage, although she had one child, named Susan Patton. Lee Ann was born March 16, 1852, the daughter of Bill Collom and Nancy Holman.
Lee Ann states she was born in an area known as Woody Settlement near Isoline in Fentress County, TN. This area is now in Cumberland County, TN. Lee Ann had a brother named Bart Woody and another named Jim Lowe. Jim Lowe signed Lee Ann’s pension application affidavit, as a witness, Lee Ann’s Mother’s name is given as Nancy Holman in the affidavit.
Lee Ann had a daughter, Susan Patton, before she and Aaron were married. Susan was apparently born out of wedlock since Lee Ann stated her maiden name as Patton on the pension application and Susan bore the name Patton.
In his Declaration for pension filed on March 8, 1907, Aaron gave his residence as Litton in Bledsoe County, TN, age 78 and asks for a pension of $20.00 per month. He enrolled on Feb. 25, 1862, a private in company A, Fifth Regiment of Tennessee Infantry, in the service of the United States in the Civil War. He was discharged at Nashville on April four, eighteen sixty five. He states he is now a pensioner and gives his pension number as 777242.
By Oct. 31, 1911, eighty-three year old Aaron Parker, post office - Crossville, Cumberland County, Tennessee is submitting a Declaration For An Original Invalid’s Pension which reveals the following information. Aaron joined the U. S. Army Co. A, 5th Tennessee Volunteers on February 25, 1862 at Kingston, TN. at the age of 33. His height was five feet seven and three quarter inches, he had dark complexion, hair and eyes.
Aaron states in the declaration that he was stunned when a shell exploded very close to his head during the Civil War while in battle at Rosacea, Georgia May 14, 1864. This caused partial loss of hearing and permanent dizziness. Around June 1863, at Sale Creek, Tennessee he contracted diarrhea, for which he was treated in hospitals at Chattanooga and Sale Creek, TN during May and June 1863. The Adjutant General’s office verified that Aaron was "wounded in the head by shell concussion during action at Rosacea, Georgia on May 14, 1864."
A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick H. Dyer indicates the following action by the Union Fifth Regiment, Cumberland Gap Campaign March 28 -June 18, 1862, occupation of Cumberland Gap June 18 - Sept. 17, 1862. Missionary Ridge and Shallow Ford Gap Sept.22 186?. Sale Creek till Dec. 186?. Battle of Reseca May 14 - 15, 186?. Siege of Atlanta July 22 - Aug. 25, 186?. There are many, many other actions too numerous to list.
Aaron had served under Captains David G. Bowers and Samuel P. Evans, according to Tennesseeans in the Civil War. Accounts of some of the actions Aaron took part in are related in this book. In June 1862 Aaron’s company occupied Cumberland Gap, TN. In September they took ninety-five prisoners in battle at Pine Mountain. In Oct. 1862 the 5th Tennessee Volunteers accompanied General Morgan in his withdrawal from Cumberland Gap. By April 1863 Aaron’s company was stationed in Nashville, TN. On Sept. 22, 1863 the 5th Volunteers were attacked by the Confederate forces at a crossroad on the South side of the point of Look Out Mountain, Tennessee. On Sept. 24th the 5th Volunteers withdrew to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Headquarters for the 5th Volunteers was at Sale Creek, TN. December 1863 finds them at Kingston, TN, Dec. 6th 1863 at Loudon, TN, Jan. 1, 1864 at Massengale’s house on the Holston River and 30 miles North East of Knoxville, TN. The 5th Vols took part in skirmishing at Buzzard Roost and Potato Hill and were heavily engaged at Rosacea, GA between May 9th and May 14, 1864.
During the engagement at Rosacea, the 5th Tennessee Volunteers took part in a charge which captured the first line of Confederate rifle pits, but at heavy loss. Six officers and ninety-seven enlisted men were wounded and sixteen men were killed. Fourteen men were reported missing.
On Nov. 30, 1864 in the battle of Franklin, TN the 5th Tennessee Volunteers fought in the area between Columbia and Lewisburg Pikes. In Feb. 1865 the 5th took part in the campaign which resulted in the occupation of Wilmington, NC on Feb. 22. On June 30, 1865 the 5th reported to Nashville, TN where they were mustered out of service.
During Aaron’s service with the 5th Tennessee Volunteers, the 5th had lost one officer and forty enlisted men killed or mortally wounded. Two hundred four enlisted men died of disease.
In the nineteen forties, tax collectors approached Aaron’s Grand daughter, Katherine Melissa Sensaboy Keylon, to collect back taxes on property which had been owned by her Mother, Ellen Frances Parker Sensaboy. This property was in the present day Smoky Mountain National Park. No surviving family member knows exactly where the property was located. Since Ellen Frances was William M. Whaley’s Grand daughter, it could be reasonably assumed that the land was once part of her Grandfather’s property in the Big Greenbriar Cove area.
Aaron died Sept. 21, 1914, at the age of eighty-six, of dysentery, in Crossville, Cumberland County, TN. He is buried in Crossville City Cemetery. His death is recorded in Tennessee Death Certificate book seven, roll fourteen, pg. Fifty.
On Nov. 16, 1914 Lee Ann filed an affidavit in Cumberland County, TN with the circuit court clerk stating she and Aaron were married by Justice of the Peace J. A. Myers on Dec. 20th 1884, but their marriage license has been destroyed. Lee Ann filed a Declaration for Widow’s Pension on Oct. 27, 1914, pursuant to this, she filed a Claimant’s affidavit on Dec. 14, 1914 in Cumberland County, TN. She gives her age as fifty-nine and has no record of her marriage to Aaron, since the records were destroyed when the Cumberland County courthouse burned in nineteen five.
Lee Ann Patton Parker died Nov. 11, 1935 and was buried in Crossville, TN the next day. Her Cumberland County, TN death certificate notes Lee Ann was eighty three years eight months and five days old at the time of death. She was born in Cumberland County, Tennessee. The cause of death is listed as appolexia (stroke). Clay Parker was the informant.
The dictionary for English and Welsh Surnames notes, Parker - occupation, "the parker."The guardian, custodian or keeper of a park.
W. S. Parker’s book, The English and U. S. Ancestry of the Parkers of Nasemond Co. , Virginia, notes the following; "This most ancient and respectable family first appears of record as hereditary keepers of the deer in the Royal Forest of Bowland; being seated at Brownsholme in the Parish of Waddington, which lies in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. Authentic annals of the Parker house antedates 1390.