Descendants of Oliver and Amelia (Wells) Henderson
One Big Family
Oliver and Amelia Henderson had six children: Hilliard, Mary Charlotte, Merinda, Rose, Catherine "Kate", and Oliver James Henderson. Today, they have over five hundred descendants. While their beginnings started have started in the Audubon country community of Laurel Hill, today you can find their descendants as far as China and Hawaii.
Mary Charlotte married Edmund Wright and had two daughters: Amelia Wright Hull and Anna Wright Morris.
Rose married Benjamin Woods and Levy Brown, and between two marriages, she had four children: Lucille and Anderson Woods; Jessie and Adam Brown.
Catherine "Kate" married John Henry Haley and had sixteen children: Thomas Snowden, John Henry, Mary, Hilliard, Rosalie, Howard, Lucille, Edward, Amelia, Pearl, Oliver, Arthur, Willie, Beatrice, Max, and Susie Haley.
Only the daughters of Oliver and Amelia Henderson produced children.
The Life and Legacy of Oliver Henderson
Laurel Hill Plantation Gardens
Laurel Hill Plantation Gardens
Laurel Hill Plantation Gardens
The award-winning plantation gardens originally started by the Haile family were maintained by Papa Oliver with the help of other enslaved people of Laurel Hill. It is believed that through his study of plants that Papa Oliver had a mature knowledge of medicinal uses for herbs.
The Laurel Hill School
Laurel Hill Plantation Gardens
Laurel Hill Plantation Gardens
Constructed by Papa Oliver, himself, with John S. Dawson, The Laurel Hill School went through the seventh grade. It served as the only school for African American students in Laurel Hill community. According to the autobiography of educator John S. Dawson, it was large enough to require an assistant teacher, Corrine Lee—who later became
Constructed by Papa Oliver, himself, with John S. Dawson, The Laurel Hill School went through the seventh grade. It served as the only school for African American students in Laurel Hill community. According to the autobiography of educator John S. Dawson, it was large enough to require an assistant teacher, Corrine Lee—who later became his wife. Until the construction of the J. S. McGehee Lodge #54 on U.S. Highway 61 in 1955, the building was also a meeting place for local Masons. The school is located on Old Laurel Hill Road, approximately 500 yards past Rosemound Baptist Church, on the same side of the street.
McGehee Ties
Laurel Hill Plantation Gardens
McGehee Ties
Henderson was closely affiliated with the family of Judge Edward McGehee, a wealthy planter and politician. Oliver's earliest memory was that of his getting off the West Feliciana Railroad in Laurel Hill, which was originally owned by Judge McGehee. Papa Oliver later became a servant of Judge McGehee's son and grandson, John B. "J. B." a
Henderson was closely affiliated with the family of Judge Edward McGehee, a wealthy planter and politician. Oliver's earliest memory was that of his getting off the West Feliciana Railroad in Laurel Hill, which was originally owned by Judge McGehee. Papa Oliver later became a servant of Judge McGehee's son and grandson, John B. "J. B." and James Stewart "J. S." McGehee, for seventy years. It is believed that the McGehee family managed a portion of the Haile Property, then known as Woodlawn Farm, and later died in the former home of Sarah Henderson Haile and William Haile, on December 30, 1940.