Slave Balcony in the Sanctuary at Amite-Arcola Presbyterian Church

Amite-Arcola Presbyterian Church

I was at the Amite Genealogy Library as usual conducting African American genealogy research as usual. As always I am looking for any new family books or other genealogy material related to the history and people from Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. While sitting at the table scanning photographs from the scrapbook that Mrs. Gracie Walker donated to the library I glanced across the table and found this history book about Amite-Arcola Presbyterian Church. Like every genealogist and family historian, you leave no stone unturned and you have the eye of a detective and the smell of a hound dog hunting for a rabbit.

Most African-American people in the Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes are descendants of former slaves. Many or just two generations from slavery. My mother's grandfather Alexander Harrell was born a slave in 1859. Researching slavery history is a hunt that can stand alone. There is no way you can research your family history without researching the slaveholders family.

While reading the description of the church I came across the following information. The more than a century-old Arcola Church is small having a total area of 2675 sq. feet, 1500 sq. feet being the original sanctuary, and 1175 sq. feet an add-on built in 1954 for Christian education and fellowship. Antebellum style, it is constructed of choice pine lumber and set firmly on brick pillars the height of which accommodate the gradual slop of the hill. the exterior is finished with drop siding and is painted white- the last painting in 1973. The original octogan-shaped belfry was replaced by a square one. A 6x9 ' landing area . A bell bangs in the belfry was replaced by a landing area with approaching steps from each side to replace the original single doorsteps entrance was added. A Mr. Lauds reportedly said to be the builder. He also built a parsonage on the sixty-acres plot across the street front the church property.

National Register of Historic Places

The interior with its tall lofty ceiling is finished with four inch ceiling boards and painted gray. Small

rooms flank each side of the four foot entry. Old wooden benches have been replaced by mahogany pews given by the Davis family as a memorial to Ernest Davis, Jr. who lost life while in service of his county. A red velvet carpet and four cathedral glass windows add contrast to other antebellum architectural trends.

Unusually interesting is a slave balcony in the rear of the sanctuary to accommodate slaves who accompanied their master's family to church. The stairway leading to it had been removed to provide more floor space.  An air-conditioning unit has been installed in the balcony to cool the building.

The large gilt pipes of an organ used for many years are recessed in the wall behind the pulpit. Since this church has served Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian Congregations in its long history, a communion rail stand in the front of the church, slightly altered to accommodate to the form of

worship of each congregation.

Willie James McCoy the Barbecue Man of Amite, Louisiana.

I grew listening to the grown folks in Amite, Louisiana talking about "Will McCoy" barbecue, Beside my own cousin W.K. Gordon, Jr., there wasn't anyone that could come close to out cooking these men who specialized in barbecuing, especially barbecue goat.

Willie James McCoy was born October 24, 1907 to Joseph and Julie Hart McCoy in Amite, Louisiana. He was the third child of eleven children. Mr. Will as everyone called him was  hard working man. As a very young man he and his brother went on the only job he ever had in Texasarkanana, Texas. At the age of 17 years old, he met and married Sadie Ricks, Sadie was the daughter of Annie Hutton and Claune Ricks. Mr. Will farmed. He raised strawberries and Mrs. Sadie would walk all through Amite to sell them. She was also a seamstress. She seed for whites and black. People came from all over to get her to sew for them.

In the 1940s they build a two room bar and kitchen. Mr. Will was known for his barbecue. People couldn't wait to get their hands and mouth around those delicious barbecue goat sandwich. On the weekend, people would travel from the surrounding area to buy his barbecue goat.

Although Mrs. Sadie was running the kitchen, she still made time to sew. She raised her two oldest children in the kitchen. They were little infants, so she would have them in a bread box or clothes basket, while cooking and taking care of them.

Mr. Will organized a male baseball team. He sponsored baseball games every Sunday. He was known for having everyone 's children in the neighborhood on the back of his pickup truck. The truck never did leave home without a truck load of children. He also loved to hunt and he owned numerous  Beagle dogs. He and his wife was the parents of five children. He taught his children how to barbecue and to make that famous BBQ sauce. When their oldest daughter Joyce Ann married, Mr. Will taught her husband the trade. Mr. Will died on December 19, 1973, his wife Sadie died April 9, 1997. They left their traded to all their children and they are still carrying their profession on to this very day.


Source: Reprint from Gracie Walker's Legacies of Color Scrapbook, Amite Genealogy Library Archival Room

Please contact Blogger Antoinette Harrell if you would like to share your family history

Please read the Tangipahoa-African-American Online Newspaper

                                                 http://tangipahoaafrican-americannews.com

The History of Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church of Roseland, LA.

Big Zion A.M.E. Church in Roseland, LA

Unique in the history of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, is the history of the founding of Big Zion Church in the Roseland Community in Tangipahoa Parish, in the State of Louisiana. This Church is the eldest of the so-called "Black Man's Churches" in the parish although the The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has never approved nor included  any limitations to membership based on race. Unique also is the fact that Big Zion Church is older by at least three years that the conference of which she is a part.

The growth of the "A.M.E. Zion" Church, as demonstration in the South, and particular in the State of Louisiana, is credited largely to the effort made by Bishop Joseph who was consecrated a Bishop of the Church at the Eighth Session of the Church 's General Conference in 1864. This pioneering Bishop is credited with establishing a great number of "missions' in the South and Southwest than and other "Zion" Bishop.

In the year of 1863 there appeared in Louisiana one Rev. David Hill, and ordained Deacon in the ministerial ranks, and member of the North Carolina Conference. A great preaching evangelist, the Rev. Hill conducted ' pretreated" meeting in and around Arcola, Fluker, Kentwood and the Roseland Community, winning numerous of souls to the Cause of Christ.

A slave named  Solomon Johnson, prayed his "master" permission to build a 'brush-harbor' on what was then the plantation. Own his own to accommodate the Evangelist Hill's meeting. This permission was granted. Another great evangelist campaign resulted. So impressed was the owner of the slave Johnson that gave the site of "brush-barber' as permanent meeting place for the worshipping spot for his slaves.

This was in 1863 to which documented evidence will attest, and which remain of records in the Courthouse at Amite City ( three miles from Roseland, Louisiana. This was the beginning of the church known today as the Big Zion Church, but which in the beginning was known simple as " The Roseland Methodist Church." In 1865 Bishop Clinton set apart the Louisiana Conference of the African Methodist Episocpal Church with three Churches namely, Big Zion, Butler Chapel ( another church which had been started by the Butler Family in Amite, LA., and Tasker Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Ponchatoula, LA.

Later, additional land was given to the little Church at Roseland, the whole being about four acres. A burial site was laid out which today is Big Zion Cemetery.  The original house of worship still stands. It's Founder sleeps in Big Zion's Cemetery.

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

West Side High Girls Basketball Team of Amite, Louisiana

West Side High Girls Basketball Team

Kneeling( Left to Right) Edna Jackson, Julia Siber, Ola Mae Fleming, Amanda Bush, Gracie Bean
Standing ( Left to Right) Norma Jean Ricard, Yvonne Collins, Ethel Bell Steward, Toni McGee Mason, Marsha Ann Johnson, Audrey Vinig, Augustine Perry.


Source: Reprint from Gracie Walker's Legacies of Color Scrapbook, Amite Genealogy Library Archival Room

                                                   Tangipahoa African-American Online Newspaper
                                                       http://tangipahoaafrican-americannews.com

Rev. Ernest Thomas Pugh of Amite, Louisiana

Rev. Ernest Thomas Pugh
1898-1979

Rev. Ernest T. Pugh was born in 1898 and died in 1979. He received his high school education at Pearl High School, Nashville, Tenn., and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University. He taught school in Tennessee and through hard work and dedication he was promoted to principal of several elementary and secondary schools in the state. He left Tennessee to take and elementary  principal position in Pastoral, Arkansas. He later moved to Amite, where he taught Science until his retirement from the Tangipahoa Parish school system.

Rev. Pugh began his ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1936. His pastorial tenure included A.M.E. Zion Churches in Tennessee, Arkansas, New Orleans, and Amite, Louisiana. Rev. Pugh was also active in his community, having membership in the Ministerial Alliance of Amite, LA and the Tangipahoa Voters League.


Source: Gracie Walker "Legacies of Color Scrapbook" Amite Genealogy Library Archival Room

Please visit the: 

Tangipahoa African-American Online Newspaper at

http://tangipahoaafrican-americannews.com

Grant Chapel A.M.E. of Amite, Louisiana Church History

Photo Credit: Legacies of Color Scrapbook
Mrs. Gracie Perry

The history of Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church revealed that the construction of its present place of worship began the early part of 1972 and was completed and dedicated on August 20, 1972. The was the culmination of sustained hard work, diligent planning, and anxious anticipation; it was a dream and the answer to many prayers.

The congregation became together to amass funds for the erection of this building under the pastorate of Rev. S.D. Addison and continued to collect during the tenure of Rev. John Smith, and Rev. L.L. Lucien. When Rev. B. Alex Gibson was appointed to this church, there was concerted effort to obtain enough for a down payment necessary for borrowing money for completing this building.

The building committee selected by the church was as follows: Mrs. Mamie Ruffins, Dr. Percy L. Walker, Messrs. Fred P. McCoy, Xavier Smith, Sr., Nataniel Hines, Sr. & the late Booker T. Lawson.

The trustees at the time were Messrs, Emile Muse, Xavier Smith., Xavier Smith., J.C. Burkhalter, Dr. Percy L. Walker & the late Booker T. Lawson.

The late Rev. Leo Hawkins was presiding elder when the building was dedicated and the late Rt. Rev. I.H. Bonner was presiding bishop. Other ministers who helped to stir to the mortgage burning were Presiding Elder J. B. Hitchens and former pastor Fred Chambers just prior to our present Presiding Elder Thomas C. Johnson, Pastor David Bowles, and Bishop Frank G. Cumming.

Associate ministers of Grant Chapel during the payment of this church were the late Evangelist Beatrice Gatlin, Rev. Alex A. Spears., Evangelist Dorothy Himes and Rev. Charles Holmes.

Top Photo: Seated left to right: Mrs. B. Walls, Ms. M.F. Williams, and Mrs. Olivette Morris, Standing from left:  Messrs W. J. Lee, James Jackson, Nat Hines, Bernard Lawson, Arthur Harrell, and Fred P. McCoy.

Bottom Photo: Left to Right: Mrs. W. B. Jackson, Xavier Smith, Sr., Emile Muse, Dr. Percy L. Walker

Source: Reprint from Grace Walker's Legacies of Color Scrapbook, Amite Genealogy Library Archival Room

Tangipahoa African-American Online Newspaper

http://tangipahoaafrican-americannews.com

1845 St. Helena Parish Slaveholders

Peter a slave were beat in 1860 in Louisiana

St. Helena Parish Courthouse, Bin of Bonds & Oaths

We the undersigned slave holders of the parish of St. Helena deeming it necessary to adopt some regulations for the more strict government of the slaves of the parish do hereby prohibit all persons form purchasing any articles from our slaves without a written license specifying the articles purchased under the penalty of the law which we pledge ourselves to enforce.

And we also authorize any person finding one of our slaves in Greensburg without written pass to take such slave and inflict upon him or her a reasonable punishment not exceeding thirty lashes. It is understood that no person is to purchase of any slaves any articles without, and any us knowing of any infraction of the law upon this point will feel bound to complain of the same. It is further agreed that we will give no permission to one of our slaves to procure liquor for his own use. 4 Jan 1845.

Simpson Hutchinson                                                       
John Hollaway                                                                
W. D. Pearson                                                                 
Abram Womack                                                              
Thomas H. Roddy                                                           
William Dennis, Jr.                                                         
W. K. Davis                                                                    
W.S. Gordon                                                                 
E.H. Bates                                                                   
J.J. Carruth                                                                     
Walthall Burton                                                               
John Houeye                                                                    
Merrit G. Kemp                                                               
WM. G. Wright                                                               
Carter Thompson                                                           
Daniel Miller                                                                    
D.C. Kemp                                                                      
J. H. Wright                                                                      

John Corkern                                                                    
Peter Hutchinson

B. ? Hart

John Boykins

H. Kemp

Jacob Womack

Dan ? Reemes

W.H. Kemp

Thomas Gorman

Daniel Addison

N.? George

W.P. Deane

Henry Leonard

N. Baylis " except the whipping of...."

(last 4 or 5 words unreadable)

T.A. ?

W.M. L. Hutchinson

Joseph Killian, Jr.

Claibourne Newson

Wilford Kemp

B. Weil

Clotidle Aaron Zanders of Amite, LA

Clotidle Aaron Zander, one has to think in terms of memories. She was born in Amite, Louisiana, on December 27, 1912, to the late Mike and Maggie Bush Aaron. Clotidle was known for her love of house plants, beautiful yard, and dressing for church on Sunday. Her interest in plants was enhanced with a membership in the the Gladiola Garden Club.

She served the church as president of the usher board as well as the Willing Workers Club, Class leader of the Youth and later as Leader of Leaders. She was a gifted seamstress. She also fed many West Side students during her tenure as manager of the cafeteria for twenty seven years, finally retiring on June 2, 1978.

Her marriage on July 25, 1929, to her childhood sweetheart, Robert Zanders, lasted for 55 years, 8 month. From this union was born one daughter, Delores. She departed from this life on Tuesday morning, November 16, 2010 at her home.

She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter, Mrs. Delores Z. Levy, Amite., A very special thanks to Mrs. Yvonne Collins for sharing the obituary of Mrs. Clotidle.

Mrs. Mamie Holmes Homemade Tea Cakes

My mother use to make homemade tea cakes when my brothers and I was growing up. Come to think of it, she hadn't  made any in over two decades. One day two summer ago, I met this nice little sweet lady in St. Helena, La by the name of Mamie Holmes. After I introduced myself, she invited me in to sit and talk with her. After our conversation about her family history and the history of Rocky Hill A.M.E Church in St. Helena, La., she invited me into her kitchen for a special treat-homemade tea cakes. What a treat I was in for!

Tea Cakes are cookies, these little treats were initially made by African slaves. They were made with very simple ingredients. Sometimes when the women would be quilting, someone would make tea cakes and a fresh pot of coffee or tea and they would sit for hours sewing, sipping coffee or tea and eating tea cakes.

Tea cakes were originally an Scottish or English afternoon treat. Tea cakes  didn't become a treat in the African American homes until after the Emancipation. Some of my mother's first cousins really enjoyed her freshly baked tea cakes. Mrs. Mamie had been up before sunrise making dozens of her famous tea cakes for her upcoming family reunion. She wanted to get started before it  would get to hot and the oven would heat up the house with heat that made you feel like you were in the Sahara Desert.

These precious little hands had made dozens of homemade teacakes.

Willie K. Gordon, Sr. Remembered the Day They Tried to Lynch Him in Amite, Louisiana

Willie Kiddes Gordon

He was born in St. Helena Parish on August 6, 1909.  At the time of this interview he was 91 years old and he were grateful to God that he was able to think clearly. His mother moved to Amite when he was four months old.  His daddy was Adam Gordon, Sr. Who lived in Houston, Texas and Willie was a grown man when he first laid eyes on his own father. His mother often said he was man at six years old. He supported his mother, sisters and brothers from an early age.

Our first public school was first at Ard Chapel. Gordon Chapel was named in honor of his family after he donated a 1/2 acre of land to build a church which also served as a school. Willie  taught night school and went on to receive a doctors of divinity degree, conferred on Nov 4, 1962 from Trinity Hall College and Seminary at York, Pennsylvania.

One of his first jobs was digging up trees to clear the land for farming. He dug trees for six dollars an acres.  Wllie dug  around the tree until the root was exposed, he climb the tree and shook it until it began to fall, jump down and quickly cut the root.

Mandy Jones Wheat

His mother was Mandy Wheat a very gracious lady who was a midwife to the community. All but one of Willie's seven children were delivered by his mother. Records from the old Health Unit support the fact that she was mid-wife to many families both black and white. Often times her personal breast milk-was fed to others rather than her own children.

Willie thank God for his memory, he could remember when there were only two stores in Amite; E. J. Kopfler and Sam Coe. Kopfler made deliveries, Horace Robinson was his delivery man. The Sheriff was John Ballard and the town Marshall was Balley Schilling. On the corner where eastside garage is today was a delivery stable owned by Jack Alford. He rented horses and buggies for pleasure rides. Later, he began renting cars. At the time the odometer was on the front wheels.

The Butler family named Butler town. Reid's Quarters was named after Judge Reid. Hyde's quarter's was named after Funny Hyde. Back in those days, very few people owned refrigerators. Amite had an ice plant, which was located where the Amite activity center is today. Three black brothers, Lonnie, George, and Sammy Wheat were the only men that delivered ice. The man that picked up all the supplies from the train depot and delivered to all stores was a black man named Guy Parker. There were two hotels, The Ritz and the Mixon Hotel.

Willie said he was at the courthouse grounds when they  hung five Italians who were charged with robbing the bank in Independence and shooting the president of the bank. It was said that they hung all five because no would confess to being the triggerman. One day near what is now Pecora's Cleaner he saw two black  men that had been lynched on the street lying in two pine boxes.

One day while walking east in Amite and he crossed the path of another boy who was walking south. There were some cows on the sidewalk and the sidewalk, the other boy began to curse the cows in a loud manner. A white girl was offended and went and told a horse trader name Singiton about a "nigger" on the street. When I got in the next block, several whites put me on their shoulders. Some got a rope and was preparing to hang me until someone recognized me and told them to release me. My stepfather, Bass Wheat was bad about fighting white folk. Bass Wheat drove and ox wagon hauling logs form Montpellier to Roseland to the box factory.

Willie and Alma Gordon

Willie met and married Alma Richardson. They lived together happily for 60 years. They held church services in their home when Willie started following Christ.  When their children became of school aged, the parish school bus didn't come out in their community to pick-up the school children. They would come so far and no further. Their children had to walk to the pick-up locations. Afterward, Willie purchased a vehicle and put insurance on it and started driving throughout the community to the bus stops picking up the children.

Louisiana power and light stopped their services short of coming into our community. I went to Zachary, Louisiana to request Demco to supply our community with electrical services. They came and installed lights. We were able to put away kerosene-coal oil lamps and flip on a switch for lights.

He also provided two large houses a few block from Southern University at Baton Rouge, La to help young men from his community to go on to higher education. It was very difficult for the black males to afford college during those days. I know another man in Baton Rouge, La that charges $25.00 a month for boys to stays in off campus housing. I charged $10.00 a month, as some of our boys were very poor. Today I can remember as many as 48 men who came from our communities that went on to finish college and are today holding positions of honor throughout our country.

He was a successful farmer. He raised strawberries, cotton and beans. He employed others who were in need of jobs. He worked at Hood Motor Company as a sale representative for many years. He was Amite's first black car salesperson.

Source:  Amite Genealogy Library-Photo Album of Mrs. Gracie Perry

The Legacy of Supt. Alexander Richardson of Amite, LA

Supt. Alexander Richardson and wife
Melissa Wheat Richardon

Alexander Richardson was born on October 25, 1907 to Thomas Alexander Richardson and Emma Vining in St. Helena Parish. In an effort to support his family, and also to teach his children that success comes with hard work. Alexander held several jobs prior to opening his own business.

He worked on federally funded W.P.A. He cut the right of way for the Montpelier to Greensburg Highway during the Depression Area; He sold Life Insurance and worked at Good Shepherd Funeral Home; He worked as a gas station attendant in Houston, Texas. He also built prefabricated houses at Galette's Manufacture site in Amite as a master painter.

With nothing more than an eight grade education and a strong supporting wife at his side Alex Richardson, Sr. decided in the late 1950s or early 1960s to open his own funeral home and insurance agency in Amite, LA. This accomplishment was made possible because of the "Grandfather Clause." This clause said that if you learned a trade and learned it well, then you were permitted to operate the in fields of your acquainted trade. He mastered his trade while working as a mortician and insurance agent at Britton's Funeral Home in Columbia, Ms of a period of five years. He was also employed at Good Shepherd Funeral Home in Amite, La.

Today, four funeral homes proves their dream of reality. Richardson Funeral Home, Inc., and Insurance Agencies was considered at that time to be top's in all of its service areas. The home office is still based in Amite, LA., with three branch offices existing in Kenner, Covington, and Hammond, La.

Amite, Louisiana First Black Veterinarian Percy L. Walker

Dr. Percy Walker
Photo Credit: Daily Star Photographer
George Anderson

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 Corean 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 W.W.II and the Korean War as 1st Lieutenant. After his service years, he was a substitute teacher, social worker, and 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.

The Legacy of Farming with Ernest Frazier of Amite, Louisiana.

“He was born to be a farmer. It was something that he was good at, something he knew well. He was a giver of life, an alchemist that worked in dirt, seed, and manure.” ― Tracy Winegar, Good Ground

Ernest Fazier

Like his father who was passionate about tilling the soil and making things grow.  Ernest Frazier is just like his father Mr. Willie Charles Frazier known to everyone in the Amite community as Mr. W.C. Just like his father, Ernest spend a great deal of time working and tilling the soil. What I have learned about men and women who are like Ernest and his father, they have a natural connection to the soil! It is in their blood and they look forward to planting  crops every year. They are masters of agriculture, some people went to school to get a degree to study agriculture. For Ernest and his father it came natural and was passed down from generations. Black farmers in America dreamed of owning their own land. They worked hard to make that dream come true.  Many black farmers in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes wanted to operated independently from the white farmers or land owners. I heard many say that they wouldn't get the same price for their produce as white men and women in the community or markets.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

The Census of Agriculture is now conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture every 5 years. The Federal agricultural schedules were taken beginning in 1840. The schedules provide information like the owner's name, acres improved and unimproved, value of the farm, farming machinery, crop and livestock production, and "home manufactures." 

Black farmers in America faced discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture loans for decades. Women both black and white faced a discrimination as well. It is good to see men like Ernest carry the family tradition of farming on today. My maternal grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., and his mother Emma Mead Harrell were farmers.  Jasper's brother Palmer Harrell also farmed, I hold fond memories of farming with my great uncle Palmer. For the newly freed slaves, owning your own land meant freedom and a ticket to becoming independent and self-sufficient. One thing is for sure a farmer will never go hungry and they know what they are eating. Ernest enjoy watching the vegetable grow and certainly enjoy the fresh taste of squash, cucumbers, corn, beans, tomatoes, strawberries and sweet potatoes. He is the kind of man that shares with his neighbors just like his father did. After all the planting and picking, his wife Jo-Ann, cans the vegetables and make some of the best tasting homemade jams you want to taste.

She learned how to can from the women who came before her. I was very happy to hear that she held on to the tradition. It isn't that many women who are still canning. When I was little girl, I remember my mother and grandmother canning. Although I have never canned any fresh fruits or vegetables. I am willing to learn because there is nothing to compare to the taste. 

Thank to both Ernest and his wife Jo-Ann for holding on to those value lessons of farming and canning. It would be good to see them both co-author a book on farming and canning and how the tradition was passed on to them by their ancestors.

The Legacy of the late Mr. W.C. Frazier of Amite, Louisiana

Willie Charles Frazier

On Sunday, November 11, 2012, Brother Willie Charlie Frazier, affectionately known as “W.C.” passed from earth to heaven’s reward. There will be no more sorrow, pain or suffering, it was God’s will that he should go.

Bro. W.C. was born on November 10, 1920 to the late  Thomas Frazier and the late Lena Green Frazier. He was united in holy matrimony to the late Lizzie Coleman Frazier and to that union eleven children were born.

He was a hard-working man who believed in providing for his family. He labored hard and long in the vineyard of life reaping many rewards. His passion was tilling the soil and making things grow; many people knew him because of his generosity with the fruits of his labor. W.C. was employed by the Town of Amite with the City Maintenance Department for many years. He was an industrious and loyal employee until his retirement.

Bro. W.C. was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He made sure that his wife, his children and his grandchildren were provided for. He and his wife had a very special and loving relationship, in later years he served as her caregiver during her illness. His concern was always for “Lizzie”. “Big Daddy” as he was known to the grandchildren would always be there when he was needed.

Bro. W.C. devoted his life to God and became a member of Gordon Chapel Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Supt. Alexander Richardson. He served as a devoted member under the leadership of both the late Supt. Samuel Richardson and Supt. Emmitt N. Richardson, Sr. and attended services until his health no longer allowed him do so. His devotion to God and his church never wavered; he continued to do all that he could in the service of the Lord.

The late Mr. Willie Charles Frazier

He leaves to cherish his memory five sons: Emmitt (Elaine) Frazier of Roseland, LA, Earnest (Jo-Ann) Frazier,  and John H. Frazier of Amite, LA, James (Audrey) Frazier of Livermore, California, and  Rogers (Connie) Frazier of Roseland, LA; five daughters:  Lillie (Robert) Warren of San Francisco, California, Catherine  (Carl) Galmon, W. Dolores Topps, Josie Dell Frazier, and  Joann (Calvin) Winfield, all of Amite, LA; a devoted niece/daughter: Mary Smith;  thirty (30) grandchildren, thirty-seven (37) great-grandchildren and two (2) great, great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Bertha Coleman, brother-in-law: Wade Wilson, god daughters: Ella M. Hughes, Betty Franklin   and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and  Lena Green Frazier, a devoted step-mother: Celestine Ward Frazier,  his loving and devoted wife, Lizzie Coleman Frazier, one son, Willie C. Frazier, Jr.; three sisters: Velma Coleman, Rosa Caston and Ellen Frazier, three brothers: William Frazier, Ivory Frazier and Robert Frazier;  and grand daughter, Eulandra D. Frazier.

"Gone But Not Forgotten"

Special Thanks to Jo-Ann Frazier

Diamond Merchant from Africa Settled in Amite, Louisiana

This book was given to Frank H. Drake, Mayor of Amite, LA in 1904. on June 7, 1973.  Dr. Ed. Burleigh, a retired physician from Opelousas, presented the Amite Rotary Club a picture album of early pictures of Amite. The book was handed down in his family  through a cousin, Florelle Porter, who was a former school teacher in the Amite area.

The "Copy Album" is being prepared by Leo's Photo Service in Amite, La. This photograph is of the Ogden Home. Apparently the spelling of the last name of the man from Africa should be "Beit" rather than "Diet."

The Odgen Home-Orginally Carter Home called the Camellia Lillian Center married Oteo Diet, diamond merchant from Africa.

Source: Amite Genealogy Library-Archival Room

The Legacy of Sunny Cohn of Amite, Louisiana

Sunny Cohn
No name were given for the woman in the
photograph

A man whose energy, determination and varied interests led him to become a very influential man in Amite and the northern section of Tangipahoa Parish. Sunny was born in Roseland, Louisiana, where he attended grammar school in Kentwood, Louisiana. He served seven years in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in France, England and Germany.

On his return home in 1950 he attended a trade school in Hammond, La., and then worked for Ardillo's Supermarket in Amite. In 1960 he purchased his own school bus and began driving for the Tangipahoa Parish School Board. He was also the Assistant Supervisor of Maintenance at the Parish Court House in Amite, a position he held since 1973.

Serving his community by taking part in many civic organizations is one of the highlights of his life. One of his favorite projects was serving on the board of director of the Head Start Program in Tangipahoa Parish and Amite for three years. The Head Start Program is 80% funded. Sunny assisted by a cousin Leatha Cook, who was director of the Head Start were very active in fund raising for the remaining 20% need to continue the program.

Sunny was very proud of being on the board of the Tangipahoa Black Festivial, Inc., for the past three years. He was recognized as a member who could be counted on to do his job well. He and his wife, the former Mary Lee Head have been married for forty years, they had one son Floyd, Jr., who has three children.

Sunny was a great enthusiast of all sports. He really enjoyed watching the local high school games because he had watched these kids grow up over the year while riding his school bus.  Sunny's outlook on life is to help his fellow man when ever possible.

Source: African American Album donated to the Amite Genealogy Library by Mrs. Gracie Perry of Amite, LA

Genealogist Antoinette Harrell Tour Museums from the United States to Niger, West Africa

Antoinette looking at Tuareg War Shield
Zinder, West Africa

I have visited many museums throughout the United States, looking at artifacts, special collections and reading rare books. In August of 2004, I traveled to Niger, West Africa-- the homeland where my maternal African Ancestry DNA matches with the Tuareg people of the Sahara Desert. After my arrival in Paris, France, I wanted to visit the museums, archives, libraries, and universities to find any kind of records, artifacts and books that were stolen from Niger after the country were colonized by France. Inside the tall buildings that is guarded by the Gothic gods are rare books and other information that can help me find my way back to my maternal homeland, is guarded by the Gothic gods and it followers. My ancestors and our history lies in the belly of the Gothic beast. Books that is written in the language of my ancestors that I couldn't read, if I did find the books. Before being colonized by he French my ancestors spoke Tamasheq and other native languages before being forced to speak the French language. My ancestors were linguist, people that were skilled in several languages.

Antoinette Harrell at Smith Robertson Museum &
Cultural Center

While attending a meeting in Jackson, Mississippi with Lloyd Lazard and his New Orleans Delegation in Jackson, Mississippi,  we had the opportunity to tour several museums. The International Museum of Muslim Cultures was one of the two that we visit. I was delighted to see artifacts from the Tuareg People of Niger. Looking at the artifacts from the nomadic people of the Sahara Desert took me back in memories to the blacksmith shops and villages where the Tuareg and Berber people made their jewelry, wood carvings and beautiful leather goods.

In the Akan language of Ghana the term Sankofa means, "We must go back to reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we could understand why and how we came to be who we are today." Some also interpret Sankofa to be, no matter how far away one travels they must always return home." Each time I visit any repository, museum, universities and other research facilities, I search for something that will help me reclaim knowledge of self and return me back to the land of my ancestors on the continent of Africa. I really can't say I have a favorite museum because each one of them offer an opportunity to learn something that I didn't know. Are too see original artifacts that tell something about my people and the period in which they lived.

Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center

It is a journey searching for what was stolen from me; knowledge of self, family, books, history, artifacts and land. My maternal great-great grandfather Robert Harrell came to Mississippi as a slave with Levi Harrell and his family where they settled in Amite County, Mississippi in 1803.  While touring Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center  looking at the artifacts, history and agriculture artifacts holds the story behind my Mississippians deep rooted connections.

From Africa to Mississippi, I found my history inside the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center to the lock doors of buildings in Zinder that hold the last piece of jewelry, artifacts that the Tuareg people had taken from them before the were captured and sold into slavery. I will continue to search for my history and knowledge of self. "Know Who You Are Before They Tell You" African Proverb

The National Slave Ship Museum Louisiana Delegation Meet with Jackson, Mississippi Mayor

Louisiana Delegation meeting with Mayor Lumumba

Today I traveled with a Lloyd Lazard and a Delegation from New Orleans, La to meet with Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Lumumba to discuss the vision and plans that Lloyd  have for establishing a National Slave Ship Museum. Clifton James, Economic Development and Special Project Committee presented the plan before Mayor Lumumba and his Delegation.

The National Slave Ship Museum

Lloyd Lazard has been dreaming of this since the 90s, and now several city leaders are on board. He wants New Orleans, La to be the home of the museum. The plan is to redevelop the Lower Garden District Riverfront turning it into
 an educational corridor. The museum would be built around a full size replica of a slave ship. It’ll include a lab to trace your ancestry. After leaving the meeting we has an opportunity to tour the Smith Robertson Museum and the International Museum of Muslim Cultures at the Mississippi Art Center in Jackson, Mississippi. While touring the International Museum of Muslim Cultures we saw the Timbutku Exhibition. I was truly excited when I saw the Tuareg Exhibition. My maternal African Ancestry DNA matches with the Tuareg People of Niger. Looking at the Tuareg artifacts, remind me of the time I spent in Niger, West Africa. 

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Everyone was very impressed with the Smith Robertson Museum and happy to see that our history is being preserved, kept and told by the children of former slaves and sharecroppers. From Africa to the slave auction blocks and cotton fields, the curator found a way to tell our story. 

The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the United States enacted between 1876 and 1965. It was mandated and enforced in all public facilities in Southern States. Jim Crow laws are the segregation of public places, public schools, restrooms, restaurants, and drinking fountains. Although this happened in my time, I can't ever recall going to a "colored only" water fountain.

Pamela D.C. Junior, Museum Manager

Read more: http://wgno.com/2013/09/12/national-slave-ship-museum-one-step-closer-to-being-built-in-new-orleans/#ixzz2kUxO1vvj

West Jackson Colored School " Mother School" School for Negro Boys and Girls

Smith Robertson  ( 1847-1899)

Smith Robertson was born a slave in Fayette, Alabama, in 1847. After the  Civil War, he migrated to Mississippi where he operated a successful barber business. He became involved in local politics and became the first African American Alderman for the City of Jackson, Mississippi. On December 6, 1879, at the time when the enrollment of colored children exceeded that of white children in the Jackson Public Schools. Smith Robertson was appointed by the Mayor and Board of Alderman to the Board of Trustees for the school for color pupils. He was reappointed in December, 1880 and served as a member of he Board of Aldermen from 1879 until 1899. He began serving his second term, which would have ended in 1910; however, this tern was interrupted by his untimely death on December 30,1899.

The building was erected in 1894. Smith Robertson School was the first public school for Negro boys and girls in the state of Mississippi. The school was named in honor of Mr. Smith Robertson. The school was originally named the West Jackson Colored School and later became known as the “Mother School” it is located in the Capitol City of Jackson, Mississippi.

The new building was constructed after the first one was almost completely destroyed by fire January 3, 1909. The new building was completed in September 1909 and remodeled in 1935 when the Art Deco facade and added along with more classrooms. The school remained open until 1971.. when a court order it closed due to public school desegregation. The building fell into disarray until the efforts of deeply committed local humanitarians became a reality.

Reopened in 1984 as Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center it remains the largest museum in the state of Mississippi that host a vast collection of African American artifacts.

Richard Wright

 A once in a lifetime opportunity awaits you inside the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center. Located a stone's throw from the State Capitol building, it's just within walking distance of principal businesses and attractions in downtown Jackson. Through art, artifacts, and photography, the work, lifestyle, and artistic contributions of African Americans are celebrated, evoking a greater understanding of the African-American experience in the Deep South.

Smith Robertson School is also the alma mater of Richard Nathaniel Wright, the author of “ Black Boy” and “Native Son” Wright was a member of the graduate class of 1925, and went on to become a highly acclaimed and world renowned writer.

The museum host several permanent exhibitions of visual art in various mediums. Also on exhibition is a vast collection of period artifacts, oral histories, memorabilia, historical documents, and periodicals. Our main gallery (David Taylor Gallery) showcases local and traveling exhibitions from across the United States. Modern and contemporary shows alternate with those dedicated to art from other cultures and earlier historical periods. The museums primary focus, highlighting the Mississippi African American experience, past and present.

Please  visit the  Smith Robertson and Cultural Center located at
 528 Bloom St., Jackson, MS 39202-4005

Contact number:  601-960-1457