Times of the Islands Spring 2022

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Banner had two sons—Bruce and Willis. Par Julius also
had two sons Julius (Jr.) who was affectionately known
as “Goo” and George. The “Supreme Leader” of the pack
was Banner. These men were rated as the “best” bonefish
haulers on the island.
Banner could also be described as the patriarch of
the family. He was of firm stature—towering to almost six
feet in height and weighing close to two hundred pounds
or more. He was very quiet and easy-going. His passion
and desire was bonefishing. He was also a family man
who encouraged his sons to also get into fishing. His
wife Helen was the traditional housewife whose passion
was baking bread for sale. This went hand in hand with
the local culture—South Caicos people loved their fried
bonefish and fresh-baked bread on a Saturday afternoon.
Banner provided the fish and Helen the bread—voted as
being some of the best in South Caicos at the time.
Felix (Par Fee) was the most talkative of the brothers.
It was said that you could hear his mouth before you
saw him coming. He seemed to have developed a spinal
problem, as he walked bent over with both hands usually
clasped behind his back. He was an ardent Methodist who
hardly missed a Sunday service, usually sharply dressed
in his black suit. Par Fee was a straightforward man. He
told it like it was fearing no man despite his condition. He
“called a spade a spade.” You basically knew where you
stood with him.
Oswald (Sam) was very quiet but with a terrifying tone
of voice. He was also firm. Sam invested his earnings from
fishing into a bar and nightclub. This was a popular spot
especially on weekends. During the annual South Caicos
Regatta, he would bring in a band from The Bahamas to
entertain the public. Sam and his wife Helene also had a
small grocery store selling food items and dry goods to
the community.
Sam was strict. No children were allowed around his
establishment. He would also personally escort drunks
off his property if they misbehaved. People generally
feared Sam. He was one of the few persons in South
Caicos at the time known to be in possession of a firearm.
As boys, we believed that “If you mess with Sam, he will
shoot you.” At times, he was seen hunting flamingos in
the ponds with his gun. This reinforced our belief that he
wasn’t a guy you would want to mess with.
Julius (Big Man or Par Julius), was also huge in statue.
He stammered a lot. Like the other brothers, he was a
Oswald (Sam) Jennings invested his earnings from fishing into a bar
and nightclub, along with a small grocery store.
regular at the Methodist Church. Despite his massive physique,
he was a very quiet and loving man, one of the
most pleasant guys you would ever meet. He was one
who seemed not to keep many friends outside of his family
circle. His son Julius (Jr.) was also an integral part of
the fishing group.
One of the fascinating things about this exceptional
family was that they hauled together. They worked as a
unit—a team. They possessed exceptional skills and talent
like no other, putting them in a class by themselves.
The Jennings brothers were recognized as “Kings.” They
were indeed kings of a very important industry.
Fish was the main diet of the people in South Caicos.
Since there was little opportunity at the time to acquire
other forms of meat (or relish as it was called), the South
Caicos community was dependent on the Jennings brothers
for their catch. Bonefish was a delicacy. Most people
who came to South Caicos in those days hardly left without
feasting on bonefish or taking supplies with them.
There were certain important strategies that had
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