Barnes Lodge AKA Big Mama'a House
Updated April 7, 2011.
January 20, 2012. JOHN BARNES Board of Education
March 20, 2011. Comment - Jayne Fentress: Frances Fentress Barnes who ran Barnes Hunting Lodge with her husband John Elliot Barnes was known as "Big Mama". This was their house. It is located at the south end. John Barnes, their son still runs the hunting lodge today. This is an older picture of the house - 1920's. They have since done some remodeling to the house so it looks a bit different.
Comment - Janet Williams Rose: She was called 'Big Mama' by some of her grandchildren. My brother, Richard Williams always called her that. Not sure how the name originated. I called her Nannie as did many of the other granchildren.
Comment - Judy Fentress Jarman: Aunt Frances and my Dad, "Bill
Fentress" were brother/sister. We did not use the name "Big Mama" but I
think that some of her children/grandchildren called her that. Sue and
I always called her "Aunt Frances".
She was a lot of fun and a
wonderful cook. That is putting it mildly!! I'm sure her
hunters/fishermen loved coming down to K.I. to spend time at her
"lodge", even if the "hunting" was not very good. They always knew the
food/meals that my Aunt Frances prepared were the very best that you
could find anywhere!! It was a lot of hard work during hunting season,
for those who ran the lodge, but they all seem to enjoy it. Aunt
Frances had other family members that helped her out during this busy
time.
Not only did my Aunt Frances run the hunting/fishing lodge, but
she also helped to pick peaches during the summer at my Dad's peach
orchard. (Bill Fentress). That was really hard work, especially during
the hot summer, but I think that she really enjoyed it, and it also
gave the "peach pickers" time to discuss the latest K.I. news that was
going on. It was always quite a bit of news that went on in our small
Knotts Island community, so I don't think they ran out of things to
talk about as they were filling up their peach baskets!
My job in the
peach picking business was to stay in the house, and monitor the phone
calls of folks ordering peaches. I also had to babysit my younger
brother. That was no easy job either, but I was paid for my babysitting
skills so I didn't complain too much. There was one occasion that he
was misbehaving, and I just gave him a pop right on his cheek, only to
realize in a couple of minutes that my handprint was still on the side
of his cheek!! I'm sure that I quickly went into a panic mode, but I
can't recall what the outcome was concerning my parents reaction.
Obviously it wasn't major!! After all, I was in charge, and it was my
responsibility to make sure my brother behaved!!
Now we are all grown,
and many of our family members have passed away. I have enjoyed going
back and thinking about some of those growing up days on Knotts Island.
They were truly special times in our lives, some sadness at the loss of
these special folks, but also joy in the wonderful memories that we
have of our growing up years. You don't find too many places like
Knotts Island. Folks really looked out for one another, and they were
always there to help out when there was a need.. I will always remember
those years with much fondness, not only for the community we lived in,
but also for all the wonderful folks who were our friends and
neighbors.
