CAUSSEAUX CEMETERY, Cherokee Sink, Wakulla County, Florida File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by William and Jennifer Causseaux, (WilliamandJennifer@Netzero.com). USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. This file may not be removed from this server or altered in any way for placement on another server without the consent of the State and USGenWeb Project coordinators and the contributor. *********************************************************************** This is the history/genealogical information that has been acquired by Donna Sarchet, 1807 Ennis Street, Plainview, Texas, 79072, and William and Jennifer Causseaux, 8 Navajo Trail, Crawfordville, Florida 32327. Generation No. 1 Peter Causseaux was born in Barnwell County, South Carolina, and died in 1830. His wife was Anna/Annie/Amy who was born around 1787 in South or North Carolina. She died after 1860 in Wakulla County, Florida, and is buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink. Peter witnessed a deed (indicating a birthday prior to 1778) in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. This was recorded in neighboring Barnwell, County, South Carolina. Peter's land is most likely in present day Allendale County which was formed from Barnwell and is near the Savannah River Project (nuclear waste disposal point). The Huguenot Society in Charleston, S.C., states that Causseaux is definitely not a French Huguenot (Protestant) name - they believe it to be French Catholic. It is possible that this Peter Causseaux is related to the Casseau (sic) men that briefly appear in Beaufort County, North Carolina records. There is reference in that county to a court case between Ezekiel Casseau/Casso and Peter Casso/Casseau (this is an older Peter than the one in Barnwell County. This older Peter Casso (earliest North Carolina records show the name as Casseau) went on to be one of the merchants of Raleigh. The hotel/tavern that he and his second wife operated ended up being the birthplace of future president Andrew Johnson. Andrew Johnson's parents were illiterate servants who were in the employ of Peter Casso. In fact, early Wake County historians recorded that the Johnson's requested Peter Casso's daughter Margaret to name their child, and she did, Andrew Jackson Johnson (he later dropped the Jackson). Part of this old tavern/hotel is on the historical register in Raleigh and has been moved to a park. This older Peter is possibly an uncle or other older relative to the Peter Causseaux of Barnwell County, South Carolina. The Peter Causseaux of Barnwell County appears in the 1820 and 1830 census records there. He consistently appears to have had only one child, the William P. Causseaux who came to Florida. Peter Causseaux died in the early 1830's in Barnwell County. His remaining land (some of which had been sold by the sheriff to satisfy debts) was sold by William P. Causseaux, Peter's son). Generation No. 2 William P. Causseaux was born 1808 in South Carolina, and died after 1870 in Wakulla County, Florida. (He is buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink.) He married Mary Ann Herrington, who was born around 1820 in Screven County, Georgia. She died after 1870 in Wakulla County. (She is buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink). Her parents were Stephen Herrington and his wife Mary, and she was the grand-daughter of Richard Herrington, who was one of the wealthiest landowners in Screven County, Georgia. He was a Rev. soldier, was married three different times (Mary Ann descends from the first wife), and fathered twenty-three children. Richard Herrington was the son of Job Herrington and his wife Mary Scruggs who had arrived from Pitt County, North Carolina, to Burke County, Georgia (the part of which became Screven). William P. Causseaux and his mother Anna/Anne/Amy moved across the Savannah River into Screven County shortly after Peter Causseaux's death. There is a deed there where Anna/Anne/Amy Causseaux refers to William P. as her son. From Screven County, William P. and his family, apparently which also included his widowed mother, moved to Dooly County, Georgia. Stephen K. Causseaux, son of William P., states on his Civil War Pension application that he was born in Dooly County. Anna/Anne/Amy Causseaux is well documented in Dooly County. A copy of a marriage contract (a pre-nuptial agreement) where she lists all of her belongings, cattle, and slaves, and states that these are her separate property and are not to be used by her future husband Nathaniel Wade. James Gamble is her trustee (women couldn't do this type of an agreement without a trustee). James Gamble is probably a relative of Anna/Anne/Amy, if not a brother, yet his descendents cite DAR records that do not indicate a sister Anna/Anne/Amy. James Gamble, a Methodist minister, also is a witness to one of her deeds in Screven County. Although the Dooly County marriage records have not survived, the 1850 census there shows "Annie Wade" is living in the household of Nathaniel Wade and his widowed daughter Mary Ann Brown and her two young sons. All must have not gone well with this second marriage in the mid 1850's for Anna/Anne/Amy again executes a deed (James Gamble trustee) where she sells virtually all of her household belongings, etc. to William P. Causseaux of "Gadsden County, Florida." In the 1860 Liberty County, Florida (formed from Gadsden County) census, "Anna Wade" is living in the household of William P. Causseaux and his family. Nathaniel Wade is still in Dooly County in the 1860 census still residing with his daughter and two grandsons. William P. Causseaux and Mary Ann Herrington moved to the Florida Panhandle sometime in the mid-to-late 1840's. In 1850 the family appears in Wakulla County; 1860 in Liberty County; and in 1870 are in Wakulla County. He was a member of the Wakulla County School Board in 1870. William P. Causseaux and his wife Mary Ann had four sons who lived to maturity. Stephen and William, both of whom remained in Florida, and Peter B. and James P., both of whom moved to Texas. Stephen, William and Peter all served in the CSA from Florida. All have pension applications (either them and/or their wives). Stephen and William both married Ferrell girls, Mary Edna and Elizabeth who were apparently cousins. Elizabeth "Betty" Ferrell married William W. Causseaux, son of William P. and Mary Ann Herrrington. Betty's father was Sitha Burton "Bert" Ferrell. Her mother was Permelia Ann Robertson. Sitha Burton "Bert" Ferrell's parents were Benjamin Ferrell and Frankie Barfield Strickland. "Bert" and Permelia had six children: Fannie Cance Ferrell, Emily Josephine Ferrell, Amelia Ferrell, Elizabeth "Betty" Ferrell, Thomas Bert Ferrell, and Adeline "Addie" Ferrell. Burton at the time of his death owned the entire area now called "Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park." Tax records that are located in the Florida State Archives determine this ownership. "Bert" Ferrell, a widower after Permelia died married a second time to a much-younger woman. For their honeymoon trip, they sailed on a ship that took them in the area of Galveston, TX. Unfortunately, for them, a hurricane hit Galveston at the time their ship was there. The bodies were identified by their jewelry. After Burton Ferrell's death, William W. Causseaux was the administrator of the Ferrell property, which included Wakulla Springs. According to records and word of mouth, the property was sold to provide support for William's children. The Dupont Corporation later purchased the property. Burton's brother was Ansel or Alsey Ferrell, who was a Rev. soldier, whose grave marker in Leon County is the oldest known marker in the county. Some of the information on Burton Ferrell was obtained through the Florida State Archives and Magnolia Press Publication, which ran a story about Burton Ferrell and his second wife's drowning deaths. Mary "Edna" Ferrell married Stephen K. Causseaux, son of William P. and Mary Ann Herrington. Edna's father was Alsey May Ferrell, and her mother was Amanda Elizabeth Robertson, (who was sister to Permelia Robertson, who married Burton Ferrell). Alsey May's parents were Benjamin Ferrell who married Frankie Barfield Strickland. Benjamin was born on September 25, 1795 in Franklin County, North Carolina, and Frankie Barfield Strickland was born around 1790 in Nash County, North Carolina. Alsey May and Amanda had six children: Florida Elizabeth Ferrell, Edna Ferrell, Jefferson D. Ferrell, Kansas Ferrell, Ralph Ferrell, and Albert Ferrell. Children of William P. Causseaux and his wife Mary Ann Herrington: William Webster Causseaux, married Elizabeth "Betty" Ferrell both are buried in the Woodville Cemetery, located in Woodville, Florida. Stephen K. Causseaux, married Mary "Edna" Ferrell, both are buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink. Elizabeth Prescott Causseaux, born December 24, 1839 in Screven County, Georgia, married March 25, 1862 in Wakulla County to Chatman Gregory. She died March 19, 1892. Her marriage is recorded in Liberty County, Florida. She is said to have killed a Union Soldier with a gun blast as he came through her door. Elizabeth and her husband Chatman Gregory are both buried at the New Light Church Cemetery located in Wakulla County, on New Light Church Road. Peter Baxley Causseaux Ann Eliza Causseaux born October 1850 in Wakulla County. Died after 1870. (She may be buried in the Causseaux cemetery located at Cherokee Sink.) James Putnam Causseaux Mary "Mollie" Causseaux (She may be buried at the Causseaux cemetery located at Cherokee Sink). Simon H. Causseaux, born around 1861, died after 1885. (He may be buried at the Causseaux cemetery located at Cherokee Sink). John C. Causseaux, born around 1861, died after 1870. (He died as a child, and is buried at the Causseaux cemetery located at Cherokee Sink). Generation No. 3 William Webster Causseaux was born May 2, 1844 in Gadsden County, Florida (this is the part that became Liberty County) and died March 6, 1917 in Leon County, Florida. He married Elizabeth "Betty" Ferrell in 1872 in Wakulla County, Florida, daughter of Burton Ferrell. Children of William Webster Causseaux and Elizabeth Ferrell: Thomas Stonewall Jackson Causseaux, buried in the Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Florida Lovic Pierce Causseaux, buried in the Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Florida Annie C. Causseaux Infant Boy Causseaux Born August 21, 1875 and died before 1880, buried in the Woodville Cemetery, Woodville, Florida. Stephen Kirkpatrick Causseaux was born August 31, 1839 in Screven County, Georgia, and died August 3, 1915 in Wakulla County, Florida. He married Mary "Edna" Ferrell on November 26, 1872 in Wakulla County, Florida. He was a CSA veteran. Only two of his children, Albert and Ralph lived to maturity. Both left descendents. Children of Stephen Kirkpatrick Causseaux and Mary "Edna" Ferrell: Albert Sidney Causseaux Ralph Kirkpatrick Causseaux Alsey D. Causseaux, (may be buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink) Anne E. Causseaux, (may be buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink) J.R. Causseaux, (may be buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink) Peter Baxley Causseaux was born February 2, 1843 in Georgia, and died November 11, 1913 in Merkel, Texas. He married (1) Nannie Hoffman Gunn in Taylor County, Texas. After the Civil War ended in 1865, my Peter married Mary Frances "Molly" Wisenbaker of Lowndes Co., GA (near Valdosta) on December 11, 1867. Molly's father William Wisenbaker, owned the land that was deeded to the City of Valdosta for the town square. He was a CSA veteran and went to Texas around 1872. He had an adopted son Tommy (Little) Causseaux. About four years after their marriage, Peter and Molly Causseaux moved from South Georgia to Southeast Texas - Milam County-in an effort to find a drier climate for Molly's severe asthma. Peter's younger brother, James Putnam Causseaux, joined them in Texas about 15 years later. Thus, two Causseaux brothers-Peter and James ended up in Texas while the other two Causseaux brothers Stephen and William remained in Florida in Wakulla and Leon Counties. Child of Peter Baxley Causseaux and Nannie Gunn: Paul Causseaux Child of Peter Baxley Causseaux and Mary Frances Wisenbaker: Lula Ann Baxley Causseaux James Putnam Causseaux was born August 1859 in Florida, and died March 9, 1909 in Nolan County, Texas. He married (unknown) May 27, 1891 in Bell County, Texas. He is buried in the Trent Cemetery, Trent, Taylor County, Texas. He was a cowboy who later turned to farming. He came to Texas about 15 years after his older brother Peter. Children of James Putnam Causseaux: Ray Causseaux Jay Causseaux Knox Causseaux Clay Causseaux Eppie Causseaux Nettie Edna Causseaux Jimmie Causseaux Mary "Mollie" Causseaux was born July 23, 1858. She married (1) Jesse Wiggins and (2) Wiley Haskins. Child of Mary Causseaux and Jesse Wiggins: Arthur Wiggins Specific Information Regarding the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink The Causseaux Cemetery according to census records would have to be established around 1850. Ms. Sarchet personally met with Helen Marie Causseaux McKinley, who was a descendent of Stephen K. Causseaux. Thanks to Helen, the diary of Stephen K. Causseaux, which covered a few years in the late 1870's was transcribed and preserved by the Florida State Archives. The original diary, unfortunately was later destroyed in a house fire. Helen stated that she visited the cemetery as a young child and remembers the headstones belonging to mostly William P. and Mary Herrington and their children, and Stephen K. Causseaux and Edna Ferrell Causseaux's children. Stephen K. Causseaux's obituary states that he died in Wakulla County on August 3, 1915, and was buried in the Causseaux Cemetery located at Cherokee Sink beside his father and mother. That would mean that William P. Causseaux and Mary Ann Herrington, the first Causseaux's to come to the State of Florida are buried there also. It is also believed that Anna/Anne/Amy Causseaux is also buried at the Causseaux Cemetery. Anna Wade, age 73 appears in the household of William P. Causseaux in the 1860 Liberty Co., Florida census. This shows that she was permanently settling in Florida. It would seem logical that she would have lived out her life there in Wakulla County, Florida and was likely buried in the Causseaux Cemetery. There is also information from an email that was posted on Rootsweb.com that indicates that some of William Webster Causseaux's descendents may be buried at Cherokee Sink. There was an email posted from Phyllis Wiltberger who is a descendent of William Worth Causseaux, whose father was Thomas Stonewall Jackson Causseaux. T.J. or "Stoney" as he is called was William Webster Causseaux's son. William Worth Causseaux married Coretta Godwin on June 25, 1916. Coretta was born on August 9, 1889 and died March 2, 1928 and the email states that she was buried at the Cherokee Sink Graveyard in Wakulla, County. This would be the last recorded burial we have for Cherokee Sink. The year being 1928. Civil War History relating to the Causseaux Family There are several resources in which the history relating to Stephen K. Causseaux, William Webster Causseaux, and Peter Baxley Causseaux's service in the CSA have been obtained. The first being their pension records which are located at the Florida State Archives. Peter Baxley Causseaux's records are located in the Texas State Archives, as he moved after his service and he claimed pension there instead of Florida. Stephen K. Causseaux seems to have been the most involved by what research we have obtained. We have not only his pension applications/records, but we have obtained information through the Natural Bridge Historical Society's website which includes information about the soldiers who fought there. We have also received information from David Hartman at Florida State University who has been interested in the Causseaux family for quite a few years. Most people who are involved in anyway with the Confederate Sons or Reenacting Groups are familiar with the Causseaux family. Here is the information which was given to us by David Hartman at FSU relating to Stephen K. Causseaux: He enlisted on April 4, 1861 in Company G (Old), 1st Florida Infantry at Quincy and was mustered out April 6, 1862. He reenlisted May 11, 1862 in Company E, 2nd Florida Cavalry at Camp Gladden and was promoted 4th Cpl on August 1, 1862 then 3rd Cpl December 5, 1862, then 2nd Cpl then 1st Cpl on January 11, 1863. He appears as 4th Sgt then 3rd Sgt in late 1863. He was absent, sick in a Quincy hospital beginning March 2, 1864, and then appears as a member of the Kilcrease Light Artillery Unit (which fought at the Battle of Natural Bridge) on the last roll dated May 1865. He was paroled at Tallahassee on May 13, 1865 and at the time stood 5'11, had blue eyes, dark skin, and dark hair. Here is the information which was given to us by David Hartman at FSU relating to William Webster Causseaux: William Webster Causseaux, born in Liberty County, Florida, married Elizabeth "Betty" Ferrell, died on March 6, 1917 (which incidentally is the anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge), and was buried in Woodville, Florida. He enlisted on April 15, 1864 in Company L, 1st Florida Reserves at Quincy. He was present on the last roll and was paroled on May 14, 1865 at Madison, Florida. He was 5'7 with dark eyes, dark skin, and dark hair. He received a Florida pension after the war. Here is the information which was given to us by David Hartman at FSU relating to Peter Baxley Causseaux: Peter Baxley Causseaux was born in Georgia, and married Nannie Hoffman Gunn, then Georgia Mary Frances Wisenbaker on December 11, 1867. He died November 11, 1913 in Merkel, Texas where he is buried. He enlisted on May 18, 1862 in Company E, 2nd Florida Calvary at Camp Gladden and was present on the last roll. He moved to Texas around 1872. Resources and Historical Information Most of the information on the Causseaux family and the cemetery has been obtained from Ms. Donna Sarchet of Plainview, Texas. She is a direct descendent of Peter Baxley Causseaux. She stated that she had been researching the Causseaux family for well over 20 years. She stated that she had obtained information in bits and pieces through the years. However, she stated that she has made visits to Florida and met with Causseaux descendents and obtained word of mouth information, she also visited the Florida State Archives, and she said that she has made visits to Atlanta, Georgia, which back in the 1980's housed the largest Genealogical library in the Country. She stated that this visit was made prior to the days of "Internet." I (William Causseaux) have obtained information regarding Stephen K. Causseaux and the Causseaux Family and Cemetery through the internet, the Florida State Archives, which has preserved, Stephen K. Causseaux's diary, which is 127 years old, my wife Jennifer viewed at the Archives, and through some descendent information, and through Mr. Hartman at FSU.