VARNADO (DR)  GRAVE--WARD 1, TANGIPAHOA PARISH, LA
Recorded and Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Belford Carver, March 15, 2001.

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VARNADO (DR)  GRAVE--WARD 1

Located on the farm of Roy E. Crittenden, 10301 Hwy 440, west of Tangipahoa, LA.  
It is about 50 feet behind his cinder block dairy barn, in dense shrubs.  Sec 45, 
T2S, R6E, just past South Fork of Jenny Branch, north side of the road.  About 
1.5 miles west of the I55 exit.  

The single grave is above ground, bricked, with a  headstone placed horizontally 
on top, at the south end of the vault.  Mr. Crittenden is a retired dairy farmer 
and said that the story was that there was a large tree at one time at this 
location, and Dr. Varnado wanted to be buried under it.  The tree is no longer 
there.  In 1887, Dr. Varnado became involved in a fatal duel.  He said that Dr. 
Varnado was reported to be a dentist.  

Recorded by Belford Carver, March 15, 2001.

Mason symbol
Dr. M. A. Varnado
Born 1832
Died 1887
Co C 3rd La Calvary
1861-1865


From RECORDS OF LA CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS by Booth, Vol III, Book 2, 1984, page 912, 
Dr. Varnado was promoted to 2nd Jr. Lt. on March 1, 1863 and to 2nd Lt. January 23, 
1864.  He was paroled at Gainesville,  Ala., May 12, 1865.  He was in Wingfield's 
calvary. The enlisted date is blank, but according to his headstone, served four 
years.

Another story related to me by Mr. Crittenden, was that a Linzy at one time own the 
property.  He was killed by a kick from his horse.  The concrete foundation of a 
house is still there which Linzy was in the process of building at the time of his 
fatal accident.  It was to form an above ground  ìbasementî to the house.  The 
house Mr. Crittenden occupies is in the shape of a T, which was constructed at 
separate times.  The property has changed hands several times over the years.

The barn is large and made of fine logs of historic design and construction.  
Church meetings were held in the barn by two or three denominations in the early 
days.

-BEC-