Trying to locate and find out info on descendants of Orlena Parker (Cynthia's sister) and John O'Quinn. I have little info on descendants of Orlena, Parker.. My ggrandmother was called Lena O'quin and lived in Iredell, Texas. Her father was John O'uinn, not the one married to Orlena O'Quinn. This John was born in Van Zandt County, TX in 1855.
I do not know if Orlena ever saw her sister Cynthia or not after she was retrieved from the Indians.
If some one could help fill in missing pieces I will be very thankful
Comments
Cynthia Ann Parker and her young daughter, Topsana lived with her uncle Isaac Parker for about two years after her recapture in December of 1860. Her uncle Isaac was not in great health due to the years he had spent looking for Cynthia Ann, plus her aunt was not in the best of health either. Because of this Silas Jr., Cynthia Ann's brother took her into his home. This did not work well as Silas' wife did not want her and Topsana in her home as she looked at them as Comanche, not white. Cynthia Ann and Topsana were then taken in by her sister Orlena Parker O'Quinn. Topsana died of pneumonia in 1864 leaving Cynthia Ann alone and broken hearted. She remained with Orlena and her husband John until her death in 1872.
Here are some details to help your research into Orlena O'Quinn:
1860 Fed Census for Texas, Van Zandt County showed Orleana and family in Van Zandt Co., Texas
1870 Fed Census for Anderson County, Texas showed that Orlena and her family had near Palestine.
Orlena Parker O'Quinn was married to husband John O'Quinn.
Orlena and John O'Quinn had many children by 1870, including John, b. 1855; Columbus b. 1857; Ann E. b. 1859; Tennessee b. 1863; Mozella b. 1866; and Jefferson b. 1869. The John O'Quinn born 1855 would have been your great great grandfather
Also living with them in 1870 was Cynthia Ann Parker b. 1825. I have always taken this entry to be Orlena's sister after both of her two youngest children had died. I also understand that Cynthia Ann lived briefly near Birdville with other Parker relatives. You may wish to research those events for more details.
If you do not already have access to censuses through Ancestry or Heritage Quest, etc., you may wish to subscribe. You will be able to trace Orlena's children and descendants quite well through those records.
Keep Parker Heritage posted on your research success.
Patricia Ross Parker, Ed.D., Parker Heritage moderator and researcher for Parker YDNA Project Family Groups