Echoes of My Nola Past

I previously did a post with all my Ancestors Surnames that I knew about up until this point.

I have some more information that I want to share.

Looks like my Robertson Line used two other Surnames: Robinson and Roberson.

I knew about the Roberson Surname because on the 1870 Census the Family was listed as Roberson, but by 1880 and beyond it was Robertson.

Now on the 1870 Census there was a Charity Roberson that was listed as a daughter and she was age 10. Never thought anything of it, just thought Mandy started having children a little early. By 1880 Charity had moved on and married Edmund Livingston. Charity and Edmund had seven children: Frank, Aurela, Emanuel, Mary, Ella, Hattie, and John.

Frank married Ida and had 6 children: Rosie, Artis, Isie, Frank, James E, and Cora E.

Ida passed away sometime between 1910 and 1920. Frank then married my Great Grandmother Amanda and had a son: Amos Livingston.

Not really sure what happened to Amos, just asked my Mom and she said “No one ever mentioned Amos”. Her Mom or Uncle Joe never mentioned him. What happened to Amos?

Frank Livingston passed away January 26, 1919. I checked his death record on Family Search.org. His father was listed as: Edmund Livingston and his mother was listed as: Charity Jackson.

Jackson, where did this Surname come from? If my Great Grandmother Amanda was the Informant for Frank, she would have known Frank’s Mom Surname since they grew up in the same household maybe.

Was Charity kin to Ben or Mandy or was she just someone that they took care of? Who knows I know I have to find this out since the Ancestors guided me here.

For the rest of the Family I found and obtained Death Certificates for:

Minerva Roberson Lewis: who was married to J D Lewis(Nickname was Babe). Babe was connected to the Longs. Minerva passed away March 08, 1940. Babe was the Informant for her death and her Mother and Father was listed as Amanda Roberson and Ben Roberson both from GA. Minerva and Babe had one son named Son and he was Mentally Challenged.

Reverend Cornealous Robinson: son of Ben and Mandy. Cornealous passed a way July 24, 1943 and his wife Angeline was his Informant.

Babe Roberson: daughter of Ben and Mandy. Babe passed away October 12, 1954. She was listed as a widow and no information on a husband or her parents was listed on her Death Certificate.

Amanda Bryan Roberson/Robertson: My Great Great Grandmother herself. Mandy passed away March 19, 1926. Was able to obtain her Death Certificate from the information obtained from Minerva’s Death Certificate. She was listed as Roberson not Robertson and that is  why I was unable to find a Death Record for her. She died from Influenza and she suffered from it for at least a month or so.

Looks like Babe was buried at New Zion Cemetery in Minden and no burial information for Mandy, but looks like she passed away in a Hospital somewhere in Minden(rural).

I am slowly but surely putting some puzzle pieces together, but each one leads somewhere else and where ever these pieces lead me to I’m going to put my Tree together one piece at a time!

Source cited: Louisiana Secretary of State, Family Search.org, Cousin Eddie McMurray(Sam Long’s Nephew), and Cousin Clarene Long(Sam Long’s Granddaughter)

I don’t remember my maternal Grandmother Odessa Amos(Big Momma to some but I like calling her NaNa). She passed away when I was 2 years old.

My Mom and Dad worked the evening shift and NaNa Odessa babysat for my brother and I a lot, especially since her and my Mom lived across the hall from each other in the Robert Taylor Homes in Chicago, IL.

I’m quite sure we spent many evenings in the kitchen talking, sharing recipes, and eating together.

I’m thinking thats where my like for cooking and baking came from. Mom said NaNa always made her cakes from scratch and would have a strong dislike for the instant cake mixes that they sell today.

See NaNa Odessa left Cotton Valley, LA with only a third grade education and knew that she wanted something better for her children. She made sure all of her children took advantage of any and all opportunities that were provided to them. Each one recieved a Degree and two recieving a Master Degree(my mom being one of them).

She never wanted my Mom to marry my Dad, but of course my Mom did, but by the time my Mom recieved her Degree NaNa Odessa was already gone. I know she was proud of my Mom nevertheless.

One of the hardest things NaNa Odessa had to do was bury a child.

My Uncle Augustus Banks Jr. passed away sometime around 1968. What strength she must have shown while inside dying from a broken heart. She knew she had to go on for the rest of her children and be strong for them.

I still have all the cards and well wishes that was sent to my NaNa. I can tell she was well liked and really cared about the Community. I have her Voters Registration Card from 1964 and I am quite sure she voted every chance she was given as soon as African Americans were given the opportunity to vote. Since I found her card, I decided to vote every chance I get and Volunteer more in my own Community.

One thing that I have learned from her is her STRENGTH. Coming from a Community in LA with no electricity and runnung water, to a Community where she worked as a maid and raised her children to recieve College Degrees.

I watched my Mom bury 2 of her 3 brothers and keep it together like no other. She never lost it in front of us and I can see NaNa Odessa doing the same.

After everything that my Family and I have been through within the last six months, one thing that we remained is Strong. A trait that was passed on from generation to generation. I can hear my NaNa Odessa Spirit saying to me “Its ok Lisa, everything is going to be alright”.

See thats what she named me. Never being able to pronounce Felicia correctly she told my Mom “I’m calling this baby Lisa”, and that is what my Family and close Friends call me to this day. She also noticed that the spelling on my Birth Record was incorrect. I have a slash through my middle name on my Birth Certificate and the real spelling is above that.

I can hear her now teasing my Mom “Beverly why you name this girl after the Whale on Moby Dick. My middle name is Rachelle, but on my birth record it was spelled as Rachel and thanks to my NaNa, Rachel was crossed out and my true name was added.

No matter if I can remember her or not, her Spirit is with me everyday. Everytime someone says my name or I have to show a copy of my Birth Certificate.

Some of the stories about her I found out after starting my Research, but I knew about my name change at such an early age and that is the story about my NaNa Odessa that I carry with me everyday and deep in my heart. I know she  is so proud that I was choosen to tell the Nola Story, wouldn’t be surprised at all if NaNa had a hand in it all like all Grandmothers do!!

I have been Researching my Louisiana Line for over a year now and have never posted the Surnames and the information that I have about each one.

So here goes:

Robertson: Ben Robertson born in GA about 1844. Married Mandy Bryan(t) around 1865 and had 11 children: Charity?, Henry, Georgia, Jennie?, Minerva, Thomas, Cornelius, Emma, Mary, Babe, Amanda, Martha, and Annie(Charity and Jennie are not for sure known children of Ben and Mandy, but show up on the census in the household in 1870), No known date of death for Ben.

Robinson: Not sure of the connection yet, but do know that some of the Robertson children used this Surname. (Rev Cornelius Robinson).

Bryan(t): Mandy Bryan(t) born in GA about 1850. Married Ben Robertson. No know siblings at this time. Mandy was found on 1920 census living with her son Cornelius and wife Angeline. No know date of death for Mandy.

Amos: James Manuel Amos born in Minden, Louisiana about 1870. Married my Great Grandmother Amanda Robertson about 1898 and had four children: James, Willie, Joseph, and Odessa(my Grandmother).

Bell: Martha Robertson married Robert B Bell February 8, 1900 and had 7 children: Alberta, David A, Dezeria, Jesse B, John B, Robert Jr., and Savannah.

Long: Emma Robertson married Sam Long sometime before 1910 and had 8 children: Martha, Cleveland, Paul, Albert, Carter, Coleman, Julia, and Central. Sam and Emma were members of Saint Peter Baptist Church and are buried there.

Banks: Odessa Amos(my grandmother) married Augustus Banks sometime around 1922 or 1923 and had 2 children: Earl Carey Banks(Carey is Augustus’s father first name) and Augustus Banks Jr. (My Uncles)

Randle: Martha Long married Garfield Randle sometime before 1930 and had 3 children: Margaret, Thomas, and Howard

Pyles: Savannah Bell married Charles Pyles sometime before 1930. No known children at this time.

Lewis: Minerva Robertson married J D Lewis(John) sometime before 1910 and had 2 children: Theleon(?) and Lizy.

Pierre: Georgia Robertson Robert Pierre about 1896 and had 1 known child: Evie E

Dennis: This Surname belongs to Sam Long half sisters and brothers: John, Louvella, Lannie, Jossie, and Nina Mae.

Harris: This Surname belongs to Sam Long half brother: Calvin Harris

Levingston: Charity Robertson(not sure if this was a child or sister of Ben Robertson) married Edmund Levingston about 1876 and had 6 children: Aurela, Emanuel, Mary, Ella, Hattie, and John. (Edmund is believed to have married my Great Grandmother Amanda Robertson sometime around 1917).

Hampton: Julia Long married Luther Hampton and had 1 known child: J C Hampton.

King: Central Long had 2 boys by someone with this Surname their names were: Ollie and Samuel.

James: James is the last nameof Annie Robertson 2 children: Mabel and Oliver James. They were found on the 1920 census living with Robert and Martha Bell.

If you know any of my family, please contact me and share. Thanks!!

Sources: Most of the information was found on Ancestry.com  and Clarene Long, Sam and Emma Long’s Granddaughter.

Mr Blakburn was one of NaNa’s Suitors! Tale has it, this was supposed to be my Grandfather!

When Bossier Parish split in 1871 and became Cotton Valley, LA this couple were some of the first settlers of that area.

Acorrding to to records, the couple came from Alabama and when the left the area they sold there land to Edmund W Hodges for $15,000.00.

(source:  The USGenWeb Project-Louisiana Archives Index of Webster Parish)

As I sit here this evening in my room, in my home and as healthy as I think I am. I wnat to thank the volunteers that gave there time and money for the Free Clinic that was held this weekend in New Orleans, LA.

Over a thousand volunteers, doctors, and nurses gave up their Saturday to help those in need of Healthcare. Without their efforts a women who came in with numbness, high blood pressure and a headache might not of  been able to see a doctor. A women diagnosised with stage 4 breastcancer decided not get any further treatment, but was glad that she was able to find out why she was not feeling well. A man with high blood pressure might of ended up having a heart attack or a stroke.

Whatever your political views are, there should not be anyone without Healthcare. Most of the patients that showed up were hard working individuals, that employers did not offer Healthcare and they could not afford Healthcare on their own. A nurse that works in a hospital was not there as a volunteer, but as a patient for high blood pressure. He worked two jobs, but did not work enough hours on either job to get Healthcare.

See thats the problem, most employers only offer Healthcare for those that are more than likely full-time employees, so instead of the paying fo Healthcare they only offer part-time hours and we need a job so we take what is offered. Or they offer the employee Healthcare, but you will have to pay for you family, husband, wife, and children. Prices so expensive that you can’t afford it and pay rent and buy food etc…

I ask to you, WHAT WILL YOU DO? I know what I’m going to do. Whatever it is I can’t just sit here anymore. Especially after watching a Free Health Clinic being held in the same Convention Center that housed so many after Hurricane Katrina.

Living in such a Rich Nation, and with so many kind a giving people, Why not HEALTHCARE for ALL?
(not one politician from the state showed up for this event)

During research of African American Ancestors, sometimes we come up against all kinds of brick walls, because our ancestors were property and were not enumerated until 1870.

One of my easiest lines to research after 1870 was the ROBERTSONS. Only because the family literally stayed in the same area in Webster Parish, LA. I was able to find to all the sisters, sisters children, sisters children-children, etc…(still no info on Henry or Thomas), but the other ROBERTSON boy Corneilus, stayed in the area and Mandy was living with him in 1910. She was living alone by 1920.

Makes for such easy research, but at some point we do have to go back further and it can be difficult at times(I will say 85% of the time).

I previously wrote a post on Edmund W HODGES as being a possible owner of my ancestors, boy was I so wrong. Although he was a neighbor to Ben and Mandy, thats all he was. Could not find anything further.

The real problem was that I was thinking that the HODGES owned Ben not Mandy. One day on one of my long trips home from work, I thought lets look at the research that way and see what happens. So my research began.

First I revisited my notes and emails between myself and LCAfricana. We both were able to see that the HODGES name was all over Bossier Parish as slave owners during the 1950s and 1960s (I believe this family were the biggest slaveowners and witnessed a lot of Bill of Sales) in the area.

I concentrated more on the 1860s since Mandy was born abt 1850(GA). There were 4 HODGES slaveowners in Bossier Parish in 1860:
John L HODGES owned 129 slaves
John C HODGES owned 9 slaves
E W HODGES owned 50 slaves
E W HODGES JR and his partner D P BECK together owned 15 slaves.

E W HODGES did not come to the area until 1858 (source: thunder88 public tree on Ancestry.com named Edmund Kennedy HODGES), so those two HODGES were eliminated from my list. That left John L and J C HODGES, which J C only owned 9 slaves and none of their ages matched with Mandy. That leaves JOHN LITTLE HODGES!

John L HODGES was born September 1, 1803 and died March 24, 1866 in Haughton, Bossier Parish, LA.
Father was: Edmund K HODGES: 1765-1843
Mother: Patience HODGES: 1763-1835
John L was brother of Mathew and Robert HODGES. Mathew was father to E W and grandfather to E W Jr., which were neighbors to the ROBERTSONS in 1870.

What really caught my attention was that John was married to a Mary Bryan Hamilton HODGES and Bryan was Mandy’s maiden name.

There were 3 Bryan slaveowners in 1860:
J N Bryan owned 55 slaves
J J Bryan owned 79 slaves
J D Bryan owned 23 slaves
They all were neighbors to John L HODGES in 1860.

I remembered seeing some notes that I had written up on the HODGES from NO LAND…, ONLY SLAVES!! (by: Edith Smith & Vivan Lehman), they were as follows:

Book 4 page 455 18 Dec 1858/21 Dec 1858 nr Hodges, Edmund W to Hodges, John L abt 9 or 10 slaves, $6,900.00 witnessed by Hodges, John L Jr., and Hodges, John C, and Hodges Nat

Book 2 page 255 nr 25 Apr 1851/5 Dec 1851 Bryan, Joseph D to Hodges, Robert and Hodges John. Bill of Sale for 45 slaves, $23,000.00 one named ELIZA(Mandy was listed on 1870 census with this name).

There you have it, I believe JOHN LITTLE HODGES was my true ancestor owner of Mandy not Ben. Oh Yeah!, John was also neighbors in 1860 to: Lewis Monzingo and John F Applewhite. These names will only make since to LCAfricana. Thanks so much Toni. I really appreciate all of your time and support and truly letting me figure this out on my own. I DID IT!! Will be sending the book and my notes soon.

There also was an M C ROBERTSON that was a slaveowner in Bossier Parish, LA in 1860(New research project).

Now that I have all this information: WHATS NEXT?
Felicia

As I read the Blogs from yesterday, Oh, how I was so inspired!!

When I read this poem this morning from Maya Angelou, it reminded me that if we can have a conversation with our ancestors about our research, especially those of us that come up against brick walls or have Bloggers Block, or just feel like we have nothing to say. This is what our ANCESTORS would say to us:

“Still I Rise”

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

Whenever we feel like we have come up against something in our research or our everyday lives, know that our(their) stories will be told, because Still We Rise!! Our Ancestor’s SPIRIT lives in us, and it is our duty to tell their story!
Felicia
 
(Source: Poem Written by: Maya Angelou, not sure what year, but just love the words)

I have been researching my ROBERTSON line for some time now, and when I read this story I thought “This could be one of my ancestors.” I found the story interesting and I hope you do too!!

On October 1, 1871, Nancy ROBERTSON a freed slave, was found dead at her home in South Bossier Point. Mysteriously, the house was locked from the inside. Neighbors could see her lying dead on the bed through a window and called for the parish coroner.

Earlier another freed slave had collapsed while plowing a field, from what white doctors diagnoised as fluid on the brain brought on by the heat of the summer. But fellow freedman were not convinced by the doctors diagnoses and remembered that the summer before this, Nancy had fell out with the man and had made vague threats against his life. The freedmen decided that Nancy had bewitched the man with a curse. The man lingered for a few days and died.

The local coloreds quickly arrested Nancy ROBERTSON and sent for Charles Steele, a freedman and a celebrated witch doctor to have her tested for being a witch.

Charles Steele had gained fame earlier for invoking a “miracle cure” upon another colored women. This women had been sick for months with chronic chills and fell into a general state of poor health. Charles informed her she was bewitched, and that he could cure her. He prepared a nauseous dose that caused her to vomit freely. Afterwards, he held up the vessel in which she had purged and showed her several lizards, toads, crickets, and such therein. He told her that they had caused her sickness, pronounced her cured and she did indeed become well.

While on their way to get the infamous witch doctor they came across a fellow white neighbor who warned them that they may face consequences for taking the law into their own hands. The white neighbor told the freedmen to have a post mortem examination to see if the man was poisoned. When physicians examined the man, they announced that poison had nothing to do with the death (they believed it had been caused by fluid on the brain.)

Apparently the freedmen were not happy with this explanation and still presumed the death to have been caused by Nancy ROBERTSON and her “bewitching.”

When the coroner, with his jury and physician arrived, the mystery of the locked house murder was solved. They broke into the house and quickly deduced that the woman had been shot through a crack in the wall with a shotgun. Indeed several of her neighbors had heard that shot, but had failed to investigate. Three of the pellets penetrated her heart and killed her instantly. An arrest warrant was soon issued for Anthony Williams for the murder of Nancy ROBERTSON.

Although Nancy was murdered, I can not dismiss the fact that she was suspected as being a witch and her last name is ROBERTSON. My research on this family is not complete, but I feel like she is apart of my family and in some way in me. How may times have we just wanted to say to people “Drop Dead” in this case Nancy would say it and it would happen.

It kind of makes since to me since my mom said someone had put a root on my great grandmother Amanda for messing around with married men or a married man, not sure which one. I know someone has the true story and would love to meet the ancestors of the person that put the root on Amanda, and ask why?

I know there are some that don’t believe and are skeptical, but it is always the unknown that gets the most none believers. Thats why we research, to make the unknown known.
Felicia

(Disclosure: The article is from Bossier Parish History The first 150 years 1843-1993 by Clifton D. Cardin pg. 204-Witch Found Dead in a Locked House. Sources; Buried Treasure; Atlanta Times, (Georgia) February 13, 1872, Sunday Edition, Ray B Fults and Witch; Bossier Banner, October 7, 1871.)