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 Georgia legislature passed a law forbidding the teaching of slaves to read and write. This was blamed on the Abolition movement distributing pamphlets urging the end to slavery and it was feared that literate slaves would read them and circulate the information.
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
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 baptized.
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 baptized.
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 William 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.
