The Nelsons of Pointe Coupee

What can I say about the Nelson Family that hasn't already been said? How do we continue such a rich legacy of God, Family and Service?  One of my favorite qoutes of our patriach, Albert Abram Nelson, sums it all up. "Keep your hand on the plow and keep your eye on the lightpost in heaven".

Albert Nelson

Albert Abram Nelson was born July 23, 1895 in Brooks, Louisiana. I'm sure it was hot that day. His parents, August and Josephine, likely worked the field in the sweltering Louisiana heat. August Nelson, a lifeling resident of Pointe Coupee Parish, was born in the 1860's to William and Mary Nelson. Josephine St. Louis Nelson was born in the 1870's to Oscar St. Louis and Marie Rose Paul.  Albert had 7 siblings, Lula "Eliska"(a common creole name), George, Alexander , August "Bonchamp", Rose, Viola and Vernita. Albert served in WWI and was drafted at a young age, family lore says it was around age 14, but historical accounts would make him closer to 22. The picture below shows Albert in Europe during the war. Prior to the war, he was a farm hand on Morrison Plantation. When Albert returned from active duty  he immersed himself in knowledge and embraced a call to ministry. He attended Leland College in Baker, Louisiana.  My grandmother cherishes his writings and books and holds them dear to her heart. She said, " he was a scholar"  and his library proves it. Albert was not only a Pastor, but a community leader that made significant strides to help establish the first black high school in the Parish, New Roads High. 

Rev. Albert Abram Nelson, right
Son of August and Josephine Nelson
WWI Veteran
Graduate of Leland College
Scholar and Pioneer in Education
Major contributor to the establishment of New Roads High School

He married the lovely Mariah Pierson, daughter of Elenora Jones and Edward Pierson. He and Mariah provided a nurturing home for Albert Jr."Mannah", Edward, Rosemary, James, Charles, Joel and Boydia. James passed at the age of 1 and during the fall of 1944, Mariah gave birth to another daughter, Dorothy, who passed on Nov. 17, 1944. The fall of 1944 proved to be a difficult time of transition for the family.   A few weeks after losing their daughter, Albert died suddenly on Dec. 1, 1944, at the age of 49, after walking to serve communion to parishioners.

Mariah Pierson Nelson

Mariah was such a beautiful woman, inside and out. She was the daughter of Elenora "Nora" Jones Albert and Edward Pierson. Nora was the daughter of Mariah Irvine and Joseph  Albert. Nora had 6 siblings, Lena, Emma, Eli, Julua, Annette, and Martha.  One memorable story about Nora that my grandmother always recalls is when she and her cousin Elsie would go to the "island" to help her with household duties. She said they would have to cross False River in a row boat and each time it would "scare me to death", she said. Not much is known about Nora, who died in August of 1943 in Ventress, LA.

Mariah cherished her role as a dutiful wife and mother.  She nurtured her children with a pleasant demeanor.  She was a quiet, soft spoken woman and loved to sing. Mariah, the only child of Nora, passed in 1955. 

Mariah Pierson Nelson
Wife of Albert Nelson
Daughter of Elnora Jones and Edward Pierson

Mariah Nelson and children
Boydia, Joel, Roenia and Charles

The Children of Albert and Mariah

Edward C. Nelson

Edward, the oldest son of Albert and Mariah, was born September 15, 1924 in New Roads, LA. He received his primary education in Pointe Coupee Parish. Because of the lack of secondary education in the parish for blacks, he was sent to Plaquemine and resided with Albert's brother, August Jr. and wife Ida, while attending Iberville High School. After completing high school in 1943, young Edward attended Alabama State University  and received a Bachelor's degree. While attending Alabama State  he met the lovely Elaine Ray. The two married in 1950 and settled in New Roads, LA. The couple gave birth to Brenda, Baronne and Edwin( who died at birth). Edward went onto  earn a Master's degree from Southern University in 1959. He served as Assistant Principal of New Roads High 1953-1959, Principal of Labarre Elementary 1959-1963, and Principal of Rosenwald High School 1963-1982.   Edward's dicipline and  tremendous contribution to Pointe Coupee Parish in the field of education has yielded generations of successful men and women.

Mr. E.C. Nelson
Son of Rev. Albert Abram Nelson and Mariah Pierson Nelson
Graduate of Alabama State University and Southern University
 Former Principal of Rosenwald High School

Rosemary Nelson Johnson
Daughter of Albert and Mariah Nelson
Graduate of Southern University
Retired Educator

Charles Lee Nelson

Roenia Nelson Grimes, RD
Daughter of Albert and Mariah Nelson
Graduate of Southern University and University of Hawaii

Dr.Joel Nelson
Son of Albert and Mariah Nelson

  

Boydia James Nelson
Youngest son of Albert and Mariah Nelson

The Nelson Family 2012