Minnie Kennedy remembers her grandfather, Moses Jenkins, who was the first pastor of Friendfield Church. His home, pictured here, is directly across the street from the church.
Like many African-American pastors, Moses Jenkins was a community leader, well-respected by the black residents of Hobcaw Barony and by the Baruchs.
Reverend Jenkins was married twice. He and his first wife, Sue, had seven children, all of whom are listed in the U.S. Census of 1900. At that time, he was 35, Sue was 34, and their children ranged in age from five months to fifteen years.
Literacy levels in the family varied. Although Reverend Jenkins could read and write, Sue could not, and neither could Daisy, Minnie Kennedy's mother.
By the time of the census of 1910, Sue had died and Moses Jenkins was married to Hannah, Laura Carr’s daughter, and living with her, two stepsons and three more children. Five of Jenkins’ children from his first marriage lived in the house next door.
In 1930, Moses Jenkins still lived in this house, slightly enlarged, with two of his sons, his sister Georgie, and her four grandchildren.
Bernard Baruch took a somewhat paternalistic interest in the spiritual life of the African Americans who lived at Hobcaw. He often attended services at Friendfield Church and invited his white visitors to join him.
Primitive as they were, these services were things of true beauty. The various parts of the service fitted together harmoniously in a way that made the whole sort of a sacred chant.
Bernard M. Baruch, Baruch, My Own Story
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