Clifton Cemetery, Rapides Parish Louisiana Submitted by Jane Parker McManus ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** History of Clifton Community - Southwest Rapides Parish The Choctaw settled in a strip running from the Red River in the area of the Appalaches Village (Zimmerman), south-southeast to Pine Prairie. The Yowani Choctaw were well established in central Louisiana as early as the mid-1750's, coming from the permanent village on Bayou Chicot into the vicinity of Clifton. There were Choctaw settlements at Boyce, Flatwoods, Clifton Crossing, Hineston, Seiper Creek, and Woodworth. These settlements pre-existed the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, but it is clear from some testimony given in the Dawes Commission that some Choctaws were moving west after 1830 to join these early Choctaw settlements. The history of Indian-American relations in the central part of Louisiana during the nineteenth century was one of conflict, racism, subjugation and dislocation. The Americans' objective was the control of the land, the expulsion of natives from those portions they occupied that were of economic value, and the control of the tribes. The problem of Politics was linked to the problem of the land. As plantations and sawmills extended, the tribes were severely affected. The Indians lost, most often, the best land. Economic considerations were not the only factor; under the Americans, racism became pervasive. Since Indian slavery was abolished during the Spanish Period, so by American domination Indians had the special status of Free People. In the midst of Choctaw or Choctaw-Appalache settlements, Clifton seems to have developed a mixed-blood identity. Some individuals at Clifton married other part-Indians from other tribes such as Lispan Apache, Nashitosh (Natchitoches) Caddo, and Alabama-Choctaw. Christianity came to the Clifton Choctaw settlement at Clifton Crossing in the 1800's by the Baptist ministry. The Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church dates back to the 1870's and was built on the property of Jesse Clifton. Next to the old church structure is the Clifton Cemetery. The oldest marked grave dates back to 1875. It is the grave of the son of Jesse and Jane (Weathers/Weatherford) Clifton. Around 1900, the Indian community was located about a mild south of present LA Hwy. 28 west at Clifton Crossing. The exploitation of the pine forests at the north end of Clifton Road and the establishment of Zimmerman Camp caused the tribal members to move their residences to the north to be closer to work. The original church and the accompanying Clifton Community Cemetery continued to be used. The first school was also located near the church. As the people moved north, another cemetery came into existence - the Neal Cemetery with its oldest marked grave dated 1906, the son of Thomas Neal III and Catherine (Tyler) Neal. Transportation could have been the main factor in its existence. When Calcasieu River was up, they had to go around through Simpson to get from their residence to the cemetery. The seven original families that were involved in the Clifton Community settlement were Clifton, Neal, Shackelford, Smith, Tyler, Thomas, and Terrell. All surnames, with the exception of Terrell, are still present in the Clifton Community, aka Clifton-Choctaw Reservation, Inc. Clifton Settlement (community) was chartered as a State Indian Tribe 8 September 1977. Twice a year the tribal members get together to clean the two cemeteries: Clifton Community and Neal. This activity takes place in May and September on successive Saturdays. [The above historical information was provided by Theresa Clifton-Sarpy (historian), 187 Clifton Road, Clifton, LA 71447, who is responsible for registering both cemeteries, Clifton and Neal, with the Cemetery Board in Metairie in 1974. (1) Gregory, Dr. Hiram "Pete" F., "On the Road to Recognition: The Louisiana Indians since 1900," 1981, [unpublished manuscript], Jean Lafitte National Park, New Orleans, LA. (2) Everett, Russell I., "The Speech of the Tri-Racial Group Composing the Community of Clifton, LA," a Thesis/R.S. State Teacher's College, Slippery Rock, PA, 1956, May 1958. (3) Campisi, Dr. Jack (NARF - Anthop./Ectno, Red Hook, New York), 1992. Notes by Mary Parker Partain The property where Schoubrook Cemetery in Rapides Parish is located was originally a stagecoach stop during the 1800's. The land was sold to Mrs. Schonbrock by Catherin Clifton Jones (a daughter of Jesse Clifton). Another small Indian cemetery is supposed to be in this immediate area near the community of Hicks (in Vernon Parish), but we have not been successful in locating the site or finding anyone with information on the cemetery. Clifton Crossing is just down the road from the Clifton Cemetery. The remains (pilings) of the old bridge are still visible, and remains of one old piling that belonged to the first bridge are just beyond this point. Huge cypress trees hang over the bridge and some of the largest cypress knees in this area are growing here. Although the property in this area is posted by two lumber companies, the gravel road and bridge are public. The Clifton community cemeteries are located in southwest Rapides Parish near the Clifton Community. These closely-knit families, whose ancestors carved a living from the virgin pine forest of the middle 1800's, by farming, logging, and trading, were some of the earliest settlers of this area. They were certainly some of the first native families of Rapides and Vernon Parishes, and their descendants still retain close ties with the land. For more information on these cemeteries, their history, the community, and it's people, contact Henry M. Neal, Sr. or Theresa Clifton-Sarpy (1992). Both of the cemeteries are fenced and very well maintained by the families whose ancestors are buried there. Recording for each of these cemeteries was begun just inside the front gate, immediately to the right in rows from front to back. They were recorded by Jane P. McManus and Mary Parker Partain on 18 September 1992. Additional information was given by Anna Neal and Theresa Clifton-Sarpy, members of the Choctaw Tribe, being direct descendants of the first native families of the area. CLIFTON CEMETERY A plaque near Jessie Clifton's burial reads: "Jesse Clifton donated Clifton Cemetery for the internment of Clifton descendants. Clifton Crossing Road. In memory of Jackson Clifton, son of Jesse Clifton and Jane Weatherford Clifton, the first person buried in the Clifton Cemetery, March 11, 1875. Clifton, Jesse - 15 Dec 1812/23 Dec 1889 Clifton, Jane Weatherford - 14 Mar 1825/2 Jan 1899" Row 1: [front to back} Webb, Rev. Nell T. - 26 Jun 1937/7 Mar 1991 [funeral marker] Shackleford, William H. - 5 Jun 1903/19 Dec 1984 Scarborough, Joshua Blake - 10 Feb 1991/5 Mar 1991 [funeral marker] Son of Keith & Tracy Scarborough Tyler, Edgar R.[Ray] - 15 Feb 1955/3 Jul 1977 Shackleford, Marilyn Teresa - 9 Aug 1963/5 Oct 1963 Infant daughter of Trinilee & Nellie Shackleford Tyler, Myrtle L. - 17 May 1957/27 Mar 1959 Tyler, Arthur [Sr.] - 4 Feb 1920/26 Apr 1972, Pfc. US Army WW2 Clifton, Miss Lydia - 28 Feb 1915/11 Oct 1959 Tyler, John M. - 2 Oct 1941/25 Mar 1986 Tyler, Columbus - 3 Mar 1901/10 Jan 1989 Row 2: [back to front] Tyler, Birk - 2 Aug 1932/21 Jan 1987 Tyler, Cora - 8 Aug 1906/5 Feb 1969 Smith, Jessie - [no dates] [concrete cross - no inscription] Smith, Peer [Pierre], husband of Virginia Smith - [no dates] Smith, Virginia, wife of Peer [Pierre] S. - [no dates] Clifton, Sarah, wife of Jackson C. - [no dates] Smith, Dave - [no dates] Smith, Peter - [no dates] [2 concrete crosses - no inscription] Tyler, Virginia Neal, wife of John Tyler - 20 Aug 1866/13 Sep 1915 Tyler, John - 27 Aug 1858/5 Sep 1936 Father Shackelford, Rachel Tyler - 8 Oct 1896/19 Mar 1928 Sister Wife of William Shackelford Smith, Infant of M&M Joe Smith - [no dates] [concrete infant marker - no inscription] Brown, Zebide - [no dates] Tyler, Eugene Jerry - 22 Feb 1909/24 Jan 1968 Husband Tyler, Annie Mae - 22 May 1951/25 Jan 1990 [funeral marker] Walker, Wanda Sue & baby - 21 Oct 1950/23 Apr 1971 Tyler, Shirley Jean - 6 Jan 1964/17 Sep 1971 Row 3: [front to back] Tyler, Mae Belle [Clifton] - 11 Jul 1966/31 May 1985 Tyler, Emma Clifton, wife of Felix Tyler - 15 Sep 1888/2 Sep 1973 Salazar, Patsy Clifton, wife of Raymon Salazar - 20 Sep 1884/1 Mar 1965 Wife of Raymon Salazar Clifton, Willie - 17 May 1859/17 Oct 1917 Clifton, Violet Tyler - 17 Jun 1863/20 Oct 1916 Wife of Willie Clifton [d/o James Tyler & Betsey Terrell] Clifton, Infant of Martha Clifton - [no dates] [concrete stone - no inscription] Smith, Curtis - 5 Feb 1854/26 Nov 1900 Smith, Mariah Clifton - died 27 Apr 1933, 76 yrs. Wife of Kirt Smith [d/o Jessie Clifton & Jane Weatherford] [small concrete stone - no inscription] [Founder of Clifton Community]: Clifton, Jane [Weatherford] - 14 Mar 1825/2 Jan 1899 Tyler, Betsey [Terrell] - 2 Jan 1847/1 Aug 1890 Wife of James Tyler [Founder of Clifton Community]: Clifton, Jessie - 15 Dec 1812/23 Dec 1889 Clifton, Jesse - 2 Sep 1864/21 May 1886 Son of Jane & Jesse [Jessie] Clifton Clifton, Jackson - 29 Dec 1850/11 Mar 1875 Son of Jane & Jessie Clifton [concrete cross - no inscription] [concrete cross - no inscription] [2 concrete crosses - no inscription] Tyler, Lonie - 28 Oct 1908/25 Nov 1929 Clifton, Gladist - 8 Nov 1918/26 Jul 1932 Smith, Mrs. Ella - 12 Aug 1889/7 Dec 1945 Clifton, Elijah - 17 May 1881/3 Oct 1969 Row 4: [back to front] Tyler, Infant son of Lisa Ann Tyler - 13 Feb 1981 Tyler, Isabelle S. - 5 Jul 1902/8 Mar 1965 [w/o Lafayette Tyler] Tyler, Lafayette [A.] - 25 Dec 1899/23 Jan 1963 Tyler, Vera, daughter of M&M Lafayette Tyler - 30 Jun 1935/6 Aug 1937 Tyler, Infant daughter of Lessie Tyler - 13 Jul 1952 Tyler, Rebecca D. - 22 May 1966 Infant daughter of Jewel D. Tyler & Clyde Smith Terrell, Marion - 29 Sep 1875/6 Jan 1897 "He is at rest" Terrell, Sarah Clifton - 15 Dec 1839/16 Jan 1918 Wife of Miles Terrell Terrell, Miles - 31 Oct 1835/9 Dec 1878 [concrete stone - no inscription] [concrete cross - no inscription] [concrete stone - no inscription] Smith, Georgie A. Terrell - 29 Jun 1868/27 Jan 1897 Wife of Horace Smith Smith, Horris [sic] - 19 Jun 1855/22 Oct 1933 Smith, Archie - 22 May 1886/13 Aug 1946 Smith, Frank - 6 Jan 1890/27 Aug 1953 Smith, Sarah Jane - 11 Jul 1911/5 Feb 1956 Smith, Josephine [Metoyer] - 9 Mar 1888/2 Jan 1957 Smith, Viola - 10 Jun 1896/20 Oct 1979 Clifton, Murphy - 27 Dec 1954/4 Jul 1979 [s/o J.C. Clifton] Clifton, Milfert - 27 Dec 1954/31 Dec 1954 Infant son of M&M J.C. Clifton Shackleford, Minnie Tyler - 5 Mar 1911/4 Apr 1959 Mother Wife of Shirley Shackleford Shackleford, Shirley [Shelly] - 23 Jun 1900/20 Jul 1968 Father Shackleford, C.R. - 5 Mar 1931/23 Sep 1971 Son/Brother Clifton, J.C. - [Jan 1929]/11 Mar 1991, 62 yrs. 2 mos. 10 das. [funeral marker] Row 5: [front to back] Tyler, Idell - 25 Dec 1913/23 Feb 1986 Mother [new burial - no funeral marker] Tyler, Merida - 1886/12 Oct 1967 Neal, Irene - Mar 1909/Mar 1928 Neal, Infant of M&M Jim Neal - [no dates] Tyler, Infant of Julie Tyler - died 1927 [3 concrete stones - no inscriptions] Infants Smith, Jackson C.[Camilla] - 23 Nov 1897/11 Jul 1918 Son of Frank & Mary Jane [Tyler] Smith Tyler, Julia - 17 Apr 1865/29 Apr 1929 Aunt Tyler, Jerry - 5 Apr 1829/20 Oct 1913 Tyler, Henrietta, wife of Jerry Tyler - 12 Mar 1840/29 Apr 1905 Tyler, Infant of M&M Jerry Tyler - [no dates] Tyler, Edward W. - 8 Jan 1857/23 Jul 1878 Son of Henrietta & Jerry Tyler Tyler, Ervin - 19 Oct 1930/22 Mar 1946 [old stone: Irvin Tyler] Tyler, Nellie - 9 Nov 1916/1 Jan 1932 Tyler, Bulah - 28 Jun 1911/22 Mar 1932 Tyler, John Jr. - 27 Oct 1889/15 Feb 1965 Son of John & Virginia Tyler Tyler, Maggie Smith - 5 Oct 1893/4 Aug 1972 Mother Wife of John Tyler Row 6: [back to front] Tyler, James - 7 Aug 1894/4 Nov, 1958 LA Pvt. Btry. F 137th Field Arty. WW1 Tyler, Infant - [no dates][hand-lettered stone] Daughter of James & Bertha tyler Tyler, Mable - 10 Dec 1929/5 May 1930 [hand-lettered stone] Daughter of M&M James Tyler Tyler, James - 15 Mar 1837/13 Nov 1908 [concrete cross - no inscription] Clifton, Infant - [no dates, small hand-lettered stone] [concrete cross - no inscription] Scott, William - 1 Jan 1832/6 Nov 1911 Smith, Mary J., wife of Frank Smith - 5 Mar 1857/8 Jun 1939 Smith, Frank - 2 Apr 1856/11 Nov 1944 Tyler, Della - 10 Oct 1900/6 Jul 1950 Mother Tyler, Louis - [10 Mar 1888]/24 Jun 1982, 94 yrs. [Funeral marker] [unreadable funeral marker - no information] Smith, John W. - 7 Mar 1892/29 Jan 1971 [large brick vault] Row 7: [front to back] Clifton, Curtis Sr. - 1 Jan 1942/14 Oct 1991 Clifton, Elsie Mae - 3 Oct 1938/16 Mar 1987 Mother Shackelford, Lena - 8 Mar 1905/13 Mar 1986 Mother Clifton, Falas - died 9 Mar 1963 Father [concrete stone - no inscription] Infant Clifton, Mattie - died 9 Feb 1963 Mother Clifton, Mary, daughter of Falas & Mattie Clifton - [no dates] [2 concrete crosses - no inscription] Thomas, Francis - Jun 1873/9 Nov 1914 Clifton, Infant Bertha - [no dates] [concrete stone - no inscription] Infant Clifton, Daniel - 3 Dec 1845/10 May 1933 Father [hand-lettered stone] Clifton, Rhoda Terrell - 17 Oct 1840/9 Sep 1904 Wife of Daniel Clifton Clifton, Bonnie - [no dates, concrete stone] Clifton, Mernevie - [no dates, concrete stone] Clifton, Louise - [no dates, concrete stone] Clifton, Ada - [no dates, concrete stone] Clifton, Mary - [no dates, concrete stone] Clifton, Rhoda - 4 Sep 1877/6 Oct 1955 Row 8: [back to front] Shackleford, Miles - 12 Mar 1898/3 Jan 1985 Father Shackleford, Ronald - 10 May 1940/9 Feb 1978 [small concrete footstone: Donnie Shackleford] Shackleford, Alvin - 25 Aqug 1937/3 Oct 1960 Owens, Ann [Neal] - Oct 1887/3 Oct 1962 Shackleford, Nellie Ada - 24 Nov 1895/4 Jun 1928 [concrete cross - no inscription] Clifton, Jackson - 20 Apr 1868/8 Apr 1938 Smith, Josephine, wife of Archie S. Smith - [no dates] Ford, Maryka - 10 Jun 1905, 70 yrs. Clifton, Augusta [Gus] - 20 Aug 1873/16 Mar 1918 Clifton, Laura Tyler - 14 Jul 1875/17 Dec 1942 Mother Wife of Gus Clifton Clifton, L. Mire - 22 Nov 1897/1 Dec 1923 Ball, Ellawese - [no dates, infant burial] Telefore, Infant of Amelia Telefore - [no dates] Tyler, Alice Smith - 15 Jun 1890/10 Nov 1922 Mother Wife of Thomas Tyler Tyler, Ambrose, son of Tom Tyler - 5 Jun 1922/14 Sep 1922 Clifton, Louanna [Smith] - 22 Mar 1907/6 Nov 1977 Mother Smith, Haywood - 1925/1986, US Navy WW2 Row 9: [front to back] Thomas, Gipson - 11 Nov 1907/8 Dec 1980 [concrete stone - no inscription] Clifton, Altonet Neal - 21 Sep 1903/20 Sep 1977 Mother Clifton, Jessie Lee - 20 Sep 1909/16 Jun 1974 Byone, Eddie Ray - 8 Aug 1968 [hand-lettered cross] Son of Theresa Clifton & Eddie Byone Clifton, Isaac - 20 Dec 1923/14 Jun 1932 Mother Clifton, Birt - 20 Nov 1894/3 Apr 1930 Tyler, Felix - 10 Feb 1892/21 Jun 1942 Tyler, Rosia Smith, wife of Felix Tyler - 5 Apr 1890/27 Nov 1937 Tyler, Mary - 5 May 1915/1 Jun 1925 Daughter of Felix & Rosia Tyler Tyler, Lydia - 9 Jan 1918/14 Feb 1918 Daughter of Felix & Rosia Tyler Tyler, Guinarie - 30 Apr 1913/19 Jan 1918 Daughter of Felix & Rosia Tyler Tyler, Phillip - 13 Dec 1911/9 Nov 1917 Son of Felix & Rosia Tyler [concrete marker - no inscription] Infant Shackelford, Ella Thomas - 13 Apr 1894/30 Apr 1920 Wife of Walter Shackelford Clifton, Mahalia - 1906/1927 Telefore, Amelia - 3 Nov 1888/14 Nov 1985 [funeral marker] Telefore, Joe - 10 Sep 1877/28 Apr 1978 Baker, Delmer L. - 22 Jan 1927/13 Dec 1984 [funeral marker] Row 10: [back to front] Smith, Clyde - 21 Feb 1946/10 Sep 1988 Smith, Infant - 17 Oct 1981/17 Oct 1981 Son of Clyde & Claudis Smith Tyler, Infant son of M&M Norris Tyler - 3 Mar 1968 Thomas, Fred, son of Joe & Celia Thomas - 7 Nov 1927/23 Jul 1929 Shackelford, C.A. - 10 Jan 1924/14 Aug 1974 Thomas, Joe - 8 May 1892/19 Apr 1976 Pvt. US Army WW1, 43rd Inf. Co.K Thomas, Celia Clifton - 17 Aug 1900/5 Jan 1979 Mother Wife of Joe Thomas Tyler, Damien Demetrius - 1 Dec 1979/9 Dec 1979 [?Clifton?, unreadable], Willie - [unreadable dates - funeral marker] Clifton, Maebelle Tyler - 8 Oct 1913/8 Dec 1954 Mother Wife of Joe Thomas Tyler, Carroll - 12 Mar 1887/7 Aug 1984 Father Tyler, Anna Terrell - 3 Jun 1888/28 Oct 1928 Mother [Double Stone] Tyler, Caroll [Jr.] - 14 Jan 1923/16 May 1958 Tyler, Robert - 5 Jan 1912/8 Apr 1973 Tyler, Isiah - 5 Jun 1928/24 Nov 1988 Tyler, Leo N. - 15 Jan 1896/7 May 1983 Tyler, Sarah Jane - AD 1862/14 Aug 1935 Mother [hand-lettered stone] Tyler, Edmond - 1858/18 Sep 1937 Father Tyler, Edmond [Jr.] - [no dates] Tyler, Thomas - 6 Oct 1891/15 Apr 1987 Dad Thomas, Walter - 15 Apr 1910/17 Apr 1962 Father Thomas, Mrs. Lillie Belle - 2 Dec 1917/21 May 1989, 71 yrs. Row 11: [front to back] Tyler, Albert - 20 Oct 1909/1 Aug 1989 Tyler, Flint N. - 13 Oct 1959/13 Feb 1992 Daddy Shackelford, Infant - b&d 5 May 1972 Son of Fred & Lucinda Shackelford