History, Livingston, LA submitted by Belford E. Carver ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** THE TRIP FROM LIVINGSTON TO VERNON PARISH Belford E. Carver, EdD November 2002 It was the year 1881, and the economic situation was getting worse in Livingston Parish. The timber business had been good for many years, but now the land was being depleted of the wonderful trees which had been the source of steady income for many of the citizens. Sawmills began springing up all across the parish in 1870. No thought was given to planting trees for the next generation! Other products produced in the area were turpentine, shingles, and barrel staves. Some cotton and sugar cane were grown, mostly in the southern end of the parish. The old log cabin was about eight miles north of Holden. It had some ornamental bushes surrounding it and a dug well was near by. The land didn't make the best for farming on a large scale; the forest was the big item at the time. (This is true today as much of the parish is covered with thick pines destined for becoming pulp wood to make paper products.) Typically, the hogs and the cows ran loose in the woods and meadows here and there. In those days, the split-rail fencing was around the family garden to keep the cattle out. The chickens ran loose around the log cabin but were closed up in the chicken coop at night for protection from predators. The many creeks and rivers provided ample clear water for both man and beast.. In 1875 Grandpa G. W. Westmoreland donated the six and half acres for the church where it is located today. The church was founded in 1856, and services are conducted each Sunday. There is a flowing spring of fresh cold water at the old historic Macedonia Baptist Church even today G. W. Westmoreland's daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married Calvin Green Carver on October 21, 1872. Calvin was 22 and Mary was 16. The wedding at the second house of worship (built in 1871) was a simple affair for these poor dirt farmers, but the community came in to witness the young couple's marriage and celebrate a good time together under the shade of the magnificent old Live Oaks dressed with long strands of Spanish moss and the stately Magnolias covered with their large white blossoms. Plenty food was available for all the guests. The weather had been cooperative, so the old dirt road to the church was in decent condition for the horse-drawn wagons. Of course, some came on horseback, and some walked from their nearby log cabins in the beautiful forest. Other local family names included the following: Hinson, Stafford, Whitehead, Howze, and Causey. As the itinerate peddlers made their way into the area from time to time, they would tell about the new opportunities developing on the western side of Louisiana, in what today is Vernon Parish. The land was full of virgin timber ready and willing to be cut. The waterways were easy for shipping lumber down the Sabine River to the Gulf and then on to other markets. The government was selling land cheap to those willing to settle there and work it. Around the fireplace in the evenings, the Westmorelands. Hinsons, Rayborns and the Carvers would often discuss the possibility of picking up and moving to Vernon Parish to take advantage of the new opportunities. They even discussed moving on to Texas to meet up with some other Carvers. Calvin's sister, Martha, and her husband, Hezekiah (Hez or Plez) Rayborn, weren't too excited about that kind of move. They knew the trip would be hard, long and dangerous. Calvin and Martha's parents, now getting into their senior years, weren't too keen on the idea themselves. Martha and her parents, Robert and Sarah, recalled the hard times in making the move from somewhere in Mississippi to Livingston Parish after the Civil War. However, the conversation would arise from time to time, especially when the conditions seem to worsen for the families in this section of the Pelican State, and the lure of adventure to a new land beckoned to them. It was early spring of 1882, and the George Washington Westmoreland family and the Calvin Green Carver family, packed their meager belongings into their wagons, hitched up the old oxen and began the long journey to the west, leaving Robert and Sarah in the hands of Martha and Hezekiah. Calvin sold his 40 acres of land to Moses P. Hinson, who had married Mary Elizabeth's sister, Nancy Eudora. This sale would give them a little cash ($150) to make the trip of some 300 miles. Following behind the wagons were a few cows which they hoped that they would be kind enough to provide some milk along the way. A few chickens were penned up in the wagon. Maybe those old hens would lay a few eggs while the wagon moved slowly along the deep ruts of the trail. Several dogs belonging to each family tagged along or hitched a ride with the driver when they grew tired. The dogs came in handy on the hunt for rabbits or other animals perhaps a turkey or deer--that would provide an evening meal. They had some lard, corn and potatoes stashed away, too. Also, some corn meal and flour were loaded onto the wagons. Several containers of well water were put aboard in case the rains made the rivers and creeks too muddy to drink from. In spite of this preparation, somewhere along the way they ran out of drinking water. They had cured meat, both beef and pork which they had raised and cured on their farms, and some fruit and vegetables from the gardens, both fresh and canned. They made some cookies and candies to take along. Homemade cane syrup was part of the stored goods. GWW was good at making moonshine, so he took some of it along--for medicinal purposes, of course; and for bartering along the way if the opportunity presented itself. Making the first trip were Calvin and Mary Elizabeth and their five children, Julia Ann, George Robert (Bob), Tom Ellis, Frances (Fannie), and John Green. (My grandpa John Green was about a year old at the time of this move. Mary gave birth to three others after moving to Vernon Parish. She died about a month after the third child.) The G. W. Westmorelands included his second wife, Minerva C. Brabham, and the younger children, John (Wessie), Zach Elijah, Emma and David. (His first wife, Adaline Julia Brown, died in 1864 after the birth of her son, David C.) The older children, Beauregard (Bog), Florence, Willie, Nancy Eudora and Jane were making homes for themselves in Livingston and St. Helena parishes so would not be making the trip. There were at least three possible routes available to them for traveling to Vernon: First, there was a one lane dirt road to Baton Rouge a few miles south of their home place. They could take the Mrs. Harrell's Ferry across the Amite River and then on northward on the River Road to catch the (upper) Old Spanish Trail where it crossed at Bayou Sara. (The Spanish called it New Valencia; known as St. Francisville today.) They could go on to Opelousas and then take the trail north until it intersected with Nolan's Trace, and then on to the Burr Ferry area at the Sabine River where they were planning to settle. (They could also cross the River at Baton Rouge, and take the trail north to the Old Spanish Trail also.) The second route available to them was to travel north from the home site to Greensburg (the trail that came from Springfield) and turn west on the Old Spanish Trail (or Choctaw Trail) to Bayou Sara then on to Opelousas, then north to Nolan's Trace, and then west toward the Sabine River. A third option, was to travel northward to Greensburg and continue on the trail that cut across southwest Mississippi to Natchez. (The writer has been unable to find the name of this trail.) Crossing the Mississippi River at Natchez would probably be the easier crossing and then travel west on Nolan's Trace into Vernon Parish. It was a longer route, but perhaps one that would be better for the travelers. There was also a wide military road from Natchez to Fort Jessup they could take, and then turn south from the Fort into Vernon Parish. There is a fork in the road near Archie (French Fork) near the northeast corner of Catahoula Lake. The lower road was one of possibly four trails named for Philip Nolan, and the upper was the continuation of the El Camino Real from Natchez; today, US Highway 84, and LA 6. Many discussions took place of the pros and cons of each alternative route. Since they were going by ox wagon and horseback, they opted to go Greensburg, take the Choctaw Trail (LA10/Zachary Taylor Parkway) to St. Francisville, then north to Fort Adams and Natchez and take the Nolan's Trace from there. The rolling terrain would probably be easier to travel than the trails of the lower part of the state. They were wary of the low area around Opelousas, and having to cross the many creeks, bayous, and rivers. They were aware of the much traveled Natchez Trace extension down to the Springfield port where many products where shipped to and from New Orleans and other market areas. So, they opted to travel this route, hoping and praying that their decision would be the correct one. The Second Trip About 1892, tragedy struck the Rayborn family. Hez and Martha and some friends were clearing some land when one of the trees fell in an unexpected direction and onto Martha, killing her instantly. The family was in deep grief over this accident. Robert and Sarah were now concerned about their own destiny as they were living with Hez and Martha. No children had been born to this young couple. Word was sent to Calvin in as to the loss of Martha. In due time, Calvin received word of his sister's death. He was worried about his parents, so he told his third wife, Catherine, he must return to Livingston to get his parents and bring them to live with them. He got his provisions together, his gun and his ammunition, saddled up his faithful horse, and headed back to southeast Louisiana. It would be a long and dangerous trip traveling mostly alone since he felt an urgency in making the trip. The family had prayed together that God would give him a safe trip and traveling mercies for the return trip with the older Carvers. The folk at the Pine Hill Baptist Church in Leesville would be praying for him too. The Westmorelands and the Carvers were very active members of this church. G. W. and his second wife, Minerva C. Brabham, are buried in the church cemetery. His headstone is a CSA one. Calvin's first two wives, some babies, and his parents are buried at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in New Illano, not very far from Leesville. Harriett Gill, Calvin's second wife, had a bad fall while pregnant hemorrhaging to death shortly thereafter. Calvin, some called him Green, decided to take Nolan's Trace for a little ways, and then turn south-southeast to Opelousas, then to Baton Rouge, and then into Livingston. This was a shorter route than going through Natchez and down, but figured that would be the route they would take on the return trip as they did the first time. It would be a much better route for the wagons less swamp, creeks to cross and the Mississippi River would be easier to cross at Natchez. Calvin made the trip with only the normal problems associated with such a journey, for which he was very thankful. He was hungry, tired and sore by the time he reached the old home site near the Macedonia Church. His horse was thankful too, as he had pushed him rather hard to make the journey home. His parents were so delighted to see him again. It had been about ten years since their last visit. Other family members soon heard the news that he had arrived and began to drop by to welcome him, and get news from those who had moved to the west. After a couple days of rest and visiting with family and friends, Calvin and his parents began to pack up for the move to Vernon. This trip would be made in a wagon pulled by two head of oxen, named Spot and Scott, that Robert and Sarah owned. Oxen were common beasts of burden around these parts as they were very good for hauling logs out of the forest. They could haul in the wet and mud whereas horses and mules were not too effective when the ground got boggy. A yoke was used for pulling the wagons; no reins were attached as with the horses and mules. Spot and Scott had been trained to respond to verbal commands. The whip was used to point the direction as well as to urge them to move on. Similar verbal commands for the horses and mules were used as gee, haw, and whoa turn right, left, and stop. They had a milk cow and calf, a few chickens, and a lamb to take with them. Oh, yes, there were the two hunting dogs, too. They had little furniture and personal belongings. Sarah was a fine cook and had canned some produce for her garden which they would take with them. Robert had butchered a large pig, so some of that cured meat was available for the trip. They rigged up a bed of Spanish moss in the wagon for Sarah. Calvin and Robert would sleep under the wagon or the stars, depending upon the weather. They rigged up a canopy over the wagon for more protection from the elements. Many of the relatives and neighbors had been dropping by and giving them odds and ends of things to take, such as honey and fruit, homemade cookies, homemade cane syrup and other food items, and a few mementoes for them to take on the trip. They took a few letters with them too. Mail was mighty slow in delivery in those pioneer days. Sarah was good at growing herbs so she had prepared some of these to take with her in the wagon. Calvin was an expert at hunting and fishing, so they knew they would not starve on the way. The land had plenty of game and fish all along the way. Robert loved to hunt and fish and cook his catch on an open fire. They had a little cash from the sale of some livestock and some items they could swap with others on the way, or some little wayside store or peddler. Well, that day in 1893 came quickly for their departure. The yoke was fastened onto the oxen. Calvin saddled up his horse. All their earthly possessions were stored carefully in the wagon. The cow and her calf were tied to the back of the wagon. The dogs were in the wagon or could follow along as they pleased. Prayers were said along with the hugs and kisses, and the wagon began to slowly roll out of the yard, with Calvin on his horse at their side. The early morning was delightful for the journey. Going through their minds was the question: How long would the good weather last? A few tears began to roll down Sarah's cheek. She would miss her friends and the familiar area that was home for many years. She would miss visiting the grave of her only daughter who had died in such a tragic way. She knew she would never return to this land for a visit. Her parents had died back in Mississippi years ago. Her father was of English descent, and her mother was full-blooded American Indian, probably Choctaw. Sarah could speak the language of her people and had learned many ways to survive off the land. She was confident they would survive this long ordeal as they had done in the past. Robert was a tall, quiet man and didn't seem to want to discuss much of his past with his family. It was almost as though he held some dark secret about his past so he didn't want folk knowing too much about his parents or where he was from. Robert did tell his family that he was born in Duck River, TN, in 1820. At the age of 17, he was unhappy at home and decided to seek his fortune further south. So, one morning he packed up a few belongings, saddled up his horse, and headed down the Natchez Trace, which ran just a few miles from where he lived. He had heard many stories of adventure and riches from folk traveling up and down the Trace. He figured it was time for him to check it out. Another story that Robert told his family was that later in his life he learned that he had four brothers that had served in the Civil War, and another brother, named Marshall, that died of a horrible nose bleed. He said to his family that he thought some of his soldier brothers had moved to the area of Henderson County, TX. Some of his family, he thought, had settled around Pickens County, AL. Communication and travel in those days was not very good and he had lost track of his family since he had moved to Louisiana after the Civil War. Some Notes Livingston Parish, created in 1832, is about 32 miles long and 30 miles wide today. Later, Tangipahoa Parish was created (1869) which changed the eastern boundary line. It is part of what is known as the Florida Parishes of Louisiana since it was a part of West Florida until 1810. Vernon Parish was created in April 1871 from Natchitoches, Rapides and Sabine Parishes. There was a period in history when some of this area was a "No man's land" and was a very rough and tough place to live. John Carver and his son, Everett, visited the old home place in 1921. All they found were the bushes that had surrounded the home. I have attempted to find it, but the forest would not yield its secrets to me and my guide. I have been unable to locate Martha's grave. From some notes handed down to me by my uncle, Rev. E. I. Carver, it stated that she was buried at the Macedonia Church. There is no cemetery at this church. There is a Causey Cemetery across the road and north of the church (behind the Durbin home) in which she may be interred in an unmarked grave, or perhaps in the woods near the Church. My father, Herbert Leon, told me that his Grandpa Westmoreland was caught bringing into town a wagon load of what appeared to be homemade syrup, but instead was homemade whiskey. In the minutes of the Macedonia Church, he was at one time brought before the congregation for drinking, but forgiveness was the order of the day. Court house property records were found to establish some of the land holdings. For example, the Westmorelands and the Carvers established homes in Sections 24 and 25, of T2N R10W near Anacoco Lake, on opposite sides of Prairie Creek. A very valuable source of information for this story was the HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON PARISH, LOUISIANA, 1986, published by the Edward Livingston Historical Association. So few facts were passed down by my grandfather, John Carver, to his daughter, Maud Carver Walton, that were subsequently passed down to me. The first trip was said to have been 300 miles and took 30 days to accomplish by a wagon pulled by two yoke of oxen. They ran out of water at one point, and were confronted with quicksand at another. The names of family members were from records passed down to me with additional research to determine other connections and dates of birth and death. A second trip took place to bring the elder Carvers to Vernon Parish, which was probably by wagon and oxen as well. Even though the railroads were being extended here and there in the state, I believe they took the trip by ox cart. If the reader has other family information to share with me, please contact me at 1512 Pecan Street, Hammond, LA 70401, or call 985-345-0369, or send me an email at: bcarver@i- 55.com # # #