By Jessica Gorman

Sarah Elizabeth Morrow was born 19 Jan 1843. She only lived five months. Her grave is the oldest marked grave in the Minden Cemetery. When she was born, Minden had only been in existence for about seven years. Her parents were John Thomas Morrow and Lucy Ann Bonner. John T. Morrow was a partner in one of Minden’s early businesses, Morrow, Berry, & Co.

She lived such a very short life and yet, by taking a closer look at Sarah, I’m making connections between some of the early citizens of Minden that I hadn’t before. For instance, her mother’s maiden name, Bonner, instantly caught my attention. Lucy Bonner Morrow was a sister to Mahala Bonner Hill Drake, wife of William Abner Drake (the elder W.A. Drake.) William Abner Drake is frequently confused with his nephew and namesake, William Abner Drake. The Drake family has played a major role in the history of Minden from its very beginning. The elder W.A. Drake was instrumental in the early development of the town and generously donated land for churches and schools. 

Sarah’s eldest sister, Mahala Flora Morrow, married John D. Watkins. Judge Watkins was responsible for construction of the Shed Road. Their son, John T. Watkins, was a U.S. Congressman and is one of two congressmen buried in the Minden Cemetery.

According to church records, Sarah’s other sister, Lucy Ann Morrow, was the first person Baptist when the Minden Baptist Church was organized in December 1844.

Sarah Elizabeth Morrow died 19 Jun 1843. Her inscription reads:

Shall we receive good at the hand of God,

and shall we not receive evil

She is not dead but sleepeth

Then rest thee in peace our child we

buried thee with sighs and tears and

yet in hope that hope that lights us to

our home above.

There are many children, just like Sarah, buried in the Minden Cemetery. Obviously, they have no direct descendants to see to it their grave is cared for. Will you help the Minden Cemetery Association continue to care for their graves? As I mentioned last week, the immediate need is funds to ensure that the grass continues to be mowed, but it is my hope that in the future we can do more. The accompanying photos show Sarah’s grave before and after grass and dirt (and ants) being cleared away and a gentle cleaning to remove biological growth. I’ll be back to repair the broken corner and level the stone.

(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)