WOLKES, SAMUEL WARREN - Washington County, Louisiana | SAMUEL WARREN WOLKES - Louisiana Gravestone Photos

Samuel Warren WOLKES

Bonnie Cemetery
Washington County,
Louisiana

May 15, 1849 - July 8, 1918

Husband of Vandellia Dorcas McMillan Wilkes
SAMUEL WARREN WILKES, son of John B. and Oney Rebecca (Pritchard) Wilkes, was born near Homer, Louisiana, on 15 May 1849. He died on 8 July 1918 and was buried in the cemetery at Angie, Louisiana. "Sam" Wilkes was one of the early boatmen of Pearl River. He built in 1896 and owned, with Hubert and Hilton Bailey, the "Carrie B." He made many trips between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Columbia, Mississippi, and on occasion of very high water the boat would go as far up the river as Monticello and old Westville. The main cargo was cotton to New Orleans (one cargo consisted of 535 bales at $1.00 per bale) and general merchandise out of New Orleans to the towns along the river. The competition of the railroads eventually put the river boats out of service. Also, the boats were unable to keep a regular schedule, as they could not navigate the Pearl except when it was "up" from heavy rains and therefore their service was unreliable. After his steamboat days, Mr. Wilkes was a cotton planter and operated a cotton gin. He lost an arm in a cotton gin accident. He was known for his kindness to orphans and was a man of deep affection for his children and grandchildren. Until the number completely outgrew even improvised beds, every child and grandchild had to spend Christmas Eve under his roof.

Samuel Warren Wilkes and Vandellia Dorcas McMillan were married on 2 February 1870 at the home of Mr. F. M. Forbes at Angie, Louisiana, the marriage ceremony being performed by the Reverend Joseph Pounds, a Baptist minister. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkes lived for a while in Angie and in 1875 moved to Saint Francisville, Louisiana and lived on Fairview plantation for several years before moving back to Angie. They had the following children:

a. Oney Angelina Wilkes, b. 5 Feb 1871;
b. John Monroe Wilkes, b. 29 May 1872; d. 26 Oct. 1879
c. Louvenia Wilkes, born 31 Dec. 1873
d. Samuel Warren Wilkes, Jr., born 30 Mar. 1875
e. Gabriella Wilkes, born 24 Nov. 1876
f. Mary Eugenia Wilkes, b. 27 Dec. 1878; d. 18 July 1881
g. Myra Hazel Wilkes, born 30 Oct. 1882
h. Lucion Wilkes, born 23 June 1884
i. Infant born 19 Feb 1886; died at birth
j. Viola Vandellia Wilkes, born 27 June 1887
k. Infant born 21 Nov. 1889; died at birth
l. Holly Alonzo Wilkes, born 30 June 1891


Photo courtesy of Barbara

Contributed on 9/29/20 by billsully060
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Record #: 285498

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Submitted: 9/29/20 • Approved: 9/29/20 • Last Updated: 10/2/20 • R285498-G0-S3

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