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.