St. James A.M.E. Church and Burial Grounds, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Jerry Nelson, Jan. 2005. File Prepared by Sandra McLellan ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ St. James A.M.E. Burial Grounds Published in The Hammond Vindicator: 6/24/1949 *************************************************************************** Negro Burial Ground On East Thomas Street To Be Cleaned, Renovated By W. L. Jennings A recent issue of the Vindicator suggested that inasmuch as I had had some little experience in the renovation of cemeteries, that something should be done along that line in regards to the old St. James A. M. E. Church burial grounds on East Thomas street, opposite the Capitol Store. As a civic improvement, the challenge was accepted. After several meetings with some of Hammond's prominent Negro citizens, plans were made, and actual work of clearing the grounds of weeds and briars that had obscured same for a decade or more started Wednesday morning when descendants of some of the early Negro families tackled the herculean job. The work is being done without cost. The cemetery, overgrown with rank vegetation for so many years, had lost its identity, and few people in Hammond knew of its existance, and looked upon it as a vacant lot. A close inspection, however, would reveal one or two large vaults of concrete or brick, but as the work of clearing got underway Wednesday, other vaults and headstones were brought to light. An old colored man, Levi Carter, one of the volunteer workers, said that several hundred bodies were interred there during the years the cemetery was used. The St. James Church, the first Negro church in Hammond, was organized in 1867, eighty two years ago, by Charles Daggs, and served the congregation until 1925. The corner stone of the original church was removed to the new church building on North Holly street at that time. The stone bears the following inscription: "St. James A. M. E. Church, organized by Charles Daggs, 1867. Rebuilt by Rev. W. S. Coffee in 1904." At that time O. J. LeBeouf, P. E. and Rt. Rev. C. S. Smith, bishop, were prominent Negroes of the community. Trustees were I. Carter, J. Haynes, J. Gibbons, E. M. Jones and L. Carter, secretary. As the burial grounds were cleaned during the past two days, and the many tombs and headstones exposed, it was revealed that its founder Charles Daggs, was buried beneath a stone marker, bearing his name and the following inscription: "U. S. Navy," indicating that during some period of his life he had served his country. Levi Carter, well versed on the history of the church and its cemetery, is 72 years of age. He recalls the early days when that portion of Hammond was just woods. In the early days the church owned considerable land, all of which was sold, with the exception of the burial grounds, when the present church was built. The tomb of the Carter family, built of brick, and well preserved, contains the remains of his mother, four sisters and a brother; Tizzy Hogan, his aunt, and four of her children. Israel Carter, his brother, was eighteen years old when he was killed by a train while crossing the tracks after leaving the old Oaks Hotel, where he had been employed. There is another headstone with the name "George" 1881-1910 with the inscription: "I am Sitting Round the Throne." W. S. Coffee, pastor of the church at one time, is also buried there. The headstone bears no dates. In the rear , a large cement vault bears the faint inscription: "Dasey Arlington." There are many other markers, some half buried and others toppled over. When restored, these may also reveal some interesting facts of long ago. There is another grave without a marker, bearing evidence of care, with the remains of wilted bouquets placed there not long ago by some relative. Just in the rear of Dr. Reid's old home there is a headstone with the following: "Beatress, daughter of Lymus Ricks, 1915, At Rest with Jesus." A fund is being raised to erect a low concrete block fence across the front of the cemetery, and those men who have given their time in the restoration work have pledged themselves to the upkeep. When the work has been completed and the fence erected, Rev. Jackson, pastor of the St. James Church, will hold commemorative services on the grounds in memory of the departed buried there. The several prominent Negro citizens who have contributed time and money to the project are: S. L. Campbell, funeral director; Dr. M. N. Byrd, dentist; N. A. James and Martha James, funeral directors; and Willie Stovall. Among those volunteers who have done the work of clearing are: Levi Carter, Oscar Brown, Charles Gibson, Len Williams, Sanders Jones, and Louis Murray.