Gartrell Family Heritage Special contributions by the late Clementine Sennette & Dimitrious Gartrell

Gartrell Family Heritage

Special contributions by the late Clementine Sennette & Dimitrious Gartrell

Historical records and archives indicate that the Gartrell

family of Savannah share a long and illustrious history with some of the most prominent and respected families of the old South - a legacy which dates back to the founding of the Georgia territory.

According to family tradition, the original Gartrells migrated from France and were a part of the mass exodus of those fleeing religious persecution. They were known as the French Huguenots and originally settled in Ann Arundel County, Virginia, but eventually relocated to Georgia. They were tobacco farmers and were very religious (read more details here).

Slavery In America

Slavery in America created the black line of the Gartrell family which largely sprang from Wilkes County, just outside of Washington, Georgia. These family lines are believed to be direct descendants of the plantation owner, Joseph Gartrell Jr., and his cook, a slave name America.

This union gave birth to Caroline Gartrell (1832 -1915) who would later give birth to my great-great grandfather, Henry Gartrell, in 1853.

About 1872 Henry went on to marry America Frazier. Athough we are not quite certain who Henry’s father was, circumstantial evidence points to one of Joseph Jr.’s sons. With the blessing of Joseph Jr., Caroline married Howard McElroy 1855.

Around 1900, Savannah become the home of Henry’s son, Pete Gartrell, a mulatto who, with his wife Hattie Williams (1870 - 1938) , begot the clan which included my grandfather, Barnett Gartrell (1899 - 1976), seated above front row left.

Standing second row far right, and gallantly posing in his white blazer (side panel) is Barnett Gartrell Junior (1925-1971), my father.