Strawberries, Cotton & Sugarcane

On this Veterans Day I reflect on the contributions my ancestors have made to this Nation. The earliest recording of an ancestor's military contribution dates back to the Civil War. Albert Abram Nelson , my Great-Grandfather, born in 1895, fought in World War I. Oral history has estimated his age of enlistment to be as young as 17 years old. For young Albert this journey, from Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana to Europe, likely had a huge impact on the course his life would take. Upon returning from the war he was educated at Leland College and served the Parish as a Minister. He was very instrumental in the establishment of New Roads High School, the first school for African Americans in the Parish. This contribution has impacted Pointe Coupee Parish for many generations. Of the sons of Albert and Mariah Nelson only one, Joel Nelson followed in his father's military footstep and is now a Minister in Virginia. Melbourne G. Dillon , my paternal grandfather and his brothers Henry A...

Nick John Williams was born August 25, 1881 or 1882 in Pike County, Mississippi. His parents were Willie Williams , a brick moulder, and Margaret Taylor Williams . Nick married Luberta Fluker of daughter of Joseph and Emily Kemp Fluker of Greensburg,La. Children of Nick and Luberta: Willie Williams b.1902 Ruth Williams b.1904 Ethel Williams b.1906 Nick's last known mailing address was Box 247, Kentwood, Louisiana. According to a 1942 draft registration, Nick was employed by Columbia Cafe, an establishment owned and operated by the Miaoulis Family who were Greek immigrants to Kentwood. Nick, Luberta, Ethel and Melbourne are all buried at Hope Cemetery in Kentwood, LA. Nick and Luberta Williams were the parents of my great grandmother Ethel Williams Dillon whose untimely death was due to complications during the birth of her only child, my grandfather, Melbourne Gerard Dillon (pictured below). Her headstone proudly displays "wife of H. A Dillon". Grandpa Nick and G...

The Montgomery Family of St. Helena Stafford Montgomery was born May 1824 in Liberty, MS. He married Melissa Cryer of Greensburg, LA . Melissa was the daughter of Dawson Cryer and Easter Morris. Melissa is buried at Turner Chapel Cemetery,Greensburg. Stafford and Melissa are my 3rd great grandparents. Below is the Obituary of Melissa Cryer Montgomery published in a local newspaper in 1923: MELISSA CRYER Montgomery Old Aunt Melissa Montgomery died at her home near this town last Monday at the age of 104 years, according to the best information obtainable. She was an old-time darkey, indeed, and of that tribe whose ranks are so near depleted that but few are left, but they will live in song and story as long as the worlds stands. She had a number of children before the Civil War, many of whom long since died of old age, and some children at the funeral Tuesday had long ago passed their three score and ten years, all honorable and well esteemed by both races, not ...