Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Monday, March 21, 2022
Louis Ali Researching His Allen Family History with Dr. Antoinette Harrell
 |
| Star Hill C.M.E Church Amite County, Mississippi Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Peonage researcher, Dr. Antoinette Harrell, conducted peonage for decades at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The Crawford Allen story was one of the stories she uncovered during her visit. Harrell discovered a 1926 newspaper clipping published by the Associated Press regarding Allen's and his family being sold for $20.00. Yes, a family of five sold for $20.00, after slavery was abolished seventy plus years. "How could this happened? Who sold them? Whatever happened to the Allen's who kidnapped and sold them?"
Louis was named after his paternal grandfather, Louis Allen, who was assassinated in 1964 after witnessing Hebert Lee's murdered at a cotton gin in Liberty, Mississippi. "I was the first male child born and my parents named me after my grandfather." said Ali. My grandmother passed the oral history down to me about my grandfather. She always talked about what happened to her husband and my grandfather. Louis father Henry "Hank" Allen said that his father Louis told him, that papa was a slave. He never mentioned that he was sold as a slave as well.
 |
| Dr. Antoinette Harrell Gravesite of Crawford Allen |
Ali contacted Dr. Harrell and requested that she accompany him to the Amite County Clerk of Court in order to conduct genealogical research his family history. The opportunity to guide Ali to learn more about his family history was too appealing for Harrell to turn down. When they arrived at the Clerk's office the first records Harrell directed Ali to was marriage records. Ali was so excited to find his grandparents, great-grandparents, uncles and aunts marriage records. In addition to marriage records, Harrell wanted Ali to examine records relating to conveyances and succession. With the aid of Harrell's magnification glasses, Harrell helped Ali to locate a number of land records and succession records relating to the Allen family.
In the Clerk of Court office, they exerted all their efforts and energy researching records. Harrell requested that Ali take her to the gravesite of his great grandfather Crawford and his grandfather Louis Allen. It was the first time Harrell had visited the gravesite of Crawford Allen, his son Louis Allen, his wife Anna, and his daughters who was also sold.
As Ali led Harrell to the location where his grandfather Louis Allen was murdered, Harrell had to compose herself emotionally. Harrell couldn't believe that after waiting patiently for the story development for twenty years, she was finally able to speak with the Allen family and to go back to the site were the terrible events occurred.
 |
| Louis Allen Researching his Allen family history Amite County, Mississippi Photo Credit Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Homegoing Celebration for Mardus (Myrtis) Lee Womack
 |
| Myrtis Womack Johnson Nurturing Our Roots with Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Myrtis was a devoted member of Venable Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Greensburg, LA. She served faithfully as the Sunday school Superintendent, Adult Sunday school teacher, Missionary President, Steward, Stewardness, Christian Education Director, and the Church Historian. She also taught the rich history of Richard Allen adn the structure of the AME Church during the new membership class at her church. Myrtis attended many seminars, workshops, and speaking engagements involving history and historical facts. One other most rewarding speaking engagements she attended was the Kweisi Mfume, the former President/CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as the keynote speaker.
Myrtis is known in St. Helena Parish for the dedicated work restoring abandoned cemeteries. Myrtis' passion for the preservation efforts of abandoned cemeteries came when she tried to visit the cemetery in St. Helena Parish where some of the her ancestors were buried, and she could not gain access to it due to fallen trees, weeds, and debris. She have been interviewed and featured in the St. Helena Parish Newspaper the "Echo", numerous times for her efforts and commitment to restoring abandoned cemeteries. She was a guest speaker for the St. Helena Historical Society, and she was featured in St. Helena's parish newspaper. She was interviewed by b Allen Turney for his "Tummy Travels" segment of WAFB Channel Nine News, and she was featured on the front page of the Baton Rouge Advocate after restoring and marking 82 abandoned slave graves. She was a guest on "Nurturing Our Roots" Television Talk Show hosted by Antoinette Harrell. She was honored by United Daughters of the Confederacy in 2005, during a ceremony in recognition of her work with here restoring abandoned cemeteries. Myrtis founded "Save Our Graves Foundation" in 2011. Her foundation located, restores, and collects data of abandoned cemeteries. Myrtis was the keynote speaker in Germany for Black History Month in 2016. The program was held on her son's military base.
 |
| Myrtis Womack Johnson African American Cemetery in St. Helena Parish, LA. |
Her travels have taken here to North Buxon, Ontario Canada where she visited the Buxton National Historic Site and museum. This Historic site and museum is on the original Elgin Settlement, which was the first stop on the Underground Railroad for hundreds of fugitive slaves. She had visited many plantations and historical museums including, Nottaway Plantation, Magnolia Mound Plantation, Rural life Museum and Southern University Museum of Art. Her most recent and memorable visit was to Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana.
She leaves to Cheris her memories, her children: Valery, Baton Rouge, LA, Kevin (Raquel), Houston, TX, Andre (Keisha) Kileen, TX, grandchildren: Markell, Debbie, Jamie, Nalani, Maya, Kevin Jr., Aaron, and Frank, nine siblings: two sisters: Shirley and Janice Womack, Baton Rouge, LA; Seven brothers: Walter (Lorene), Charlotte, NC, Charles (Linda) and John (Mary) Baton Rouge, Rev. Floyd (Sandra)), Port Allen, Louisiana, Morris, Larry, (Mildred), and Richard (Tracy) Womack, Greensburg, LA. one brother-in-law: Walter Kendrick, Jr., Kings Mountain, NC, a host of nieces, nephews, cousin, and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Sallie Womack, siblings: Carolyn Beller, Lena Kendrick, Jimmy Ray, Ned, two sets of twins Willie Gene (Slick) and Barbara Moore, Alfa and Effie, sister-in-law; Joann, several uncles, aunts and numerous other relatives.
 |
| Myrtis Womack Johnson Source: The funeral program for Mrs. Myrtis Womack Johnson |
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Lynn Dosty Searching Her Badie Family History in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
 |
| Lynn Dosty Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell |
Dosty desired to be guided by Dr. Harrell's methodology and expertise in genealogy research. In consultation with Dosty, Harrell discussed the itinerary with her to make her genealogy trip a success. Harrell chose to visit start the Badie and Keller research at the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court and later to the genealogy department at the Audubon Regional Library in Clinton, Louisiana.
Her research with Harrell resulted in several marriage records and succession records regarding her Badie family. "As they found records that could prove extremely helpful to the progress of building Dosty's family tree," she was overjoyed. Having completed their research at the library, they subsequently drove around the town taking pictures of the many historic sites and historic homes.
The following day visited the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to search for vital records and marriage records. Dosty retrieved over certified copies of seventy-six records in a matter of hours. We had planned research to the close of the day, but finished two hours earlier.
"Dr. Harrell was very professional and she setup an appointment and followed up with a Zoom meeting." She took the time to consult with me regarding some critical findings. "I could not have completed this research without the assistance of Dr. Harrell," said Dosty. According to Dosty, the positive results is due to the beautiful, peaceful, and professional guidance she had with Harrell. Dosty dressed in her camouflage, the outfit corresponded to her ancestral search.
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Dr. Antoinette Harrell Reveals Family History to Publisher and Editor of the Drum Newspaper
 |
| Eddie Ponds The Drum Newspaper Publisher |
Harrell invited Mr. Ponds to join her at the Amite Library Genealogy Department to research his family history utilizing Ancestry on the computer. He was excited to find information on his father and his grandparents. Mr. Ponds father Eugene Ponds was working at the Louisiana Cypress Lumber Company in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. "According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Eugene was 28 years old and his birthplace Louisiana." He was living in the Police Jury Ward 4, East Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was living on Bayou Sarah Road. He was laborer at a sawmill and lived as a boarder in the home with Stirling Fields, Bertrand Hampton, Alfred Scale, Eli Allen, Baurnyard McDaniel.
 |
| Eugene Ponds Military Registration Card |
registration card, he was 27 years old at the time and he was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His race was African, and he was married. Eugene was married to Ida Mae Davis Ponds. They were the parents of ten children: Mary Loui Ponds, Ella Mae Ponds, Eugene Ponds, Jr., John Wesley Ponds, Isiah Ponds, Paulette Ponds
Eugene's parents were Severley Ponds. Severly was born in around 1860 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His wife Isabella Roner Ponds was born around 1868 and died in 1958. I was happy that Mr. Ponds walked out of the Amite Genealogy Library with some new information on the Ponds side of his family. We'll continue to research his family lineage on his paternal side of his family,
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Monday, February 28, 2022
Nathaniel Sharper, Sr. and His Old Hound Dog
 |
| Nathaniel Sharper, Sr. and his Old Hound Dog |
Nathaniel Sharper, Jr. 1921-1981
 |
| Nathaniel Sharper, Jr. Nathaniel was the son of Nathaniel Sharper and Maggie Smothers of Bain, West Feliciana, Louisiana. He was born on January 2, 1921 and died on December 6, 1921. He is buried at Port Hudson National Cemetery in Zachary, Louisiana. |
The Happy Landers at John S. Dawson High in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
 |
| Photo Courtesy of West Feliciana Historical Museum The Dawson exhibit remains on display at the museum and the public is welcome to visit and learn more about the exhibition. A very special thanks too J.S. Dawson Alumni Association and Foundation members are to be commended for all their efforts to preserve the school rich history. The school building had been placed on the Historic Places in West Feliciana. Photo was taken by Dr. Antoinette Harrell at the museum. |
Ouida Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana
 |
| Ouida Plantation West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Ouida Plantation contains about 475 acres of land in West Feliciana. In 1881, he married Rosa Routh Ker daughter of Captain John Ker and the former Rose Routh of Ouida Plantation in West Feliciana. Gob. Foster Murphy and his wife purchased abandoned plantation near Franklin., and named it "Dixie."
Source: Foster (Murphy J. Ande Family) Papers (Mss. 4710) Inventory, Compiled by Charles F. Thomas
Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collection, Special Collections, Hill Memorial Library, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1998
Exploring and Discovering African American Genealogy and History in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
 |
| Charley Smothers Greater Hollywood Church, West Feliciana Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
We took the opportunity to drive to Rosedown Plantation, which was built by the Turnbull family. Cotton was one of Daniel Turnbull's main sources of wealth. The plantation consists of 28 acres of formal gardens, which can be walked toured by visitors. I couldn't help but think about the enslaved from the perspective of their experiences. "They worked until the day they died, for others until the freedom bell rung." I want to know their names and learn as much as possible about the people who was forced to work from sun up to sundown.
 |
| Old Wooden Cabin West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Due to my own family history research expedition, I am aware of the importance of obtaining accurate information and interpreting the message of the oral history. It is important to note that black people have made significant contributions to these small towns, and their history is the least undocumented history of the towns.
We visited two church cemeteries while there, Greater Hollywood churches and found Gilmores, Sharpers, Handy, Pate, and Jones in the cemeteries. The oldest headstone was marked 1853 and was found on "Old Hollywood Church Road" right off Sligo Road. According to the 1880 United States Federal Census. Charley was born in 1855. In the 8th Ward, West Feliciana. His wife was Adelaide Smother. Both his parents were bring in Louisiana. His occupation was a farm laborer.
In Search of Their Louisiana Florida Parish Family Roots
 |
| Researching in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Harrell set up a meeting with some of her Richardson relatives to meet with the group. Dr. Valarie Richardson and Earl Scott Richardson, Jr., owners of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc, Amite, welcome their extended family with opened arms. The following day, Harrell took the group to Rocky Hill AME Church and the church cemetery to visit the gravesite of their 4th and 5th great grandparents Thomas Richardson and Amanda Breland Richardson in St Helena Parish, Louisiana. After a discussion about the cemetery and church they learned about Rocky Hill AME Church which was founded in 1874.
 |
| Zuri Amuleru-Marshall, Carol Richardson Carter Karma M Ede, Stacy Rene Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
After the group left St. Helena Parish Clerk of Court, several of the group members traveled to Amite to research at the clerk's office. Before going to the Amite Clerk's Office, Harrell had them to stop a Gordon Richardson Temple of Deliverance C,O,G.I.C in Amite to visit the church cemetery. They found Richardson, Harrell, and Gordon family members gravesites.
Once they arrived at the Amite Clerk of Court, they started researching and finding marriage records of their ancestors. Karma met Dedria Brown, and employee who work at the clerk office. Harrell introduce the group to Dedria Brown who descends from the Dillon family in Mississippi and Tangipahoa. As it turns out they were distantly related. Once again another family connection for the researchers.
Sunday, February 27, 2022
The Greater Hollywood Baptist Church Cornerstone, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
 |
| The Greater Hollywood Baptist Church Cornerstone Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana |
The Gilmore Family History In West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana
 |
| Wallace Gilmore Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
The Gilmore's are a very large family. We visit two churches in the area: Greater New Hollywood Baptist Church and Hollywood Baptist Church cemeteries. It appears to have been a split somewhere in the history of the church.
We drove around sightseeing and visited the West Feliciana Historical Museum in St. Francisville. We drove to Rosedown Plantation and it was too much walking for me, so we decided to go somewhere else. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I was very happy to see that he found a lot of his ancestors graves.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
The Family History of Alfred and Rebecca Richardson of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana
 |
| Photo Courtesy of Robert Lee Richardson Funeral Program |
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.