African American Cattlemen and Farmers on Stateline Road

Ruthie Coleman and son Craig Coleman
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Two weeks ago I was visiting Ruthie Coleman with VICE documentary producers. While waiting for the film crew to set up their cameras,  her son Craig Coleman introduced himself to me and invited me to visit his upcoming field day event. I told him I would do my best to be there. I know that my schedule is so tight and I didn't have the time to spare. 

I woke my grandkids up early Saturday morning and told them we were going on a hayride and farm. They were so excited to go, they got up early and ate breakfast so that we could be on time. I enjoy taking them on country rides throughout the East Florida Parishes. My two grandsons are in the  4-H club at the school they attend. I thought this would give them the opportunity to really see what 4-H is all about. Farming and raising livestock is a part of 4-H. 

Several of my family members were a part of 4-H. My mom was a 4-H member; she often talks about the homemade yeast rolls she made and how tasty they were. I know that to be true because she made them for my brothers and me. 

Craig said that he learned how to farm from his mother Ruthie, his uncles, and other extended family members. He said that he plant the fresh produce and give it to the seniors in the community. I thought that was wonderful, here is a young man giving back to the community. 

"I been doing this all my life," said Craig. I started with nothing, and now I own land and fifty Angus cattle. We toured his beautiful garden of a variety of greens; mustards, collard, purple collards, turnips, and other greens. 

Craig Coleman feeding his cows
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Other farmers were attending the events. I watched them hold class right out there in the yard was so beautiful. Several cattlewomen and farmers attend this event as well.  They try to come together at least once a year. When I arrived that morning the smell of fresh coffee, orange juice and donuts were waiting for the guest. Representatives from Southeastern and Southern University were present.  The topics were: Managing Rye Grass, Determining Paddock Size and Keeping the Cost Down. I must admit this was a subject that I didn't know anything about.

The farmers shared information with each other that could be helpful and useful. Craig has a special way of calling his cattle. He said when they see that yellow bucket, they know it is time to eat.  He and his wife Shannon and their children work together as a family and team. Several sponsors helped make this event a success.

The Obituary of Johnnie Lawrence Harrell

Johnnie Lawrence

Johnnie Lawrence Harrell was born to the late Shelton and late Ada Nolan Harrell on April 1, 1913 in Amite, Louisiana. He ascended peacefully into God's presence on December 28, 2012, at age 99, while residing at Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Johnnie and his family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana when he was a young boy. While residing in New Orleans, he quietly and affectionately demonstrated his love for his siblings, Olga Johnson, Marion Harper, the late Shelton and the late Minard Harrell by his thoughts words, and deeds. They were a close knot family who enjoyed the companionship of each other.

Johnnie attended the public schools of Orleans Parish and Culinary school, where his specialty for many years was baking delicious, beautiful wedding cakes and other pastries. Later, he joined the International Longshoreman Labor Union of New Orleans and became a Longshoreman until his first retirement. Due to his fondness for people and his love for the rich culture of New Orleans, he went to become a guide and security guard for the Superdome until his second retirement.

In November of 1942, he entered the United States Army and served as a Rifleman and Scout. He had knowledge of the use of many types of weaponry, camouflaging and concealment. He served in Italy and France during World War II in the American Theater of Operations with the 371st Infantry Company K. He received an honorable discharge in January 1946. He received the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and several other medals.

Johnnie found pleasure in reading and studying his Bible three times a day. He truly enjoyed his church family at Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Orleans, Louisiana and served faithfully as an usher and senior member of the Pastor's Aid Society under the leadership of Pastor Lester A. Shaw. He was honored in a ceremony, as the oldest member of his church. His church family respectfully referred to him as " Mr. Johnnie".

Johnnie was a member of the "Young at Hearts Senior Citizens Group" where he enjoyed their meetings and many special outings. They fondly referred to him as "The Tea Man' for bringing hot tea and donuts to the sick and shut in. Traveling throughout the country with his best friend from childhood, the late Herman Bell, was the highlights of his summers. Johnnie was the epitome of southern gentlemen who was debonair and always dressed meticulously. He was and avid physical fitness buff who did a series of calisthenics and rode his bicycle daily until the age of 90. 

In 2005, as a result of Hurricane Katrina, he was lovingly received into the home of his son-in-law, Don, his daughter Joy and their family. Those years were very special. He enhanced the dynamics of the family and brought great happiness and enjoyment. 

In 2008, after suffering a broken hip, he became a resident of Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center. He received exceptional care and attention form Jeneba Sesay, Hafeefa Hairat and the administration and staff of the facility.

Johnnie Lawrence Harrell was married to the late Gladys Parker Harrell; to this union was born their beloved daughter Joy.

Those left to cherish his precious memory and mourn his loss are a devoted and loving daughter, Joy and his son-in-law, Don; four granddaughters ( who affectionately referred to him as "Grampy"): Dayna Lynnette, Donna Joy, Danielle Anjalee and Dionne Gladys; two beautiful great-granddaughters: Anjalee (Angel) and Eden, Colorado Springs, CO; tow sisters: Olga Mae Johnson and Marion Harper, both of New Orleans, LA; a brother-in-law: Leon Palar, New Orleans, LA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and many friends

Lovingly Submitted The Family

Unidentified Photographs of African-American People in Lanier-Fajoni Collection

There a couple dozen unamed photographs of African-American people in the Lanier Fajoni Collection. His collection is at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies,  I hope by posting them, someone may recognize their family member and post their name. Over a decade ago, I met a contributing writer, who's name I can't remember contacted me about a man named Robert Vernon who had the collection in his care. I sitting here typing and trying to recall her name. I know she was a school teacher who wrote about genealogy and family history in the Tangi Digest Newspaper weekly. She published a different photograph weekly to see if anyone could identify someone in the photograph or identify the person in the photograph. Please email me at afrigenah@yahoo. com, if you have any information that could be helpful.

Photo Credits
Lanier-Fajoni

Photo Credits: Lanier Fajoni Collection

Photo Credits: Lanier Fajoni Collection

Photo Credits:
Lanier-Fajoni Collection

Photo Credits:
Lanier-Fajoni Collection

Choctaw Indians Were the First in Tangipahoa Parish

A Choctaw baby peeks out of a handwoven Choctaw
rivercane pack basket at Lacombe, LA. The picture
was taken in 1909, appeared in David Bushnell, Jr's
article. "The Choctaw of Bayou Lacombe. " Photo
courtesy Center for Regional Studies, SLU

One of my favorite collections at Southeastern University Center for Louisiana Studies is the Irene Morris Collection. When I first moved to Kentwood, Louisiana I was told if you want to know any local history, go see Irene Ried Morris. I had the pleasure of sitting in her home and chatting about all the history and genealogies of the many families who lived on the North end of Tangipahoa Parish. Her weekly column in the Kentwood News called Local lore and legends was known for documenting local  community news and family histories. 

She talked about her collections but she quickly pointed out that there were still so many boxes with files inside her home. After talking with her, my next step was to make plans to go to Southeastern University to look in her collection. She recorded a lot of history about the local people as well as noted African American people on a national level. 

One the folders I looked in,  had an article she had written and published on the Choctaw Indians of Tangipahoa Parish. The first inhabitants of the Parish of Tangipaoha were the Choctaw Indians. A woman by the name of Mrs. Robert D. Hillis, who was well versed in local Indian lore spent countless hours researching the history and culture of the Choctaw Indians in Tangiphaoa Parish. Please let me point out women were identified by their husband's names back in those days and Mrs. Robert D. Hillis identified by her husband name.

Tangipahoa means corncob gatherers," or "corncob people." Tangipahoa Parish was formed in 1869, it was carved from Livington, St. Helena Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and Washington

Hillis made note that the  Choctaws would gather the sassafras leaves to make gumbo filé. They made blowguns out of cane. She noted that their baskets were handmade out and colored with red oak and other natural resources.

After they went hunting for wild game they would bring their games into the local merchant in exchange for groceries. Hillis said the Choctaw Indians were peaceful folk. I know of a family that has Choctaw heritage. I learned of Malinda Lawson the daughter of Tom Swain also known as "Indian Tom," through my cousin Andre Richardson. Andre is the grandson of one of Esau and Malinda Lawson's daughters.  In a community called Ried's community the descendants of Indian Tom can still be found today. I was told by Mark Conerly that there was a theater in the City of Amite, called the Choctaw theater.  You won't find many people talking about the Choctaw Indians in the parish. 

Over in Washington Parish in Bogalusa, there were the Choctaw Indian Village. In an article posted on Rootsweb, Choctaw-Southeaster-L Archives. Rumor was told of full-bloodied Indians who ended up being killed and buried in peoples backyards. The source had to be protected, it was a little old lady, who fathered committed such acts when she was a child. 

A book entitled, "Pistols and Politics, the Dilemma of Democracy in the Florida Parishes. 1810-1899 was written by Samuel C. Hyde, Jr.,  This book documents the bloody history of this region in Louisiana. Dr. Samuel Hyde, Jr., is a Professor of History at Southeastern Louisiana University, and the Director of the Center of Southeast Louisiana Studies.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESOURCES

http://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/l_m/morris_irene.html

Please visit the Antoinette Harrell Collection

http://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/historical_collections/archival_collections/h_k/harrell_collection.html

The Unnamed Slave in the City of Hammond Name Was Gaston

The Unnamed Slave Gravesite

Last year while researching African American history in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana., I came across an article written and posted by Dr. Charles Smith about an unnamed slave buried in a Hammond Cemetery on Charles Street. Laying behind the white picket fence in a corner close to the E. Charles street is the gravesite of Gaston. 

In the cemetery on East Charles Street, Peter Hammond the founder of the City of Hammond and several of his family members are buried there.  His wife Caroline, his unmarried daughter Maria. His daughter Sarah and her husband F. Robertson; and another daughter Clorinda, wife of E. DeSouge, and a granddaughter Elisa and her husband W.S. Wall.

A couple months back, Kenneth Harris, Councilman Lemar F. Marshall, a descendant of Peter Hammond and I had a conversation about the unnamed slave and finding his name. The blog post I wrote last year started African Americans in the community to at least talk about slavery and some went to visit the cemetery. Many African Americans in Tangipahoa Parish had no idea the gravesite was there.

An article was written and published in the Hammond Vindicator by Velmarae Dunn indicated that his name was Gaston. The article also stated that Gaston died of yellow fever. Gaston died in the early 1860s and was buried before Peter Hammond and his family. The Hammond Preservation Commission Director Leah Solomon and  Commission Shauna Seals organized today memorial event to place a wreath on Gaston's gravesite. Hammond President Councilman Lemar F. Marshall was present. Historian Howard Nichols, who is also a Commission Member join in for the discussion at the City Hall.

Pouring of Libation

At the gravesite, Mayor Peter Panepinto spoke to the occasion followed by Prayers by Rev. Shelton Myers of St, James A.M.E. Church. The pastor of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church laid the wreath at the grave.  Mayor Panepinto has committed to replacing with a headstone that has Gaston's name on it. 

We are hoping to learn more about Gaston life through genealogy and historical research. I talked with my colleague Bernice Alexander Bennett who specialize in Livington Parish research about Peter Hammond. She may have some research tips that could be helpful.  I'm happy to see that the community leaders and others in the community are embracing this long overdue subject. I would like to see more African American historians not just locally get involved with the people in the community. As we approach the 2018 Black History Month, we are looking forward to an event that would commemorate the discovery. 

I've visited several slave cemetery in St. Helena Parish with Mrytis Johnson who's mission is to preserve the abandoned cemeteries and slave cemeteries. Now our mission is to find out as much as we can about Gaston. Some of the questions I want answers to:

Where did Gaston come from?

Did he have family members on the plantation?

What did he do on the plantation?

Was he purchased from someone else?

Was anything ever recorded about him?

 I was hoping to see the pouring of libation in memory of Gaston, African dancing, and drumming. This is an African tradition that dates back to the book of Genesis.  Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He has spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he out a drink offering on it; he poured oil on it.  Gen 35:14

The Obituary of Stine Temple

Stine Temple, a dock worker for United Fruit Co., died Tuesday of a heart attack at United Medical Center. He was 52. Mr. Temple was a lifelong resident of New Orleans. Survivors included three daughters, Angela, Carla and Yvette Powell; his mother, Cora W. Temple; two brothers, Bobbie and Alvin Temple; a sister, Betty T. Steptoe; and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held Saturday at 9:30 a.m at Second Zion Baptist Chruch No. 1, 2929 Second St. Vistiation will be at 8 a.m. Burial will be in Temple Cemetery in Amite, D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Source the Time Picayune Newspaper, the clipping didn't state the year.

Connecting Our Vining Family Genetic Through Ancestry DNA

Isaiah Vining
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Several months ago my cousin Belinda Vining Trepagnier and I talked about having her father Isaiah Vining to take the Ancestry DNA and African Ancestry DNA test. We want to find out about our family history as much as possible. 

Isaiah is the descendant of Leon and Hattie Vining. He was born in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. He is one of six siblings; Leola, Eddie Lee, Johnny, Mary Lee, Rosedale, and Thomas. His father Leon as born about 1906 to the union of Benjamin and Annie Richardson Vining, he lived in Ward 3, in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. 

 Leon's sibling were;  Carrie, John, Leon and Luellea Vining.  I met cousin Luella over twenty years ago in New Orleans, La., She was in her eighties when I met her. I would often visit with her and talk with her about our family history. She talked about her mother Annie Richardson Vining every chance she got. She told me that her father Benajmin has contact the smallpox and had to be quaratine in a little shack in the woods. She remember going in the woods and placing food under a tree and leaving. He died in the woods due to the smallpox. No one couldn't come in contact with him. 

Cousin Luella spent a lot of time with her grandmother Amanda Breland Richardson and Thomas Richardson. At one time she and her family was living with her grandparents. She had a picture of her grandmother Amanda and her mother Annie hanging on her wall. Cousin Louella was a amputee and she spent a lot of time crocheting blankets, caps and baby items for the family. 

Thomas and Amanda Breland Richardson has five children; Annie, Thomas, Golene, Johnc and Sophia Richardson. Cousin Luella told me that her mother was accidently shot by her brother John. She said her mother died of lock jaw and the family didn't talk about that subject at all. Matter of fact, not to many people knew of Annie, not even my mother who was the family griot. Most of the people who would have known about Annie had died. Annie was my grandmother's Josephine Richardson Harrell's aunt. 

Cousin Isaiah is in his eighties and agreed to take the DNA test. Surrounding by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and other family members as well as friends. Isaiah and his family get together every fouth Sunday of the month for fellowship, family fun, games and lots of home cooked food. 

I really enjoyed myself watching the family really enjoy each others company and having fun playing a game of spoon. Most of all, cousin Isaiah was right there playing with games with his children and grandchildren. They are planning to go on their annual cruise this years. Cousin Isaiah is truly patirach of his family. I'm happy that I met Leon's branch of the family.  Matter of fact Isaiah is double related to me on the Richardson and Vining side of my family.

Rev. Charles Daggs Ran for Office in Tangipahoa Parish in 1872

State of Louisiana

Parish of Tangipahoa

Before the undersigned (?) appeared Charles Daggs, Emanuel Daggs, who being duly sworn according to the  law (?) that he was employee by J.P. Harrison when he went for his pay he Harrison refused to pay him. Daggs was running for office and that his life was not worth it and said he would never give him any more work, because Daggs voted the (?) ticket and had been working (?)

said Harrison interest for five years

Jackson Stapleton told me that Mr. J.P. Harrison said that if Stapleton voted the Republican ticket he Stapleton would  be taking bread out of his children mouth and after receiving this information he Stapleton refused to vote the Republican  ticket. 

Charles Daggs

Sworn to before me by said Charles Daggs, and by him subsribed in my presence this 7th day of December 1872. 

Sarah Nicholson Kidnapped and Sold Into Slavery in St. Helena, Louisiana

Edna Jordan Smith

Many people watched the movie "Twelve Years a Slave," or read the book. Over a decade ago I came across an article that was published in the Time Picyaune Newspaper. The article was written by Joan Treadway. Treadway has intereviewed Edna Jordan-Smith about her research discovery concerning a woman named Sarah Nicholson who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana in 1826. 

Smith reseach didn't reveal who kidnapped Sarah, her research revealed that white people and free people of color was involved. It was through a lawsuit that was filed on August 20, 1826 in St. Helena Parish Courthouse that Smith learned of the case. While looking through a summary of abstracts of cases during her employee at the Bluebonnett Library genealogy department in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

An attorney named Thomas S. Lloyd, whom Smith believed to have been based in New Orleans. The document stated that Sarah had been kidnapped from the Pine Stree Wharf in Philadelphia and taken on board a hermaphrodite rig, they then transferred her to a oyster boat. "A storm rose in which the boat sprung a leak," Sarah said in the lawsuit. Sarah and nine other African descent people was but back on the rig. A total of fifty-people was enslaved there. She was put in irons, around her right foots, and a rope was fastened around her neck to the neck of another.

The ship made several stop while  enroute to Louisiana, where Sarah was transported to land, in St. Helena Parish. "A slaveholder by the name of Presley Stephenson a cotton farmer possibly used her for a field hand," said Smith. I research his name in Ancestry, I found him in St. Helena in the 1830 United States Census. His name was spelled Stevenson. Stephenson later sold her to a "Captain Thompson," who was a slave dealer on the corner of Canal and Camp

Sarah talked about how Thomspon beat her and was very mean and cruel. He beat her at the police station in the New Orleans for saying she was a free person. In her suit she wanted to be paid for unspecfied amount of damges she recieved from Thompson. 

I went to the St. Helena Parish Courthouse searching for the lawsuit. I will make a visit to the library in Baton Rouge to look at the abstract and have it transcribed.  Preserving Our History in Tangiphaoa and St, Helena would like to thank Edna Jordan Smith for this ground-breaking researh and bring it to the forefront.

Edna Jordan Smith holds a Masters of Education Degree with emphasis in Historical Research. She taught Genealogy Research at the Bluebonnet Genealogy Library in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

Major Bibligraphical Sources: 

Time Picayune Newspaper " Woman Fought for Her Freedom in La.

http://www.alhgs.com/tours.html

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/east_feliciana/article_77b04384-84a5-5042-8153-50ea8255946e.html

https://www.gofundme.com/2h4p9szg

Mary Carter Was a Trail blazer in Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Mary Carter

Mary Carter served as temporary District 4 alderwoman since Nov. 1984.  She was appointed by the Board of Aldermen to serve in place of her late husband, G.T. Carter when he died in November.  Mrs. Carter was Ponchatoula resident since 1951. Her main goals were to improve city streets and drainage, cooperate with the council, advocate good, sound business principles and help city residents.

Mrs. Carter was a retired economic teacher,. She worked at Perrin Junior High School from 1951 to 1969 and then she taught at Ponchatoula High School until 1974. Mrs. Carter is a graduate of Hammond High School and Southern University in Baton Rouge. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational home economics in 1951 and later worked toward a master's degree in home economics at the same university.

She was the mother of four children: Attorney Gideon T. Carter III, Hammond; Gwendolyn Renee Carter, R.N., New Orleans; Genor and Gemetri Carter, students in Baton Rouge. I was delighted to sit and talk with Gwendolyn about her parents.  Gwen and her family reminded me of the King family. Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King and his four children fought for equality and justice for the oppressed and so did the Carter family of Ponchatoula, Louisiana 

I sit across the table from her listening her talk about what her parent went through and the racism they faced tried to stand up for justice and seeking a quality of education for African-American children. She recalled some of the meetings that took place in her home. She remembered her father  Gideon Carter talking to A.Z. Young and other prominent African American men and women. 

I can't wait to meet and talk with Gwen again. The rich history of her family sure be recorded and documented,  

The Maternal Haplogroup of Emma Vining Richardson Williams

Uncle Henry taking 23 and Me DNA
with Karran Harper Royal

A few weeks back my Uncle Henry Harrell took the 23 and Me DNA test with one of my relatives Karran Harper Royal. His Maternal Haplogroup revealed that he and our family descend from a  long line of women that traced back to eastern Africa over 150, 000 years ago. His maternal haplogroup can reveal the path followed by women of his maternal line.  That would be his mother Josephine Richardson Harrell, her mother Emma Vining Richardson Williams,  Emma's mother Rosa Hart and Rosa's mother Celia Hart and so on.

His maternal line stems from a branch of L3 called L3f. Haplogroup L3f is an old offshot that traces back to a woman who likely lived nearly 46,000 years ago.  Members of L3f live in a wide distribution across the Sahal belt of Africa, a dry savanna region on the southern fringes of the Sahara  Desert, as well as in the northern regions of the Central African rainforest. 

Between 20,000 and 30,000 years ago, L3f gave rise to two daughter haplogroup, L3f1 and L3f2. L3f1 appears to have arisen in eastern Africa and moved westward befor the peack of the Ice Age about 20,000 years ago, when the Sahara Desert expanded and rendered much of the northern part of the continent uninjabitable. Today the haplogroup is commonly found among the Yoruba adn Fulbe population of western Africa, and in the African-Americans who are descended from them. 

His maternal haplogroup, L3f1b, traces back to woman who lived approximately 11,000 years ago. That's nealy 460 genearations ago. In 2003 I took the African Ancestry DNA test that connected by maternal lineage to Niger, West Africa. Tracing my maternal lineage, my Uncle Henry and I share the same maternal grandmother. 

23 and Me revealed the DNA lineage for Emma Vining her maternal ancestors and her offsprings. Her children Josephine, Alexander, Rosabell, Alma, Ethel, Dorothy, Jimmy and Arthur can learn a lot about their maternal lineage from my Uncle Henry's DNA test. Also a warmhearted thank you to Karran for giving my family this wonderful gift. I hope everyone in my family appreicate this knowledge as much as I do.  This DNA test confirmed that my mother and her maternal lineage has lineage to the people of the Sahel Desert. 

Antoinette Harrell in Ingall, West Africa

In 2003 I traveled to Niger, West Africa to met the Tuareg people. I saw people that look just like my family members.  This one woman looked so much like my mother, I couldn't help but cry because I knew this was my people. A day that I waited for has finally come true. I had the opportunity to travel to several regions in Niger. The hair texture, skins tones, and featured reminded me of so many people including my Uncle Henry.  Any genealogist who ancestors were slaves want to know where their ancestors orginated from. 

My research hit a brickwall in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana.  My traced my mother maternal lineage back by four generations. At that point I could go in further in research. Turning to DNA was my only option if I wanted to learn more about the maternal lineage. Matter of fact my mother only knew her grandmother Emma, she knew nothing about Emma's mother Rosa Hart. 

Dr. Antoinette Harrell Analyzing Plantation Records on

Dr. Antoinette Harrell reviewing records on a plantation
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Genealogists and family historians understand the terminology leaving no stone unturned. I'm continually looking for new records that have clues for genealogy and historical research anywhere I can find any paper or documents with someone's name, date and location. 

We are familiar with marriage records, death records, school records, and so on. But finding new records can be informative, and rewarding when you are researching. New genealogical and historical resources  can provide more details about the lives of our ancestors and our family history.  Just recently I went to a plantation in Louisiana to analyzing new records. The records that I analyzed were receipts records from the commissary store on the plantation. Some of the records were burned and couldn't be saved. A plantation in the Mississippi Delta recently demolished a commissary store. I hope that all the records were removed from the commissary store.  Sometimes the family who owns the plantation will keep the records. Others will donate them to a university or State Archives.

Most people in America assume that all African-American people left the plantations after the    Emancipation Proclamation was signed.  Some newly freed enslaved Africans stayed on the plantation, and some moved on other plantations because they didn't have anywhere to go.  Many former slaves were too old and tired to move. They felt  they were better off staying on the plantation where they would have shelter and food.

In 1865, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Land often called the Freedmen's Bureau was created at the end of the Civil War to supervise relief efforts including, health care, education, food and clothing, refugee camps, employment, labor contracts, and the legalization of African-American marriages.

Sharecropping was created out of the Freedmen Bureau Contracts. The landowner rented land to the the former slaves in return for a portion of their crops. Sharecropping practices took place for decades.  Many types of agreements still exist to this very day.   Many former slaves who  couldn't read or write were taken advantage of by the landowner. They were forced to stay and work on the plantation in a new form of slavery called peonage and involuntary servitude. Thousands had to flee for their lives sometimes leaving their family behind.

I've been on several plantation were people still live, and some people still work on the plantation. There is one plantation in Mississippi that I visited and had the opportunity to look in the records. I saw the names of the people who worked on the plantation, how many pounds of cotton they picked. There were some photographs of African-Americans on the plantations in the early 40s to the 70s. 

When we have exhausted our search in our homes, libraries and internet database such as Ancestry, Family Search, Ancestry and Cyndi's List any other genealogy sites that could be helpful. There are new genealogy resources made available every day that the universities, State Archives, and on genealogy sites.

Commissary Store Records
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

Educating individuals who had a rich photograph collections, funeral obituary programs, church records,  and other vital records that can be helpful to genealogy is essential. Every genealogy or family historian whose ancestors were held as slaves on a plantation would like to find records about their ancestors.

On the commissionary store receipts you will find the name of the person who lived and worked on the plantation. The date and year,  the name of the store, and what the person purchased and the price they paid for the items.  Some of ther receipts proved how long the person worked on the plantation and how long they purchased items from the store.

There were some payroll and medical records in the boxes too.  As long as I have been conducting research, I wish I could find other records for ancestors Robert Harrell,  Carrie Richardson or Frank Vining. They were on the Harrell, Richardson and Vining Plantations in East Florida Parishes, Louisiana

Why Do I Research and Document African-American History in the East Florida Parishes, Louisiana?

Dr. Antoinette Harrell researching at the Attala Library
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. 

Growing up as a young girl who enjoyed reading books and magazines, under the oak tree on the family place of my maternal grandparents in Amite, Louisiana on a hot summer day with a cool drink of water from the water well was a beautiful day for me. Most of the books I read came from the school library or school textbooks.  Reading history and science books or other educational materials related to the two subjects were my first choice.  I consisently paid attention to the illustrations in the books, and none of them were of African American descent. The illustrations told me that the characters were not of people of color.  It gave me a feeling that something wasn't  correct about these pictures.  If I didn't know that African American people made contributions and help to build the society, state, and nation I live in could have been devastating to me as a child with an impressionable mind. 

I moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1972 with my family. It didn't get any better in junior high school either. Colton Junior High was in the middle of ingregation and fights between African Americans and Caucasins were high.   A little skinny country girl moving to the big city with my mother and three brothers was a new experience for all of us.  My brothers Reginald, Thomas, Micheal, and I  didn't  know what to expect that summer. I had just finished sixth grade at West Side Elementary School in the Town of Amite and was promoted to the seventh grade. I am the oldest out of my three siblings.  All  three attended Marie Couvent Elementary School in the seventh ward on Pauger Street.

It was the summer of 1972 that my mother signed my brothers and me up for summer camp at what they called Tambourine and Fan. The camp director's name was Jerome Smith.  On the first day of camp, my brothers and I didn't know what to expect. We just did what the camp leaders told us.  I remember before going to our camp rooms, we had to go through our little camp prep chant with Jerome. Once we got to our camp rooms there were books, materials, posters, and black history eduational disussions about African-American pioneers and trailblazers. People like Harriet Tubman,
Freddrick Douglass, Dr. Martin Luther King and others. 

At the camp, I got to read books about people that looked like me.  Back home in Amite, Louisiana,  I remember my mom purchased a set of encyclopedia for her youngest sister who was attending college and her four children. She also bought the Negro Heritage books. I'll never forget the orange set of books. I still have them to this day. 

I remember flipping through the pages with happiest in my eyes. Page after page, the people looked just like me. Although I was hoping to find something about my family or people in the community that I knew.  Saddened by the fact that I couldn't  find them in the index.  As I grew older and embraced the study of genealogy it was my opportunity to change things. I had researched and collected enough information about my family and the community they live in to write and record my own story and to educate others about their history and the legacy they left.

African American people like my grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., who took his old pick truck to pick up people at no charge and took them to the voting polls.  Robert "Free Bob" Vernon who donated land for Mt. Canaan Church and School.  Or African American men in Tangipahoa who dreamed and  had great admiration to give African-American children in the parish a right to education during Reconstruction in Tangipahoa Parish. 

\After living in New Orleans for thirty-four years and returning to the same parish my ancestors once lived, I wanted to come back to make a difference by researching and documenting their history and rich legacies. I wanted to conduct oral interviews and record the stories of family members and people who live in the community. I wanted to look at photographs and encourage others to preserve their family history and heirlooms. 

Educating the descentandants of African-American people who make up the fabric of the parish and community. While designing a blueprint that will help foster pride and dignity to people who may not know the contributions or the names of their ancestors. Writing their names and recording their story because it's important to me and I know it's important to the people who are the descendants of such notable individuals who stood tall in the face of adversary and triumphs. And the people who were determined to make a better life for themselves. 

Celebration of Life for Samuel Perry, Sr.

Samuel Perry, Sr.

Samuel Perry, was called home by God the Father on Friday, September 14, 2017. He was 61 years old. He was preceded in death by his parents. James & Gertrude Dunn Perry: siblings, Larry Perry and Christy Francis;  and in laws, Helen in laws, Helen and Herman Robinson, Sr.

Samuel was native New Orleanian and graduate of Walter L. Cohen High School. He furthered his education at Jackson State University. He worked for the United States Postal Service for over 25 years.

Samuel had an intimate relationship with God and knew Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior. He was baptized at Prayer Tower COGIC. In his lifetime, be also attended Second Baptist (6th District), Mount Carmel MBC, and Lakeview Christian Center.

Samuel was loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friends. He is mourned by his wife of 32 years, Jeanette Perry; their 3 children, Jessica Perry, Samuel Perry, Jr. and James Perry; siblings Willie Perry, Barbara (Joe) Cheatham, and Eddie (Carolyn) Chapman; brother-in-law Theodore Francis, all residing in the New Orleans area. He is also mourned by nieces: Courtney (Rozier), Hannah, Rebecca, Sarah, Joseph, Elijah (Vicky), Christopher, Jade, Desmond, Candice; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Source: Obituary Program for Samuel Perry

Tishann Woods Deemer Was a Midwife in Clinton, Louisiana

Tishann Woods Deemer
Photo Courtesy of Gwendolyn R. Carter

Tishann was born in 1853 in Clinton, Louisiana  in a small community called Blairtown. She passed away in Hammond, Louisiana in 1947. She met and married  Richard Deemer  in 1872, and to their union the following children were born; Sarah, Richard, Edward, and Ezecial. Her husband Richard was born in 1840 and died on February 25, 1923 in Blairtown, East Feliciana, Louisiana. 

Oral history was passed down to her great granddaugher Gwendolyn R. Carter.  Gwendolyn said that she was told that  her great-grandmother Tishann was a midwife in Clinton, Louisiana. 

Tishann was the grandmother of Mary Deemer Carter of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Mary Deemer Carter was the wife of Gideon T. Carter a trailblazer in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.  Of course I googled her name to find out if any information was recorded about her as a midwife and I couldn't find any information about her. I search the search engines for information on Mandy Jones Wheat who was a midwife in Tangipahoa Parish and I couldn't find anything on her as well. Many midwives were also herbalist and for the most part they administered the only health care African-American people received in rural communities. I hope that we will do a better at recording the history that was passed down to us about the midwives. After all they are the ones who delivered many babies, both African- Americans and Caucasian people.

Gwendolyn was told that Tishann father was the plantation owner and he asked the local doctor to allow Tishann to work with him to learn about  medical care. When Tishann's  mother Sarah Green married a man with the last name Woods, Tishaan took on that name, although they knew that her father was the plantation owner.

Celebration of Life for Earl Lee Richardson, Sr.

Alpha: May 26, 1948.  
Omega: September 17, 2017

Earl Lee Richardson, Sr was born on May 26, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Supt. Thomas Alexander Richardson and the late Missionary Melisa Wheat Richardson. He was the 9th child of nine brothers and one sister. Earl was reared in a Chrisitan home and was united in fellowship at the an early age at Gordon/Richardson Temple of Deliverance COGIC, (formerly Gordon Chapel) under the leadership of the late Supt. Alexander Richardson, and after his passing under the leadership of the late Dr. Samuel Richardson, and up until his death under the leadershp of Supt. Emmitt N. Richardson, Sr. Earl was united in Holy Matrimony to Dianne Richardson, on December 23, 1995.

Earl was educated in the Tangipahoa Parish School System, and graduated from Westside High School in 1966. He recieved his Mortuary of Science Degre from the Common Weath College of Scinece in Houston, TX, in 1967. Upon graduation, he joined his father in the family business where he worked and managed Richardon Funeral Home, Inc., until his demise. He retired from the Tangipahoa Parish School System after serving as a bus driver fro over thirty years. 

The final chapter of the Book of Life for Earl Lee Richardson, Sr., has been completed. He leave to cherish his memories: His devoted wife: Dianne Harrell Richardson, Amite: His children: Earl Richardson, Jr., (Joselyn) of Natalbany, LA., Valarie Richarson of Denham Springs, LA, Shareka Muse of Independence, LA, Monica Holden-Irving, (Deitrich)  of Baton Rouge, LA, Brandon Richardson of Magnolia, AK; his stepchildren Teresa Perry of Ponchatoula, LA., Shelisa Perry-English (Tony) of Ponchatoula, LA., and Dalton Harrell  (Danyatta) of Fort Worth, TX; a granddaugher who he reared Daja Richardson, a host of grandchildren, and two great grandchildren; two brothers: Supt Emmitt N. Richardson, Sr., (Carolyn) of Kenner, LA, and Darnell Richardon (Gayle) of Hammond, LA; five brothers-in-law, Johnny Harrell, and Kenner Harrell, Amite, LA., Michael Zanders (LaShaunda) of Tickfaw, Ellis Zanders of Roseland, and Gerald Zanders of Independence, LA; eleven sisters-in-laws: Supervisor Dorothy J. Richardson of Amite, LA., Betty Richardson of Amite, LA, Collen East (Alford) of Kenner, LA., Genoria Courney (Charles) of Roseland, Evelyn Holden of Amite, LA, Katie Cutrer (Jimme) of Roseland, LA, Patty Dawson of Wilmer, LA, Debra Davis, Independence, LA, Linda Harold (Reginald) of Los Angeles, CA, Brenda Harrell and Ada Harrell of Amite, LA; One God-son, Emmitt Richardson, Jr. of Kenner, LA; two God-daugthers, Shaketia Cutrer-Addison of Roseland, LA adn Evelyn Davis (Chris) of Houston, TX; a God-brother and God-sister, Rev. Jeremiah and Faye Brumfield, a houst of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Supt. Thomas Alexander Richardson and the late Missionary Melisa Wheat Richardson, his sister, Helenstine Richardson Williams, six brothers; Thomas Richardson, Sr., Walter Richardson, Sr., Alex Richardson, Jr., Supt. Samuel Richardson, Elder Nathaniel Richardson, Sr., and Deacon Joseph Richardson; his mother-in-law, Minnie C. Harrell, one grandchild, Daniel Jamal Harrell, three brothers-in-law; Lawerence (Buster Dyson, Ellis Milton Harrell, and Rober Harrell, and one sister-in-law, Mary (Dena) Robertson.

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison Recapping His Elementary School Years at Ponchatoula Colored School

Dr. Kingsley B. Garrison

Every time I visit with Dr. Kingsley B.  Garrison to gather more information for the Tangipahoa Parish African American Oral History Collections, each time I learn something new and enjoy looking at his photograph collections. This time he pulled his old school report cards out dating back to 1946 when he was a student at Ponchatoula Colored School and Greenville High School in Hammond, Louisiana. To my surprise, the report cards were the same ones I received when I attended West Side Elementary School as a child.

I wish I had one of my old report cards from school. I must say at that time we didn't understand the importance of holding on to some of the school reports, photos and other documents that would take us down memory lane and share with our very own kids.

Dr. Garrison received excellent grades in math. He said math was his favorite subject and English was his least favorite. I was even more surprised he got a "C" in conduct. I had to ask him how is that he got a "C" in conduct. Oh! I was quite a talker he said.  I took a few pictures of him sitting there looking at all his report cards and going back down memory lane. I took photographs of his report cards. 

Dr. Garrison and I have been talking about preserving his awesome collection. Often, our family members may not know what to do with the collection.  Some family members may think it's junk and dispose of it. Collections like Dr. Garrison can help genealogist and historian gain a better understanding of local history.

If a researcher was researching the genealogical history of Dr. Garrison by analyzing his report cards they will learn that he went to a Public School in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. For the school year of 1956-1957, he was in the 11th grade. His teacher was named Mr. Youngblood. and the Principal was named J.W. Davis.

Analyzing the 1946-1947 school year. We learned that Dr. Garrison was attending Ponchatoula Colored School. The Principal for that year was D.C.Reeves.  He was classified as a primary student.

It good to have young students today look at the historical records and compare their report cards to the ones long before their time. What subjects did the school offer to the students? Did they get the same grade marks that students receive today? Students today get a computer printout report cards, and they couldn't imagine having a handwritten report card. Most of the records from the colored schools have been destroyed. It's people like Dr. Garrison that held onto a piece of the past and history of the colored schools before integration, otherwise, all would be lost. I'm looking forward to helping him preserve his collection and I hope that others will follow his example. I heard other people tell me that their items were thrown the trash with a relative or their children help them to clean out their home.

Also when a loved one died, the very first thing that some children will do is throw away their deceased loved one papers and photographs. In many cases, they have thrown away antiques, handmade quilts, and other family heirlooms. It's important to educate our youths and family members about preserving their family heirlooms.

Utilizing Ancestry DNA to Locate Missing Relatives

Karran Royal Harper and Henry Harrell DNA Testing

My great-grandfather, Alexander Harrell died in 1914, his youngest son Jasper was only two years old when his father Alexander passed away. Alexander was born to the union of Robert and Dinah Harrell. He had several siblings; John, Anow, Marrietta, Millie, and Margaretta. 

My mother Isabell is one of the daughters of Jasper. She said she recalled her father talking about family members in Clinton, Louisiana. Her family didn't visit Clinton, Louisiana because they didn't know their great uncles and aunts. But she and her brothers knew that we had relatives in Clinton. A lot of the family members want to know who are the other family members. Thanks to my Uncle Henry Harrell, who agreed to take the Ancestry DNA and 23 & Me with his newly found cousin Karran Harper Royal a couple of weeks ago. I asked my uncle did his father Jasper ever talk about the family members in Clinton. He told me that he didn't remember his father talking about the Harrell family in Clinton. 

Uncle Henry is first cousins to Karran's grandmother Marion Harrell Harper. Marion,  father Shelton Harrell, Sr and uncle Henry's father Jasper were brothers. Karran and uncle Henry met for the first time at the Jackson, Gordon, Harrell, Richardson and Temple family reunion. 

Jasper Harrell, Sr 

Since I started tracing our family history this had been one of those unsolved mysteries. Who are they?  What is the genetic resemblance,  what did they do as an occupation? Where are they now? Karran and I want to know. 

Stephen Harrell, Sr.  is a police officer in New Orleans, Louisiana and his roots are connected to Clinton. He is the offspring of Beauguard Harrell and we want to know if we are related. I met another young man by the name of Darius Harrell fifteen years ago, who's family lineage connects to Amite and Pike Counties, Mississippi. Because of social media, I meet a woman named Carolyn August-Robinson, who had Harrell family roots tied to Clinton, Louisiana as well.Are related, only the DNA can tell us at this point. After hitting a brick wall, utilizing DNA may help get the answers we are looking for. 

Alexander and his family lived in Amite, Louisiana. After his death,  no one in my immediate family went to Clinton to find out anything about his brothers and sisters. Finding our long lost relatives is what Karran and I want to do.  Hezekiah Harrell, the son of Levi Harrell, migrated down south with his family, livestock and slaves to East Feliciana and Amite, County, Mississippi. The mostly settled in the 7th Ward in East Feliciana.

"We want to know what happened to Alexander's brothers and sisters, did they stay in Clinton, or did they move to Tangipahoa Parish with their mother and father?"  Using DNA to locate them will help us to build family ties, find other photographs, gather new oral history and extend our family trees. 

Alexander Harrell

Karran, Stephen, Elton and I searched the Clinton Courthouse for marriage records and other records that could be helpful to our Harrell research. While in Clinton we stop by an auto mechanic repair shop to talk to a man named James Harrell who was the descendant of Beaguard Harrell.  Stephen's brother Albert kept looking at James." He looks just like one of my uncles," said Alton.  James got on the phone and call some of his cousins and they came over and confirmed that they were the descendants of Beauguard as well. Everyone was overjoyed to meet each other and make a new family connection.

We can't wait to get the results back to see if there are any family trees and connections in Clinton, Louisiana that will help us locate our long lost family member. The Harrell family would like to thank my uncle Henry Harrell for volunteering to help us solve this mystery. 

Life Celebration of the Late Joseph Richardson

Alpha: 1941--Omega 2017

Deacon Joseph Richardson was seventh of nine brothers and one sister born to the late Supt. Thomas Alexander Richardson and the late Missionary Melisa Wheat Richardson on December 12, 1941 in Independence, Louisiana

Deacon Richardson was educated in the Tangipahoa Parish School System at Westside High School. He later attended and graduated from Southern University in 1966, with a bachelor's degree in Social Studies and minor in English. In 1968, he proudly served in the United States Army. During his tour in Pleiku, Vietnam, he taught English to students who were obtaining GED equivalent. In 1974, he obtained a Master of Education degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Administration and Supervision with a minor in Special Education. His educational career ended in 1977 with a Master of Education plus thirty. 

In 1966, he began his teaching career at Westside High School in Amite as a social studies and reading teacher. He was known as a good disciplinarian and a better than average teacher who greeted everyone with his infectious smile. For the next 15 years, he worked as classroom teacher. He was later transferred to Loranger High School as Assistant Principal. Two years later he was appointed principal at Spring Creek High School He was awarded Educator of the year in 1980. The following year, he became principal at Jewel B Sumner High School. He concluded his administrative career at Roseland Elementary. Throughout his career, he was affiliated with numerous professional organizations. 

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Deacon Joseph Richardson retired after thirty three years of service in 1999, only to come out of retirement in 2003 to become Principal of Gordon-Richardson Christian Academy. This school was birthed in the heart of the is oldest brother, Supt. Samuel Richardson. It was a place where children were loved and taught biblical principles as well as secular courses. As a lifelong, faithful member of Gordon-Richardson Temple of Deliverance, he served in as administrative capacity in addition to being a Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Deacon Board, Chairman of the Finance Committee and District Choir President. He also served as a spiritual mentor for many young men in the church.

Deacon Joseph joined the graduate chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and was awarded "Sigma Man of the Year" for the humanitarian efforts and commitment to the organization. 

He leaves behind his wife, Joyce Jacob-Richardson, his children, Andre Richardson, Amite, Valencia (George) Sander, Baton Rouge, Daphne (Frederick) Hall, Lafayette, April (Gary) Bruns-Brister,  Bogalusa; Earl (Diane) Richardson, Sr., Amite, Darnell (Gayle) Richardson, Hammond; sister-in-laws, Supervisor Dorothy J. Richardson, Amite, Betty Richardson, Amite, Bernice Franklin, Jackson, MS, Marvis Jacobs, Killed, TX, Nettie (Clinton) Frazier, Bogalusa; brother-in-law Larry (Gail) Jacobs, Houma; a God-daughter, Deandria Harrell, numbeous nieces, nephews, cousins, and church family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Supt. Thomas Alexander Richardson and the late Missionary Melisa Wheat Richardson, his sister, Helenstine Richardson Williams and five brothers Thomas Richardson, Sr., Walter Richardson, Sr., Alex Richardson, Jr., Supt. Samuel Richardson and Elder Nathaniel Richardson, Sr., 

Andre Richardson
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Nurturing Our Roots Genealogy Oral History Collection