The tallest soldier in the American Revolutionary Army
Erected by Kelley Phillips Post No. 569 - 1975

Amos Parker, who had lived two years on the Brothertown tract, had served faithfully and well during the Revolutionary struggle, and the following anecdote is related of him, it having occurred probably at the siege of Yorktown :

General Lafayette selected 25 men to go with him and reduce a certain trouble-some entrenchment, giving orders not to fire until word was given, under pain of death. They were armed with guns and the necessary implements to remove abates and palisade work. Mr. Parker was selected to walk next to Lafayette. The way was cleared to the palisades, and the axe was applied to the timbers composing them, but one, two, and even three stout blows failed to cut them away, and Parker placed his broad shoulder against one of them and drew it forth, when he removed two more the same way. The small force dashed through the opening towards the entrenchment, and was met by bristling weapons, threatening instant death to Lafayette and the utter annihilation of his companions, regardless of orders, Parker threw his gun to his shoulder and shot down one of the enemy, and, rushing upon them with his clubbed gun, soon cleared a way for his comrades, and in a few moments they had won the fray. Parker was afterwards arraigned before a court-martial for disobedience of orders, but it was shown so clearly that his action had saved the life of the commander that he was acquitted. Upon the visit of Lafayette to Utica, nearly fifty years later, Mr. Parker called upon him, and, after making himself known and mentioning the incident above related, the two old soldiers embraced with all the fervor of youth. Mr. Parker, who was the tallest man in the American army, stood upon the right of the troops at the surrender of Cornwallis. [History of Oneida Co, NY : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers online; SW Durant]