Pine Grove Church and Cemetery and Martin Cemetery History and listing of burials was compiled and graciously provided by Nelda Faye Gass Liles of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana for inclusion in the Natchitoches Parish LAGENWEB project. Last update 12/1997.
In the early to middle 1800's the areas west of Natchitoches, LA were beginning to be settled by people of the Protestant faiths. For many years little settlement had occurred in the area now known as Hagewood, LA. as it was considered to be a part of the infamous No Man's Land: the buffer zone between the French held territories adjacent to Natchitoches,LA along the Cane River, and the Spanish territories around Nacogdoches, Texas. With the treaty of 1801 and the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, these lands became more hospitable to settlers.
Pioneers from the Carolinas, Virginia, and Tennessee began moving into Mississippi, many settling in the area of Pike and Amite counties in Mississippi. Their migrations continued into St. Helena Parish, LA and up into Central and Northwest Louisiana: Rapides, Natchitoches, and Sabine Parishes. In general these were English- speaking people of the Protestant faiths, as opposed to the early French Catholic settlers of Natchitoches, and the Spanish-speaking Catholics of the Nacogdoches, TX region. In each community, they established the churches of their Methodist or Baptist faiths. (1)
1855
In the early years the road leading to the southwest section of Natchitoches Parish left the present course of LA 6 along the I-49 and Collins Road area, meandering across the hills and valleys beside Young AE's Bayou, coming to the settlement located on the property today owned by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Guess, marked by the Martin Cemetery. This trail is no longer passable, having been abandoned for many years, and obliterated by the timber and logging operations of later years. If, as noted in the Stephens' notes cited below, Deborah Ellzey was the first person to be interred in the Martin Cemetery, then the establishment of this community and the Martin Cemetery would date from about 1855. (2,3)
1864
John Hill Ellzey, (father of Mary Emmagaard Ellzey Brown, DeWittie Jane Ellzey Wiggins Roy, and Isaac Angelo Ellzey), died in 1864, at the age of forty-two. While his burial place is not known at this time, it is to be expected that he would be desirous of being buried near his family. His young daughter, Deborah, was buried in the Martin Cemetery about 1855. It is probable that his son, William Ellzey, is also buried there. Because none of the graves are marked in this semi-abandoned cemetery, we may never be certain of the final resting place of these members of the Ellzey family, but it is now believed that John Hill Ellzey rests in the Martin Cemetery, Natchitoches Parish Road 632, south of Hagewood, LA.(4)
1877
In 1997, a plat of the old Martin Cemetery (Natchitoches Parish Road 632) was located. This plat, constructed in 1925 by Mrs. Alice Weatherford Martin Stephens (06 Nov 1863/ 27 Nov 1956, daughter of Jim and Mary Martin) indicates that some thirteen persons with the surname Martin are buried in the Martin Cemetery, as well as six in-laws (wives of the Martin men), one Martin grandchild with the Stephens surname, and two other persons of unknown, if any, kinship: Sallie Lightfoot and Edward Shoebrooks.
Ambrose John Martin was born February 14, 1875. His parents, Joe and Mary Martin, died when he was very young, and they were buried in the Martin Cemetery. Therefore we can date their burials, particularly that of his mother, Mary ____ Martin at about 1877. (5)
1882
Information furnished by the Wilkerson family to R. Hyams in 1994 and published in the book, Louisiana's Kisatchie Hills, by Kadlecek and Bullard, indicate some ten burials of Wilkersons, Millers, and Martins in the Martin Cemetery, only two of which are duplicated in the plat constructed by Alice Weatherford Martin Stephens in 1925. The oldest burial indicated by the Wilkerson family is that of Martha A. Miller, wife of Jim Miller, 1830-1882. (6)
1896
The infant daughter of Laurence Wallace Stephens and Alice Weatherford Martin Stephens was buried in Martin Cemetery on October 27, 1896, according to Bible records in possession of Lanora McCallister Welch, granddaughter of Laurence and Alice Stephens. (7)
1938
Thus we appear to be able to document some thirty plus burials in the Martin Cemetery, dating from the burial of Deborah Ellzey about 1855 to the burial of Ida Clara Wilkerson, daughter of John and Laura Wilkerson, on July 8, 1938. There may have been other burials in Martin Cemetery after this time, but it is thought to be unlikely as the Pine Grove Cemetery was in existence by that time.
1872
1894
The Pine Grove Church log, in possession of Mrs. Mary McCallister Brister, begins with entries in 1894, listing the pastor as Rev. J. C. Carnaline and the names of some thirty members and their spouses. Some of the member surnames of the 1894 listing are unfamiliar to area residents of today, such as Dennion (Denison ?), Pouncey, Garner, Greenleaf, Sewell, and Leak.
The remaining surnames are recognized as those of ancestors, relatives, and friends of the relatives. (12)
1898
In 1898, it appears that Rev. J. C. Carnaline was still the pastor of Pine Grove Church. The membership had dropped to about fifteen persons, unless the 1898 page is simply a listing of the newer members rather than a total listing. Since no duplications are noted, this may well be the case. (12)
1900-1905
Apparently church services were held in some building other than the present auditorium, as it is known that Wallace Marion Stephens (1883-1911) cut the lumber of which the present building is constructed, in one of his first sawmill ventures as a young man. Wallace Marion Stephens and Janie Wiggins were married on December 27, 1900. Wallace Marion Stephens met an untimely, accidental death on March 6, 1911 and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Natchitoches Parish, LA. Thus, we can date the existence of the present Pine Grove Church building from about 1900-1905.
1911-1918
The 1911-1918 Pine Grove Church records are on one page of the log, indicating little church activity during those years or a lack of record keeping of the activities. It is about this time that the Hagewood Community became more defined and church services were being held in that area. (12)
It is especially interesting to note the two marriages recorded in the Pine Grove Church Log:
A.J. Martin / L.E. Ellzey, Feb.23,1898
Guy Shehane / Lizzie Shoebrook, Sept.12,1901
Rev. J. C. Carnaline performed both ceremonies. No other marriages are recorded in the Church Log. Either there were none performed in the church building, or they were performed in the home of the pastor, etc. It is known that other marriages of residents of the community occurred during this time, with the pastors listed officiating; they simply were not recorded in the church log. (12)
As the highways improved and changed, as children of the community grew up and moved outward, the community center shifted from the Pine Grove area to the region today known as Hagewood, Louisiana, located at the junction of LA Highways 6 and 117, eight miles west of Natchitoches, LA.
1891
In 1891, Isaac Angelo Ellzey (son of John Hill and Mary Jane Sibley Ellzey) donated two and one-half acres of land on the north side of LA Hwy 6, across from the small store of his son-in-law, A.J. Martin, for school and church purposes, for any denomination, as noted in the Coldwater Baptist Church records and in the booklet prepared for the church congregation in 1987, which recounts the establishment of the Coldwater Church. In the next few years following this donation, a building was constructed on this property, and was used as a non-denominational meeting place, a school, and a postoffice. In later years, property was purchased from Mrs.Lurline Ellzey Martin and a church building was constructed at the present site of the Coldwater Baptist Church. There was no provision made for a cemetery, and the people of the community continued to bury their loved ones in the Pine Grove Cemetery.(9)
1936-1949
One determined soul greatly deplored the lack of a cemetery at Coldwater Baptist Church, Hagewood, LA, and requested specifically that her remains be laid to rest near the Coldwater Church. The faith and persistence of Laura Anderson Sibley (1873-1936, w/o Edward C. Sibley, m/o Mary 'Evie' Sibley McQueen, and grandmother of Wilmer McQueen), who is buried to the front and left of the church building, was rewarded in 1949, when the church membership purchased land for the Coldwater Cemetery.
While the Pine Grove Church is a Methodist church in doctrine, it seems that people of many faiths have worshiped in this church, have used it for memorial services for their loved ones, and buried their dead in the Pine Grove Cemetery. With the gradual movement of the settlers to the Hagewood area, the people changed to a similar Baptist affiliation or affiliated with the Methodist churches of the surrounding villages of Provencal and Robeline. It is a tribute to the leaders and members of this church that they have encouraged worship and fellowship.
1997
Due to the kindness of the present property owners, and the interest of a long time area resident, Mr. Wilmer McQueen, and others whose loved ones rest in this secluded and peaceful area, these cemeteries have not passed from knowledge. With the renewed interest of various families and friends, and the decision of the Pine Grove Church and Cemetery Preservation Committee to combine the business of the two cemeteries, plans are underway to replace the fencing around the Martin Cemetery, and to place commemorative markers listing the known burials. This will be a fitting tribute to the hardy souls who pioneered the settlement of this area of Natchitoches Parish.
Thanks to the interest of community residents, families, and concerned friends, the Pine Grove Church and Cemetery is beautifully maintained and provides an atmosphere of love and respect for those who come to pay tribute to their loved ones.
1894
Names/ Spouse
Carnaline, J. C. /L.D.M. Sewell
Wilkerson, J. D. /L. Miller
Dennion, R. J.
Wilkerson, M. J.
Bates, Wilson /N. Malone
Weaks, George
Pouncey, Billy
Dalle, J. A. /S. Greenleaf
Sewell, W. R. /M. P. Glover
Westfall, Wm.
Sewell, J. C. /N. Glover
Malone, Wm. M. /N. Williams
Westfall, E. L.
Milam, Elizabeth
Stevenson, A. M. /J. Stevenson
Sewell, Nettie /J. C. Sewell
Carnaline, Mary /J. C. Carnaline
Quarles, Medora
Bates, Nancy /Wilson Bates
Dale, S. A. /J. A. Dale
Malone, E. L. /Wm. Malone
Bates, J. S.
Dale, M. E. /J. Moore
Milam, Josephine /J. B. Milam
Sewell, Mary
Garner, E. H. /M. Shoemaker
Garner, Martha /E. Garner
Pouncey, J. J. /B. Pouncey
Leak, James
Swan, Sarah F.
1898
Names/Spouse
Stephens, Alice /L.W. Stephens
Stephens, Clara
Martin, A. J. /L. Ellzey
Martin, L. E. /A. J. Martin
Brewer, J. W. /C. Scothorne
Hunt, Alice
Shoebrook, Lizzie /Guy Shehane
Bates, M. M. /E. Bates
Martin, W. P. /M. Friday
Powell, T. E. /E. Leak
Powell, Ella /F. Powell
Roy, J. M. /D. Wiggins
Wilkerson, Wm. /V. Sanders
Miller, Wm. /C.J. Tovering
Bates, W. E. /M. McKinley
1911-1918
Names
Powell, T.E. /Pastor, died 10 Jul 1912
Martin, A. J.
Powell, Ella (Mrs.)
Stephens, Alice (Mrs.)
Wilkerson, John
Saunders, Tom
Dale, J. A.
Gibson, Andrew
Jenkins, Eva (Mrs.)
Miller, Georgia (Mrs.)
Stephens, Eva (Miss)
Reeks, A. M.
Reeks, E. J. (Mrs.)
Davis, Auby C. (Miss)
Davis, Clara C. (Mrs.)
Stephens, L. W. (Mr.)
Stephens, Ina (Miss)
Stephens, Lee (Mr.)
Tarver, Lula (Mrs.)
Miller, Willie
Miller, Letha (Mrs.)
Tarver, Dave (Mr.)
Dwyer, Maud (Mrs.)
Browning, Catherine (Mrs.)
Bonds, Peter (Mr.)
Miller, Wesley (Mr.)
Miller, Irine (Miss)
Miller, Evaline (Miss)
A. J. MARTIN and L. E. ELLZEY
Feb. 23, 1898
Rev. J.C. Carnaline
GUY SHEHANE and LIZZIE SHOEBROOK
Sept 12, 1901
Rev. J. C. Carnaline
The following is a listing of pastors gleaned from the various entries in the church record book. No specific listing of pastors and years was found.
1894 ----- REV. J. C. CARNALINE
1898 ----- REV. J. C. CARNALINE
1901 ----- REV. J. C. CARNALINE
____ ----- REV. T. W. McGINNIS
____ ----- REV. BURGESS
____ ----- REV. HARPER
____ ----- REV. G. A. MORGAN
1911 ----- REV. T. E. POWELL
1911 ----- REV. G. A. MORGAN
1913 ----- REV. NEWSOME
1914 ----- REV. WHATLEY
1915 ----- REV. GILMER
1917 ----- REV. BINNET
1918 ----- REV. BINNET
1926-31 -- REV. W. E. ANDING
1933-38 -- REV. W. E. ANDING
1. Biographical and Historical Memoirs: Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF NORTHWEST LOUISIANA. Originally published 1890, Nashville and Chicago, The Southern Publishing Company. Mills, Donna Rachal. Mills Historical Press, Tuscaloosa, AL (1985).
2. Conversations with Wilmer and Avis Huey McQueen, 1997.
3. Notes written by Janie Wiggins Stephens, c.1966
4. Research notes of Nelda Gass Liles, 1997.
5. Family papers of Myrna Martin Cooper Dove.
6. Louisiana's Kisatchie Hills: History, Tradition, and Folklore. Kadlecek, Mabel R. and Bullard, Marion C.. Book Crafters Press, Chelsea, MI, 1994. (Copies loaned courtesy Mrs. Avis Burr Cato and Mrs. Myra Beasley Carter McGee).
7. Family Bible of Laurence Wallace and Alice Weatherford Martin Stephens, in possession of Lanora McCallister Welch.
8. Papers of Mrs. Mable DeWittie Stephens Jackson Brasher, now in possession of the William H. Liles, Jr. family.
9. Historical Briefs of the Coldwater Baptist Church, Hagewood, LA, 1912-1987. Excerpted from church records.
10. Plat of Martin/Wilkerson Cemetery, Natchitoches Parish Road #632, Natchitoches, LA., in possession of the Wm. H. Liles, Jr. family.
11. Pine Grove Cemetery Plat, Natchitoches Parish Road 632: Read by R.Hyams, 1994; by N. G. Liles, 1997.
12. Pine Grove Methodist Church Log, Hagewood, Natchitoches Parish Road 632, LA., courtesy Mary McCallister Brister.
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