Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church History 1965, Bossier Parish, LA submitted by: Chris (McKinney) Harris ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** DEDICATED TO THE OFFICERS OF ROCKY MOUNT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THOSE GREAT SOULS OF YESTERYEAR AND ELDERS: JOE R THOMPSON JOHN BASS CHARLES ROWE GORDON McCALL MURRY FORD DEACONS: JOE ZEIGLER JOE THOMPSON CARL HUDDLESTON JASPER KIRKLIN J. C. JOHNSON SEPTEMBER 1965 Rocky Mount Presbyterian Cemetery 1851-1965 The change that has come about, even in my life time, is almost unbelievable; but the change that has taken place in the last hundred years, or in the century since this ground was dedicated is even more unbelievable. Individual isolation, or living at a distance from more civilized or organized society drives one back to basic reality, and the early settlers of any area were forced to deal with the hard, cold fact of daily living . It must have been also true of those early settlers of Bossier Parish. Doctors, though only miles away, were sometimes days away, and one knew when he made the trip the doctor might be on an emergency call and impossible to locate. You were forced to use common sense and home remedies and self reliance. Out of these circumstances developed the “family graveyards” of yesteryear. Death has usually been an uninvited guest, and always unpredictable, so every family who owned land would set a small selected spot aside for those emergences—thus no doubt was started the present “grave yard.” It is to be noted that the central plot is that of the family who donated and dedicated the area now known as the “Rocky Mount Presbyterian Cemetery.” The Hughes plot is at the top of the mount. Falling away pm every side are the plots, some fenced and some open., of those original families who settled the same and adjoining areas, Strouds, Suttons, Leapharts, Gladneys, McCalls, Adgers, Halls, Ellisons, McGuigans, Covingtons, Martins, Keiths, Currys, Adairs, Bassews, Bankses, Belchers, Caldwells, Rabbs, Clarks, Dalrymples, Goodwins, Pooles, Jostons, Norths, Nashes, Stewmans, Wilsons, Harringtons, McKinneys, Fosters, Morrisons, Heaths, and Bounds, to name but a few of the original families. From the beginning, though always property of the Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church, it has been a community cemetery, and so it is today, and so the present officers of the church desire it to continue to be. Today a few lots are still available along the south side and particularly in the southwest section of the cemetery, however, some of these have been claimed and until now we have not learned by whom. When we started our work in 1962 we knew that many graves were occupied that had no markers, and to a large degree the entire work during these three years has been accomplished that we might learn where friends and relatives had been buried, and somehow mark their graves. Much has been accomplished towards this goal, however many graves known to be occupied are not yet identified. Help is still desired and being sought. If anyone sees this record and learned of or knows of information that would make the records more complete please write to Mr. Gordon McCall, R. R. #2, Benton, Louisiana and give him the information. People always precede a cemetery! Unlimited opportunity and unlimited obstacles, with the accent on opportunity, rich rolling hills and richer low lands, sheer adventure and curiosity, the desire for the new and the unexplored, dreams and visions drove, led and called our forefathers into the alluvial land of fertile forests in the middle decades of the 19th century from 1830 to 1870. In this age when one can't get to church if it is farther than a block away, that is if they are expected to walk, it is all but unbelievable to read that whole families traveled hundreds of miles on horse back, via wagon trains or walked. Getting anywhere back in those days meant patients and persistence. It also meant courage and every virtue consistent with self reliance. Travel was also accomplished via boats and barges, and it is reported that some traveled by rafts. It took some eight (8) weeks to come from Charlotte, NC, and others longer or shorter periods, depending on their mode of travel or the distance they had to cover. From Tennessee and Alabama it took less time. Regardless from whence the came, they came, and born or bred in these hardy settlers were the same amazing and admirable ingredients that men have who ride the silver missiles to the stars. Tradition has it that there was a wagon train from North Carolina with eight (8) families and another from close to or near Tracy, Alabama, but most of them came as single families. Of those original settlers, those who arrived between 1843 and 1860, many bade families and friends goodbye, never to see them again. As one would guess, these were all God fearing people, and it isn't at all surprising they quickly got together to build a place of worship. True history is what is called “novel”, like the great book, “Gone With the Wind”, or Brothers Karamazov”, or “Jezebel”, or “Joseph and His Brothers.” History is a “valley of dry bones .” It is a naked skeleton. The structural steel of a naked building. To write it otherwise would make it destructive instead of creative. What we write here is fact. It is fact like a desert. One must draw on imagination and experience to refurbish what was and is a verdant and vital story. The flesh of fascination is gone. Wet these facts wit the water of memory; run them through the machine of mind and watch those dry bones walk again on the earth. By an act of the Louisiana Legislature, Bossier Parish was created out of the western half of Claborne Parish in the year of our Lord, 1843. By an act of providence the area was shortly peopled and one of the original families was that of Mr. Wilson Dalrymple. The Dalrymples came from Irland as did the Ellisons, Adgers and Martins. But most came here from having first settled at other places in the east. They came from Germany, North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, and from the southern part of Louisiana. Many had stopped in Natchitoches and Mansfield before coming on to Bossier Parish. Mr. Dalrymple came here from Ireland in 1845 and the following year Mrs. Dalrymple and Mr. and Mrs. Herron joined him. The Dalrymples and the Herrons were both charter members of the Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church, and tradition has it that these and other Presbyterian families were assembling together for worship long before they organized the church in 1859. It is known that worship services started as early as 1851 and on the present spot where the church now stands. Most folks like things as they are. The “flesh pots” of Egypt are more desirable than a “Promised Land”. Most folks would rather buy cloth than weave it. Too many have lost it, or never had that driving sense of adventure. But those original settlers of this Parish had one fear----the horror of the “fever”, and because of this fear—one that deserved respect--- they walked across the rich flat lands of the delta to settle first the red hills of Rocky Mount, however it is to be remembered their choice was by no means second rate. This was a productive and fertile land. It was hard for them to find trees small enough for their log cabins. Most of the trees were reported to have been six (6) feet in diameter. Deer were seen in herds. Bear and panther, wolf and fox, wild turkey, duck, geese and quail were always nearby. The only problem was getting ammunition. In another place in this record you will find a list of the ministers who served this community of God Fearing people. Another place will list for you the men who were rulers of the church and yet another place lists the members, including slaves. The private records of the church discloses the concern of the church officers for the unsaved and untutored. Another place will give the names of evangelists who were invited to preach revivals, endeavoring to enlist for Christ those whose lives had not come under His Spirit. People precede a cemetery and these were a stout hearted and unique people. THE CEMETERY A cemetery is where they put you when you have lost your uniqueness. Its a place of rest for the restless. The place they put a “series of errors” that has come to an end. It seems a good adage “that a man's errors should be buried with him”, but no matter how frequently spoken it isn't the good that always lives on. I has been absolutely fascinating to walk among the graves and have one of the “old timers” resurrect the story as names are seen on the grave markers. In most cases it has been a story of people who lived all their lives, lived it full and complete. The road of these lives made many a turn and passed through all sorts of country. Life is much like a light---on and off, there , and not there, but its pulses are so close together we never see the “offs” until there is a skip or failure. In this same sense, life is a disconnected, but unified series of parables. With one of these friends I stood in front of the grave of Capt. B. R. Nash and they told this story. “ Ben decided to build himself a boat to use on Caney Creek, which was near his house, so for months he would work at off times and slowly progressed on his boat. It was a fine piece of workmanship and carefully constructed . Families on their way to Bossier or Shreveport got in the habit of stopping off and asking Ben if he needed anything for his boat. He always needed a few nails or something. After months of loving labor and tedious work, he finished his boat and put her in Caney Creek. He chained the boat to a tree on the edge of the stream and during the night a wind blew the tree down and across his boat and totally destroyed it. “We hardly know how to appreciate such a loss, for seldom do we build or have to crowd such a work into a full and busy week. But the report is that Ben didn't reflect any defeat, though he never had time to try building another boat. The life of a doctor , back in this age, was anything but easy, and far from lucrative. Rocky Mount always had some fine doctors. Doctors whose names have been mentioned in this work are: Jonathan Stroud, Douglas Wilson, Andrew Bugg, John Bell Hall, John Hall, John Scales, C. H. Irion, Dr. Bloom, Dr. Kidd, Dr. Beard, Dr. Tucker and Dr. Ricks. It was not at all uncommon for a doctor to have to get up in the middle of the night and ride horseback 10 miles to minister to some sick child or mother. Sometimes he arrived too late and turned back after pronouncing the person dead, with hanks for coming” his only remuneration. Other times, having been up most of the night and working tirelessly for hours to heal, he would be given a jug of diluted whiskey, sometimes worth $2.00 for his efforts. But in all my conversations there is no report that these dedicated men didn't come and serve to their best. Dr. Jonathan Stroud, because of his tireless dedication and frequent disregard for his own well being, died at the age of 43. It is an experience never to be forgotten to be riding through the woods at night and have a panther scream above your head in some nearby tree. There is the story that the Leapharts had a “dude” for a guest in their home and he wore a set of beautiful diamond cuff links. During his night in the leaphart home one of these links disappeared. Mrs. Leaphart, distressed to say the least, accused the girl, Molly Stewman, of having taken or stolen the link. Molly reported she had not taken it, but that she had dreamed during the night that a certain rooster--- (and she described the rooster perfectly-) had flown in the window and eaten the cuff link. She was so insistant, they killed the rooster and recovered the link. Some one of these friends told me this story as we stood by the grave of Jonathan Adair. The family had just crossed the Mississippi River at the point of the present site of St. Joseph, Louisiana and had camped there for their first night in Louisiana. During the night Jonathan's baby sister, then three years of age, was stolen from her bed by the Indians. She was never heard of after that day. Mr. Dixon of Dixie has a child named after this sister of Jonathan, however they had never heard this story. No one would write all that he has learned about those unique people who have ended their restlessness, but anyone who can read between the lines can add the vitality to the story. The tragedy is that so many have lost this ability. Many are like Lucy in the “Peanuts” column in the funny paper, they can't read between the lines. One might wonder why these original settlers chose the spot now occupied by the church. There is no explanation offered except that Capt. Hughes had this sort of interest. However remembering the stories of the Bible and recalling that people of those days chose high spots as they were nearer to God. So inborn in us is that same desire and therefore I suggest they selected this high point for their worship and to bury their dead for it's nearness to God. Tradition says that the first person buried at Rocky Mount Cemetery was an unknown traveler, who rode up to the Hughes store barely alive and still on his horse. He was calling for help, and was obviously in severe pain. They helped him from his horse and made him as comfortable as possible, but he lost consciousness and expired without ever regaining his faculties. There was no paper to identify him so he was buried as the unknown soldiers. He was laid to rest somewhere in the cemetery, known to no one alive today. The traditional story gives no explanation as to what happened to his horse and saddle. One wonders why they were not sold and a marker placed above his grave. If he were the first to be buried, then his burial had to precede 1853, for this is the known date of Mr. John Adger's death and burial. An article in the Shreveport Journal in 1950 gave the date of this travelers death at 1859. I rather believe the tradition that he was first and therefore buried sometime prior to 1853. The survey which has ended in the compilation of this book shows a possible 2,275 graves. We do not know how many are occupied, but this record will be as complete as it seems possible to get it, and the final pages will show those known to be occupied. The formal organization of the cemetery was in 1862 when Mr. Hughes donated and deeded the original parcel of land for this purpose. In 1904 the cemetery was expanded by a gift of land across the south end, made by and deeded to the church cemetery by Mr. Andrew Bugg, who at that time owned the property now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wilber Young. The total acreage in the cemetery is approximately 3 acres. If any of you acquire a copy of this book or if you see a copy and discover an incomplete section or family tree please help us correct it and get the information to: Mr. Gordon McCall R. R. No. 1 Benton, Louisiana A few pages will be blank in the back of the book for you to add such information you desire to for your personal records, however if of an interest to all members please share it with us. Maybe someday someone will get interested in this work and have more time and they can complete what has here been started. ONE OF THE OLDEST CEMETERIES It has been judged that the first burial was about 1851 and should this be true, then this is possibly one of the oldest cemeteries in North Louisiana. Some of the cemeteries in this part of the parish are: 1) Graham Cemetery on Bodcau Bayou; 2) Rhodes Cemetery, Rhodes Place at Ivan; 3) Caney Cemetery, near Mr. Charles Rowe; 4) Bethel Cemetery, back of New Bethel Baptist Church at Rocky Mount; 5) Eli Clement's Cemetery , close to Midway; 6) Lay Cemetery, on Red River; 7) Pilderton Cemetery, about 2 miles west of Red River Baptist Church; 8) Red River Baptist Church Cemetery; 9) Cottage Grove Cemetery, west of Swindleville; 10) Hanks Cemetery; 11) Davidson Cemetery; 12) Jones Cemetery, near Ryan Road; 13) Salem Cemetery; 14) Walker's Chapel Cemetery; 15) Clebites Springs Cemetery. Most of us dislike organization, or the formal, and I presume this explains the uniqueness of the Rocky Mount Cemetery. These were unique people and they loved the informal and any and every expression of freedom. Consistent with this would be a lack of records. Anyway, the records we have are inadequate and lacking. The only dependable records we have are the grave markers and private information, and with these two sources the information in this book has been compiled. I have talked with a number of original members, born here in the Parish, whose memories have been amazing and whose help has been generously given. It is to be remembered that it was not at all easy to accomplish a burial during the first 80 years of this cemetery. There was no way to get to a funeral home and every detail had to be accomplished by the family, a friend or a neighbor. Many times friends were not available and families had to attend to the work amidst their sorrow. Everyone has been cooperative in helping gather data and complete records, but special gratitude be expressed to several whose help has been so valuable; Mr. and Mrs. Sam McCall, Mrs. Nolan McKinney, Mrs. Reams, Mrs. W. B. Pearce, Mrs. W. A. Stinson, Mrs. Grey McCall Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Kirklin, Mr. and Mrs. Caleb McKinney, Mrs. Mamie Burks Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Hortman,Mr. Ansell Stroud of Dixie, Mr. Tom Caldwell, Mr. Joe Kelly, Mr Arnold Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Connie DeMoss, Mrs Evie Garrett, Mrs. Albert Bounds, Mrs. Mary Wyche, Mrs. Elzie Carr, Mr. and Mrs. T. A. McKinney, Mr Dan Logan, Mr. Will Curry, Mr. Ardis Manry, Mr. Egan Young, and Mrs. Ivy Strong Foster to name a few. Mrs. Elzie Carr and Mrs. Ivy Strong Foster have been most amazing in that they could remember attending funerals as far ago as 1885 and helped me locate at least 10 unknown graves. In the course of these 115 years since this ground was set apart for a cemetery only two members buried here have lived beyond 100 years of age. Mr. John Manry lived to be 101 years old and Mr. Plexico lived to be 103. Mr. Manry is buried in Lot # 499 and Mr. Plexico in Lot # 1638. Mrs. Josephine String lived to be 97 years old and several were upward to 90. UNIQUENESS One of the effects of evil is its pressure upon all to make us into a mold. The world cries “conform”. There is a degree of conformity essential to order, but quickly this is overdone. We are born unique, but our days on earth are difficult if we try to remain unique. Only by The Grace of God can we keep our individuality, and this by perspiration more so than by inspiration. Yet one is impressed with a high degree of success of the people of this community as they were refreshingly different and continued their quaint ways even after death. The cemetery is unique. As little of the formal as could be accepted was accepted, or so it seems to me. The cemetery was never laid out or surveyed. Families simply went out and chose an area large enough to accommodate their needs and staked off the plot. Some lots are 10 feet wide and 20 feet long. Some are 16 feet wide and 24 feet long. Every conceivable variation has been made a part of the cemetery's quaintness. A surveyor is at first impressed with this disorder, then later comes to realize that this fact distinguishes this cemetery and continues the individuality of those resting here. No grave lot is the same size of any other grave lot. Very few run in the same line. The fence that now encircles the area even maintains a general freshness in that it doesn't run on the points of the compass. When the present program is complete there will be no distortion of this novel arrangement. The dissimilarity will be promoted in that flower beds will be scattered and irregular as small areas are adopted to this use. The endeavor will be to promote this novelty and enhance the freshness of this historic burial ground. SYMPATHY OR COMPASSION One of the mystics of the last generation said the loss of Christian Compassion was causing the air about the earth to become as rare as that on the moon. Anyone attending a funeral, in most places today would agree. It is asked again and again, “where are the friends and neighbors?” I know of nothing more gracious than to show one's love and friendship by attending a funeral. The Apostle Paul said we ought not to judge anyone, for he didn't even judge himself. He seems to have meant he didn't really understand anyone, not even himself. No matter what argument one gives it still reflects poor judgment if we fail to support a friend or neighbor in death. We learn slowly that the world doesn't revolve about us. We are not the center of the universe. One of the inspiring discoveries of this work has been that of learning how friends and neighbors disclosed compassion and love in days feared gone, by being present to help during sickness and willingly assisting during death. Love, like death, ought not to be a respecter of persons. Once to all comes this unwanted visitor. Until as recent as 1920, in this Parish and especially the Rocky Mount Community, death demanded realistic action. There was no waiting for friends to be notified. There was no time to waste in tears and sorrow. Burial had to be accomplished and friends and neighbors had to make the arrangements and preparation. There was always someone to assume the loving and delicate work of preparing the body for rest. The immediate family was spared this and had a few moments for grief. Immediately the task of having the grave ready was begun. Not just one hired an to accomplish it impersonally, but neighbors and friends took this as an opportunity to express their devotion. It has been reported that eight, ten and more would assist in the work. Sometimes when death came late in the afternoon they would gather “fat pine” for flares to enable them to see after dark and complete the work. Death was everybody's responsibility and helping, everybody's privilege. All who had heard about the passing of a friend or neighbor would come to pay their respects and especially to attend the funeral, and none would depart the cemetery until the last bit of earth had been put upon the grave. I have seen this in recent years and found it to be a most strengthening experience. Let us revive this grand custom of staying until the task is finished, here is an amazing healing power we are missing today. There were a few exceptions. One will never fathom or understand the failures of men on occasions. On other occasions we do understand. Many a father, with the help of sons has gone with a broken heart to the grave yard alone to bury an infant son or daughter. In silent sorrow many a small grave has been opened at the foot of a dear relative, and the tiny body laid to rest in reverent quietness. Recently I stood with a father and had him tell me of his first born. He pointed out the grave spot. No marker will ever be placed there, for grandfather's marker serves both graves, though it bears but the one name. Many times I have reviewed the information with members of a family who didn't know they had lost a brother at birth. These invisible wounds are never quiet healed. Another exception or other exceptions have happened. Several people have lovingly recalled a dear soul who served as mid-wife in most homes during her life. Her acts of mercy are beyond counting, but three people attended her funeral. “Why?”, that is the question asked by one of those who still lives in the community and was one of the three attending the funeral. There is no answer to such puzzling questions. But equally as puzzling is why someone didn't place some sort of marker above the grave. Until this survey was made her grave had been lost, almost for a half a century. My answer is simply that those who deserve most our gratitude are least recognized. They do their deeds of mercy so naturally and quietly. Heaven, naturally, is going to be a joyful place, filled with those who were surprised by joy, knew they didn't deserve and worked as though they could win it, and hell filled with those complaining and gnashing their teeth as they didn't get what they deserved. Some strange and unexpected faces are going to be seen in hell, no suprises or strange faces in heaven, the first million eons will be spent in Holy amazing surprise, singing hallelujahs and exhilarating shock. One doesn't worry or give thought to why you might be present at a funeral, but one never quiet understands why some people are absent. Let us continue or revive the custom of comforting those who grieve in death. UNTIMELY DEATH Is death ever timely? Certainly the answer is no, and yet death is one of the most gracious things God permitted. We all grow old and become burdens to ourselves and others and it is merciful to go home. But very few of us are ever really ready. We mentioned the traveler who died without being able to tell his name or mission and who is buried somewhere within the bounds of the cemetery, long lost and almost forgotten. If he were first to be placed in the dedicated ground he must have been buried between the years of 1851 and 1853. A soldier, or maybe there were four as another tradition has it, lost his life while playing cards on the steps of the church during a storm and lightening struck and killed him, or them. They were buried sometime between 1862 and 1864, and their graves are lost. Rev. Herrington, the first installed pastor of the Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church lost two of his children while serving the congregation. They are buried in lots #1268 and # 1269. Little Paul died at birth and Anna was 7 years old. During the first ten years of the cemetery's life, 1853 until 1863, only seven(7) people were buried whose graves were marked; Adger, McCall, Sutton, Stroud, and Dalrymple. In the next year, ten (10) were laid to rest, and among these an infant son of Rev. Cyrus Herrington. Carrie Bounds Pelt, a beautiful young wife of only a few years, was helping her husband in a field of newly cleared ground and had backed up to a burning brush pile to warm when her frail dress caught fire. Before her frantic husband could reach her, she started running, and she had burned so badly she only lived a few days afterward. John Shockly has four children buried in a row. Lots # 2088 through # 2090. Mr. Eli Clements has two children buried at Rocky Mount and two others buried in his private cemetery on the Midway road. Fifty years had not dimmed his memory or healed the wounds of these losses. With tears in his eyes he told me the story of how he had tried to find what was the trouble. Their graves are Lot # 2081 and 2082 in the northwest part of the cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. James Turner Manry buried four of their infants, all dying during the first year or at an early age. One child fell from the front porch onto a yard rake and death ensued. Seven of the thirteen (13) members of this family are buried in this cemetery. Many times I have heard old residents speak about Mr. James Manry and his ability to tell stories. He would go to Rocky Mount School and tell the stories his friend Joel Chandler Harris wrote. Dr. John Bell Hall has his first son buried at Rocky Mount. For many years this grave was lost, however recently we located it and have it marked Lot # 231. Dr Hall was loved and will long be remembered by the people of Rocky Mount. One doesn't remember the causes of death, and frequently finds himself in possession of information that would be most interesting but has no writing paper and interrupting would be rude, Such was the occasion recently while visiting with Mrs. Marcus Young. (Addie Pickett) Mrs. Young has 9 children buried at Rocky Mount. It takes a great heart to brave the tomorrows with the burdens of so many losses, and it takes a Star—She has both. Along with her children she also has two grand children and a husband buried there. One asks how long is a year? How long is a life? She pushes on because she forgets the past and loves today and today's friends and blessings. As the Apostle suggested. Andrew Jackson McKinney, who came here to Bossier Parish from Barbour County Alabama in l868 was known to his friends as “Drew”, and the nine of his eleven children who grew to adulthood united many of the original families; Keiths, Heaths, DeMosses, Burkses, and Clarks to name a few, and many of these reared their children in the community. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney lost two of their children from over- doses of calomel, a common medicine back in those post Civil War days and before his death he saw other members of his family laid to rest on this Mount. One of the Stewman girls, remembered by Mrs. Stinson, tripped when getting off a wagon, having caught her heel in the wagon wheel and a few days later died from unknown causes. She was a belle and a beauty. A few years later her older sister was laid to rest, a maiden of charm and full of joy. The Gilliam Cyclone shortened many lives. Mrs. Gardner being one that lost her life in that devastating storm. How many of those buried that year lost their lives in that storm is no longer remembered however someone reported that at least six graves were opened the following day. One is depressed when he reads through the records and notices the number of children buried here, and as the records are so incomplete one knows that there must be many others not remembered. One family with 22 children had only nine of then to reach maturity. Also heart- rending is the realization that many mothers are buried beside their infant child. Progress is a blessed thing and I would not want to give up some of our modern improvements and especially those made in Medicine, however these folk had something that we are losing or have already lost—courage and faith. One has great admiration for these hardy and courageous families with so enduring a faith. They left a great heritage and one can see it in the children of the second and third generation. Rev. W. A. Zeigler, Rev. Banks and Rev. Paxton are all buried here. Rev. M. M. Millers first wife is buried here, also Rev. Herrington's two children and no doubt there are others who have loved ones buried here. Those who shepherded the flocks gave much, lost much, and received much. Each of these ministers endeared themselves to these people and sacrificed willingly in their behalf. I count it a blessing to have had the privilege to serve in their train. The list is routine. The same causes plague men where ever they live; fire, war, cyclones and storms, murder, poison, accidents of all types, disease and old age remove men from this place of pilgrimage. CEMETERY CARE Everybody's business turns out to be nobody's business. Though really the responsibility of the Church Officers, yet as it has always been a Community Cemetery, the church seems never to have actually accepted its burden. No doubt individual officers or members, from the beginning took initiative and urged such care as did get accomplished. This probably explains why individual families put wrought iron fences or concrete retaining walls about their lots, and some of these still stand after 75 years or more, Rust and weather however are rapidly eating these away, No one can remember there ever having been a survey made of the property, until recent years when the Cyclone Fence was placed around the grave yard, Until this beautiful fence was installed)there had been a barbed wire fence encircling the area, A good guess is 30 years ago that a fire swept through the Cemetery and not only burned away the grass and brush, but damaged and destroyed many of the beautiful Cedar Trees. It might have been at this time ~hat a new zeal was born to care better for the Cemetery and probably at this time that a move got underway to cut all Cedar trees as it was believed they were causing the discoloring of the grave markers. The Cedar stumps have not yet disintegrated, however only a few more years is needed to take the last evidence of their having lived, Very few trees now stand in the area, These now here are certainly younger than 30 years and no doubt have begun their life since the firs. Approximately fifteen (15) years ago some of the members decided the Cemetery area must be correctly defined and something further done to protect the old tombs and monuments. It is not known who suggested the work, however everyone remembers the task was accomplished in a joint effort promoted by Mr. and Mrs.Lester Lowe and Mr. and Mrs. T. A. McKinney, At this time a Cemetery Association was organized and officers elected and a regular and organized program continued until this time, Under the direction of this organization a program of solicitation fund years via letters and a campaign to raise funds for the Cyclone fence was begun, Mrs. T. A. McKinney was elected secretary-Treasurer and Mrs. Lester Lowe was elected. or appointed to promote the Fence Fund. These two ladies did a splendid job and for the past 15 years the Cemetery has been much better cared for. There is no list of how many letters were written, however a record was kept of those who responded to this appeal for the Fence and below is the list of families and individuals we are all indebted to for the most effective program for better preservation and care of the Cemetery in its long history: # Name Amount 1 Adair, Mrs. Mary L $ 5.00 2 Adger, W. E. $ 10.00 3 Adger, John B. $ 50.00 4 Adger, J.T. $ 5.00 5 Alexander, Mrs. B.H. $ 5.00 6 Anthony, Mrs. Anna $ 4.00 7 Barr, Mr. & Mrs. John $ 10.00 8 Bass, Mrs. J.W. $ 2.00 9 Belcher, Mrs. E.H. $ 5.00 10 Belcher, W.P. $ 30.00 11 Bell, Mrs. Kendall $ 5.00 12 Bounds, A.M. $ 5.00 13 Bounds, Howard $ 5.00 14 Bounds, L.A. $ 15.00 15 Biunds, Robert $ 10.00 16 Bounds, W.J. $ 10.00 17 Brooks, John $ 5.00 18 Brooks, Mrs. Mamie $ 10.00 19 Brooks, Sid $ 5.00 20 Bundy, Mr. & Mrs. Johnny $ 25.00 21 Burks R. Frank $ 50.00 22 Burks, M.B. $ 20.00 23 Burks, R.L. $ 10.00 24 Burks, Mrs R.L. $ 10.00 25 Burton, Mrs. R.M. $ 100.00 26 Byers, Sybil Locky $ 5.00 27 Caldwell, S.J. $ 30.00 28 Carr, Mrs. A.B. $ 10.00 29 Chappelear, Lyda $ 10.00 30 Charles, Mrs. Beula $ 5.00 31 Chappell, Mrs. R.E. $ 10.00 32 Chappell, $ 25.00 33 Clevenger, Mrs. Archie $ 10.00 34 Cooker, G. B. $ 10.00 35 Coleman, Mrs. Mildred K. $ 5.00 36 Corbin, W. A. $ 10.00 37 Cox, Mrs. Mable Goodman $ 3.00 38 Darden, Martin $ 5.00 39 Davis, Mrs. W. L. $ 15.00 40 DeMoss, C. L. $ 10.00 41 DeMoss, W.C. $ 5.00 42 Dowell, Mrs. S.A. $ 10.00 43 Duncan, Mrs. D.S. $ 50.00 44 Dunkin, Dorothy S. $ 25.00 45 Estes, Mrs. E.G. $ 5.00 46 Ferguson, Mrs. C.H. $ 5.00 47 Flarety, Mrs. Jim $ 5.00 48 Foster, Mrs. E.D. $ 10.00 49 Gardner, Mr. Cornell $ 5.00 50 Gardner, M.E. $ 10.00 51 Garrett, Marshall $ 10.00 52 Glassell, A.C. $ 50.00 53 Gleason, Ethel $ 5.00 54 Gleason, Mr. & Mrs. Ira $ 5.00 55 Gleason, Mrs. Ira $ 5.00 56 Gray, Mrs. Sallie Shaver $ 15.00 57 Grant, Mrs. Grey McCall $ 3.00 58 Grider, Mrs. Carrie $ 5.00 59 Grubb, Sam $ 10.00 60 Gullott, Mrs. Charles $ 2.00 61 Hale, Mrs. Elizabeth H. $ 15.00 62 Hall, W.E. $ 30.00 63 Hall, John Bell, Dr. $ 10.00 64 Ham, Mrs. Oberlin $ 3.00 65 Hanks, Estate $ 5.00 66 Harvey, Mrs. James L. $ 25.00 67 Harvey, Mrs Bryce $ 3.00 68 Heath, Mrs. Neola $ 10.00 69 Henderson, C.F. $ 10.00 70 Hicks, C.F. $ 10.00 71 Hicks, Mrs. Sam $ 10.00 72 Hoffpauir, Mrs. Maggie $ 5.00 73 Hoffpauir, Mr. & Mrs. Simmie $ 5.00 74 Hollinsworth, Mrs. D.W. $ 10.00 75 Hopper, MrsM.K. $ 5.00 76 Hortman, Curtis $ 5.00 77 Hughes, Lila A. $ 5.00 78 Johnson, Mrs. Mamie $ 5.00 79 Johnston, S.P. $ 10.00 80 Johnston, Mrs. Roy D. $ 5.00 81 Jones, Mrs. John Grey $ 10.00 82 Jugler, B.M. $ 5.00 83 Kidd, Lois Rodgers $ 15.00 84 Kirklin, Jasper B. . $ 5.00 85 Kirklin, A.D. $ 5.00 86 Kirklin, Jasper B. Jr. $ 10.00 87 Lay, Miss Grace $ 1.00 88 Lightfoot, Mrs. Clyde $ 5.00 89 Lowe, Lucinda Northcott $ 45.00 90 Lowe, Chester $ 2.00 91 Lynch, Mildred $ 5.00 92 Maddox, E.A. $ 25.00 93 Martin, Mrs Beatrice $ 5.00 94 Martin, Logan & Mamie $ 25.00 95 Martin, Guy E $ 10.00 96 Matlock, Mrs. R.F. $ 10.00 97 Matlock, H.M. $ 10.00 98 McCall, John $ 10.00 99 McCall, Sam M. $ 30.00 100 McCall, James W. $ 5.00 101 McClanahan, Jim $ 5.00 102 McClanahan, Mrs. $ 2.00 103 McClure, Mrs. Wm. Jr. $ 5.00 104 McKinney, Thomas A & Lottie $ 24.00 105 McKinney, Lyman $ 35.00 106 McKinney, John & Mary $ 10.00 107 McKinney, Carter $ 1.50 108 McKinney, J.K. $ 25.00 109 McKinney, H.C. $ 25.00 110 McKinney, M.M. $ 10.00 111 Miller, Rev. M.M. $ 25.00 112 Montgomery, Harold, Sen. $ 5.00 113 Morrison, Maurice $ 10.00 114 Morrison, Mrs. S.N. $ 5.00 115 Newack, Elouise Morrison $ 5.00 116 Northcott, Mrs. A.E., Jr. $ 5.00 117 Northcott, James K. $ 5.00 118 North, Miss Sadie $ 30.00 119 Norton, George T. $ 25.00 120 O'Bannon, Mrs. T.W. $ 10.00 121 Oglesby, J.D. $ 5.00 122 Oglesby, Mrs. C. B. $ 5.00 123 Oglesby, W.C. $ 5.00 124 O'Kelly, Mrs. W.T. $ 10.00 125 Oliver, Mrs. R.D. $ 10.00 126 Pearce, Mrs. N.B. $ 20.00 127 Pernice, J. $ 10.00 128 Peton, Mrs. Mary B. $ 5.00 129 Rabb, Bennie Heath $ 5.00 130 Rich, Mrs. James W. $ 3.00 131 Ritter, Mrs. E.C. $ 1.00 132 Ritter, Mrs. M.C. $ 10.00 133 Rhodes, W.W. $ 3.00 134 Rodgers, Mrs. R.P. $ 10.00 135 Rodgers, Mrs. Ernestine $ 5.00 136 Rowe, Charles Sr. $ 5.00 137 Sandifer, I.A. Sr. $ 5.00 138 Shaver, R.L. $ 10.00 139 Shaver, Mrs. Newt $ 1.00 140 Sheppard, Luther $ 2.00 141 Shipp, M.C. $ 10.00 142 Simms, Mrs. Anise $ 2.00 143 Stewart, Margie Young $ 5.00 144 Stinson, F.B. $ 25.00 145 Staten, E.H. $ 1.00 146 Swor, Mrs. J.P. $ 5.00 147 Teague, Mrs. A.M. $ 2.50 148 Teer, Mrs. Shelton $ 10.00 149 Thomas, Mrs. Walter $ 5.00 150 Thomas, Mrs. Eva $ 25.00 151 Thompson, Mr. & Mrs. Joe $ 10.00 152 Tibb, Mrs. Clark $ 1.00 153 Waggonner, W.E. $ 10.00 154 Wallace, Mrs. Mattie $ 10.00 155 Watkins, Mrs Mary T $ 5.00 156 Wheeler, Mrs. John $ 5.00 157 Whisenhunt, Mrs. O.T. $ 5.00 158 Whittington, V.V. $ 10.00 159 Whittington, Mrs. Clara $ 25.00 160 Whittington, Mrs. R.D. $ 20.00 161 Wilcox, Mrs. J.B. $ 2.00 162 Wilcox, Mrs Mary McCall $ 2.00 163 Wilson, Emmett $ 5.00 164 Wilson, Mrs. A.W. $ 10.00 165 Wilson, Mrs, J.M. $ 3.00 166 Winn, Miss Nora $ 5.00 167 Young, Mrs. Addie Peckett $ 5.00 168 Young, Egan $ 5.00 169 Young, Mrs. E.L. $ 20.00 170 Young, Mrs. W.C. $ 10.00 171 Zeigler, Joe $ 10.00 172 Zeigler, Thomas $ 5.00 173 Zeigler, Cyrus $ 5.00 174 Cash $ 10.00 175 Holly Oil Co. $ 10.00 PRESENT PROGRAM My relationship with the Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church started in August 1956, when the Session invited me to conduct the Revival that summer, and from that time to this every relationship I have had with the church has been a joyful labor. In June of 1961 I was invited by the Session to become stated supply and the Presbytery and John Knox Presbyterian Church both approved this request, so since then I have been in the community every week and have preached every other Sunday, I had been introduced to the Cemetery back in 1956, but it was in 1961 that I got interested in work which is now being completed In 1962 the Session of the Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church approved a program of beginning a TRUST FUND and this entailed a careful survey and better records, and on my days off I have pursued this work for almost four years. I have driven thousands of miles and written hundreds of letters and though much still needs to be done I am having to summarize and conclude my efforts; however the initial work was the most important and what is lacking can be filled in by the Officers 0f the church as the information is gathered. We have located hundreds of graves and discovered those buried there, but many are still unknown. Much of the work I have done alone, however the survey and marking was accomplished with help. Let me thank those who have come from time to time across the four years to assist with this part of the labor; Parnell Jones, J, C. Johnson, Connie DeMoss, Joe B. Pierce, Jr. Mr. Arnold Stewart and especially Joe Kelly. Also let me especially thank those families who have invited me again and again to dinner on those days I worked—usually Mondays in the Cemetery—Mr. and Mrs. Connie DeMoss, Mrs. T. A. McKinney and Roy MoKinney, Mrs. Leroy Jones, Mrs. Mamie Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Kirklin, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pruitt, and Mrs. Sam. McCall, Gordon McCall, and Mrs. Grey McCall Grant. OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE We will have a book in the church and hope everyone will help us keep it up to date. Please contact one of the OFFICERS o~ the Rocky Mount Church regarding lots and funerals. A formal committee will be organized and posted near the gate of the Cemetery. Please comply with these instructions. TRUST FUND Check the index for the list of those who have contributed towards this fund... the names will be towards the last of the book. These have contributed without any appeal having been made, however we hope to get in touch with many others and tell them of our purpose. Ruling Elders of the Rocky Mount Presbyterian Church starting with the first and in order of their ordination up to present. Lot # # Name Date Ordained Death If buried at RM 1 Mr. Charles Bell 1/18/1859 11/22/1859 2 Mr. James Whittington Martin 1/18/1859 5/19/1892 835 3 Mr. F. Y. Hughes 1/15/1861 1868 1054 4 Dr. Jonathan Stroud 1/15/1861 1874 850 5 Mr. David H. Johnston 1864 ? 6 Mr. W. Y. Chester 9/4/1871 ? 7 Dr. I.S. Milling 9/4/1871 ? 8 Mr. Robert Worthington North 4/8/1877 5/11/1884 830 9 Mr. D.M.Morrison 12/24/1882 1924 1024 10 Mr. W.A Stroud 10/11/1891 1912 491