Aline Turner Was A Woman of Means

Aline Turner's Bank Book
Photo Courtesy: Lillian Bates

Aline was a woman of some means. She had a bank account with Drexel State Bank of Chicago in 1917.  In 1920, Aline was living in Chicago and she worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant. She was listed as a Mulatto. Aline was born circa 1880. The United States Federal Census in 1920 said that she didn't attend school, but she knew how to read and write. 

When we study our own family history it can tell us so much about our ancestors and ourselves. Certainly, it can tell a lot about the lives our ancestors lived.  Aline also had a bank account at Whitney Bank in 1955 and she managed to save a great percentage of her earnings.  Aline purchased several lots in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. 

Her mother Jane Williams lived in Ponchatoula as well. Jane's mother Mary Miller was born in Virginia and her father was born in South Carolina. Jane was married to Barnard Williams.  According to the 1920  Jane was born abt 1843 in Louisiana. Jane worked as a laundress for a private family in Ponchatoula.  2019 will mark the sesquicentennial of Tangipahoa Parish. Tangipahoa Parish was founded in 1869. For the hundredth anniversary in 1969,  we were in the middle of the Civil Right movement and for the most part, African Americans in Tangipahoa Parish didn't participate in the celebration. For this commemoration, I want to highlight the history of African Americans in this parish. 

Aline William Turner

The history of African Americans has been undocumented and many people including African American people do not know some of the accomplishments and struggles that African Americans faced in this parish. Often times people do not like to talk about things from the past, especially African American people. Some say things were so bad that they just wanted to put  it out of their minds. This is why we have to look inside our own homes for documents, records, photographs, and other information that could be vital to our own family history. 

I want to know more about Aline and how she became a woman of means in a time when women didn't have rights to do many things on their own.  "How did she her mother Mary Miller come to Louisiana? Was she sold down south? Did she come with the slaveholders family? Was she a free woman of color?" There are so many unanswered questions about Aline. The people who could possibly answer these questions are now dead.

At this point, the only thing the family can do is preserve what they have in their processions. And hopefully, genealogy websites like Ancestry and Family Search can provide them with some information.  They may find the names of her children, where they lived, her husband name, occupation, and what year they were born. Sometimes we just have to settle for that information if we can't find anything else. Due to slavery, finding information can be limited in most cases. 

One thing for sure, the women in the family was very industrious. They were women who worked hard to have some financial independence. Aline daughters were just like her, I have come to learn a lot about her daughter Nellie.  Every household sure talk about their family history and share it with others. 

Several weeks ago Aline's great-great-granddaughter Lillian Bates met me in New Orleans to show me her collection. She wanted to leave the collection with me and I couldn't allow her to do that. I didn't want to take responsibility for this priceless collection and for the most part I didn't have the time to scan everything. I knew that it would take me a couple weeks due to my busy schedule. Well, the collection came back to me a second time, this time I didn't say no and I accepted it and made it a priority to scan it and mail it back to Lillian. 

After carefully reading every single documents and piece of paper, I learned so much about the history of Lillian's family and found that her ancestors were trying to tell me something. They wanted me to share their story with everyone, especially their offsprings through my blog. They wanted to tell us that through the most challenging times, they were strong and resilient people. They were determined people, they helped build schools, they stood up doing the Civil Rights Movement and most importantly, they left a blueprint, if only we would follow.

Doretha Baker Jackson of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

Doretha Baker Jackson
Photo Courtesy: Pat Jackson

Doretha Baker Jackson was married to Sam Jackson. They lived in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana., all their life. Doretha was known for working hard in the field. Her granddaughter Pat Jackson said her grandmother worked in the fields planting vegetables. She died from a heat stroke in the field where she spent most of her time.

African Methodist Episcopal Churches Made A Donation to CORE

Nellie Turner Berry Collection

This newspaper article was found in the Nellie Berry collection. Nellie was an influential African American woman in Ponchatoula and New Orleans, Louisiana. Nellie was a member of Union Bethel AME Church on Thalia Street in New Orleans, Louisiana after she left Ponchatoula and made New Orleans, La., her home.

According to her granddaughter Lillian Bates, Nellie attended church in Ponchatoula as well. Unfortunately, Lillian can't recall the name of the church in Ponchatoula. All the newspaper clippings and other records in Nellie collection hold the key to some very important church and political history for African American progress during the Civil Rights Movement. 

These influential Religious leaders donated a check in the amount of $635.00 dollars to James McCain, field director for  The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). The article doesn't give us the date the donation was made.  The article states that's that the check was presented at St. James AME Church.

Nellie Turner Berry
Photo Courtesy: Lillian Bates

Nellie saved another newspaper article about Mahalia Jackson performing at a concert and benefit dinner to raise money for Union Bethel AME Church when fell victim to a fire. Rev. Lutrelle was in high hopes that the concert and benefit dinner would pay off the four thousand dollars mortgage they taken out for renovations after the fire. Mahalia was joined by her longtime friend Elliot Von Joseph Veal an instructor of music at Woodson Junior High School.  He brought with him a chorus of singers from numerous of New Orleans churches.

Reverend Lutrelle Grice Long opened the doors of Union Bethel to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Many  Civil Rights activities too place at Union Bethel under his leadership.  A fire destroyed the building in  1962.  According to Union Bethel A.M.E. Church website, it is said that Dr. King spoke before out to the congregation in 1961 and called for " a new emancipation." He urged the President of the United States to issue an executive order to make segregation unconstitutional by way of the 14th amendment. In 2004 during the 75th birthday commemoration, President George W. Bush spoke before the congregation about Dr. King's legacy.

I'm honored to know that a native of Ponchatoula, Louisiana was a member of a powerful church that played a major role in the Civil Right Movement in the Deep South. I'm anxious to know what else can be found in her collection that can shed some light on her role in the Civil Rights movement.

The 1,500 seating capacity of the Union Bethel auditorium was particularly important during the Civil Rights Movement.  There notable mass meetings were held at Union Bethel. Several Pastors of the Historic St. Peter A.M.E. Church is present in this photograph as well; Rev. T. Gaines, and Reven, F. B. Hitchens. 

After the Civil Rights rally at the Municipal Auditorium was banned by court order, members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) held a prayer meeting in Congo Square outside the auditorium Dec. 15, 1961. They then proceeded to Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, St. Liberty at Thalia. The Rev. Avery Alexander, in in the dark overcoat and gray suit, let the procession. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke at the assembly. (Photo by Terry Friedman, The Time-Picayune archives) Terry Friedman.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/ea7eacec-b1a5-4dca-a5f4-3bfd129d15b4

Lillian Bates and Nellie Berry Collection

New Orleans, Time-Picayune Newspaper, June 11, 1966

"Sherman L. Green" Four Freedom Building

Sherman L. Green "Four Freedom Building

This photograph really perked my interest. There are questions that need answers:

Where is the building located?

Who was Sherman L. Green?

Why was it named Four Freedom Building?

Why was this photograph in the Berry collection?

I went to ancestry to see if I could find any records. I found a Sherman L. Green in the 1910 United States Federal Census.  Sherman was married to a woman named Pinky V. Green. Sherman was born in Mississippi abt 1882. In 1910 he was living in Little Rock Ward 1, Pulaski, Arkansas.  He was the President at  Shorter College. Shorter was founded in 1886, a private, faith-based, two-year liberal arts college located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The college was founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Shorter College is one of the nation's 110 Historically Black Colleges and University and the only private, two-year HBCU in the nation.

In the 1940 United States Census, he was 55 years old and was living in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas. His occupation listed him as a Preacher Bishop and his the highest grade completed was the 3rd year of college. He was a Bishop of the African Methodist Churches. He lived at 900 Ringo Street in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Shorter College graduates, 1912.
Archives State Archives

While researching, I came across a JET magazine "June 11, 1964" Fisk University graduate Sherman L. Green. III, the grandson of AME Bishop Sherman L. Green, was awarded, three major fellowships. With grants for Danforth, Woodrow Wilson, and Fulbright Fellowships. He will use the Fulbright studies, to study comparative literature in France, and then the others.  

Group photograph of graduates of Shorter College posed in front of a brick building on the campus in North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas in 1912. Graduates include front row (second from left) Carson D. Henry, Rosston, Nevada County, Arkansas; Amoline C. Steward, Malvern, Hot Spring County; Claudius V. Stewart, Malvern, Hot Spring County; Trudie E. Saunders, Argenta (North Little Rock), Pulaski County; Roxie A. Walker, Pine Bluff, Jefferson County; Jessie D. Berry, Clarendon, Monroe County; Sherman L. Green, Pine Bluff, Jefferson County; back row Rev. A.H. Hill (sixth from left) and Rev. J.N. Campbell (eighth from left).

Sources:

Jet Magazine 1964

Photograph: http://www.worldcat.org/title/shorter-college-graduates-1912/oclc/47218302

Building Photograph: Lillian Bates

Uncle Martin Was A Undertaker

Martin Berry
Photo Courtesy of: Lillian Bates

Martin Berry was born in circa 1870. According to the 1930 United States Federal Census. He was born in Mississippi. In 1930 he was living in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He owned his own home and the home valued at three thousand and five hundred dollars. He was married to Almeda Berry. Martin and his wife had a grandson by the name of Willie living in the household with them. Martin and his brothers were carpenters.

In the 1910 United States Census, he and wife were the parents of Thomas, Clarence, Alfred Berry.  A little girl named Bertha Brown was living in the house. Martin was able to read and write.

On the back of the photograph, it is written that he was a professional undertaker. (Uncle Martin, a mortician), Edward John Berry's brother.

Aline Turner Was A Pioneering Woman of Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Aline Turner Johnson
Photo Credit: Lillian Bates

Several weeks back, I met a woman named Lillian Bates through one of my social media sites who told me that her family roots are tied to Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Ponchatoula is presently known for the annual strawberry festival. But there isn't much documentation on African American people who lived in Ponchatoula. Some migrated there and became strawberry pickers and others work at one of the timber companies. 

Through the many conversations Lillian told me about her rich family collection of photographs and other documents. I was intrigued to hear about the collection and couldn't wait to see it. When we made plans for me to see the collections, I was truly amazed at the land records, photographs, and other vital information that can help us take a look at the Turners, Bates, Buchanan, and Berry family. 

Learning about life during for African Americans in the Louisiana Florida Parishes during and after Reconstruction can help us to write or re-write the history books. Reconstruction was implemented by Congress and lasted form 1866 to 1877. 

Aline was one of the children of Barnard and Jane Williams. She was born abt 1879 She owned several lots in Ponchatoula and Aline kept very good records. Aline was married twice, first to Alex Johnson and second to Isaiah Turner.  According to the 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Aline and Alex  had three children.  She passed away in 1949.

In the collection was original copies of tax records, letters, receipts, and photographs. A copy of her funeral expenses from Campbell's Funeral Services, Inc.  Her funeral services cost $290.00 dollars. Her daughter Nellie Berry made sure that the services was paid for in full.

Aline appeared to be a woman of some means. She purchased land and a home for her family. The census  said that she knew how to read and write.

Tulsa Race Riot Survivor Dr. Oliva Hooker Died at 103

Living Legacy Award Recipients
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Dr. Olivia J. Hooker, a survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot and first African-American woman to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard, had died at age 103. She was born on February 12, 1915, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Dr. Hooker was only six years old when she and her three siblings hid under the table while the Ku Klux Klan ransacked their home. 

She applied to the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service for the U.S. Navy but was rejected due to her ethnicity.  She fought the rejection due to a technicality and she was accepted. She received her Masters in Psychology. Dr. Hooker was one of the founders of the American Psychological Association. I had the pleasure of being one of the women along with Dr. Olivia Hooker in 2013 to be a recipient of the Living Legacy Award presented by Association for the Study of American American Life and History (ASALH). 

I was seated at the same table with a living legend and I wish I had the time just to sit and talk with her about her experience. With over 180 nominations, nineteen women were chosen to receive the Living Legacy Award at the 87th Annual Black History Month Luncheon, February 23, 2013, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington D.C. 

Josephine Woolridge Edward of Montpelier, Louisiana

Josephine Woolridge Edward
1896-1974

On October 29, 1974, Sister Josephine Woolridge Edward departed his life at 9:35 p.m., at the home of her sister, Mrs. Easter Woolridge Vining in Montpelier, LA.  

Mrs. Josephine Woolridge was born June 10, 1896, to the wedlock of Mr. Harris Woolridge and Mrs. Irene Smith Woolridge and later she met and married Rev. Arthur Edward, who preceded her in death. One son was born to this union, he also preceded her in death. 

Sister Josephine was converted at an early age at Old Tinners A.M.E. Church under the leadership of Rev. Tom Richardson which later became Morgan Chapter A.M.E. Church of Montpelier, LA. 

She was a faithful member and served on the Stuardress C Board and was a member of the Missionary. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to everyone in the community even though sometimes sick. 

She leaves to mourn, one sister, Mrs. Easter Woolridge Vining of Montpelier, LA., four brothers, Rev. Lee Woolridge of Montpelier, LA, Ferdann Woolridge, and Mr. Jerdan (Teran) Woolridge both of Amite, La., and Mr. Charlie Woolridge of Hammond, LA and a host of relatives and friends.

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.