In the Mid 1800’s two miracles of birth occurred, Aggie Adams and Robert McConnell were born. They grew up, married, and became the parents of 13 siblings – 8 boys and 5 girls – with 2 sets of fraternal twins (Acy, David, Enoch, Henry, Ida, Lola, Lula, Mack, Mansfield, Nancy, Nora, Robert, and Willie).
Throughout the years they acquired 400 acres of land. During the 1970’s, the Third Generation of Robert and Aggie thought it befitting to establish a legacy in honor of their grandparents. Thus the Robert and Aggie Memorial Park came into existence. Forty acres of the acquired property enclosed by a metal fence has been set aside for this purpose.
Some amenities that have been added to the park include a fish pond stocked with bream, catfish, and crappie, a covered deck with a comfortable seating capacity of 50 people, 2 restrooms facilities, a storage room, and a covered shelter.
A memorial building with the concept of adding a gymnasium and full service kitchen was begun but currently is at a standstill for completion due to certain misfortunes and hardships. There is still a strong burning desire for the completion of the facilities that lingers in the hearts and minds of us who remain alive and well.
Donte Andrew Annie Non-profit
Earlier this year I founded the DonteAndrewAnnie Non-profit Organization. The main goal and objective I had in mind was to continue adding to the Robert and Aggie McConnell family legacy by contributing financially through corporate contributions, private and individual donations and gifts, sponsorships, and/or grants to name a few. It is very important to me from a personal standpoint to see the continuation and completion of the Robert and Aggie Memorial Park because I have a deep passion for seeing families remain close and pass their family history and stories down through the generations to follow.
I was named after my grandfather Acy McConnell. My mother, Dr. Annie McConnell-Brown before developing dementia, worked tirelessly and faithfully towards contributing physically and financially towards the development and maintenance of the park alongside several other members of the McConnell family from her generation. Now the combination of her age and mental condition no longer affords her the opportunity to operate in this manner. I feel it is part of my obligation to her, as well as the family legacy, to continue to carry out this effort and contribute towards getting the Robert and Aggie Memorial Park’s basic infrastructure completed, fully operational and self sustainable.
One of the key traditions of the McConnell Family since 1976 when the time comes every 2 years for the family reunion to be held in the state of Louisiana, the reunion is to be held at the Robert and Aggie Memorial Park site because the second generation instilled in the third generation the idea of ensuring that all generations to come would be able to set foot on historic ground and know the actual site from which their family originated before their parents and grandparents began migrating off to live in other parts of the world and would experience the rich history of the McConnell family.
When it comes to family values and building a true family legacy, for me it is about establishing hope for the future. It is about the character and values that can be carried forth by future generations. It is important to me that other African American families value their rich heritage and be proud to come from a strong lineage and be willing to establish legacies they can leave behind for future generations to follow and pass on to their children and grandchildren.
I am not seeking credit nor any vain attention by bringing this important matter to light. I simply want to do my part while I still live to help make the dream my great grandparents, grandparents, mother, and other third generation McConnell family members had of creating a family legacy — the overall development and completion of the Robert and Aggie Memorial Park located here in Chatham, Louisiana.
