Farm Life in Greensburg, Louisiana with Warner Hall

Tied to the Land

Mr. Quincy Walker a Local Farmer in Tangipahoa Parish

Quincy Walker
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Quincy Walker was born in 1937 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. His parents were Nathan and Frances Walker. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Walker years ago. On a bus tour of farms in Lexington, Mississippi, I sat next to this griot. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed every minute of it. My goal was to get as much information from him as possible about family history, local history, and farming.  

Nathan Walker was born in 1919 in Bolivar, Louisiana to Albert Walker and Monnie Walker. Earnesteen Walker, Luella Walker, Esterrann Walker, Millie Walker, Charles Walker, and Lula Walker were their children. 

The year of Albert's birth was around 1888.  Mr. Quincy often spoke of the lessons he learned from his grandfather Albert, whom he called "Pa". He used many of the lessons he learned today. His grandmother used herbs to heal the family and community when they were sick, and he shared some of the things she taught him about herbs as part of his Native American heritage.  Albert's parents were Harrison Walker and Phillis Walker.  Harrison was born around 1859 in Mississippi. According to the 1900 United States Federal Census, he was living in Police Jury Ward 2, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Harrison was a farmer  by occupation. He could read and write. He was rented his home. Harrison and wife were the parents of a large family; Fetus Walker, Handy Walker, Florence Walker, Albert Walker, Charley Walker, Flancy Walker, Elizabeth Walker,  Geneva Walker, Jessie L. Walker, and Mary E. Walker.  Harrison Walker died at the age of 84 on January 29, 1939.

He is no longer able to do things he used to due to his advancing age and health problems. Upon turning 60 years old, he began farming. He regrets not starting sooner. Growing up on a farm, he had no interest in farming, so he went to college to get an education. Formerly, he was a teacher in the Tangipahoa Parish School System. 

Negro Rehabilitation Client in Tangipahoa Parish

 

About this Item

Title

Negro rehabilitation client, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Contributor Names

Rothstein, Arthur, 1915-1985, photographer

United States. Resettlement Administration.

Created / Published

1935 Sept.

Subject Headings

-  United States--Louisiana--Tangipahoa Parish

-  Rural housing--Louisiana

Headings

Nitrate negatives.

Genre

Nitrate negatives

Notes

-  Title and other information from caption card.

-  Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944.

-  More information about the FSA/OWI Collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsaowi

Medium

1 negative : nitrate ; 35 mm.

Call Number/Physical Location

LC-USF33- 002076-M1 [P&P] LOT 1674 (corresponding photographic print)

Source Collection

Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, DC 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Digital Id

fsa 8a07224 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsa.8a07224

Library of Congress Control Number

2017721027

Reproduction Number

LC-USF33-T01-002076-M1 (b&w film dup. neg.) LC-DIG-fsa-8a07224 (digital file from original neg.)

Rights Advisory

No known restrictions. For information, see U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Black & White Photographs https://www.loc.gov/rr/print/res/071_fsab.html

Online Format

image

LCCN Permalink

https://lccn.loc.gov/2017721027

Additional Metadata Formats

MARCXML Record 

MODS Record 

Dublin Core Record

African American Farmer in St Helena Parish, Louisiana Days Are Numbered

African American Farmers
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. 

As farming's days draw to a close, we're seeing the end of the era unless they younger generation embrace gardening and farming. Today, African American  farmers are few and far in between in St. Helena Parish.  Many of them have died and others have gotten too old to carry how the task of farming and raising livestock.

During the dying -off of farming in the African American community, I came in at the very tail in to document their story about farming. A few farmers were still struggling to maintain their small farms with little or no help at all. 

During our conversation, they described their challenges related to agriculture with me. Their finances weren't enough to maintain or purchase equipment and their health was failing. It was stated that their children and grandchildren did not want to do this kind of work. Ultimately, they didn't have any other options but to accept that their days for farming were numbered. 

In the United States, many African American farmers faced discrimination practices. Their loan applications to purchase better equipment were rejected. Historically, the USDA had discriminate against Black farmers all across the United States.  As a result, they hardly could keep their heads above water while White farmers had loans approved for new equipment, land acquisition, purchases, and maintenance.

The Legacy Ernest Father Left Him

Ernest looking at his muscadine bushes
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Ernest Frazier, Sr.,  recalls the days he worked in the field with his father. He started out by  watching the smaller children under a tree, before he was called to work in the fields with everyone else at the age of about six. He has planted and harvesting every kind of produce you would want to eat. 

He walked around the garden with Eddie Ponds, the owner of the Drum Newspaper in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, talking about how hard the weather has been on his crops this year. With all the rain this summer, his crops didn't do as well as it normally would. Ernest planted strawberries, peanuts, sugarcane,  and sweet potatoes this year. He said the ground was to wet too work in the garden as usual.  His sweet potatoes are ready for harvest, but the ground was to wet to get in there with his tractor. He said this was one of the worst season he had seen in a long time due to the excessive amount of rain we have been getting everyday in Tangipahoa Parish. 

I had to ask Ernest if he went by the Farmer's Almanac? "His response was yes!" I tested it out one day, he said.  I planted two rolls, one according to the Farmer's Almanac, and the other roll the day before. The roll I planted according to the Farmer's Almanac did great. The roll I planted the day before didn't yield any produce. 

 Eddie Ponds with  The Drum Newspaper
and Ernest looking at the calendar

The original Farmer's Almanac founded in 1792. The Old Farmer's Almanac is a reference book that contains weather forecast, tide tables, planting charts, astronomical data, recipes and articles on a number of topics. 

I asked Ernest what did the early farmers do if they couldn't read the Almanac, he said they went by the moon. The moon told them when to plant, when to harvest, and when to preserve and store for longer shelf life. "They knew when to plant the seeds," said Ernest. The old people were wise, I can't tell it like they could. "I still go by my calendar," he said.

Ernest father had a smokehouse and packing house for his produce behind his home. He talked about the legacy of farming that his father passed down to him. He pointed out that there aren't that African American men who are still planting. I know several African American men who are still planting; Charles Holmes, Ernest Wheat, Sr., and a man I call Mr. Herman. 

His father Willie C. Frazier was known through out the community as Mr. W.C. Frazier.  Ernest mother was named Lizzie Coleman Frazier.  Ernest married Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier and they gave birth to two sons. They are the grandparents of four grandsons. Although none of his sons are following in his footsteps, he feel that it's important to pass the knowledge of agriculture to other who may want to plant and grow their own food. "There is nothing like the taste of fresh produce," said Ernest. Although he do purchase what he do not grow from some local farmers and the local supermarket for produce. 

Ernest standing in front of his father home

Ernest went inside of his pick-up truck and came back with a calendar and Farmer' Almanac to show us. He said he prefer the calendar over the Almanac. He find that it is easier to use. He went on to say that he think that we are in for some major changes with the  weather that will affect the produce, fishing and hunting of wildlife. He is the only one of his parents offsprings to carry the tradition of planting on. Ernest do not sale any of his produce, he shares it with his family and friends. Just like his father, sharing is part of that legacy that was taught to him by his father. 

Proud To Be The Granddaughter Of A Farmer

Antoinette Gardening

I descend from a long line of farmers on my paternal and maternal side of the family. The Harrell, Boykins, Dudley, Richardson, and Vining  were farmers by occupation, they purchased their land and fed their families from the land. I was a young child when my maternal great uncle Palmer Harrell taught me and my brothers how to plant and grow vegetables. I enjoyed it then and I still enjoy planting vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers up until this day.

Once you eat something so fresh and tasty out of your own garden its hard to eat anything else. There is nothing like eating fresh vegetables and fruit that isn't genetically modified or GMOs. This brings to mind men like cousin Henry Wheat,  Governor Harrison, Walter Wren, Sr., The Wheeler, Temple, Frazier, Coleman and Atkin's Families who farmed. Of course there are so many more families in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes who made a living by farming.

Peppermint Herb
Harrell's Garden

I planted fresh herbs in my garden too. The taste of freshly squeezed homemade lemonade with a twist of mint is just what your taste buds call for on a nice breezy summer day. My herbal basil plants didn't survive the harsh winter.  I'm still waiting to see if my orange tree survive the freeze and snow we had this winter in Southeast Louisiana.

The rosemary plant survived to my surprise. When I want to relax and get away from the stresses of life. Working in my garden is very therapeutic for me.  Growing your home vegetables and herbs have many healthy benefits. Its appears that gardening and farming is dying in the African American communities. I find it necessary to teach my grandchildren how to plant vegetables and fruit.  

My grandson Connor learning about farming

Cilantro Herb
Harrell's Garden

An African American Farmer and Businessman Owned His Own Cotton Gin in Amite, LA

Walter Wren, Sr.

Walter Wren.Sr.,  was born to the late Sallie and Harry Wren on September 14, 1915.  After being raised by his parents the later met and married  Ada Coleman Wren. Walter and his wife Ada had three children, Dorothy Wren Leonard, a native of New Orleans, LA., Walter Wren, Jr., a native of Amite, LA, and last, but not least the late Delores Wren who was also a native of Amite, LA.

Walter made a living for himself and family by farming, that was considered more of a hobby rather than a living. He planted crops of strawberries, watermelons, greens, snap bean, squash, sweet potatoes, peanuts, cucumbers, peppers, okra, and he also planted cotton that included a cotton gin, He was also known for raising animals which were cows, horses, and he owned one goat.

He owned a mule, which was used to do his plowing and planting of the crops back in the days, but as the years advanced he was able to purchase a tractor which eased his labor. During all the hard labor he performed he then took a stroke that would have  would have enabled him to perform his work and decreased his chances of every farming again, but nevertheless, he didn't let the stroke interfere with what he loved and enjoying doing. He continue to plant until the Lord called him home. Indeed Walter Wren, Sr. was known as a noble man of farming and raising animals. He was a man like Mr. W.C. Frazier, Jasper Harrell, Sr., Cleveland Bennett, J.D. Atkins, Robert Temple, Walter Temple, Palmer Harrell and other black farmers who tilled the soil.

One of my relatives in New Orleans, La called me one afternoon and asked me to come by and look at a box of records that she taught I would like to see. I was so excited to get the call that I couldn't wait until the weekend to look in that box. After going through lots of photographs and old documents, I came across a receipt dated on September 27, 1949:

Amite, LA

September 27. 1949

The minutes of the report for the covering of the church. Brother Clifford Wheat and Bro. Walter Wren lent the church $50.00 each for the tin on the church, total one hundred dollars. We have planned to return the money on the 25 of October, we are asking each member for $2.50 for that date.

Signed 

Elder E.C. Pounds, Pastor

The History and Legacy of Fred Vernon, Sr.

Fred Vernon, Sr.

Fred was the sixth child born to Isaac (Ike) Vernon and Isabell Crook in 1891. He passed away in 1963.  His siblings were: Alonzo, Ruth, Wesley, Ivy and Martha Ann.  He was raised in Tangipahoa Parish, LA in an area known as Vernon Town.

Fred’s grandfather was Robert Vernon, better known in slavery times as “Free Bob.”  Robert Vernon was born a slave, but purchased his freedom and became a slave owner.  He then became a successful land owner, acquiring approximately 2300 acres of land.  

He gave each of his children 100 acres upon their marriage to establish their own home.  The area was known as Vernon Town.  In addition, as a well respected leader and religious worker in his community, he donated 4 acres of land to centralize the church that was originally a log cabin on Big Creek.  The church, organized in 1869, was named Mount Canaan. Fred met and married Alice Irving of Roseland, LA around the year 1917.  This union produced five children:  Norman, Felton, Fred Jr, Dorothy and Osborn.  He purchased land in Roseland where he became a well respected farmer.

   

Farming was his primary source of income for his family.  He planted almost everything imaginable: cotton, vegetables, strawberries, melons, corn, potatoes, string beans, peanuts, etc.  His land was beautifully cultivated with crops as far as you could see.  Most profitable of his crops were his cotton, strawberries and melons.  He hired people to pick the cotton and strawberries, providing employment for the local community--and his sons used to sell the melons from a pickup trunk throughout the town.  His farm also included raising farm animals: cows, pigs, horses, chickens and turkeys.  He sold beef and pork from his smokehouse, and he sold chickens and turkeys.  His wife, Alice, was chiefly responsible for raising the chickens and collecting eggs for sale.

I remember life being so rich on this farm as my mother (Dorothy) and my dad was given land to live on the farm property as a wedding gift.  The land was filled with animals, fresh milk, eggs, vegetables, meat, homemade butter, and fruit trees were all around us (figs, pomegranates, plums, blackberries, etc.).  He also had a pecan tree in his backyard.  Oh my God, we never lacked nutrition on that farm. It was just a beautiful time in my life. 

But farming was very hard work.  It took everyone to play a role to keep it live and cultivated.  And unfortunately when grandpa’s children became adults and left home to start their own lives, he and grandma had reach the age that they could no longer maintain a farm of that magnitude alone.  So they retired the business in the late 1950s.

Grandpa’s life would never be the same after retiring the farm.  There just wasn’t enough to keep him occupied.  However, he did enjoy telling stories about old times and how much the world had changed; how he wondered what the world was coming to.  He didn’t like his vision of the future and said he was glad he wouldn’t be around to see it.  He made me laugh when he told these stories.

Fred’s faith of choice was Jehovah Witness in his senior years, and his political choice was Republican.  Oh how I wish I could have discussion with him about that issue now.

After the lost of his beloved Alice on January 3, 1963, he seemed lost and grieved hard.  He started to plan his life without her and made travel plans, something he had never had time to do during his life as a farmer.  He talked of going to Chicago to visit his son, Felton.  You could see the excitement in his eyes as he made these plans.  On that very day, March 22,1963, just three months following Alice’s death, Grandpa Fred succumbed to an asthma attack.

Article written and submitted by Jacqueline James Pendleton-Dukes, the first born grand-daugher.