Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Willie Williams: African American Scientist Grew Up Near Amite, Louisiana
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| Willie Williams, Jr. |
Willie was born March 24, 1947 in Independence, Louisiana to Willie and Leaner Williams. He was a Professor of Physics, at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor of Science degree, at Southern University, Baton Rouge, and his Master of Science degree, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree, Iowa State University. Willie grew up on a farm near Amite, Louisiana. He attended Wood Chapel School, when he went to a higher grade he attended a new school and in the ninth grade he enrolled at Helena High School in Greensburg.
Source: Distinguished African American Scientist of the 20th Century
A Riot Near Tickfaw Involving African Americans
Causey, R. J. Correspondence, 1863 September 25-November 19. 4 items. Location: Misc.:C. Letters from Causey's wife comment on a riot near Tickfaw involving African Americans, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana; Confederate farm taxes; and transportation difficulties of sending cotton to Baton Rouge. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 2133.
sourcea: LSU Libraries Special Collection Findig Aid
Alexander Bookter Succession Papers, 1805
Bookter, Alexander. Succession Papers, 1805 May 10. 1 item (9 leaves). Location: Misc:B. Slaveholder of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Slaves and other property were seized and sold at public sale after the death of Alexander Bookter by the Sheriff of St. Helena Parish for the payment of Bookter's debts. Affidavits of Ann Liles, William Liles, and John Mink regarding ownership of slaves and other property in the estate of Alexander Bookter. Signed by Spanish commandant of Louisiana, Carlos de Grand-Pre. For further information, see online catalog. Mss. 4514.
Source: LSU Libraries and Special Collection
Friday, January 22, 2021
Free Bob's Daughter Georgiana Vernon Sanders
Georgiana was born around 1869 in Mississippi to Robert "Free Bob" Vernon and Catherine Tuckson Vernon. Her siblings were; Rily, Willis, Luella, Isaac, James, John, Florence, Samuel, and Stamps. She was married to Cass Sanders.
According to the 1910 United States Federal Census she was a mulatto. She and Cass had nine children and during the time the census was taken, eight was living. Their children were; Bango, Mammie, Jesse, Frank, Toby, Busby, Shadrak, Earl, and Sarah.
Mrs. Grace Belvins Walker is the granddaughter of Georgiana. She recalled the days she lived with her grandmother. The days of delicious home cooked meals, her walks to church and school with her sister. "We had family living all around us," said Mrs.Walker.
I enjoyed listening to her tell stories about her childhood growing up in Vernon Town. She is the 3rd great granddaughter of Robert "Free Bob" Vernon. I asked her how do she feel about the legacy Free Bob left? She said the older she gets, she have a better appreciation for her Vernon history. Free Bob left each one of his seventeen children one hundred acres each. He donated land for a school, church and the cemetery. Mrs.Walker just want to see the history past down from generation to generation. I must say that she is certainly doing her part.
The pictures she's holding is her maternal grandmother Georgiana. I have so many questions I want to asks her about growing up in Vernon Town. She is passing the history down to her son and daughter. Her daughter is working on a project to archive Mrs. Walker rich collection of photographs, church programs, family obituaries and other family material.
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| Georgiana Vernon Sanders Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Robert Vernon, Jr., Weaved Baskets and Chairs
Robert was born in 1854 in Rankin, Mississippi. He was the the seventeen children born to Robert "Free Bob" Vernon, Sr. He was married twice and had children with both of his wives. One of his wives was Elizabeth Stokes. Robert and Elizabeth were married on January 20, 1887, in Tangipahoa, Louisiana. Elizabeth was born on February 11, 1866, in Roseland, Louisiana, and died on March 18, 1938. They were parents of; Ely, Willis, Hugh, Nellie, Jannie, Nancy, Lettie, Ruby, Mary, and Linsey Vernon.
Robert died in 1949; he's buried in Mt. Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery. Robert was a preacher, and he enjoyed weaving baskets and chairs. I went to Mrs. Grace Belvins Walker for an interview about the Vernon family. Robert was her great uncle, her grandmother Georgiana and Robert were sister and brother. When I got to her house, she had a few family heirlooms to show me and her cousin Glyniss Vernon Gordon. One of the family heirlooms was a syrup pitcher and baskets.
She told Glyniss that her 2nd great-grandfather Robert weaved the baskets. That was Glynis's first time seeing the baskets. Mrs. Walker made sure she let her know that you look but, you're not taking them out of this house. Mrs. Walker is one of the Vernon family griots. I can sit and listen to her very detailed family stories.
Robert like his brothers was very talents and had creative skills. His son James Robert Vernon was a blacksmith and he made casket. Every time I meet with Mrs. Walker and other Vernon descendants I learn so much about their history.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The Headstone of Ella Long
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| Ella Long Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell |
Ella Long was the daughter of Oden and Sarah Long. Ella lived in Ward 1 in the Village of Tangipahoa. According to the 1940 United States Federal Census, she was a widow and her birthplace was Louisiana. She was a house cleaner for a private family. Her father Oden was born in Mississippi in 1853. Her siblings are; Lizza, Flora, Florence, Chann, William, George, Jessie, Martha, Thomas, Clarence and Catherine.
Ella was born in 1876 and died in 1968. She's buried in Tangipahoa-Quinn Brown Cemetery in Tangipahoa Parish.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Friday, January 15, 2021
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