Jerusalem Church and Cemetery – East Altheimer Road

Finding my way there

This is one of those locations that are just where they ought to be. The road to it is named for the church, Jerusalem Church Road. At the end of this little road is a row of trees and a wide, cleared area just before the fields begin. The cleared lot is packed dirt and gravel, easy enough to park on before making my way to the secluded spot. The cemetery is surrounded by a rice field and thickly grown with trees and brush. It’s been spared the fate of many cemeteries. The southeast and southwest corners are marked with palms, a common plant found on old home and church sites.

These trees and high grass mark the resting place of many, most are unmarked. I found only 8 headstones, only one physical record of a person who is there with no marker, and a few stories from locals that there are many, many more in this small area. It is likely that over time the cemetery boarders became smaller as the farmland around it grew.

The land is currently owned by the Walt family that have been farming the area for decades. I was able to speak with Mrs. Walt recently about the property. I sat with her in her nearby home as she told me of the last funeral she witnessed there, perhaps in the 1960s. For many years she and her family kept the cemetery mowed and reported only ever finding a few headstones. She hinted at the existence of a few more cemeteries that have been forgotten in the immediate area. I thanked her for her time and she filled my water jug before I left her house. The day was still getting hotter and I could not have made my way out there without more water. I am grateful for her help so far and I hope to speak with her again soon.

To the west of the cemetery the road clearly continues into the tree line. A few yards past the trees the remains of the church can be found. This spot would easily be missed in the midsummer growth, but in winter the pillars of brick and wood walls make a striking contrast to the scenery. The front steps still stand in the same place it, being made of heavy material. Just to the left of the steps you can see what was left of the steeple, which would have held the church bell. As I explored the area I could imagine a young couple being married here and posing for photos on the front steps. I’m sure pictures like that exist somewhere and I hope to find them someday to complete the story of this place.

History of the Land

As far as I can tell this church and cemetery have existed since at least 1918 and very likely longer than that. The location does not appear on the 1935 map, but must have existed because the oldest headstone is from 1918. It does appear on the 1936 and 1964 map. In 1910 the land was owned by William and Sallie Allen, but changed hands many times since then. The road that leads to the church did not have many homes on it and seemed to stand very much alone and surrounded by crops. One of the reasons churches fall out of use is because the local people move away from the church. The people in this area likely moved to other states or just closer to the nearest town for convenience. With the church located down a gravel and dirt road several miles from town would discourage people from attending.

A short history of some of the people

One of the names found in this cemetery was imprinted on a metal plate used to mark a grave. It had only the name of the person, the birth and death years, his age, and the name of the funeral home. Jufo Foxie (1876-1961) was 84 years old and buried by the Miller Funeral Home. That name is something I’ve never seen before and I knew that it would stick out on the genealogical websites. Mr. Foxie was pretty easy to find in the available records, Jufo is not a common name. I learned many interesting things from his name that lead me down a winding road of immigration and farming. Jufo Foxie was the son of a Chinese immigrant, Willie Foxie, who likely came to Arkansas on a contract to work the farmland in 1869 (https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jan/24/chinese-americans-in-arkansas/). The Arkansas River Valley Immigration Company brought 189 Chinese immigrants to the sate. Each one was expected to sign a contract that would make the field hands for at least 3 years (https://digitalheritage.arkansas.gov/exhibits-online-multicultural-heritage/4/). Willie Foxie married a black woman called Mattie Andrews. They had many children together as the lived as tenant farmers in Jefferson County. Somewhere between 1895 and1900 Willie and Mattie move to Mississippi. I do not know when Willie Foxie died, but it was likely between 1900 and 1910. Jufo stayed in Jefferson County as a farm worked, doing many jobs including planting, handyman, and blacksmith. He lived most of his life in Jefferson County and was laid to rest in this cemetery.

Richard Toyer (1879-1956) was born in Louisiana but lived most of his life in Jefferson County. He had many children and step children in his life and multiple marriages. Richard Toyer worked for the railroad and fought in World War I and II. His headstone was homemade, but seems just as resistant to the elements as most headstones.

Thoughts and Further Action

I’ve visited this location twice now and am still actively researching the history of the area. The names and histories I’ve gathered only make me more enthused to find more. I’d like to go back this fall and winter to see if there are any more headstones to be found once the weeds have died down. I’ll post updates as I progress.

Let me know what you would like to hear more about. Are you interested in the life histories of the people? Want to know more about the land and buildings? Should I start a video series for each location I visit? Comment below and let me know what you’d like to learn more about.

Here is the link to the Find A Grave page with all of the people known to be buried in this cemetery (https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2737104/jerusalem-church-and-cemetery).

Things to Consider when Cemetery Hunting in the Winter and Spring

Winter is an excellent time of year to explore cemeteries. Many of the troublesome plants are dormant, snakes are not very active, and headstones can be much easier to see. Walking through wooded areas is easier with so many vines and grasses dying down in the cold. It’s even better when there had been a snow event! The snow can reveal oddities in the landscape not seen in the summer. Spring is a little messier with frequent rains, but many flowers planted with graves are beginning to bloom in the early spring. It’s exciting to come across a bunch of daffodils in the forest to also find a hidden headstone.

Living in a southern state means an unpredictable winter season. One week it’s 80F and the next it’s 10F. We can also get some serious storms that seem to come out of nowhere. Flexible planning is important in all seasons, but in winter it can feel like plans are constantly pushed aside. Don’t get discouraged! There are some great ways to prepare for and overcome these delays.

Clothing and Gear

Dressing for the season will make everything a lot easier. When I have the right clothes and gear. Having a range of outfits is ideal, but gets cumbersome and expensive. I would recommend 2-3 cold weather outfits that range in ideal temperature use, even better if the layers work together. For my coldest days, I wear 3 layers. My first layer is the same as what I would wear for a chilly day (45-60F). This layer consists of long sleeve athletic wear, a pullover, regular socks, sneakers, and leg warmers. The athletic wear fits very close to my skin and leaves lots of room for layering. Each outfit includes a well-made sports bra and comfortable underpants. Stopping to make adjustments to my undergarments is so frustrating The pullover and legwarmers are a nice touch but can be removed quickly if the weather warms up.

When it is colder (30-45F) I’ll add jeans or sweatpants, a layer of long socks, thin gloves, a hat, and swap my sneakers for boots. This adds extra insulation without being bulky. I can move well through wooded areas without getting stuck on anything. The layers are easy to remove if I start to get too warm.

This past year I bought myself something very nice for when it gets even colder, insulated overalls (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/ariat-womens-rebar-duracanvas-stretch-insulated-work-bib). These replace the jean layer for the really cold days. I’ll put on my athletic pants, long socks, leg warmers, and overalls. For my top, I’ll wear the long sleeve shirt and pull over under the overalls. On top of all of that, I might add a winter coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. The coat and bibs have the added benefit of big pockets to store snacks! The bibs are my favorite purchase of the year. They are so warm and cozy! I feel wonderful in them. There have not been any mobility issues with them.

Footwear needs to fit and work with the environment. I prefer to wear hiking boots, but in wet cold weather I switch to snow boots. They are warmer and usually water resistant. Stepping into an ice cold puddle can put a stop to the excitement in not time. Wet, cold feet have actually brought me to tears on a bad day. Consider packing extra shoes and socks.

If you are going to be heading out a long distance from where you are parking consider a backpack. Most dayhike packs are great for this. You’ll want to be able to hold any water, snacks, small medical kits, and anything else you might need. I’ll be writing another blog post on the subject of what to pack, so look out for that.

Getting to your locations

In winter and spring we get so much rain. Flash floods and thunderstorms are common and can be dangerous. If you are not familiar with the area and it looks a bit too mucky do not take the chance of getting stuck or hurt. Just turn around and make new plans. Take time to look at topographical maps, satalite imagaes, and weather reports. Many cemeteries are located near water. And even if it has not rained in the immedieat area the water could be high from rains upstream. Part of my county is inaccessible in bad weather because the road can be 4-6 inches under water. Even if the roads are clear, walking trails can be washed away long before the roads become dangerous. If you are walking off trail the terrain can change so dramatically in bad weather that it become difficult to find your way back.

Cold weather can turn for the worst with little warning. I was born and raised in a northern state, and I can often predict the cold, I usually know if the day will get warmer or colder. Most days get warmer as time passes, which is great. But on the days where it gets colder and colder a person can get caught in a bad situation. Always check the weather. Check more than one station or website. Listen to the locals if someone warns you. No one needs to loose an extremity over this.

Prepair your vehicle. I have an all wheel drive vehicle with an extra feature for gravel and dirt road driving. In all weather I do safety checks with my car before leaving. In cold weather I pack extra and do a little more work. My windsheild wiper fluid has antifreeze in it, this helps in case of a snow storm so I can maintain visibility. I pack blankets, towels, and extra clothes just in case. I wish I still had my heated car blanket, but things go missing everytime I move. I have several, large thermoses that I will fill with warm drinks (mostly just hot water). I like to include hand warmers in this kit as well.

Happy Hunting

I want everyone going out to be safe and warm! Have a good time, but prepare yourself first.

Bethel Cemetery, Melton Township

Some descriptive information

In Jefferson County there are many cemeteries of the same name, so often an additional qualifier is needed in the description. In the case of Bethel, there are at least two. One is within Pine Bluff city limits and the other is a few miles outside of town. This particular Bethel cemetery is located in Melton Township, just south of the airport, Grider Field. This tiny cemetery is hard to find and makes many drivers nervous getting to. The only road to get there is a mix of gravel and dirt, often hard to get down when raining or snowing. The driveway to the cemetery looks like a road only tractors should use and snakes around private property. In the summer months, the area is hidden by the row crops and trees surrounding it. The dust from the road can cover a car, making it hard to make out the original color. But in the fall and winter months the road is muddy and can seem, at times, impossible to pass.

Once there the most striking feature is a small church with a collapsing steeple, but this is not Bethel. This church is Derrisaeaux Baptist. Bethel is hidden in the tree line. Years ago it would have been the most visible thing from the road but now on a heap of rubble and remains. A pile of cinder blocks and cement stand nearly 3 feet tall surrounded by bits of glass, trash, bricks, and more cement. One can only imagine what it would have looked like in the past. Just past this rubble is the cemetery. It serves as part of the divide between the two churches. Within the boundaries of this nearly 2-acre plot lies at least 30 people, some recently buried.

Find a Grave site

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2739301/bethel-church-cemetery

What do you know about the past of this place?

This land was once owned by a man called Major P. Pointer. He was a black man born into slavery that was able to make a small fortune for himself and his family. I can’t find much about him in the papers, but what I found insisted on his good nature and decent character. He grew pears, potatoes, and corn on his land as well as 5 children. He died on 17 Jul 1902 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His family brought him back to his home and he was buried on his land. And since his land once held Bethel church I believe he is in the cemetery. As of right now, he is the first person to be put to rest in the cemetery.

Major’s land was passed down through his family for many many years. Much of that land is currently held by a person by the name of Anderson. I hope to work up the courage to go speak to them one day.

According to the maps available to me the Bethel Church was likely built between 1935 and 1964. That’s not very exact, but that’s what I’ve found so far.

What can I do now?

For right now I think it’s important to make a list of the possibilities. The cemetery is regularly mowed and does not seem to have any damage done to it on purpose. The weather damage to the building is a whole other story. I think this site is a great place to start my pollinator garden idea. The surrounding area is farmland, but there is a large buffer zone to prevent herbicide drift. The soil would need testing, but that is an extremely easy step. I need to contact the owner of the land, which has not gone great so far but I will keep trying. I would love to have this place be my first attempt at a pollinator garden. I would also like to have it mapped out by the archeological department, which is a very likely assignment. I will continue to research the land and families attached to the cemeteries to add to its rich story and share with all as I go. Now I will continue to find what I can.