Our research usually finds our family
members in isolation. In a census record we might find relatives in neighboring
homes. A birth or marriage record might show more than one generation. When I
came across this newspaper article it did not stand out because of the meeting
it described but because many of those who attended come from various branches
of my family tree. Fathers and sons, and brothers who were interested in
agriculture came together. Men from various branches of my tree, men whose
lives I have traced came together. They sat together, shared their thoughts and
perhaps sipped coffee. It is not surprising that they spent time together. They
were neighbors. They intermarried. They had much in common. And now I have
evidence that they did get together.
“A meeting of many citizens was held
at the residence of Dr. J. J. Alford…22 July 1868 for people interested in
pomology [the science of growing fruit] and horticulture.” People from
Washington parish, LA and neighboring counties in MS were welcome to join the
meeting. They planned to meet monthly to discuss pomology and horticulture.
A list of
attendees was included and several are members of our family tree. Several
others are most likely family members but I cannot definitely connect them at
this time.
Note: I have
added family information after the names of attendees. This was not included in
the newspaper.
Dr.
J. J. Alford 1830-1914; son of
Edwin Barksdale Alford
Ira.
P. Alford 1822-1901; son of
Edwin Barksdale Alford
Edwin
Alford 1792-1901; son of Jacob; m Martha Smith, d/o Wyatt
B.
F. Ellzey 1827-1904;
Benjamin Franklin Ellzey; son of John
J.
S. Ellzey 1829-1874;
John Ellzey; s/o John; m. Saryntha Smith, d/o Wyatt
G.
C. Fortenberry 1805-1884; Gasua
Chapman Fortenberry; son of William J.
W.
F. Fortenberry 1840-1906; William
Franklin Fortenberry; son of Gasua
Wyatt
Smith 1809-1844; son of
Jeremiah; m. Euseba Fortenberry, d/o Gasua
T.
J. Tynes 1823-1900; Tyra
Jennings Tynes; m Harriet Alford, dau. of Edwin B.
[Edwin
Barksdale Alford & Wyatt Smith are two of my 3rd great
grandfathers.]
A second
newspaper article, written the following year is evidence that the group
continued to meet. “We are glad to see our native farmers and planters are
striving to change the old ways for new, where it is found that the old ways
wear out the land, or are circuitous or slow, and that the new improve the land
and bring the cultivator with rapidity to abundant enjoyment of its fruits.” The
second article mentions Dr. J. J. Alford but does not list all the members of
the group.
- Agricultural Meeting, Osyka. (New Orleans, LA: New Orleans Times, 8 August 1868) 3; digital image, Genealogy Bank: accessed September 2017.
- Agricultural Progress. (New Orleans, LA: New Orleans Times, 5 December 1869) 2; digital image, Genealogy Bank: accessed September 2017.
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