Wheat Cemetery

File prepared by Deandra Norred Pardue.
The information was supplied by Mrs. Leah Beth Simpson, Amite, Louisiana
This cemetery is taken from the book, St. Helena parish Cemeteries,1914-1987, Published by the St. Helena Historical Association, Inc., Rt. 1 Box 131; Amite, La. 70422 The LaGenWeb would like to express their thanks to the Association for giving us permission to put these cemeteries online. The society retains the copyright to these works.

Directions to cemetery: South of Greensburg on Highway 37 to Highway 449, drive to New Hope Church sign, turn left, go one block and turn left again. See small dirt road leading to left

• cannot go further by car. Must walk approximately 1 - 2 miles on this dirt road all the way back to Twelve Mile Creek, then turn right and follow road to the cemetery.

In October, 1987, Leah Beth Simpson and John Charles Houeye, descendents of Hezekiah Wheat, Sr. located the Wheat Cemetery on the Wheat Spanish Land Grant Property in St. Helena Parish.

In December, 1987, these two plus Clayton McMichael, went back to the cemetery and cleared an area approximately 100 feet by 100 feet surrounding the one marker for William Wheat, born 1801, died 1867. Approximately 15 unmarked graves were identified. The area was fenced with metal posts and 3 strands of barbed wire and an iron archway with "WHEAT CEMETERY" erected as a gateway.

Ads were placed in the "St. Helena Echo" requesting information on persons known to have been buried in this cemetery. Also, Damon Veach published an inquiry in his "Ancestor Column" which is carried by the "Times Picayune" and "Morning Advocate". No response was received. Therefore using available information through family knowledge and records, it has been assumed the following persons are probably buried in this cemetery.

Hezekiah Wheat, Sr.
Born Circa 1750
Died 1833

Mary Jane Jones Wheat
Wife of Hezekiah, Sr.
Born ??
Died after 1839

William Wheat
Born April 3, 1801
Died jan 5, 1867

Margiana Grinage Lathrop Wheat
Born 1796
Died Jan 1, 1878

Martha Wheat Houeye
Born Circa 1802
Died Sept 21, 1826

Selena Emma Wheat Floyd
Born Feb 22, 1869
Died Dec 28, 1910

John Houeye, Sr.
Born Circa 1782
Died June 1, 1861

John Houeye, Jr.
Born Jan 26, 1817
Died July 30, 1874

John Houeye, III
Born June 12, 1852
Died Dec 12, 1872

Hillary Houeye
Born Oct 20, 1855
Died Feb 22, 1877

Marion Houeye
Born May 3, 1845
Died July 7, 1877

On January 21, 1988, Simpson, McMichael and Houeye returned to the cemetery and placed small metal markers on 10 of the graves and small cement head markers at the unknown graves. Attempts will be made to verify the names of the unmarked graves.

This property is now owned by Catherine Cole Petty who resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Mrs. Petty graciously allowed us to recleim this long neglected cemetery and restore it and
to trespass her property with tools and equipment to do so.