Carnahan Cemetery, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Jane Parker McManus

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Directions: Carnahan cemetery is located near the community of Lena in 
Rapides Parish, very close to the Natchitoches Parish line, 1/4 mile from 
Post Office on Lena-Flatwoods Road. Take Lena Exit off Interstate 49 North 
of Boyce. On the right, a few hundred yards from the Cleveland-Cunningham 
cemeteries (Volume I of this series) is a small (10' by 10') wrought-iron 
enclosure with one grave and marker inside. The area has been cleared off 
recently, making the fence visible from road leading to the cemeteries.

Local residents who own the land on which this tiny cemetery is located, 
indicate that the area was once a stagecoach stop. There was a plantation 
nearby and periodically a physician stayed there a few days and people 
from the neighboring homes brought not only their own family members to 
him for treatment, but also their slaves. In the event of a slave's death, 
burial was made on the site, a short distance from the "white" cemetery.  
Tombstone inscriptions were recorded by Mary Parker Partain, March 1993, 
and submitted by Jane Parker McManus, 8 June 2000.

Lawson, Rosanna Carnahan - died 12 Aug 1858, 39 yrs 5 mos 24 das
	Wife of R. W. Lawson, Married 9 Jun 1836
[Note: The 7-foot obelisk is in good condition and still on its base.  
Although there is room in this enclosure for another grave; there are no 
signs remaining today that any ever existed. It is not known at this time 
if other family members are buried near Rosanna, but descendants believe 
this to be the case. Rosanna's husband, R. W. Lawson, is buried in the 
Rougeou Cemetery in Rapides Parish between his second and third wives, 
according to information given to me by his descendant, John Lawson, who 
is not descended from Rosanna Carnahan Lawson.  MPP.]

Outside the enclosure and to the rear is a new marker for a Civil War soldier:
Howerton, Heritage - 30 Mar 1822 / 20 Jan 1873, Sergt. In Capt. Benjamin's La Cav. CSA