Campbell Bryan Hodges of Bossier Parish and Luella Virginia Sockwell of Claiborne Parish were married in Bossier Parish in 1878.  They lived on a river plantation at Elm Grove, Louisiana, amid comparative wealth and plenty.  They had 7 children, all of whom lived to adulthood except Jeannette Ward Hodges.  She died at the age of 9 months.

In the archives of the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center are copies of the journal entries that Luella Sockwell Hodges made from 1888-1891.  The journal entries tell of everyday plantation life, of visits to friends and relatives and illnesses that loved ones experienced.  Luella wrote of her chickens, of her garden, but mostly she wrote of her children.  Her journal entries were beautifully written and reflected the deep love that she had for her family.

Especially touching were the entries she made after the death of Jeannette Ward Hodge, “Our Darling Baby Jeannette.”

When Luella wrote in her journal on May 23, 1891, she recounted a harrowing experience when the wagon in which three of her children was backed off in the Chute, turning upside down and almost drowning all of the wagon’s passengers.  All were saved, due to the presence of mind of the two older Hodges boys and Luella wrote of her thankfulness.

Approximately one month later, on June 21, 1891, her entries were sad ones.  Her youngest child, Jeannette Ward, had died on June 18, 1891.  The baby had developed a very bad cold with fever.

We gave her a dose of oil and turpentine and she seemed to be much better till Thursday evening when she took fever again.  We sent for Dr. Alison, Friday morning and when he came again Saturday morning she was no better and Sunday she was worse.

I never dreamed that a baby could show such sense and patience, and sweetness in suffering—and am going to let the remembrance of her death be a sweet example to me in every affliction of my life.  Her precious eyes, the brightest that I have ever seen-had a mournful expression toward the last, that I can never forget.  [After she was dressed and laid out] Little Sister came and told Cam [pbell] to come and see the most beautiful thing on earth – and it was.  There were honisuckles [sic] all around her and one in each of her sweet hands – the sweetest sight I ever saw.  May God comfort our hearts with the thought that we may some day meet her and be like her.

Luella continued to mourn the loss of her baby and made entries in her journal about her grief until November 8, 1891.  The Bossier Parish Library Historical Center’s journal copies end on this date.  One more child, Joseph Lawson Hodges, was born to Luella and Campbell after she ended her journal entries.

To read more of these touching journals, visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center.

Ann Middleton is the Director of the Bossier Historical Center. She may be reached via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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