The Next Generation Learning the Importances of Historic Preservation

Chase LaCoste
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

There is a huge lack of interest in history and genealogical studies in our youth. While our youth embrace technology, "the question is are they using the technology to learn about their history and culture?"We must find creative ways to teach them about their history and the historic contributions their ancestors and family have made to the society they live in. 

One of the many tools I use to teach my grandchildren about their history is visiting the local museums and library. There are many fun and educational learning activities that will help encourage them to learn more. When we plan a museum field trips we make a day out of it. For starters, we get the map out to manually find the highway and roads we will take to get to the museum.  We search for other historic places to visit while we are there.  The children use their technology gadgets  to answer the following questions;

Where is the museum located?

What can we find in the museum?

Are there any exhibitions on display?

How long would it take to see the museum?

Can we take pictures at the museum?

How long does it take to get there?

Are there any rivers, or lakes to cross?

Recently I made another donation to my collection at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies and my sons were part of this historic occasion. While driving we were talking about the collection and why I decided to donate the items. They understood the importance of me preserving history that involves them.  It's never too early them about their history and allow them to ask questions. If you don't have the answers, this is a good time to learn and explore together. 

My grandson was delighted to be a part of this historic event. The smile on his face tells it all. While they were waiting for me to finish signing the forms for my donation. Chase and the two other boys visit the World War II Exhibition at the Center. 

Festus Mix Walker and Corean Briggs Walker Family History

Photo Credit
Find A Grave

Dr, Percy Leroy Walker was born on December 18, 1918, and died October 1995 in Amite, Louisiana. He was the son of Festus M. Walker and Corinne Briggs  Walker.  He graduated from Southern University in Agriculture Education and Tuskegee University in Veterinary medicine. He also graduated from officer training school and served in WW II and the Korean War as 1st Lieutenant. After his service years, he was a substitute teacher, social worker, and a government meat inspector. He established the Amite Veterinary Clinic in 1953 and continued his practice until 1995. He considered this area a "veterinarian's paradise" and loved his work as well as the people. On any afternoon he can be found vaccinating, dehorning and castrating animals. Vaccinations were for bangs disease, blackleg, and malignant edema. Dr. Walker said he vaccinated some 1,000 animals a year, primarily large ones. He is buried in the Amite Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Amite, Louisiana.

Harrison was born in 1859 in the Mississippi. He and his wife Philis were the parents of; Handy, Florence, Albert, Charley, Fancy, Elizabeth, Geneva, Jessie, and Mary Walker.  Their son Festus Mix Walker and his wife Coreen were the parents of; Louis,  Curtis, Willie Mae, Deletta,  and Percy Walker.

"Thomas Freeman" A Free Man of Color Owned A Plantation in Livington Parish, Louisiana

Thomas  P. Freeman was born about 1811 according to the 1870 United States Census.  He was born in Louisiana, He was married to a woman named Isabella. The household members were; Levi, Tom, Indiana, Jane, his wife Isabella, Hammond, and Dicy Freeman.  

The 1830's United States Census recorded him as a freeman. There were a total of 5 Free People of Color living in the house. One male between the age of 36-54; One female under the age 10; 2 females between the ages 10-23; 1 female between the age of 24-35.

In the 1880 United States Federal Census. Thomas father's birthplace is recorded as Africa. His mother birthplace was Virginia.  It's recorded that Thomas knew how to read and write. He worked as a farmer in the 5th Ward, St. Helena, Parish,  Louisiana.

Further, into my research, I found that Thomas served in the Civil War. His wife Isabella filed for her widow pension on August 1, 1890. He served in E. 32. USC. Infantry. The 32nd Regiment United States Colored Regiment was organized by Camp William Penn in Pennsylvania in March 1864. He was a private in Company E.  The date he Mustered into Service was February 26, 1864. He mustered out with Company, August 22, 1865.

Isabella Freeman
Widow Pension File

The son of Thomas and Isabella was also named Thomas. He was born around 1855 in Louisiana.  Thomas Freeman, Jr., was married to Alice Stilley. They gave birth to the following children; Monore, Mattie, John H, Allice A, Author, Alfetter, Rosa, Clara,, Viola, and Leroy.

Further, into my research, I found that Thomas served in the Civil War. His wife Isabella filed for her widow pension on August 1, 1890. He served in E. 32. USC. Infantry.

Thomas purchased the what is now called Carter Plantation, a historic plantation house located in Livingston Parish. He purchased the property he called "Sycamore" between 1817 and 1820, from James Rheem. The property was around 2,000 acres.  He was the first African American to own property in St. Helena Parish. Throughout the years the ownership changes. The Cypress swamp was a major timber source for the area. The Blood River was used to transport the rich cypress timber south. 

The Hammond Vindicator published an article as part of their Bicentennial series on "Bloody Tangipahoa," Freeman was the first man to record a legal transaction in the Greensburg District of  Louisiana. Freeman was the first black man to own property in what is now Livingston Parish. Freeman with some means and he owned large tracts of property. In 1838, he sold the land and house to W.L. Breed a local political figure. Breed had been sheriff of St. Helena when Livingston was created

It is noted that there were two schools on the site. One for the slaveholder's children and family. The second school was hidden in the woods for the slave children to secretly be educated.  

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

"Bicentennial Notes," Hammond Vindicator, June 26, 1975

1830 United States Census

1870 United States Census

Carter Plantation website, http:www.carterplantation.com/index.htm

1869-2019 Marks the 150th Anniversary of Tangipahoa Parish

Picture Unknown
Courtesy of Monteral Latrice Harrell

I became acquainted with the undocumented history of African American people in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes through images collected for my new book entitled Images "Images of America" African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. The parish of Tangipahoa was formed in 1869 during Reconstruction. It was created by taking territory from St. Helena, St. Tammany, Livingston, and Washington Parishes. The name derives from the Tangipahoa Native American who lived in the area.  The name Tangipahoa comes from an Acolaspissa word meaning "ear of corn' or "those who gather corn. Tangipahoa is the youngest of the Florida Parishes.

At the end of the Civil War, many former enslaved Africans remained in the parishes with their families.  Virtually left without land and other resources that would help to sustain them, they were determined to start a new life.  After four hundred years of slavery and hard work, they had to search for that new freedom with only the rags on their backs. They knew that road would be a very challenging road with many triumphs ahead.  But they were determined to meet the many challenges in front of them. The only thing they owned where their skills. The very skilled they used to work for the former slavemasters, they used them to work for themselves.

The parish was created only six years after slavery was abolished in the United States. For the most part, many African American people who have lived in Tangipahoa Parish now were already living in  the Florida Parishes. It's important to know when the parishes were created when you are historically researching or conducting genealogy research. Livington Parish was created in 1832, St. Helena Parish was created in 1810, and Washington Parish was created in 1819.  

The history of many African American people living in Tangipahoa can be traced back to St. Helena Parish because it is the oldest parish of the four Louisiana Florida Parishes. Although some African Americans may trace their family origins back to East Feliciana Parish.

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

They made their owners very wealthy through their hard labor. In 1862, Representative Thaddeus Stevens introduced a bill in Congress to confiscated slave owners' land and distributed it to the former enslaved Africans. The news quickly spread that each family would soon be given  "40 acres and a mule, to start their farms.  During the Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman did in seize plantations in South Carolina and Georiga. He distributed 40-acre plots of land to about 40,000 former slaves in the two states. Later President Andrew Johnson removed the newly freed slaves from the land that were issued to them. 

I've traveled many back roads throughout St. Helena Parish in search for plantations. The Carter Plantation also known at the Carter House is a historic plantation in Livingston Parish. I haven't seen any plantations and cabins to tour in St. Helena. St. Helena plantation life is somewhat non-existent. My ancestors on my maternal side of my family history traced back to St. Helena Parish. Benjamin and Celica Bankston Richardson owned Carrie, my 4th great grandmother, and child Thomas. Although many of the plantation homes and cabins aren't there. You may be able to find your ancestors in the wills, successions, and probate records in the courthouse.

Nellie Berry and  her sister Philicity
Courtesy: Lillian Bates 

African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes worked hard to purchase their own land and some started their own business. They built their own school to educate their children. Other became sharecroppers or tenant farmers on land they worked. They signed Freedmen Bureau Contracts with landowners, agreeing to give them a portion of the crops in return for seeds, clothes, shelter, tools, mules, and some staples.

Robert "Free Bob" Vernon purchased thousands of acres of land for his family. He donated land for the church, school, and cemetery.  Jim Temple also owned large tracts of land for him and his family. My great grandfather Robert Harrell and his son Alexander Harrell purchased land in 1888. A lot of African American families still live on the land that their ancestors purchased. The more I research about the undocumented people who made great contributions to these two Florida Parishes, the more I want to share.

In 2019, we are embarking upon Tangipahoa Parish sesquicentennial celebration. My ancestors had lived in Tangipahoa Parish for 150 years like so many families. We are proud of the contributions and should celebrate through a series of events that can help us commemorate our past and present. 150 years later, where are we?  Can we empower the future by sharing our history?

Eddie "Rip": Lee Obituary

Eddie " Rip" Lee Nelson was born in Columbus, Mississipi to the late Jim Nelson and the late Cornelia  Brooks on July 24, 1936. In 1951 Cornelia married an awesome man named Tompy Shinn who raised him as his own. He was a graduate of Columbus High School in 1954 and continued his journey into the U.S. Navy and serve 12 years. Later he became an employee of Shell Oil of Amite, LA. He was a very compassionate and loving person to his family and friends. He never minded giving a person a place to reside. "Rip" has a heart of gold and everyone around him knew that of him. May God be with you and rest on.

Eddie " Rip" Lee Nelson will be truly missed but will live on through those that loved him. He leaves behind two beautiful daughters: Lawanda Irving (Hammond, LA) and Ton Irving(Amite, LA). Seven grandchildren that truly loved him and he adored: Treston & Shanna Irving, Madison, and Christian Hill, Jo'elle, Chase & Connor Lacoste. They all truly love their "Paw-Paw." He had one great-grandchild, the precious "Cassius Amir Irving." He had a great caregiver that cared for him 17 years and she was truly a blessing to him; Rosemary Seiber-Watts. There was also Leonard Hickerson as a special friend who was truly a blessing as well. He had many friends that helped him as a well and there is to many to name but they were a blessing to him. 

Eddie Lee Nelson was preceded in death by his parents; Cornelia Shinn & Jim Nelson, Tommy Skinn; one daughter Remina Collins, one brother Paston Johnson, two sisters; Flora Mae Copeland & Mary Warford, one niece Sylvia Renee Warford,  and one nephew Earl Warford.

Source: The Funeral Program of Eddie" Rip" Lee Nelson

Celebration of Life for Mother Willie Mae Dunn Williams

Mother Willie Mae Dunn Williams
Funeral Program

Mother Willie Mae Williams, known affectionately by her family as, "Mae Mae," departed this life on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, in Greenburg, Louisiana. She was born on May 9, 1918, in Centerville, Mississippi to the late Theodore Dunn, Sr. and the late Gladys Chapman Dunn. She was the second child of eight children. In 1949, she married Willie Williams, Sr, and to this union, four children were born. Willie Mae was a devoted and loving mother. Mother Willie Mae was a woman of faith who dedicated her life to Christ at an early age. She began her Christian journey at New Hope Baptist Church in Mississippi. When her family relocated to Louisiana, she joined Brown's  Chapel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev, Andrews. Later she joined Orange Grove Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Sup. Alonzo Richardson and after his demise, she served faithfully under the leadership of Supt. J. A. Richardson until her death.

The church, fashion, elegances, patience, and family, these are all words that describe Mother Willie Mae. During her lifetime, she was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend., but most of all she was a woman of God. She will always be remembered as a loving individual whose greatest passion was serving God and helping others.

Mother Willie Mae Williams leaves to cherish her memories three children: Willie Williams, Jr., (Gwendolyn) of New Orleans, La, Leon Williams (Shelia) of Kentwood, La, and Faye Brumfield (Jeremiah) of Hammond, LA; fifteen grandchildren, forty-five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren, one brother Leon Dunn (Minnie) and one sister: Ruby Lee Gilmore, both of Kentwood, LA and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Willie Williams, Sr., her father: Theodore Dunn, Sr., Mother:  Gladys Chapman Dunn; one son: Robert Lee Williams; three brothers, Deacon Theodore Dunn, Jr., Charlie Dunn, Will Henry Dunn, two sisters, Gertrude Perry, and Gena Mae Chapman, one grandson: Robert T. Sibley, and one great-grandson: Willie Williams, IV.

Source: Funeral Program for Mother Wille Mae Williams