Benjamin Parker, third son of Elder John and Sarah Parker, was the first settler in Coles County, Illinois to build a log cabin.  It was erected on the Embarras River on the east side.  It was very crude, but it showed the strength these people had.  Though awkward, it was comfortable for this pioneer family.  There was a kitchen, parlor, dining room, and enough bedrooms for fourteen people to sleep.  Logs that were unhewn made the walls, and the floor was made of logs smoothed out, smooth side up.  The roof was covered with boards thicker at one edge and over lapping.  It was not nailed, but poles were used to weight it down.  The jambs and walls were made out of identical materials and were filled in with clay.  The chimney was made out of the same clay and sticks were added to the clay mixture.  House raising was known as a “big thing” and gave the settlers an excuse to make a party out of the work.  House raising usually had sewing and quilting bees or wool picking for the women, not excluding a little quiet gossip.  These parties were for a little fun, lots of eating and drinking (for men only).  Another bit of fun for the men was a little wrestling or just plain fighting!  The house raising was on way the Parkers had of helping one another and it was the quickest way to get homes built.

Rebecca Parker Chaffin was four years old when her father, Benjamin Parker, was killed at Fort Parker, Texas, leaving her orphaned.  She lived with Benjamin Parker’s sister, Susannah Parker Star, until January of 1848.  Her brother, Joseph, brought her from Illinois to Anderson County, Texas.  Rebecca Parker married William Joseph Chaffin, Sr. on 5 August 1848.  She gave birth to eleven children; eight lived to be of age.

Ruthie Wright Moore, Descendant