The Burton and Boykins Family of Tangipahoa & St. Helena, Parishes

Lewis and Malinda Burton's Marriage License 1867

I recently started researching my father's side of the family this year after my father passed away. My father told me some history about his family. Mostly about his mother and father. His mother,  Mary was a McKay from Pike County, Mississippi.  Mary's mother was name Florence Williams McKay. Florence married Charlie McKay, and they were listed at Mulatto in the 1910 United States Federal Census.  

On his father's side of the family, his parents were Jacob'Jake" Boykins and Martha Burton Boykins. Martha's parents were; Louis and Malinda ? Burton. I haven't yet found any records with Malinda maiden name.  I checked the Louisiana Statewide Death Index, 1819-1964, and I didn't see it there. I'm planning on going to the State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to, pull the death certificate. Malinda was born in 1850 and died in 1936 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. 

Jacob's parents were Samuel Boykins and Catherine Dykes Boykins. Samuel was born around 1822 in Louisiana. Catherine's birthplace is Kentucky. In the 1880 United States Census. Samuel said that his mother was born in Georgia and his father was born in Louisiana. 

Samuel and Catherine Dykes Boykins Marriage License

So far, the new names that I have to research on my father's side are  Burton, McKay, Dykes, and Williams. On my paternal and maternal side of the family, the family history can be found in St. Helena Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, East Feliciana Parish, and Orleans Parish, Louisiana. In  Mississippi, my family history can my found in Pike and Amite County, Mississippi. 

I know that William Boykin owned several enslaved people in 1829. Rachel Boykin, the late wife of William Boykins, left to his heirs: Susan Boykins wife of Knighton; John Boykin, wife of Simpson Hutchinson; with two minors children; James 19 and Frank 17 years old. Rachel requests that her son John Boykins be appointed curator with petitioner, that and inventory was made. Six hundred and forty acres bounded by Leonard tract; also the interest of John Boykins of his father, William Boykins. At this point, it's  time for me to look at the inventory to see if the enslaved persons was listed by named. In most cases,  they are listed by name, gender, and age.

I didn't find any other Boykin's in the Succession Records of St. Helena Parish. Therefore it is the only files that state that those held as slaves in the courthouse records. I hope to find my 2nd great-grandfather Samuel Boykins in the files. Samuel would have been only five years old in 1829. So it is a strong possibility that I will find his mother.

Preserving Family Photographs

Ella Keith Harrell: 1885-1960
Photo Courtesy: Monteral Harrell

My maternal Great Aunt Ella Harrell Keith died January 17, 1960, at the age of seventy-four in Amite, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell.  Ella was born in 1885 and she died the year I was born. I wish I had a chance to meet the lady who preserved the rich collection of Harrell members photographs. A couple of months back, my maternal first cousin, Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier told me that Aunt Ella was a picture collector. Everyone who took pictures had to make sure they gave her a picture. When she passed away, a cousin named Gertrude Love kept the well-preserved collection in her neat white frame wooden home.

I remember visiting Cousin Gert, but I don't recall her taking out the photographs when we went to visit with my mother. My Uncle Raymond loved pictures, and he often visited her, so he knew the collection was there. After she passed away, he went down there and got the photos, and I'm glad he did because they could have gotten lost. When my uncle passed away, his daughter Monteral became the heir of the collection. 

The legacy of Aunt Ella lives on to this day through her photo collection. Recently Monteral was talking to the third and fourth generation of nieces and nephews of Aunt Ella about the collection. Monteral shared electronic copies for the book entitled "Images of America" African-Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish. 

Aunt Ella gave all of the descendants of Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell a gift. Some of the images were over a hundred years old. That made me proud to know that the photographs have been in the family for five generations. Many people wish they could find pictures of their family members. 

Aunt Ella will forever live in our hearts and I really appreciate the legacy she left. I know that the collection was passed down the right person when Monteral became the heir of the collection. Most important I thank her for sharing the collection with me.


Link:

https://youtu.be/19H2DBIdys0

Strong Family Resemblance to Aunt Ella

Tyra Climmons
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Many of us can attest to how some family members have strong DNA resemblance. The genes can be robust and passed down from generation to generation. We all carry the features of our ancestors, our parents, and our siblings. We share many some similarities that often remind us of others in the family or a family member who passed away.

Our skin complexions, heights, hair texture, facial structure, and body structures are passed down through our DNA and genetics. While visiting the public library in Farmerville, Louisiana; we had the opportunity to take a closer look at Monteral Harrell's photograph collection. We came across a picture of Ella Harrell Keith in the collection. 

We saw the resemblance of Tyra and her 2nd maternal great aunt, Ella. The wavy hair texture, and olive complexions. "What is equally fascinating is the fact that there is a picture of Tyra 2nd great aunt!" Aunt Ella was the picture collector of the family according to my maternal first cousin Jo-Ann Frazier. Tyra's wavy hair has running in the family on her mother's side of the family. I had to tease her a bit about those waves because my hair texture is the same, there are so many women in the Harrell family that share the same hair textures. 
Aunt Ella is my grandchildren 3rd paternal great aunt. I'm so grateful that Tyra's mother share scanned copies of the Harrell family photographs. I shared pictures of other family members and some family members saw how other family members resemble the person in the photograph. Our family is really blessed to have so many photographs, and other people wish they had a photograph of their ancestors.

Uncle Henry Migrated Up North in the Early 1920s

Henry Harrell

Henry was born to the union of Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell in 1887. He died in Racine, Wisconsin in 1967. Uncle Henry is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Racine, Wisconsin in Section #7. Henry and his sister and brother migrated up north in sometime in the 1920s. His sister Bertha migrated to Chicago, Illinois and he and his brother Warner with to Wisconsin. I never heard my mother say that my grandfather ever traveled up north to visit his siblings.

He served in World War I In 1942; he was fifty-four years old when he signed the World War II Draft Registration Card in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the 1940 United States Federal Census, he was married to a woman named Ruth, and they lived at 804 A. W. Somers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

According to the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995,  Henry and Ruth lived in on 576 7th Street in 1927.  He was a Porter.

 In 1940 he worked in a Syner Steel Company on 43rd & W. Mitchell St. in Milwaukee as a Steele Finisher.  Henry completed 7th grade.  I found him on the tree of a person named Esnow, and I'm hoping that this person can shall some information about Henry with me.  There were other people living in the house with him in the 1940 United States Census. His brother Warner was living in the house with him and his wife, Ruth.  Living in the house was lodgers named Williametta Smith and her son Clarence Smith. Williametta Smith mother Rosa Everett also lived in the house. Ruth was born in Mississippi.  Rosa and Williametta were also from the state of Mississippi.

Warner Harrell
World War I

Hurricane Barry allowed me to do some very indebt research on my Harrell family. I took to social media after I found a lead. I did contact the person that is connected to Henry and his brother Warner names. If this person turns out to be the grandson of Warner Harrell,  hopefully, he can tell me more
information about the Harrell family in up north.

Years ago my Uncle Raymond took me to Milwaukee to meet Cousin Dan Harrell one of Warner's two sons. In 1940 Dan was twenty-two years old and, he was living with his mother. Dan was worked at a Tannery as a Paster. His brother Willie was nineteen and worked at Ugertes of Drad as a Junior Clerk.

I'm anticipating Warner contacting me very soon to see if we're related. I can't ever recall them visiting family members down south. It's safe to say that they haven't met any relatives down south. I think I will keep putting irons in the fire and sit back and wait for new leads.

Finding My Priscilla

Randall and Priscilla "Silla" Blackburn Harrell
Marriage License: December 26, 1867
Source: Union Parish Courthouse

Whenever any genealogist or family historian finds an ancestor in their research is exciting. For over twenty-five years, I have been researching my Harrell side of the family. My mother's side of the family is my Harrell lineage. Most of my family didn't have any knowledge past my grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr., parents, and siblings before my research.

Jasper was two years old when his father Alexander passed away in 1914. My mother told me that her father couldn't tell the family anything about the generation before him except that they came from Clinton, Louisiana. I went to the Main Library in New Orleans and certain the United States Federal Census starting at 1930 at that time. The 1940s census wasn't available when I started researching my family history. I started researching the Harrell's in Tangipahoa Parish and found grandfather Alexander and his wife Emma Mead Harrell and all their children. 

Alexander Harrell
Randall and Pricilla Blackburn grandson
Son of Robert and Dinah Harrell

When I got to the 1920 United States Federal Census, I found that Emma was now the head of the household since her husband Alexander had passed away. Living in the house with her were her children; Alexander, Palmer, Theodore, Margareta, Jasper, and her father-in-law Robert Harrell.

A level of excitement took over me when I found Alexander's father, Robert. Robert's wife Dinah or Darska had died sometime back. In the 1910 census, Robert was living along and he was widowed. Robert was born in 1821 in Mississippi and died in 1921 in Amite, Louisiana. He and his Dinah had six children.

That was just about as far as I could go back twenty years ago. A couple of months ago, I found that Priscilla " Silla" Blackburn married a man named Randall Harrell in 1867 in Union Parish, Louisiana. Randall was seventy years old and Priscilla was sixty five when they got married. In the 1870 census Randall and Priscilla were living in Ward 3, Union Parish, Louisiana. Randall was born around 1800 and was seventy years old. Priscilla was born around 1805 in South Carolina or Virginia.  Now, I know who Robert's father was Randall Harrell.  I can't wait to travel to Union Parish to conduct more research at the courthouse and visit the local genealogy library. I hope that I can make a connection with Randall's brother Thomas descendants that could take me to the local cemetery. I met several of Thomas Harrell's descendants on Ancestry. Here are the questions I need answers too:

1. Who owned Randall Harrell?
2. Why did they leave East Feliciana Parish?
3. Where is his brother Thomas descendants?
4. Did Randall and Silla have other children?
5. Why did they return to East Feliciana Parish?
6. Who were her parents?
7. What part of South Carolina?
8. Does the Blackburn name trace back to South Carolina?

I contacted the Clerk Office and Union Parish to purchase Randall and Priscilla Blackburn Harrell's marriage license. When I went to the mailbox and found the marriage license at arrive, I was so excited. There is nothing like travel there personally to research the records in the courthouse. Any information I can locate on my Harrell ancestors is just one more missing piece of the puzzle that is important to the bigger picture.

The great-granchildren of
Randall and Priscilla Blackburn Harrell

Martha Burton Boykins Family History

Malinda and Louis Marriage License 1867

Martha Burton Boykins is my paternal 2nd Great grandmother. She was born circa 1868  in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Louis and Malinda Burton.  Malinda was part of a large family. She is one of eight children born to Louis and Malinda. Her siblings were; James, Dotia, Celia, Mary, Ellis, Louis, Edna, and John Burton.  

Malinda was born around 1850 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. According to the 1880 United States Federal Census, her father was born in Georgia and her mother was born in Louisiana. Malinda and Louis were married on February 23, 1867, in St. Helena Parish.  Malinda died at the age of 86 on February 10, 1936, in Tangipahoa, Louisiana. 

She later met and married Jacob "Jake" Boykins. She and Jake had eight children; Ural, Charity, Lorence, Carrie, Missouri, Elenora, John, and Ernest Boykins. Martha died in 1946 in Tangipahoa Parish. 

One day I interviewed my father about his grandmother Martha. He was a little boy but he remembered spending time at his grandparent's house. I wish my father was here to see all the research I'm finding on his family. 

She is buried in Tangipahoa -Quinn-Brown Cemetery. 

Courthouse Genealogy Research in Sumner, Mississippi

Sumner Courthouse Peonage Research
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr. 

I've had the opportunity to travel to many courthouses throughout the Louisiana and Mississippi searching for my ancestors or helping someone else search for their ancestors. One thing is for sure the books can be  heavy to lift. Not to mention the dust on the outside of the books. "So if you suffer from respiratory problems, you may want to wear a mask to keep the dust from getting in your nose."

I strongly suggest that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You may find your subject in the index and may have to pull several books off the shelves. Be prepared to do a lot of bending down in search of the book you need. A magnifying glass can be helpful when you are reading scripted writting. Make sure you have enough time and not be in a big rush to leave. If you are taking someone along with you, be sure to let them know that you will be a couple of hours. 

The picture shows the amount of dust on the book. The book was at the very bottle of the shelf and it appeared to be untouched for a while. All the index keys were dusty too. This is not uncommon at all.  The points that I'm making is to be prepared for the research trip.

Ernest and Mary McKay Boykin of Fluker, Louisiana

Ernest and Mary McKay Boykin
Photo Courtesy: Sharon Boykin

During the time that my dad transitioned, my cousin Sharon shared family images with me. One of the pictures she shared with me was of our paternal grandparents. My grandfather Ernest was born in 1908 and died in 1978 in Fluker, Louisiana. 

He and grandma Mary were the parents of; Ernest Boykin, Jr., Florence, Walter, Lonnie, Francis, Jerry, and Ellis.  Grandfather Ernest worked at Kent Piling Co in Fluker, La.  He lived in Tangipahoa Parish all of his life. His parents Jake and Martha Burton Boykin were natives of Tangipahoa Parish all of their lives as well. 

His U.S. WWII Draft Young Men Card from 1940-1947 stated where he was employed at.  Before working at Kent Piling Co, he was a farmer. According to the 1940 United States Federal Census, he obtained a 3rd-grade education.  I wanted to see who their neighbors were, I found families with the surnames of; Walls, Thomas,  Ards, and Foust. 

Grandma Mary was born in 1904 in Mississippi.  She was the daughter of Charlie and Florence McKay Williams.  The family lived in Beat 5, Pike County, Mississippi on Chatawa Road. She had a brother named William McKay. Charlie worked at the Saw Mill as a wage earner. He rented his home and was unable to read or write. 

Florence was born to Alex and Rebecca Ann Bates Williams in 1858 in Amite County, Mississippi. Alex and Rebecca both died in 1927.  Great-grandma's Florence siblings were; Jerry, Florence, Ada, Amanda, and Rosa Williams.  Florence father Alex was born in 1857 in Mississippi. Alex and Rebecca were married in 1877. Alex was listed in a mulatto in the 1920 United States Federal Census. 

In 1920 he lived on Magnolia Road on a farm. His mother and father both were born in Mississippi. Alex owned his farm, and he couldn't read or write according to the census.  I checked ancestry public trees to see if I could find anyone who is searching the same names. I did find someone with the last names; Powell, Robinson, Guice, Harness, Russell, Hebert Family Trees with Alex and Rebecca in them.

The History of Percy and Creola Atkins Johnson

Creola Atkins Johnson
Photo Courtesy: The Johnson Family

I heard a lot about the Atkins family of St. Helena. People often talk about a man named John David Atkins. Everyone called him J.D. Atkins. He was a farmer who owned a produce packing shed where they took the produce after harvest time for packing and selling.  African-American farmers weren't getting the best and fair prices for their produce in the Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish.  J.D. would take their produce to the French Market in New Orleans and get a better price for them. He rented space to sell produce at the French Market. 

J.D. parents were Monvill and Susie Hickerson Atkins. They were the parents of; Creola, William, Curtis, Lawerence, John D,  King Davis, James, Idella, Nannie, Mary Monvill  Atkins. there may be others, but the United States Federal Census only list these names.  J.D. was born in 1918 in Greensburg, St. Helena, Louisiana and died on June 9, 1998. He was buried at Turner Chapel Cemetery. His father Monvill was born in 1877 in St. Helena and died in 1933.

Creola married a man named Percy Johnson in St. Helena Parish.  They had fifteen children; Loukillie, Ike, Evelyn,  Lena May, Jack, Winnie, Shelly, Sampson, Frank, Percy, Melvin, Richard, John Lee, Rose Mary,  Joe Louis Johnson, and Anthony Miles. With so many children to take care of, she stayed at home to take of the family. The only time I saw my mother cry is when I went to Vietnam, said her son Frank. 

Percy Johnson
Photo Courtesy: The Johnson Family

Percy was known as one of the best African-American ropers and cowboys in St. Helena Parish. I interviewed several people who talked about his roping skills. There isn't any written documentation or oral history collections on the African-American cowboys and ropers. Percy son's Richard and Frank often tell me about their father and the kind of man he was. One thing Frank wanted me to know about his father, that his father was a good man and a good provider for his family. Richard is the one that took after his father when it comes down to the love of horses and cows. Frank enjoys hunting like his father.  Frank and his father Percy hunted all kinds of wild game to feed the family.

Stories of the local people are significant to local history. There is so much more to learn about the African-American cowboys and their way of life. Who were these cowboys and horsemen? Where did they live? If anyone knows of any cowboys and horsemen in your family and you would like to share the story with Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, please contact me.

Mack H. McCraney Became the First African -American to Practice Law in Tangipahoa Parish

Rev. Mack H. McCraney is a native of Hammond, Louisiana. he graduated from Greenville Park High School and went on to serve six years in the United States Army. After his tour of duty, Rev. McCraney enrolled at Southern Univerity Law School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Upon obtaining his Law Degree, he became the first African-American to practice law in Tangipahoa Parish. Reverend McCraney is Pastor of Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, Louisiana and is employed as Assistant District Attorney for the 21st Judicial District Court System.

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson, Sr. 

Joyce Ann Jackson, First Black Female Warden of Tangipahoa Parish

Joyce Jackson was hired by Sheriff J. Edward Layrisson. On September 1, 1984, as deputy and placed in the jail's kitchen to supervise the inmates cooking meals. In 2010, Sheriff Daniel Edwards promoted her as the first African American Female Warden of Tangipahoa Parish.

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson, Sr.

Deputy Marshal Henry Jackson, 7th Ward, Hammond, LA

Henry Jacksoon, Sr. 

In 1972 Marshal Vic Anderson, City Marshal for the City Court of Hammond, 7th Ward Tangipahoa Parish hired Henry Jackson, Sr. as a Deputy Marshal Marshal Anderson.  Deputy Jackson served court orders issued from City Court of Hammond, Subpoenas, civil citations and evictions were served in the jurisdiction of the 7th Ward of  Tangipahoa which include Hammond, Ponchatoula, Manchac, and surrounding areas. 

After Marshal Anderson retired, his son Gordon Anderson was elected as City Marshal in 1975. Henry Jackson, Sr, was appointed the first African American Chief Deputy Marshal under Marshal Gordon Anderson's administration. The offices grew when Chief Deputy Jackson first became a deputy. His duties included the daily supervision of the Deputy's and  overseeing Courtroom Security.

As of November 5, 2006, Henry Jackson, Sr. has been employed with the Marshal's Office for 34 years during which he served as Chief Deputy Marshal for 31 years. 

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson, Sr.

Bobby Carter First African American Deputy Clerk for the City of Hammond

Ms. Carter was appointed as the first African American Deputy Clerk for the City Court of Hammond, Louisiana by the Honorable Judge Leon Ford, III on May 19, 1969. She worked as Docket Manager for the Juvenile Court for a total of 33 years.

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson

Donald Dotey First African American Louisiana State Trooper in Tangipahoa Parish

Donald Dotey, Master Trooper was the first African-American State Trooper in Tangipahoa Parish. Donald was from Tangipahoa Parish. He served from December 1975-December 1996.

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson

Connie L. Dotey First African American State Trooper Southeast Louisiana

Connie L. Dotey was the first 1st Black Female State Trooper Southeast Louisiana. The 2nd in the State of Louisiana. Trooper First Class 1977-1987. She was the first African American Female Major Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office and Retired in July 2004.

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson

Dr. J. L. Garrett the first African American Veterinarian in the City of Hammond

Dr. J. L. Garrett is a native of Newton, Texas. He graduated from Liberty High School in Newton. Dr. Garrett then attended Prairie View Colleg and went on to Tuskegee University where he obtained a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine Degree. He then went on to serve his county as a Captain in the United States Air Force. After his tour of duty, Dr. Garrett resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In the year of 1960, he moved his family to Hammond, Louisiana where he opened a Veterinarian Clinic thus, becoming the first African American Veterinarian in the City of Hammond.

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson

Melvin Finn Was the Amite First Black Policeman

Melvin Finn was appointed as the first black policeman in Amite on August 15, 1966. His duties were to patrol the black areas of Amite. He was ordered to limit any action to the black sections of the town and black citizens. Of course, after establishing himself as a policeman capable of handling any detail these restrictions were brought forward and conditions were changed.

Officer Finn was named Assistant Chief of Police in 1981. He retired in August 1990 after serving 24 years. He was married to Ora L. Finn. They have three children and three grandchildren. Melvin is a member of Butlers AME Zion Church in Amite.

SourceL The Collection of Henry Jackson.

Rudolph Paul Gibson of Tangipahoa Parish

Mr. Gibson served on many boards in the State of Louisiana and the Parish of Tangipahoa. He was appointed by Gov. Edwin Edwards to serve on the State Juvenile Board.

Source: The Collection of Henry Jackson

Sheriff's Deputy Edward Toefield, Jr., Killed in the Line of Duty

Sheriff Deputy Edward Toefield, Jr. 

February  2, 1984, Sheriff's Deputy Edward Toefield, Jr., was shot and killed by a bank robbery suspect just south of Amite. His killer was captured the following day, tried and sentenced to death.

Source: Amite Genealogy Library.

Celebrating the Life of Walter James Boykins

Walter James Boykins was born to mary and Ernest Boykins in Fluker, La., on August 6, 1938. His is the third child of seven. Walter attended West Side Hight School in Amite, La where he played quarterback on the school's football team. In 1958 toward the end of the football season, Walter broke his neck and had to stay in the hospital for two years. Once he recovered, he attended Xavier University for 2 1/2 years. Mr. Boykins later dropped out fo school to help his moother and father in their time of need. He got a job at a chemical plant where he worked for years.

Walter met and married Rosalie Boykins. They married for 50 years in February. In 1982, Walter started working for Goliath in the field for 1 1/2 years and then began driving trucks for the company. He has been with them for 26 years now. Over the years, he had learned a lot just being around all the great workers from the company, especially  Harry Lazarus. Even though his work days have come to an end, he deserves to sit back, relax, and enjoy life with the remote in one hand and Brandy inthe other. He preceded in death by his mother Mary Boykins and father Earnest Boykins Sr., borhter Earnest Boykins Jr., Jerry Boykins, Lonnie Boykins, Ellis Boykins, and his sister France Boykins, his Florence Boykins, his children children Patrick Boykins, Antoinette Harrell, Zelda Mitchell, Edward Johnson, Kennedy Johnson, Shelia Johnson, Charlie Williams, his grandchildren Kanika Thompson, Renesha Scott, Joseph LaCoste, Bernard, LaKeith Grear J., and his great-grandchildren Tyrik Brigalia, Ky'Lel Thompson, Tiffany Morris, Tyanune Morris, and Patrice Morris.