The Amite White Sox's

Amite White Sox's
Source: Ancestry 
Contributed by Michael Hughes
The picture represents three families who lived in the Amite City circa 1920
The Finn's, Johnson, and Tates Family

 

John Finn, Sr. of Amite, Louisiana.

John Finn, Sr, was born in 1900 to Marcel Finn and Samuella Tate Finn. John died in 1998 in New Philadelphia, Ohio. John was married to Mable Johnson.  Mable was born in 1903 in Amite, Louisiana. Her parents were Robert Allen Johnson and Maggie Steptoe. 

John and Mable had five children; Lula, Eva, Dorothy Ruth, and John Finn, Jr. His U.S., World War 1 Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 said that he was slender build, tall, black hair and black eyes. He was employed by the Light & Power Company. 

The Ohio, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Obituary Index, 18102-2013 recorded that he was ninety-eight years old when he died on November 14, 1998. 

John parents Marcel and Samuella (Tate) Finn had nine children. They were Lawrence Tude, John, Sr., Ruth Finn Johnson, Lucille Finn Bigelow, Morris M. Finn, Alphonso, Finn, Gertrude Finn, Nelson Finn, Sr., and Willie Huckberry Finn. 

When the Finn's family left the South during "The Great Migration" sometimes known as the Great Northward Migration or the Black Migration, six million African Americans out of the Rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West between 1916-1970.  

Jonathan Finn emailed me searching for his Finn family history connected to Amite, Louisiana. Johnathan is presently living in Upstate New York. He said that his ancestor Charles L. Finn, was a chauffeur and that maybe how the Finn family left the south. The origin of the Finn name derived from Irish, meaning "white" or "fair" the Finn family have a lot of family members listed as mulattos on the United States Federal Census. 

John Finn, Sr., and his wife Mable Johnson
Source: Ancestry Public Finn Family Tree

Carrie Butler Finn of Amite, Louisiana

Carrie Butler Finn
Source: William, Riley, Family Tree
Ancestry

Carrie Butler Finn was born in Amite, Louisiana in 1848 and died in Amite, Louisiana 1920. She was the daughter of Liza York and her father was unknown. Her mother Lisa York was born in 1805 and died in 1910. 

She was married to John Finn. They were the parents of  seven children; Marcel, Solomon, Fannie, Dallie, Joseph, John, and Charles Finn.  All their children was born in Amite, Louisiana Carrie named is also documented at Caroline Finn according to the United States 1870 Federal Census.  She was listed as a mulatto.  I also found her name to be Caroline (York) Saurtz Butler Finn.

Her husband John Finn, Sr., was born in 1836 and died in 1900. 

Charles Finn of Amite, Louisiana

Charles L. Finn
Sources: Ancestry

Charles L. Finn, was born in 1888 in Amite, Louisiana and died in in 1954 in Monticello, New York, He was the son of John and Carrie Butler Finn.

He was married twice, once to Martha and Mary  He and Martha were married in Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993. 

According to the U.S., World War 1 Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Charles also lived in St. Tammany County, Louisiana. In 1940 he was a chauffeur, and rented his house. 

His wife  Martha (Mary) was a pastor and died in 1988, she is buried in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello, New York. Charles.  

Elmer Finn is the son Charles L. Finn and Mary Dampier. Elmer was married's to Helen Finn. Johnathan Finn directly line is through John Finn. John was born in 1940 and died in 2000.

The Obsequies of Mattie Bush Patrick

Mattie Bush Patrick

On August 1, 1882, in Tangipahoa Parish she was born to the late Mary Temple Bush and Toney Bush, a baby girl given in the name of Mattie Bush. She became a Christian when she was a very young girl and she began her work in the Christian Kingdom.

In the year of 1918 she united in Hoy Matrimony to the late Tom Patrick. As a member of Morgan Chapel Church she worked in many capacities. Her civic duties were that of a leader and a spokesman for her community.

Tired from her journey down here, on Saturday,  May 6, 1978 at 2:00 a.m., the Angels of Heaven came into the hospital and with chilly fingers sealed the lips of Sister Mattie Patrick. Her soul winged its flight from this world of sin, sorrow, and pains, to a place of eternal rest. She leaves to mourn and adopted daughter, Mrs. Mae Helen Ricard of Montpelier, La.,  One sister Mrs. Alice Jennings of Independence, LA., Four brothers, David Bush of Mississippi, Wallace Bush of Amite, La, Daniel Bush of Baton Rouge, LA., and Buster Bush of Ohio, Nieces, Mrs. Helen Edwards, Mrs. Vivian Bush of Amite, Mrs. Elouise White and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Interment: Rocky Hill Cemetery

Active Pallbearers: Climon Ricard, Jr., Tom Alton Ricard, Leroy Ricard, Oscar Edwards, Oscar Ricard, Sam Morgan

Honorary Pallbearers: Herman Morgan, Climon Ricard, Sr., Curtis Edwards, Robert Temple

Source: Funeral Program for Mattie Bush Patrick

Richardson Funeral Home of Amite, Louisiana Preserving History Through Funeral Programs

Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. CEO & Staff
Photo Courtesy: Antoinette Harrell

When a loved one passes away in the African American community, writing a funeral program about the person's life is very important in making the final arrangements. Funeral programs became an essential part of funerals in the early 60s. There is a lot of detailed information about the deceased. You will find their full name, birthday, the name of the parents, siblings, spouse, and children if they were married.  If it was a married one woman passed away, her maiden name is documented.  Sometimes it will also state where the person was employed, and the they school attended. It will provide additional information that the death certificated can't offer. 

My mother had a collection of obituaries in her keepsakes. Most of the obituaries in her collection were of family members. Like most older people in the communities, some have a very extensive collection in their homes. As a genealogist, I'm always delighted when someone allows me to look at  and scan their collection. 

Several days ago, the CEO and Owner  of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc., in Amite, Louisiana, called me to informing me that they were cleaning out some boxes at the funeral home and was wondering what to do with all the obituaries. My maternal first cousin, Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier, suggested that they call me to see if I wanted them. Well, you know what my answer was, of course, I will take them off your hand. Earl Scotty Richardson called me to tell me that he would drop them off at my home. 

Funeral Programs

I was thinking about their motto, "We Provide A Little More Than Services, We Care!" I couldn't agree more.  I know for a fact, they do a back-to-school giveaway and other things that they do to services the community, just like Earl's father, Earl. His father Earl did a lot to help people in need. 

In many genealogy seminars, conferences, and workshops, we have discussed how important the role that funeral homes can play in preserving our history though funeral programs. After I create a database of the funeral programs, I will donate them to the  Center For Southeast Louisiana Studies. I recently learned that I can all so add them to the FamilySearch database. Most of the funeral programs are of people who died in Tangipahoa Parish,  St. Helena Parish, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Richardson Funeral Home, Inc., of Amite, Louisiana, are taking a new approach, and documenting these records. The entire staff made a wise decision in one of the Board of Directors meeting to not throw away these programs. Jo-Ann is a family griot, and she understand the importance of preserving history. She had  supporting my genealogy research in any way that she possibly can. 

Walter and Minnie James of Tangipahoa Parish

Walter was was born March 8, 1885 in Tangipahoa Parish. He died at the age of seventy-six in 1962 in Tangipahoa. His home was in Roseland, Louisiana. He was married to Minnie Pope and they were the parents children; Hardie, Solomon, Murdock, S. J, Lillie, Alfred, Albert, Annie, Magdalene, Rosa Lee, and Walter James. 

157 Years Later Our Harrell Families Reunite

Primus Harrell Descendants Zoom Meeting

I'm the 5th great-granddaughter of Primus Harrell. Primus was held as a slave on Leroy Harrell plantation.   Leroy"Fat Ole Levi" Harrell migrated from South Carolina with his family, livestock, belongings, and  enslaved people. I've spent decades researching and studying the Harrell history to learn more about my family. Yes, records can be very challenging to find for anyone whose ancestors were held as slaves. Prior to the 1870 United States Federal Census, our enslaved ancestors were listed in the slave schedules by gender and age only, making it very complex and difficult to find them.

I've traveled to Darlington, South Carolina, Virginia,  Mississippi, and East Feliciana in search of my ancestors. I know they want me to find them and tell their story; it's a very strong conviction that you get inside of you about those who came before you. I'm determined to listen to their voices and follow their path. 

Whenever I meet anyone from those places, I often wonder if they are related somehow. Genealogy research had evolved so much since I started researching decades ago. There is Ancestry DNA, more public trees, social media sites, and databases available now. 

Several years ago, I met Lenora Jenkins and Leon Coleman through their public trees. They are the descendants of Thomas Harrell. Thomas Harrell and my 4th great grandfather Randall Harrell were brothers. They are the only two sons we know that Primus Harrell had; however, that doesn't mean that there may not be others. 

I feel like I'm in a dream sometimes because I'm so excited to meet and learn more about a branch of our Harrell family and introduce them to others in the family. Using zoom, we meet on Sunday evenings, sharing oral history, documents, photographs, and discussing our brick walls in our research. 

One hundred and fifty-seven years later, Primus descendants are coming together for the first time. Often , you will hear stories about the slaveholders and the former enslaved children coming together.  Our story is uniques because we're  coming together to meet each other after our ancestors were sold off or given to other family members in their family.

Harrell Ancestry DNA

Without the Ancestry DNA and family trees, it would be very challenging to connect the family lineage. East Feliciana, Louisiana, is the common denominator for our families. Most of our connections link back to East Feliciana. We are diving hard into the slavery research, looking at slavery inventories, wills, and succession to find any information that could help reconnect our extended lost family once again. 

Suzette Dominque and Karran Harper Royal specialize in connecting our families through Ancestry DNA. Monteral Harrell is the keeper of Harrell's family photographs dating back to the late 1800s. Leon Coleman research, studies, and analyze slavery records. Jo-ann Lewis Frazier and Carolyn Adam-Rex share the oral history that was past down through the generations. Lenora spends a lot of time connecting the history of the Harrells in Caldwell parishes and has the family bible of her ancestors with genealogy records. 

We all are enthusiastic and excited to share, discover,  and document our Harrell family history. We have no idea where this journey will take us but one thing that is certain, we're ready to go where it leads us. I sat at my desk just thinking about how 157 years later and we are still searching for our family just like our ancestors did when they received their freedom. Some walked for miles and days on looking for their  children, husband, wife, and siblings.  Most African American who ancestors were enslaved will agree with me. That our genealogy research isn't a hobby, it is repairing and restoring knowledge of self. 

The History of Tennessee and Reba Matthews Jackson of St. Helena Parish

Reba Jackson 

Tennessee Jackson was born in April 1908 in Darlington, Louisiana. According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Tennessee  lived in the household of his uncle Wesley Jackson and his aunt Francis. 

Tennessee attended Black Creek school, and Reba attended Crossroads schools. Although they didn't finish high school, they received an education that life taught them. One thing for sure they could count money. They made a good profit from their crops. Their thirteen children  worked on the farm with their parents farming, planting, and harvesting. They grew all kinds of vegetables and sold them on the market. The owners a two hundred plus acre farm and horses and mules. They also raised cattle for their meat and sold some.  

The family smokehouse was used to cook and sell the meat. Tennessee made homemade syrup for sell, and he gave some to the helpers on his farm. People in the community knew Tennessee and Reba as "Tennee" and "Rebbie." They both had a strong voice in their community and were pillars in  their community. The Jackson was independent farmers in Greensburg, Louisiana and help other farmers when they need a helping hand. All the farmers would help each other back in those days and barter with each other. Tennessee was well known for being the first farmer with the largest bales of cotton during the cotton season. In his senior years, he worked as a custodian at St. Helena elementary school. He also worked in the FHA office assisting others in the community with getting loans and grants to buy their own homes.  Some of his sons worked with their uncles, neighbors, and their grandfather and learned how to lay bricks, build houses and chimneys. Their daughters became homemakers and hairdresser. The youngest of their children left Greensburg, and started a new life as an entrepreneur in California. 

They were the parents of Charles, Jerry, Evelyn, Louise, Leola, Tennessee, Jr., Dorothy, Gloria, Ernest, Matthew, Leary, Lemard, and Emmitt Jackson. The family worshipped at Darlington Church of God in Christ. He served as a deacon and Reba served as a church mother. Some of their children served on the usher board and Sunday school staff. They were baptized in the Darlington River. Many of their deceased loved ones are buried in Darlington and Turner Cemetery. 

This family story was submitted to Dr. Antoinette Harrell by Elisha D. Jackson.

Jeanette Miller Roberts Was Beaten in the Hammond City Jail in 1947

James Osby Roberts Registration Card

On  February 21, 1947,  Jeanette Miller Roberts was accused by her uncle of stealing his money. She was taken to Hammond City Jail by Marshal Victor G. Anderson and Chief of Police John Wesley Bales. She was questioned about the money and was forced to disrobe from waist down and was beaten.  Someone is looking for family members of Jeanette Miller Roberts. What happen to Jeanette? Are there any family members in the area that can recall the incident? How did she lose her baby? Did she have other children. Is she still living? 

Jeanette was married to a man named James O. Roberts in Amite, Louisiana. He was born in Amite, Louisiana in 1924. He moved to Hammond and was living in the household with Dorothy Robe After the incident, she moved to New Orleans to live with her uncle Lee Cook, and aunt Pearl Cook. They lived at 1303 Willow Street. 

James was born in Amite, Louisiana in 1924. He moved to Hammond and was living in the household with Dorothy Roberts. James died on December 28, 2014, in San Francisco, California. If anyone know of any Powell's and Roberts, please contact me. 

If you have information, please email me at afrigenah@yahoo.com

Breaking barriers in Harrell research with DNA testing

Little Egypt Plantation, East Feliciana, LA 

It is common among genealogists to delve into family history in search of answers and insights into the past; the process of tracing one's ancestors often proves to be a prolonged and painstaking endeavor. In my case, my Harrell ancestors were among those who endured slavery's harsh realities, having been held in bondage on the Levi Harrell plantation. Levi Harrell, along with his family, migrated from South Carolina to the Mississippi Territory during a period of territorial expansion and transformation. The Mississippi Territory, an organized and incorporated region of the United States, was established on April 7, 1798, following the admission of its western half into the Union as the State of Mississippi. In 1803, Levi Harrell relocated his family, possessions, and enslaved individuals to this area, ultimately settling near the Pretty Creek river in East Feliciana, where they established their new lives.

I undertook the task of tracing the history of the slaveholders as part of my efforts to explore my ancestry. Several years ago, I decided to take the Ancestry DNA test in order to gain insight into some of my lineages. Through this process, I discovered a match with an individual bearing the surname White. This connection prompted me to investigate further to understand how I might be related to the family of Mahetabel. My research revealed that I was linked to a person named Elizabeth Marter, who was predicted to be my 5th to 8th cousin. Our shared DNA amounted to 16 cM across a single segment. Upon examining her family tree, I found a woman named Mahetabel Hannah Harrell. Mahetabel was married to John Alexander White in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, and they were the parents of Lewis H, James, John, Lydia, Matilda, Frances, Henry, Janet, Margaret, and Micajah White.

Mahetabel was born in the year 1814 in the locality of Pretty Creek, situated in East Feliciana, and she passed away in 1889 within the same region of East Feliciana. She resided on a plantation known as Egypt, located in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, alongside her husband. She was the daughter of Levi Harrell, Jr., and Elizabeth Brian Harrell, with her lineage tracing back to this familial connection. Additionally, she had siblings who were part of her family structure.

My fourth great-grandfather was a man by the name of Randall Harrell. According to records, in the year 1870, he resided in Union Parish within the household of Benjamin Harrell. Randall and Priscilla Blackburn were married on December 26, 1867, in Union Parish, Louisiana; at the time of their marriage, Randall was seventy years old, while Priscilla was sixty-five years old. Following Randall's death, Priscilla relocated to East Feliciana, where their son, Robert Harrell, was living alongside his wife, Dinah, and their children.

Randall's father was identified as Primus Harrell; however, despite extensive efforts, the identity of his mother remains unknown. Descendants of Thomas and Randall Harrell regularly convene through Zoom conference calls to exchange information, deepen their understanding of their shared family history, and foster collaboration. Currently, the only two known children of Primus Harrell are Thomas and Randall. During these gatherings, Harrell family genealogists present their research using a variety of methods, including PowerPoint presentations, oral histories, and photographic evidence. Notably, Suzette Domingue, a descendant of Thomas, and Karran Harper Royal, a descendant of Randall, engage in discussions about the DNA connections identified through platforms such as Ancestry and 23andMe. These discussions highlight a significant number of DNA matches between Thomas's descendants and other individuals on both Ancestry and 23 and Me.

In addition to these collaborative efforts, I have conducted searches for public family trees on Ancestry to identify others researching their Harrell lineage. This search revealed forty-two trees that reference Primus Harrell. The Harrell family has been traced to several parishes in Louisiana, including Winn, St. Helena, Rapides, Tangipahoa, Grant, Caldwell, Union, East Carroll, West Carroll, East Feliciana, Iberville, and Calcasieu. This geographical spread underscores the extensive reach of the Harrell family's history and connections across the region.

Joseph Deamer, Sr. & Louella Richardson Deamer of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Joseph Deamer
Photo Courtesy: Lorriane Lizana

Joseph (Joe) Deamer was born  in September 1887 and died in 1965. According to his U.S. World War I Draft Registration Card, he said that his birthplace was Garyville, Louisiana.  His wife Louella Richardson Deamer was born in January of 1892 and died in April of 1979.

They were the parents of nine children: Leslie, Ernest, Clara, Ella, Joseph, Jr, Leroy, Pearl, Thelma, and Bertha. They lived in St. Helena Parish early in their marriage. Joe was and, entrepreneur and Louella was a homemaker. Joseph was a contractor of wooden ties for the railroad. The family later moved to the Neola Farm off Highway 51 in Amite and later purchased forty-acres in Fluker, Louisiana. 

He grew cotton, sugar cane, and a variety of vegetables. He made homemade syrup and packaged it in tin cans. As a truck farm, he often drove to New Orleans to sell his produce in the French Markets. Most of his children didn't like working on the farm and pursued their education. Four of their children earned their Master Degrees and one a PhD in education.  I was happy that E. Lorriane Lizana, MBA, share the Deamer's history with me to share with others. Lorriane is a Certified VA Real Estate Professional and Certified Pricing Strategy Advisor. Lorraine and her husband Chuck are the authors or Authentic Southern Cooking with Chuck and Miss Lorriane: Home Cooking with New Orleans.

Louella was the daughter of Thomas Richardson. Thomas was born about 1866 in St. Helena Parish,

Louella Richardson Deamer

Louisiana. He was listed as a mulatto, and his wife was deceased. Thomas's  mother's name was Rebecca Richardson. Living in the house with him was his children and mother: Louella, Nettie, Willie, and Ernest Richardson. His mother, Rebecca Cubard was living with him as well.

I found  both of his parents in the 1870 United States Federal Census. Tom's father was named Alfred Richardson. His sibling was: Wilson, Albert, Jr., Delphine, Josephine, William,  Minnie, and Tom Richardson.

My maternal 3rd great-grandparents Thomas and Amanda Breland Richardson, are buried in Rocky Hill AME Church Cemetery. I've seen the headstone with Rebecca's name on it and, I thought to myself, are Thomas and Rebecca related somehow. Rebecca was born around 1831 and died in 1916.

Now, I must research a little deeper to see if my Richardson family is related in any way to Tom Richardson and Rebecca Cubard Richardson. The one thing about small communities everyone is connected somehow, through marriages, distant cousins, are community families. 

Rebecca Richardson
Source: Find A Grave

Maude Temple Fox Obituary

Maude Temple

On June 22, 1931, Maude Temple was born the 3rd of 6 children to Charlie and Lena Temple in Amite, Louisiana. She graduated from O.W. Dillon High School in Kentwood, Louisiana, then went on to attend Southern University for a few semesters.

Around age 26, she moved to California, where some of her sisters had already migrated too. She brought a home in Compton with her husband R.W. Fox. After their divorce. She and her children moved and settled in Long Beach, CA. where she stayed for the rest of her life. 

During her early employment, Maude worked and cleaning homes, and for many years at the well-known toy company, Mattel. Her children, nieces, and nephews would be very happy and excited to receive the toys that she would get from her work. Had they known how popular and valuable Barbies and Hot Wheels were going to be, they would have taken better care of them.

Maude had a green thumb and took pride in caring for the many plants she kept at her home. She was always eager to give her family and plan gatherings for everyone to get together. One of her favorite places to go was Hometown-Buffet, and she celebrated many birthdays and occasions there. Aunt Maude was so generous with her kindness and thoughtfulness. She had an open door for her family and friends.

She always loved the Lord, and in her later years, she started to follow and adapt to the Seventh Day Adventist teaching and lifestyle. She would often request to say the Lord's Prayers with her guests and visitors. She had unwavering faith and never let go of her hopes and dreams to bless others.

In her 89 years, Maude was a dutiful mother, grandmother, great-grandmothers, and great-great- grandmother. She played a central role in raising  every generation of her  children in her lineage. She was committed to making sure everyone was taken care of until her final days. She was a wonderful and cherish Aunt, Sister, Cousin, and Community member.

Maude is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Aline and Charles Temple, her siblings Caretha Cutrer. Doretha Smith and Jacob Temple. Her siblings from her father's previous marriage, Margie Jones, Elousie White, Augustine Atkins, Ellis Temple, and Stanley Temple as well. Her three children Larry Temple, Sr., Debrely Lee, and Raychelle Fox.

Maude leaves to Cheris her loving memory, her daughter Desiree Fox her grandchildren, Larry Temple, Jr., Ronshay Mannery, Yasmine Fox, Rahdeese Alcutt, her great-grandchildren Lauren Temple. Daylins Mannery, Larry Temple, Amier Brown, and Harlem Alcutt, and great-grandchild Denism Mannery. She also leaves to cherish her memory, siblings James (W.K.) Temple and Mary Noil, She has many nieces, nephews, family, and friends who will miss her dearly.

Eddie Jackson, Jr and his Wife Deloris Peters Jackson

Eddie Jackson, Jr. was born on April 24, 1927, to Eddie Jackson, Sr., and Rosabell Richardson Jackson. He was the father of Betty Jackson Carriere, Florine Jackson Ramee, Brenda Jackson, Gloria Jackson Young, Gennesaret Jackson Hill, Gaynell Jackson, Eddie Jackson III, Gregory Jackson. Source: Finding A Grave.

He was the photographer and videographer for the family. Eddie captured many family events and photographs of family members.  Although the images and films were lost. It saddens my heart to think of the footage and pictures that were lost.  He would have captured photos of the two generations before  him. 

His wife was an Angel of Mercy in Nursing as an LPN at Charity OB High Risk Prenatal, and a New Orleans Public Health Nurse for Housing Authority providing services fo her patients over 30 years. She taught Nurse Orientation at Loyola University. 

Joseph Baker and Edna Coleman Marriage License

Joseph Baker was born in St. Helena Parish  in 1893 to Solomon and Elizabeth Baker. According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, he was living in Police Jury Ward 4. Living in the house at that time as; Ray, Joseph, Eliza, Mary Foster, his Mother-in-Law. 

Solomon's Father was named William Baker, and his mother was named Clara Baker.  William was born in 1853. He and his wife Clara were the parents of; Joseph, Crealou D, Elnora, Mora, Frances, Mary, William, Commander, Salester, David, Joe N., Annie, and Solomon, J. Baker.  

According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, living in the house with William and Clara was; John, Clarence, Alfred,  and Josephine Baker.

William's mother, Tammy Pettice (Peltier) were living in the house with them. Tammy was born in 1821.

Joseph Baker, Sr.

 

W.C. Frazier and Lizzie Coleman Marriage License

W. C. Frazier and Lizzie Coleman Marriage License. June 24, 1939.  They were married in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. 

Witnesses: 

Joseph Baker, Caretha Coleman, Mrs. Deola Mable. 

Olevia Jones of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

 Olevia Gordon Jones was born on November 7, 1887. She passed away on February 24, 1992 in St. Helena Parish.  She is buried in Turner Chapel Cemetery. Olevia was married to John H. Jones. Her mother was named Adline Rayford  Gordon Wicker. 

Clifford Wheat of Amite, Louisiana

Several years ago, I received a call from Joyce about some pictures and documents she inherited. She and her husband Keith purchased Clifford Wheat's home in Amite, Louisiana.  Everyone called him "Node" in Amite. 

"One of the records I saw was an application called" Our Farm and Home Plan for 1948. He owned fifteen acres of land.  His inventory consisted of Livestock and equipment. His asset valued at 1, 858.80.

Coming up to 1956, his Upland Cotton Marketing Card said that he planted two acres of cotton.

He was the son of John Wheat and Delia Leonard Wheat. His sibling was: Emma, John, Jr., Conerly, Percy, Enna, Clifford, and Herbert Wheat.

Clifford Wheat was born on October 17, 1904 and died on September 7, 1985. He's buried in Big Zion Cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana. 

His father John was born in 1872. According to the 1930 United States Census, John owned his home. He couldn't read or write. 

John's mother was named Julia Wheat. His sibling were; Henry, Hezekiah, Ella, Rosa, and Solomon Wheat. Julia was born in 1850 and died on September 10, 1919. She was a servant for a private family. In the United States 1910 United States Federal Census, she was listed as a widow.

Antoinette Harrell documenting the Wheat History

I spent several hours reading and scanning her rich collection for preservation. History of African-American people of Tangipahoa and St. Helena hasn't been preserved up until this point. I spend a lot of time collecting  and organizing my finding for preservation at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies at Southeastern University.

How could we learn about the history of African-Americans of the two Florida Parishes if it isn't recording and documented for study?

He was an African-American  entrepreneur and employed other people in the community with jobs. He and his father paid people to help them harvest their crops during harvest time. "I worked on the place," said Edwin. I worked around the place doing odd and end jobs. I watered the cows. I never picked beans, cotton, or strawberries for them. I worked for Anthony Girgenti for a short time said Edwin. 

The old wooden house with the front porch was very clean. It was alway freshly painted. The pasture was very well kept and maintain.  Documenting these story is important due to the fact that a lot of people who could recall the time period that I'm documenting has pass away. If anyone have photographs, documents, or stories they would like to share with Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, please email me at afrigenah@yahoo.com.

Strawberry Tickets

Credit" Joyce Lafonta

Honoring His Legacy "Arthur Harrell

Our  beloved Patriarch, Brother Arthur Harrell, known for his soft spoken voice, gentle, kind, and fun-filled spirit, was called to his eternal rest at 1:08 AM on Thursday, February 20th, 2020 at North Oaks Medial in Hammond, LA.

Brother Arthur Harrell was the fifth of eleven children born to Palmer Harrell and Manilla McCoy Harrell on October 2nd, 1928 in Amite, Louisiana.

Brother Harrell was baptized at an early age and was faithful  and active member of Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church were he serves as Class Leader, Trustee, and various other ministries until his health prevented him form serving any longer.  Brother Arthur Harrell took delight in his work as an employee of the Tangipahoa Parish School System where he was a school bus driver for twenty-one years until his retirement. 

Brother Harrell had an abundance of pride and joy in being a loving and devoted husband to his bride of fifty-one years, as well as a father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He leaves to mourn, but cherish his strong legacy, four devoted sons, Arthur (Brenda Hickerson of New Orleans, La., Gregory Harrell of Dallas, Tx., Elder Michael (Denesia) Harrell of Amite, La., Dennis (Alessia) Harrell of Kokomo, IN., and a loving daughter, Cheryl  (Frankie) Hampton of Spring, Texas. 

Brother Arthur Harrell's most joyous and fulfilling moments in life were watching his eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild grow up to be beautiful, happy, and productive kids and adults. 

Paw Paw Harrell will always be loved and cherished by his grands. Shana (Terrance) Fenderson,  and Art Hickerson of New Orleans, La., Michael "MJ" Jr., Delana, Deandria, and Myron Harrell of Amite, La., Palmer and Savannah Harrell of Kokomo, In., and Frankie "Jamel" and Zachary Hampton of Spring Tx., Chanaria Hampton of Nice, Fl, and Sydne' Fenderson of New Orleans, La., The grands will be eternally grateful for the love, patience, and care shown to them by their dotting grandfather. 

Brother Arthur Harrell also leaves his fond memories for two sisters, Audrey Dumones and Bobbie Lois Harrell of Chicago, IL., and one sister-in-law Rosemary Harrell of Hammond, La., one godchild, LaToya Head of Amite, Louisiana., and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bother Arthur Harrell was man who was always concerned about her others well-being and wanted to make sure he treated everybody right.

Source: Funeral Program for Brother Arthur Harrell