Update on Bates Ancestry Book

Yvonne Perry and her cousin, Jenny B. Meadows-Sauls, have been working for more than a year on a book about their family's history. This genealogy project will include 200 photos and many stories from descendants of a line dating back to the early 1800s. If you are of the lineage of South Carolina-born Charlton Bates (b. 1812) and Nancy O'Kelly (b. 1813) who migrated to Cherokee County of North Georgia, you may be interested in reading the book that is due to be published in about two weeks.

Oh, Come, Angel Band will be available on Amazon.com in 8x10-inch paperback.

Twins, Doris and Dorothy Jackson

Twins, Doris and Dorothy Jackson, were born to Fred and Martha Bates Jackson in 1939. Here is a photograph of them in their little red wagon about a year or two old.  It looks as though one of them is trying to push the other out or saying "move over!" They were born at the Old Sweatman Farm which is where this photograph was taken.

J.B. Bates with Indian Relative

J.B. Bates on the right speaking with an Indian relative on the left. This picture was found in our Grandma Lillie's old pictures. Picture appears to be from the 1920's or 1930's since Jay was born 1913.

Sunlight Baptist Church in 1949

Sunlight Baptist Church located on Highway 92 was established in 1949. The hill was shortened and some of the land was taken in front of the church due to the road expansion in the sixties. The church was remodeled and now has a baptizing pool inside the church and a fellowship house. The property was given to the church by Charlie Stells. The first service was in his chicken house. 

Photographed above are members of the early fifties by the old well.  From left to right, Buddy with his father Dewey Stephens, the husband of  Lois Turner Stephens, and Hugh Lee Lamanac, the husband of Sarah Bates Lamanac.