Henry, Carmelite Garrett, 1871-1948

Shreveport attorney, a vice president of the Louisiana Historical Society, and author of historical articles and the "History of Northwestern Louisiana" (1939).

Carmelite "Cammie" Henry was born January 14, 1871 on Scattery Plantation in Ascension Parish. She was the only daughter of Leu Divine Erwin and Captain Stephen Garrett. Cammie was a graduate of Normal State College in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and in 1894 she married planter John Hampton Henry. In 1899, after receiving the property from John's father Joseph Henry, the Henrys moved to Melrose Plantation in Natchitoches Parish. John continued as a planter, while Cammie born eight children from 1894-1915.

After John died in 1917, Cammie sought management help of the farm. With the extra help, she began to expand her interests in gardening, literature, weaving, art and history. Cammie began to actively seek the company of Louisiana writers and artists and collecting materials on Louisina. She continued to retain her interests and remained in good health until the 1940's. At age seventy-eight, Cammie died from complications received after falling following a stroke.