Jernigan Cemetery
674 FM 9, Panola Community32.373543, -94.097288
Inventoried by Jerry Glenn Sutlive & Robbie Fort Sutlive
Additional genealogical data by Robbie Fort Sutlive and Marylee W. Knight
This cemetery is an old private family cemetery that is still is use by family members today. The graves are almost entirely those of the families of William Ashley Jernigan and his wife, Calista Ann White, and William's brother, Henry Benjamin Jernigan, and his wife, Nancy Harvey.
William Ashley and Henry Benjamin were the sons of Asa Jernigan and his wife Sally Bulls Smith. Asa Jernigan was born in 1784 in NC. He was in Wayne Co NC on the 1810 Census, in Lauderdale Co AL on the 1830 Census and in DeSoto Co MS on the 1840 Census. He is not found on the 1850 Census, so he apparently died between 1840 and 1850, possibly in DeSoto Co MS. He married Sally on 07 Nov 1814 in Wayne Co NC. Judging by the 1830 Census of Lauderdale Co AL and the 1840 Census of DeSoto County MS, Sally was born between 1800 and 1810 and died between 1830 and 1840. It is unknown whether she died in AL or MS. William Ashley was born 05 Sep 1816 and Henry Benjamin was born 20 Apr 1818, both reportedly in Wayne Co. Other children of Asa and Sally included Rebecca Ann who married Edward Page Black. The early census records place her as having been born between 1815 and 1820. She died 25 Jul 1845 either in Caddo Parish LA or Panola Co TX. If the Jernigan family was already living in Panola by the time of her death, it is possible she was buried in an unmarked grave in the Jernigan Family Cemetery. Hillary and Alfred M. were also the sons of Asa and Sally, but it is not known if they came to TX or not. According to early census records, there was one more son and two more daughters, but their names are unknown. These two daughters were on the 1830 Census, but not on the 1840; however, it is possible that they had married by the time of the 1840 Census and were no longer in the household for that reason.
According to Nettie Jernigan Shaw, "William Ashley, his brothers and sisters lived in Caddo Parish, LA in 1845. Before 1849 they moved to Panola Co TX." The Tax Roll of 1846 for Panola Co TX lists both brothers as being residents of the county that year. Both brothers were living in Panola Co TX and enumerated on the 1850 Census there. William Ashley's oldest child, Eppy Asa, was four years old on that census and was shown as having been born in TX, so that would be consistent with the family living in Panola Co in 1846 as shown on the Tax List.
Per Robbie Fort Sutlive, a descendant of William Ashley Jernigan, "At some time just prior to 1849, William Ashley Jernigan built his home near present day Panola, in the northeastern part of Panola County. The two-story house was constructed in the manner of most plantation homes of that period. There were four rooms on the first floor, divided in half by an open hallway, commonly referred to as a 'dog trot'. The upper story was basically the same, minus the hallway. Later the hallway on the first floor was enclosed, creating a parlor and a large formal dining room. The huge structure continues to be supported by solid beams that run the full length of the house. These beams are the same ones installed at the time the house was first built and were hand-hewn from timber on the Jernigan property. The pecan grove, planted near the house by William Ashley and his son, Eppy Asa, continues to supply pecans for family members and friends." From the time the house was built, over 150 years ago, until the present, it has been lived in and maintained by members of the Jernigan Family."
On the 1850 Census, Henry Benjamin is shown as owning $5,000 worth of property and 19 slaves. William Ashley is shown as owning $3,000 worth of property and 16 slaves. By the time of the 1860 Census, Henry Benjamin declared $37,000 worth of property and 37 slaves, while William Ashley declared $30,000 worth of property and 27 slaves. The Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation took quite an economic toll on the Jernigan brothers. By the time of the 1870 Census, Henry Benjamin declared $4,500 worth of real estate and $2,000 worth of personal property. William Ashley declared $1,000 worth of real estate and $200 worth of personal property.
The oldest marked graves in Jernigan Cemetery are those of some of the children of Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey: Theodore, born and died on 15 Jan 1849; Henry Benjamin, Jr. who died on 10 May 1855 at the age of four; Sallie E. who died on 11 May 1855 at the age of two and a half and Rebecca who died on 03 Oct 1855 at not quite six months of age. The oldest marked grave for an adult is that of Calista Ann White, the wife of William Ashley. She died on 20 Jun 1862 at age 42. Of the total of 42 marked graves, 31 of them are adults (73%) and 12 of them are children (27%).
While the family cemetery is located across the road in front of William Ashley's home, the Slave Cemetery was located immediately behind the house. As late as the 1940's there were still some wooden grave markers in the Slave Cemetery. These were upright wooden slabs into which the name of the deceased had been deeply carved. Unfortunately, time and the elements have now erased all traces of these graves. As the brothers' holdings combined in 1860 for a total of 64 slaves, it is certain that the Slave Cemetery would have held a significant number of graves.
Bell, Alba Pearl
Born: 16 Jun 1901
Died: 06 May 1919
Parents: Jehu Jernigan and Sallie A. Haden
Spouse: W. Hugh Bell - 12 Jun 1917
Child: Gladys Pearl Bell b May 1919 in LA, in household with Jehu and Sallie in 1920.
Brantley, Larkin A. "Bud" (Larkin Augustus)
Born: 03 Aug 1881 (Marion Co TX)
Died: 23 Jul 1963
Parents: William Larkin Brantley and Alice Fitzgerald
Spouse: Laura Jernigan
Misc: On his WWI Draft Registration form he is listed as an oilfield worker, he is shown as being tall, of medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. His address was Rt. 2, Jefferson TX.
Brantley, Laura Jernigan Killinger
Born: 29 Oct 1895
Died: 15 Feb 1957
Parents: Jehu Jernigan and Sallie A. Haden
Spouse: 1st Leo Killinger, 2nd Larkin A. "Bud" Brantley
Child: Margaret Killinger b 1922
Dyar, Charley J.
Born: 04 Mar 1919
Died: 16 May 1996
Spouse: Mae Margaret McJimsey
Misc: Worked for a gas company in the oil field
Dyar, Margaret McJimsey
Born: 07 Jan 1921
Died: 23 Sep 1986
Parents: John DeWitt McJimsey, Sr. and Hattie Maude Jernigan
Haden, J.B.
Born: 10 May 1867
Died: 10 Sep 1903
Parents: Joseph Burgess Haden and Emily Francis Perkins
Misc: A brother of Sallie A. who married Jehu Jernigan
Harvey, Mary
Born: 04 Apr 1805 (GA)
Died: 22 Jan 1870
Spouse: J.I. Harvey (b 1799 in GA)
Misc: Mother of Nancy Harvey Jernigan, Family enumerated on the 1860 Census of Harrison Co TX
Jernigan, Alice Annabella
Born: 04 Oct 1851
Died: 26 Feb _________
Parents: William Ashley Jernigan and Calista Ann White
Jernigan, Alva Ray
Born: 05 Aug 1930
Died: 30 Dec 1993
Parents: James Byrd Jernigan and Lillian Bagley
Spouse: Joycie Carswell - mar 09 Apr 1951
Misc: Twin of James Fay Jernigan
Jernigan, Asa
Born: 25 Sep 1865
Died: 20 Jul 1870
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, Beulah Ann Stroud
Born: 1866 (Aug 1866)
Died: 1909 (13 Mar 1910)
Spouse: Eppy Asa Jernigan - mar 24 Sep 1885
Children: Byrd b 1886, John William b 1888, Carrie Jewel b 1890, Hattie Maude b 1899
Misc: Obit in the Panola Watchman on 16 Mar 1910: "She had suffered from consumption for many years and borne patiently her afflictions. She leaves her husband and children to mourn her loss the most, but with them, too, a host of other relatives and scores of loving friends."
Jernigan, Byrd
Born: 1886
Died: 1895
Parents: Eppy Asa Jernigan and Beulah Ann Stroud
Misc: Died several days after being severely burned while playing at a friend's house. The two children were wearing long dresses and were playing Santa Claus, when Byrd got too close to the open fire place and his clothing ignited.
Jernigan, Cara
Born: 12 Aug 1892
Died: 23 Nov 1903
Parents: Rolliff Wellington Jernigan and Lucy Ingram
Jernigan, Calista White (Calista Ann White)
Born: 12 Feb 1820 (TN)
Died: 20 Jun 1862
Parents: Eppy White and Martha Cox
Spouse: William Ashley Jernigan - mar 15 Jun 1844 in Shelby Co TN
Children: Eppy Asa b 1846, Leona Allis b 1847, Ellen Anna b 1849, Alice Arabella b 1851, William Henry b 1853, Rebecca b 1855 (twin), Nancy b 1855 (twin),Roliff Wellington b 1856
Jernigan, Emma L.
Born: 01 Apr 1860
Died: 04 Jan 1882
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, Emma L.
Born: 13 Aug 1889
Died: 27 Jul 1957
Parents: Jehu Jernigan and Sallie A. Haden
Jernigan, Eppy Asa "Bob"
Born: 1845 (13 Jul 1845)
Died: 1921 (01 Oct 1921)
Parents: William Ashley Jernigan and Calista Ann White
Spouse: Beulah Ann Stroud - mar 24 Sep 1885
Children: Byrd b 1886, John William b 1888, Carrie Jewel b 1890, Hattie Maude b 1899
Misc: Served as a Pvt. In Capt. Sterling B. Hendricks' Co E, 17th Regiment, TX Cavalry CSA from 26 Feb 1862 until 22 May 1862 at which time he was discharged by reason of being under 18 years of age. He was 16 years old at the time of the discharge.
Jernigan, Henry Benjamin
Born: 20 Apr 1818
Died: 18 Dec 1875
Spouse: Nancy Harvey - mar 09 Feb 1848 in Harrison Co TX
Children: Theodore b 1849, Laura Isabella. b 1850, Henry Benjamin, Jr. b 1851, Sarah "Sallie" Fondarah. b 1853, Rebecca b 1855, John Michael b 1857, Mary Henrietta b 1858, Emma Lovene b 1860, Hillary Michael b 1862, Asa b 1865, Jehu b 1867, William Bird b 1870
Misc: Obit in the Panola Watchman on 12 Jan 1876: "He was an older citizen, noted for his eccentricities."
Jernigan, Henry Benjamin, Jr.
Born: 20 Apr 1851
Died: 10 May 1855
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, Hillary M.
Born: 21 Feb 1862
Died: 02 Sep 1866
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, James Byrd
Born: 13 Nov 1905
Died: 26 Aug 1969
Parents: Jehu Jernigan and Sallie A. Haden
Spouse: Lillian Bagley
Children: Alva Ray (twin), James Fay (twin), Arrie Lovine
Jernigan, James Fay
Born: 05 Aug 1930
Died: 18 Mar 1990
Parents: James Byrd Jernigan and Lillian Bagley
Spouse: Lanell Evans
Misc: Twin to Alva Ray Jernigan
Jernigan, Jehu
Born: 26 Dec 1867
Died: 31 Dec 1926
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Spouse: Sallie A. Haden - mar 02 Jun 1887
Children: John Henry b Mar 1888, Emma L. b Aug 1889, John Morgan b Sep 1893, Laura H. , Oct 1895, Joseph Ashline b Jun 1898, Alba Pearl b Jun 1901, James Byrd b Nov 1905
Jernigan, Jahu Henry
Born: 28 Mar 1889
Died: 06 Aug 1955
Jernigan, John M. (John Morgan)
Born: 18 Sep 1893
Died: 27 Sep 1967
Parents: Jehu Jernigan and Sallie A. Haden
Spouse: Evelena King
Children: Shirley Ann, John Hugh
Misc: WWI
Jernigan, Joseph A., Jr.
Born: 31 Jul 1927
Died: 13 Jan 1977
Parents: Joseph Ashline Jernigan, Sr. and Leila Louise O'Bryan
Spouse: Jo Joyce Dagnell
Children: Joseph T., Jimmy Joe, Brenda Louise, Pamela Jean, Johnny Larkin, Tina, Minnie Renee, Jeri Lynn, Janice Laura
Jernigan, Joseph Ashline
Born: 10 Jun 1898
Died: 13 Jan 1946
Parents: Jehu Jernigan and Sallie A. Haden
Spouse: Leila Louise O'Bryan
Child: Joseph A., Jr., Terry
Jernigan, Laura I. (Laura Isabella) Born: 09 Mar 1850 Died: 08 Sep 1878 Parents: Jehu Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, Leila Louise O'Bryan Born: 09 Nov 1902 Died: 07 May 1991 Parents: Charles B. O'Bryan and Ophelia Johnson Spouse: Joseph Ashline Jernigan
Jernigan, Lena
Born: 10 Mar 1908
Died: 16 Sep 2001
Jernigan, Lillian Bagley
Born: 23 Feb 1911
Died: 05 Mar 1995
Parents: Alva Bagley and Arrie Bounds
Spouse: James Byrd Jernigan
Children: Alva Ray (twin), James Fay (twin), Arrie Lovine
Jernigan, Mary H. (Mary Henrietta)
Born: 27 Jun 1858
Died: 16 Aug 1862
Parents: Henry B. Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, Nancy Harvey
Born: 1825 (31 Oct 1825 in MS, both parents b in GA)
Died: 1880 (27 Jul 1880)
Spouse: Henry Benjamin Jernigan - mar 09 Feb 1848 in Harrison Co TX
Children: Theodore b 1849, Laura Isabella. b 1850, Henry Benjamin, Jr. b 1851, Sarah "Sallie" Fondarah. b 1853, Rebecca b 1855, John Michael b 1857, Mary Henrietta b 1858, Emma Lovene b 1860, Hillary Michael b 1862, Asa b 1865, Jehu b 1867, William Bird b 1870
Jernigan, Rebecca
Born: 25 Apr 1855
Died: 03 Oct 1855
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, Sallie A. Haden
Born: 03 Nov 1869
Died: 31 Jul 1947
Parents: Joseph Burgess Haden and Emily Francis Davis Perkins
Spouse: Jehu Jernigan - mar 02 Jun 1887
Children: John H. b Mar 1888, Emma L. b Aug 1889, John M. b Sep 1893, Laura H. , Oct 1895, Joseph Ashline b Jun 1898, Alba Pearl b Jun 1901, James Byrd b Nov 1905
Misc: Per obit in the Panola Watchman on 14 Aug 1947: "She was survived by children Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Brantley, Miss Emma L. Jernigan, Mr. and Mrs. John Jernigan and family, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Jernigan and family, Henry Jernigan, Joe Jr. and Terry Jernigan."
Jernigan, Sallie E. (Sarah Fondarah)
Born: 08 Oct 1853
Died: 11 May 1855
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, Theodore
Born: 15 Jan 1849
Died: 15 Jan 1849
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Jernigan, William "Bill" (John William)
Born: 1888 (22 Sep 1888)
Died: 1935 (01 Jul 1935)
Parents: Eppy Asa Jernigan and Beulah Ann Stroud
Spouse: Leta Mae Bell - mar 01 Feb 1928 in Harrison Co TX
Children: Billie Bell Jernigan, Patsy Ann Jernigan
Misc: Same Stone as Byrd Jernigan - Died in a car wreck
Jernigan, William Ashley
Born: 1816 (05 Sep 1816 in Wayne Co NC)
Died: 1896
Parents: Asa Jernigan and Sally Bulls
Spouse: 1st mar Calista Ann White - mar 15 Jun 1844, 2nd mar Sallie G. Heffner - mar 28 Nov 1864
Children: Eppy Asa b 1846, Leona Allis b 1847, Ellen Anna b 1849, Alice Arabella b 1851, William Henry b 1853, Rebecca b 1855 (twin), Nancy b 1855 (twin), Roliff Wellington b 1856
Misc: Served as a Pvt. in Capt. Sterling B. Hendricks' Co E, 17th Regiment, TX Cavalry CSA from 26 Feb 1862 until 22 May 1862 at which time he was discharged because he was over 35 years of age. He was 45 years old at the time of this discharge.
Jernigan, William B. (William Bird)
Born: 30 May 1870
Died: 26 Jul 1876
Parents: Henry Benjamin Jernigan and Nancy Harvey
Killinger, Margaret
Born: 13 Aug 1922
Died: 01 Mar 1926
Parents: Leo Killinger and Laura Jernigan
McJimsey, Hattie Maude Jernigan
Born: 12 Oct 1899
Died: 15 Jun 1993
Parents: Eppy Asa "Robert" Jernigan and Beulah A. Stroud
Spouse: John DeWitt McJimsey, Sr. (bur Woodley Cem, Harrison Co TX)
West, Ellen Jernigan
Born: 01 Oct 1849
Died: No date (About 1893)
Parents: William Ashley Jernigan and Calista Ann White
Spouse: John West
Child: Elmo Ashley West b 21 Aug 1879 in Little Rock, Pulaski Co AR - he mar Beatrice Davis 02 Oct 1906 in Panola Co TX