[Taken from the 134th family reunion program]
[As told by Donnie Hambrick Gilstrap, daughter of Dollie Barnes and William Hambrick]
We are the branches of a magnificent family tree whose trunk and roots are our Barnes ancestors; we will always remember the sticks.
In 1865, after the Civil War had ended the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified making slavery illegal in any part of the United States of America. The history of the Barnes, Hambrick, Holt and Jinks family, after the freeing of the slaves, was told to me, Donnie Hambrick Gilstrap, by Mariah Jinks Barnes. The roots of this family started from the Barnes. Some of our ancestors were slaves. The Barnes family was well known and respected by whites, as well as their Black neighbors. They were ambitious, hard workers, who attended to their own business and didn’t cause trouble, so they prospered. They worshipped God wherever they could, indoors and out. Their first place of worship was provided by Mr. John Bentley, a white man. It was shed-like shelter, a gin house, where cotton had been stored. Later, when Mr. Bentley saw they were sincere about having a place to worship, he gave them the gin mill, the land, and all the materials necessary to build a real church. It has been said that Mr. Bentley worked along with the builders. Since the church was built on high ground, and to honor Mr. Bentley, it was named Bentley Hill Church. The original congregation consisted mostly of the Barnes family. Later another family by the name of Gleaton joined the church and it continued to grow.
Now, let us go back to the beginning. In our generation, we only know a few names from the early generations. There was Gilbert Barnes, Warren Barnes, John Barnes, Seymore Barnes, Jim Barnes, and Henry Barnes I. All these were the first generation. I can’t remember all the names I’ve heard. As it was a common family custom, in the second generation, all these male names were duplicated, including Henry … who was Henry Barnes II. Now we start from Henry Barnes III, who was our great grandfather. I am unable to recall his wife’s name. In this generation, Henry Barnes IV was born. He and his wife, Nicie, had eight children – 4 boys and 4 girls: Sons: Henry V (12 children): Solomon Barnes (1 child), Jim Barnes (4 children), and Toby Barnes; Daughters: Mariah Barnes Jinks (m. Lafayette Jinks, 7 children), Minnie Barnes Holt (m. William Holt, 9 children), Roddie Barnes; and Dollie Barnes Hambrick (m. William Hambrick, 10 children)
So, we are the children of the fifth generation, their children, their children’s children, and on into the unending ages.
The first reunion of the Barnes Family in Cleveland, Ohio took place when Uncle Henry Barnes (V) and Aunt Martha spoke to her brother William Hambrick, saying that the family custom should continue with the families in Cleveland, and they would know it as the same family reunion that was held each second Sunday in August at Bentley Hill Church in Stockbridge, Georgia. Mr. Hambrick agreed, so the families came together and the Barnes, Hambrick and Holt reunion was first held August 1925 in Twinsburg, Ohio on the farm of Henry and Martha Barnes.
Throughout the years, the reunions in Cleveland were with the Barnes, Hambrick, and Holt families. It is of utmost importance that we remember to recognize the fact that there was another branch of the Barnes family that started through Mariah Barnes Jinks and that there are many Jinks. Remember, regardless of all the family names, or where the reunion was organized, the fact remains, the roots of this reunion are from the Barnes Family Tree.
In visiting Bentley Hill Church today, we have seen many changes and improvements. We have also seen the graveyard where many of our ancestors are buried. Many memories have been brought alive. Many families have been reunited. Many new friendships have been started. We must not let these memories, landmarks, and family ties be forgotten. Although the tree has grown larger and its branches spread ever wider, we must still remain, “One family, united by blood, rooted in Christ and alive with love!.”
