Sweet potatoes baked in the oven are the epitome of southern comfort

Baked Sweet Potatoes 
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

 I have fond memories of my childhood, growing up in my grandparents' charming wooden-framed home, which was located on a long stretch of road known at that time as Route 306 in Amite, Louisiana. In the den, there stood an old pot-belly stove, its presence both practical and comforting. The firewood was always stacked neatly in the corner, ready for use. This stove was not merely a source of warmth for the room; it also served as a versatile tool for preparing hearty soups and stews, especially on the coldest winter days, when its warmth and the aroma of cooking filled the home with a sense of coziness and togetherness.

Mama Phine, my beloved grandmother, had a unique way of baking sweet potatoes: she would place them in the ashes to cook. As a child, I often found this method curious and unfamiliar, wondering why she chose such an unconventional approach. However, the results were always extraordinary. When the sweet potatoes emerged from the ashes, they were incredibly delicious. On occasion, they would caramelize, creating a sweet, gooey texture that was my absolute favorite. The rich, sugary flavor of those caramelized potatoes was a treat that lingered pleasantly on my taste buds.

During one of my visits to the Womack Syrup Making shed, I came across a patch of sweet potatoes. I observed Richard Womack as he prepared the potatoes for baking. At first, I assumed he was going to place them inside the clay stove for baking. However, to my surprise, he positioned them on top of the red clay stove to bake. Initially, I thought they were simply resting there, but Cedrick Womack clarified that Richard was, in fact, baking the sweet potatoes on top of the stove. 

The gate of memories swung open, and I found myself immersed in thoughts of my childhood, when I watched my grandmother bake those delightful homegrown sweet treats. Those days, though marked by humble beginnings, were filled with a beauty and simplicity that still resonate deeply with me. The vibrant hues of the sweet potatoes, paired with the earthy tones of the clay, evoked in me the image of a masterful work of art. Richard, with great care and precision, honed his craft in baking these delectable treats. Around him, a group of men sat patiently, eagerly anticipating the arrival of those naturally sweet and savory delicacies.

You can find homemade teacakes, cracklings, grits, eggs, smoked sausage, and biscuits in the Womack Syrup Making shed. Oh, and don’t forget the hot kettle of coffee brewing! It a time where family and friends come together once a year to enjoy what they do. A tradition that the Womack Family want to maintain as long as they health will allow them to. 

In 1876, an enraged mob tore apart Prince B. Melson's Justice of the Peace Commission in St. Helena.

Prince B. Melson

Tyrus Holmes highlighted during our conversation that the surname Melson carries significant historical importance within St. Helena Parish. He elaborated on the deep-rooted connection between his maternal lineage and the Melson family, reflecting on the historical ties that bind them. While Tyrus acknowledged a lack of specific details regarding this genealogical relationship, he suggested reaching out to his mother, who possesses a wealth of knowledge on the subject and could provide a more comprehensive understanding. Upon his request to include his mother in the discussion, I agreed, and a brief introduction followed.  

I sought to gain insight into her family genealogy and lineage. She explained that her father, John Henry Melson, was the grandson of Prince B. Melson. She confirmed that her father and Prince Estella Melson Lee was first cousins. Prince Estella Melson Lee was the spouse of Herbert Lee, a prominent voter rights activist who was tragically murdered in September 1961 by State Legislator E. H. Hurst at a cotton gin in Liberty, Mississippi. The murder occurred during a period of heightened racial tension and voter suppression in the Jim Crow South, where activists like Herbert Lee faced significant risks advocating for civil rights.

Prince B.Melson was born in 1851 in Greensburg, Louisiana, and died in 1917 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He later married Lucinda Torrence.  Prince and Lucinda was married i 1873 in St. Helena, Louisiana. They were the parents of; Jacob Melson, Willy Melson, Maggie Melson, Jane Melson, Viola Melson, Bennie Melson, Ellen Melson, David Melson, August Melson, Ollie Melson, and Mamie Melson. 

Prince B. Melson
Photo Courtesy: Tyrus Holmes

A tragic incident involving Prince.B. Melson, a Black Justice of the Peace elected in 1876 and commissioned by Kellogg, is documented in "A History of the Negro Voting in Louisiana, " 1877–1906. While presiding over court proceedings, a mob of approximately one hundred men reportedly invaded Melson’s home, confiscated and destroyed his commission, tore up his books, and threatened to lynch him if he continued to hold court. Described as a literate and property-owning Black man, Melson’s story underscores the pervasive violence of the era. Reading Allie Bayne Windham’s dissertation on the history of Black voters in Louisiana highlights the extent of murders, lynchings, and beatings that occurred during this period, which is deeply disturbing.

The post-Reconstruction era was a period of immense hardship for Black individuals in Louisiana. Violent and fatal riots plagued communities where Black people lived. Black voters faced violence from both the Democratic and Republican parties, which exploited them for political gain. During this period, the Democratic Party aimed to reassert its dominance in the Southern states by suppressing Black political influence through intimidation and disenfranchisement. Black individuals and voters were politicallymarginalized and vulnerable, as both parties placed their own interests above meaningful reform. Prince B. Melson is just one of the many Black people who faced violence and the threat of death although many was killed for wanting to cast their vote and seek political office. 

Prince Estella Melson Lee, the granddaughter of Prince B. Melson, and his namesake deeply understood the sacrifices involved in the struggle for voting rights. Her husband, Herbert Lee a committed activist and supporter of voter rights, tragically lost his life in this fight. Lee was an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Amite County, Mississippi. In 1961, he collaborated with Bob Moses of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to encourage Black residents in the area to register to vote. Prince B. Melson was portrayed as a prominent community figure whose influence extended to local politics and regional development. He late became a preacher.

Prince Estella Melson Lee
Photo Courtesy: Find a Grave

Citation

Webb, Allie Bayne Windham, "A History of Negro Voting in Louisiana, 1877-1906." (1962). LSU Historical, Dissertations and Theses. 748.