Multiple

        Multiple candles adorned the white frosted birthday cake at the center of the table.  In fact it was 80 candles, one for each year of life for James Nathan Hinch, my paternal great grandfather. The date of the party was Sunday, July 22, 1928, after James had officially turned 80 the previous Wednesday, July 18th. 

James Nathan Hinch, date of photo unknown

These birthday celebrations for James had been an annual even for at least the past 3-4 years. This occasion was held at his son Stewart Hinch’s home. Stewart and his wife Rebecca Sherrill Hinch (my paternal grandparents) and many other family members (32 guests) all joined in to celebrate this very special birthday for James. How have I learned all this? Well, there was an article in the Chattanooga Tennessee newspaper that I found, and it gave many of these particulars.

James and Emily Hinch, date and location not known

I had known that the annual Hinch reunion that is still going on almost 100 years later was an outgrowth of these birthday gatherings for James. But I had no idea of the specifics of this particular birthday party had it not been for finding this newspaper write-up. What a treasure! The article itself is included in this blog.

80th birthday for James Hinch - article from Chattanoogo newspaper July 1928

It must have been quite the party! The article mentions that two of James’ grandsons provided music in the afternoon. Those two were Lowell Hinch and my my dad Roscoe Hinch. Lowell and Roscoe were siblings. I know Lowell played the banjo and I have to surmise that my dad played the fiddle, although I have to say I didn’t know he played fiddle back then. I know he took it up after he retired, but he must have played when he was young too. Roscoe would have been 17 then, and Lowell was a few years older.

I wish I knew more about James and his wife Emily Harris Hinch. All I really know is that James was one of nine kids, born to William Hinch and Annie Sherrill Hinch. They were raised in Cumberland County TN in a very rural farming area, but also very mountainous as well. Many of the families lived on farms and did “general farming” for a living.  Just looking at the surnames on a page of census records from from 1850 to 1920 makes it quite clear why a Sherrill married a Hinch, or a Harris married a Parham. They were all raised close to each other in the mountains and farmsteads. And by the way, James and Emily Hinch also had 9 children together !!!

James and Emily Hinch, maybe a photo from family gathering?

All these mountain folk and farmers that grew up in these mountains were honest, hardworking, self-reliant, religious people. Many were Scot-Irish, and they came to Tennessee around 1800-1820 through North and South Carolina, Kentucky and Georgia.  You can see their hard work in their faces. I cherish each photograph I have of them. 

Sadly, James Nathan Hinch did not live to celebrate his 81st birthday here on earth. He died less than 6 months after this birthday celebration in July, passing on Jan 6, 1929 at the age of 80.  His wife Emily passed on in 1934, reaching the age of 85. They are buried in the Spring City Cemetery in Tennessee. 

Headstone - "Happily married for 55 years" it says!!

Both James and Emily’s parents are buried close to where they lived, in the Hinch Cemetery on Hinch Mountain. A headstone marks the grave of William and Annie Hinch, but there are no markers for Emily’s parents (Lorenzo Dow Harris and Lucinda Monday Harris).

Even though James Hinch has been gone almost 100 years, his birthday still gives us a reason to gather together and celebrate our history and each other. Multiple generations can get to know each other and give thanks for this heritage.  We will have our 99th reunion in 2026 and our 100th in 2027. It is always the 2nd Sunday in July at the Cumberland County Mountain State Park. I think we should have a huge white-frosted cake with 100 candles!!!