The Life of Bettina Pearson Higdon Burns - Ch 2

Melinda Adelaide Dunston, born Jan 18, 1839, Jackson Co., GA

Married Jeremiah Pearson, Feb. 11, 1857, Tallapoosa Co., AL

Married. William J Ponder, Feb 6, 1868, Chambers Co., AL

and again on Sept 14, 1925, Tallapoosa Co., AL

 

 

By Bettina P. H. Burns

When I was four (1924), Melinda Adelaide Dunston Pearson Ponder, Grandma Lindy, came on the Atlanta, Birmingham and Coast (ABC) train to see Grandpa John Thomas Pearson in Bessemer, AL. This was a BIG event! Her second husband, William J Ponder, had died and she came from Wadley in Randolph County, AL, to see her oldest son. When Uncle William died, Grandpa cried. He was asked why, since everyone knew he was not fond of his stepfather. Now my mamma can come see me, was his reply, I have been told.

During the War Between the States (Mother said no war was civil), Jeremiah Pearson had to leave his wife Melinda, son John Thomas and daughter Elizabeth (with baby Jeremiah Walker on the way) on their farm. He and others had to fight and he was killed in the battle air Iuka, MS, and buried in a mass grave there. I have visited that memorial cemetery.

 

I remember Grandma Lindy and the porch full of Pearsons gathered at 1524 Second Avenue North, Bessemer. This was the house where I was born in 1920, but Arthur Richmond, wife Mildred Celeste nee Bradley and I (Bettina Blanche Pearson) lived at 430 Bryant Street, Jonesboro, about four miles away.

 

Imagine Melinda; John Thomas Pearson, wife Nannie Belle nee Myhand with children: John Will, wife Eucala nee Kitchens, sons Junior and Richmond Pearson who lived next door; Otis with wife Birdie nee Horton, daughter Mary Eleanor Pearson; Bessie and husband Cliff Williams; Arthur, Mildred and Bettina Pearson; Bobbie Lee and Bettie Mae nee Stevens Pearson. It WAS a BIG front porch. (See Picture) Oldest son Jeremiah Adolphus and wife Lilly May nee Donahoo Pearson, children Mary and Gustavus Adolphus lived in Birmingham, and Walter Gustavus, wife Mollie nee Dickey with daughter Gloria Pearson lived in Anniston, AL, so I presume they were not there.

 

Aunt Bessie told me of taking Grandma Lindy to see her first picture show about four blocks away from 1524. After they had seen it through almost twice, she whispered, Grandma, we better get back home for supper. Grandma replied, Yes, name of God! It ain’t never going to break-up!

While she was visiting, Grandma Lindy was taken shopping. After they got back home and she put on her black taffeta dress to show Grandpa, she said, John Thomas, behold your mother! I guess they all laughed.

 

Daddy Pearson’s Candy Kitchen was connected to 1524 Second Ave North after Aunt Bessie learned how to make WONDERFUL candy by going to professional candy cooking classes in Birmingham. Bessemer was only 12 miles from Birmingham, but the streetcar took one hour to go and one hour to return. It cost 21 cents each way. Bud, the black cook at the school, agreed to move into a small building behind Grandpa’s and he and Aunt Bessie made candy. Heavenly Hash was heavenly with cherries, marshmallows, nuts and lots of chocolate. They also made candy mints, walking sticks and stick candy baskets, caramel biscuits with peanuts, etc. The candy kitchen provided funds during the depression. Grandpa, Aunt Bessie and I would deliver candy to small grocery stores in the surrounding communities in his Model A Ford truck. They also had a concession stand at the ballgames. All you needed was a nickel for a real candy treat.

The picture was made of Frances (Ward) Drysdale (matron of honor at both my weddings) and me long after the time my cousin Elizabeth Nan (Pearson) Norton (Uncle Otis second daughter) and I were young.

 

 

Published U.S. Legacies November 2005