Honoring the Legacy of African American History Keeper

Black History Month has been very busy this year for me.  When black history can be taught 365 days a year, the stress of speaking engagements and other plans will diminish. Our accomplishments and contributions would take more than 28 days to learn, uncover, write, study, rewrite, and celebrate. Those who resist slavery, reconstruction, Jim Crow, and now critical race theory are represented by this year's theme. When I think about resistance, I think of the people in this blog. In order to preserve their family's and community's history, they decided to tell, document, and share it. 

Although the topic of Critical Race Theory is exploding across this nation. It seem as soon as black history move beyond just Dr. Martin Luther King, Harriett Tubman and others black leaders we have learned about all our life. The alarm sound off for those want the truth to remain covered. History can't be erase because some people are uncomfortable with it. Black history is America' History.  I chose to celebrate the legacy of local history icons. Those who chose to preserve the black history in Tangipahoa Parish.

It all started with my mother Isabel Harrell Cook, the family griot who preserved funeral programs and photographs. The youngest brother of my mother, Raymond Harrell, Sr., left his daughter Monteral Harrell a box of photographs. Originally it belonged to my Aunt Ella Harrell Keith.  A very important role in preserving Richardson Funeral Home's funeral programs was played by my first cousin Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier and Eddie Braziel. A collection was started at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. That collection has over one thousand funeral programs for public view. 

As a local historian and genealogist I am interested in getting people into contact with their local communities' history. They will discover a rich and sometimes dark history. It can be uncomfortable to talk about things that have happened in the past. It is because of this that some people have difficulty redressing the past. Others feel that moving on from the past is the most appropriate course of action. The people I'm writing about in this blog life made a difference in preserving local history. 

Whose shoulders do you stand on?

Dr. Valarie Richardson and Earl S. Richardson 
 

We have all heard people say that we stand on strong shoulders. On whose shoulders do you stand? The book of Genesis is the first source of genealogy. Adam and Eve's descendants are recorded in the book of Genesis. Abraham's lineal male descent is enumerated in chapters 4, 5, and ll. Therefore, Adam's family tree was recorded. Genealogy wouldn't have been recorded if it wasn't of importance.

Throughout history, people all over the world have preserved their family history through oral and written traditions. Now let's look at why knowing your family history is so significant. The importance of genealogy can be attributed to so many factors. Knowing your family history gives you a sense of who you are. By doing so, you can gain a great deal of insight into yourself and your family.  Some want to know and to others it may not be important. Both Dr. Richardson and Earl were curious to learn more about their Wheat family. The history of their families is significant to both of them. As a result, they felt compelled to learn more about their family history to commemorate Black History Month.   

Their curiosity led Dr. Valarie Richardson and Earl Scott Richardson, Jr. to seek out information. My grandmother and their paternal grandfather Thomas Alexander Richardson were siblings. Our understanding of their family history is very clear on that front. Inquiring about their grandmother Melissa Wheat Richardson, their paternal grandmother, was important to them. 

Dr. Valarie Richardson, Earl S. Richardson, Sr. 
Dr. Antoinette Harrell, local historian 

Oral histories are passed down, but where do you begin searching for records as a beginner genealogist?  It was my request that they meet me at Tangipahoa Parish Clerk's Office in Amite, Louisiana. The first thing we did when they arrived was to look the marriage index books.  Some of their great uncles and aunts were recognized in the (W) for the Wheat family. This was the first time they conducted genealogy research in the Parish Clerk's office.  A staff member pulled the original marriage records after writing down some of the wedding date information. 

The grandparents of Earl and Dr. Richardson had ten children. Eight of the ten children are deceased, and each death is a piece of history that has just passed away. Their father Earl Lee Richardson, Sr., and his siblings often spoke about their great uncles and aunts on their grandmother's side of the family. Saul Wheat and Corrine Wheat were the parents of Melissa Wheat.  Saul Wheat was born in St. Helena, Louisiana in 1875 and died in Tangipahoa Parish in 1954.

Their eyes were filled with delight at seeing their ancestors' handwriting and for some, their (x) mark. This was a sign that the person was unable to write. They are the third generation of business owners their grandparents started.  Family history is incredibly vital to them. They value the shoulders on which they stand.  Often, Earl speaks of passing down the history to his children and grandchildren. "I want my children and grandchildren to know about their history," said Earl.  We are the older folk now he said.  It is one of the greatest gifts one can give to their children and grandchildren. Self-knowledge is a gift. 

Buried between two cotton fields on Locust Ridge Plantation

Dr. Antoinette Harrell
Photo Credit:  Annie Harnett

Annie Harnett and I was  introduced several years ago by a mutual friend, Steve Godfrey.  Steve is well aware of my passion for genealogy and thought it would be nice for me to connect with Annie.  I can't recall whether we spoke by phone or by email, it was  a while ago. We finally were able to meet, so that is what's significant here. In search of her ancestors, Annie took a genealogy road trip to Tensas Parish.  Louisiana's Tensas Parish is located in the northeastern part of the state. The parish is bordered by the Mississippi River. Approximately 4,147 people live in the city according to the 2020 census.  St.Joseph, Louisiana, is the parish seat. 

On that cold Saturday morning, I awoke at 6:00 a.m. to drive the two and a half hours to Tensas Parish.  My  GPS directed me to 1-55 North and the Natchez exit. In the back woods, the rolling hills and flat land were still covered with early morning frost. From the road, I  could see fog hovering over ponds giving it that ghostly look. Like that in a horror movie scene.  The beauty of these landscapes made me want to grab my camera and take pictures. In the end, I managed to take a few pictures. Besides, I didn't want to be late to meet Annie.  Annie's ancestors were the owners of Locust Ridge Plantation owned by her ancestor named  McGrudger Adams. She began researching her family's involvement in the slave society of the South in the Spring of 2021.

I was scheduled to arrive at 9:30 a.m.  This gave me an hour to explore the area. Waterproof, Louisiana was my first stop. After driving around the area for a while, I came across the cemetery that Annie and I would venture back to on our adventure. Annie and her guest walked the cemetery in search of her guest ancestors while I sat in the car saving my strength for the expedition ahead. After a delicious lunch at the "Walking Pig" restaurant, in St. Joseph,  a bowl of spicy collard greens, mac and cheese, with a nice cold glass of freshly made tea with a twist of lemon gave me an extra boost. 

Annie took me to visited a cemetery between two cotton fields on Locust Ridge Plantation.  We walked  a distant to get the thickets where the Wrights, Hatton, and Lewis families are buried. By this time the sun had warmed up and I didn't need the sweater I was wearing. I had to started shedding the layers of clothing due to the increase of heat.  It wasn't easy walking on crutches in the mud as an amputee. My crutches sank three and a half inches in mud. The thought kept repeating in my mind, "you can't quit" those fleeing for freedom couldn't quit. I heard a voice inside me telling me to keep walking. As I walked, I kept an eye out for cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. Not to mention hoping that we wouldn't run into wild boars. I was constantly reminded that this was the reality for those enslaved. 

The thought of the enslaved on the plantation trying to escape with someone with a disability like myself was on my mind at the same time as Annie and I were talking. The mere thought of staying behind to avoid slowing others down meant that my family may never see me again. As I thought about the dogs on the trails and the slave catchers pursuing them, I would have slowed them down. I was frightened, anxious, and sorrowful just thinking about them. A greater appreciation for those who escaped to freedom took over after processing the many thoughts about getting caught and the consequences of running away. 

Dr. Antoinette Harrell's Ancestor Charm Guider

Once we reached the cemetery, I had to cross over falling trees, avoid branches and endless wild vines to get the graves. Annie went on a head and scoped out the area while I made my way to where she was. After I saw the first headstone, the excitement grew stronger. I looked around for other between the palmetto trees and bushes. My eyes scanned the area carefully and I made my way to read each one. I always carry my good luck piece in my pocket when I'm searching for my ancestors or other ancestors. I waiting for the mystical moment to take it out. When I got to Rena Lewis Hatton grave it was time to take it out and place it on her headstone. I was reminded of Ezekiel 3: 1-10 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you come to life.  

We feel as if Rena is guiding us on this journey.  She is speaking to us in some spiritual form. The purpose of my search is to help Annie locate Rena's descendant. I used Ancestry. com to help me locate  Rena's descendants. I left a message for one of her descendants name Latoya. Latoya' mother Mattie  responded to my call and I couldn't contain my excitement. The news was a dream come true for Annie, I couldn't wait to share it with her. She wanted to meet the descendants of those her ancestors enslaved. I arranged a phone call and help to facilitate this meeting. It end up with information sharing and a plan of action to meet each other. 

Rena's descendants saw their ancestors' headstones for the first time through photographs Annie shared. They didn't know where their graves were located. Annie has given the Lewis and Hatton families the gift of knowing where their loved ones are buried. They received photographs of the headstones from Annie. To some, it may seem insignificant. Consider for a moment that the bushes and trees are growing new leaves as spring approaches, making it impossible to visit the sacred burial grounds. Snakes, bugs and mosquitoes will keep you from entering the sacred place they share with those buried there.  They worked the cotton fields and are buried in the cotton fields like so many in Tensas Parish and other plantation through out the United States.