Banks county was formed in 1858-1859 from parts of several
counties. Hebron Presbyterian and
New Lebanon Presbyterian churches were formed in the late 1700's and early
1800's.
New Lebanon was renamed Homer Presbyterian in 1866 and many
of the names below are on microfilm at the Historical Foundation, Presbyterian
and Reformed Church, Montreat, N. C..
Hebron Presbyterian Church
The first Sunday School in North Georgia was begun in 1819
at Hebron by Rev. John Harrison. One of the objects of the school was to teach
the negroes to read the bible. The
slaves attended "slave classes" where the whites instructed the
slaves in the Shorter Catechism and the Bible, learning to read and write.
The Ga. legislature passed a law forbidding the teaching of slaves
to read and write. This was blamed on the Abolition movement.
Church records show the following colored members of Hebron
Church:
Thomas Alexander
Hannah Baker
Louisa Baker
William Baker
Elizabeth Hunter
Emma Hunter
Frances Hunter
Terrissa Hunter
Hudson Mackie (McKie)
Joicy Mackie
Letha Mackie
Nancy Mackie
Pompey Mayes
Lorena McEntire
Sarah McEntire
New Lebanon Presbyterian Church, now known as Homer Presbyterian
Minutes of Session, June 7, 1827
26 charter members including two slaves; Mrs. Mayes' Pompey
and William Turk's Nelly
August 26, 1860-three colored persons (Sarah and Clark
belonging to Col. William Turk; and Berry, belonging to Samuel Johnston) received
on profession of faith, along with some white folks. All were baptised.
September, 1860, Marthy, colored woman belonging to Samuel
Johnston was examined by Session and "received into communion of the
church by making a publick confession and was baptised." Her four children was also baptised.
SLAVES IN FULL COMMUNION, New Lebanon Presbyterian, Homer,
Ga..
June 7, 1827
*Nelly, owner William Turk (* Charter members)
*Pompey, owner Mrs. Mayes
September 18, 1828
Savannah, owner William Turk
Jimmy, owner Thomas Bush, Esq.
September 25, 1830
Ben, owner Wiliam Turk
July 31, 1831
Matty, owner William Turk
October 7, 1832
George, owner William Turk
Allen, owner William Turk
October 12, 1833
Martin, owner William Turk
Joseph, owner David Adrian
October 14, 1833
Patience, owner A. Yancey
Nov. 10, 1839
Tabby, owner Mrs. Mayes
Sept. 8, 1844
Mary, William Turk
Aug. 18, 1845
Tildy, owner not stated
Mar. 27, 1853
Amanda, owner William Turk
Feb. 7, 1857
Matty, owner Col Wm. Turk-Matty was received by letter from
Marietta Presbyterian church of Cobb County, Ga.
August 23, 11858
Neal, owner William
Turk
Copyright 2004 by Jacqueline King