Exploring and Discovering African American Genealogy and History in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

Charley Smothers
Greater Hollywood Church, West Feliciana
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Sunday was the perfect day to drive down the back roads in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. The charming and inviting town of St. Francisville, West Feliciana Parish was so beautiful. St. Francisville is the parish seat. We drove along the back roads taking in the view of the beautiful countryside. West Feliciana is about sixty minutes from my home. After arriving in the very clean and charming small town, we took a drive through the historic district in order to see the town's Victorian homes.  Afterward we made our way to visit the West Feliciana Historical Society which lasted about an hour. 

We took the opportunity to drive to Rosedown Plantation, which was built by the Turnbull family. Cotton was one of Daniel Turnbull's main sources of wealth. The plantation consists of 28 acres of formal gardens, which can be walked toured by visitors. I couldn't help but think about the enslaved from the perspective of their experiences. "They worked until the day they died, for others until the freedom bell rung." I want to know their names and learn as much as possible about the people who was forced to work from sun up to sundown. 

Old Wooden Cabin
West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

We drove out of the town limits and saw three little cabins sitting in a fenced in yard. I wanted to learn more about the cabins. What are they used for? Who do they belong to? Did someone move the cabins to this location? If so, where did they get the cabins  from?

Due to my own family history research expedition,  I am aware of the importance of obtaining accurate information and interpreting the message of the oral history. It is important to note that black people have made significant contributions to these small towns, and their history is the least undocumented history of the towns. 

We visited two church cemeteries while there, Greater Hollywood churches and found Gilmores, Sharpers, Handy, Pate, and Jones in the cemeteries. The oldest headstone was marked 1853 and was found on "Old Hollywood Church Road" right off Sligo Road.  According to the  1880 United States Federal Census. Charley was born in 1855. In the 8th Ward, West Feliciana. His wife was Adelaide Smother. Both his parents were bring in Louisiana.  His occupation was a farm laborer.