McNutt Hill Cemetery, Rapides Parish Louisiana Submitted by Jane Parker Mcmanus ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Directions: From Alexandria, go west on LA Hwy. 28 and turn right at Gardner onto LA Hwy. 121. McNutt Hill Cemetery is located several miles down this road on the left about one mile from McNutt Community (near the intersection of LA Hwy. 121 & Bayou Rapides Road (LA Hwy. 496). The gate is kept locked because of past vandalism and to prevent future problems with unauthorized visitors. Permission to enter can be obtained from persons whose family members are buried in McNutt Cemetery, and who have keys (1992). McNutt Hill Cemetery cannot be seen from LA Hwy. 121, and there is no sign on the gate. A good dirt and gravel road leads to the top of the hill. Dogwood trees are scattered throughout the cemetery, under large moss-draped cedar trees. A driveway divides the cemetery down the center. White burials are behind a fence on the right at the end of the road. Several family plots are fenced separately within this area. African-American burials are on the left after you enter the main gate, and are scattered throughout the woods. These burials will be listed separately. Tombstone inscriptions recorded by Mary Parker Partain, May 1992, and submitted by Jane P. McManus. * * * History * * * The hill (for which the community of McNutt Hill is named) is located in the piney woods south of Bayou Rapides. The hill itself contained springs and clear water, and was used often as a camp site for travelers because of the fresh water. Local residents used their wagons to transport water from the spring to their homes. Messrs. Albert Hunter and Trent James tried to bring fresh water to the homes along the bayou by employing Irish laborers to dig a ditch from Brown's Creek near Gardner to Mr. Hunter's home on Bayou Rapides. Some of the planters on the Red River and Bayou Rapides had summer homes in the McNutt Hill area and other piney woods areas. These areas were considered healthier than the mosquito infested low lands. During the Civil War there were skirmishes at McNutt Hill in the spring of 1864. One account of the skirmish between the Union and Confederate troops relates that when the two forces met, a Union soldier rode out in front of the encamped Confederates and challenged any one of them to meet him for a sword duel. The challenge was met and the Confederate got the best of that fight, but another challenge was made and answered. This continued and all the while the Union army was circling behind for a sneak attack. The ruse and diversion was successful. The Confederates complained that this was a "Yankee trick." John A. Murrell, a lawyer and Methodist minister from Tennessee, became a bandit leading a large band of outlaws into the "strip," the Neutral Zone or No Man's Land. There is some dispute over where and how Murrell died. One story is that before the Civil War began, Murrell and some of his gang tortured and killed a man named Adams. As it turned out, Adams was a friend of Dan Kimbrell, another member of the Murrell gang. While Murrell, his Lt. John Brown, and a subordinate were sitting around a camp fire at McNutt Hill one night, Kimbrell killed Murrell and his subordinate with buckshot during the night. Brown escaped and left the region. The above history is reprinted with permission from "Historic Hineston," Don C. Marler, Dogwood Press: Woodville TX, 1991, pp. 86-87. [Inside the front gate]: West, ? Mrs. - died 28 Oct 1970 [unreadable funeral marker] West, John - ?5 May 1897/Dec 1937? [hand-lettered stone] West, Pruty - ?7 Nov 1861/28 Dec 1952? [hand-lettered stone] West, Sylvester - 5 Apr 1894/12 May 1975, Pfc. US Army WW1 Paul, Annie Laura Maier - 23 Aug 1891/3 Mar 1969 (Wife of John Howard Paul Sr.) * * * [Fenced Dunnam Plot] * * * Sewell, Maud Dunnam - 29 Dec 1889/4 Mar 1975 Dunnam, Frances Eugene - 17 Dec 1881/12 Jan 1936 Cruikshank, Julia E. - 17 Oct 1847/10 Jan 1912 Wife of Dr. Jas. A. Cruikshank Sewell, Francis A., M.D. - 25 Feb 1923/24 Feb 1990 Sewell, Nina Jane Nash - 17 Feb 1929/14 Jul 1967 Wife of Francis A. Sewell Dunnam, Julia Gertrude - 20 Dec 1887/2 Sep 1894 Daughter of F.J. & E. Dunnam Dunnam, Eleanor Swann - 8 Feb 1853/19 May 1930 Wife of F.J. Dunnam Dunnam, Francis J. - 24 Aug 1849/7 Mar 1893 [Masonic Emblem] [2 6' obelisks] Dunnam, Cecelia Agnes - 1883/1953 Dunnam, Arthur T. - 27 Oct 1884/15 Dec 1887 Son of F.J. & E. Dunnam Dunnam, N.H. - 18 Oct 1886/17 Feb 1887 Daughter of F.J. & E. Dunnam Sewell, Andrew Bennett - 25 Oct 1962/2 Nov 1980 Hunter, Ruby Pearl Dunnam - 10 Oct 1896/30 Jun 1942 Wife of F.D. Hunter Dunnam, Elizabeth Agnes Shaw - 29 Mar 1868/9 Nov 1937 [7' obelisk] Wife of Milton J. Dunnam Dunnam, Milton J. - 21 Nov 1845/2 Nov 1907 [7' obelisk] Dunnam, Infant - died 22 Aug 1895, 11 das. Daughter of M.J. & E.A. Dunnam [end of Dunnam plot] * * * [Stracener Plot] * * * Bridges, James Guy, son of J.J. Bridges - born Mar/died Jul [stone is broken] [Bridges, sons of John Bridges - broken stones] Murphy, Oscar W. - 23 Mar 1902/2 Dec 1960 Murphy, Edith M. - 3 Apr 1913/[no dates] [Double Stone] Murphy, Garner H. - 8 Aug 1899/2 Dec 1986 [Masonic Emblem] Stracener, Edward Lee - 24 Aug 1908/[no dates][Masonic Emblem] Stracener, Jessie Beatrice Murphey - 25 Jan 1909/22 May 1954 Wife [Eastern Star Emblem] Murphey, Annie M. Bridges - 12 Jul 1878/14 Feb 1937 Mother Wife of George H. Murphey Murphey, George H. - 24 Mar 1862/4 Oct 1923 Father Murphey, Alfred C. - 26 Jan 1907/11 Jan 1924 Brother Murphey, Katherine E. - 3 Jul 1904/23 Aug 1935 Sister * * * [end of Stracener Plot] * * * [burials against the left fence in a single row]: Layssard, Doris B. - 13 Feb 1932/[no dates] Mother Layssard, Walter Richard - 10 Aug 1923/31 Aug 1978 MSgt. USAF WW2 Korea Vietnam [Double Stone] - Married 28 Jun 1952 Layssard, Robert L. - 3 Aug 1897/17 Sep 1966 Layssard, Howard - 4 Oct 1886/12 Sep 1965 LA Pvt. 3rd Co. Coast Arty. WW1 West, Lucy Layssard - 16 Aug 1898/5 Feb 1991 Marien, Francis Marvin - 28 Oct 1925/5 Oct 1973 Brother Scoggins, Richard - 19 May 18??/10 Dec 185?, 1 yr. 7 mos. Son of Henry & Harriet Scoggins [2 unreadable funeral markers in a grove of cedar trees] Dawson, Rosa Sarah - 7 Feb 1875/11 Sep 1884 Dawson, Joseph Texada - 24 Apr 1876/11 Sep 1886 McKneely, Claud Octo - 24 Sep 1897/14 Sep 1902 Grandson of J.H. Dawson Dawson, Mrs. Susan - 1849/193? [broken stone] * * * [Rear of the Cemetery] * * * [A large brick enclosure is in the rear left corner of the cemetery. It has a small low-walled brick fence (about 1' high) near the right front of the enclosure. A 10' tall obelisk with inscriptions on four sides is outside and to the right of both enclosures.] Manning, Children of Thomas C. & Mary Louisa Manning Manning, Louisa Iradell - 9 Feb 1860/4 Nov 1861 Manning, Winifred Alston - 7 Nov 1854/30 Jan 1860 Manning, Elizabeth Blair - 14 Feb 1849/26 Jan 1860 [this obelisk is about 10' tall with inscription on 4 sides] Manning, Thomas Cathcart - 19 Mar 1857/16 Apr 1882 [this large stone on concrete slab with the above large obelisk] Parsons, Mary F. Wilson - 30 Aug 1828 Bethel VT/31 Jan 1852 Wife of Frederick Parsons * * * [small-walled enclosure] * * * [Note: At one time this wall looks as if it was much taller than it is now. On the back side it was about 6' tall. A section of 6' brick, with little holes in the granite top looks as if there might have been an iron fence on top of the brick. The front may have had a gate as granite steps are on each side. MPP] Winn, Frances Eleanor - 24 Jan 1836/5 Aug 1840 [large 10' obelisk] Eldest daughter of Richard Winn & his wife Emma Marie Overton "This tomb also covers the remains of an infant brother of the above whose birth and death were the same" "Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade, Death came with friendly care, The opening bud to Heaven conveyed and bated it blossom there" Winn, Richard - died 5 Oct 1840, 36 yrs. "Who departed this life on the 5th of October A.D. 1840 in the 36th year of his age. During his brief career, the deceased had won high distinction, as a lawyer and a statesman. Not only by his commanding talents, but by the purity of his life, and the spotless integrity of his character - his best eulogy is to be found in the fond regrets which linger around his tomb and in the warm tears which embalms his memory." [10 or 12' obelisk, with missing dome] Winn, Emma Maria - 20 Jan 1817/Apr 1848? [broken slab] Consort of Richard Winn and daughter of William [Walter] and Harriet Overton] [2 unmarked burials - no information] Moore, William L. - 5 Oct 1835/23 Jul 1840 Second son of Thomas O. Moore & his wife Bethia Leonard Moore, John - 15 Nov 1833/9 Nov 1840 [unreadable dates] Eldest son of Thomas O. Moore & his wife Bethia Leonard [only half of this large broken remains] Brent, James Fenwick - 5 Feb 1814 St. Martinsville LA/15 Jun 1847 "He was a distinguished lawyer and a leading member of the convention that framed the new constitution of Louisiana. His fame is written on the fundamental law of this state and his virtues are enshrined in the hearts of kindred, friends, and a mourning community." [10' tall obelisk] Brent, Alice Overton - 19 Oct ?1856?, 12 yrs. "The 3rd daughter of the late James Fenwick Brent, who departed this life 19th October ?1856? in the 12th year of her age. A rose shook from the tree of life, 'ere it had time to bloom. She never knew the passions of life, but found an angel's tomb." Overton, Gen. Walter Hampden - died 24 Dec 1845, 57 yrs. "Who departed this life in the 57th year of his age on the 24th day of December A.D. 1845. A soldier, patriot, and Christian. May the Warrior's wreath have been exchanged for that brighter crown which fadeth not away." [this obelisk is identical to Brent monument, but not quite as tall] Overton, Harriet - died 29 Sep 1853, 60 yrs. "Consort of Gen. Walter H. Overton who departed this life on the 29th of September 1853 in the 60th year of her age." [the epitaph is almost unreadable, the stone is broken in several places and putting it together is difficult as some words are missing: [broken corner] of the daughters [broken area] of the Mississippi, who ----- ---------- [broken] the perils and ?Indians? of an early period in its history [broken, words missing[ bride she knew not fear and she performed every duty incumbent upon her at every [broken] ---- ----- and lived to see herself surrounded by a numerous family and a community of attached friends who mourned, truly and deeply, her departure at an advanced age to that bright land above on which her thoughts were kind with Christian faith with all the vicissitudes of life. None knew her but to love her, none named her but to praise her." [open area between the walled enclosures and the left fence]: Layssard, Lucy A. Cruikshank - 18 May 1861/18 Jul 1939, 78 yrs. Wife of B. Layssard Layssard, Walter - 18 Jun 1894/2 Feb 1957, LA Pvt. 1st Dev. Bn. WW1 Layssard, Peter Beauregard - 8 Aug 1861/29 May 1931 Father Layssard, Brown - 17 Jul 1925/4 Jul 1927 Layssard, Leon - 28 Dec 1928/28 Dec 1928 Malone, Baby - b&d 27 Oct 1938 [3 infant burials at the foot of the above burials - no information] Nixon, Mattie, wife of Jabez B. Nixon - 28 Dec 1870/7 Nov 1897 "Just when we learn to love her most, God called her back to Heaven" "It was sweet to listen to the words that flowed from thy dear lips, alas! Now sealed in death" [6' obelisk, inscription on 2 sides] [broken marble stone - no information] Cruikshank, Dr. James A. - 3 Oct 1839/5 Dec 1897 Cruikshank, James A. Jr. - 13 Sep 1867/18 Oct 1897 [These 2 stones are identical] Cruikshank, Isabella S. - [b. ca 1841-2] /6 Aug 1883 Born in Kent Co. MD/died in Rapides Parish LA. Wife of Dr. Jas. A. Cruikshank [Isabella S. Ringgold, daughter of James Ringgold & Elizabeth Cruikshank, MD] Cruikshank, Mrs. M.E.[Martha E. Texada] - 18 Jan 1821/[unreadable] 1893 Born and died in Rapides Parish LA [Wife of Robert Cruikshank] [stone was broken & repaired across dates, death day & month unreadable] Cruikshank, Dr. Rob't. - 20 Apr 1810/13 Jun 1880, 70 yrs. 1 mo. 24 das. Born in Kent City MD/died Rapides Parish LA * * * [end of walled area] * * * [to the right of the large walled enclosure]: Haworth, Absalom Burnett - 22 Apr 1797/17 Sep 1830 [round monument] Haworth, Absolem B. - died 24 Nov 1840, 8 yrs. Callys [Sallis], James A. - died 29 Sep 1827, about 22 yrs. A native of Chapuco, MD, who departed this life on the 29th September 1827, aged about 22 years. [hand-lettered concrete stone, engraved in script] * * * [Texada Plot] * * * [This enclosure is in the shape of an "L" and is surrounded by a 6' brick wall. The corner post of the wall and the gate is about 1-1/2 feet taller than the wall. There was some vandalism in this area, and many of the tombs have been broken and are mended. MPP] Texada, Ann Bernard - 13 Apr 1822/11 Oct 1849 Wife Married 3 Aug 1840 [5' obelisk] DeTexada, Mahalah Trevillion - 12 Dec 1768/11 Dec 1860 Consort of Manuel Garcia deTexada Texada, John Henry - died 16 Jun 1816, 10 yrs. "departed this life 16 Jun 1816 in the 10th year of his age to join his mother in realms above" "The bright hope of a father, proud of the promise of a child, who was a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, and a sincere friend were thus forever blighted." [broken marble slab on top of a vault, cracked in half] Texada, John A. - 6 Aug 1789/24 Jan 1869, Married 10 Dec 1811 "Born in Natchez Mississippi 6 Aug 1789, married Lucy Welsh 10 Dec 1811, he died 24 Jun 1869. They sleep their last sleep in the same vault." [on top of this tomb]: Texada, Lucy - died 20 Oct 1815, 51 yrs. "Sacred to the memory of Lucy Texada, consort of Capt. John A. Texada who departed this life in the full assurance of a glorious resurrection on the 20th October A.D. 1815 in the 51st year of her age. For her to live with Christ but to die was gain." Texada, Julia A. - 17 Mar 1813/26 May 1826 Texada, Mary Jane - 15 Dec 1828/9 Oct 1833 Texada, William H. - 11 Aug 1823/12 Aug 1836 Texada, Francis M. - 15 Mar 1826/26 Sep 1836 [brick tomb] [unknown - a child's brick tomb with no inscription, is joined to the side of the above brick tomb] Texada, Margaret Ker - 13 Aug 1835/15 Jan 1926 Wife of Capt. Joseph W. Texada Texada, Joseph Welsh - 15 Jul 1831/14 Jun 1902 * * * [end of Texada plot] * * * [fenced plot behind Texada burials] * * * Texada, Fredda Davis - 28 Sep 1926/9 Jul 1991 Texada, Davidson Hargrove Jr. - 6 Aug 1921/18 Jan 1992 [Double Stone] Davidson, Dr. Albert S. - 8 Sep 1837/12 May 1904 Davidson, Lucy Ann - [no date], 68 yrs. Texada, Jos. W. Jr. - died 23 Oct 1918, 36 yrs. Texada, George Sallis - 1891/1963 Texada, Mae Leggett - 1903/1974 Texada, Davidson H. - 1901/1973 [Double Stone] Bielkiewicz, Laurette Texada - 23 Jan 1911/[no dates] Wife of Belton B. Bielkiewicz Bielkiewicz, Belton B. - 6 Jun 1909/15 Jan 1985 Husband of Laurette Texada [Double Stone] - Married 24 Feb 1933 Texada, Joseph W. - 9 Oct 1858/6 Oct 1922 [Masonic Emblem] Texada, Georgia Sallis - 22 Aug 1868/8 May 1913 Wife of J.W. Texada Texada, Manuel Garcia - 17 Oct 1899/30 Oct 1900 Son of J.W. Texada, Jr. Texada, Richard Scriven - 26 May 1903/13 Mar 1904 Son of J.W. & G.S. Texada Texada, Aimée Tréot, wife of Jos. W. Texada, Jr. Texada, John Pintard - 19 Aug 1895/7 Dec 1987 Texada, Florence Yancey - 10 Sep 1901/28 Dec 1985 [Double Stone] Cruikshank, Simmie - 1 Mar 1895/18 Feb 1909 [identical concrete vault - no inscription] * * * [end of fenced plot] * * *