Contributed by Rae May



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I, too, did not live in Union Parish.  I would spend the summers of my 
"wonder bread" years at my grandparents farms (DURRETT/CUMMINGS/CULBERTSON), 
located just southeast of Arcadia, just over the Bienville parish line into 
Lincoln Parish.

I have very recently returned from a trip to north LA...rendezvoused with my 
Mom and had a wonderful time in union parish.  I rented a car.  We drove and 
enjoyed the geography, pine trees, lake d'Arbonne, we explored 
CULBERTSON cemetery and the library in Farmerville, LA. and Mom loved the 
fried chicken livers she ordered for lunch....

I am related to Mary PAYNE, born 4/10/1818 in Texas and died 8/02/1881 in 
union parish.  She was married to William H. CULBERTSON, born 7/11/1812 in 
Morgan County, GA and died 11/17/1812 in Union parish.  Who were her parents? 
And why/when did she move to Union Parish?  I have no record of any children 
from this union, where there any that died?  

Her grandniece (who is my great-grandmother) was named Mary Payne CULBERTSON, 
born 10/6/1876 in Denison (Grayson Cty) TX and died 3/30/1966.  She is buried 
in Driskill cemetery, next to her husband, William Hardy CUMMINGS, born 
1/12/1878 in Bienville Parish and died 7/4/1906......in a fire at the 
Ouachita Hotel, Monroe, LA.  His death has always been mysterious.  Different 
versions have circulated in the family for years.  I found a tiny mention in 
the newspaper microfilmed at Farmerville, LA.  And I found confirmation of 
the two others who had died in the fire.  The proprietress of the hotel, and 
her husband. I wonder the true circumstance of the fire.  Interesting, isn't 
it?!

It left my great-grandmother a widow at a very young age, with 3 small 
children to raise.  My grandmother, Lela Mae CUMMINGS was the middle 
daughter.  Mammy, as we called Mary Payne CULBERTSON CUMMINGS raised her 
children right near the family of her sister, Willie Maude CULBERTSON.  In 
her later years, Mammy, lived with and was taken care of, by her daughter, 
Lela Mae and husband, Millard B. DURRETT.  

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