Burr Ferry, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Burr Ferry is a community at the junction of LA 8
and LA 111 south, in Vernon Parish, Louisiana
, United States
. This is only a couple of miles from the site of the old Burr’s Ferry on the Sabine River
, at the Texas
line. The Sabine River, at this location, is the site of two listings on the National Register of Historic Places
; Burr's Ferry Bridge
, and Burr's Ferry Earthworks.
. The adventurer that traveled the road to Texas and back many times took one last trip through Burr Ferry in 1801. This ill fated trip ended in east Texas with the death of Philip, by the Royal Spanish army
, and the capture of his expedition numbered to be around 20. Peter Ellis Bean
. was among the group captured and wrote about it later.
Dr. Timothy Burr, a second cousin to U S Vice President Aaron Burr
Jr., settled with his family in the area circa 1820. His grandfather was Daniel Burr of Fairfield, Connecticut
, and a graduate of Yale University
. His father’s first name is not known. One of Daniel's sons, Aaron, Sr.
, was among the founders of Princeton University
and the father of Aaron Burr, Jr.
, listed as 1809, could be questioned but records indicate that he did not travel alone. On the second trip, in the early 1820s, he also brought other people along with his family. Upon arrival they were not the only ones in the area and in fact the ferry was reflected in early records as “Hickman’s Ferry” but later named Burr’s Ferry.
in 1803 the western border was not clear and thus disputed. This dispute actually involved four countries, France
, New Spain
, Mexico
, and the United States over many years. The years of lawlessness actually lasted into the late 19th century when Texas was a Republic
.
The countries of Spain and the United States did not want to go to war over a border dispute. From 1805 when Spain severed diplomatic relations with the U.S. there was continual skirmishing. Under a peace agreement signed by an officer of the United States, General James Wilkinson, and a Spanish officer, Lt. Col. Sim’on de Herrera November 5, 1806. Both sides were to remove troops from the area of a neutral strip of land bringing an end to three years of verbal and military conflict between the two governments.
Neutral Ground
There was also to be no settlers but obviously this was disregarded. With no troops or law the area became generally known as the Bad Lands and was a haven for privateers or anyone running from the law. Two separate times the government of both countries sent a joint expedition to the area to restore order. The Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819 settled the boundary dispute between the two countries but it was not ratified until 1921. This did not end the lawlessness that actually lasted until the 1840s. The Regulator-Moderator War
(1839–1844) began from the area of the Neutral Strip and spread into Texas.
Burr’s Ferry’ was listed in records to have been “Hickman’s Ferry”. In 1947 the name was changed. It is not known if a Mr. Hickman was already in the area, came to the area with Dr. Burr, or if Dr. Burr or one of his sons bought a ferry that was in operation.
It was a Cable ferry
and the ferry cables were designed so they could be lowered allowing boats to navigate past and raised again to resume crossing. No known pictures exist of Burr's Ferry but it might have looked like one in Gee's Bend, Alabama
.
. This route just happened to be located near the middle of “No man’s land” and on one of only four river crossings between Texas and Louisiana. Dr. Burr’s patients would have been not only those around the community but those of questionable reputation. Considering that Highwaymen were very active for many years Dr. Burr and the residents of Burr Ferry would have had to have been respected, needed, or both to cohabitate in such an area.
Not long after Dr. Burr settled in Burr Ferry Captain John M. Liles also arrived from North Carolina. He reportedly married a girl from the Winfree family that already lived in the area. Along with the Liles came the Jonathan D. Cain family. How or when Dr. Burr and Captain Liles met is not clear but they were associates.
broke out, Natchez, Mississippi
fell to the Union Army
and Alexandria was burned. The Confederates feared that the crossing at Burr’s Ferry would be attacked. Trenches and breast works were constructed at Burr's Ferry under the leadership of H. W. Scoggins, Sr. There were no battles fought in Burry’s Ferry but the breast works are still visible today.
was established July 1, 1873, with John M. Liles as postmaster. On March 5, 1892, while James Cavanaugh was in charge of the office, the name was changed to Burr Ferry. The office was discontinued November 30, 1918, re-established for a few months in 1922; then re-established March 29, 1929. It was finally discontinued July 31, 1933.
,
There are four theories as to the naming of the parish. One states the parish was named after Mount Vernon which was the home of President George Washington
. All appear to be of some speculation.. The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce list on the official web site, in the history section, that the parish was named after the home of George Washington.
There is one theory, with historical ties, that the parish was named after the Ohio
hometown of Dr. Burr which was named Mount Vernon
also. This town was established in 1805, in what became Knox County
, organized in 1808. This is approximately 45 miles northeast of Columbus
, was a major travel route in the 19th century, and only 5 miles from Gambier
, the home of Kenyon College
. This college was founded in 1824 and probably after Dr. Burr would have headed back to Louisiana on his second trip.
, at the beginning of the 19th century, was owned by Spain
. The landing on the Texas side was where four trails merged before crossing the river into Louisiana. The major cattle trail to Alexandria and three Indian trails. The Coushatta Trace and the Coushatta-Nacogdoches Trace
were two such trails.
at the site of Burr's Ferry on the Sabine River has this inscription:
La 8
La 8 is a Spanish television channel, launched in 2009. It was founded and started to broadcast on 2009. La 8 currently broadcasts in Spanish.-External links:*...
and LA 111 south, in Vernon Parish, Louisiana
Vernon Parish, Louisiana
Vernon Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Leesville and as of 2000, the population was 52,531....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This is only a couple of miles from the site of the old Burr’s Ferry on the Sabine River
Sabine River (Texas-Louisiana)
The Sabine River is a river, long, in the U.S. states of Texas and Louisiana. In its lower course, it forms part of the boundary between the two states and empties into Sabine Lake, an estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. The river formed part of the United States-Mexican international boundary during...
, at the Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
line. The Sabine River, at this location, is the site of two listings on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
; Burr's Ferry Bridge
Burr's Ferry Bridge
Burr's Ferry Bridge is a bridge on the Sabine River where LA 8 meets Texas State Highway 63 at the Louisiana and Texas state lines.-External links:* *...
, and Burr's Ferry Earthworks.
Nolan Trace
LA 8 is referred to as the Nolan Trace after Philip NolanPhilip Nolan
Philip Nolan was a horse-trader and freebooter in Natchez, on the Mississippi River, and the Spanish province of Texas....
. The adventurer that traveled the road to Texas and back many times took one last trip through Burr Ferry in 1801. This ill fated trip ended in east Texas with the death of Philip, by the Royal Spanish army
Spanish Army
The Spanish Army is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies - dating back to the 15th century.-Introduction:...
, and the capture of his expedition numbered to be around 20. Peter Ellis Bean
Peter Ellis Bean
Peter Ellis Bean was a United States filibuster in Texas and Mexico, and a Mexican revolutionary....
. was among the group captured and wrote about it later.
Dr. Timothy Burr, a second cousin to U S Vice President Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
Jr., settled with his family in the area circa 1820. His grandfather was Daniel Burr of Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, and a graduate of Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. His father’s first name is not known. One of Daniel's sons, Aaron, Sr.
Aaron Burr, Sr.
The Reverend Aaron Burr, Sr., was a notable divine and educator in colonial America. He was a founder of the College of New Jersey and the father of the third United States Vice President, Aaron Burr , who killed Alexander Hamilton.-Biography:A native of Connecticut, Burr was born in 1716 in...
, was among the founders of Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
and the father of Aaron Burr, Jr.
History
The exact year Dr. Burr traveled to the area from OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, listed as 1809, could be questioned but records indicate that he did not travel alone. On the second trip, in the early 1820s, he also brought other people along with his family. Upon arrival they were not the only ones in the area and in fact the ferry was reflected in early records as “Hickman’s Ferry” but later named Burr’s Ferry.
No Man’s Land
The area that Dr. Burr came to the first time and settled in the second was part of a stretch of land that was a disputed boundary between two countries. After the Louisiana PurchaseLouisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
in 1803 the western border was not clear and thus disputed. This dispute actually involved four countries, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, New Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and the United States over many years. The years of lawlessness actually lasted into the late 19th century when Texas was a Republic
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
.
The countries of Spain and the United States did not want to go to war over a border dispute. From 1805 when Spain severed diplomatic relations with the U.S. there was continual skirmishing. Under a peace agreement signed by an officer of the United States, General James Wilkinson, and a Spanish officer, Lt. Col. Sim’on de Herrera November 5, 1806. Both sides were to remove troops from the area of a neutral strip of land bringing an end to three years of verbal and military conflict between the two governments.
Neutral Ground
- This area was referred to as the Neutral Ground, and called the Neutral Strip, the Neutral territory, or the No Man’s Land of Louisiana. The area of land included present day Vernon Parish with the Sabine River being the western boundary. The Arroyo HondoCalcasieu RiverThe Calcasieu River is a river on the Gulf Coast of southwestern Louisiana, U.S.A.. Approximately long, it drains a largely rural area of forests and bayou country, meandering southward to the Gulf of Mexico. The name "Calcasieu" comes from the Native American Atakapa language katkosh, for...
was the eastern border.
There was also to be no settlers but obviously this was disregarded. With no troops or law the area became generally known as the Bad Lands and was a haven for privateers or anyone running from the law. Two separate times the government of both countries sent a joint expedition to the area to restore order. The Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819 settled the boundary dispute between the two countries but it was not ratified until 1921. This did not end the lawlessness that actually lasted until the 1840s. The Regulator-Moderator War
Regulator-Moderator War
The Regulator–Moderator War was a nineteenth century feud in East Texas during the Republic of Texas years. It was called the Regulator-Moderator war, for the two sides: the Regulators wanted to "regulate" the activities of rivals and the Moderators wanted to "moderate" being...
(1839–1844) began from the area of the Neutral Strip and spread into Texas.
Ferries
There were many types of ferries in the early 19th century but a common type was a flat top ferry that used cables to span a waterway. The ferry could be pulled across using the cables. The ferry would have a rope(s) or cable(s) stretched around it as an enclosure. This allowed the movement of many things, including large wagons and animals, across a waterway. This was the type used in Burr Ferry. Part of the cable system can still be seen at the site as well as the slope leading to the ferry landing. Living on the Sabine River, on a major trail, a ferry was a natural business with what could be a lucrative income.Burr’s Ferry’ was listed in records to have been “Hickman’s Ferry”. In 1947 the name was changed. It is not known if a Mr. Hickman was already in the area, came to the area with Dr. Burr, or if Dr. Burr or one of his sons bought a ferry that was in operation.
It was a Cable ferry
Cable ferry
A cable ferry is guided and in many cases propelled across a river or other larger body of water by cables connected to both shores. They are also called chain ferries, floating bridges, or punts....
and the ferry cables were designed so they could be lowered allowing boats to navigate past and raised again to resume crossing. No known pictures exist of Burr's Ferry but it might have looked like one in Gee's Bend, Alabama
Gee's Bend, Alabama
Boykin, also known as Gee's Bend, is an African American majority community and census-designated place in a large bend of the Alabama River in Wilcox County, Alabama. As of the 2010 census, its population was 275...
.
Life in Burr Ferry
Doctor Timothy Burr built a house for his family on the mouth of Pearl Creek. He practiced medicine, and owned a store, a bar, a ferry, and other businesses. His location was not only on a major travel route but also a major cattle drive route to AlexandriaAlexandria, Louisiana
Alexandria is a city in and the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes....
. This route just happened to be located near the middle of “No man’s land” and on one of only four river crossings between Texas and Louisiana. Dr. Burr’s patients would have been not only those around the community but those of questionable reputation. Considering that Highwaymen were very active for many years Dr. Burr and the residents of Burr Ferry would have had to have been respected, needed, or both to cohabitate in such an area.
Not long after Dr. Burr settled in Burr Ferry Captain John M. Liles also arrived from North Carolina. He reportedly married a girl from the Winfree family that already lived in the area. Along with the Liles came the Jonathan D. Cain family. How or when Dr. Burr and Captain Liles met is not clear but they were associates.
Civil War
After the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
broke out, Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
fell to the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
and Alexandria was burned. The Confederates feared that the crossing at Burr’s Ferry would be attacked. Trenches and breast works were constructed at Burr's Ferry under the leadership of H. W. Scoggins, Sr. There were no battles fought in Burry’s Ferry but the breast works are still visible today.
Life after war
After the war, John Liles had earned enough money to buy a steamboat to travel up and down the Sabine River from Logansport to the Gulf of Mexico. Over time there were several others. The first steamboat was "the New Era”. The "Ernie" owned by Captain G. B. Burr (1875), the "Bertha,"(1876), and the "Extra,"(1876). The "Lamar"(1886) was owned by Captain Walter Caraway. In 1888 Captain John Liles owned the "Cura". The "Ada" owned by Captain Davis, a tug called "Fannie" owned by Captain Lou Bettis, and a stave boat called "Godwin" owned by Captain Godwin in 1911. The "Natchesbelle" was owned by Captain S. G. Allardyce and John Liles.Post Office
The first Post officePost office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was established July 1, 1873, with John M. Liles as postmaster. On March 5, 1892, while James Cavanaugh was in charge of the office, the name was changed to Burr Ferry. The office was discontinued November 30, 1918, re-established for a few months in 1922; then re-established March 29, 1929. It was finally discontinued July 31, 1933.
Vernon Parish
History of Vernon Parish (founded March 30, 1871) reflects that Dr. Burr was an early settler to the area and possibly one of the first doctors. Located about 17 miles east of the parish seat of LeesvilleLeesville, Louisiana
Leesville is a city in and the parish seat of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 6,753 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Polk South Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to the Fort Polk U.S. Army installation...
,
There are four theories as to the naming of the parish. One states the parish was named after Mount Vernon which was the home of President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. All appear to be of some speculation.. The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce list on the official web site, in the history section, that the parish was named after the home of George Washington.
There is one theory, with historical ties, that the parish was named after the Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
hometown of Dr. Burr which was named Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Ohio
Mount Vernon is a city in Knox County, Ohio, United States. The population was 16,990 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Knox County. The city is named after Mount Vernon, the plantation owned by George Washington.-History:...
also. This town was established in 1805, in what became Knox County
Knox County, Ohio
Knox County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of 2010, the population was 60,921. Its county seat is Mount Vernon and is named for Henry Knox, an officer in the American Revolutionary War who was later the first Secretary of War....
, organized in 1808. This is approximately 45 miles northeast of Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, was a major travel route in the 19th century, and only 5 miles from Gambier
Gambier, Ohio
Gambier is a village in Knox County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,871 at the 2000 census.Gambier is the home of Kenyon College and was named after one of Kenyon College's early benefactors, Lord Gambier....
, the home of Kenyon College
Kenyon College
Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio, founded in 1824 by Bishop Philander Chase of The Episcopal Church, in parallel with the Bexley Hall seminary. It is the oldest private college in Ohio...
. This college was founded in 1824 and probably after Dr. Burr would have headed back to Louisiana on his second trip.
Leesville
Leesville was designated the Parish seat when the parish was created by an act of the Louisiana legislature in 1871.Current
The community now only consists of a fairly new church, a store, and a few residents. The glory of yester-years has faded but the importance of the area will hopefully be remembered in recorded history.Texas
The State of TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, at the beginning of the 19th century, was owned by Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The landing on the Texas side was where four trails merged before crossing the river into Louisiana. The major cattle trail to Alexandria and three Indian trails. The Coushatta Trace and the Coushatta-Nacogdoches Trace
Coushatta-Nacogdoches Trace
The Coushatta-Nacogdoches Trace was a trail used primarily by Coushatta Indians on trips from their village on the Sabine River to Nacogdoches, Texas....
were two such trails.
Texas State Marker
The Texas Official State MarkerTexas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
at the site of Burr's Ferry on the Sabine River has this inscription:
- "Site of Old Burr's Ferry (Highway Bridge) An important communications point between Texas and the United States, Especially during settlement era of early 1800’s. Named for Dr. Timothy Burr (1790-1852), second cousin of U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr".
Sources
- http://dscholar.humboldt.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/2148/398/1/Ilza%20Hakenen%20Thesis.pdf
- http://Vernonparishhistory.com
- http://tshaonline.org