Just came across this video and transcript of a June 13, 2005 proceeding held by Congress in which Rep. Mary Landrieu (D) of Louisiana issued a formal apology to lynching victims and their families. There are many people on this list who were lynched in East Carroll and West Carroll Parishes.
To search for victims in the transcript, press CRTL and the letter F and search for East or West Carroll Parish.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
African Americans in East Carroll Parish
In conducting research on African Americans in the parish, came across some interesting tidbits on Google Books:
Snippet from "Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired: Black Women's Health Activism..." by Susan Lynn Smith - Mentions the 1930 Negro Health Week organized in East Carroll Parish. Mentions a nurse, Ala Mae Stephens, who supervised the effort.
Full view from "Negro Education: A Study of Private and Higher Schools for Colored People in the United States" by the US Department of the Interior, Department of Education, Bulletin 1916, No. 39 - Mentions the East Carroll Normal and Industrial Institute, which was founded in 1898 by the East Carroll Parish Baptist Association. The school was grades K-9. The principal during March 1914 was EL Washburn. There were 150 students attending.
Full view from the "Education Directory for 1921-1922" of the US Office of Education - Summer Normal Training Schools - East Carroll Parish Training School, GW Griffin, princpal. School session is 8 weeks.
Full from from "Census Reports, Tenth Census, June 1, 1880, Volume 5" by the US Census Office - Population of 11,111 colored, 1,023 white.
Full view from Ebony Magazine, November 1999 issue which features a photo and profile on Joseph G. Jackson, current president of the East Carroll Parish Police Jury and owner of Harris Funeral Home on Sparrow Street in Lake Providence, LA.
Snippet from "Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired: Black Women's Health Activism..." by Susan Lynn Smith - Mentions the 1930 Negro Health Week organized in East Carroll Parish. Mentions a nurse, Ala Mae Stephens, who supervised the effort.
Full view from "Negro Education: A Study of Private and Higher Schools for Colored People in the United States" by the US Department of the Interior, Department of Education, Bulletin 1916, No. 39 - Mentions the East Carroll Normal and Industrial Institute, which was founded in 1898 by the East Carroll Parish Baptist Association. The school was grades K-9. The principal during March 1914 was EL Washburn. There were 150 students attending.
Full view from the "Education Directory for 1921-1922" of the US Office of Education - Summer Normal Training Schools - East Carroll Parish Training School, GW Griffin, princpal. School session is 8 weeks.
Full from from "Census Reports, Tenth Census, June 1, 1880, Volume 5" by the US Census Office - Population of 11,111 colored, 1,023 white.
Full view from Ebony Magazine, November 1999 issue which features a photo and profile on Joseph G. Jackson, current president of the East Carroll Parish Police Jury and owner of Harris Funeral Home on Sparrow Street in Lake Providence, LA.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Voting and the Atlas Family in East Carroll Parish
We came across a court case today, called Nicholas Burton et. als versus Charles Hicks et. als. that took place in (East) Carroll Parish and had to do with a contested election for a congressional seat that took place on November 2, 1874...135 years ago this weekend. The congressional race was between William B. Spencer (Democrat) and Frank Morey (Republican) in the 5th district of Louisiana.
Here is what was charged by the contestee, William B. Spencer:
Poll 2, Carroll Parish – The only specific charge of contestant in his notice of contest touching the election at this poll is as follows: At ward or poll No. 2 in said parish, on said 2d November 1874, the said Geroge C. Benham and others of your partisans did, by unlawful and violent conduct and threats, intimidate the colored voters of said parish, and snatched their ballots from their hands as they approached the polls to vote, and forced them to take and vote other ballots than those they had and were going to vote, thereby wrongfully and fraudulently procuring, by force and intimidation, votes in his and your interest; which violent conduct was persisted in throughout said day at said poll, in violation of the freedom of election secured by law.
Spencer's contest was won and he eventually took the congressional seat for the 5th district.
And...who did we find on the list of 713 voters at poll 2 which was in the second ward of the parish? King Atlas, Sr., King Atlas, Jr., Andrew Atlas, John Atlas, William Atlas. King Atlas, Sr. is the earliest traceable ancestor of our family and King, Jr., Andrew, John and William are his sons.
We already knew that we have family members who are a part of the Congressional record (additional record), but did we have any idea that our earliest traceable ancestors were as well?
On the eve of celebrating the one year anniversary of the US electing it's first African American president, it's fitting that we came across this.
Here is what was charged by the contestee, William B. Spencer:
Poll 2, Carroll Parish – The only specific charge of contestant in his notice of contest touching the election at this poll is as follows: At ward or poll No. 2 in said parish, on said 2d November 1874, the said Geroge C. Benham and others of your partisans did, by unlawful and violent conduct and threats, intimidate the colored voters of said parish, and snatched their ballots from their hands as they approached the polls to vote, and forced them to take and vote other ballots than those they had and were going to vote, thereby wrongfully and fraudulently procuring, by force and intimidation, votes in his and your interest; which violent conduct was persisted in throughout said day at said poll, in violation of the freedom of election secured by law.
Spencer's contest was won and he eventually took the congressional seat for the 5th district.
And...who did we find on the list of 713 voters at poll 2 which was in the second ward of the parish? King Atlas, Sr., King Atlas, Jr., Andrew Atlas, John Atlas, William Atlas. King Atlas, Sr. is the earliest traceable ancestor of our family and King, Jr., Andrew, John and William are his sons.
We already knew that we have family members who are a part of the Congressional record (additional record), but did we have any idea that our earliest traceable ancestors were as well?
On the eve of celebrating the one year anniversary of the US electing it's first African American president, it's fitting that we came across this.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Finding Your Enslaved Ancestors IS Possible
In the aftermath due to the discovery of the genealogical background of First Lady, Michelle Obama, CNN has posted a great article on their website by renowned genealogist Tony Burroughs and how all hope is not lost in tracing ancestors of African descent in the United States.
Tom Joyner's Great Uncles Finally Pardoned
Anyone who followed this year's installment of the PBS series "African American Lives 2" by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. rememberes a chilling story that they shared with radio host Tom Joyner regarding his great uncles.
From the Washington Post today:
Two great-uncles of syndicated radio host Tom Joyner, sent to the electric chair for the 1913 murder of a Confederate Army veteran, were unanimously pardoned Wednesday by South Carolina.
Officials believe the men are the first in the state to be posthumously pardoned in a capital murder case.
Black landowners Thomas and Meeks Griffin were executed 94 years ago after a jury convicted them of killing 73-year-old John Lewis, a wealthy white veteran living in Blackstock, a Chester County town 40 miles north of Columbia. Two other black men were also put to death for the crime.
For more, click here...
From the Washington Post today:
Two great-uncles of syndicated radio host Tom Joyner, sent to the electric chair for the 1913 murder of a Confederate Army veteran, were unanimously pardoned Wednesday by South Carolina.
Officials believe the men are the first in the state to be posthumously pardoned in a capital murder case.
Black landowners Thomas and Meeks Griffin were executed 94 years ago after a jury convicted them of killing 73-year-old John Lewis, a wealthy white veteran living in Blackstock, a Chester County town 40 miles north of Columbia. Two other black men were also put to death for the crime.
For more, click here...
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