The Family History of Alfred and Rebecca Richardson of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

Photo Courtesy of Robert Lee Richardson
Funeral Program 

My entire life I have heard from some of my Richardson family members that there are numerous sets of Richardson family members. I had doubts then and my doubts have only grown stronger in light of my Richardson family history research. The first white Richardson family to inhabit the Louisiana Florida Parishes was Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson. A recent study I conducted slavery inventory research my maternal 5th grandmother Carrie Richardson and her child Thomas Richardson was owned by Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson. 

During my studies and research, I discovered. that Nathan Richardson and Alfred Richardson were on the Richardson plantation. When Nathan appraised for $1,100  and sold as chattel property, he was 15 years old in 1855. Alfred Richardson appraised for $1,100 dollars as well in 1855 and so did my Carrie and her child Thomas Richardson appraised for $1,100.

Supt. Jimmy Richardson, Sr., descends from Andrew Richardson and Sarah Foster Richardson line and Lorraine Deamer Lizana descends from the Alfred Richardson and Rebecca Cubard Richardson line. The science of genealogy will assist us in discovering our Richardson family ties.  Most of the elders who could have shared their oral histories with us have long since passed away. Most of us who study family history wish that our ancestors are alive to answer the unanswered questions we have. It is through DNA testing and, of course the many genealogical resources that are now available that can provide some very helpful clues and tips for family history research. 

Alfred Richardson was born in 1829 in St Helena Parish, Louisiana. He was married to Rebecca Richardson. They were the parents of: Wilson Richardson, Albert Richardson,  Delphine Richardson, Thomas Richardson, Martha Richardson and Mattie Richardson

Nathan was married to Dicey Harden. They ware the parents of: Mary Ann Richardson, Wesley Richardson, Andrew Richardson, Dan Richardson, Eddie Richardson, Caroline Richardson, Minard Richardson, Monroe Richardson, Alonzo Richardso, Leonard Richardson, and  Gertrude Richardson.

West Feliciana Genealogy Connection with Gaynell Brady

Cooking with Amarie | VALENTINE'S BRUNCH

Richardson Family History for the Louisiana Florida Parishes with Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite and Nurturing Our Roots Preserving Funeral Programs

Proprietors of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite
Earl Scott Richardson, Sr. and Dr. Valarie Richardson
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite donated the first collection of funeral programs to Nurturing Our Roots a year ago for preservation. An additional 634 funeral programs was added to the collection on February 8, 2022.  A total of over 1,200 programs was donated in total to the center. Proprietors Dr. Valarie Richardson, Earl Scott Richardson, Jr, and Alex Richardson, CEO help delivery the boxes of records to the center in honor of Black History Month. 

Along with the funeral programs, a volume of 14 hardback books was donated to the center. The volume range from 1970-2008. The following information can be found in the  volume of books: name of the deceased, race, date of entry, residence, funeral charged to, address, order given by, occupation, place of birth, date of death, name of father, mother's maiden name, mother's place of birth, the date of the funeral, service to be held at, clergyman, religion, cause of death, place of burial. This information can be very helpful to genealogists and family historians who are conducting genealogy research. 

Dr. Antoinette Harrell, curator of the collection developed a database for the collection that contains the surname, given name, date of birth, date of death, and place of burial of the deceased before donating the collection to the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. 

Dr. Richardson and Earl had an opportunity to view the collection they donated last year. The owners were very please with the way the collection was preserved. They saw the box containing folders that was labeled by alphabetical order. Whenever I am asked to serve on a funeral service, the first thing I request is a funeral program, said Earl. According to Dr. Valarie Richardson, the project aims to give back to the community.

Funeral Books
Photo Credit: Paulette Sims

Antoinette & Karran Genealogy Discussion

The Hands That Keep On Giving

 

The Hands of Mrs. Ella Baton
Photo Credit: Jo'elle K. LaCoste

Several years ago, I was introduced to Ms. Badon by Dr. Kingsley Blaine Garrison, one of her former students. We spent several months and many long hours discussing local history. I learned so much from Ms. Badon, and she was generous in sharing what could remember. Despite being in her nineties, she maintained a sharp and sound mind. I hope that if I lived to see her age, my mind would be half as sharp has hers. I love this picture of our hands holding the book that our minds gave birth too. Throughout the process of writing and publishing this book, she played a major role in the success of the book. So many social, educational, and humanitarian activities were carried out by her hands. 

West Side School in Amite, Louisiana

Before the school was integrated in 1969. West Side School for blacks was known as the Rams and their colors were green and gold. My mother Isabel Harrell Cook, graduated in the class of 1958. Some of her older siblings attended Tangipahoa Parish Training School in Kentwood. Her oldest sister Catherine attended the Amite Color School in Butler Town. The Rams had one of the best marching bands in Tangipahoa Parish.

Little Bethel Baptist Church in Amite, Louisiana

Dr. Willard Vernon and his Congregation

 

Reflections of Servant Leader's Life Rev. Dr. Frances Williams

Rev. Dr. Frances Williams

Frances Williams was born July 24, 1928. He is the son of Mr. John Henry Williams and Mary Jennings Williams. He attended Harris Chapel School from 1933 until 1934 and then Leonard Chapel Church until 1937 at which tie he transferred to Bagel Church School until the 8th grade. At the age 13, he left school to worked to help support his family and began working for Canadian National Railroad. When he turned 18, he became a truck driver for B. Sterns Trucking where he worked for 4 and a half years. After B. Sterns he worked as truck driver for Smith Grocery Company and then on to become a mechanic for Linda Johnson where he worked for years. He was a fast learner and soon went on to a bigger challenging entering military service.

It important to note, that while Francis Williams was matriculating through school as a young child, he was developing as young Christian as well, ultimately becoming the man we know today. He was a member of Trinity AME Zion Church, under the leadership of Rev. P. H. Golf, by whom he was baptized. Shortly thereafter, at the age of 4, he began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, at the time he became keenly aware that God had given him a voice to sing. As the love for the word grew, God began to anoint him and open doors for him to sing both solo and in groups. Francis, along with brothers Herbert, Tyree, Riley, Ivory Williams who was not related, and Samuel Douglas, formed a groups. The Orange Grove Gospel Singers. They traveled all over the Gulf South singing and drawing crowds from all over. Francis' favorite song during that period of his life as he recalled was "Stand By Me." '..when the storms of life are raging, Stand By Me" He was an integral part of the group, often singing lead vocals until he left home for military services.

In 1951 Francis Williams entered the United Staes Army and was stationed in Amarillo, Texas and then on to Fort Smith, Arkansas. His responsibility in the military was that of Private 1st Class and he served as the Assistant Chaplain. He had earned several certification in the AME Zion Church and was widely known throughout the country for his ability to share the word of God as well as singing. It then, was natural that he serve the military capacity. Also, while in military service, every opportunity he could, he was actively involved in his home church and in the Louisiana Conference, so much so that he was ordained a Minister of the Gospel in the AME Church in 1952. After and additional year of service, he was honorably discharged in 1954, at which time he readily returned home to his family community, and church. Because education was a top priority in his life, he returned to finish high school at the age of 27, Williams love to reflect on that period of his life, as he found it difficult to accept the word "can't." He wholeheartedly believed that one could achieve if they "wanted" badly enough. After re-entering high school from 8 grade to six points about hight school in 10 months and in 1957, he received both his high school diploma and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from West Side High School in Amite, Louisiana and Leland College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1973 he receive a Doctor of Divinity from Free Pentecostal School in Chicago, Illinois. In 1974 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Theology form Union Theological Seminary in New Orleans and in 1982 he conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity form Livingstone College, in Salisbury, North Carolina. He later went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Psychology in 1992 and 1993 respectively. 

Over the span of his flies, he had received many honors and accolades and had travelled all over the

country preaching the gospel, singing, lecturing, and giving very souls stirring addresses. One of the his most notable addressed was at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in the early 1960s wherein he addressed Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. He often talked about the large crowd before whom he spoke that day; it was among the proudest moments of his life. 

Rev. Dr. Francis Williams & Former President Jim Carter

Rev. Dr. Francis Williams was not only committed to the pursuit of academic excellence, but he loved the Lord with all his heart and practiced what he preached. He served as Pastor of Claiborne AME Zion Church for 8 years, Bickham AME Church for 16 years, and Butlers AME Zion Church for 42 years. All three churches he made a profound impact in the way members worshipped, trusted God, and more importantly, in the way hey lived for God. He was not only a great preacher, teacher, and biblical scholar, but he had a brilliant mind, coupled with skilled hands that enabled him to play a major part in reconstruction of Claiborne and Butler AME Zion Churches. In fact, he drafted the plans for those two churches and built his own home from the ground up, although he was not an architect, nor construction engineer. Dr. Francis was and entrepreneur and businessman as well, owning his own hay baling business and barbershop, which brought his financial success. He regularly gave God glory for the successes he attained  and how it enabled him to take care of his family. He was loving, supportive, and giving to everyone, especially in their time of need, as he understood that giving was indeed a part of his service of God. He also served as Chaplain for the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office for many years.

Early in his adult life Dr. Williams met and married Imogene Hitchens. She passed away in 2009. However, standing on Go's word "that his better days would be greater that his farmer." in 2011 he met and was smitten by the person of Ella Foxworth Hill and on April 14, 2012, they were united in Holy Matrimony. Together they brought grace, style, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to their meeting. Their most cherish gifts were those of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Dr. Williams would regularly say to his children, "I could not love you children more than if we were biologically related." He looked forward to and relished the times he and Ella spent with their children eating, laughing, sharing and worshipping God as a family, which they did weekly. 

Believing that his assignment to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, was commitment until death, after he was released from his assignment as Pastor of Butlers, at the ripe age of 86, Rev. Dr. Francis Williams founded and established God's Faith Ministry of Amite, a nondenominational ministry, on June 20, 2014. Rev. Williams served as Pastor of God's Faith Ministry for three years. At his passing, Dr. Williams was a member of the ministerial staff of GFM, serving as Pastor Emeritus and Founder, under the leadership of his son, Elder  Kevin C. Hill. 

At the toll of midnight on the morning of February 20, 2020, Rev. Dr. Francis Williams slept away to glory just as he had always envisioned, with his family tearfully bidding him farewell. He leaves to celebrate his life and walk in his legacy, his loving and devoted wife, Ella, whom he affectionally call "Dear;" his daughter Dinah H. Dillon and her husband Walter, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, his son, Russell E. Hill and his wife Tonya, of Hammond, Louisiana; his son and Pastor, Elder Kevin C. Hill, Esq. and his wife Dr. Dawn Mabry Hill, also of Hammond, Louisiana. Eleven grandchildren: LaTasha, Patrick, Jonathan, Teresah, Trishan, Jasmine, Karlton, Ciara, Patrick-Michael, Aryelle and Chandler; 6 great grandchildren: Patrionne and Psevynn Hill, Tajanai Cockerham, Therral Hatfield, Jr., Sean and Jerrell Williams; one sister, Josephine Robertson and her husband Joseph, Sr.; one brother-in-law, Billy J. Foxworth and his wife Easter, of Farmerville, Louisiana.; one sister-in-law, Willie D. Jacobs of Smyrna, Georgia; two goddaughters, Virginia Jones of Ruston, Louisiana, and Dr. Leanne H. Fowler of Slidell, Louisiana; on godson, Elder Floyd Green and his Artrice of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Also celebrating his life and legacy is a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, members of God's Faith Ministry, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Williams, a sister, Mattie East, and brothers, Herbert, Tyree, and Riley Williams.

Source: The Funeral Program of Rev. Dr. Francis Williams

The Rich History and Legacy of Esaw Lawson of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Esaw Lawson

Esaw Lawson was born 1848 in Louisiana  to Henry and Arsena Lawson and his wife Malinda Tom Lawson was born in Clinton, Louisiana. According to the 1870 Unites States Federal Census. He was living in the house with A.D. Henkel and his family.  Esaw was living in Ward 1,  Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. He was a laborer and he could read and write. He and Malinda was married on March 13, 1873. They were the parents of: Willie, B.T. Viola, Chancey, Sallie, Robert, Rosa, Eddie, Arthur, and Mary Lawson. 

Esaw died at the at of ninety-two. He worked at Gullet Cotton Gin Company for years under Mr. King and Mrs. Rostick, he also worked for the Rieds, Kopflers, Sanders and Vernon family, for the city and many other places.

Esaw was the head of the first public school building for colored children. He was the the head of the first Old Fellow Hall building in Amite for colored people. Superintendent A. C. Lewis asked Esaw to call a meeting for the Tangipahoa Parish High School to be built here in Amite, but the colored people voted against the school being built in Amite. The Superintendent gave placed in in Kentwood, Louisiana,

He asked Esaw to give him the name of someone he knew that could hold the principals position. Esaw highly recommend Oliver Wendell Dillion for the position at the Negro Tangipahoa Parish Color School because he knew that he could handle the position.

Honoring the Beautiful Memory of My Dear Cousin Juanita Harrell Stewart

Juanita Harrell Stewart, my maternal 2nd cousin removed, was such a stunning, elegant woman, well poised, gracious, and elegant person. Throughout our relationship, she blessed me with so much love and support. She never hesitated to express her pride in my accomplishments. 

She was born to Edgar Harrell and Minnie Nolan Harrell in 1922 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She died in 2008 in Kentwood, LA. Juanita was married to Isaac Stewart and they were the parents of two children: Michael Stewart and Gwendolyn Lorraine Stewart. 

She was a lifelong member of Petty AME Church before Hurricane Katrina.  She served as a secretary for the church for many years. In New Orleans, she belonged to a variety of civc and social organizations. In fact, she had so many talents including being a seamstress and having for sewing. In addition, she preserved an extensive collection of family photos and other documents relating to the Harrell family.

I was cleaning out my files today and I came across the guest book for her Homegoing Service. I reread some of the cards and floral cards that were left. Her church family, church district family, and countless of other people, relatives, and friends loved her dearly. I for one, I will never forget my beautiful cousin.

The Barnett Family and the Land They Owned in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Janice and Larry Holland
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

I received a telephone call last week from Janice Holland, who was searching for the ancestor of her husband Larry Barnett. Using Ancestry, I search for Larry's ancestor. Janice gave me the name Isaac Barnett and his wife Susie Perry Barnett. Isaac parents were Shelton and Maria Anderson Barnett. According to the 1880 United States Federal Census, Shelton was born in 1820 in Virginia. In 1880 he was living in the 5th Ward, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Both of his parents were born in Virginia. Shelton could read and write and was a farmer by occupation.

Living in the household with him and his wife were;  his son Isaac (23),  his daughter-in-law Susan (17), his grandsons Willie (2) and Ed Barnett (1/12). Shelton and Mariah was married on August 11, 1879 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.  According to the 1870 United States Federal Census, Shelton's personal estate valued at 100 dollars and his Real Estate valued at 400 dollars. Living in the house with his wife was their two sons; Isaac (13) and his John (16).

Isaac and Susie was the parents of: William, Anney, Isaac, Jr., John, Juley, Roday, Mary, and Martha. Please note that I spelled their names the way they spelled on the 1900 United States Federal Census.  On the 1920 United States Federal Census, three other children was born; George, Clyde and Oliver. Isaac could not read  or write. His home was free of a mortgage and his occupation was a farmer.

Larry and Janice were very excited to find documentation dating back to the 1800s about their ancestors. This was the very first time they had seen these types of documents. I invited them to the Amite Clerk's Office to teach them how to conduct genealogy research. Both of them were excited to find the records. They both understand the importance of genealogy. Following the duplication of the records, she gave them to me so that I could have them transcribed. The Barnett family are planning a large family reunion and they asked if I could present our findings.

Larry Holland Researching at the Amite Clerk's Office
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Exploring African American History in the Louisiana Florida Parishes

Esau and Malinda Tom Lawson's Grandson Xavier Smith, Sr.

Xavier Smith, Sr. was born in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana around 1897. The 1910 United States Federal Census indicates that he lived in the house with his stepfather Abe "Obie" Harrison, his mother Sallie Lawson Harrison, and four siblings: Governor Harrison, Mary B. Harrison, Eddie Harrison and Lelia Smith. Xavier worked as a yard boy for a private family.

According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, he was married with his own family. He married Daisy Morris Smith. Xavier was twenty-two and his wife Daisy was eighteen. They had one child living with them at the time name Helen Smith. Ten years later in 1930, he and Daisy other children were: Xavier, Jr., Glen, Dorothy and Clarence Smith. By 1940 United States Federal Census they had given birth to two more children: Earl Smith and Yvonne Smith. They were living in Ried's Quarter. Xavier owned his own home and worked as a laborer.

Xavier Smith, Sr. was a very active and dedicated member at Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church. He joined the congregation of Grant Chapel in1916. He served 70 years of continued service and was considered to be the church's historian and father. He passed away on November 10, 1993 in Amite, Louisiana. He is buried at Butler Cemetery in Amite, Louisiana.

Genealogy Discussion with Antoinette and Karran

Aunt Alma "Mandy" Richardson Gordon Story

Alma "Mandy" Richardson Gordon

Alma "Mandy" Richardson Gordon was born on the 10th day of 1909 in St. Helena, Louisiana to Thomas and Emma Vining Richardson Williams and died on July 20, 1987. She is my maternal great-aunt. All of her nieces and nephews called her Aunt Mandy. Aunt Mandy had three other siblings born to Thomas and Emma. Her siblings were Josephine Richardson Harrell, Alexander Thomas Richardson, and Rosabel Richardson Moore. 

Her second marriage was to Jim Williams, with whom she had four children, Jimmy Williams, Victoria Dorothy Williams, Arthur Williams, and Ethel Williams Temple. Before moving to Tangipahoa Parish, they lived in St. Helena, Louisiana. 

She met and married Willie Kiddes Gordon, Sr. They were the proud parents of James. E. Gordon, Willie K. Gordon, Jr.,Min. Adam Gordon, Robert Gordon, Sr., Elder Frank Gordon, and Barbara Jean Payne. She was called MaMe by her grandchildren. She was the State President of the Home and Foreign Mission Department of The Churches of God in Christ Eastern Jurisdiction.

Our family often talks about Aunt Mandy's delicious homemade cakes. Especially her jelly and coconut cakes. She was a strong leader and role model for her family. She was known for her unconditional love and generosity. She was respected and admired by all who knew her and her family who adored her. She wore beautiful hats and dresses and carried a purse on her arm. 

Aunt Mandy enjoyed visiting her sisters Josephine and Rosabelle. My aunts Ethel and Dorothy died before I was born. It is only through the family that I remember hearing about them. Aunt Mandy and her husband remained in Amite and raised their family. My grandmother and grandfather raised their family in Amite as well.  New Orleans became home to Rosabelle and Ethel. The matriarchs of our family are very dear to our hearts and we cherish their sweet memories We try to emulate their example of strength and character. We remember them fondly as we share stories of their kindness. They are a source of pride for our family and a reminder of our bonds.

Mr. Willie K. Gordon, Sr. and his wife 
Alma "Mandy" Richardson Gordon

Earl Lee's LEMON PIE | Baking My Grandfather's Delicious Pie!

The Children of Emma Vining Richardson Williams

Emma Vining was born on October 1, 19886 in St. Helena, Louisiana to Allen Vining and Rosa Hart Vining. Emma Vining died in Amite, Louisiana in 1864. Allen and Rosa had three daughters together: Judy, Emma, and Bernice. 

In the years that followed the death of Rosa, Allen later married Pheoby Self of St. Helena, Louisiana, and as a result of their union, they had several children together.  According to the 1900 United States Federal Census, Emma was living with her paternal grandmother Martha Green Vining, aunt Elizabeth Vining, and her sisters Bernice and and Judy. Judy was eleven and Emma was thirteen at the time. Also living in the house was a 10 year-old girl named Mamie. I recall talking several years back to a cousin named Sandra Brown, who is a descendant of Bernice lineage. Her grandmother told her that Mamie was her sister. Consequently,  Allen and Rosa may have had four daughters.

Emma's grandmother Martha Green was married to Frank Vining in 1874 in St. Helena, Louisiana. Their children were: Allen, Julia, Caleb, Sarah, and Frank Vining. 

Emma's first husband was Thomas Richardson. The couple had four children: Josephine, Alexander, Rosabel and Alma "Mandy" Richardson. After she and Thomas divorced she later married Jim Williams they had four children: Ethel, Jimmy, Arthur, and  Victoria "Dot" Williams. 

It was after reading a comment from one of our younger family members, who stated that she she was unaware that Grandma Emma had other children from a second marriage, that I decided to write and post this blog. "Several members of our family have passed away, " including my mother Isabell Harrell Cook, Cousin Earl Lee Richardson, Sr., Cousin Nathaniel Richardson, and Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier who recounted and shared the Richardson and Williams family history. Our history must be preserved and passed on to the generations, as exemplified by the character of Kunta Kinte in the 1977 television series Roots. 

We are blessed to have images of six of her eight children. If anyone has a photograph of Grandpa Emma, Grandpa Thomas and Jim Williams,  Arthur and Dot, please share with me so I can share it with others. Please don't just hold on to it for yourself, share it with the family. 

In Loving Memories of Mr. Percy Harrison

Percy was born Amite, Louisiana to the late Mr. Obie Harrison and Mrs. Sally L. Harrison on December 3, 1912 and adopted later by the late Mr. Willie Harrison and Mrs. Ella Harrell Harrison. He passed away July 25, 1982 at 4:30 p.m. at Hood's Memorial Hospital in Amite, Louisiana. He was a friendly private individual.  

He leaves to your his passing: two daughters. Mrs. Janice Craig of Amite, Louisiana and Mrs. Lavern Crayton of Dallas, Texas: one son, Mr. Freddie Harrison of Amite, Louisiana: two granddaughter: Miss Charlene Harrison of Amite, Louisiana and Latonya Desha Crayton of Dallas, Texas; two grandson, PVT. Samuel L. Harrison of Germany and Master Dedrian V. Craig of Amite, Louisiana: one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Willie Mae Harrison of Amite, Louisiana: one son-in-law, Mr. Terry Grayton of Dallas, Texas; four sisters, Mrs. Lela Washington, and Mrs. Bell H. Davenport of New Orleans,  Mrs. Mary H. Brown and Mrs. Alma Vernon of Amite, Louisiana; three brothers, Mr. Johnny S. Harrison, Sr. of Oakland, California: Mr. Nathaniel Harrison, Sr. of New Orleans, Louisiana; and Mr. Xavier Smith of Amite, Louisiana: one aunt, Mrs. Bertha Harrell of Chicago, Illnois, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Source: The Funeral Program of Percy Harrison