Wachahoota, FL

In Levy County on FL SR 121 near Williston, a historic one-room wooden Methodist Church stands as sentinel to what was once the sprawling Wachahoota Settlement of farmers and ranchers. Built in 1852 the pioneer church cemetery has 224 burial sites for Levy pioneers including many Confederate Civil War veterans. A large and ornate headstone is that of Thomas Napoleon Smith (1850-1910) whose father James Porter Smith established the congregation in 1852. Inscribed on the grave marker for Thomas Napoleon Smith is:

“My loved one dear

Lies sleeping Here

To me is his face so dear

But his sweet presence is ever near

It will not be long until we meet

by the Cross at Jesus’ feet”