History: Early Franklin Parish, LA.

Contributed by DeWanna Lindo

July 2001





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In the early 1800's, Franklin Parish was a dense wilderness.

Settlement took place only along the streams of the Boef River and

Bayou Macon.

Indians killed many of the settlers. After the Indians were

defeated by the soldiers of the French Army, the settlements were

able to expand. The Swampers area was settled in 1802, Bayou Macon

was settled in 1811. Wisner was developed in 1830, followed by Gilbert.

In 1843 Franklin Parish was created from 616 acres of land from the

Parishes of Catahoula, Madison and Ouachita.Franklin Parish was named

in honor of Benjamin Franklin. In 1845 Winnsboro became the Parish 

seat and the town of Baskin were settled.

In 1890 the Paris expanded with the arrival of the railroad.

March 18, 1902, Governor William Wright Heard declared the Village

of Winnsboro incorporated and W.P. Powell was appointed as the first

mayor. And D.W. Ensminger was appointed the first marshal with a

salary of $25.

In 1913 the Village of Winnsboro was changed to the Town of Winnsboro,

With a population of 1,061.



Among the early settlers of Franklin were the Osborns, who took up

land near the present parish seat, the Buies, the Doyals, the Seays,

Leavens, Bowdens, Deshas, McDonalds, Matthews, Graysons, LeGrands,

Carroways, Bonners, Wooldridges, Holsteins, Dawsons, Whatleys,

Nugents, Thomases, Browns, Potters, Words, Richardsons, Gilberts,

McCleurs, Wards, and Lewises.