Barnard and Jane Family Williams History of Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Barnard and Jane Williams Family History
Ponchatoula, La: Courtesy Photo Courtesy: Lillian Bates

Jane Williams was born in Ponchatoula in 1855. She was married to Barnard Williams also known as Ben R. Williams. In 1920 Jane lived on Ferch Road in Ponchatoula. She and Barnard gave birth to 12 children: Aline, Wisteria, Ella, Ellana, Alfonse,  Clinton, Sillsteen Mclure, Minard, Cora Daniels, Eunice, and George.

I posted a picture of an old house I took at Brittany Austin home in Ponchatoula recently and the response to that photograph opened up other communications about African American families who lived in Ponchatoula. A woman named Lillian Bates contacted me through facebook and shared some beautiful photographs of her family who lived Ponchatoula, Louisiana.  Jane was the daughter of Mary Miller.   Mary was born circa 1815 in Virginia. According to the 1880 U.S. Census, she was living with her daughter Jane and her son-in-law Barnard Williams.

George Williams
Courtesy of Lillian Bates

Lillian's ancestors were landowners and most of them were Laundress. Jane didn't know how to read and write according to the 1930 U.S. Census. One of the most notable history makers were Rev. Arthur Tasker, who became the first African American mayor to be elected to Ponchatoula in 1870. Jane was neighbors to Rev. Arthur Tasker and her son Clinton Willimas was on the board of Trustees. 

Their son George lived at 255 E. McClellon Street in Ponchatoula. George photograph is just one of the photographs in the Williams family photograph collection.  Lillian Bates is a direct descendant of Althea Bates and Milton Andrew Foret. She is the granddaughter of Lousie Berry. She left two children behind: Althea and Lionel Bates. Her sister Nellie raised her two children.

Jane's daughter Aline owned an eight lots in the City limits of Ponchatoula.  Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,  6, 7, and 8 in Ward 7. Aline purchased the lots from Jacob R. Ables in 1947 for a sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.

When Aline died, her remains were trusted to Campbell Funeral Home in Hammond, LA, in 1949.  Aline was married twice, first to Alex Johnson and second to Isaiah Turner. Barnard and Jane's children married into the Turner, Johnson, Buchanan, Owens, Nelson, Corley,  families Daniels that is noted.

I asked Lillian how did she get the rich collection.  "My grandmother kept everything!" said Lillian. I have bags of other photographs and documents Lillian said. Lillian is one of the people who inherited a rich collection and want to preserve it.  After my workshop, I had a small window of time to look at her collection,  and I can assure you I have to make some more time to spend with her.

Louise Bates

When others share their family history we can learn more about the areas we are researching. It's people like Lillian who holds the missing pieces to the puzzle that can help paint the picture and tell the story. Not only does that pictures tell a story, but the documents that she had.  One document she had was the funeral record dated back the 1940s of her Aunt Aline's funeral.  In the collection, you will find High School Diplomas, land records, handwritten letters, and other documents that tell the story of land ownership for the Williams Family.

As a genealogist and family historian, we are always delighted to hear that someone like Lillian inherited her family collection. Because often times, the collection can end up in the hands of someone who may not place any historic value on the collection and they will throw it away.