Bear Island Cemetery, Livingston Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue




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From the French Settlement Historical Register, published by the French Settlement
Historical Society, French Settlement, Louisiana 70733. The LaGenWeb Archives thanks 
them for contributing this information.

Vol. 2, December 1977

     The location of this cemetery is at nearly the end of Highway 1039 which dead-ends
at the swamps of the Black Lake.  Bear Island Cemetery is off to the left side of this
road.  This cemetery is in a state of decay, probably, the reason being that is has
been out of use for a great many years.  It has been hidden thick, rampant growth of
underbrush, trees and vines, thus hiding it from passers using this road.  Even many of
the local residents did not know of the existance of this cemetery.

     Bear Island Cemetery is surrounded by swampy areas and is only 4 feet above sea
level.  Directly behind this cemetery is the Black Lake canal which leads into the 
Black Lake which leads into Lake Maurepas.

     Only a total of 20 graves could be found.  By no means is this cemetery census
complete.  Many of the tombstones have been destroyed and a great deal of the markers
were just crosses of wood.

Copied March of 1977 by Aubra Fontenot, Springfield, Louisiana

1.  P. Vampran (no date, name found on cement cross at the foot of a cement slab)

2.  Here Rests Elizabeth C. Ernest, wife of J.H. Howze, born Nov 21st, 1874, died July 30th, 1894

3.  Here Rests Lucretia Ovala, Beloved Wife of Jno. Ernest, born May 31st, 1824, died Dec 2nd, 1888

4.  Unmarked (about 5 feet from no. 3, sunken in and appears to be that of a small child)

5.  Nichles Lestodin and His Four Children: Floren, Arcile, Fortne and Aleander
    (All names found on the same tombstone, no date, graves enclosed by old type iron fence)

6.  Unmarked

7.  Unmarked (cement slab)

8.  Unmarked

9.  Unmarked (cement slab)

10. Unmarked

11. Father, Joseph Penion, 1850 - 1904

12. Unmarked (Nos. 6-12 are all enclosed by a fence)

13. Here Rests Henriette Vicknair, wife of Gus Cambre, born Feb 16, 1859, died Oct 18, 1886

14. Annie, daughter of N. & E.L. Linden, Aug 20th, 1889, Apr. 3, 1891

15. Lovans Kie, son of P.L. & L.P. Comb, aged 2 yrs, & 3 mos.

16. Unmarked (old wooden cross)