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Cornell University Library 
 BX 6248.T2G86 
 
 History of middle Tennessee Baptists :wi 
 
 3 1924 006 214 542 
 
Yours in the Faith, 
 
 J. H. GRIME. 
 
HISTORY OF MIDDLE 
 TENNESSEE BAPTISTS 
 
 with: 
 
 Special Reference to Salem, New 
 
 Salem, Enon and Wiseman 
 
 Associations 
 
 pONTAINING SKetches of Associations, 
 ^ Churches, Deceased Ministers and Dea- 
 cons, with Ministerial Directory ; also Chap- 
 ters on Separate Baptists, Christian Baptists, 
 Feet Washing. ^ ^ Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 ..BY.. 
 
 J. H. GRIME, Cave City, Ky. 
 
 Author of " Hereditary Depravity," "Close Commun- 
 ion and Baptists;" also ** History of Round 
 Lich Church," in Manuscript 
 
Baptist and Reflector 
 
 Nashville, Tenn. 
 
 igoa 
 
'Tp O THE Pioneer Heroes, who, 
 through many trials and hard- 
 ships, planted the standard of 
 troth and unfurled the Baptist 
 banner amid the vine-clad hilLs of the 
 upper Cumberland Valley, this volume 
 is affectionately dedicated. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In the spring of 1899, the ]\Iinisters' and Deacons' 
 meeting of New Salem Association, while in session 
 at Cedar Creek Church, appointed a committee to 
 memorialize Salem and New Salem Associations on 
 the question of a History of the Baptists of this sec- 
 tion. The committee, from sickness and other causes, 
 failed to do so. 
 
 In the spring of 1900, at Grant (Buena Vista 
 Church), another like committee, consisting of Elders 
 T. J. Eastes, J. J. Carr, and J. H. Grime, was ap- 
 pointed. In the fall of 1900, the matter was presented 
 to both bodies, and a joint committee appointed by 
 the two Associations to get up a History and put it 
 in permanent form. That committee, in connection 
 with a mass meeting of brethren, held at Round Lick 
 Church, in January, 190 1, asked this author to prepare 
 said History. This was concurred in by Enon and 
 Wiseman Associations, and Deacon J. M. Williams 
 was appointed to collect material for said work. 
 
 The task has been an arduous one, and the mind 
 which compiled these pages and the hand which 
 penned them have often grown weary, yet no pains, 
 labor, or means have been spared to make this work 
 what it should be. Every effort has been made to 
 
vi Preface 
 
 record things as they were. Accuracy has been the 
 motto. Days, yes even weeks and months, have often 
 been spent in unraveling one difficulty. And we wish 
 to acknowledge our appreciation of all the assistance 
 rendered us by the brethren and sisters and friends. 
 
 No one is more conscious of the imperfections of 
 this work than the author ; yet he believes that a fair 
 degree of accuracy attaches to all its statements. 
 
 It has been a most cherished hope of this author 
 to contribute something to the perpetuation of the 
 names of the Baptist heroes who first planted the 
 standard of truth among the vineclad hills of the upper 
 Cumberland Valley. 
 
 No effort has been made at literary excellence, and 
 those disposed to criticise will doubtless find a fruit- 
 ful field. The great object has been to infuse into 
 these pages the spirit of those gone before and give 
 an accurate record of their labors and practices. 
 
 Hoping that these pages will inspire some one to 
 nobler deeds and to more faithful service to the Mas- 
 ter, this volume is sent forth on its mission of love. 
 
 J. H. Grime. 
 Cave City, Ky., April y, 1902. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 FROM SALEM ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Tlie Statement of the origin and history of Salem 
 Association is left entirely with the author of this 
 volume. The preservation of our denominational his- 
 tory has been sadly neglected. Brother Grime, my 
 \-oke-fellow in Gospel Bonds, has rendered the Baptist 
 denomination a valuable service in collecting and put- 
 ting into book form the organization and history of 
 an Association which contains denominational records 
 and events which should not be lost. I know of no 
 man better qualified for the work than he. Years of 
 diligent search, while living in the territory, with an 
 eye to the importance of preserving valuable denomi- 
 national information, eminently fit him for the author- 
 ship of a book which will be read with thrilling in- 
 terest. It will be read by the children, grandchildren, 
 and great-grandchildren of a worthy ancestry — an an- 
 cestry which laid well the foundation stones of Bap- 
 tist faith and practice in Middle Tennessee. The pro- 
 geny of the present generation will scan its pages with 
 profound admiration and tenderest emotion. The de- 
 nominational historian in the far distant future will 
 grace the pages of history with important and fre- 
 quent quotations from "Grime's History of Middle 
 
viii Introduction 
 
 Tennessee Baptists." The times, the men, the terri- 
 tory, the issues, the events, the incidents, and the prin- 
 ciples, coming within the scope of the present vohime, 
 easily place it as a valuable addition to our denomina- 
 tional literature. As the memorial stones, carried 
 from the midst of Jordan and pitched in Gilgal by 
 Joshua, were to remind the future traveler who passed 
 that way of the triumphant march of a favored people, 
 so this batch of history, so kindly collected and bound 
 in print by Brother Grime, will indicate to the [uture 
 pilgrim who passes this way that he treads the old 
 tenting ground of God's Saints who "fought a good 
 fight and kept the faith." 
 
 I am glad to see in the present volume the faces 
 of many brethren and the biographies of others who 
 laid the foundation of Baptist faith and practice in 
 the original territory of .Salem Association. This part 
 of the book will be read with tender emotion and will 
 lead us back amid the hard fought battles of other 
 years ; and the origin and history of the old churches 
 will acquaint us with pastors, deacons, clerks, and 
 membership of God's obedient children who are on 
 the other side. To me, the present volume is a voice 
 from the dead. It is a joyful reminder of battle- 
 scarred veterans. What a task of mingled joy and 
 sorrow to turn the pages of this, to me, blessed book 
 and look on the faces or read sketches of ministers 
 with whom I have labored in word and doctrine, who 
 are now on the other side of the silent river. What 
 
Introduction ix 
 
 hlosscd memories crowd into my soul as I read of 
 those whose voices I have heard, whose hands I liave 
 grasped, and with whom I have sat in the pulpit in 
 the years gone by. They arc at rest. As I think of 
 them, I remember the sainted Jas. Barrett, E. B. Hay- 
 nie, John W. Bowen, Natty Hays, William Suite, 
 Louis Dies, Richard Lyon, Zack Lyon, L. LL Bethel, 
 J. J. Martin, J. M. D. Gates, J. C. Brien, Moses Allen, 
 ^L A. Cathcart, Henry llass, Johnny Hearn, D. N. 
 Jarrard, William Hunt, H. W. Pickett, A. J. McXabb, 
 William Grinuiiet and INIorgan Green. The above list 
 of fallen ministers, with whom I have preached and 
 prayed, sung and wept, exhorted and shouted, will 
 grace the pages of any honored history recording the 
 labors of men who wrought for the good of men and 
 the glory of God. Some of them were unlettered, 'tis 
 true, and some were men whose learning and infor- 
 mation compare favorably with the foremost men in 
 our Bjaptist Zion. 
 
 It is a pleasure to read the origin and history cif 
 the churches I have had the honor to serve as pastor 
 and to learn who were my predecessors and suc- 
 cessors and what is interesting to me along this line 
 will be interesting to all pastiirs. And then, too, the 
 members of these and all the other churches will be 
 deeply interested in reading their own history in the 
 calling of pastors, election of deacons, and other 
 church work. 
 
 Another interesting feature of the book is, it gives 
 
X Introduction 
 
 the present -i^'ork of an Association organized eighty 
 years ago. I look with a sacred love on the faces of 
 living, active ministers and read of their work and 
 chnrches. We will soon be with the Fathers. Our 
 children and grandchildren will soon read of us as 
 we now read of those who occupied before us. And 
 a pleasing thought is, they will read from the same 
 book. 
 
 Another interesting feature of the book is, the in- 
 formation it gives on the subject of divisions growing 
 out of missions and methoils, the significance of de- 
 nominational names, the Baptists, the Missionary Bap- 
 tists, who they are, the Primitive Baptists and who 
 they are, etc. 
 
 I rejoice that the labors of a few good men and 
 women eighty years ago in launching Salem Associa- 
 tion are to be recorded and preserved. I am glad that 
 their fidelity to Baptist faith and practice was un- 
 compromising. I am happy to know that their loyalty 
 to the faith was honored of God in building an As- 
 sociation which in the eighties was the largest in 
 Tennessee. Four Associations now occupy the orig- 
 inal bounds. 
 
 I am glad to have been born within the bounds of 
 dear old Salem Association and to have been baptized 
 into the fellowship of one of her churches thirty-four 
 years ago. Since my ordination thirty-two years ago 
 I have missed but two sessions of her meetings. 
 Within her bounds I began the conflict and here I 
 
Introduction 
 
 XI 
 
 expect to fight my last battle and lie down with the 
 Fathers to sleep in hope of a Glorious Resurrection. 
 Some day amid rustling wings and bursting tombs I 
 expect to rise, and with Salem's redeemed meet the 
 Lord in the skies. 
 
 May this book be read with interest and profit by 
 the brotherhood. May its author live long upon the 
 earth and be useful in his day and generation. May 
 the pastors, churches, deacons, and clerks, with God's 
 help, push the work committed to them by the Fathers. 
 May Salem Association, whose history i? faithfully 
 written herein, be upon the earth when Jesus comes. 
 May this little volume be found filling its mission a 
 thousand years hence. 
 
 "Lord, when thou mak'st thy jewels up, 
 
 And set'st thy starry crown ; 
 When all thy sparkling gems shall shine 
 
 Proclaimed by thee thine own ; 
 May we, a little band of love. 
 
 We sinners, saved by grace. 
 From glory unto glory changed 
 
 Behold thee face to face." 
 
 John T. Oakley. 
 Henderson's X Roads, Tcnn., March lo, 1902. 
 
 FROM NEW SALEM ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The preservation of the history of the churches of 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Godly Ministers 
 who founded them, is, or should be, a wiork dear to 
 every Baptist heart. 
 
xu 
 
 LitroducfAoii 
 
 The Baptists, standing- as they do for a regenerated 
 membership, the baptism of believers only, the Holy 
 Scriptures the only authoritative rule of faith and 
 practice, salvation wholly by the grace of God, the 
 entire separation of Church and State, complete 
 religious liberty, they, being responsible to a sover- 
 eign God, should be diligent to publish their principles 
 to the world. It is certain none others will do so, 
 except incidentally. In their opposition and persecu- 
 tion, they record the principles they oppose, and these 
 principles so mutilated and corrupted as to frame an 
 excuse for their conduct. 
 
 Some thirteen years ago New Salem Association 
 was formed of churches that had been regularly dis- 
 missed from Salem Association, which had been in 
 existence since 1822. Many have been the trials 
 .through which they have passed, but "Thus far the 
 Lord hath led me (us) on," and "Here we raise our 
 Ebenezer." "Thank God and take courage." 
 
 The Lord has raised up among us some mighty 
 men of God whose lives were a benediction to the 
 churches and the world. The histories of some of 
 these were almost lost, but our brother, bv his zeal, 
 has rescued them from oblivion. He now brings them 
 forth in a printed book that will preserve their memo- 
 ries for the encouragement and instruction of future 
 generations. 
 
 Brother J. H, Grime, having been selected by Salem 
 and New Salem Associations for this work, lias done 
 
liiti'odiictiun. xiii 
 
 it well and fnitlifully. lie has labored with diligence 
 and perseverance, sparing neither time nor expense 
 to accomplish the work assigned him. He has thus 
 brought the two Associations in particular, and the 
 great Baptist brotherhood in general, under lasting 
 obligations for the preservation of this valuable bit 
 of the history of the Lord's people. 
 
 I bespeak for the work a hearty reception, that it 
 will be read and preservctl with a grateful pride, and 
 that our minds and hearts will be stirred to emulate 
 the glorious examples of self-sacrificing devotion 
 furnished lis l>y the Baptists of these Associations 
 and those nearly related to us. 
 
 To Brother Cjrimc a debt of gratitude is justly due. 
 By this work he is entitled to be enshrined in our 
 meniories, and remembered with love and gratitude. 
 
 This history will Ix; a monument to his devotion 
 
 to the cause, and while perpetuating the memorv of 
 
 our fathers, the pioneers in the work in our beloved 
 
 Tennessee will justly perpetuate the memory of him 
 
 who has done so nobly in preserving history. The 
 
 Lord bless the book and the author. 
 
 T. J. Eastes. 
 Grant, Tcnn., Maixli, 1902. 
 
 FROM ENON ASSOCL\TION. 
 I gladly give my feeble endorsement to this entire 
 work, and more especially to so much of it as deals 
 with the history of the Enon Association, its churches, 
 ministers, and members. 
 
xiv Introduction 
 
 Just such a work as this is needed, and no one is 
 better quahfied to write it than Brother Grime, and 
 I am sure that most of its readers will be surprised at 
 the great amount of information it contains. Coming 
 generations will rise up and call him blessed who has 
 bestowed so much painstaking care and labor to pre- 
 sent in permanent form the daring deeds, the true 
 moral courage, the works of love, the living working 
 faith and Godly heroism of their fathers. 
 
 No people have accomplished more with so few op- 
 portunities and such unfavorable environments. Those 
 noble men of God, in the face of untold difficulties, 
 often seemingly insurmountable, plunged into the al- 
 most impenetrable forests, climbed the rugged hills, 
 crossed the turbicl, rushing streams in the face of their 
 bitter enemies, and conquered the land for Christ. 
 Most of -them were what the world calls illiterate. 
 Yet, with a heart all aglow with love to God and 
 men, no danger could affright them, no difficulty 
 hinder them, and no obstacle, however great, impede 
 their onward march. They read God's Holy Word 
 by a torch light, a flickering candle, or a grease lamp, 
 digging deep for its precious treasures of truth, with 
 the one grand purpose of giving it to their fellow men. 
 Their souls set on fire by God's boundless grace, they 
 unfurled the gospel banner to every j^assing breeze, 
 and with the Sword of the Spirit in hand and grace 
 in their hearts they led the advancing hosts to most 
 glorious victories and left to us an inheritance richer 
 
Introduction xv 
 
 than all the gold and diamonds of earth. And now, 
 God has raised up our dear brother to give to us in 
 this permanent form brief sketches of their lives and 
 labors. May their heroic deeds and faithful labors 
 inspire us, who read this book, with» greater courage, 
 loftier aims, higher motives, and nobler ambitions 
 May God's richest blessings rest upon every one who 
 reads these pages. W. H. Smith. 
 
 Horse Cave, Ky., February 24, 1902. 
 
 FROM WISEMAN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The study of the history, lives and testimony of 
 those preceding us, who have been accounted faith- 
 ful and true, is certainly praiseworthy, and of great 
 advantage. Paul was ready to recount the faith, suf- 
 ferings, and patience of the holy men and prophets, 
 who lived before his day, to animate his brethren to 
 greater valor. Surely then, with advantage, we can 
 study the history of those who form such a conspicu- 
 ous part of this work. 
 
 It is a matter which I feel to be of the highest im- 
 portance, that Baptists and their children should be 
 thoroughly conversant with the history of their own 
 denomination. It is especially important that they 
 should know of the conflicts and hardships through 
 which noble men of God passed in other ages, and 
 that they should be taught the grand principles for 
 which these noble worthies earnestly contended and 
 
xvi Introduction 
 
 were ready, many of them, to seal their testimony with 
 their own life's blood. 
 
 There has been a time in the past when Baptists 
 were not accorded the privilege of writing their own 
 history, but were dependent upon their enemies to 
 record their doctrines while their own bodies burned 
 at the martyr's stake. We feel glad in our hearts to 
 know that this is not true at present; for beneath the 
 blazing sun of religious freedom Baptists can now 
 write their own history and none dare intimidate or 
 molest. 
 
 The author, in writing this book, has bestowed upon 
 the Baptists of this Upper Cumberland Valley a last- 
 ing benediction for which those now living will ever 
 be grateful. Their progeny also, in generations to 
 come, will rise up and call him blessed. They, too, 
 will read with interest how our ancestry, in the long 
 ago, lifted the banner of King Inimanuel and planted 
 the truths of our blessed Savior, which are more last- 
 ing than the hills of earth, in these fertile plains of 
 ours. 
 
 We bespeak for this work a wide circulation in the 
 homes of our Baptist brotherhood. 
 
 Wm. M. S. Wilks. 
 
 Enon Col!cg;c, Tcnii., March, 1902. 
 
HISTORY OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE BAPTISTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 GENERAL VltVV. 
 
 The coming of Baptists into this part of the State 
 was from A^irpinia, North CaroHna and South Care- 
 Una. Some, it is true, stopped first in Kentucky, 
 afterward removing to Tennessee. 
 
 It is but natural that the reader will inquire from 
 whence did they come into these States? Passing by 
 the establishment of P>aptist churches in the colony 
 of Rhode Island, we come to the establishment of the 
 first Baptist Church in the city of P>oston, which oc- 
 curred March 28, 1665, with five charter members 
 who had been baptised in England. The names of 
 these charter members were Richard Goodall, William 
 Turner, Robert Lambert, Mary Goodall and Mary 
 Newell. This church being thoroughly organized and 
 equipped for business (see church records as recorded 
 in Armitage Church History, 2 ed. page 319) soon 
 began to extend her borders. On January 3, 1682, 
 we find Humphrey Churchwood, one of the members, 
 at Kittery, Maine, with a band of brethren gathered 
 about him. These were organized into a regular Bap- 
 tist Church September 25, 1682, with William Screven 
 as pastor. He then made the trip all the way to Bos- 
 ton to be ordained by the church under whose author- 
 ity they were constituted. Persecution, however, soon 
 arose in Maine against the infant church, and to 
 escape the rigors of religious intolerance they tletl to 
 South Carolina and "settled on the Cooper River, not 
 
 1 
 
2 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 far from the present city of Charleston." Here they 
 found some Baptists from England and, in 1685, they 
 united and constituted a regular Baptist Church or 
 the west bank of the Cooper River. This was the 
 first Baptist Church organized in the South, and in 
 1693 they moved their place of meeting to Charleston. 
 (See Armitage, p. 324.) 
 
 There is still another source of the Baptists of South 
 Carolina about which I wish to speak. In June, 1 701, 
 in the counties of Pembroke and Carmarthen, Wales, 
 sixteen Baptists were constituted into a regular Bap- 
 tist Church with Thomas Griffith as pastor. They at 
 once set sail from Milford in church capacity and 
 landed at Philadelphia in the September following 
 where the "church emigrant" went ashore on Ameri- 
 can soil. In 1703 they purchased 30,000 acres of land 
 from Wm. Penn in New Castle County, Delaware, 
 and gave this new purchase the title of Welsh Tract, 
 and soon they were settled, giving their church a 
 permanent home, from which it took the name of 
 Welsh Tract Church. 
 
 "As early as 1736 this church dismissed forty-eight 
 members to emigrate to South Carolina, where they 
 made a settlement on the Peedee River, organized the 
 Welsh Neck Church there, which during the next 
 century became the center from which thirty-eight 
 Baptist churches sprang in the immediate vicinity." 
 Armitage, p. 333. From these two sources came the 
 early Baptists of South Carolina, who founded the 
 Charleston Association in 1751. This Association was 
 Constituted upon the old London Confession of Faith, 
 which is a very strong Calvinistic document. It might 
 be remarked just here that this is the original of the 
 Philadelphia Confession of Faith and was adopted as 
 
General Vieir 3 
 
 a statement of doctrine by all the early churches and 
 Associations of America, with the exception of one 
 small Association which soon became extinct. 
 
 This old Welsh Tract Church which emigrated 
 from Wales became the nucleus around which or from 
 which were formed a number of churches which were 
 constituted into Philadelphia Association as early as 
 1707. It was missionaries from this Association, viz., 
 Benjamin Miller, Peter Vanhorn and John Gano, who 
 first planted the true Piaptist standard in North Caro- 
 lina. This was about the middle of the eighteenth 
 century. It is true some Free Will Baptist churches 
 had been planted in the State by Paul Palmer and 
 his converts prior to the coming of these missionaries 
 into the State. These Free Will or General Baptist 
 churches were all reorganized and their irregular bap- 
 tisms corrected. (See Burkitt & Reed's History Ke- 
 hukee Association.) These missionaries were joined 
 by Robert Williams, of South Carolina, and Shubael 
 Stearnes, of Virginia, and together they laid the foun- 
 dation for the establishment of the Kehukee Associa- 
 tion in 1765 upon the regular London (Calvinistic) 
 Confession of Faith. 
 
 The first Baptist churches in the State of Virginia 
 were planted by missionaries from the churches of 
 London, England, and the Philadelphia Association. 
 
 I have in detail given the origin of Baptists in 
 these States, because from these sources have come 
 the Bajitists of Tennessee. 
 
 As to the origin of Welsh Baptists, they date back 
 to the days of the apostles or to the age immediately 
 following. No beginning for them, this side of that, 
 can be successfully established. The most natural 
 solution of this question is, that the apostle Paul and 
 
4, History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 his co-laborers first planted the Baptist standard on 
 the British Isles. Clement, the fellow-laborer with 
 Paul (Phil. 4: 3), in his epistle to the Corinthians, 
 Chapter 5, has this to say: "Paul also obtained the 
 reward of patient endurance, after being- seven times 
 thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. 
 After preaching- both in the East and West, he gained 
 the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having 
 taught righteousness to the whole world, and come 
 to the extreme limit of the West, and suffered martyr- 
 dom under the prefects." (Ante Nicean Fathers, Vol. 
 I, p. 6.) In the above, Rome is taken as the center, 
 and the extreme limit of the West would be Spain 
 and the British Isles. 
 
 In addition to the above, Davis in his History of 
 the Welsh Baptists, pp. 6-9, has this to say: "About 
 fifty years before the birth of our Savior the Romans 
 invaded the British Isle, in the reign of the Welsh 
 King Cassibellan ; but having failed, in consequence 
 of other and more important wars, to conquer the 
 Welsh nation, made peace and dwelt among them 
 many years. During that period many of the Welsh 
 soldiers joined the Ron-ian army, and many families 
 from Wales visited Rome, an-iong whom there was a 
 certain woman named Claudia, who was married to a 
 man named Pudence. .\t the same time Paul was 
 sent a prisoner to Rome and preached there in his 
 own hired house for the space of two years, about the 
 year of our Lord 63. Pudence and Claudia, his wife, 
 who belonged to Caesar's household, under the bless- 
 ings of God on Paul's preaching were brought to the 
 knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus and made a 
 [)rofcssion of the Christian religion. Acts 28: 30; 
 2 Tim. 4: 21. These together with other Welshmen, 
 
General Vte/r 5 
 
 among the Roman soldiers, who had tasted that the 
 Lord was gracious, exhorted them in behalf of their 
 countrymen in Wales, who were at that time vile 
 idolaters. . . . The Welsh lady Claudia, and others, 
 who were converted under Paul's ministry in Rome 
 carried the precious seed with them, and scattered it 
 on the hills and valleys of Wales : and since that time, 
 manv thousands have reaped a glorious harvest. . . . 
 We have nothing of importance to communicate re- 
 specting the Welsh Baptists from this to the \ear 
 180, when two ministers bv the name of Fagamus and 
 Damicanus, who were born in \\'ales, but were born 
 again in Rome, and became eminent ministers of the 
 gospel, were sent from R(^me to assist their brethren 
 in \\'ales. In the same year, Lucius, the ^^''elsh King, 
 and the first king in the world who embraced the 
 
 Christian religinn, was baptized About the year 
 
 300, the W'elsh Baptists suffered the most terrible 
 and bloody persecution, which was the tenth perse- 
 cution under tlie reign oi Dioclesian. Here as well 
 as in man\- other places the blood of the martyrs 
 proved to be the seed of the church." Baptist Per- 
 petuity, pp. 367, T,f>S. 
 
 The most natural conclusion drawn from the above 
 facts is, that Paul, after his release from his first im- 
 prisonment went with these Welsh converts to their 
 home land and thus, as Clement says, carried the gos- 
 pel "to the extreme limit of the West." From this 
 time on the mountain fastnesses of Wales, as well as 
 the valleys of Piedmont, served as an asylum for per- 
 secuted Piaptists. It was of these Baptists planted by 
 the apostle Paul that the "( )1 1 Welsh Tract Church" 
 was formed. And from it have sprung the Baptists 
 of Tennessee. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 CONCORD ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The first Baptist Church in what is now known as. 
 Middle Tennessee was constituted on Sulphur Fork, 
 one of the branches of Red River, in 1786 A. D., with 
 John Gramar as pastor. This church was soon dis- 
 solved on account of the unsettled state of its mem- 
 bers. However, about the year 1790, the following 
 ministers began operations in this same section of 
 country, viz. : Daniel Brown, Joshua White, Nathan 
 Arnott and Patrick Moony. Through the labors of 
 these brethren, assisted by occasional visits by minis- 
 ters from Kentucky, in 1796 five churches had been 
 gathered, to wit, Mouth Sulphur Fork, Head Sulphur 
 Fork, Middle Fork, West Fork and Station Camp. 
 These five churches were constituted into an Associa- 
 tion known as Mero District Association, which is but 
 another name for the territory now known as Middle 
 Tennessee. This union was not destined to long life. 
 Internal dissensions brought about a dissolution of 
 this Association in 1803, and the Cumberland Asso- 
 ciation was constituted in that same year to take its 
 place, with a constituency of fifteen churches. This 
 Association still exists, and is a small anti-mission 
 body lying principally in Williamson County. This 
 is the mother of all the Associations in Middle Ten- 
 nessee, and at one time included all the older churches 
 in this entire territory. 
 
 During the first decade of the 19th century three 
 6 
 
Concord Association 7 
 
 Associations were formed from the Cumberland, viz., 
 Elk River, Red River and Concord. The two former 
 of these are also anti-mission bodies, while the latter 
 is a progressive missionary body, and is the oldest 
 missionary Association in this division of the State. 
 The division in Cumberland Association for the pur- 
 pose of forming Concord took place in 1809 at Old 
 Spring Creek Church, a few miles east of Lebanon, 
 Wilson County, which was at that time known as 
 Jones' Meeting House. At this meeting the line of 
 division was agreed upon and designated, and in ac- 
 cordance with this arrangement the Concord Associa- 
 tion was constituted September 25, 1810, in Smith's 
 Fork Baptist Church, Statesville, Tenn., then known 
 as Hodges' Meeting House, with a constituency of 
 twenty-one churches reporting a membership of 893. 
 The Articles of Faith upon which Concord Associa- 
 tion was constituted is a strong Calvinistic document. 
 (See Bond's History Concord Association, pp. 13, 14.) 
 
 ABSTRACT OF PRINCIPLES OF CONCORD ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Article i. We believe in one only true and living 
 God, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Art. 2. That the Scriptures of the Old and New 
 Testament are the Word of God, and the only rule of 
 faith and practice. 
 
 Art. 3. We believe in the doctrine of Election, and 
 that God chose his people in Christ before the foun- 
 dation of the world. 
 
 Art. 4. We believe in the doctrine of original sin, 
 and man's impotency to recover himself from the 
 fallen state he is in by nature, by his own free will 
 and ability. 
 
8 History oj Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Art. 5. We believe tliat sinners are justified in 
 the sight of God, only by the righteousness of Christ 
 imparted to them. 
 
 Art. 6. We believe that God's elect shall be called, 
 converted, regenerated, and sanctified by the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 Art. 7. We believe that the saints shall persevere 
 in grace, and never finally fall away, and that good 
 works are the fruits of faith, and follow after justi- 
 fication. 
 
 Art. 8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's 
 Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and that true 
 believers are the only proper subjects, and that the 
 only proper mode of Baptism is immersion. 
 
 Art. 9. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, 
 and the general judgment, and that the punishment 
 of the wicked and the joy of the righteous shall be 
 eternal. 
 
 Art. 10. We believe that ministers have no right 
 to administer the ordinances, only such as are regu- 
 larly baptized and come under the imposition of hands 
 by the presbytery. 
 
 This is the oldest /\ssociation in Middle Tennessee 
 that practices missions. Her histery is full of exciting 
 and interesting events. Concord Association is an 
 offspring of Cumberland Association, which became 
 an anti-mission body in the division during the thirties, 
 and still exists. Concord Association was constituted 
 September 25, 1810, in Smith's Fork Baptist Church, 
 Statesville, Tcnn., known at that time as "Ho'lgc's 
 Meeting House." Thomas Durham, who was at that 
 time pastor of Round Lick Church, acted as Modera- 
 tor, and R. C. Foster, of Nashville, acted as Clerk. 
 
 Among the leading ministers of this body we note: 
 
Concord A.^soci<(tion 9 
 
 James \Miitsitt, Moore Stevenson, Cantrel Bethel, 
 Wm. Flowers, Thomas Dnrham, John Wiseman, 
 Joshua Lester, with others too tedious to .nentlon. 
 Perhaps Tennessee has neve\ known a body of more 
 powerful ministers. 
 
 At the time of the organization this Association 
 covered all the territory in this division of the State 
 between Nashville and the Cumberland range of 
 mountains. 
 
 It is not the purpose of this sketch to do more than 
 refer to some leading events in the history of this 
 bodv. \\'hen Alexander Campbell became prominent 
 as a pulpit orator and advocate of reformation, his 
 plea soon took hold on many in this Association, and 
 ministers of some prominence took sides with his 
 new-fangled notions, Elder Peyton Smith taking the 
 lead. This state of afifairs soon developed a strong 
 Arminian element in the Association, and they began 
 to wage war against the Articles of Faith on which 
 the Association was constituted, as follows : 
 
 Article 3. We believe in the doctrine of election 
 and that God chose his people in Christ before the 
 foundation of the world. 
 
 Art. 4. We believe in the doctrine of original sin, 
 and man's impotency to recover himself from the 
 fallen state he is in by nature, of his own free will 
 and ability. 
 
 Art. 6. We believe that God's elect shall be called, 
 converted, regenerated and sanctified by the Holv 
 Ghost. 
 
 It was against these Articles that the war was 
 waged, and at last they succeeded in gaining sufficient 
 strength to carry the .^ sociation by a vote of about 
 three to one. 
 
10 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 From a constituency of forty-nine members, twenty 
 ■ ordained ministers and 3,399 members, there were left 
 only eleven churches, five ordained ministers and 805 
 members. The majority took the Articles of Faith 
 and expunged every vestige of Calvinism, and then 
 proceeded to form an Association of Separate Bap- 
 tists, known as Concord No. 2. In a circular letter 
 Elder Whitsitt describes the doctrine of this new 
 departure as follows : 
 
 " ( I ) Christ died for every individual of the human 
 race, for Pharaoh and Judas as much as for Abraham 
 and Paul ; that sinners wade through the blood of 
 Christ to hell, and that, although he died for all alike, 
 yet only some of the ransomed return and come to 
 Zion. (2) That the Almighty by his Spirit operates 
 on every individual, and perchance some become re- 
 generated. Universalism in its premise, Calvinism in 
 its conclusion." 
 
 This division occurred in 1827, and it will be re- 
 membered that it was at this date that Campbellism 
 took shape, and one need not be surprised that soon 
 another should take place in this new Association and 
 a good large slice should go off to Campbellism. 
 
 The small minority came and took up the old Con- 
 stitution that had been so abused by this Arminian 
 faction, and declared themselves in favor of limited 
 atonement and unconditional election, and went on 
 with the old organization to do the Master's business. 
 For this. Elder James Whitsitt says, "We were again 
 attac1<ed. The doctrine of personal, particular and 
 unconditional election was stated to be the doctrine 
 of men and devils." But, nothing daunted at these 
 attacks from this new faction, this staid old body 
 moved forward to preach the gospel of saIv»tion by 
 
Concord jUsociatioii 11 
 
 grace. (For the above facts see Bond's History of 
 Concord Association, pp. 34 to 42.) 
 
 Prosperity attended the above minority, and in 1834 
 they had fairly recovered from the shock of 1827 ; but 
 it was not for them to enjoy tliis state of peace longer. 
 This time, however, it was not a doctrinal difference 
 which disturbed their peace, but that of methods prac- 
 ticed. In 1834, R. B. C. Howell came from Virginia 
 and became pastor of the First Baptist Church, Nash- 
 ville, and, being full of the mission spirit, he with 
 other brethren, apart from any church or associational 
 action, formed themselves into "a missionary body 
 called the Tennessee Baptist Convention." 
 
 This was the signal for action, which terminated in 
 the bitterest contest which has ever disrupted the 
 Baptist hosts of Tennessee. The fight continued for 
 two vears in the Concord Association, when by a 
 majority vote they dissolved the Constitution and then 
 proceeded to form a new Association on anti-mission 
 principles, and gave to it the name of Stone's River 
 Association of Primitive Baptists. In this fight there 
 was no doctrinal contention, as both parties stood 
 firmly fixed on Calvinistic principles. The minoritv, 
 which again was thrown out in the cold, returned 
 to the old original constitution and began business 
 as the old original Concord Association, and under 
 the blessings of God have grown to a great host, while 
 Concord Xo. 2 is no more and Stone's River is strug- 
 gling for existence. 
 
 From the above it will be seen that Concord .\sso- 
 ciation has been twice disbanded l)y a niajorit\- vote, 
 and yet as often preserved by the minority, which is 
 now largely in the majority. 
 
12 Ilixtory of Middle Temie^^fiee Baptist!^ 
 
 It is now (1900) ninety years since Concord Asso- 
 ciation launched her bark and unfurled her sails to 
 the breeze. During this time it has often seemed that 
 she would founder and go down amid the breakers of 
 error. Arminianism, with all the inveterate hate of 
 genuine Ishmaelites, has planted the battery of zvorks 
 UDon her citadel; Antimissionism has sought to 
 strangle her zeal ; but with a defiance born of him 
 who said the gates of hell should not prevail against 
 his church, she marshalled her depleted forces and 
 with a shout of triumph cried, "On to victory." She 
 has again and again sent away groups of churches 
 to form other Associations and now she is a grand 
 old body, numbering thirty-three churches with a 
 membership of 4,604. In another place we give a 
 sketch of some of her older churches. 
 
CHAPTER Iir. 
 
 SALEM ASSOCIATION. 
 
 In August, 1822, A. D., Concord Association, while 
 in session at West Station Camp Church, Sumner 
 County. Tennessee, for the sake ot convenience, agreed 
 to divide. A number of churches on her eastern 
 boundary were set apart to form a new Association, 
 In October of the same year these churches met in 
 Convention with Cedar Creek Church, which, at that 
 time, stood a sliort distance south of Big Spring, Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee, and constituted Salem Asso- 
 ciation. This body at the constitution consisted of 
 twenty-seven churches, as follows : Smith's Fork, 
 Hickman's Creek, Salt Lick, Dixon's Creek, Salem, 
 Round Lick, Bledsoe's Creek (now Hopewell), Ho- 
 gan's Creek, Spring Creek (now Linwood), Peyton's 
 Creek, Brush Creek, Cedar Grove, Knob Spring, Sec- 
 ond Creek, Union, East Fork, Goose Creek, Philadel- 
 phia (now Bradlev's Creek), New Hope, Cedar Creek, 
 Lebanon,- Goshen, Lancaster, Enon, Saunder's Fork 
 (now Auburn), Falling Creek, Brawley's Fork (now 
 Marion ), and Testament. Three of the above churches 
 are extinct, and two are anti-mission churches. The 
 remainder, either the original organization or one in 
 its stead, still exist, and most of them are in a thriving 
 condition. These churches at that time aggregated a 
 membership of 900. Now you could easily select 
 three of the number that would aggregate more than 
 900 members. 
 
 Salem Association was constituted upon the follow- 
 ing : 13 
 
14 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ABSTRACT OF PRINCIPLES. 
 
 Article i. We believe in one true and living God — 
 the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Art. 2. That the Scriptures of the Old and New 
 Testaments are the Word of God and the only rule of 
 faith and practice. 
 
 Art. 3. We believe in the doctrine of Election, 
 and that God chose his people in Christ before the 
 foundation of the world. 
 
 Art. 4. We believe in the doctrine of original sin, 
 and in man's impotency to recover himself from the 
 fallen state he is in by nature, by his own free will 
 and ability. 
 
 Art. 5. We sinners are justified in the sight of 
 God, by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Art. 6. We believe in God's own appointed time, 
 and way, by means which he has ordained, the elect 
 shall be called, converted, regenerated, and sanctified 
 by the Holy Spirit. 
 
 Art. 7. We believe the saints shall persevere in 
 grace, and never finally fall away ; and that good 
 works are the fruit of faith, and follow after justi- 
 fication. 
 
 Art. 8. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's 
 Supper are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and that true 
 believers are the only proper subjects, and that the 
 only proper mode of Baptism is by immersion. 
 
 Art. 9. We believe in the resurrection of the dead 
 and general judgment, and that the punishment of the 
 wicked and joy of the righteous will be eternal. 
 
 Art. 10. We believe that no minister has a right 
 to administer the ordinances, only such as are regu- 
 larly baptized, and come under the imposition of hands 
 by a presbytery. 
 
Sa/e/ii Association 15 
 
 Tfie ministers present at the formation of Salem 
 Association were Joslnia Lester, Miles West, John 
 Wiseman, Elijah Maddox, Thomas Durham, Wm. 
 Flowers, John Jones, Rlalcom Smitli, John Bond, 
 Hiram Casey, John Borum, Josiah Rucks, Pres- 
 ley Lester, John Fite, James Bond and Clark Hub- 
 bard. Perhaps a finer body of ministers never as- 
 sembled on the soil of Tennessee. They were cer- 
 tainly masters of assemblies. They possessed that 
 strong, rugged character, which pioneer life would 
 impart, and that they were Baptists of the true type 
 will be seen by reference to the Abstract of Prin- 
 ciples. 
 
 The size of the present volume forbids an itemizefl 
 account of all the meetings of this body, but the reader 
 is invited to a running account of the leading events 
 in a history of seventy-eight years. At the time of 
 the organization of this body the heresy of Campbell- 
 ism was just beginning to attract attention. As early 
 as 1824 A. D. we find brethren asking advice of the 
 Association how they should deal with preachers 
 claiming to be Baptists and yet preaching the heresy 
 of A. Campbell. The invariable advice given was 
 that thev should not be recognized as gospel ministers. 
 But it is needless to say that this heresy was fast doing 
 its work. In the rupture of 1827 A. D., formerly 
 mentioned, which resulted in the establishment of the 
 Separate Baptists this Association was not left undis- 
 turbed. Six of her ministers were caught in the 
 meshes of this subtle doctrine, viz. : Calvin Curlee 
 and EHsha Bell, of Brawley's Fork (now Marion) ; 
 Clark Hubbard, pastor of Round Lick; John Whit- 
 lock, of Smith's Fork; Wm. J. Bomer, of New Hope, 
 and James Barry, of Brush Creek. While some of 
 
16 Hhtory oj Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 these were men of note, yet they had not sufficient 
 prestige to create a rupture in the body, though they 
 were able to gather a few small churches together, 
 composed of disaffected members which they carried 
 into Duck River Association of Separate Baptists. But 
 having started on their Arminian career, they could 
 not be satisfied with this result, and five out of the six 
 now launched head long into Campbellism. John Whit- 
 lock remained true to his Separate Baptist affiliation. 
 (See .another chapter for account of Separate Bap- 
 tists.) From that time on, this territory has been a 
 battle ground between Baptists and Campbellites, but 
 to-day, as then, the Baptists hold sway, and this sec- 
 tion is often spoken of as "the Baptist kingdom." 
 
 The body moved smoothly till 1835 A. D., when 
 the question of mission methods began to be agitated. 
 This war raged with more or less severity till 1837, 
 when the Association met with New Hope Church, 
 two miles east of Alexandria, Smith County (now 
 DeKalb County). At this meeting thirt3'-one churches 
 were represented, and organized by electing Elder 
 James Bond, Moderator, and Elder Joshua Lester, 
 Clerk. 
 
 It seems that the question of missions had very 
 much agiated the church at Salt Lick, of which Elder 
 Miles West, Sr., was pastor. The majority had taken 
 a firm stand against the existing mission methods. 
 This had reached a point where the minority felt 
 called upon to memorialize tlie Association, asking 
 advice as to the best course to pursue. The considera- 
 tion of this memorial letter was the signal for action 
 in the Association. Perhaps the matter would be best 
 told in the language recorded in the minutes for that 
 year (1837) as follows: 
 
Sdleiii Association 17 
 
 "On motion the third item of the Committee of 
 Arrangement, to whom was referred the letter from 
 the majority, and a memorial from the minority of 
 Salt Lick Church was taken up. After some debate it 
 was agreed that the messengers, Miles West and Bar- 
 net T. Dillehay, be admitted to seats and their names 
 enrolled. 
 
 "A good deal was said pro and con as to the best 
 way of disposing of the memorial. At length it was 
 proposed to appoint a committee of brethren to wait 
 on the said church (Salt Lick) and labor to bring 
 about a reconciliation between the conflicting parties, 
 and on which Brother Miles West, pastor of the 
 church, took the floor and in a highly inflammable 
 speech, said in substance that it was unnecessary to 
 send a committee — that it would efTect no good, that 
 the whole difficulty had proceeded from the Conven- 
 tion, that the church had taken her position against 
 the Institution, which she never would abandon — that 
 fellowship was broken, not only in that church, but 
 throughout the Association, and that it would be bet- 
 ter for all that they separate, and finally said : Breth- 
 ren, I wish you all well, and as many as wish to follow 
 old West come along — on which he abruptly moved 
 ofT, followed by Sion Bass, pastor of Round Lick 
 Church, and some eight or ten others, in quite a 
 tumultuous manner. They collected in another part 
 of the house and commenced singing and after re- 
 galing themselves in this way awhile they retired. 
 
 "During this commotion, the sound of the Modera- 
 tor's voice was lost in the confusion occasioned by 
 this — and unchristian-like behavior. The Association 
 was then called to order, and it was discovered that 
 ovtr r^nkg were but little thinned. They then pro- 
 
18 IlUtonj of Middle Ihmes-see Bapfi^t:< 
 
 ceeclecl to the business before them with much har- 
 mony, bcinjj freed from an incumbrance which had 
 long' paralyzed her energies. 
 
 "In conformity with a memorial from a minority 
 of the members of Salt Lick Church, 
 
 "Resolved, That a presbytery to consist of Elders 
 John Wiseman, \\'illiam C. T.ransford, William Flow- 
 ers, and Jonathan Wiseman, meet at the X Roads, on 
 Defeated Creek, on Friday before the fifth Lord's day 
 (inst., October, 1837), '" order to constitute said 
 brethren, and as many otliers as may wish to join 
 them, into a church and report to next Association." 
 
 This marks the origin of Defeated Creek Church, 
 which is now one of our very best churches. 
 
 The party led by Elder Miles West, of Salt Lick 
 Church, retired to the grove a short distance away. 
 They in council appointed a meeting, to convene with 
 Cedar Creek Church on Friday before third Sunday 
 in November, 1837, to organize a new Association. 
 This meeting resulted in the organization of a new 
 Association consisting of five churches, viz. : Salt 
 Lick, Round Lick, Spring Creek, Mount Pleasant and 
 Testament. They denominated this new venture as 
 "Round Lick Association of Primitive Baptists." 
 
 The result of this division was the total loss of 
 Mount Pleasant Church to .Salem Association and the 
 division of many more: in many of them a majority 
 going into this new venture calling themselves "Primi- 
 tive Baptists." In a few instances it became necessary 
 to disband, but in the majoritv of cases the churches 
 were not hindered. In fact, this seemed to mark an 
 epoch of prosperity for Salem Association as a whole, 
 and with rapid strides she moved on to possess the 
 land. Suffice it to say that Round Lick Association, 
 
Salem Association 19 
 
 which was weak to begin with, has barely held her 
 own. 
 
 It might be remarked in passing that there was no 
 doctrinal difference — it was solely a question of 
 methods. 
 
 From this time forward the Association grew in 
 churches, members and work. In 1843 they passed 
 a resolution to continue in session four days each 
 year. 
 
 In 1849 the Association convened with Bethel 
 Church, four miles south of Lancaster, Smith County. 
 The body had grown till it numbered forty-three 
 churches ; an increase of sixteen churches since the 
 division, twelve years previous. The territory covered 
 by these churches was so extensive it was deemed 
 prudent to divide the Association for the sake of con- 
 venience. The Cumberland River served as a natural 
 line, and it was mutually agreed that the churches 
 on the south side of the river should retain the name 
 and constitution, while those on the north side would 
 form a new Association. This resulted in the consti- 
 tution of Enon Association of which we shall speak 
 more fully later on. 
 
 Of the forty-three churches, twent)--six remained in 
 the old (Salem) organization and seventeen began 
 housekeeping on the north side of the river. 
 
 Immediately following this division is the most 
 remarkable period in the history of Salem Association. 
 In no longer time than three years they had grown 
 from twenty-six to thirty-eight churches ; and in 1852 
 another division was effected. The line of division 
 this time was the Caney Fork River, those on the 
 west side retaining the name and constitution. The 
 
20 Jliftorij of M'uhlk Teimex-sn^ BaptixU 
 
 churches on the cast side of the river met in conven- 
 tion Saturda}' before the second Sunday in May, 1853, 
 at Hutchin's Creek, three miles south of Cookeville, 
 Putnam County, and constituted Johnson Association. 
 This body \\-as named in honor of Elder Jesse John- 
 son, to whom, more than any other man, this great 
 work of the three past years was due. A more ex- 
 tended notice will be given of this man of God and 
 this new Association in another place. That the 
 reader may have some idea of the efficient mission 
 work of this period, by reference to the report on the 
 State of Religion for 185 1, we learn that eight new 
 churches came into the Association with a membership 
 of 281. These churches were all located in destitute 
 sections, and were gathered by missionaries of Salem 
 Association. 
 
 From this time on the bounds of Salem Associa- 
 tion were more circumscribed. But still there were 
 man}' places within her bounds where churches could 
 Ije established. She wisely occupied these, and, though 
 more slowly, yet she continued to increase until 1888 
 when she numbered forty-five churches. 
 
 At her meeting in this year.HiWhen convened with 
 Marion Church, near Readyville, Cannon County, a 
 number of churches on the north boundary secured 
 letters to constitute a new Association. The line in 
 this new division, with few variations, was the Leba- 
 non atid Sparta Pike. The churches south of this 
 retained the name and constitution, while those on 
 the north met in convention at Ruena Vista Church 
 at Grant, Smith County, Tennessee, on October 30, 
 1888, and constituted New Salem Association. Out 
 of the forty-five churches nineteen went into the new 
 organization, and three others came at the second 
 
Saiem. AssociKthn 2 1 
 
 meeting, making- an equal division — though depleting 
 the ministry of the old body. 
 
 No other material changes have occurred in the 
 organization of this Association. The body is now 
 composed of the following churches : Auburn, Bar- 
 ren Fork, Beech Grove, Cooper's Chapel, Dry Creek, 
 Dowelltown, Fall Creek, Greenvale, Indian Creek, Mt. 
 Pleasant, Mt. Zion, New Hope, l^itw Home, New 
 I'nion, Providence, Prosperity, Ramah, Salem, Smith's 
 Fork, Smithville, S^xamore Fork, Snow's Hill, Union, 
 \\'harton Spring, Woodbury, and Wolf Creek. 
 
 A separate sketch of each church will be given in 
 another chapter. 
 
 Saleni Association from her very incipiency has 
 been an active missionary body, as the following facts 
 will attest : This body at its organization in 1822 
 A. D. consisted of twenty-seven churches with a 
 membership of less than 2,000. Now the borders 
 have been enlarged till they embrace five Associations 
 which number 118 churches, with a membership of 
 some 12,000. In addition to tliis they have constantly 
 contributed to the support of heralds of the cross in 
 foreign fields. While they have, not done as much as 
 they might, yet so well have they occupied tlieir terri- 
 tory that it is known as the "Iiaptist Kingdom." All 
 in all, we have a right to be proud of what the Lord 
 has accomplished through his people in this section. 
 There are, perhaps, twice as many Baptists in this 
 section of country as all other denominations com- 
 bined. 
 
 Perhaps the success of Ba])tists- in this section is at- 
 tributable to their unflinching fidelity to Baptist doc- 
 trine more than any other one thing. "The Bible and 
 
22 Histori/ of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the Bible alone" has been their slogan through all these 
 years of conflict, A "thus saith the Lord" has been 
 demanded at every point. Th'ey have stood a "pecul- 
 iar people zealous of good works," and have ever 
 refused to form any alliance with the advocates of 
 error. They have been Landmark Baptists in the 
 strictest sense of the term. A few quotations taken 
 from the minutes from time to time will give an idea 
 of the doctrinal cast of this peojjle. In the minutes 
 of 1850 we have the following: 
 
 "Resolz'cd, That the churches be advised to receive 
 none but those who have been B.\ptized on a profes- 
 sion of their faith in Christ, by a legal administrator ; 
 and that we esteem legal only such as act under the 
 authority of the regular Baptist Church, as organized 
 after the model of the gospel." 
 
 In the minutes of 1844 A. D. we have the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 "Whereas, The Freedom Association has pro- 
 posed a correspondence with us ; resolved, therefore, 
 that we send a friendly letter and delegates to inform 
 them that we are willing to correspond with them, 
 provided the\' will correct the error of one of their 
 churches, for receiving members into their fellowship 
 who were immersed by unauthorized administrators." 
 
 It might be remarked for the benefit of those who 
 would brand us as "Gravesites," that this record was 
 made before J. R. Graves ever appeared before the 
 public as editor. All honor to J. R. Graves ; but he 
 was simply a Baptist, such as he found when he came 
 upon the stage. 
 
 In the minutes for 1854 we find the following 
 record of a resolution presented by Brother P. Gold 
 and unanimously endorsed by the Association : 
 
Salem Association 23 
 
 ''Resolved, That it is inconsistent for Baptists to 
 recognize Pedo-baptist preachers, as gospel ministers, 
 denying as we do the legaHty of their official acts, by 
 inviting them to occupy our pulpits, or preaching with 
 them. p. Gold." 
 
 Again in the minutes for 1855 we find tlie follow- 
 ing entry : 
 
 ''Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Associa- 
 tion, that it is a violation of the usage of Baptist 
 churches, and disorganizing in its tendency, for a min- 
 ister to receive and baptize individuals in the presence 
 of churches, or within their jurisdiction, without their 
 authority ; and we hereby enter our protest against 
 such action." 
 
 The above quotations demonstrate that this Asso- 
 ciation has stood, through her history, with a fixed 
 purpose against alien-immersion and pulpit affiliation 
 with preachers of error. 
 
 It might be remarked just here that these principles 
 were never applied to either the "Primitive" or "Sepa- 
 rate" Baptists. They were always regarded as sound 
 Baptists, only differing in methods, while they agreed 
 in doctrine. With reference to the attitude of this 
 body toward the "Primitive Baptists" we find in the 
 minutes for 1849 this entry. 
 
 "Resolved, That E. W. Haile, A. W. Meachem and 
 N. Hays be appointed to write a letter to the Round 
 Lick Association (of Primitive Baptists) and bear 
 it to their next session for the purpose of laboring for 
 a union between us, and to become one body." 
 
 Again in the minutes for 1870 we find the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
24 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 "Moved and seconded that a committee be appointed 
 to meet with the Round Lick Association (Primitive 
 Baptists) next fall, carried, and H. Bass, T. H. Gold, 
 J. W. Bowen, H. T. Rucks, N. Smith and L. D. Smith, 
 were appointed." 
 
 Also in 1871 we find the following: 
 
 "By motion, Brother P. G. Magness, of Round 
 Lick Association, was invited to a seat." 
 
 In regard to the people known as Separate Baptists, 
 in the minutes of 1842 we find this language: 
 
 "Whereas, That imion so desirable among breth- 
 ren of the same Christian family does not exist be- 
 tween the united Baptists, and those denominated the 
 Separate Baptists, and as this Association think there 
 is no good reason why all the relations of Christian 
 fellowship should not exist between them and us ; 
 therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That we open a correspondence with 
 Mount Zion Association (of Separate Baptists) with 
 the view of effecting a union of the two parties, which 
 have so long stood aloof from each other ; and for 
 this purpose have appointed our brethren. Elders 
 Elijah W. Haile, James Bond and Brother William 
 Martin to attend their next Association, and confer 
 with them on this subject, and report the result to 
 our next Association." 
 
 Also the following foot note is appended : 
 
 "The reason why a communication as above was 
 not made to the Duck River Association (of Separate 
 Baptists) was because our brethren of Concord, in 
 union with us, are in correspondence with them and 
 Concord 2nd (of Separate Baptists) on the same sub- 
 ject." 
 
 The above is sufficient to show that they always re- 
 
Salem Assoriafio/i 25 
 
 garded the Primitive and Separate Baptists as parts 
 of the same family, and hence they always recognized 
 their administration. 
 
 Salem Association has always been aggressive along 
 educational lines. Her members have always stood 
 in the front rank in building up schools in the com- 
 munity where they have chanced to live. In addition 
 to this, Salem Association has owned and controlled 
 several good schools, from whose walls numbers, of 
 men and women, have gone out to bless the world. 
 Among these we mention first Marion College, situ- 
 ated near Readyville, Cannon County, Tennessee. 
 This institution of learning was established in 1850 
 A. D,, and was ably manned for many vears by that 
 scholarly man, James A. Delk. This was the pride of 
 Salem Association and the idol of the lamented J. M. 
 D. Cates, near whose home it was located, and who 
 was president of the Board of Trustees. Though long 
 a thing of the past, its influence is still felt. 
 
 In 1851 she began the operation of Central Female 
 Institute in the town of McMinnville, Warren County. 
 This institution prospered for many years under the 
 efficient tutorage of Elder John Powell, a man of fine 
 accomplishments and sterling worth. This school was 
 kept in successful operation for several years by the 
 Association and was quite an impetus to the Baptist 
 cause in this section. 
 
 In 1852 Salem and Enon Associations purchased 
 propertv near Castalian S]irings in Sumner County 
 and began the operation of a school with the title of 
 Enon College. This school had a ])ros])erous career 
 of a few years, but owing to some financial mistakes 
 the institution was closed and the property sold. 
 
 Apart from her own schools, she for many years 
 
26 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 kept a beneficiary in Union University at Murfrees- 
 boro. 
 
 Her ministry, in the main, has been a strong body 
 of men — strong in intellect, many of whom possessed 
 fine scholarly attainments, and a courage which 
 laughed at difficulties and cried "it must be done." 
 The sacrificing energy of these men of God cries 
 with thunder tones to the marshalled hosts of the 
 King of Zion, urging them on to nobler deeds of chiv- 
 alry in this holy war. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 Many people become confused in regard to the Bap- 
 tist denomination because of prefixes attached to the 
 name Baptist. Let me say once for all that in history 
 they are known simply as Baptists. Sometimes we 
 are spoken of as "Missionary" Baptists. In the 
 sense that we practice missions this is correct, provided 
 you use the prefix as an adjective and not as a title. 
 In history we are known simply as Baptists. Differ- 
 ent prefixes have been used at different times in con- 
 sequence of peculiar surroundings ; when the condi- 
 tions cease to exist the prefixes are dropped. In the 
 early part of the century in the States most all Bap- 
 tists were spoken of as "United Baptists." This grew 
 out of the union of the General and Separate Baptists 
 who afterwards were denominated United Baptists. 
 This, however, by degrees, was being dropped ofT and 
 the simple title of Baptist was again coming inta use, 
 when the Campbellites came on the stage and sought 
 to propagate their doctrine, while they wore the name 
 Baptist. This caused the Salem Association to pass 
 the following resolution which we find recorded in 
 the minutes for 1830: 
 
Saletii Association 27 
 
 "Whereas, There has grown up around us, vari- 
 ous sects of professed Christians denominating- them- 
 selves Baptists, and between whom and us there are 
 such marked lines of distinction as to bar them from 
 our union and communion. In order, therefore, to 
 have a definite prefixed character for ourselves in 
 this respect, and to prevent the confusion to which 
 this state of things exposes us, in our official inter- 
 view : be it 
 
 "Rcsoli'cd, That in future, this body be known 
 and distinguished by the name of the Salciii Associa- 
 tion of United Baptists: and so denominated in all 
 its official acts, and that it l)e recommended to the 
 churches of this Association, that they, in all their 
 official acts, use this appellation as well in letters of 
 dismission to members to join other churches, as in 
 letters to the Association," etc. 
 
 This resolution was strictly observed till 1872 A. D. 
 when the Association convened at Sycamore Fork 
 Church. Up to this time all the minutes are headed 
 "Salem Association of United Baptists." At this 
 meeting T. T. Eaton was present and suggested that 
 the conditions no longer existed which made the prefix 
 necessary. Then it was duly dropped from the min- 
 utes. From that time on, they have borne the title 
 of Baptists. 
 
 Before closing this chapter we will append a tabu- 
 lated statement of the meetings of Salem Association, 
 as follows : 
 
28 IIi>it()nj of Middle Teiinesisee Bapfi.'^fs 
 
 ^ '^ '- 
 
 2 03 CD 
 
 O 5 en 
 
 3 =3 oj 
 
 o tn tn „ 
 3 li D (D 
 
 ni j; i/j ^ c; fn tn 
 rh^ oil; O O O 
 
 2 « » S S S S » S 1..Q l>-.^^l>.!>.l>."'-' 
 
 __-.._ — _„ r- .,, T n ;^, ^^ „-, ^-, ff-, f,, F-( *^ 
 1-5 t-j 
 
 
 S3 p 3 
 
 
 o o 
 
 C C B 
 
 O D ^ 
 
 •c^ £ 
 .S.2 o 
 
 ,SS2 
 ■£S = 
 
 o o — 
 
 a! ■ r; 0} 
 
 S ^ O o 
 SgCQ3 
 
 
 ;°^4?*^S^ 
 
 Co O 
 
 "•a 
 
 . o o <8 o 
 
 Sh^ 
 
 j3 E t8 
 
 ^ fit- ^ 
 = 5^6 
 
 g°4°gg^5aQ'-j4aQ^<!iaH,. 
 
 as 
 
 HH 
 
 lis 
 
 rt o o 
 
 11-5 l-» 
 
 S m o 
 
 s ^^ 
 
 2 S t- 
 
 3 0) 
 
 6 
 5.2*! 
 
 
 <i>'S5 
 
 fife oj.i; =^.» a^-S*^ 
 
 ^- o 
 
 
 - 3 ai.£ 
 
 ;37,- 
 'J3 <D J 
 
 
 
 O 0) ■ ^^ u ■ -* 
 
 
 - -; i; ■^ ^ a 
 
 
 
 ■lOJSsSa 
 
 -* iB >0 iQ 'O lO lO i?i 
 
 — ^ 00 or ' 
 
Sale III A>iKo<:iation 
 
 29 
 
 EES 
 
 3 3 3.. 
 
 t- f.- s- 1 - 
 c o o — 14 
 
 0} fn - ■ 
 
 o^o" s E eII 6 s s SB e e eIsI s « S « S 'S^'^'^ 
 
 . o ^ «j r 
 
 
 c C C3 
 
 3^ a! >>rt J^ 
 
 Tl 1 * '^-' 'H ^ ''^ ^ C TI L T^ rr TJ -»- "^ '/^ ''" ^^ '■'' *-* ►^i -~ '" ^ T ^i' " . *» T: ^t n ''^ ffi W 
 
 ^<|^hj>-^d!gZi^ai►^>^■<^l-i&^'-5H'^►TB^|-^|^'^B'^&^5l-;^-^E-i'-il-3'-;^oQ 
 
 
 3 3 3*-- 
 
 03 
 
 ° c 9 
 
 ^i.^ 3 
 
 ?h°i 
 
 H 
 
 MO 
 
 ~ to 
 
 3-i 
 
 
 
 
 
 t- X 3- o —■ CJ n? f tfj '^ t- CO a; o 
 
 .O IQ iQ 3 (D -n ^ <0 'JD I* o to CD t- 
 0OdO00 30 3OCO3O00Xa0a0Q0COQ0 
 
 -coaio-Hoico-tkra^t^cooio^oi^ 
 
30 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 t- (h tn Id 
 
 . . . 03 cS d qJ . ■ ■ 
 
 te te fe c o o o |>,t>,|>, 
 
 odd . . .^HHEH 
 
 l-5>-3l- 
 
 >i-si-ai-5 
 
 
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 3 Sj< ES'S S £ s3 
 
 0>oQoi*t*a'>-0 
 Qi-ji-i'-j-'iiO'-iQi-i 
 
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 O-*^-^ S 53 3; s^ 5^ 
 
 o'S'SiJ " * ^ t-.-2 • 
 
 
CHAPTER I\. 
 
 NEW SALEM ASSOCIATION. 
 
 This body of Baptists is an offspring of Salem As- 
 sociation. In the minutes of Salem Association for 
 1888, when convened with the Marion Church, Can- 
 non County, near Readyville, we find the following 
 record : 
 
 "WhereaSj In the providence of our Heavenly 
 Father, Salem Association has grown to be a very 
 large body, embracing a large territory, making it 
 burdensome for some of the messengers to attend the 
 meetings of the body : 
 
 "We, Round Lick, Shop Spring, Buena Vista, 
 Macedonia, Hogan's Creek and New Salem churches, 
 all situated in the northern boundary of the Associa- 
 tion, entertaining the most fraternal feeling for the 
 Association, believing it to be for the glory of God 
 and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom to 
 form a new Association, now ask letters from Salem 
 Association, believing it to be for the glory of God, 
 and while we entertain the most friendly feelings will 
 work in harmony with our mother Association, using 
 all endeavor to perpetuate our fraternal love and fel- 
 lowship. 
 
 "Also we ask that the churches immediately sur- 
 rounding this new organization be assured that if 
 they desire to go into the new organization it will 
 not be regarded a breach of good order, or a violation 
 of the principles of courtesy for them to do so." 
 
 31 
 
32 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 In consummation of the purposes herein described 
 a council was called to meet at Buena Vista Church, 
 Grant, Smith Count}', Tennessee, on October 30, 1888, 
 to form a new Association. In this council the fol- 
 lowing churches were represented : 
 
 Alexandria, Athens, Barton's Creek, Bethel, Buena 
 Vista, JJrush Creek, Carthage, Hickman's Creek, 
 Hogan's Creek, Knob Spring, Liberty, Linwood, 
 Macedonia, New Salem, Plunkett's Creek, Riddleton, 
 Rome, Rounsl Lick and Shop Spring. 
 
 Messengers from the above nineteen churches or- 
 ganized by the election of J. W. Bryan, Moderator, 
 L. D. Smith, Ckrk, and W. S. Neal, Treasurer. 
 
 They then proceeded to prepare a basis for future 
 meetings by appointing committees to draw up a 
 Constitution, Rules of Decorum, etc., to be presented 
 at a future meeting. The churches represented here 
 contained a membership of less than 2,000. They 
 had among their members the following ministers : 
 T. J. Eastes, J. B. Moody, J. H. Grime, L. D. Smith, 
 John Harper, Henry Bass, Z. A. Lyon, M. W. Rus- 
 sell, J. D. Howell, L. L. Allen, J. F. McNabb, Wm. 
 Wooten, S. B. Whitlock, T. B. Chapman, A. E. John- 
 son, A. J. Waller, N. R. Sanborn, and J. W. Bowen. 
 This was a fine body of men and would compare 
 favorably with the ministry of most any Association. 
 Besides this they could boast of as noble brethren 
 among the laymen as could be found anywhere. This 
 Association in doctrine is of the same type as the old 
 original Association. In the main her ministers are 
 strong Calvinists, and are strictly Landmark Baptists. 
 
 In mission work she has even exceHed the mother 
 Association, so far as contributions are concerned. 
 Her work has been steady and progressive, with noth- 
 
JSfetn Salem Axf<ociation 3.3 
 
 ing especial out of the usual line. The following 
 ministers who helped to set her asail, and with a holy 
 pride watched her infant steps, have gone to their 
 reward: J. W. Bowen, T. B. Chapman, S. B. Whit 
 lock, Z. A. Lyon, Henry Bass. These have crossed 
 the mystic river and joined the great Association 
 above. May we indulge the thought that they are 
 watching the struggles of their fellow-laborers here 
 below, and with a heavenly joy they mark every step 
 of advancement ? 
 
 In the twelve years of her existence she has in- 
 creased from nineteen to twenty-seven churches, and 
 they have a membership of some 2,700. 
 
 \\'e append here a tabulated statement of her meet- 
 ings : 
 
34 Hiatovy of Middle Tennessee Baptist-', 
 
 i-jjiJhJijt^i-^t-i'irii-ii-^i-^t-ii-; 
 
 
 to f 1 
 
 iTj OJ 0) 
 
 
 ^- t^2 i « 3 1^ «> 
 a;,rt^ a a> ca OJ ca 05 
 
 K pq « H h; n; ►^ u; h^ « P Jz; 1-; 
 
 
 mWrnac^K m M « a, o ij w 
 
 n Oi C3 03 d^ oi d 
 CD oo 00 00 5b 5 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Church Sketches. 
 
 big cedar r.ick mt. olivet. 
 
 This old church is situated in the little railroad 
 town of Leeville, eight miles west of Lebanon, Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee, and was constituted April 25, 
 1801, by a presbytery consisting of Elders Patrick 
 Mooney, Moore Stevenson, Clifton Allen and Frank 
 Weathered. These elders were members of West 
 Station Camp Church, of Sumner County, and the 
 church at Leeville, strictly speaking, is a branch of 
 that church from which she drew a good per cent of 
 her first members. The records are so soiled we 
 cannot ascertain the number of constituent members. 
 
 This church is the fruit of the labors of that noble 
 man of God, Elder Moore Stevenson, who first planted 
 the r>aptist Standard in Wilson County. The church 
 was first called Cedar Lick after a creek, hard by, by 
 that name. Not long after an arm of this church was 
 extended to another point tt;''d denominated Little 
 Cedar Lick, and from this time the mother church 
 was k-nown as Big Cedar Lick, till 1843, when it was 
 changed to Mt. Olivet. 
 
 This church has affiliated with four Associations. 
 In 1802 she united with Mero District Association 
 when convened at Richland Creek (Dillahaunty's) 
 Church. In 1803 she went into the constitution of 
 Cumberland Association and remained with this body 
 
 35 
 
36 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 till 1817, when she united with Concord Association 
 at Hickman's Creek in Smith County. Then in 1823 
 she united with Salem Association at Round Lick, 
 Watertown, Tenn. She remained with Salem till 1848 
 when she secured a letter, returning to Concord in 
 1849. 
 
 Since the above was written this' church has held 
 a centennial in which most all the living pastors par- 
 ticipated. This event took place April 25, 1901, and 
 was one of the happiest events this author ever wit- 
 nessed. 
 
 Pastors : Part of the records are lost, so that we 
 cannot give dates in full, for pastors, etc. Elder 
 Moore Stevenson became their first pastor and re- 
 mained in that position till he fell on sleep March 18, 
 1818. A Brother Dew was then called, and the next 
 pastor of whom we have any account is Elder E. W. 
 Haile, who was called about 1840. Then follow 
 Elder John Selvidge, Elder R. R. Barton, Elder R. W. 
 January, Elder W. F. Luck, Elder A. J. Brandon, 
 Elder J. P. Weaver, 1873 ; Elder S. G. Shepard, 1873- 
 76; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1877-80; Elder J. S. Rice, 
 1880-82; Eider J. H. Anderson, 1883-85; Elder J. T. 
 Oakley, 1885-87; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1888-92; Elder 
 J. H. Grime, 1893-95; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1895-96; 
 Elder S. G. Shepard, 1896-99; Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, 
 1900 ; Elder J. J. Carr is the present efficient pastor 
 (1901). 
 
 Clerks: John McFarland was first clerk and 
 served til! 1847; ^^'illiam Lanius, 1847-52; I. F. Davis. 
 1852-66; R. T. Davis, 1866-91; J. y\. Sullivan has 
 been clerk since January, 1892. 
 
 We are indebted to John McFarland and the present 
 clerk for many valuable papers. 
 
Church Sketches 37 
 
 Deacons : The first deacons were James Brinson, 
 Richard Scott, and Newton Drew. The present 
 deacons are W. P. SulHvan, J. W. Clemmons, G. W. 
 SulHvan, J. L. Russell and C. R. Lanius. 
 
 This church has sent out the following new 
 churches: Flat Rock, 1819; Bethesda, 1814; Barton's 
 Creek, 1820; Rutland, 1822; Little Cedar Lick and 
 Ridge Meeting House, 1825. These so depleted the 
 old stock that it seemed for a time it would go under. 
 But they rallied about 1848 and built a commodious 
 stone church house and have long been a power for 
 good. In doctrine this old church gave no uncertain 
 sound. In a letter addressed to Concord Association, 
 July 10, 1810, we find the following: "We are yet 
 holding the doctrines of grace, which are in Christ 
 Jesus (i. e. ), the doctrine of original sin, particular 
 election, the final perseverance of the saints in grace 
 to glory." 
 
 Also in a letter of dismission written by this church 
 Saturday before the fourth Lord's day in August, 
 1822, A. D., we find the following words: "We, the 
 Baptist Church of Christ at Big Cedar Lick, holding 
 believers baptism by immersion, the final perseverance 
 of all saints in grace to glory, particular and un- 
 conditional election." . . . This letter was given to 
 Barney Eagin. 
 
 She sent out some preachers in the early part of 
 her history. 
 
 This church contains some noble spirits. Present 
 number in fellowship is 125. Tt might be stated that 
 this was the first Baptist Church constituted in Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee. This has always been a mis- 
 sionary church, having never divided on the ques- 
 tion. 
 
38 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Bradley's creek. 
 
 This church is situated near the village of Milton, 
 twelve miles east of Murfreesboro, Rutherford Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee. The first Baptist preaching done in 
 this community was by that consecrated servant of 
 God, Elder Moore Stevenson, and this point was 
 held as an arm of Big Cedar Lick Church (now Mt. 
 Olivet), Leeville, Tenn., until May 17, 1806, when it 
 was moved to Statesville, Wilson County, and con- 
 stituted into an independent church now known as 
 Smith's Fork. Some time afterward Smith's Fork 
 Church extended an arm near the same point and be- 
 came foster mother of the same interest. This church 
 was constituted May 22, 1819, by Elders Joshua Les- 
 ter, Gideon Rucker, John Warren, and David Gordon. 
 The church was first called Philadelphia, which title 
 she held till 1833, when a new house was constructed 
 some distance north from the first, and the church 
 moved and the name changed to Bradley's Creek. We 
 have no means of knowing the number of members 
 in the constitution of this church. 
 
 Pastors : Elder Joshua Lester was employed as 
 first pastor of this church and continued till 1829, 
 when Elder Presley Lester moved into the community 
 and took the oversight of the church. This position 
 he held until he was called home, August 26, 1839. 
 Elder John Selvidge, 1840-48; Elder W. H. Grimmet, 
 1849-51 ; Elder D. H. Selph, 1851-52; Elder J. J. Mar- 
 tin, 1852-67; Elder L. H. Bethel, 1867-69; Elder D. 
 H. Selph, 1869-71; Elder Enoch Windes, 1871-78; 
 Elder Morgan Green, 1878-80; Elder J. H. Jackson, 
 1880-81 ; Elder G. A. Ogle, the present pastor, has 
 served since 1881, which marks a very prosperous 
 
Church Sketches 39 
 
 period in the church's history. In 1830 under Elder 
 P. Lester's ministry a revival swept through the 
 church and nearly one hundred converts were baptized 
 in one year. 
 
 Clerks : The clerks have served in the following 
 order: Jordan Wiliford, 1819-22; James Mathis, 
 1822-31 ; Claiborn H. Rhodes, 1831-42; Thos. Wilson, 
 1842-47; R. H. Jarmon, 1847-56; 'W. B. Byrn, 1856- 
 60; Nathan Harris, 1860-64; C. S. Dillon, the present 
 clerk, has served since 1864, a period of thirty-seven 
 years. 
 
 De.\cons : The following deacons have served this 
 church, beginning with the date following their names : 
 James Mathis, 1820; Bennet Rucker, 1826; Robert 
 Jarmon, 1831 ; David Jones, 1839; Wm. Barton, 1831 ; 
 John Putnam, 1839; C. S. Dillon, 1857; J. C. Hood, 
 Sr., 1857; Askenas Williams, 1857; William Dillon, 
 1840; J. C. Hood, Jr., 1876; W. E. Dillon, 1876; Rus- 
 sell Jarmon, 1879; Joshua Dillon, 1879; Edgar Freas, 
 1879; A. P. McCullough, 1880; Green Leeman, 1883; 
 Harrison Lester, 1893; Henry Rhodes, 1899; Daniel 
 Harris, 1899. 
 
 The following ministers have been ordained by this 
 church, viz. : Elder J. J. Martin, 1845 : Elder W. H. 
 Grimmet, 1848; Elder D. H. Selph, 1851 ; Theophilus 
 D. Jones, 1856; L D. Craddock, 1886. Besides these, 
 others have been raised ud in the bounds of this 
 church who have made noted ministers. Two new 
 churches have gone out from this church, viz. : Las- 
 cassas in 1884, Milton in 1898, both of which rival 
 the mother church for honors. This church was first 
 a member of Concord Association, uniting with that 
 body in 1819, when convened with old Providence 
 Church, a few miles east of Murfreesboro. In the 
 
40 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 division of Concord to form Salem Association, she 
 fell in the bounds of Salem and remained with her till 
 1833 when she took letter and cast her lot again with 
 Concord, where she has remained to the present. 
 
 A division occurred in this church in 1838 over mis- 
 sion methods, when a new church was formed which 
 cast her lot with Concord Association No. 2, of Sepa- 
 rate Baptists. This Association and the mother Con- 
 cord Association effected a consolidation in 1842, when 
 convened at Rutland. This resulted in the two wings 
 of this church coming together, from which time on 
 they have pulled together as one body. 
 
 In 1885 they dedicated a neat new house. It is 
 approximated that 1,772 persons have found a religious 
 home in this grand old church since its organization. 
 She now numbers 218. This is a noble band and with 
 one mind is doing the Lord's work. Few men can 
 boast of more pleasant surroundings than pastor Ogle. 
 
 Her Confession of Faith is a strong Calvinistic 
 document emphasizing God's sovereign grace in elec- 
 tion, and regular order in the ordinance of baptism. 
 
 ROUND LICK. 
 
 This church at present is situated near Watertown, 
 twelve miles east of Lebanon, Wilson County, Ten- 
 nessee. It was constituted in Smith County, near the 
 village of Grant, July 2, 1803, by a presbytery consist- 
 ing of Elders Moore Stevenson and Cantrel Bethel. 
 Elder Stevenson was a member of Big Cedar Lick at 
 Leeville, and Elder Bethel a member of Brusli Creek. 
 There were sixteen members in the constitution. They 
 adopted a strong Calvinistic Confession of Faith, 
 avowing man's imootency and the doctrine of Elec- 
 tion, with a strict construction of the ordinances. The 
 
Vhnrclh Sketehefi 41 
 
 church was ,s^iven the name of Round Lick because of 
 its location on a creek by that name. In June, 1820, 
 they moved the church some ten miles up the creek 
 into \\ ilson County, near where it now stands. 
 
 Pastors: This church has enjoyed the services of 
 the following pastors in the order mentioned : Elder 
 James McCaleb, 1807-08 ; Elder Thomas Durham, 
 1808-23; Elder Clark Hubbard, 1824-27; Elder Levi 
 
 A. Durham, 1827-35; Elder Sion Bass, 1835-37; Elder 
 Joshua Lester, 1837-39; Elder John Wiseman, 1839- 
 44; Elder Archamac Bass, 1844-45; Elder John Wise- 
 man, 1845-46; Elder E. B. Haynie, 1846-58; Elder 
 James Waters, 1S59-60; Elder J. W. liowen, 1860-61 ; 
 Elder James Barrett, 1866-72; Elder R. A. Dillard, 
 1872-75; Elder J. M. Phillips, 1875-76; Elder W. B. 
 Jones, 1877-78; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1878-85; Elder J. 
 
 B. Moody, 1886-89; Elder D. B. Vance, 1890-92; 
 Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1892-99. Elder J. H. Anderson, 
 the present pastor, has been with the church since 
 July, 1899, and is much esteemed by the church. It 
 is but just to sa}' that the church was supplied during 
 the Civil War by Elder Henry Bass, and for a short 
 time in 1899 by Elder E. S. Brvan. 
 
 Clerks : The various clerks have served as fol- 
 lows : Henry Robinson, 1803-08; Jonas Bradley, 
 1808-11; John Gill, 181 1-22; Archamac Bass, 1822- 
 33; James Holmes, 1833-51 ; W. S. Phillips, 1851-53; 
 L. D. Smith, 1853-71; John W. Bryan, 1871-72; W. 
 N. Waters, 1872-74; Wm. Bass, 1874-82; S. P.. 
 Grandstaf?, 1882-87; E. S. Priest, 1888-89. W. W. 
 Young is the present clerk and has served since 1889. 
 
 Deacons : The following deacons entered service 
 at the dates following their names : Levi Rogers, 
 1803; Stephen Rogers, 1S03; Harris Bradford, li 
 
42 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 John Gill (unknown); John Lash, 1839; Nicholas 
 Smith (unknown); Henry Bass, 1843; W. J. Crag- 
 wall, '1845; W. T. Cartwright, 1845; David Grand- 
 stafif, 1851; Joseph Tippit, 1851 ; Wm. M. Bryan, 
 1855; C. C. Smith, 1859; Benjamin Berry, 1859; J 
 S. Womack, 1869; John Organ, 1869; David Young, 
 1869; L. D. Smith, 1869; C. B. Smith, 1871 ; J. D. 
 Jones, 1878; A. J. Luck, 1878; Wilson Grandstaff, 
 1880; Thomas Young, 1885; Hiram Neal, 1885; Wm. 
 Phillips, 1880; C. D. High, 1891 ; U. W. Neal, 1894; 
 J. B. Bass, 1894; Willie T. Phillips, 1894; J. C. Mc- 
 Adoo, 1894; W. S. Henderson, 1898. 
 
 This church has been a member of four Associa- 
 tions. She joined Cumberland in 1804, Concord 1810, 
 Salem 1822, and New Salem 1888, being a constituent 
 member of the last three. 
 
 She has sent out the following new churches : 
 Cedar Creek, 1820; Shop Spring, 1882; Poplar Hill, 
 1885; and Commerce, i8qi. From these churches 
 others have sprung. ' '^ 
 
 The following ministers have been ordained by this 
 church: (Probably) John Wiseman, about 1806; 
 John Borum, 1810; Sion Bass, 1833; Archamac Bass, 
 1836; John Phillips, 1848; Henry Bass, 1856; James 
 Waters, 1858; J. K. Womack, 1868; L. D. Smith, 
 1871 ; T. A. Hudson, 1871 ; T. W. Patton, 1875 ; Wm. 
 Shelton, 1878. Besides the above, others have been 
 raised up in the bounds of this church who have 
 entered the ministry. 
 
 This church divided in 1837 o" the mission ques- 
 tion, a large majority falling on the anti-mission side, 
 leaving only twenty-five members. Being in the 
 minority they were turned out of house and home. 
 
Church Sketches 43 
 
 In 1839, they built a better house than the one they 
 left, then in 1857 they built the one now occupied. 
 
 It would, perhaps, be safe to say 1,500 people have 
 found a Christian home in this church. She now 
 (1901) numbers 351. She has once entertained the 
 General Association and six times the District As- 
 sociations. In many particulars this church has done 
 a great work. She has had some great meetings. In 
 1841, there were eighty-one additions. Some very 
 eminent men have filled her pulpit. During the last 
 few years she has grown in her benevolence. 
 
 CEDAR CREEK. 
 
 This old church was constituted July 21, 1820, by a 
 presbytery consisting of Elders William Stevens, Jo- 
 siah Rucks, John Jones, Elijah Maddox and Thomas 
 Durham, with ten members. This church was situated 
 about one mile south of Big Spring, Wilson County, 
 Tennessee, and six miles east of Lebanon. Elder John 
 Borum lived near where the church was located and 
 for some time he and Elder Josiah Rucks had been 
 keeping up an arm of Round Lick Church at that 
 point. They both became constitueru members of the 
 new church, of which Jordan Johnson was made clerk. 
 Elder John Borum was chosen as pastor, which place 
 he filled till God called him home. May 30, 1844. His 
 pastorate was indeed very prosperous. This church 
 became distinguished as the place for the constitution 
 of two Associations. It was here that Salem Asso- 
 ciation was constituted, October, 1822. And when 
 the division on the mission question came in 1837, the 
 anti-mission brethren constituted Round Lick Asso- 
 ciation of "Primitive Baptists" in this same house. 
 Everything went well with this church till the troubles 
 
44 History of Middle Tennessee Ba'ptists 
 
 came over the mission question, when she numbered 
 more than i6o members. A division followed, which 
 left only sixty-five of the number. By this time 
 (1837) the pastor (Elder John Borum) was getting 
 old and soon fell on sleep. Then her glory began 
 to wane till the blighting influences of the Civil War 
 swept over the land. From this the church never 
 rallied. However, her old pastor was not permitted 
 to sleep till he had seen her furnish her quota of 
 members to constitute Athens Church in 1843, which 
 was to hold the banner aloft when old Cedar Creek 
 should be known no more. The anti-mission wing 
 began to decline and moved this famous old house, 
 in which both wings had worshiped till the coming 
 up of the war, six miles north into Beasley's Bend 
 on Cumberland River. In the meantime Athens, the 
 daughter of Old Cedar Creek Church, prospered, till 
 in 1885 she sent out a colony (the present Cedar Creek 
 Church) to occupy her place in the old house which 
 is made sacred by the memories of long ago. The 
 line is a little broken, but it is only the daughter, or 
 rather the granddaughter, occupying the old home- 
 stead, since th^; re-establishment of 
 
 CF.DAR CREEK 2Vi. 
 
 A good church has been built up while the anti- 
 mission brethren, who worship in the same house, can 
 hardly breathe. This second constitution was effected 
 January 25, 1885, by a presbytery consisting of Elders 
 T. J. Eastes, H. Y. Tomlynson, and Z. A. Lyon, with 
 thirty-one members. 
 
 Pastors: The following pastors have officiated 
 since the reorganization: Elder J. R. Hearn, 1885- 
 87: Elder J. T. Oakley, 1887-88 ; Elder J. H. Grime, 
 
Church Sketche.s 45 
 
 1888-91; Elder W. H. Smith, 1891-94; Elder J- H. 
 Grime, 1894-95; Elder W. H. Smith, 1895-96; Elder 
 J. J. Carr, 1896-00. 
 
 Cr.F.RKs: Thos. Jackson, 1885-88; J. C. McDonald, 
 1888-90; J. R. Puryear, 1891-92; J, N. White, 1892- 
 96; R. S. Speck. 1896-99; W. E. Bingham, 1899 to 
 the present. 
 
 Di-.\coNS; J. W. Walker, T. J. Bingham, D. G. 
 Jackson, and X. B. Andrews. 
 
 This church has ordained Elder M. J. Osborn to 
 the ministry and licensed Brother J. E. Speck. 
 
 Tliis has been a battle ground between the Baptists 
 and Campbellites, this author having had two public 
 discussions with leading Campbellites in this house. 
 
 There have been 125 baptized into the fellowship 
 of this cluirch since its reorganization. Truer breth- 
 ren never lived. Death and other reverses have much 
 weakened tliis church within the last five years. 
 
 KNOB SPRING. 
 
 This church is situated in Smith County, five miles 
 west of Rome, near the Cumberland River. The 
 church is located at the foot of the western slope of 
 a very high knob and takes its name from a bold 
 spring which bursts out from its foot. This church 
 was constituted December 17, 1814, with fourteen 
 members, by a presbytery consisting of Elders Thomas 
 Durliam. Jrjhn Jones and John Borum. 
 
 This section was first occupied by Baptists at the 
 hands of Elder J(isiah Rucks, who came to Tennessee 
 from \'irginia in 1809, and cast his membership with 
 (most probably-) Round Lick Church. This church 
 is very likely an offspring from Round Lick, which 
 at that time stood near Grant, Smith County. These 
 
46 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 conclusions are derived from the facts that it was the 
 most convenient church to this point at that time, and 
 three of the ministers, including its pastor, concerned 
 in its constitution were members of this church. 
 
 Pastors : Elder Josiah Rucks was installed as their 
 first pastor, which position he held till 1830, when his 
 hands became too feeble from age to longer hold the 
 helm. He was succeeded by Elder Wm. Flowers, 
 1830-44; Elder E. W. Haile, 1844-50; Elder J. W. 
 Bowen, 1850-51; Elder W. H. Haile, 1851-69; Elder 
 J. K. Womack, 1869-70; Elder Richard Jones, 1870- 
 79; Elder W. N. Suite, 1879-80; Elder J. C. Brien, 
 1880-81; Elder J. W. Patton, 1881-82; Elder G. A. 
 Ogle, 1882-83 ; Elder J. PI. Grime, 1884-85 ; Elder J. 
 P. Gilliam, 1885-86; Elder J. C. Brien, 1886-87; Elder 
 A. E. Johnson, 1887-88; Elder W. H. Smith, 1888- 
 89; Elder J. W. Bailey, 1891-96; Elder S. N. Eitz- 
 patrick, 1896-99. Elder W. M. S. Wilks is the present 
 pastor. 
 
 Cleric?: Wm. Ferrell, 1830-36; Robert Burton, 
 1836 60; Wm. Haley, 1860-69; J. B. Hughs, 1869-73; 
 G. M. Burton, 1873-84. J. R. Burton is the present 
 clerk since 1884. He also represents the third genera- 
 tion of his family which has recorded the proceedings 
 of this time-honored church. 
 
 Df,.\cons: The early deacons of this church were 
 Howell T. Rucks and Wm. Ferrell, ordained 1834; 
 Robert Burton, 1837; A. Spain, 1873; W. G. Snoddy, 
 1883; W. A. Martin, 1883; J. W. Hughs, 1898; John 
 Martin, 1898. 
 
 This church has the honor of sending out one of 
 the most distinguished ministers of this section, Elder 
 !•-. W. Haile. He was ordained by this church in 
 J"»^". 1833. 
 
Church Sketches 47 
 
 This was once one of the most efficient churches in 
 Salem Association. At one time this church, with 
 x^thens, New Hope and Wolf Creek stood in the front 
 rank. Why their powers have been lessened I cannot 
 tell. In 1835 this church numbered 193. They sent 
 out a colony to constitute a church at Rome, Decem- 
 ber, 1854, and furnislied their quota for Athens, July 
 8, 1843, and Big Spring, November, 1897. 
 
 This church was unaffected by any of the divisions 
 which have affected our Zi in. However, in 1828. she, 
 with Hogan's Creek, withdrew from the Association, 
 avowing that there was no Scriptural authority for 
 Associations. It was suspected by many that Camp- 
 bellism had something to do with this action ; but they 
 denied it positively, and returned to the Association 
 in 1832. 
 
 This cliurch has affiliated with three Associations, 
 viz. : Concord, Salem and New Salem, uniting with 
 Concord in 1814, and entering in the organization of 
 the two latter. This church at present onl}- has sixty 
 members, but the\' are still a determined band, with an 
 excellent pastor, and a unified membership. And the 
 present indications are that the prosperity of other 
 days will again be restored to them. 
 
 ATHENS. 
 
 This church is situated in Wilson Count)', Tennes- 
 see, nine miles east of Lebanon, near the village of 
 Taylorsville; and was constituted July 8, 1843, by a 
 presbytery consisting of Elders E. W. Haile and John 
 Borum, with a membership of thirty-four. 
 
 The constituent membership of this church was 
 taken mainlv from Cedar Creek and Knob Spring 
 churches. Few churches started out with brighter 
 
48 History of Miihlh Tennes><ee Udpti^^tK 
 
 prospects or progressed with more signal success in 
 the Master's work for many years. This was once one 
 of the leading churches in Salem Association, and 
 marched in the front rank in both work and contribu- 
 tions. She has had to her ministry some of our very 
 best preachers, as the following list will show : 
 
 Pastors: Elders John Rorum, 1843-44; Elder E. 
 W. Haile, 1844-45; Elder S. L. Summar, 1845-46; 
 Elder Richard Lyon, 1847-4Q; Elder E. W. Haile, 
 1849-53; Elder W. EI. Haile, 1853-57; Elder James 
 Barrett, 1857-60; Elder Richard Lyon, 1860-64; Elder 
 J. C. Brien. 1864-65; Elder Richard Lyon, 1866-67; 
 Elder E. L. Hale, 1867-69; Elder J. R. Taylor, 1869- 
 70; Elder R. H. Jones, 1870-71 ; Elder R. A. Dillard, 
 1872-73; Elder Louis Dies, 1873-74; Elder J. T. 
 Oakley, 1875-77; Elder J. S. Rice, 1878-79; Elder A. 
 E. Johnson, 1879-83 ; Elder LL Y. Tomlynson, 1883- 
 87; Elder A. E. Johnson, 1887-90; Elder John Har- 
 per, 1890-91 : Elder EI. Y. Tomlynson, 1891-93; Elder 
 P. W. Carney, 1893-94; Elder J. J. Carr, 1899-OT. 
 
 Clicrks: H. Snead, 1843-45; James Chambers, 
 1845-60; A. J. Lyon, i860; R. T. Bell, 1860-64; Z. 
 A. Lyon, 1864-72; Eli Simms, 1872-76; J. H. White, 
 1876-84; B. L. Swaffer, 1884-86; J. D. Clifford, 1886- 
 88; W. E. Whited, 1888-90. R. H. Owen is the 
 present clerk. 
 
 De.acons: H. Snead and Lewis Chamliers seem to 
 have been deacons from the beginning; Lovic Dies, 
 1858; W. H. JMohcn, 1858; Jonathan White, 1864; 
 Alexander Chambers, 1864: David Jackson, 1864; 
 Richard Badget, 1864; E. G. Dillard, 1883; Benjamin 
 Swaffer, 1883; Joseph Dickens, 188^; Isham Jackson 
 1883. 
 
church Skeiehe.'^ 49 
 
 This church is the (hrcct mother of the reorganiza- 
 tion, or Cedar Creek the second, which was sent out 
 in February, 18S5, anil which consisted of thirty-one 
 members. Slie has also furnished members to other 
 organizations. She has sent out the fcillowing minis- 
 ters : Elder Louis Dies, cirdained July, 1846: Elder 
 Richard L\'on, Xovemlier 2, i84('i: Elder Z. A. Lyon, 
 July ('., 1879; Elder H. W. Pickett, Jr., July 6, 1879; 
 Elder H. Y. Tomlynson, Mav, 1883. 
 
 We are not able to ascertain the number of mem- 
 bers which ha\-e been gathered into the church during 
 her history, but they would aggregate many hundreds. 
 Li 1864 she had a revival in wliich there were ninet\-- 
 nine conversions. The present number is seventv- 
 eight. 
 
 The churcli united with Salem Association in which 
 she remained till 1888, when she became one of the 
 constituent members of Xew Salem .Association. This 
 church once included the Chambers and Gold families, 
 the latter of which now reside around Cordonsville. 
 It would be hard to speak too higld\' of the early 
 history of this churcli. Slie has had much trouble, 
 first and last, with whiskv. The fnllnwing incident is 
 told of Deacon Lovic Dies, who woidd weigh more 
 than two Inmdrcd pounds. Cn one of the revival oc- 
 casions, at evening service, a rough fellow sliowed 
 signs of drinking and was disposed tf) disturb those 
 near him. W'lien the deacon ap])roacIicd him and 
 remonstrated, the fellow liecame iusidting. The old 
 deacon led him to the door, and. taking him b\- the 
 na]K' of the neck with one hand and the seat of his 
 trousers with the other ])itcheil him head foremost 
 into the church vard, and turned round joining in the 
 ?png as though nothing unusual had occurred. 
 
50 IHxtory of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 \Miile she has some as s;ood members as are to be 
 found anywhere, yet witli her Zion languishes. She 
 has no pastor and her house is dilapidated. It makes 
 one sad to see this historie old church in the back- 
 ground. We can but hope that better da}s are close 
 at hand. 
 
 ROME. 
 
 This church is an offs])ring of the Knob Spring 
 C'hurch anil was gathered througli the ministry of 
 that noble man of Ciod, Elder W. X, Suite. It was 
 constituted Saturday before the first Sunday in De- 
 cember, 1854, with ten members. Elders ^^'. H. Haile, 
 W. N. Suite and Jt^hn Gold acting as presbytery. 
 
 Tliis church has never gathered a large member- 
 ship. l^Mng situated in the village of Rome ( Smith 
 County), her environments are such that she has not 
 a large field to draw from. Withal they have always 
 had a good ^vorking force of invincible brethren. 
 Taking their entire surroundings into consideration, 
 this is one of the most heroic bands that ever asked 
 admittance into either Salem or Xew Salem Associa- 
 tions. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. \\'. Bowen, 1855-58: Elder E. 
 ]-'.. Haynic, 1858-60; Elder J. W. Bowen, 1860-61; 
 Elder C. W. Cxriffin, 1861-62; Elder J. C. Brien, 
 i8f>2-64: lader W. X. Suite, 1865-67: Elder J. M. 
 Phillips, 1S67-69: Elder \\'. X. Suite, 1869-72; Elder 
 J. M. Ehillips, 1873-74; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1874-75; 
 Elder W. X. Suite, 1876-80: Elder John Harper, 1880- 
 82; Elder J. T, Oakley, 1882-83; Elder W^ H, Smith, 
 1888-92; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1892-94; Elder J. B, 
 rietcher, 1804-96 ; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1898-00. It 
 will lie seen from the above list that there are few 
 '■hurches, tliough possessing their abundance of 
 
Clinrcli S^kefcliex 51 
 
 wealth, that can boast of as strong" a miiiisirN' in their 
 pnlpit as this little eluireh. 
 
 Ci.KKKS; W. F. Hughs, i854-(')0; ( ). S. living, 
 i86o-r7: \\-. F. llushs, 1867-76; H, R. llalluni, 1876- 
 -y. D. M. Stineciphcr, 1876-89. Robert McCall, the 
 present elcrk, has served sinee 1889, and has drawn 
 up a brief of the ehureh. 
 
 Di'.AKixs : I have been tniable to ascertain the date 
 of the ordination of the deacons of this ciiurch. The 
 earlier deacons were 11. \. Ividdle, 1850: lames W. 
 Spain. 1855; W. W. C'hambers, 1855. The later dea- 
 cons are D. M. Stineciphcr, John North and J. U. 
 T la^nie. 
 
 The\' have a tieat brick hnilding" in which thev meet 
 regularly, though at present there is no regular pas- 
 tor. 
 
 Tiie\- are staunch r>a])tists of the strictest kind. 
 Thc\' ha\'e been beset on every side by all manner of 
 errors, yet tlie\- have never faltered. They are war- 
 riors of the .S|iartan type. They have affiliated in 
 Salem and Xew Salem Associations. Tiie present 
 number is forty-two. 
 
 I'.iu'.sii (."i<i;i-:k. 
 
 This motlicr church is located in the railroad town 
 by the same name in Smith t'oimt\', Tennessee, four 
 miles north of Alexandria. This is tlic oMest church 
 in this section and is the center from which the Bap- 
 tist Itistorv of tliis section must radiate. 
 
 The circinustances connected with the constitution 
 of tliis church are jjcculiar and very interesting. 
 .\bout the closing of the eighteenth centur\' there 
 came a \'oung man to the vicinitx' of Libert)', in De- 
 Kalb Count\-, named Cantrel Uethel, wlio hailed from 
 
52 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the State of Maryland. The Lord touched his heart 
 and he embraced a hope in the Crucified One. There 
 being- no regular Baptist Church or duly authorized 
 minister to administer the ordinance of baptism, he 
 was at sea to find a Christian home. In the mean- 
 time he learned of the labors of Elders John High- 
 tower and Alexander Devin, who had emigrated from 
 South Carolina as regular ordained ministers, and 
 settled in Warren County, Kentucky. These brethren 
 came there about 1795 and constituted Old Union 
 Church on the west fork of Drake's Creek. It was 
 to these men and to this section that young Bethel 
 repaired to secure legal baptism and a Christian home 
 in a regular Baptist Church. On his return the Lord 
 laid his hand on him and he began to exercise his 
 gifts and soon gathered a band of emigrant Baptists 
 together at Brush Creek ; and naturally enough Eld- 
 ers Hightower and Devin were imported to constitute 
 them into a church. 
 
 This church was constituted May 29, 1802, by Eld- 
 ers John Hightower and Alexander Devin, with six- 
 teen constituent members, ten males and six females. 
 Elder Cantrel Bethel was one of the number. They 
 were constituted on an abridged form of the Phila- 
 delphia Confession of Faith. The folowing Articles 
 of this document will suffice to show the trend of it : 
 
 Art. 3. "We believe all God's elect are during this 
 life eiTectually called by his grace, justified by the 
 imputed righteousness of Christ, sanctified in a meas- 
 ure, and are so kept by the power of God through faith 
 unto eternal salvation, and that the work of regenera- 
 tion is only perfected by the Holy Spirit through 
 means of which God liath ordained." 
 
Art. 7. "\\'e believe tliat liaptism and the Lord's 
 Supper are s^'ospel ordinances, both belonging to the 
 converted or true believers ; and that the only Scrip- 
 tural mode for baptism is immersion." 
 
 I take also the following extract from their Church 
 Covenant : 
 
 "Without lawful excuse, to be ready to communi- 
 cate to the defraying of the church expenses and for 
 the support of the minister" (pastor). 
 
 Such were the princi])les upon wdiich this old 
 motlier church was founded. She still retains the 
 same Articles of Faith and Church Covenant. 
 
 The early records of this church have been lost, 
 but fortunate!}- we find other records which cover the 
 time. (See Allen's Register for i83ri, p. 229.) 
 
 Pastous : Elder Cantrel Bethel was first pastor, 
 serving till iSio; Elder William Flowers, 1810-11; 
 Elder Thomas Durham, 181 1-23; Elder Thomas 
 Hooker, 1823-31 (the two last mentioned died 
 while pastor); Elder Cantrel Bethel, 1831-37; 
 Elder H. W. Bickett, 1837-38; Elder Sion Bass, 
 1838-39; EUler H. W. Pickett, 1839-43; Elder Arch- 
 amac Bass, 1843-44; Elder H. W. Pickett, 1844-48; 
 Elder E. W. Haile, 1S48-49; Elder James Barrett, 
 1849-60; Elder X. Flays, 1860-62; Elder W. H. 
 Grimmet, 1862-64; Elder N. Hays, 1864-6)9; Elder R. 
 A. Dillard, 18-^9-74; Elder J. W. Saulman, 1874-77; 
 Elder J. T. Daklev, 1877-79; Elder L. D. Smith, 1879- 
 81; Elder J. C. Brien, 1881-82; Elder J. R. Flearn, 
 1882-87; Elder William Simpson, 1887-88; Elder M. 
 W. Russell, 1888-94; Elder T. J. Eastes began in 1894 
 and is still the efficient pastor. 
 
 Clerks ; Moses Allen is the first clerk of wdiich 
 we have any record. He served till 1837; Samuel 
 
54 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Paschal, 1837-53; W. W. Washburn, 1853-54; James 
 M. Washburn, 1854-56; N. W. Phillips, 1856-58; M. 
 D. Ahen, 1858-69; W. G. Davis, 1869-70; W. M. Al- 
 len, 1870-71; G. E. Courtney, 1871-78; J. M. Watts, 
 1878; J. E, Brown, 1878-80; E. N. Allen, 1880-89; 
 George R. Allen, 1889-90; J. W. Atwood ; 1890-91; 
 George E. Courtney, 1891, and is still the efficient 
 clerk. 
 
 Deacons: Archibald Allen, Edward Turner,- 1830; 
 Samuel Walker, 1830; Willis Dowell, 1847; Moses 
 Allen, 1847; Taliafero Turner, 1847; Ed. Atwood, 
 1868; John Saulman, 1868; M. D. Allen, 1871 ; J. M. 
 Watts, 1871; S. B. Whitlock, 1874; A. A. Davis, 
 1886; J. Y. Philhps, 1886; James Paschal, 1897. 
 
 This church is evidently the mother of Round Lick. 
 An arm was extended there in April, 1803, which re- 
 sulted in the constitution of that church July 2, 1803. 
 They extended an arm to Liberty, DeKalb County 
 (then Smith County), in 1804, which resulted in the 
 constitution of Salem Church in August, 1809. In 
 1805 they extended an arm to Hickman, which re- 
 sulted in the constitution of Hickman's Creek Church 
 in July, 1806. Besides these, they have furnished 
 members in later organizations. 
 
 They have sent out the following ministers : Levi 
 A. Durham and John P. Walker, ordained June, 1827, 
 by Elders John Jones, Cantrel Bethel, Presley Lester, 
 PL W. Pickett, Miles West and Thomas Hooker. 
 
 Also William Allen, ordained April, 1834, by Eld- 
 ers Wm. P. Hughs, William Dale, Cantrel Bethel, 
 John Fite and James Evans. 
 
 J. W. Saulman, ordained January, 1874, by Elders 
 R. A. Dillard, Henry Bass, J. K. Womack, L. D. 
 Smith and J. T. Oakley. 
 
Church Sketcheft 55 
 
 G. A. Ogle, ordained second Sunday in October, 
 1875, by Elders L. D. Smith, T. J. Eastes, J. R. 
 Hearn and J- ^V. Saulman. 
 
 S. B. Whitlock, ordained February, 1888, by Eld- 
 ers William Simpson, L. D. Smith and J. C. Brien. 
 
 L. L, Allen, ordained February g, 1894, by Elders 
 M. W. Russell, T. J- Eastes, John Washburn and 
 A. B. Cabaniss. 
 
 This church has had rather a stormy career. When 
 the division came in 1837, and the Primitive Baptists 
 split off from the United Baptists and formed Round 
 Lick Association of Primitive Baptists, this church 
 took no action. However, there was an unsettled ele- 
 ment in the church that leaned toward the Anti-mis- 
 sion party. In July, 1838, they so manipulated mat- 
 ters as to elect Elder Sion Bass pastor, who had o;one 
 with the Anti-mission party. Once on the inside, he 
 began to sow the seeds of discord and succeeded in 
 keeping- the church from representing in Salem As- 
 sociation that year. Seeing something had to be done, 
 forty-two of the members covenanted together and 
 protested against the action of the church in calling 
 and retaining as pastor a man who had withdrawn 
 from the general bodv. This was the signal for ac- 
 tion and in January, 1830, the church divided, each 
 side retaining equal interest in the clnu'cli ])ri>])crt\'. 
 Those protesting and retaining mcmbershi]) in Sa- 
 lem Association were greatly in minorit). ( )ul of 157 
 members represented in tlie Association for 1837, tlH\' 
 were able to get to the Association in 1831) witli onl\' 
 38; thius leaving IIQ to go with the I'rimiti\e r>a]>- 
 tists. Our brethren, however, had the clerk ( SanuK-1 
 Paschal) and retained the records, gi\-iiig to tlie other 
 side a copy. They have worshiped agreeahl)- tos;-cther 
 
56 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 in the same house, each party bearing: their equal part 
 of expense in keeping up the property, ever since the 
 division until about 1898. Then they mutually dis- 
 solved partnership in the property, tearing away the 
 old house and each building a neat, new house on ad- 
 jacent lots. The minority has grown until it now 
 numbers 158 members, while the majority has 
 dwindled till only a remnant is left. 
 
 The early history of this church shows it to have 
 been very prosperous. I notice they baptized in one 
 year as many as 105 persons. Since 1827 about 700 
 persons have found a Christian home with this old 
 church. I suppose it would be safe to say that 1,000 
 persons have been received into the fellowship of this 
 old church since it was constituted. Of late years, 
 under the pastoral care of Elder T. J. Eastes, this 
 church has taken on new life ; and with a new house 
 of worship, in a flourishing railroad town, it would 
 seem that the new century brings with it a new era 
 of prosperity for this church. This church united 
 with Cumberland Association in 1809, when in ses- 
 sion at old Spring Creek Church, four miles east of 
 Lebanon. It was a constituent member of Concord 
 Association, 1810; of Salem, 1822, and of New Sa- 
 lem, 1888. 
 
 Hickman's creek. 
 
 This old church is an offspring of Brush Creek 
 Church, and is situated in the flourishing railroad 
 town of Hickman, Smith County, Tennessee. Among 
 the first ministers to occupy this point was Elder 
 John Wiseman, who emigrated to this State in 1805. 
 This church was constituted of members belonging to 
 Brush Creek in the month of July, 1806. As to what 
 ministers were present we are not informed, but feel 
 
Ch nrch Sketches 
 
 57 
 
 we would be safe in saying that Elders John Jones, 
 Joshua Lester, Cantrel Bethel and John Wiseman 
 were there. Elder John Wiseman became her first 
 pastor and remained so probably till about 1810, when 
 he was followed by Elder Thomas Durham, who had 
 moved into that community from North Carolina and 
 become a member of said church. He served till 
 death released him in 1823. Other ministers served 
 
 DEACON JESSE H. BAIRD. 
 
 as pastor most probably in the following order, but 
 for want of records we cannot give dates. Following 
 Elder Thomas Durham, we have Elders William 
 Flowers, Hiram Casey, Levi A. Durham, Archamac 
 Bass, E. W. Haile and N. Hays. He was released 
 from his labors with this church by death in the latter 
 part of 1868. Soon after his death Elder T. J. Eastes 
 
58 llistonj of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 was called to the care of the church and served till 
 June, i88i; Elder J. W. Patton, 1881-82; Elder M. 
 W. Russell, 1882-83; Elder J. M. Stewart, 1883-86; 
 Elder T. J. Eastes, 1886-88; Elder N. R. Sanborn, 
 1890-92; Elder M. W. Russell, 1892-96; Elder R. 
 Brett, 1896-99; Elder M. W. Russell, 1899-1900. 
 Elder W. J. Watson is the present pastor since De- 
 cember, 1900. 
 
 Clerks : We have no means of ascertaining the 
 earl)' clerks. Brother J. B. Baird was elected Jan- 
 uary. 1876, and served till February, 1894, when H. 
 C. Gwaltney was elected and still serves in that ca- 
 pacity. 
 
 Di;,\coNs: We can only g-ive of the later deacons, 
 Jeremiah H. Baird, 1875; Josiah Baird, 1875; Bethel 
 Eskcw, 1875; W. C. Jones, 1890; T. F. Gwaltney, 
 1890; J. E. Gold, 1890; N. L. Gold, 1890; T. L. Win- 
 frey, 1890; L. C. Smith, 1897; S. J. Thomas, 1897; 
 H. C. Gwaltney, 1897. In addition to these we might 
 mention Pleasant Gold, Nathan Word, and others, 
 witji our venerable Brother J, H. Baird, who still 
 lives. 
 
 This church, too. has had a stormy voyage. In 
 1826 this church had nearly one hundred members in 
 fellowship, but dissensions crept into the body, and it 
 seemed impossible to advance farther than they were. 
 So, in November, 1827, a council was called, con- 
 sisting of Elders Cantrel Bethel, Thomas Hooker, 
 Levi A. Durham and Daniel Blue. These brethren 
 advised a dissolution of the church, giving, to such 
 as coincided with them, letters of recommendation. 
 (Sec Minutes of Salcm .\ssociation for 1828). After 
 matters had somewhat (|uieted, these brethren came to- 
 gether and reorganized, leaving the disturbing ele- 
 
Clviirh Sketches 59 
 
 ment on the outside. This reduced their number to 
 twenty-six. The}' returned to the Association in 1830. 
 Whatever may be said on the propriety of the above 
 methods, it was certainly an effective way of dis- 
 pensing with a difficulty where the majority was on 
 the other side. Matters went well till 1837, when they 
 again numbered eighty-four, and the unfortunate di- 
 vision on the mission question came and again en- 
 tered her ranks, and a second division occurred, with 
 about equal numbers on either side. They agreed to 
 mutually share the property and worshiped agreeably 
 in the same house till about 1875, when, under the 
 ministry of Elder T. J. Eastes, our brethren secured 
 a compromise with the other side. Then the old house 
 was divided and each built a commodious new house 
 on different parts of the old original lot. This church 
 now numbers 142, while those denominating them- 
 selves Primitive Baptists are not nearly so strong, yet 
 have a fairly good church. 
 
 This church was first a member of Cumberland As- 
 sociation and was a constituent member of Con- 
 cord in 1810, of Salem in 1822, and of New Salem in 
 1888. Concord Association convened with this church 
 in 1817. At this meeting a resolution was passed on 
 Saturday to take a collection for Foreign Missions on 
 Sunday, which was done at the close of the sermon. 
 (See Bond's History of Concord Association, p. 27.) 
 This was twenty years before the name "Primitive 
 Baptist" was ever heard of, or any division on the 
 mission question ever took place. 
 
 As to ministers and churches sent out by this 
 church, we can not determine in the absence of rec- 
 ords. This author is quite sure that some ministers 
 were raised up by this church, but as it is our object 
 
60 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 to state only that which is authentic we will not 
 venture an assertion. 
 
 SALEM. 
 
 This old church has long been a noted landmark 
 with the Baptists of this section. There is perhaps 
 no church in Middle Tennessee which wields a greater 
 influence in the section where it stands than this old 
 church. 
 
 This church is an oiifspring- of Brush Creek Church 
 and was for some time an arm of said church. It was 
 constituted into an independent body August, 1809, 
 with thirty-one members, Elder Cantrel Bethel head- 
 ing the list. The presbytery consisted of Elders Daniel 
 Burford, John Wiseman and Thomas Durham. They 
 adopted a strong Calvinistic Confession of Faith, 
 which is but an abridgement of the Philadelphia Con- 
 fession. 
 
 This church is located in the town of Liberty, De- 
 Kalb County, Tennessee, on Smith's Fork Creek, one 
 of the most fertile sections in the State. This is said 
 to be the first town located and named in the Upper 
 Cumberland Valley. To write the history of this 
 church would be to write a volume. 
 
 Pastors : Elder Cantrel Bethel, 1809-37 '■ Elder 
 Wm. Dale supplied during this time for a period while 
 Elder Bethel was engaged in a missionary tour ; Elder 
 Joshua Lester, 1837-46; Elder Henry Fite, 1846-47; 
 Elder Nathaniel Hays, 1847-70; Elder L. H. Bethel, 
 1868-71; Elder J. W. Hunt, 1871-72; Elder J. R. 
 Bowman, 1872-73; Elders J. W. Hunt and J. R. Bow- 
 man, 1873-75; Elder J. W. Hunt, 1875-76; Elder T. 
 J. Eastes, 1876-83; Elder J. M. Stewart, 1883-86; 
 Elder Wm. Simpson, 1886-87; Elder T. J. Eastes, 
 
Church Sketches 61 
 
 1887 to present, 1901. It has been twenty-five years 
 since Elder T. J. Eastes was called to the care of 
 this church. With a short intermission, he has served 
 it ever since, and at present is preaching two Sundays 
 in the month. 
 
 Clerks: Adam Dale, 1809-16; Wm. Givan, 1816- 
 20; Tilman Bethel, 1820-50; Seth Whaley, 1850-51; 
 James Bratten, 1851-71 ; J. A. Fite, 1871-72; James 
 Allen, 1872-78: I. N. Fite, 1878-79; L. J. Bratten is 
 the present efficient clerk and has served since 1879, 
 a term of twenty-two years. 
 
 De.xcons: John Horn, 1814; Nehemiah Garrison, 
 1814; Wm. Dale, 1810; James Evans, 1818; Edward 
 Parsons, 1820: Joseph Hays, 1820; Moses Fite, 1822; 
 Henry Fite, Sr., 1829: George Givan, 1845; Seth 
 Whaley, 1845; Thomas Givan, 1851 ; James Hollands- 
 worth, 1851 : James Stark, 1871 ; Thomas Fite, 1871 ; 
 I. X. Fite, 1878; Wm. Robinson, 1878; T. M. Givan, 
 1886: Jno. A. Bass, 1886: Henry Fite, Jr., 1886; F. 
 M. Turner, 1889: J. C. Bass, 1889; H. M. Fite, 1891 ; 
 J. D. Smith, 1891 : T. G. Bratten, 1891 ; Horace Evans, 
 1897; James Stark, Jr., 1897. 
 
 From this church has sprung a family of churches. 
 Those coming directly from this church, either wholly 
 or in part, are Xew Hope, March 27, 1819; Enon, 
 May 24, 1821, this church was 'located in the Masler 
 settlement between Alexandria and Statesville ; 
 Goshen, Julv, 1821, this church was located on Dis- 
 mal Creek, four miles north of Liberty ; Short Mount- 
 ain, January, 1824; Prosperity, 1837; Smithville, 1846; 
 Indian Creek, 1848; Mount Zion, 1851 ; Sycamore 
 Fork, 1871 ; Cooper's Chapel, 1880; Dry Creek, 1886; 
 Dowelltown, 1894; while Alexandria, New Union, Mt. 
 Pleasant and Snow's Hill are granddaughters. 
 
62 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 This church can boast of sending out a long list of 
 ministers, viz. : Elder John Fite, ordained August, 
 1815; Elder Nathaniel Hays, October, 1846; Elder 
 J. L. Ferryman, October, 1872; Elder Wm. Dale, 
 August, 1815; Elder James Evans, August, 1825; 
 Elder John Horn, October, 1819; Elder Richard Wil- 
 son, October, 1819; Elder Henry Fite, August 1837; 
 Elder J. H. Vickers, February, 1881 ; Elder R. E. 
 Smith, December, 1886. Elder L. H. Bethel was 
 licensed by this church, October, 1833. Besides the 
 above, quite a number were licensed as exhorters, a 
 thing unknown to-day. Among these we note the fol- 
 lowing: Jonathan Hendrixson, John Haas, Lemuel 
 G. Griffons, Wm. Gosset, Moses Fite and others. 
 
 This church has furnished a Christian home since 
 1809 for 1,423 persons, the majority of whom are in 
 their happy home above. 
 
 The first house of worship this church built was a 
 log structure twenty-five by thirty feet. They now 
 worship in a modern frame building forty by seventy 
 feet. This is a great ])Iace for the hosts of the Lord 
 to gather. Tliey maintained preaching two Sundays 
 in the month. 
 
 Their cenietery is one of the most interesting feat- 
 ures of this old church. Near by in a beautiful plot 
 of ground, and made more beautiful by the touch of 
 loving hands, there sleep some three-thousand of 
 earth's departed ones. In this old graveyard rest some 
 twelve of God's ministers. Among these we note 
 h'.lders Cantrel Iicthel, James Evans, ^V^l. Dale, 
 /Vrchaniac liass, Xathaniel ffays, Henry Fite, John 
 I'1tc. J. W. Hunt and others. 
 
 The church united witli Ciunberland .Association in 
 1809, when it met with old Spring Creek Church, four 
 
Chuivh Sketches 63 
 
 miles east of Lebanon. In 1810 she helped to con- 
 titute Concord Association at Smith's Fork Church ; 
 and in 1822 she helped to constitute Salem Association 
 at Cedar Creek Church, near Big Spring, Wilson 
 County. From that time to the present she has repre- 
 sented yearly in this body, a term of sevent)'-nine 
 )'ears. No stauncher Baptists can be found anywhere. 
 They seem to be in the zenith of their glory with a 
 membership of 321. This church, through her history, 
 has practically stood as a unit in doctrine. The divis- 
 ions which disturbed the Baptists during the last cen- 
 tury had but little to do with this church. 
 
 NEW HOPE. 
 
 This church is situated three miles east of /Mex- 
 andria, in DcKalb CcHinty, Tennessee. In 1817 Elder 
 ^^'illiam Dale, who was a member of Salem Church at 
 Libert)-, DcKalb County, began preaching at the 
 private residence of Thomas Findley, in this com- 
 munity : and in 1818 an arm from said churcli (Salem) 
 was established there. The communit)- then began the 
 erection of a house of worsliip, which was completed 
 and the first meeting was held in this house in October, 
 1818. This arm or branch of Salem Cluirch consisted 
 at first of eleven members. By the following spring 
 they had increased to eighteen members, when the}- 
 were constituted into an independent church on March 
 2~, 1819. The following Presbytery officiated ; El- 
 ders Cantrel Bethel, Joshua Lester, Presley Lester and 
 Deacons J. Eaton and Barton Cook, Elder William 
 Dale becoming one of the constituent members. In 
 a sketch of this church written by Elder Dale we find 
 this statement: "This cliurch adopted the principles 
 
64 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 and rules of the mother church, which are not foreign 
 to those contained in the Philadelphia Confession of 
 Faith." 
 
 Elder William Dale served this church both as pas- 
 tor and clerk. He served as clerk as long as he was 
 able, — to 1844. He served as pastor to 1835, and 
 as joint pastor till 1844, dying in 1845. 
 
 Pastors : Elder William Dale, 1818-35 ; Elder Wm. 
 P. Hughes, 1835-38; Elder Archamac Bass, 1838-45; 
 Elder Henry Fite, 1845-47 ; Elder N. Hays, 1847-69 ; 
 Elder T. J. Eastes, 1869-76; Elder J. C. brien, 1876- 
 82; Elder J. R. Hearn, 1882-84; Elder J. C. Brian, 
 1884-85; Elder J. M. Stewart, 1885-87; Elder J. C. 
 Brien, 1887-88; Elder Wm. Simpson, 1888-89; Elder 
 
 A. C. Webb, 1889-94; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1894-98; 
 Elder Stephen Robinson, 1898, is still the shepherd of 
 the flock. 
 
 Clerks: Elder William Dale, 1818-44; Caleb Pres- 
 ton, 1844-54; Wm. B. Grandstaff, 1854-60; J. C. 
 Measles, 1860-62; J. H. Martin, 1862-73; W. C. Pres- 
 ton, 1873-87; G. E. Henley, 1887-88; E. J. Grandstaff, 
 1888-91; R. H. Sandlin, 1891-94; J. H. Akin, 1894- 
 98 ; Samuel Malone, 1898-00 ; J. H. Akin, 1900, and 
 still holds the records. 
 
 Deacons: John Wauford, 1819; James McCor- 
 mick, 1819; Caleb Preston, 1839; Andrew Williams, 
 1839; Levi Foutch, 1850; Yancy Malone, 1850; W. 
 
 B. Grandstaff, 1857 ; J. C. Measles, 1857 ; John Chap- 
 man, 1874; J. H. Williams, 1874; W. M. Malone, 
 1874; W. C. Preston, 1874; J. H. Akin, 1890; Henry 
 Foutch, 1890; Robert Sandlin, 1890; J. H. Foutch, 
 1899; I. N. Brown, 1899; Samuel Malone, 1899. 
 
 This church at one time had more members than 
 any other church in the Association ; and was in every 
 
Chiiirh SketcJies 65 
 
 way one of the leading churches in the Association. 
 It was the pride and joy of Brother Dale, who first 
 sowed the seed in that community. But in 1827 El- 
 der William J. Bomer led away after Campbellism 
 and through the pretext of Separate Baptists drew off 
 a number of members. He was ordained by this 
 church, and at this time was assistant pastor, Elder 
 Dale being prostrate with rheumatism. Elder Dale 
 grew more and more feeble and, in July, 1839, they 
 divided, the mass of the church going awav with the 
 so-called Primitive Baptists, leaving only sixteen to tell 
 the tale of the wreck. But God blessed this little band, 
 till in 1865 they headed the list of the Association with 
 298 members and were ready for every giX)d work. I 
 suppose it could properly be said that this was the 
 leading church in the Association. After the "split" 
 both parties worshiped in the same house for some 
 time, when the Primitives moved to another point, 
 changing the name of their church to Helton's Creek. 
 They are few in number and can hardly exist. It 
 was at this church that the division occurred in Salem 
 Association in 1837, and those who withdrew went 
 away and started the "Primitive Baptists" by organiz- 
 ing Round Lick Association. This church has sent 
 out the following preachers: Wm. J. Bomer, or- 
 dained February, 1824; Benj. Tubb, ordained August, 
 1834: W. C. Stiles, ordained Xovember, 1845, by 
 Elders John and Henry Fite ; H. Hardcastle, ordained 
 April, 1857, by Elders X. Hays, H. Bass and H. Fite ; 
 J. C. Brien, ordained January, 1859, by Elders N. 
 Hays, H. Fite and H. Bass. 
 
 This church first joined Concord Association in 
 1819, when it was convened at Providence Church, 
 Rutherford County. It was a constituent member 
 3 
 
66 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 of Salem Association in 1822, and has been repre- 
 sented in this body ever since. 
 
 This church has furnished more or less members 
 for the following churches : Mt. Zion, New Union, 
 Cooper's Chapel and Alexandria. This with other 
 circumstances have very much depleted this church, 
 till its power and influence have been much decreased. 
 There are still some as noble spirits in this church as 
 can be found anywhere. Though much reduced in 
 financial strength they arose in their might a few 
 years past and built a neat house of worship. They 
 have at present eighty members. This author breathes 
 a prayer that she may yet put on her strength, that 
 her glory may again be seen. 
 
 PROSPERITY. 
 
 This church is situated in Wilson County, Tennes- 
 see, near the village of Cottage Home on the bank of 
 Smith's Fork Creek. This is one of the finest farming 
 sections to be found anywhere. This church is an 
 offspring of Salem Church, and was gathered under 
 the ministry of Elder John Fite, who himself became 
 one of the constituent members. Most all the records 
 of this church have been lost, but the best information 
 we can gather indicates that this church was con- 
 stituted about the first of July, 1837, with sixteen 
 members. This church was constituted the year of 
 the rupture on missions, and united with Salem As- 
 sociation at the session the division took place. Elder 
 John Fite was their messenger. Elder John Fite be- 
 came their first pastor and served, perhaps, as long 
 as he was able. He was most probably succeeded by 
 his son. Elder Henry Fite. Elder A. J. Brandon was 
 their pastor during the sixties. After him came El- 
 
Church Sketches 67 
 
 ders A. J. McNabb, J. R. Hearn and L. H. Bethel. 
 The latter was succeeded by Elder J. H. Grime, Janu- 
 ary, 1884, who remained till January, 1889, when he 
 was succeeded by Elder J. T. Oakley, the present pas- 
 tor. 
 
 Clerks : The first clerk we have any account of 
 is A. Ha}'s in 1850. Jesse Paty resigned, September, 
 1885. W, A. Fite, 1885-87- J. A. Fite, 1887-94; 
 \\'c3ods Thomas, 1894-96; J. W. Hays, 1896-99; Lof- 
 ton Fite, 1899, is the present clerk. 
 
 Deacons: Jas. T. Hays, H. M. Fite, 1845; J- M. 
 Sneed, 1854; L B. David, 1854; J. C. Ford, 1869; 
 W. A. Groom, 1869; J. C. Johnson, 1876; Joseph 
 Young, 1876; W. A. Fite, 1887: J. H. David, 1887; 
 John A. Fite, 1894; A. D. Fite, 1894. 
 
 This church furnished a good per cent of the mem- 
 bers in the constitution of the church at Sycamore 
 Fork in 1 87 1. They licensed W. H. Gimmett to 
 preach in 1839. Besides this they have raised up and 
 sent out Elder \V. S. Patton and Elder Forest Smith, 
 who is now located in North Carolina. 
 
 Thev constructed an elegant new house of worship 
 in 1885, during the pastorate of J. H. Grime. 
 
 Xothing of an unusual character has occurred in 
 the history of this church. This church is in a very 
 prosperous con(liti(3n under the administration of 
 Elder J. T. Oakley. She is one of the strongest 
 churches in this section every way. They number at 
 present 345 memljers. To know this people is to 
 love them. 
 
 SYCAMORE FORK. 
 
 This church is situated on the line between DeKalb 
 and Cannon Counties, five miles south of Liberty on 
 the waters of Clear Fork Creek. This church was 
 
68 HiHtory of Middle Tennessee Baptixts 
 
 constituted of members belonging: to Salem and Pros- 
 perity churches. The church was gathered through 
 the ministry of Elder Henry Bass. A council was 
 first called to consider the question August 30, 1871, 
 and a day set and helps invited to constitute them into 
 a church. This church was constituted September 14, 
 1 87 1, by a Presbytery consisting of Elders A. J. Mc- 
 Nabb, J. W. Hunt, IJenry Bass and James Barrett. 
 They adopted the New Hampshire Confession of 
 Faith. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Henry Bass, 1871-77; Elder L. 
 H. Bethel, 1877-80; Elder J. R. Hearn, 1880-81 ; Elder 
 L. H. Bethel, 1881-82; Elder Wm. Simpson, 1882-86; 
 Elder J. H. Grime, 1886-90; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1890- 
 93; Elder J. H. Grime, 1893-98; Elder Stephen Rob- 
 inson, 1898-99; Elder W. J. Watson, 1899-01: Elder 
 J. H. Grime is the present pastor. 
 
 Clerks: James King, 1871-75; B. H. Givan, 1875- 
 80; S. J. King, 1880-81; J. T. Hancock, 1881-86; 
 J. L. Hale, 1886-01. A. J. Hancock is the present 
 clerk. 
 
 Deacons: John Hale, 1871 ; George Bratten, 1871 ; 
 J. H. Dodd, 1871 ; J. B. Collins, 1871 ; J. T. Hancock, 
 1887; George Turney, 1887; Jordan Iving, 1895; Tay- 
 lor Mulinax, 1895; Harrison Craddock, 1895; George 
 Summar, 1898 ; William Rich, P. L Turnev, John 
 Mathis, and Henry Herndon, dates of the four last 
 not given. 
 
 This, in some respects, is the most remarkable 
 church in this section. In a little more than a quarter 
 of a century she has grown from thirty-three con- 
 stituent members till she now numbers 411. There 
 have probably been a thousand persons admitted into 
 this church since her organization. This is the great- 
 
Church Sketches 69 
 
 est place for a gathering-, in good weather, known to 
 this author. Under the ministry of J. FI. Grime, an 
 elegant new house of worsliip was constructed in 
 1895. She has sent out one church since their organi- 
 zation, viz., Mt. Pleasant in 1875. One promising 
 young minister was raised up in their bounds, J. T. 
 Hancock. He was once called to the care of the 
 church, but was called home before his first appoint- 
 ment fell due. Other young ministers have fallen 
 under her foster care, viz. : A. C. Webb, William 
 Summar, AI. A. Cathcart and possibly others. 
 
 This church is in a fertile, yet very broken section 
 of countrv. The people are generous and kind though 
 not wealthy. They have an old-fashioned case of 
 genuine religion, and the church is in a highly pros- 
 perous state, being the strongest numerically of any 
 in the Association. Little did Father Bass know how 
 wiselv he built when he gathered that little band of 
 thirty-three and constituted them into a church. May 
 God helj) them to rise and put on their full strength. 
 
 coorick's cii-\Pi-;i.. 
 
 This church is situated on Dismal Creek, four miles 
 north of Libert)-, in DeKalb County. This church 
 was named in honor of Isaac Cooper, who, at the 
 time of tlie constitution of this church was a Meth- 
 odist. Yet he did more and struggled harder than 
 any other person in the construction of the new and 
 neat Iiouse of worsliip. (Let me say, that after all 
 was complete and the church was con-ifortably housed, 
 he and his wife, who had been Methodists for many 
 vears, were bajjtized into this church. ) 
 
 The first account of Baptist interests on Dismal 
 Creek dates back to the early part of the nineteenth 
 
70 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 century, when Elder John Fite began preaching in 
 this section. This cnhninated in the constitution of 
 a church known as Goshen Church, a short distance 
 below where this church now stands. Goshen Church 
 was constituted July, 1821, by Elders Cantrel Bethel 
 and John Fite, the latter being the only pastor they 
 ever had. From some cause this interest did not pros- 
 per, and the church was dissolved on Saturday before 
 the third Sunday in November, 1837. From this time 
 on the Methodists seem to have controlled the re- 
 ligious sentiment of the community, till about 1879, 
 when Elder J. C. Brien began preaching in the com- 
 munity. An interest was immediately awakened and 
 Mount Zion Church extended an arm there, which re- 
 sulted in the constitution of Cooper's Chapel Church 
 on l\Iarch i, 1880, with nine constituent members. 
 The Presbytery consisted of Elders J. C. Brien, J. 
 R. Hearn and J. W. Sandlin. 
 
 Pastors : Elder J. C. Brien was first pastor, serv- 
 ing till October, 1880. It might be said here that he 
 served there ten months before organization. Elder 
 J. H. Grime was pastor from 1880-81 : Elder J. R. 
 Hearn, 1882-83: Elder J. H. Grime, 1883-84: Elder 
 J. H. Vickers, 1884-87; Elder William Simpson, 1887- 
 89; Elder W. E. Raikcs, 1889-92: Elder A. C. Webb, 
 1892-93: Elder J. F. McNabb, 1893-97: Elder J. A. 
 McClusk}-, 1897-98; Elder Stephen Robinson. 1898, 
 and is the present pastor. 
 
 Clkrks: H. a. Hill, 1880-82; R. W. Cooper, 1882- 
 83: W. M. Hill, 1883-84: J. B. Henley, 1884-86: A. 
 S. Malone, 1886-87: D. \\. Hill, 1887: W^ M. 
 Hill, 1887-80: D. H. Hill, i889-(p: J. B. Henley, 
 1890-91; W. M. Hill, 1891-92: \. H. Grandstaff, 
 1892-94: E. Yeargin, 1894-95: Robert Cooper, 1895- 
 
Church Sketcheti 71 
 
 97; John F. Ycargin, 1897, and is still serving as 
 clerk. 
 
 Deacons: James IMalone, 1880; William O'Neal, 
 1880; S. R. Sandlin, 1880; Isaac Cooper, 1885; J. S. 
 Avers, 1885 ; A. S. IMalone, J. M. Henley, G. H. At- 
 nip, N. H. Grandstaff, Wesley Crook. For the last 
 five no dates are given. 
 
 This church has sent out one preacher, Elder Stephen 
 Robinson, the present pastor. He was a Methodist 
 minister and joined this church and was ordained by 
 this church September, 1897, by a Presbytery consist- 
 ing of Elders J. M. Stewart, J. H. Davis, J. A. Mc- 
 Clusky and Deacons William Robinson and T. M. 
 Givan. 
 
 This church has had a total membership since the 
 organization of 160 members. The present member- 
 ship is yy. 
 
 This cliurch had a very prosperous history for a 
 few years after its constitution, but of late years many 
 things have hindered its progress. It is in a place 
 where its work is much needed and it contains some 
 faithful spirits. 
 
 smith's 50KX. 
 
 This rild church is situated neat the little town of 
 Statesville, \\'ilson County, Tenn., six miles south of 
 Watertown, on the head water:, of Smith's Fork 
 Creek, This church is an offspring of Big Cedar 
 Lick Church (now Mt. Olivet, at Leeville, Wilson 
 County, Tenn.). In the very early part of the nine- 
 teenth century Elder Moore .Stevenson, pastor of Cig 
 Cedar Lick Church, established an arm of said church 
 on the head waters of Hradhy's Creek, some five miles 
 south of Statesville. This arm was fostered till the 
 
72 History of Middle Tennessee Biq^tists 
 
 coming from \'irginia of Elder Joshua Lester in the 
 fall of 1805. He settled near Statesville and took 
 charge of this interest. On May 17, 1806, this arm 
 was moved to the ]-)resent locatitjn and constituted 
 into an independent church hy Elders Joshua Lester 
 and John Jones, pastor of Spring Creek. This is the 
 third church constituted in \\'ilson County, Big Cedar 
 Lick and Spring Creek heing older. Round Lick is 
 older, hut \\as constituted in Smith County. This 
 
 ^^H^^^^Kf 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 Di-:.\c()i\ D.wiii 1;. s.mu'ii. 
 
 church when constituted numbered tweut\'-eight mem- 
 bers. 
 
 This church when first constituted was known as 
 ITodgcs Meeting Ihinsc. This name was derived 
 from a family by that name, which afterward re- 
 moved to Henderson Cnunty, Tenn. The old man, 
 Jesse Hodges, was a Revolutionary soldier, and has a 
 
Church Sketches I'A 
 
 grandson, if still living, William J. Hodges, who is 
 an eminent Baptist minister in Henderson County. 
 This name was carried by this church till about 1812, 
 from which time it has lieen known as Smith's Fork. 
 
 They adopted a strong Baptist Confession of Faith, 
 from which we take the following: "Art. 9. We be- 
 lieve in like manner the elect shall not only be called, 
 justified, but they shall be converted, born again, and 
 changed by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit." 
 
 "Art. 16. We believe that no minister has a right 
 to the administration of the ordinances, only such as 
 are regularly called and come under the imposition 
 of hands b)' the Presbytery." 
 
 Pastors: Elder Joshua Lester, 1806-43: Elder H. 
 W. Pickett, 1843-47; Elder John Bond, 1847-48; Elder 
 H. W. Pickett, 1848-60; Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1860- 
 79; Elder James H. Jackson, 1879-80; Elder John T. 
 Oakley, 1880-85; Elder J. H. Grime, 1885-86; Elder 
 S. T. Alsup, 1886-90; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1890, and is 
 present pastor. 
 
 Clerks: P. Collins, 1806-08; C. Word, 1808-1816; 
 William McHaney, 1816-19; John A. Smith was clerk 
 in 1835 and W. S, Bailey in 1840; Abner Witt, 1841- 
 42; R. C. Jennings, 1842-52; J. L. Jennings, 1852-61 ; 
 W. D. Jennings, 1861-71 ; J. S. Jennings, 1871-75; 
 J. B. Johnson, 1875-79; B. C. Hale, 1879-84; W. W. 
 Jones, 1884-90; A. J. Dunn, 1890-95 ; W. A. MclV'fillen, 
 1895, and still continues at present. 
 
 Deacons: James Cross, 1806; WilHam Longmire, 
 1806; Peter Pool, 1806; P. Collins, 1808; Shadrack 
 Smith, Sr., John Jennings, John Dillon and John 
 Ward (dates not given); David Smith, 1842; Man- 
 son Lester, 1842; William King, 1845; R. C. Jen- 
 nings, 1845; William Jones, 1852; J. R. Jennings, 
 
74 History of Middk Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1852; G. W. Jennings, 1852; James Jones, 1869; F. 
 M. Persell, 1869; J. L. Jennings, 1869; D. F. Whit- 
 lock, 1871 ; Z. McMillen, 1871; J. H. Davis, 1875; 
 W. A. McMiUen, 1879; Dr. J. M. Turney, 1880; 
 James McMillen, 1894; A. J. Jennings, 1894. 
 
 This church has sent out, in whole or in part, the 
 following churches : Marion, Auburn, Bradley's 
 Creek, Union (Hurricane), Falling Creek, Ramah, 
 Green Vale, Prosperity and Enon. 
 
 Ministers Sent Out : James Bond and John 
 Bond were licensed by this church. The following 
 have been ordained by this church, viz, : Presley Les- 
 ter, ordained 1815; John Whitlock, Washington S. 
 Bailey, H. W. Pickett, ordained August 14, 1824; 
 John E. Sullivan, ordained 1856; J. M. Phillips, or- 
 dained November, 1865, by Elders L. H. Bethel, J. 
 J. Martin, H. Bass, J. M. D. Gates and H. W. 
 Pickett; W. E. Raikes, ordained November, 1878, by 
 Elders J. M. D. Gates and J. J. Martin. 
 
 Since 1840, as far back as we have data, there have 
 been about 900 members belonging to this church. 
 As early as 1821 this church had 235 members, and 
 this after sending out some churches. It would be 
 safe to say that this church has furnished a Christian 
 home since its constitution for some 1,500 persons. 
 In 1812 fifty persons were baptized and 100 in 1819. 
 The present membership is 170. This is still a good 
 church with a noble membership, but has not the 
 prosperity of which it could once boast. It might 
 be of some interest to know that the same log wall, 
 which was once called "Hodges Meeting House," 
 and in which this church worshiped at the begin- 
 ning, has been moved, and is still in use by Brother 
 W. W. Jones as a part of his dwelling. 
 
Church Sketches 75 
 
 This church has had one of the most enviable rec- 
 ords of any church in this section, and it is to be 
 hoped that still greater usefulness awaits her in years 
 to come. 
 
 I feel it would be an injustice not to make mention 
 especiall}' of Deacon David B. Smith. It was he that 
 made much contained in these pages possible, by pre- 
 serving a file of the minutes of Salem Association. 
 He was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, Sep- 
 tember 24, 1804. He came to Tennessee and united 
 with Smith's Fork Baptist Church November, 1819, 
 and was made deacon of said church in 1842. He 
 was treasurer of the Association thirty years ; died 
 April 8, 1879. He kept a file of associational min- 
 utes from 1820 (including part of Concord Associa- 
 tion) till he died, after which the family kept it up. 
 He rarelv ever missed a session of the Association. 
 Noble servant, may his name live o'n as he has pre- 
 served the names of others. It might be well to 
 state that Elder John Whitlock led a division of this 
 church in 1827. forming Pleasant Valley Church of 
 Separate Baptists, some two miles down the creek 
 below Statesville ; but this church has never been 
 troubled b}' the Anti-mission division of 1837. Elder 
 Joshua Lester was pastor at that time and was able 
 to hold his church to the old landmarks of the 
 fathers. 
 
 Smith's Fork united with Cumberland Association 
 in the fall of 1806, and remained in that body till 
 1810, when Concord Association was constituted, they 
 being one of the constituent churches. We might 
 say that Concord Association was constituted in 
 Smith's Fork Church house, then known as "Hodges 
 Meeting House." She remained in this biMly till 
 
76 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1822, when she went into the constitution of Salem 
 Association, where she still belongs. 
 
 UNION. 
 
 This church is situated ten miles south of Leba- 
 non, Wilson County, Tenn., on the waters of Hurri- 
 cane Creek. Locally it has acquired the name of "Hur- 
 ricane Church," and many perhaps do not know its 
 real name. 
 
 This church had the misfortune to lose all their 
 church records by fire some three years ago, hence 
 we gather this imperfect sketch from other sources. 
 For the early history of this church, the reader is 
 referred to Allen's Register for 1836, page 231. 
 
 Union Baptist Church was constituted on Satur- 
 day before the fourth Sunday in August, 181 5, with 
 twenty-six members. This is an offspring of Smith's 
 Fork Church, and was constituted for the convenience 
 of her members living in that section, which was some 
 twelve or fifteen miles distant from the church. 
 
 This church was constituted by Elders Joshua Les- 
 ter and Edward Willis. James and John Bond were 
 probably at that time licensed ministers of Smith's 
 Fork Church and became constituent members of this 
 new church. It might be well to state that they had 
 worshiped as an arm of Smith's Fork Church at this 
 place some time before they were constituted into a 
 church. After the constitution Elder Joshua Lester 
 became supply pastor till May, 1822, when Elder John 
 Bond was called as pastor, having been ordained in 
 1820. 
 
 Pastors : The following will approximately state 
 the pastorates of this church : Elder Joshua Lester, 
 1815-22; Elder John Bond, 1822-61; Elder N. AT. 
 
Church Sketciies 77 
 
 Green, 1861-80; Elder S. G. Shepard, 1880-89; Elder 
 J. W. Martin, 1889-93; Elder J. W. Patton, 1893-06; 
 Elder C. S. Dillon, 1896-99 ; Elder S. G. Shepard, 
 1899 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: John Bond was first clerk; Alex Sim- 
 mons was clerk in 1835 ; since then the following 
 clerks have served, but dates not known : J. P. 
 Lenore, William Alsup, Sr., H. H. Simmons, William 
 Nelson, J. W. Edwards, M. R. Cluck and W. B. Ed- 
 wards. 
 
 Deacons: The following were the early deacons of 
 this church, viz. : Jacob Bennett, Linsey Martin, Alex- 
 ander Simmons and John P. Spain. These consti- 
 tuted the deacons up to 1835. Since then the follow- 
 ing have served in that capacity : William Nelson, 
 D. R. \'aughter, J. \V. Edwards, Wesley Martin, 
 
 \\'illiam Bennett, J. L. Cluck, ■ McRoberts, \N . J. 
 
 Knight, Jerry Cason, John Cason, W. T. Edwards, 
 W. J. Baird, John Davis, J. P. Lenore, Lee Clem- 
 uKjiis, James Castleman, C. L. Baird, W. H. Alsup, 
 T. H. \'aughter, D. C. Vaughter, J. W. Bennett, A. 
 Vi. Edwards and W. T. Williams. 
 
 The earlv histor)- of this church shows a prosperous 
 career. In the first twenty years of their history they 
 had sent out a number of members to other churches 
 and reached an aggregate of \fx) members. It might 
 also be stated that they had lost during this time 
 thirtv members in the Separate Bajjtist and Camp- 
 bellite controversy. This churcli was not so fortunate 
 in the mission controversy of 1837 as her mother. 
 Smith's Fork, but just the status of the division we 
 liave no means of learning. 
 
 She has ordained the following ministers, viz. : 
 Elders John Bond and James Bond, in 1820; Presby- 
 
78 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tery Elders Joshua Lester and David Gordon, Elder 
 N.M. Green, i8— . 
 
 The following brethren have been licensed to 
 preach : William Bennett, James K. Knight and Wal- 
 ter Nelson. 
 
 This church united with Concord Association in 
 fall of 1815 and remained till 1822, when it went into 
 the constitution of Salem Association. In 1830 she 
 asked for dismission to join Concord again, which 
 she did in 1831, remaining there till 1882, when she 
 returned again to Salem Association, where she con- 
 tinues to meet at present. 
 
 Three things this church has never varied from 
 since their organization, viz. : To call her pastor for 
 indefinite time, to set no stipulated salary, and to hold 
 to the fourth Sunday as her meeting day. This 
 church has had many difficulties to encounter, but has 
 been victor in them all and to-day is one of our most 
 prosperous churches, numbering 272 members. 
 Large multitudes gather there to hear the word 
 preached. I suppose not less than 1,200 persons, pos- 
 sibly more, have found a Christian home in "Old 
 Hurricane" (Union) Church. 
 
 This church is situated five miles south of Water- 
 town, in Wilson County, Tenn., on the head waters 
 of Smith's Fork Creek. This is a very broken but 
 fertile section of the country. The citizenship is com- 
 posed of staunch yeomanry, yet crude and unsophis- 
 ticated. This section was first occupied religiously by 
 the Methodists and Presbyterians. A few years since 
 Elder S. T. Alsup began preaching in the church oc- 
 
church Sketches 79 
 
 cnpied by the Methodists, and this soon stirred up 
 the resident Baptists to have a church of their own, 
 and on October 26, 1879, ^ Baptist church was con- 
 stituted to be known as Rocky Rrancli. However, at 
 the sugg^estion of Elder S. T. Alsup, the name was 
 changed in August, 1880, to Ramah. This church 
 was constituted by Elder S. T. Alsup, and others, 
 with fifteen members, coming out of Falling Creek 
 and Smith's Fork Churches, mostly from the former. 
 They were constituted in a free house occupied by the 
 Methodists. They soon settled all troubles by re- 
 ceiving the Methodists into the Baptist Church and 
 building a new and more commodious house of wor- 
 ship hard by, and turning the free house over for 
 school purposes. This church will stand as a monu- 
 ment to Elder S. T. Alsup, who now stands near 
 death's door. 
 
 P.ASTORs: Elder S. T. Alsup, 1879-90: Elder G. 
 .\. Ogle, 1890-91 : Elder S. T. .-Xlsup, 1891-92; Elder 
 J. T. Oakley, 1892-93; Elder S. T. Alsup, 1893-95; 
 Elder J- H. Grime, 1895, and is present pastor. 
 
 Clerks: Daniel Harden, 1879-88; W. H. Leemon, 
 1888-95; W. A. Snyder, 1895-99; J. A. Tarpley, 1899, 
 and is the oresent clerk. 
 
 Deacons: W. C. Patterson, 1879; Purnel Lane, 
 1879; J. B. Tarpley, 1879; L. D. Philhps, 1881 ; W. 
 H. Leemon, 1883 ; J. N. Johnson, 1883 ; W. N. Rick- 
 etts, 1886; W. C. Ashworth, 1886; J. A. Tarpley, 
 1894; J. C. Leemon, 1894; R. N. Hays, 1894. 
 
 It might be remarked that Brother L. F. Porter- 
 field has been housekeeper for twenty years. 
 
 This church is noted for plain spiritual worship, 
 without any effort at show or set forms. Nine out of 
 the fifteen constituent members have gone to their 
 
80 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 reward, but lived long: enough to see the little vine 
 grow into a flourishing church. 
 
 Since this church was constituted twenty-two years 
 ago with fifteen members she has furnished a Chris- 
 tian home for 307 persons. She now numbers 156 
 members and is enjoying a fair degree of prosperity. 
 She has always represented in Salem Association. 
 
 SHOP SPRING. 
 
 This church is situated near the village of Shop 
 Spring, seven miles east of Lebanon, Wilson County, 
 Tenn. Their house stands on the Lebanon and Sparta 
 pike in one of the best sections of the County. This 
 church was constituted in a school house January 28, 
 1882, by Elders Henry Bass and John T. Oakley, with 
 thirty-eight members, mostly from Round Lick 
 Church. It might be said, however, that the month 
 following sixteen others from Spring Creek cast their 
 lot with them. 
 
 The gathering of this church was due to the labors 
 of Elder J. \V. Patton, who became one of the con- 
 stituent members, and their first pastor. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. W. Patton, 1882-83: Elder J. 
 J. Porter, 1883-84: Elder T. J. Eastes, 1884-88; Elder 
 J. W. Patton, 1888-89; Elder J. B. Moody, 1889-90; 
 Elder J. H. Grime, 1890-91 ; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1892- 
 99; Elder J. H. Anderson, 1899, ^^^d is still pastor. 
 
 Clerks: John r)ryan, Jr., served as clerk in the 
 organization in 1882 and has continued to serve in 
 that capacity to the present time. 
 
 De..\cons: D. Young, 1882; William Bass, 1882; 
 John W. Bryan, 1882: William M. Bryan, 1882; W. 
 A. Rushing, 1896: W. P. Henderson, 1896; M. T. 
 Bass, 1896; John Bryan, Jr., 1896. 
 
Church Sketches 81 
 
 This church has sent out two 3'oung ministers, viz. : 
 Elder E. S. Bryan, ordained October 3, 1890, by Elders 
 J. H. Grime, J. W. Bowen, E. E. Folk and T. J. Eastes. 
 Elder R. A. Rushing was ordained August 5, 1894, 
 by Elders J. P. Gilliam, E. S. Bryan, J. M. Knight, 
 J. W. Patton, G. H. Butler and A. J. Holt. 
 
 This church has had in fellowship since the begin- 
 ning 291 members, and now numbers 169. This is 
 one of the most efficient churches in this section of 
 country, considering the time it has existed. She pos- 
 sesses a good degree of property and is reasonably 
 liberal in its distribution in the Lord's cause. Soon 
 after the constitution she built a neat and commodious 
 house of worshij). Everything considered, few 
 churches have such an opportunity to do work for the 
 Lord. 
 
 This church united with Salem Association in the 
 fall of 1882 and represented in this body annually 
 till 1888. Then she became a constituent member of 
 Xew Salem Association, in which body she has since 
 represented. 
 
 COMMERCE. 
 
 This cliurch is situated in the village of Commerce, 
 four miles north of \\'atertovvn, Wilson County, Tenn. 
 This community had been preoccupied religiously by 
 the Cumberland Presbyterians, who had for many 
 years sustained a prosperous church at this place. 
 
 The gathering of this church is due to the untiring 
 labors of Elder L. D. Smith and wife. About forty 
 years prior to the constitution of this church they 
 moved into the village — a newly married couple. At 
 that time they were the only Baptists in the village, 
 but they talked the matter over and set their hearts 
 
82 Ili-stoi-t/ of Middle Teiuiesxee Bdpti.sts 
 
 o-n having: a Baptist cliurch there. God heard their 
 prayer and blessed their labors, till finally the time 
 came for them to realize their long-cherished hopes. 
 
 This church \\'as constituted September 28, 1891, 
 by Elders T. J. F.astes, Henry Bass and J. F. Mc- 
 Xabb, with t\vent^•-si.\ members, mostly from Round 
 Lick Church. Elder L. D. Smith and wife headed the 
 list, he becoming their under shepherd. 
 
 P.vsrors: Elder L. I). Smith, 1891-93: Elder S. 
 B. W'hitlnck, 1893, and died: Elder J. F. McNabb, 
 1893-94: Elder J. H. (irime, 1895, and continues at 
 present 
 
 Clerks : L. H. Smith has served this church as 
 clerk during its entire history. 
 
 De.\cons: Anderson Williams, 189 1 : Hugh Midget, 
 1891: J. T. Wilkerson, 1891 : J. T. Midget, 1897: S. 
 D. Midget, 1897. 
 
 This church is ]ioor in this world's goods, but lib- 
 eral with what the Lord has committed to her trust. 
 It was not until 1894 that she was able to purchase 
 a house of worship. She now owns a comfortable 
 house, most admirably situated, with a beautiful lot 
 of some two acres. Though poor and not able to do 
 much, yet she keeps all her accounts settled, with a 
 balance in the treasury. 
 
 This church in the brief history of her existence 
 has given the hand of fellowship to seventy-seven 
 ?rsons, and now numbers sixty members. They com- 
 mand good audietices, with a fair prospect for future 
 usefulness. This church has always since her con- 
 stitution rrr)resented in New Salem Association. 
 
Vliinvh Skefrhex 8:5 
 
 AI.ICXANnUlA. 
 
 This cliurcli is located in the town of Alexandria, 
 on the western houndary of DcKalb Connty, Tennes- 
 see. This is a town of about 1,000 inhabitants, sit- 
 uated in a fine section of country on the head waters 
 of Ilickiuan CVeek. This town had for many years 
 been mainly occupied by the Methodists and Camp- 
 bellites, with a weak Cumberland IVesbxterian inter- 
 est more recently established. Elder T. J. I-^astes 
 had for ) ears done some preaching;' in the town, kxik- 
 iui;' forward ti^ the time when a I'laptist church should 
 he established tlicre. E\-erythinL:; kKjkinc; in this di- 
 rection was discourasjed \)\ both Methodists and 
 Campbellites, while the Cumberland I'resbytcrian 
 brethren held out their hand, and n-fanted the use of 
 their house r>f worship. 
 
 In the mouth of January, 1887, a public debate was 
 arranc;ed for this ])lace between Elder J. B. ?\Ioody, 
 editor of tlie Baf^tist Gleaner, and Dr. T. W. Brents, 
 a leadinij light anions::^ the Cam])bellites, in\-olving' the 
 ditierences between the Baptists and Campbellites. 
 \'ast audiences attended, and it is needless to say that 
 Brother Moo(h' carried e\er\thing- before him. At 
 the close of this discussion, the Baptists had prown 
 so enthusiastic tlie\- decided to orp^anize. So on Jan- 
 uar\- 22nd, 1887, t\\ent\-four bretliren and sisters 
 belonp;intj to different Bajitist churches in the sur- 
 roiuidinp: countr\- met in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
 church house and were constituted into a recrular 
 Baptist church by a rresb>'ter\- consisting of Elders 
 J. B). bloody, T. J. l-:astes, J. .M. Stewart and W. C. 
 ( iracc. 
 
 .-\fter the\- were constituted the)- bef^an at once to 
 build a house of worship, and prosecuted to complc- 
 
BAPTIST CHURCH, .\l.i;x ANURIA, TIINN. 
 
Church SJcetrhes 85 
 
 tion one of the neatest houses of worship in this en- 
 tire section of country. The opening- or dedication 
 services were conducted by Elder T- P>. Moody. 
 
 P.VSTORS: Elder J. B. Moody, 1887; Elder N. R. 
 Sanborn, 1889-91 ; Elder W. H. Smith, 1891-93; Elder 
 J. B. Fletcher. 1S93-97: Elder Rutherford Brett, 1897- 
 99; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1899, and still officiates as 
 the present pastor. 
 
 Clerks: J. A. Walker, 1887-92; J. M. Walker, 
 1892-95 ; C. E. Bailiff, 1895 ; C. B. Bailiff, 1895 to the 
 oresent, 1901. 
 
 Deacons: L. E. Jones, 1887; Isaac Cooper, 1887; 
 Levi Eoutch, 1887; ]. H. Snoddy, 1890: H. H. Jones, 
 1890; .\. P. Smith, 1890; G. A. Measle, 1892; Samuel 
 :\rcMillen, 1892; J. A. Walker, i&)2: C. A. Bailiff, 
 1898; J. S. Rowland, 1897; James Stark, 1901. 
 
 This church is enjoying a good degree of pros- 
 perit}'. During her short history 178 persons have 
 enjoyed her fellowship. She numbers at present 113. 
 She has lost ten of her number by death, among whom 
 was the lamented Elder J. H. Whitlock. 
 
 This church never united with an association till 
 the fall of 1888, when she went into the constitution 
 of New .Salem Association, in which she has con- 
 tinued to re]ircscnt to the present. 
 
 They n<>w occujjv a prominent ])lacc among the 
 religious denominations of the town. 
 
 Pk(l\ IDICNCE. 
 
 Providence Baptist Church is situated on the waters 
 of Mountain Creek, in Warren Count \', Tennessee, 
 midwav lietween Sniitlu'ille and McMinn\ilk'. The 
 gathering' of this church is mainh' due to the lalmrs 
 
86 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 of Elder Henry Bass, assisted by Elders John Phillips 
 and A. J. Brandon. 
 
 This church was constituted some time in the year 
 1856, possibly the latter part, as they did not attach 
 themselves to the Association till 1857. The church 
 was constituted by Elders A. J. Brandon, Henry Bass 
 and John Phillips. She numbered but six members 
 when she united with the Association. She built a 
 neat house of worship, but because of a defective 
 deed lost it, and had to rebuild, which made it ex- 
 ceedingly hard on the struggling little band. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Henry Bass, 1856-58; Elder J. C. 
 Brien, 1858-61 ; vacant during the war ; Elder Henry 
 Bass, 1866-69; Elder R. K. Keaton, 1869-70; Elder 
 J. W. Hunt, 1870-74; Elder L. Brown, 1874-76; Elder 
 William Simpson, 1876-78; Elder Eukey Garner, 
 1878-80; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1880-82; Elder J. C. 
 Brien, 1882-84; Elder R. K. Keaton, 1884-89; Elder 
 A. J. Brien, 1889-92; vacancy; Elder J. H. Davis, 
 1897-99; Elder William Simpson, 1899-00; Elder A. 
 J. Brien, 1900, and still serves at present. 
 
 Clerks; John O. Pope, 1856-66; John W. San- 
 ders, 1866-74; Samuel Vanhooser, 1874-78; J. P. 
 Hardcastle, 1878-90; J. T. Hardcastle, 1890, and is 
 the present clerk. 
 
 Deacons; J. O. Pope, 1856; J. P. Hardcastle, 
 1867; J. C. J. Kirby, 1867; J. W. Vanhooser, 1897; 
 J. T. Hardcastle, 1897. 
 
 Elder R. K. Keaton was ordained by this church 
 to the full work of the ministry in 1872. Two. 
 churches have been organized from the members of 
 this church. 
 
 This church is surrounded by almost all the heresies 
 of the country, and it has been a battle royal with 
 
Chiireh Skefchex 87 
 
 her durin.c: lier entire history. At one time it seemed 
 that the conflict would g;o a°:ainst her. But the God 
 of battles came to her rescue, and under the ministry 
 of Elder A. T. Brien she is again coming to the front, 
 having had twenty-five additions last year. She num- 
 bers at present about sixty members. If this church 
 had not contained some of the salt of the earth she 
 would long since have given over the struggle. May 
 the Lord nerve the arm for the fight. 
 
 She has represented in Salem Association since 
 1859. 
 
 \\'H.\RTON SPRINGS. 
 
 This church is situated in DeKalb County, Ten- 
 nessee, three miles south of the town of Smithville. 
 A number of Baptists liad moved into this community 
 from dififerent sections of the country, some from the 
 churches of Salem Association, and others from the 
 ch.urches of Union .Association. Being deprived of 
 the privileges of God's house, they agreed to band 
 themselves together for this purpose. 
 
 This church was constituted July 6, 1889, by Elders 
 William Simpson, R. E. Smith, Edwin Kelly and J. 
 D. Howell. This church v.'as constituted in the pri- 
 vate dwelling house of E. B, Allen, with twelve mem- 
 bers. The name of Deacon William Tibbs heads the 
 list. This is at least three lists he has headed to con- 
 stitute new Baptist churches. 
 
 Pastors: Elder William Simpson, i88c^9i ; Elder 
 J. A. McClusky, 1891-93; Elder William Simpson, 
 1893-94; Elder J. H. Davis, 1894-96; Elder J. M, 
 Stewart, 1896-98; Elder J. H. Davis, 1898-00; Elder 
 J. T. Oakley, 1900, and is still acting as pastor. 
 
 Clerk : Brother B. M. Cantrell was appointed 
 
88 History of Middle Tennessee BcqMsts 
 
 clerk in the organization and has continued in that 
 capacity to the present time. 
 
 Deacons: WiUiam Tibbs, 1889; B. M. Cantrell, 
 1889; L. B. Givan, 1889; J. W. Lafaver, 1894; J. A. 
 Barrett, 1895; B. F. Lowry, 1897; J. P. Vickers, 
 1897 '■ G. O. Jacobs, 1897. 
 
 This church was constituted on the New Hamp- 
 shire Confession of Faith. She has built a neat house 
 of worship one-fourth of a mile from the famous 
 Wharton Springs. 
 
 The success with which this church has been at- 
 tended has proven the wisdom of its founders. Twelve 
 years ago she launched her bark with twelve mem- 
 bers. Since then she has counted, all told, 141 mem- 
 bers, and she now has on roll seventy-nine members. 
 
 This church has ordained to the ministry Elder A. 
 J. Brien, in October, 1890. 
 
 She has since her constitution represented annually 
 in Salem Association. 
 
 SNOW S HILL. 
 
 This church is situated on the Lebanon and Sparta 
 pike, some five miles west of the town of Smithville, 
 DeKalb County, Tenn. The church house is near 
 the descent of the famous Snow's Hill, from which the 
 church takes her name. This church was constituted 
 March 27, 1897, by Elders J. H. Davis, A. J. Waller 
 and D. C. Taylor, with thirteen members. These 
 constituent members came from dilTerent churches, 
 mostly from Indian Creek and Dry Creek. This 
 church was gathered under the faithful labors of 
 Elder A. J. Waller, who became her first pastor and 
 served through the struggles of her infancy. 
 
Clnirch sketvhe.^ 89 
 
 Pastors: Elder A. J. Waller, 1897-00; Elder 
 Stephen Robinson, igoo, and is the present pastor. 
 
 Clerks: H. H, Hendrixson, 1897-00; T. J. Hale, 
 1900, and is the present clerk. 
 
 Dr.vcoxs : Wiley Hendrixson, 1897; J. M. 
 Tramel, 1897; T. J. Hale, 1897; D. IJ. Traniel, 1899; 
 H. H. Hendrixsi.m, 1899; W. C. Hendrixson, 1899. 
 
 This church occupies a place where a Baptist church 
 has long been needed. Her members have not much 
 of this world's g'oods, but they have big hearts, and 
 divide liberall)- with the Lord's treasury. They have 
 built a neat house of worship and entered it without 
 debt. 
 
 The_\' have but four years C)f history, and yet the 
 thirteen with which they began have grown to forty- 
 two and are pushing on toward the goal. They rep- 
 resent in Salem Association. 
 
 i)()\\t-;llto\\n. 
 
 This church is an offspring of Salem }]aptist 
 Church, of Libert}', Tenn., and is situated in the town 
 of Dowelltown, on the Lebanon and Sparta pike, De- 
 Kalb County, Tennessee. Perhaps no richer section 
 of land could l^e found in the State. This town had 
 long been occupied bv the Methodists, with only an 
 occasional sermon b}' a passing Baptist preacher. 
 About the year 1893, Elder J. M. Stewart began regu- 
 lar preaching at this place and soon succeeded in 
 awakening an interest in a Baptist church at this 
 place. 
 
 This church was constituted July 29, 1894, with 
 ten members, by a Presbytery consisting of Elders J. 
 M. Stewart and J. F. McNabb, with Deacon Isaac 
 Cooper. 
 
90 Uistovy of Middle Termesvte Bapd-'^ts 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. M. Stewart, 1894-98; Elder J. 
 H. Grime, 1898-99; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1809; 
 Elder W. J. Watson, 1899-00; Elder J. H. Whitlock, 
 u;oo, when he died; Elder W. E. Wauford, 1900 to 
 the present. 
 
 CiJCRK : L. A. Ijass has served as clerk from the 
 beginning to the present. 
 
 Di-:.\coNs: E. W. Bass, 1894; Henry Foutch, 1898; 
 Wesley Crook, 1898; the two latter joining by letter. 
 
 This little church has constructed one of the best 
 and most modern church houses to be found any- 
 where in this section. The means to build this house 
 came largely through Deacon E. W. Bass, his sons 
 and grandsons. While others have wrought nobly, 
 yet it must be admitted that this church is largely due 
 to Elder J. M. Stewart and Deacon E. W. Bass. 
 
 Dowelltown is a place of some 500 inhabitants, and 
 forms an important field. It is a source of pleasure to 
 know that this church bids fair to occupy this field 
 for the cause we so much love. The church now 
 numbers forty-seven, with bright prospects. They 
 represent in Salem Association. 
 
 \\001)BURY. 
 
 This church is situated in the town of Woodbury, 
 the county site of Cannon County, Tennessee. The 
 town is located in the bend of the east fork of Stone's 
 River, in a very fertile section of country, and has 
 perhaps 1,000 inhabitants. 
 
 In 1823 a church known as East Fork of Stone's 
 River was constituted with seventeen members, but 
 did not seem to prosoer. In 1834 the church was dis- 
 solved. Elders Joshua Lester, Gideon Rucker and 
 John P. Walker assisting in the proceedings. The 
 
Clntrr]i Sketrlies <.tl 
 
 exact kHjatidii of tliis cluirch \vc (1(_) not know, or if 
 it ha<l anytliinp; to do witli tills cluircli we are not in- 
 formed. This church was j^alhered tliroiii::li the la- 
 bors of Elders P. T. Henderson" and J. M. D. I'ates. 
 Brother Cates A\as at that time a missionary of Lilj- 
 erty Association of Middle 'I'ennessce and North Ala- 
 bama, and had been ordained but seven da\s when 
 this cluirch was constituted. 
 
 This church was c instituted ( 'ctoher 20, li'^44. b\- 
 Elders J. M. IX Cates, 1". T. Hemlerson, and Charles 
 R. \\'alker, ^vith r\-acon J. 1\. Ta\ lor. This church 
 consisted of only seven members, two males and five 
 females. This has e\'er been a difficult field, and this 
 was indeed a small craft to set sail on such a vast 
 ocean of opposition. Hut well and faithfull}' has it 
 been manned, for the Lord's noblemen have stood at 
 the helm. 
 
 Pastors: I'^dder P. T. Henderson, 1S44-4S; l'~lder 
 D. B. Hale, 184S-4C,; ITdcr I'. 1'.. Davis, i84i;-5o; 
 Elder J. M. 1). Cates, 1S30-54; I'.lder Joseph H. 
 Eaton, 1834-35; IClder J. M. 1). C'ates, 1833-57; Kbler 
 L, H. P.ethel, 1837-oX; I-.lder J. M. 1). Cates, i8(.8- 
 69; Elder L. H. Pethel, lSn.)-7o; Eblcr J. M. D. 
 Cates, 1870-72; VAi\i-r linoch Windes, 1872-73; E.lder 
 T. C. Xash, 1873; b.lder E. W. Hallback, 1.873-75; 
 Elder E. H. I'.ethel, 1875-77; I^l.ler J. T. ( laklev, 1877- 
 79 ; Elder E. H. Bethel. 1879-80; JTder J. M. D. 
 Cates, 1880-84; Elder L. If. P.ethel, 1884-86; Elder 
 S. G. Shepard, i88r,-(;3; J-dder 1). B. \'ance, 1893-00; 
 Elder J. H. .Anderson, 1901, and continues to serve 
 at the present. 
 
 Ci.KKKs: X. M. Taxliir, 1844-6,1; .\. I). .Stephens, 
 1861-67; C. II. P.ra,q-.c:, 18' .7-72; R. K. llodLres, 1S72- 
 -^\ S. C. Wharton, 1873-79; J. 1\. Rushing, 1879-82; 
 
92 Hidory of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 W. A. Cathcart, 1882-1890; John C, New, 1891-95; 
 T. B. Mears, 1896-00; John C. New, 1901, and 
 serves at present. 
 
 Deacons: John F. Wedon, 1844; N. F. Trog- 
 den, 1845; John Word, 1848; Abel Rushing, 1854; 
 David Dodd, 1857; L. D. Stewart, 1857; Anderson 
 Rucker, 1859; C. H. Bragg, i865; Joseph Deadrick, 
 1876; J. W. Stewart, 1876; J. N. Kittrell, 1878; W. 
 L. Sulhvan, 1881 ; John R. Rushing, 1881 ; John C. 
 New, 1888; G. S. Smith, 1888; T. B. Mears, 1894; 
 W. W. Gray, 1894; H. B. Rushing, 1898: John H. 
 Stewart, 1898. 
 
 This is one of the most active churches in this sec- 
 tion. From the very small beginning she has grown 
 to quite a good church. She has numbered since her 
 organization altogether 577 members, and has on the 
 roll now 159. Few churches are more liberal in their 
 contributions. She has a good house of worship, 
 well located. 
 
 This church has sent out one minister. Elder D. 
 B. Vance was licensed January 2, 1875, ^"*^1 ordained 
 March 5, 1876, by Elders J. M. D. Gates, J. J. Martin, 
 L. H. Bethel and A. J. McNabb. 
 
 Probably under the influence of Elder P. T. Hen- 
 derson, their pastor, who was a member of Liberty As- 
 sociation, and Elfler J. M. D. Gates, who was at that 
 time a member of and acting as missionary in the 
 boimds of said Association, she first represented in 
 Liberty Association of Southern Middle Tennessee and 
 North Alabama. She continued to rejjrescnt in this 
 Association till 1850, when slic miited with Salem As- 
 sociation while in session at Brawley's Fork (now 
 Marion) Church. Since that date she has represented 
 annuallv in the sessions of Salem Association. 
 
CliinrJi Skefcliex 93 
 
 NF.W MACF.nONIA. 
 
 This church is situated on the j^ike leachng from 
 Trousdale's Ferry to Chestnut A Found, in the eastern 
 part of Smith County, Tennessee. For the date of 
 her beg'inning' we go back to April 17, 1847, when a 
 Baptist church was constituted in Cellar's Hollow, 
 near the Caney Fork River. This church was brought 
 up under the ministerial labors of Elder ^^'illiam 
 Goodwin. The church was given the name of Mace- 
 donia, but was known locally as "Club Springs." 
 This church united with Union Association, which 
 was commonly styled Separate Baptists.'^ Elder 
 Goodwin served this church as pastor for many years, 
 and everything went well with both the church and 
 Association till one Elder Jacob Stype came upon the 
 stage of action. Up to this time Salem Association 
 and Union Association, which were contiguous in ter- 
 ritory, had gotten along on the most friendly terms. 
 Their churches exchanged members between each 
 other by letter, and even churches transferred their 
 affiliation from one to the other. The church (Mc- 
 Alinnville) which gave Elder J. ^l. D. Gates his cre- 
 dentials to preach was now a member of Union Asso- 
 ciation. And I might remark that the writer of these 
 pages was then a minister in Union Association. But 
 to my storv. Elder Jacob Stype, of Union Associa- 
 tion, in the early seventies began an objection to a 
 friendlv correspondence, by letter and messengers, 
 between these two bodies at their annual meetings. 
 Thus the matter grew, he agitating the question at 
 every meeting. Being a man of some influence, he 
 succeeded in collecting around him a party. At the 
 
 '- See chapter on Separate Baptists. 
 
94 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 meeting of this body in 1878, while in session at 
 Hebron Church, eight miles east of McMinnville, in 
 Warren County, Tennessee, Elder Stype and his party 
 so manipulated matters as to elect him Moderator 
 and Deacon A. Saylors (another one of his party) 
 clerk of the Association. When they got in posses- 
 sion of the records of the Association they bolted the 
 body, leaving a large majority behind them; yet ut- 
 terly refusing to surrender the associational records. 
 This engendered bad blood for a time, and non-fellow- 
 ship was talked of, but calmer spirits prevailed and 
 they agreed to live apart, yet live as brethren as they 
 had done in former days, recognizing each other as 
 liaptists. This rupture in the Association caused a 
 rupture in some of the churches, the members being 
 divided as to which side they would affiliate with. 
 Such was the case with Macedonia Church, a large 
 majority going with Elder Stype. 
 
 The minority, who protested against Elder Stype's 
 ])rtK-e(hire, called a council of ministers consisting of 
 Eliiers James Moore, Patrick Moore and J. H. Grime 
 lo advise them what to do. This meeting was held in 
 the fall of 1878, After consultation, it was agreed 
 that they claim the old constitution and begin, or 
 rather continue, business for the Lord at that place. 
 This minority numbered nineteen, while those adher- 
 ing to Stype's ])arty numbered sixty-four. The mi- 
 nority called Elder J. H. (irime as pastor, while the 
 opposite party secured the services of Elder W. S. 
 l'a)-ne, who has since gone with the modern Holiness 
 ])eople. Uoth ])artics worshiped in tlie old house for a 
 time, but the majority necessarily held the property, 
 and the minority moved up on tlie ])ike, built them a 
 neat house of worship and called it Ni'.w M.xci'.noNiA. 
 
Church Sketche.^ 95 
 
 Since the division the following- is the history : 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. H. Grime, 1878-81: Elder T. 
 J. Hudson, 1881-85; Elder R. V. Moore, 1885-87; 
 Elder Edwin Kelley, 1887-88: Elder T. J. Hudson, 
 1888-90; Elder Edwin Kelley, 1800-92; Elder James 
 Bellar, 1892-96; Elder S. N. Eitzpatrick, 1897-98; 
 Elder J. W. Bailey, 1898-01 ; Elder M. W. Russell, 
 1901, and continues to serve. 
 
 Clerks : X. H. Glover has served as clerk since 
 the division in 187S and possibly was clerk some time 
 ])rior to this. 
 
 Di;.\coxs; William Dillard, 1878; James Bellar, 
 1878. 
 
 Since the division she has had 126 names on the 
 roll. She numbers at present sixty members. She 
 has nad many difficulties, but is overcomino- all. She 
 has ordaine(l three ministers. 
 
 She Continued to represent in LTnion Association 
 till 1900, when by ])etition she was recei\-e(] into New 
 Salem Association. 
 
 bk; si'KiN'f;. 
 
 There was once a flourishing- Jiaptist Church in 
 this comn-iunity knriwn as Cedar Creek, in which 
 Salem Association was constituted. (See sketch on 
 Cedar Creek. ) I-ong jjrior to the ])resent Constitution 
 the Campbellites had dominated this comnumitv. .A 
 loi-ig- while Baptists could ni>t q-et a hearing-. Some 
 debates in adjninins.;- communities between J')a])tists 
 and Can-ipbellites seemed Id break the spell and a bush 
 arljor was constructed under which I'^lder S. N. h'itz- 
 ])atrick held services thr(>UL,di the summer of 1807. 
 ,\n interest was awakened and a bip;- hearted Canip- 
 bellite proposed to s^ive $50 tnward a Baptist L'hurch 
 
96 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 house, and half the ground for a lot on which to set 
 it. This insjMred the few Baptists, and a church was 
 the result. This church is located one-half mile east 
 of Big Spring on the Lebanon and Rome Pike, Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee. It was constituted October 
 II, 1897, by Elders J. H. Grime, S. N. Fitzpatrick 
 and J. P. Gilliam, with Deacons J. H. Baird, W. A. 
 Rushing, D. M. Stinecipher and Wm. Harris. There 
 were nine members in the constitution, coming from 
 different churches, mostly from Cedar Creek and 
 Knob Spring. This church was constituted on the 
 same Confession of Faith adopted by Salem Associa- 
 tion in its Constitution with the seventh article of the 
 New Hampshire Confession added, which is a very 
 strong Calvinistic document. This church was con- 
 stituted in the private dwelling occupied by Brother 
 Spain, the toll gate keeper on the turn pike. They at 
 once called Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick as pastor, and be- 
 gan the erection of a house of worship near where the 
 church was constituted. The work was prosecuted to 
 the completion of a neat house of worship situated in 
 one of the finest sections of country to be found any- 
 where. 
 
 Pastors : Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, 1897-01 ; Elder 
 J. F. Sanders, 1901, and is serving as the present 
 pastor. 
 
 Clerks: W. S. Haley has served as clerk from the 
 organization to the present. 
 
 Deacons: James Oldham, 1897; John Shannon, 
 1897; W. S. Haley, 1897; J. L. Philhps, 1899. 
 
 She has enrolled sixty-four members during her 
 brief history, though she has been somewhat reduced 
 in numbers by removals from the community. She 
 is not wealthy but gives liberally of what she has to 
 
Chtirch Sketches 97 
 
 the cause. She is pushing forward with vigor to 
 occupy the important field in which she is placed. She 
 represents in New Salem Association. 
 
 BUENA VISTA. 
 
 This church is situated in the village of Grant, in 
 one of the fertile valleys in the southern part of Smith 
 County, Tennessee. The consensus of testimony 
 which we have been able to gather (in the absence of 
 early records) fixes the date of the organization of 
 this church in the early part — most probably spring — 
 of 1850. It is a well authenticated fact that the 
 church was gathered through the ministry of Elders 
 Louis Dies and James Barrett, assisted by Elder Jesse 
 Johnson. Elder James Barrett was not baptized till 
 April, 1848, and was ordained March, 1850. He did 
 not begin to exercise in public till the latter part of 
 1849. Therefore the gathering of this church in 
 which he seemed to be the leader must have been as 
 late as the winter or spring of 1850. He became their 
 pastor at their organization and perhaps was ordained 
 to that end. That the church was constituted this 
 early is evident from the fact that she united with 
 Salem Association, September 14, 1850. 
 
 This church was constituted mainly from members 
 from Wolf Creek and perhaps other churches. This 
 church was constituted by Elders J. W. Bowen, Jesse 
 Johnson, Louis Dies and James Barrett, if so be that 
 he was ordained at the time of the constitution. 
 There were twenty-four members in her first report 
 to the Association, some of which were perhaps 
 added after the organization. 
 
 This church was constituted in a "union" house 
 of worship in which there was already a Methodist 
 4 
 
98 History of Middle Tennessee Ba/ptists 
 
 organization. They compromised the house question 
 by the Baptists receiving all the Methodist members 
 into the Baptist Church and giving them Baptist bap- 
 tism. 
 
 Pastors: Elder James Barrett, 1850; Elder Louis 
 Dies, — ; Elder W. N. Suite, — ; Elder D. N. Jarrard, 
 1867-69; Elder L. Dies, 1870-72; Elder D. N. Jarrard, 
 1872-73; Elder Louis Dies, 1873-75 ; Elder J. T. Oak- 
 ley, 1875-77; Elder W. B. Wooten, 1877-79; Elder 
 T. J. Eastes, 1881-98; Elder J. J. Carr, 1899-00; El- 
 der W. E. Wauford is at present (1901) pastoral sup- 
 ply. 
 
 Clerks: Samuel Paschal, 1850-60; Jas. B; Oakley, 
 1860-69; S. A. Johnson, 1869-71 ; J. A. Jarrard, 1871- 
 75; Joseph Shepherd, 1875—; T. Mason, —83; T. A. 
 Morris, 1883-94; W. A. Neal, 1894, to the present. 
 
 Deacons: William Tibbs, 1850; George Dale, 
 1850; Joseph Shepherd, 1869; H. D. Highers, 1869; 
 W. H. Gill, 1878; Thomas McClannahan, 1878; W. 
 S. Neal, 1883; T. A. Morris, 1890; EHas Barbee, 
 1890. 
 
 The house in which this church was constituted 
 stood perhaps one mile south of the village of Grant, 
 and was rather inconveniently located. The church 
 continued to worship here with a healthy increase till 
 the latter part of the seventies when the house became 
 dilapidated, and the church from various causes be- 
 came depleted in her membership ; and in this condi- 
 tion — pastorless and discouraged — she stood almost 
 ready to surrender the field. In the month of April, 
 1881, Elder T. J. Eastes circulated an appointment 
 and gathered together what he could of this scattered 
 band. He preached to them the gospel, after which 
 they called a conference. Brother I'^astcs propounded 
 
Church Sketches 99 
 
 this question: "If I will come to you, will you build 
 a house of worship in the village, and discharge your 
 duties by renewing your covenant and striving to live 
 up to its requirements ?" This question touched a 
 responsive chord in their hearts; and with joy and 
 surprise they accepted the proposition. Elder Eastes 
 resigned a flourishing and remunerative charge and 
 came to this little discouraged band as pastor, also 
 casting his membership with them. This brought un- 
 foreseen strength from different sources. Within 
 twelve months a neat and commodious house of wor- 
 ship was completed and the church started on a career 
 of prosperity. Elder Eastes remained pastor of this 
 church for seventeen years, during which time he had 
 the joy of seeing a strong, active church built up — 
 though in numbers not so great as some others. 
 
 This church has sent out the following ministers, 
 viz. : 
 
 Whaley Cooksey. Do not know anything of this 
 brothers history, or when he was ordained. 
 
 Elder John T. Oakley, ordained April 5, 1872, by 
 Elders Henry Bass, W. N. Suite, T. A. Hudson, D. 
 N. Jarrard and Louis Dies. 
 
 L. L. Allen and M. T. Atwood were licensed to 
 preach in October, 1883. These brethren were not 
 ordained by this church. 
 
 H. M. Eastes, the oldest son of Elder T. J. Eastes, 
 was licensed to preach in January, 1901, and is now 
 just beginning to exercise his gifts in public. 
 
 This church has had many difficulties to encounter, 
 but the God of all grace has sustained her through 
 them all and to-day finds her onward and upward. 
 She has an actual membership of sixty-five. She rep- 
 resented in Salem Association till 1888, when New 
 
100 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Salem Association was constituted in her house of 
 worship and of which she became a constituent mem- 
 ber. 
 
 UN WOOD. 
 
 This church is a result from the consolidation of 
 Spring Creek and Poplar Hill churches. First we 
 shall notice the origin of 
 
 SPRING CREEK. 
 
 This is the second oldest church constituted in Wil- 
 son County; Big Cedar Lick (now Mt. OH vet), at 
 Leeville, being the older. (Round Lick, which is 
 probably older, was constituted in Smith County and 
 moved to Wilson County in 1820.) We are not able 
 to ascertain the exact date of the constitution of this 
 old church. In the records of Round Lick we find 
 that it was in working order March 2, 1805. Every- 
 thing seems to indicate that it was constituted about 
 A. D. 1804. This church was gathered by Elder John 
 Jones, and for a long time it was known as "Jones' 
 Meeting House." This church was situated on 
 Spring Creek, some four miles east of Lebanon, Tenn. 
 Elder John Jones became her first pastor and re- 
 mained so till his death which occurred about 1835. 
 Elder Jones was one of the leading ministers of his 
 day and this church one of the leading churches of 
 this section. John W. Nichols was clerk of this 
 church in 1821. In 1809 Cumberland Association met 
 with this church and while in session here agreed to 
 divide and form Concord Association. This church 
 sent out Lebanon Church in 1821 ; and ordained Elder 
 Sion Bass to the ministry September, 1833. 
 
 The troubles which arose from the "split" of 1837 
 caused a break in this church of a few years. About 
 
Church Sketches 101 
 
 1857 the fragments were collected and re-organized. 
 It is not- possible to give a consecutive history. This 
 church after the re-organization had a prosperous 
 career for several years. Among the pastors who 
 served during this period we note the following, viz. : 
 Elders J. T. Oal<ley, J. R. Hearn and J. H. Vickers. 
 She also sent out Elder S. F. Bingham. 
 
 In the meantime she had begun the erection of a 
 large frame house of worship. Here we leave Spring 
 Creek for the present and turn our attention to 
 
 POPLAR HILL. 
 
 This church was situated about four miles north 
 of Watertown in Wilson County and was constituted 
 in a school house September 14, 1885, by Elders 
 Henry Bass, T. J. Eastes and L. D. Smith, with thirty- 
 five members. This church was an offspring from 
 Round Lick Church, and was gathered through the 
 ministry of Elder Henry Bass. This church con- 
 tinued to worship in Poplar Hill schoolhouse till the 
 latter part of 1886, when she effected a union with 
 Spring Creek Church and located in the village of 
 Linwood midway between the two churches and 
 adopted the name of Linwood Baptist Church. This 
 action was passed December, 1886. The unfinished 
 house of Spring Creek was torn down and the lumber 
 converted into a new house of worship in the village 
 of Linwood. This church is situated six miles east 
 of Lebanon in a fine section of country and is alto 
 gether a good church. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. F. McNabb, 1886-90; Elder J. 
 T. Oakley, 1890-93; Elder W. H. Smith, 189.^; El- 
 der J. B. Fletcher, 1894-96; Elder S. G. Shepard, 
 1896, to the present. 
 
102 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Clerks: T. W. Allen, 1885-87; A. A. McNabb, 
 1887-90; H. D. Beadle, 1890-99; Brooks Bass, 1899, 
 :o the present. 
 
 Deacons: Joseph Tippit, 1885; W. B. Tippit, 
 1885; W. A. Rushing, 1887; D. W. Grandstaff, 1888; 
 R. C. Bass, 1889; J. N. Bryan, 1889; T. W. Allen, 
 1889; S. F. Bingham, 1893; H. D. Beadle, 1899. 
 
 Treasurers : Thos. Borum, 1885-89 ; R. C. Bass, 
 1889, to present. 
 
 The Spring Creek wing of this church has affiliated 
 in four Associations, viz. : Cumberland, Concord, 
 Salem and New Salem ; while the Poplar Hill wing 
 has been a member of Salem and New Salem. The 
 church is now identified with New Salem Association 
 and numbers sixty-nine members. They have a neat 
 house of worship, and a staunch membership. They 
 have much opposition to encounter, and theirs is an 
 important field, but they may be relied upon to culti- 
 vate it. 
 
 LEBANON. 
 
 This church is situated in the town of Lebanon, 
 the county seat of Wilson County. Lebanon is a 
 town of some 2,000 inhabitants, thirty miles east of 
 Nashville, Tenn. This church is a branch of Old 
 Spring Creek Church, which at that time stood some 
 four miles east on the waters of Spring Creek. Thi.'= 
 church was constituted Saturday, June 30, 1 821, 
 Spring Creek, Big Cedar Lick (now Mt. Olivet) and 
 other churches participating in the constitution. It 
 would be safe to say that among others the following 
 ministers were present, viz. : Elders John Wiseman, 
 Joshua Lester, John Jones, John Borum and most 
 probably Elders James and John Bond. 
 
Church Sketches 103 
 
 This church was constituted with only nine mem- 
 bers, in a town the sentiment of which was very 
 hostile to Baptist principles. Prominent among these 
 nine were brethren Thomas Edwards and Geo. A. 
 Lucas, the latter of whom was clerk of Concord As- 
 sociation and afterwards became clerk of Salem As- 
 sociation. Who became her first pastor we have no 
 means of knowing. Yox the first ten years it was a 
 struggle for existence. By 1830 her number was re- 
 duced to five members, one male and four females. 
 Thus reduced and discouraged she cried unto the 
 Lord, and Elder John Wiseman, with his ability and 
 untiring energy, came to her rescue. He became her 
 pastor and remained probably about fourteen years, 
 during which time they increased to eighty members, 
 and had sent out one of their number, James R. 
 Lowry, to preach the gospel. 
 
 In 1844, they secured the services, as pastor, of 
 Elder Joseph A. Bullard, a graduate of Hamilton 
 Theological Institute. He remained for two years, 
 during which time the church was very prosperous, 
 growing to near one hundred in number, and sending 
 out W. Bailey and C. T. Johnson as preachers. On 
 the resignation of Brother Bullard, Brother John Van 
 Epps Covey, a graduate of Madison Theological Uni- 
 versity, was called to the pastorate. Brother Covey 
 had not vet been ordained, but was ordained by this 
 church March 7, 1847, l^Y a- presbytery, viz. : Elders 
 John Wiseman, Jonathan Wiseman and R. B. C. 
 Howell. Brother Covey remained but one year, dur- 
 ing which time the church grew to 109 and Brother 
 C. L. Johns was licensed to preach. 
 
 In 1849 the church secured the services of Elder 
 A. W. Meachem, who still lingers on the confines of 
 
104 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 life at his home in Kentucky, though more than 
 eig-hty-four years of age. During his first year's pas- 
 torate with this church he baptized 183 and the church 
 grew to 275 in number. Brother Meachem remained 
 here till 1852, during which time the church grew to 
 308 members. Elder John Powell was then called and 
 remained two years. In 1856 Elder Woodlief Thomas 
 was called. The church hardly held her own after 
 Brother Meachem left. In 1858 Elder William H. 
 Bavliss became pastor. He baptized eighty the first 
 year. In the year i860 Elder G. W. Griffin became 
 pastor, and the Civil War draws the curtain and plays 
 sad havoc with the church. The next we learn of 
 her is in 1867, when she reports only 100 members, 
 with Elder J. W. Johnson as pastor. In 1868 Elder 
 G. W. Griffin appears as pastor again, with the mem- 
 bership cut down to seventy-nine. From 1870 to 
 1872, Elder T. T. Eaton was pastor. The church be- 
 gan to grow again under his ministry. In 1874 Elder 
 J. M. Phillips became pastor, and remained three 
 years. The membership was doubled in those, three 
 years. Elder W. B. Jones was pastor from 1877 to 
 1880. Elder J. L. Lloyd pastor from 1880 to 1882. 
 Following this, pastorates seem to run as follows : 
 Elder J. J. Porter, 1882-83 ; Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 
 1885-87; Elder R. Brett, 1889-90 ;- Elder W. J. Couch, 
 1890-92; Elder W. C. McPherson, 1893; Elder James 
 Waters, 1894-95; Elder H. E. Truex, 1897-98; El- 
 der B. T. Lannom, 1898-00; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1901, 
 to the present. 
 
 Clerks : The early clerks vi'e know nothing of. 
 The first of whom we have any records is E. S. Bryan, 
 1882; Y. B. Organ, 1882-85; William G. Seagraves, 
 
Church Sketches 105 
 
 1885-87; Andrew McGregor, 1887-91; David Sea- 
 graves, 1891-92; Y. B. Organ, 1892, to the present. 
 
 Deacons: J. M. Anderson, 1874; J. S. Gribble, 
 1882; Thomas Jenkins, 1874; A. M. Witt, 1874; J. A. 
 Seagraves, 1882 ; John A. Haynes, 1882 ; S. A. Parish, 
 1891 ; Jas. M. Stiles, 1891 ; Thos. Arington, 1891. 
 
 Brother R. Brett and probably others among the 
 later pastors were ordained by this church. 
 
 This church has had many difficulties, both without 
 and within, but she is struggling on, with a member- 
 ship of 188. 
 
 This church has represented in two Associations, 
 She joined Concord in 1821, and the next year went 
 into the constitution of Salem Association, and re- 
 mained with this body till 1873, when she took a letter 
 and returned to Concord. 
 
 This church has a large commodious brick house of 
 worship, centrally located. This house was built about 
 1849, during the ministry of Elder A. W. Meachem. 
 
 hogan's creek. 
 
 This church is an offspring from Dixon's Creek 
 Church. In the early part of the nineteenth century 
 Elder Daniel Burford, a minister of Dixon's Creek 
 Church, began preaching near where Caney Fork 
 River empties into the Cumberland. The Lord blessed 
 his labors and converts were the result. In order to 
 accommodate the work at that point Dixon's Creek 
 Church extended an arm there in June, 1806. Elder 
 Daniel Burford was chosen as pastor and Benjamin 
 Johnson as clerk, and they began to do business under 
 the supervision of the mother church. In the fall of 
 that same year they constructed "seats" in the town 
 of Carthage, where they met regularly till 1808, when 
 
106 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 they moved to a new meeting house on the south side 
 of the river, near the mouth of Caney Fork. They 
 worshiped here as an arm of Dixon's Creek till June 
 30, 1810. Then they were constituted into an inde- 
 pendent church by a presbytery consisting of Elders 
 Wm. Flowers, John Wiseman, John Jones, Daniel 
 Burford and Joseph Allen. This church numbered 
 forty-eight members and w'as given the name of Caney 
 Fork. After the organization they continued to wor- 
 ship at this place under the pastoral care of Elder 
 Wm. Flowers till 1818, when they moved some two 
 miles south of Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, on 
 the waters of Hogan's Creek,' where they now wor- 
 ship. A new house of worship was constructed and 
 the name changed to Hogan's Creek. The first meet- 
 ing was held in the new house in December, 1819. 
 Still another new house was constructed in i860, in 
 which they now worship. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Daniel Burford, 1806-08; Elder 
 John Wiseman, 1808-10; Elder William Flowers, 
 181 1-38; Elder E. B. Haynie, 1838-53; Elder Louis 
 Dies, 1853-54; Elder J. W. Bowen, 1854-55; Elder 
 E. W. Haile, 1855-56; Elder James Barrett, 1856; 
 Elder A. J. Brandon, 1856-60; Elder E. B. Haynie, 
 1860-61; Elder J. C. Brien, 1861-62; Elder James 
 Barrett, 1865-67; Elder D. N. Jarrard, 1867-69; El- 
 der W. B. Wooten, 1869-70 ; Elder E. B. Haynie, 
 1872-76; Elder S. S. Hale, 1877-78; Elder W. N. 
 Suite, 1880 ; Elder J. H. Grime, 1880-83 : Elder J. T. 
 Oakley, 1883-84; Elder J. R. Hearn, 1884-86; Elder 
 T. J. Eastes, 1886—; Elder N. R. Sanborn, — - ; Elder 
 J. W. Bailey, 1891-94; Elder R. B. Mahony, 1894; 
 Elder R. Brett, 1895 ; Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, 1896- 
 99 ; Elder W. J. Watson, 1900, to thu present. 
 
Church Sketches 107 
 
 Clerks: Benjamin Johns, 1806-28; John Mcwre, 
 1828-35 '' \^'iniam Robertson, 1835-41 ; Wesley James, 
 
 1841-43: \\'illiam Pope, 1843-46; Boulton, 1846- 
 
 47; J. O. Paty, 1847-52; D. A. Tyree, 1852-99; J. A. 
 Tyree, 1899, to the present. 
 
 Deacons: Willis Hoges, 1808; Arthur Parker, 
 1813: Jonathan Eastes, 1840; C. S. Sampson, 1846; 
 William Robertson, 1846; J. H, Smith, 1850; George 
 Baker, 1852; George Waggoner, — ; L. R. James, 
 1874; H. H. Stallings, — ; N. B. Andrews, 1881 ; 
 John P. Carter, 1882; J. B. Hubard, — ; J. J. Eastes. 
 — ; J. V. Taylor, --; John Gwaltney, 1898; D. B. 
 Uhles, 1898. 
 
 This church has sent out the following new 
 churches, viz. : Peyton's Creek, Saturday before the 
 third Sunday in July, 1812; Plunkett's Creek, Satur- 
 day before fourth Sunday in August, 1837; ^lace- 
 donia, April 13, 1839. 
 
 We do not know the number of ministers this 
 church has sent out, but we have an account of the 
 following, viz.: Elders John High and James W. . 
 Leach, ordained September, 1834, by Elders John 
 Harper, E. B. Ha_\nie, E. W. llaile and William 
 Hughs. Elder T. J. Eastes was licensed November, 
 1867, S-'id was ordained b'riday before first Sunday 
 in September, 1869, by Elders James Barrett, W. N, 
 Suite and D. N. Jarrard. 
 
 One of the most noted events in the history of this 
 church was her withdrawal from the Association in 
 1828. At this time Elder William Flowers was ])as- 
 tor of this church and also of Knob Spring. It was 
 at this juncture that Alexander Campbell was so dis- 
 turbing the peace of Zion and Elder Elowers became 
 somewhat bewitched bv his erratic views. He induced 
 
108 Hist or y of Middle Tennessee Berptists 
 
 both this church and Knob Spring: to withdraw from 
 the Association on the plea that there was no New 
 Testament authority for Associations. They dis- 
 claimed Campbcllism, but said they had more concern 
 in living as "Christians than Baptists" and repudiated 
 all confessions of faith but the Pjible. It was not long, 
 however, till they saw where they were drifting and 
 returned to the Association in 1832. This church has 
 had a checkered career. Sometimes they have stood 
 on "Pisgah's heights" and numbered their members by 
 the hundred. Then they have become few and de- 
 spondent. In 1880, when Elder J. H. Grime took 
 charge of the pastorate, they numbered less than half 
 a hundred, and had very small audiences. Since then 
 a healthy growth has been enjoyed under the succeed- 
 ing pastors, till now they number 165, with a prospect 
 of the return of her former glory. Perhaps not less 
 than 1,000 persons have been received into her fellow- 
 ship since the organization. This church has been a 
 member of fear Associations. They represented in 
 •the Cumberland Association, however, only as an arm 
 of Dixon's Creek Church. They have been in the con- 
 stitution of the following Associations : Concord in 
 1810; Salem in 1822; New Salem, 1888. This church 
 was not afifected by the anti-mission "split" of 1837, 
 They continued a missionary body as before. 
 
 plunkett's creek. 
 
 This church is situated on the south side of Cum- 
 berland River, Smith County, Tennessee, on the road 
 leading from Carthage to Rome. The church takes 
 her name from Plunkett's Creek near which the house 
 of worship stands. This church is an offspring of 
 
Church Sketches 109 
 
 Hogaii's Creek Church and was constituted with 
 thirty-three members August 26, 1837, by Elders E. 
 W. Haile, \Mlliam Flowers, William Ferrell and John 
 Harper, Sr. Elder William Flowers, who had long 
 been a member of Hogan's Creek, was one of the con- 
 stituent members and presumably died a member of 
 this church. This church was constituted and united 
 with the Association the year of the "split" on mis- 
 sions. 
 
 Pastors : Elder John Harper, Sr., 1837-42 ; Elder 
 William Flowers, 1842-44; Elder Daniel Smith, 1844- 
 46; Elder R. Lyon, 1846-55; Elder W. H. Haile, 
 1855-56; Elder W. N. Suite, 1856-58; Elder J. C. 
 Brien, 1859-65 ; Elder R. Lyon, 1865-66; Elder D, N. 
 Jarrard, 1866-70; Elder W. B. Wooten, 1870-71 ; El- 
 der W. N. Suite, 1871-74; Elder W. B. Wooten, 1874- 
 82 ; Elder John Harper, Jr., 1882 ; Elder J. T. Oakley, 
 1882-84; Elder John Harper, 1888—; Elder N. R. 
 Sanborn, 1891 — ; Elder J. W. Bailey, 1893 — ; Elder 
 T. J. Eastes, 1894-95 ; Elder W. J. Watson, 1896, to 
 the present. 
 
 Clerks: Lewelin Pope, 1860-82- A. Rigsby, 1882- 
 86; T. W. Rigsby, 1886-87; James Mofield, 1887; 
 T. W. Rigsby, 1887-00; H. J. Sampson, 1900, to the 
 present. 
 
 Deacons: (For the want of records we have no 
 means of knowing the early deacons of this church.) 
 A. Rigsby, i860; James Mofield, 1879; H. J. Samp- 
 son, 1897; T. W. Rigsby, 1897; T. B. Flippin, 1897; 
 T. W. Harper, 1897; Calvin Pope, — ; W. G. Snoddy, 
 1899; J. V. Taylor, 1900. 
 
 This church has had quite a struggle, yet they have 
 done a great deal of good. It is a great place for 
 laro-e congregations to assemble to hear the word 
 
110 Hiatory of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 preached. They are in great need of a new and larger 
 house of worship. 
 
 They have sent out the following ministers, viz. : 
 Elder W. N. Suite, ordained 1850 by Elders Jesse 
 Johnson, Joseph Payne and James Barrett. Elder 
 W. B. Wooten, ordained April 23, 1869, by Elders 
 James Barrett, W. N. Suite, H. Bass and D. N. Jar- 
 rard. Elder John Harper, Jr., ordained April, 1867, 
 the presbytery not given. 
 
 This church was represented in Salem Association 
 till 1888, when she became a constituent member of 
 New Salem Association. They numbered 119 at last 
 report. I was able to secure but few records of this 
 church. 
 
 MACEDONIA. 
 
 This church is situated on the Trousdale Ferry 
 turnpike at the village of New Middleton, some eight 
 miles south of Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee. 
 This church was constituted on Dyer's Branch, some 
 two miles north of where it now stands, April 13, 
 1839, by Elders Wm. Flowers, John Borum, Archa- 
 mac Bass, Joseph Payne, John Harper and Abel Greg- 
 ory. This church is an offspring of Hogan's Creek. 
 Elder John Harper, Sr., gathered an arm of said 
 church at this place in 1830, which he supplied with 
 preaching till it was constituted into an independent 
 church on the above date. They continued to worship 
 on Dyer's Branch with a good degree of prosperity 
 till 1854. In the meantime James Barrett had made 
 a profession, joined the church and been ordained to 
 the ministry. In 1854 he was called to the care of 
 the church and through his influence, and largely his 
 means, tlie church moved to the present location and 
 built a splendid new house of worship at a cost of 
 
Church Sketches 111 
 
 $1,900. Everything went well till the war when, in 
 1864, the new house was laid in ashes. For two years 
 they worshiped as best they could, entertaining- the 
 Association in 1864 in an old store house. In 1867 
 they erected another house at a cost of $2,900, in 
 which they still worship. Much of the money used in 
 the erection of these houses was furnished by Elder 
 Barrett, who served them as pastor without remunera- 
 tion. 
 
 Pastors: Elder John Harper, 1839-46; Elder 
 Louis Dies, 1846-51; Elder R. Lyon, 1851-52; Elder 
 James Barrett, 1852-53; Elder R. Lyon, 1853-54; El- 
 der James Barrett, 1854-72; Elder A. J. McNabb, 
 1872-75; Elder Louis Dies, 1875-76; Elder T. J. 
 Eastes, 1876-84: Elder J. R. Hearn, 1884-88; Elder 
 T. J. Eastes, 1888-90; Elder W. H. Smith, 1890-91; 
 Elder J. W. Bailey, 1891-92; Elder John Washburn, 
 1892-94; Elder M. \\ . Russell, 1894-00; Elder J. T. 
 Oakley, 1901, and is the present pastor. 
 
 Clerks: Thomas Snoddy, 1839-52; J. A. Ligoii, 
 1852-84; J. A. Barrett, 1884-90; N. B. House, 1890- 
 01 ; Kirgus Baker, 1901, is the present clerk. 
 
 Deacons: Stephen Farmer, 1847; Leroy James, 
 1847; Edmon James, 1849; J. T. Farmer, 1850; W. 
 S. Neal, 1868 ; James A. Barrett, 1869 ; W. V. Harrel. 
 1876; J. O. Stallings, 1878; John Webb, 1878; Wil- 
 liam Baker, 1878; J. H. Baird, 1896; J. B. Baird, 
 1896; James Barrett, Jr., 1896; W. F. Barrett, 1896; 
 P. W. House, 1896; J. H. Parker, 1897. 
 
 This church sent out a colony in 1850 to constitute 
 Buena Vista Church. They have sent out the follow- 
 ing ministers, viz. : 
 
 Elder Elijah Bomer, ordained May 8, 1841, by Eld- 
 ers William Flowers, James Bond, Archamac Bass, 
 
112 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 John Borum and John Harper ; Elder James Barrett, 
 ordained Saturday before third Sunday in March, 1850, 
 by Elders Jesse Johnson, E. W. Haile, R. Lyon and 
 Louis Dies ; Elder Edward Patton, ordained May, 1871, 
 bv Elders J. W. Bowen, Henry Bass, T. J. Eastes, A 
 J. McNabb and James Barrett; Elder M. T. Ragan, 
 ordained January, 1858; Elder J. T. Farmer, ordained 
 June 3, 1876, by Elders L. Dies, T. J. Eastes, W. N. 
 Suite and J. W. Saulman. Elder R. N, Barrett was 
 licensed by this church January, 1888. 
 
 This church was constituted with twenty-three mem- 
 bers and has furnished a home for 625 persons since 
 her organization. The present number is 169. 
 
 We find where she engaged in washing feet in 
 church capacity in 1840. 
 
 She represented in Salem Association till 1888, when 
 she went into the constitution of New Salem Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 MOUNT ZION. 
 
 This church is situated on Smith's Fork Creek, near 
 the village of Temperance Hall, DeKalb County, Tenn. 
 This church was constituted with fourteen members 
 on June 30, 1851, by a Presbytery consisting of Elders 
 Henry Fite, Nathaniel Hays and Joel J. James. They 
 adopted the Articles of Faith of Salem Association. 
 
 This church was gathered through the labors of 
 Elder Henry Fite, a member of Salem Church. Her 
 constituent members were drawn from Round Lick, 
 Salem and Bethel Churches. 
 
 The church was constituted in an old school house, 
 and it was not till 1858 that she had a home of her 
 own. Soon after the constitution, Deacon Nicholas 
 Smith was received by letter, and largely through his 
 means the present house of worship was built, in which 
 
Church Sketches 113 
 
 the first meeting- was held June, 1858. This is a large, 
 commodious house, but much out of repair at present. 
 This is one of the finest sections of land to be found 
 anywhere, and her membership is made up mainly of 
 farmers. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Henry Fite, 1851-60; Elder N. 
 Hays, 1860-68; Elder J. C. Brien, 1869-73; Elder T. 
 J. Eastes, 1873-75; Elder S. S. Hale, 1875-76; Elder 
 William Simpson, 1876-77; Elder J. C. Brien, 1877- 
 80; Elder J. M. Stewart, 1880-86; Elder William Simp- 
 son, 1886-87; Elder J. C. Brien, 1887-88; Elder J. M. 
 Stewart, 1888-91 ; Elder A. C. Webb, 1891-94; Elder 
 J. F. McNabb, 1894-95: Elder J. M. Stewart, 1895-00; 
 Elder W. E. Wauford, 1900, and is the pastor at pres- 
 ent. 
 
 Clerks: Thos. P. Jones, 1851-71 ; W. M. Crowder, 
 1871-72; Z. P. Lee, 1872-75; R. W. Mason, 1875-77; 
 A. P. Smith, 1877-79; W. A. Washer, 1879; H. A. 
 Hill, 1879-80; S. M. Williams, 1880-86; E. L. Law- 
 rence, 1886-92; T. D. Oakley, 1892-95; L. C. Martin, 
 1895 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: N. Smith, 1851 ; J. W. Winfrey, 1851 ; 
 
 Charley Williams, ; J. H. Williams, 1875; R. W. 
 
 Mason, 1875; J. S. Rowland, ; Titus Sampson, 
 
 1888; E. L. Lawrence, 1888; J. W. Reynolds, 1891; 
 W. A. Oakley, 1899 ; Jordan Hill, 1899. 
 
 This church sent out a colony which was constituted 
 into Cooper's Chapel Church March I, 1880. Elder 
 William Simpson was ordained by this church, but we 
 have not been able to ascertain the date or Presby- 
 tery. 
 
 This church in its early history enjoyed a fine degree 
 of prosperity. Deacon Nicholas Smith, while he lived, 
 was largely the soul of this church. He departed this 
 
114 HiHtory of Middle Tennemee Baptists 
 
 life February 14, 1877. At the time of his death he was 
 perhaps the most prominent layman in the Association. 
 He was held in great veneration by the brotherhood. 
 His dust sleeps just outside the church, hard by the 
 window where he was accustomed to sit in time of 
 service. How he loved the house of the Lord. This 
 church has furnished a home for 336 persons since her 
 constitution. She now numbers ninety-seven. This is 
 an imoortant field. .She has represented in Salem As- 
 sociation during her entire history. 
 
 AUBURN. 
 
 This church is situated in the village of Auburn, in 
 the extreme northern part of Cannon County, Tennes- 
 see. This church is an offspring of Smith's Fork 
 Church and was gathered through the ministerial la- 
 bors of Elder John Fite. They were constituted with 
 ninety-four members. A, D. 1822, by the following 
 Presbytery, viz. : Elders Cantrel Bethel, William Dale, 
 Presley Lester, John Whitlock and Joshua Lester. The 
 church is older than the town and took the name of 
 Sander's Fork, being located on a stream by that name, 
 while it was locally called Poplar Stand. 
 
 P.vsTOKS ; Elder John Fite, 1822-30 : Elder H. W. 
 Pickett, 1830-38: Elder E. W. Haile, 1838-42; Elder 
 John Harris, 1842-44; Elder S. C. Odum, 1844-50; 
 Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1850-60; Elder A. J. Brandon, 
 1860-63; Elder J. J. Martin, 1863-70; Elder J. M. D. 
 Cates, 1870-71 ; Elder, J. J. Martin, 1871 ; Elder J. 
 H. Jackson, about 1877; Elder D. B. Vance, 1878-84; 
 Elder J. T. Oakley, 1884-92; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1892 
 to the present. 
 
 Ci.KRKs: John Summar is the first clerk we have 
 any ..ecount of, he served to 1842; W. C. Odum, 1842- 
 
Church Sketch ex 11 :> 
 
 55: C. P.. (\lum, 1855-97: W. G. Willanl, 1897 to tlic 
 present. 
 
 Deacons : The earl)' deacons were John \\'artl, T. 
 D. Suniniar, B. F. Odum, R. R. Ilryson, C. V>. Odum, 
 1855; J, H. r.yrn, 1860; T. R. Sumniar, 1866: Tobias 
 
 Tcnpenn\-, : R. R. Hancock, 1877; J. C. McAdoo, 
 
 1877; S. C. Odnni, W. H, Dutjsin, J. R. Dougherty, 
 Z. T. Snmmar, J- B. Colhns, 1900: S. R. Rolierson, J- 
 B. Sunimar. 
 
 This church was seriously divided in 1827. The 
 division, mentioned elsewhere, incident to the Camp- 
 bellites and Separate Baptists, had caused them to di- 
 vide into two bodies, each holding separate services. 
 It was not long till the Campbellites and Separate Bap- 
 tists who combined at the beginning divided, and Elder 
 Clark Hubbard, with some others, went over to the 
 Campbellites. The United Baptists (as the regular 
 Baptists were then called ) remained with Salem As- 
 sociation, while the Separates affiliated with Concord 
 Xo. 2 of Separate Baptists. They continued as two 
 parties, each keeping up their worship at the same 
 place till 1842, when the two Concord Associations of 
 United anfl Separate Baptists came to an agreement 
 and again united as one body. When this was done, 
 the two parties of this church united again and agreerl 
 to represent in Concord Association. At the meeting of 
 Salem Association in 1842 they approved the action of 
 this church in uniting with Concord Association, and 
 gave to her a letter of dismission. So this church's 
 affiliation in the Association is as follows : in August, 
 1822, she first joined Concord Association at West 
 Station Camp, Sumner County. The same fall she 
 went into the constitution of Salem Association at Ce- 
 dar Creek, Wilson Count)-; in 1842 returned to Con- 
 
116 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 cord, and in 1873 again returned to Salem Associa- 
 tion, in which she still represents. 
 
 At their September meeting, 1869, they changed 
 their name from Sander's Fork tO' Auburn. 
 
 They sent out a colony which was constituted into 
 Shiloh Baptist Church, July 6, 1862. We have no 
 means of ascertaining the number of members who 
 have belonged to this church during her existence. 
 She is at present one of our strongest churches. They 
 number at present 270 members and are in a thriving 
 condition. 
 
 This church has licensed to the ministry Brethren 
 Frank Nevill and R. H. Duggin, and probably others, 
 if the records were at hand. 
 
 This church was not affected by the anti-mission 
 troubles of 1837. They are repairing their already 
 commodious house of worship. 
 
 SHILOH. 
 
 This church is situated on Sander's Fork Creek, four 
 miles south of Auburn, Cannon Countv, Tenn. This 
 church is an offspring of Auburn Baptist Church and 
 was gathered through the ministerial labors of Elder 
 J. M. D. Cates. They were constituted with twenty- 
 two members on July 6, 1862, by Elders J. M. D. Cates, 
 L. H. Bethel and J. J. Martin. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. M. D. Cates, 1862-77; Elder A. 
 J. McNabb, 1877-81; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1881-85; 
 Elder William Simpson, 1885-87; Elder R. E. Smith, 
 1887-88; Elder D. B. Vance, 1888-93; Elder I. D. 
 Craddock, 1893-94; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1894-97; 
 Elder J. A. McClusky, 1897-99; Elder I. D. Craddock, 
 1899. 
 
 Clerks: R. R. Bryson, 1862-83; L. C. Bryson, 
 
Church Sh-etche.'^ 117 
 
 1883-92; ^^'. C. Davenport, t 892-95; A. H. Cooper, 
 1895, to the present. 
 
 Di:acons: R. R. Bryson. 1862; R. B. Brandon, 
 1880; Z. T. Summar, 1879; S. B. Bryson, 1879; James 
 W. Odum, 1887; A. H. Davenport, 1887; E. D. Bry- 
 son, 1890. 
 
 This church was constituted in time of the Civil 
 War, when tlie clash of arms could be heard on every 
 side. The orcranization was effected in an old store 
 house. Elder J. M. D. Cates held one meeting' in that 
 old store house which resulted in fifty-seven baptisms. 
 They had no house of worship till 1878. At present 
 they are in a disorganized state. It is an important 
 field, and they have some noble brethren, and they very 
 much need the services of a strong minister. The im- 
 mortal trio who launched this interest forty years ago 
 have gone to the better land. Have they no son in the 
 gospel to hold up the standard at this place? They 
 have a very g-ood house of worship. The exact num- 
 ber of their membership cannot be determined. They 
 represented in Salem Association till a few years ago, 
 when some trouble arose, and since that time they have 
 not represented in any association. The Lord inspire 
 them with the old-time zeal. 
 
 GREEN VALE. 
 
 This church is situated in the village of Green Vale, 
 in the southern part of Wilson County, Tennessee. 
 They were constituted November 8, 1884, with thirty- 
 two members. Elders T.- J. Eastes and W. H. Grim- 
 met acting as Presbytery. They organized in a little 
 school house, but began at once the erection of a neat 
 house of worship, which was prosecuted to comple- 
 tion. 
 
118 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Pastors : Elder J. H. Grime, 1885-87 ; Elder J. M. 
 Stewart, 1887-88 ; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1888-92; Elder 
 D. B. Vance, 1892-01 ; Elder.C- S. Dillon, 1901 to the 
 present. 
 
 Clerks: T. O. Bratten, 1884-86; J. N. Grimmet, 
 1886-00 ; J. R. McKee, 1900 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: J. N. Grimmet, 1884; Erastus Jennings, 
 1884; J. P. Blankenship, 1887; T. F. Atwood, 1887; 
 L. D. Phillips, 1887; P. B. Smith, 1897; J. C. Sloan, 
 1897; G. A. Patterson, 1897; W. F. Gentry, 1897; M. 
 H. Grimmet, 1897. 
 
 This is a young church, but has grown rapidly; 
 showing that her founders made no mistake. She has 
 received into fellowship since her beginning, up to 
 last report, 190 members. She now numbers 121 mem- 
 bers. She seemingly has a bright future before her. 
 She united with Salem Association in 1885 and has 
 continued to represent in that body to the present. 
 
 It might be well to state that the constituent mem- 
 bers were from various Baptist churches. 
 
 MARION. 
 
 This old historic church is situated in the little vil- 
 lage of Cateston, on Brawlev's Fork of Stone's River, 
 in the western part of Cannon County, Tennessee. 
 This church was for many years known as Brawley's 
 Fork. This is an offspring of Smith's Fork Church, 
 of Satesville, and was established as an arm of this 
 church the fifth Sunday in July, 1808. Elder Joshua 
 Lester and Deacons Peter Pool, James Cross, P. Col- 
 lins and — . Warren composed the Presbytery. This 
 record is found in the minutes of Smith's Fork Church 
 for July 16, 1808. This interest was fostered by Elder 
 Joshua Lester, the pastor of Smith's Fork. 
 
anirch SkeMies 119 
 
 Pastors: Elder Micajah Hollis, 1808-15; Elder 
 — . Warren. 1815-21 ; Elder Richard Cunning-ham, 
 1821 — ; Elder Gideon Rucker, — 42 ; Elder James Bond, 
 1842-44; Elder P. T. Henderson, 1844-46; Elder J. 
 M. D. Gates, 1846-55; Elder A. J. Brandon, 1855-58; 
 Elder A. T. Hollis, 1859-60; Elder J. J. Martin,'i86o- 
 62; Elder J. M. D. Gates, 1864-72; Elder R. S. Kim- 
 bro, 1S72-73; Elder J. G. Nash, 1873; Elder J. M. D. 
 Gates, 1873-75; Elder A. J. McNabb, 1876-78; Elder 
 J. M. D. Gates, 1878-86; Elder J. H. Grime, 1886-87; 
 Elder A. J- Brandon. 1887-89; Elder D. B. Vance, 
 1889-91; Elder W. E. Raikes, 1891-92; Elder A. J. 
 Brandon, 1893-94; Elder J. T. Hancock, 1894; Elder 
 Gharlie McNabb, 1895-99; supplied by Elder J. W. 
 Jamison. 
 
 Glerks : The dates of the early clerks are not 
 known. The first clerks were James Bell, Joshua Bar- 
 ton, J. T. Taylor to 1889; D. B. Yearwood, 1889; W. 
 D. Gates, 1889-90; A. G. Brandon, 1890 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: W. Hollis, 1808; J. R. Taylor, P. Du- 
 bois, R. M. Williams, A. G. Brandon, O. H. Ford, 
 1886; J. D. Prater. 1886; G. N. Becton, 1886. 
 
 This church sent out a colony in 181 5 which was 
 constituted into an independent church the second Sun- 
 day in September, 1817, known as McKee. This 
 church became extinct. She has furnished members in 
 other constitutions. 
 
 The following' ministers have been sent out : Elder 
 McKee, ordained September, 1817, by Elders Gideon 
 Rucker and William Keel ; Elder Galvin Gurlee, time 
 of his ordination not known ; Elder P. T. Henderson, 
 ordained October 14, 1844, by Elders R. W. January, 
 W. F. Luck and Williamson Williams ; Elder Elisha 
 Bell, time of ordination not known ; Elder A. J. Bran- 
 
120 History of Middle Temiessee Baptists 
 
 don, ordained November 3, 1852, by Elders Joseph H. 
 Eaton and J. M. D. Gates; Elder A. T. Hollis, or- 
 dained June, 1856, by Elders E. Strode, Theophilus 
 Jones, J. M. D. Gates and A. J. Brandon ; Elder E. J. 
 Hollis, ordained August, 1868, by Elders P. T. Hen- 
 derson and J. M. D. Gates. 
 
 This church, like many others, had an "unfortunate 
 division in 1827. Two ministers belonging to this 
 church became infatuated with the plea of Alexander 
 Gampbell. They succeeded in leading a large per cent 
 of this church away and formed a Separate Baptist 
 Ghurch, which is known to-day as Hopewell, or 
 "Wells." Elder Curlee soon divided this new church 
 and he and his party went on to the Gampbellites. 
 Elder Bell remained true to this new church. This 
 church stands south of Gateston, in the Bradyville com- 
 munity. (See Ghap. on Separate Baptists.) 
 
 After this division the church languished till 1844, 
 when the coming of Elders J. M. D. Gates and P. T. 
 Henderson gave it new life. 
 
 In the latter part of the forties this church estab- 
 lished a high school known as "Marion Gollegiate In- 
 stitute." It was presided over by Professor James A. 
 Delk and flourished for a number of years, sending out 
 some noble men and women. In 1853 the church 
 changed her name from Brawley's Fork to Marion. 
 
 This church has represented in Gumberland, Gon- 
 cord and Salem Associations. 
 
 In 1878 she built a large and commodious house of 
 worship. Not being wealthy, this required great sac- 
 rifice. On March 29, 1893. it was burned to the 
 ground. She has never been able to rebuild and has no 
 house of worship, but uses a school house. A few 
 have pledged never to abandon the field, though they 
 
Church Sketches 121 
 
 are in a somewhat disorganized state. This is one 
 of the most important fields known to this author. 
 This is often referred to as Elder J. M. D. Gates' 
 church. It was here where he spent most of his min- 
 isterial life, it was here he fell, it is here he sleeps, and 
 it is here he will be resurrected. 
 
 BARREN FORK. 
 
 This church is situated in Warren County, Tennes- 
 see, twelve miles west of McMinnville, on the waters 
 of Barren Fork of Collins River. The Baptist inter- 
 ests of this section are among the very oldest of this 
 section of the State. The exact date of their origin is 
 not known to this author. We find reference to them 
 in the records of Salem Church, which shows they 
 were organized and in working order as early as A. D. 
 1809. This old church, too, was known as Barren 
 Fork and stood a short distance down the creek from 
 where the church now stands. They belonged no doubt 
 to the old Elk River Association. In the division of 
 Elk River Association in 1826, led by Elder William 
 Keele, which resulted in the origin of the Separate 
 Baptists (see Chap, on Separate Baptists), this church 
 left the United Baptists, as they were then called, and 
 went with the Separates. This church continued to 
 grow till in 1850 (I give this date from memory) they 
 mutually agreed to divide and form two organizations. 
 These bodies were called, respectively. Shady Grove 
 and Big Spring. Thus rnatters went till some of the 
 brethren of Salem Association began preaching in the 
 community and a band of brethren were gathered 
 about them. On June 24, 1871, the present Barren 
 Fork Church was constituted with eighteen members. 
 Elders J. M. D. Gates and A. J. McNabb acting as 
 
122 History of Middle Tennessee Baptiats 
 
 Presbytery. They have a good house of worship at 
 Oak Grove almost complete. The Barren Fork and 
 Big- Spring chilrches both worship in it. They are 
 one in faith and exchange letters in the transfer of 
 members. (If a historian is allowed an opinion) I 
 think they ought to consolidate. 
 
 Pastors: Elder A. J. McNabb, 1871-78; Elder J. 
 W. Saulman, 1878-79; Elder W. M. James, 1880-82; 
 Elder H. A. Cunningham, 1884-88; Elder D. B. 
 Vance, 1888-89; Elder H. A. Cunningham, 1891-95; 
 Elder J. H. Davis, 1895-96; Elder A. C. Webb, 1897- 
 98; Elder H. A. Cunningham, 1898, to the present. 
 
 Clerks: E. J. Summers, 1871-79; S. R. M. 
 Shockley, 1879-85; R. M. Tarpley, 1885-90; W. R. 
 Davenport, 1890-92; A. J. Orrick, 1892-93; T. L. 
 Robinson, 1893, to the present. 
 
 Deacons: R. G. Mollis, 1872; J. H. Dodd, 1878; 
 W. M. Wilson, 1879; J- S. Lance, 1890; J. R. Daven- 
 port, 1890; G. N. Becton, 1890; George Mitchell, 
 1900; D. McGowen, 1900. 
 
 They sent out a colony on Charles' Creek, which 
 was constituted into a church, known as Pleasant 
 Grove, December, 1878. This church, I believe, has 
 since become extinct. 
 
 A. J. Orrick was licensed to preach April 25, 1896. 
 This church is situated in a barren land which is fast 
 developing into a leading section of country. They 
 represent in Salem Association. They have had in 
 their fellowship since their constitution 152 members. 
 They number at present 67 members, and are fairly 
 prosperous. 
 
 SMITHVILLE. 
 
 This church is situated in the town of Smithville, 
 the county seat of DeKalb County, Tenn., and was 
 
ChurcJi Sketches 12.'; 
 
 constituted August 25, 1844, with fourteen niem1)ers, 
 by a Presbytery consisting- of Elders John Bond, 
 Archamac Bass and Jesse Allen. The church was 
 constituted in the Methodist house of worship and was 
 denominated "The United Bajjtist Church in Sniith- 
 ville." The records do not inform us where the con- 
 stituent members came from, but most likelv from Sa- 
 lem. 
 
 P.ASTORS : Elder Jesse Allen, 1847-60; Elder L. 
 H. Bethel, 1860-70; Elder J. C. Brien, 1870-73; Elder 
 J. R. Bowman, 1873-75 : Elder A. J. McNabb, 1875- 
 76; Elder T. J. Eastes, 1876-78; Elder J. J. Martin, 
 1878 — : since this date. Elder J. J. Porter, about 1880; 
 Elder J. C. Brien, about 1881-85; Elder J. T. Oakley, 
 about 1885-88; Elder N. R. Sanborn, 1889-90; Elder 
 William Simpson, 1890-91 ; Elder W. H. Smith, 1891- 
 92; Elder J. H. Grime, 1893-95; Elder J. T. Oakley, 
 1896 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: J. L. Bond, 1847-51; Abner Witt, 1851- 
 60; P. P. Johnson, 1860-74; J. A. Wilson, 1874-84; 
 L. W. Beckwith, 1884 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: Nicholas Chambers, i860; Lemuel 
 Given, 1861 ; P. P. Johnson, 1874; S. D. Lowry, 1874; 
 J. J. Smith, Z. P. Lee, 1878; L. W. Beckwith, 1900; 
 John D. Patton, 1900 ; F. R. Terry, 1900 ; F. Z. Webb, 
 1900. The records from which the above is drawn 
 are very imperfect. 
 
 She has sent out the following ministers, viz. : 
 Elder A. P. Moore, ordained by Elders D. B. Vance, 
 T. T. Thompson, G. A. Ogle, J. T. Oakley and J. H. 
 Grime ; Elder J. D. Rives, ordained third Sunday in 
 November, 1900, by Elder J. T. Oakley and deacons 
 of Smithville church. J. R. Hays was licensed to 
 preach in September, 1900. 
 
Church Sketrhefi 125 
 
 She is arranging to build an elegant house of wor- 
 ship. This church has had quite a struggle, but her 
 cry now is "onward and upward." 
 
 The church united with Salem Association in 1846 
 and has continued to represent in this body ever since. 
 Her pastors were, for a number of years, paid by this 
 body in the main. She numbered only twentv-two in 
 1872, but has furnished a Christian home since her 
 organization for 167 persons. She now numbers 
 eighty-two members. 
 
 Smithville has about 1,000 inhabitants, and this is 
 an important field to the Baptists of this section. 
 
 DRY CREEK. 
 
 This church is situated on the bank of Dry Creek, 
 DeKalb County, Tennessee, five miles west of the 
 town of Smithville. The first Baptist preaching done 
 in this community was by Elder William Simpson 
 about the year 1879. This resulted in the organiza- 
 tion of Round Hill Baptist Church, some three miles 
 up the creek from where the church now stands. This 
 church was constituted A. D. 1880, with thirteen mem- 
 bers, mainly from Pistole's Baptist Church, in White 
 Countv. Elder William Simpson was elected pastor 
 and W. J. Vickers clerk. Elder Simpson served till 
 1886, when he was succeeded by Elder J. H. Vickers, 
 who served only a few months, when the church dis- 
 solved. They had ordained the following deacons, 
 viz. : W. J. Vickers, S. S. Craddock and J. H. Davis. 
 They had also collected some lumber for the purpose 
 of building a house of worship. 
 
 In the meantime Elder J. M. Stewart had awakened 
 an interest some six miles lower down the creek, and 
 on August 29, 1886, he, with the assistance of Elder 
 
126 Eistm^y of Middle Tennessee BwptisU 
 
 J. H. Vickers, constituted Dry Creek Baptist Church, 
 near a straw stack in Dr. J. A. Fuson's lot. This 
 church was an offspring of Salem Baptist Church, 
 and consisted of twenty members. This brought 
 about the situation of two homeless churches on the 
 same creek. But by mutual agreement, in 1889, the 
 Round Hill Church, which now numbered forty-nine 
 members, dissolved and united with Dry Creek 
 Church. They then selected a spot midway between 
 the two for the erection of a house of worship, upon 
 which now stands a neat church building. It would 
 be an injustice to close this narrative without stating 
 that the erection of this house, in a large measure, 
 was due to some enterprising young men who were 
 not members of any church. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. M. Stewart, 1886-90; Elder 
 William Simpson, 1891-93 ; Elder J. H. Davis, 1893- 
 95; Elder William Simpson, 1895-96; Elder J. H. 
 Grime, 1896-1900; Elder Stephen Robinson, 1901 to 
 the present. 
 
 Clerks: J. D. Fite, 1886-90; W. J. Vickers, 1890 
 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: W. J. Vickers, 1886; J. H. Davis, 1886; 
 S. S. Craddock, 1886; J. A. Fuson, 1886; H. M. Fite, 
 1886; T. D. Vandergriff, 1886; W. C. Hendrixson, 
 1891 ; J. M. Bailiff, 1891 ; Wyley Hendrixson, 1895; 
 H. R. Herndon, 1895; W. R. King, 1899; H. P. Crips, 
 1899. 
 
 Elder J. H. Davis was ordained to the ministry in 
 August, 1892, by Elders William Simpson and J. A. 
 McClusky. 
 
 This church sent out a colony which was constituted 
 into Snow's Hill Baptist Church March 27, 1897. 
 
 During the short history of this church 250 persons 
 
Chtircli Sketches 127 
 
 have found a home with her. She numbers at pres- 
 ent 148 members. Perhaps no church ever did more 
 for a community in the same length of time. She has 
 represented in Salem Association since the time of her 
 organization. 
 
 CEDAR GROVE. 
 
 This old church is situated five miles north of Leb- 
 anon, near the Hunter's Point Pike, Wilson County, 
 Tennessee. The church was constituted May 15, 181 3, 
 by Elders Josiah Rucks, John Wiseman, John Jones 
 and Thomas Durham. The records fail to give 
 further information concerning the origin of this 
 church. But from the names which make up the above 
 Presbytery we feel almost warranted in saying that 
 this church was an offspring of old Spring Creek 
 Baptist Church and was brought up under the foster- 
 ing care of Elder John Jones. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Ehjah Maddox, 1815-41; Elder 
 E. W. Haile, 1841-45; Elder William Barton, 1845- 
 50; Elder Jonathan Wiseman, 1850-52; Elder D. W. 
 Lee, 1852-54; Elder Richard Lyon, 1854-58; Elder 
 John Johnson, 1858-60; Elder John S. Rice, 1860- 
 70; Elder Richard Lyon, 1870-73; Elder John S. Rice, 
 1873-81 ; Elder T. B. Chapman, 1881-82; Elder G. A. 
 Ogle, 1882-84; Elder J. H. Vickers, 1884-87; Elder 
 Z. A. Lyon, 1887-88; Elder J. R. Hearn, 1888-89; 
 Elder J. T. Oakley, 1889-90; Elder L. N. Brock, 1890- 
 91 ; Elder J. H. Grime, 1891 ; Elder W. J. Couch, 
 1891-92; Elder J. F. McNabb, 1892-93; Elder J. J. 
 Carr, 1893, and is still serving as pastor. 
 
 Clerks: We are not informed as to who acted 
 as clerk prior to 1832; James Arington, 1832-44; 
 William H. Jackson, 1844-46; Isaac Hunter, 1846- 
 
128 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 49; S. R. Shaw, 1849-50; John Chambers, 1850-55; 
 James Arington, 1855-75; David Chambers, 1875-85; 
 J. J. Carr, 1885-87; A. J. Lyon, 1887-90; J. M. 
 Perkins, 1890-91; J. M. Mann, 1891-92; F. M. 
 Rutledge, 1892-93; B. F. Tracy, 1893-94; R. M. Led- 
 better, 1894-96; J. F. Jolly, 1896 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: Carter Irby, 1816; Ransom King, 1817; 
 Edward Trevillian, 1819; William Davis, 1826; John 
 Murphy, 1830; Radford Walker, 1835; Littleton 
 Moseley, 1835; Robert Sypert, 1844; Thomas 
 Trevillian, 1844; Granvil Mansfield, 1849; Eli Corum, 
 1849 ; C. L Cloar, 1861 ; E. N. Mitchener, 1861 ; Henry 
 Corum, 1864; T. B. Chapman, 1867; Randolph Mor- 
 ris, 1867; John C. Jones, 1880; J. K. Brown, 1880; 
 L D. Corum, 1880. 
 
 This church is probably the mother of Corum's Hill 
 and Mt. Olivet Churches, north of the Cumberland 
 river, and Rice's Chapel, now extinct. 
 
 She has sent out the following preachers, viz. : 
 Elder David Chambers, ordained March, 1878, by 
 Elders John S. Rice, Richard Lyon and W. B. Jones ; 
 Elder T. B. Chapman, ordained October, 1879, by 
 Elders J. S. Rice and David Chambers ; Elder J. J. 
 Carr, ordained October, 1893, by Elders J. F. Mc- 
 Nabb, J. H. Grime and M. J. Osborn. 
 
 This church was not aiTected by the anti-mission 
 "split" of 1837. While other churches were dividing 
 and factions going of? to form Primitive Baptist 
 Churches, it seems that a revival spirit took hold on 
 this church. The very next year twenty baptisms were 
 reported. 
 
 She did not unite with the association till 1814, 
 when she cast her lot with Concord Association while 
 in session at Salem Church, Liberty, Tenn. They con- 
 
church Skef.che.^ 129 
 
 tinned to represent in this body till 1822, when they 
 went into the constitution of Salem Association. They 
 represented in this body till 1889, when they lettered 
 from Salem and attached themselves to New Salem 
 Association. 
 
 We have no means of knowing; just how many have 
 belonged to this church since her constitution, but 
 from what data we have we woidd suppose not less 
 than 1,000 persons. They have at present 157 mem- 
 bers. They have a new house of worship. 
 
 This has long been an old Baptist landmark, and in 
 manv particulars one of our best churches. Camp- 
 bellites are striving to make inroads there now, but 
 •they find the ground contested at every point. 
 
 barton's creek. 
 
 This church is situated three miles southwest of 
 Lebanon, Wilson County, Tenn., on the waters of 
 Barton's Creek, from which they derived the name. 
 They were constituted with only four members (W. 
 P. Wilburn, Mary Johnson, R. S. \\^ilburn and Nancy 
 Wilburn) on April 21, 1849, by Elders Elijah IMad- 
 dox, John Bond and a Brother Muse. They were or- 
 ganized in what was known as the Clemmon's School 
 House. They worship now in a neat new house con- 
 structed in 1896, this being the third house they have 
 built. 
 
 P.v.STORS : Elder Elijah Maddo.x served as their 
 first moderator till they were started in business ; 
 Elder W. P. Wilburn, 1849-57; Elder N. M. Green, 
 1858-59: Elder John Phillips, 1859-67: Elder J. C. 
 Brien, 1867-70: Elder J. S. Rice, 1870-72: Elder 
 William Barton, 1872-73; Elder J. C. Brien, 1873-74: 
 Elder Lewis Lindsley, 1874-76: Elder A. E. John.son, 
 5 
 
130 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1876-79; Elder G. A. Ogle, 1879-82; Elder A. E. 
 Johnson, 1882-85 ; Elder John S. Rice, 1885-91 ; Elder 
 W. J. Couch, 1891-92 ; Elder W. P. D. Clark, 1892- 
 01 ; Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, 1901 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: C. L. Johns, 1849; Mathias Johnson, 
 1849-56; L. W. Parham, 1856-59; E. J. T. Fields, 
 1859-60; J. E. Lain, 1860-67; J- M. Seat, 1867-72; 
 J. M. Johnson, 1872-84; Isham Johnson, 1884-92; 
 John Alexander, 1892-93; J. H. Johnson, 1893-94; 
 B. H. Rogers, 1894-95; W. R. Davis, 1895-96; Doc 
 L. Fields, 1896 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: John W. Johnson, 1849; R. S. Wil- 
 burn, 1849; John Fields, 1852; James H. Lain, 1874; 
 John Floyd, 1874; J. S. Floyd, 1879; Jos. W. John- 
 son, 1892; Edward Ligon, 1892; T. E. Watson, 1877; 
 F. H. Palmer, 1877; G. W. Tomlin, 1896. 
 
 This church did not unite with the Association till 
 1850, when they cast their lot with Salem Association 
 while in session at old Brawley's Fork Church (now 
 Marion), Cannon County, Tennessee. The four mem- 
 bers had increased at this time to fifty, and everything 
 was prosperous. It was only a few years till a trouble 
 arose which hindered the work for some time. They 
 remained a member of Salem Association till 1888, 
 when they went into the constitution of New Salem 
 Association, in which they continue to represent. It 
 might be stated just here that their name does not ap- 
 pear in the minutes of Salem Association from 1871 
 to 1883. The cause of their ceasing to represent is not 
 known to this author. I have no means of ascertaining 
 the number of members which have belonged to this 
 church, but from what data we have I suppose 500 
 would be a safe estimate. They number at present 
 126 members. 
 
(liurch Sketches 131 
 
 They have sent out the following ministers, viz. : 
 A. E. Johnson, and others. 
 
 Before closing this narrative let me state that there 
 was an interest fostered in this section and a church 
 constituted in the early part of the century by Elder 
 Moore Stevenson. But it became extinct about 1842, 
 and if it had any connection with this church we are 
 not advised. 
 
 RIDDLETON. 
 
 This church is situated in Smith County, Tennes- 
 see, some eight miles west of Carthage on the pike 
 leading from Carthage to Hartsvillej and in the vil- 
 lage of Riddleton. Baptist preaching was done in this 
 community before the church was constituted by Eld- 
 ers M. B. Ramsey, W. M. Kuykendall and J. F. Mc- 
 Nabb. 
 
 This church was constituted with forty-one mem- 
 bers from various churches, mostly, however, from 
 Peyton's Creek, on January 2, 1888, by the following 
 Presbytery, viz. : Elders E. L. Smith and J. F. Mc- 
 Nabb, with Deacons James Earps, W. C. Porter, Alex- 
 ander Porter, J. C. Nixon and J. J. Chambers. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J, F. McNabb, 1888-90; Elder A. 
 J. Brien, 1890-91; Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1891-92; 
 Elder Wiseman Drury, 1894-96 ; Elder S. N. Eitz- 
 patrick, 1897-99; Elder T. T. Thompson, 1899-00; 
 Elder R. B. Davis, 1900 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: J. H. Brimm, 1888-89; C. D. High. 
 1889-91 ; J. H. Brimm, 1891 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: James Piper, 1888; T. J. Maxey, 1888: 
 C. D. High, 1888; A. H. Brimm, 1888; J. H. Brimm, 
 1898; R. J. Bowman, 1898; Obed High, 1898. 
 
 This church has had an existence for thirteen years, 
 and, for so short a period, has encountered many diffi- 
 
132 HUtm'y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 culties. But they are onward and upward. They have 
 baptized on an average five persons every year since 
 they were organized. They have had in their fellow- 
 ship 152 members since their constitution and num- 
 ber at present ninety-five. 
 
 They became a constituent member of New Sa- 
 lem Association in 1888, and have represented in that 
 body ever since. They have a neat house of worship 
 centrally located in a prosperous village surrounded 
 by a fertile section of country. 
 
 LANCASTER. 
 
 This church is situated in the railroad town of Lan- 
 caster, Smith County, Tenn., on the southern side 
 of Caney Fork River. 
 
 The Baptist cause in this section dates back to the 
 early part of the nineteenth century. Under whose 
 ministry the cause was first established here, we have 
 no means of knowing. They united with Concord 
 Association in 1821, and in 1822 they went into the 
 constitution of Salem Association. They remained in 
 this body until about 1827, when from some cause they 
 ceased to represent, and their history is lost. 
 
 This early church was composed largely of the 
 Conger (or Congow) family; also among them are 
 found the names of Thomas A. Lancaster and James 
 Evans. 
 
 This church was probably an offspring of old Bethel 
 Church, which at that time was known as Cove Hol- 
 low. Nothing more is known authentically ; but a 
 probable conjecture is that in 1827 they were led into 
 the Separate Baptists by Elder William J. Bomer, 
 and in after years resulted in the constitution of Mace- 
 donia or Club Spring Church, just across the Caney 
 Fork River. 
 
Church Sketches 133 
 
 Here the history closes till a few years ago, when 
 Elder J. M. Stewart began to preach in this section 
 and gathered about him a small band of brethren, 
 mostly members of old Bethel Church, which stood 
 four miles south up Smith's Fork Creek, Some time 
 in the year 1890 a church consisting of nine members 
 was constituted by Elders J. M. Stewart and R. E. 
 Smith. They were constituted in a school house some 
 little distance from the village and worshiped there 
 until 1899, when they completed a neat house of wor- 
 ship in the village, which is fast growing into a town 
 of some importance. 
 
 P.VSTOFS : We have been unable to gather dates, 
 but the following pastors have served in the follow- 
 ing order: Elder J. M. Stewart, iSgo: Elder R. E. 
 Smith, Elder T. J. Eastes, Elder M. W. Russell, 
 Elder J. H. A gee, 1899 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: J. L. Fisher, 1890-92; J. D. Fisher, 1892 
 to the present. 
 
 De.vcoxs: ^^'. H. Lester, 1890; J. G. Pulliam, 
 1890: J. D. r.ussell, 1893; J. D. Fisher, 1893; W. H. 
 Nixon, i89ri; T. Sampson, 181:9: J. P>. Fisher, 1899. 
 
 This church has had fort\- members in her fellow- 
 ship since her constitution. She now numbers twenty- 
 eight members. Isaac Robinson was licensed to preach 
 by this church in i8ijo. 
 
 This church has represented in New Salem Asso- 
 ciation continuously since the organization. 
 
 This is a difficult but hopeful field. 
 
 P.ETHICL. 
 
 This church is what >ou might call extinct. There 
 is perhaps vet a small remnant of the former mem- 
 bership, with some little property. This has long 
 
134 History of Middle Tennessee Bcuptists 
 
 been a Baptist landmark in this section and it seems 
 sad that it should be blotted out. 
 
 This church is situated on Smith's Fork Creek a 
 short distance below Temperance Hall, DeKalb 
 County, Tenn. We are unable to gather the particu- 
 lars concerning the early history of this church. They 
 were constituted about 1814, and took the name of 
 Cove Hollow Church. They united with Concord As- 
 sociation September 10, 1814, when convened with 
 Salem' Church, Liberty, Tenn. They represented in 
 this body for a short time, when they transferred their 
 membership to Caney Fork Association. They repie- 
 sented in this Association until 1828, when 'hey 
 brought a letter from said Association and united with 
 Salem Association. They continued to represent in 
 Salem Association till 1888, when they became a 
 constituent member of New Salem Association. 
 
 This church at the beginning was situated at, or 
 near, where the village of Temperance Hall now 
 stands, and moved her place of worship to the present 
 location about 1848, after which the church was some- 
 times known as New Bethel. The exact date when this 
 church changed her name from Cove Hollow to Bethel 
 is not known, but it was some where about 1830. The 
 earliest direct records we have begin with 1848, and 
 from that date to the present the officers are as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 P.xsTORS: Elder Samuel Odum, 1848-49: Elder E. 
 W. Haile, 1849-60; Elder N. Hays, i8rK.-rx): Elder 
 R. A. Dillard, 1869-70: Elder J. R- Bowman, 1870- 
 71 : Elder T. J. Eastes, 1871-76: Elder ^^'illiam Simp- 
 son, 1876-79: Elder J. R. Hearn. 1879-81 : Elder M. 
 W. Russell, 1881-83; Elder J. H. Vickers, 1883-87; 
 
Church Sketches 135 
 
 Elder J. M. Stewart, 1888-89; Elder M. W. Russell, 
 1 889-91, when the records close. 
 
 Clerks: Thomas Fisher, 1848-59; G. W. Close, 
 1859-65; J- K. Hardcastle. 1865-69; J. W. Stevens, 
 1869-75 ; T. L. Fisher, 1875-84; W. H. Nixon, 1884 to 
 the dissolution. 
 
 De.kcons: Thomas Fisher, Sr., 1848; Nicholas 
 Smith, 1848: Georfre Kelly, 1858; Thomas Fisher, 
 Jr., 1866; J. K. Hardcastle. 1870; Samuel Christian, 
 1870; J. S. Rowland, 1875; J. B. Fisher, 1875; W. 
 H. Nixon. 1888. 
 
 This church coukl properly be called the mother of 
 Mount Zion and I^ancaster, and probably others. 
 
 When tiiis cluirch had sjrown weak, they had the 
 misfortune to have their house of worship wrecked 
 by a storm, a shock from the effects of which they 
 never rallied. This was once a leading- church of this 
 section and many sacred memories cluster about this 
 old dilapidated temple of worship. 
 
 cookevillr:. 
 
 This church is located in the town of Cookeville. 
 This town is a prosperous railroad town and the seat 
 of g-Qvernment for Putnam County, Tennessee. 
 
 In the vear 1873. Elder Patrick Moore, assisted by 
 other ministers, held a series of meetings in the town, 
 using the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, house 
 of worship. At the close of the meeting, or soon after, 
 a church was constituted with thirty-four members 
 on September 26, 1873.' Elder James Moore, an elder 
 brother of Elder Patrick Moore, acted as moderator 
 of the constituting Presbytery and Professor J. J. 
 Finnev as clerk. These ministers were members of 
 Union Association, which was originally known as 
 
136 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 "Separate Baptists.'' They continued to worship in 
 the Methodist house and the whole town and com- 
 munity were permeated with Baptist influence and 
 could have been easily taken for the Baptist cause. 
 But the Baptist ministers of ability lived quite a dis- 
 tance awav and the interest was permitted to die out 
 through sheer neglect. 
 
 Pastors: ■ Elder Patrick Moore was elected pastor' 
 November, 1873, and J- J- Finney clerk. In October, 
 1875, the church called as pastor Elder J. K. Stimp- 
 son, a strange young man who chanced to pass that 
 way. He proved unworthy, ran away to avoid the 
 clutches of the law and was excluded. In 1876 Elder 
 T. R. Cooi>er was called to the care of the church 
 and served only a short while, when Elder R. A. 
 Dillard, a missionary of Salem Association, took 
 charge of the work. In 1877 Elder A. L. Parker was 
 called, and in 1878 Elder J. B. Fox was called. From 
 this time to 1892 the church lay dormant. In No- 
 vember, 1892, Elder T. J. Eastes gathered the rem- 
 nant together and reorganized them for work. A 
 lot was secured and a neat, commodious house of wor- 
 ship was erected. From that time the following min- 
 isters have served as pastors in the following order, 
 but dates not known : Elder T. J. Eastes, Elder J. 
 M. Stewart, Elder R. Brett, Elder R. A. Rushing, 
 Elder T. T. Thompson, Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick. 
 
 This church first united with Union Association, 
 but after the reorganization they united with New 
 Salem Association. 
 
 This is one of the most inviting fields known to this 
 author and with the right man in the pulpit might 
 soon be a Baptist stronghold. 
 
Church Sketches 137 
 
 nSTOLlc's AND BOILING SPRING CHURCHES. 
 
 The above churches are so connected that their his- 
 tory must be written jointly. 
 
 Pistole's Church is situated in the northern part of 
 White County, Tennessee, on Falling Water River, 
 some three miles below Bunker Hill. This church was 
 planted by the missionaries of Salem Association un- 
 der the direction of Elder Jesse Johnson. This church 
 is an offspring of Hudgen's Creek Church, another 
 mission church, located three miles south of Cooke- 
 ville. 
 
 This church was constituted in April, 185 1, by Eld- 
 ers Jesse Johnson, Louis Dies and Joel J. James, mis- 
 sionaries of Salem Association. They united with 
 Salem Association on September 20, 1851, when con- 
 vened at Plunkett's Creek. They carried with them 
 a constituency of thirty-eight members. They re- 
 mained a member of this tody till May, 1853, when 
 they became a constituent member of Johnson Asso- 
 ciation. The growth of this church for the first ten 
 years (to the opening of the Civil War) was phenom- 
 enal. They numbered at this time perhaps near three 
 hundred members, besides sending out several new 
 churches. During this time they had also ordained 
 three ministers, viz. : Elders Elijah Hickey, Alonzo 
 Bennett and James H. Nelson. (For the lack of rec- 
 ords we cannot give dates.) Few churches have ever 
 had a brighter record to begin with. If the curtain 
 only could fall here ; but alas ! 
 
 When the hostilities between the States opened this 
 church was situated in the center of guerilla warfare, 
 which played sad havoc with this once prosperous 
 body. The ministry was cut off from the church and 
 
138 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 many of the members moved away to seek more peace- 
 ful quarters. 
 
 Taking advantage of the surroundings, Elders 
 Thomas Stone and Thomas and Benjamin Clouse, 
 "Christian Baptist" ministers, came in and took pos- 
 session of the house of worship and proselyted a num- 
 ber of the members to the "Christian Baptist" persua- 
 sion. At the close of hostilities, when the scattered 
 brotherhood reassembled, the "Christian Baptists" 
 held the property by sheer force of possession. Dur- 
 ing the war their pastor had died (Alonzo Bennett) 
 and in vain they tried to arouse an interest. In 1867 
 this scattered band built a house some two miles north 
 in the edge of Putnam County on a two-acre lot do- 
 nated by John Grime and moved their place of wor- 
 ship to this point and changed the name from Pistole's 
 to Boiling Spring. From this time the church began 
 to prosper, and this disheartened band saw their work 
 again blessed, and was soon one of the most influ- 
 ential churches of that section. In the meantime a 
 very influential and promising young minister by the 
 name of Mansfield Howell had grown up among the 
 "Christian Baptists" and proposed to unite with Boil- 
 ing Spring Church, provided they would receive him 
 on his baptism. Like King Saul, the temptation was 
 too great for them and they yielded. The idea of se- 
 curing such a trophy from the very people who had 
 taken their church house from them was more than 
 they could deny. There was an element in the church, 
 however, who were opposed to receiving him unless 
 he would be baptized, however personally he was 
 loved by all. His reception caused quite a deal of 
 confusion in Johnson Association, of which this 
 church was a member. 
 
Church Sketches 139 
 
 In the meantime a few brethren decided to reclaim 
 the old Pistole's Church property. So on August 14, 
 1874, a church was constituted there, with six mem- 
 bers, by Elders J. C. Brien and T. R. Cooper. This 
 new church stood opposed to reception of alien im- 
 mersion. They began at once to prosper and the 
 "Christian Baptists" abandoned the property and left 
 it to their use. 
 
 At this time the author of these pages was clerk of 
 Boiling Spring Church, but strongly opposed alien 
 immersion. Tlie discussion in Johnson Association 
 grew more sharp from year to year till 1874, when 
 they met with Caney Fork Baptist Church in the 
 northern part of DeKalb County. At this meeting the 
 climax was reached and this church was dropped from 
 the roll. The Baptist cause owes much in this con- 
 test to Elder E. L. Smith, of Enon Association. J. 
 H. Grime had resigned the clerkship of Boiling Spring 
 Church, and feeling that he could not afiford to be de- 
 prived of the fellowship of his brethren he, with nine 
 others, withdrew from Boiling Spring Church in Jan- 
 uary, 1875, and united with the Pistole's Church, 
 where they could have fellowship with the Baptist 
 brotherhood. F(jr this act the entire ten were ar- 
 raigned before Boiling Spring Church and summarily 
 excluded by wholesale in March, 1875. J. H. Grime 
 begged for a hearing, but was refused, as he was re- 
 garded the chief offender. In 1876, when Salem As- 
 sociation met with the church at .Auburn, Boiling 
 Spring Church b\' petition gained admittance tf) that 
 bodv. But the facts being fully made known, it was 
 dropped from the roll the next session at Brush Creek. 
 Bv this time many had left the church and as a last 
 resort they affiliated with the "Christian Baptists" in 
 
140 Eiatoi'y of Middle Tennes^^ee BaptiKU 
 
 Association. Thus matters went till 1888. In the 
 meantime J. H. Grime had been ordained to the min- 
 istry by Pistole's Church. 
 
 In November, 1888, Elder J. H. Grime by request 
 went to Boiling- Spring and preached for some days, 
 when by vote, with only three dissenting, they agreed 
 to rescind all illegal actions, correct all irregularities 
 and have said J. H. Grime to baptize all who had been 
 illegally baptized. This action was taken November 
 20, 1888, and when the church was in order for busi- 
 ness ten whose baptism was irregular were received 
 and baptized. Three days later several other "Chris- 
 tian Baptists" were received and baptized by said 
 Grime, among them two preachers, Elders J. D. and 
 Samuel Howell, brothers of the said Elder Mansfield 
 Howell. Thus the same church which excluded J. 
 H. Grime called him back to help them out of their 
 difficulty. 
 
 Pastors : Among the pastors of old Pistole's, 
 which afterward became Boiling Spring, we find the 
 following : Elder J. J. James, Elder Alonzo Bennett, 
 Elder Elijah Hickey, Elder J- R- Bowman. After 
 the reconstruction in 1888, they are as follows: Elder 
 A. J. Waller, 1888-89 ; Elder J. D. Howell, 1889-90 ; 
 Elder A. J. "VN^aller, 1890-93; Elder J. D. Howell, 
 1893-94; Elder A. J. Waller, 1894-95; Elder O. T. 
 Jones, 1895-96; Elders J. D. and Samuel Howell, 
 1897-01. 
 
 Clerks : S. C. Pistole, John Grime and J. H. 
 Grime before the rupture. Since the reconstruction : 
 A. D. Jones, 1888-89; J- A. Jones, 1889-90; C. C. 
 Roberts, 1890-91 ; J. D. Howell, 1891-92; W. J. Jones, 
 1892-96; G. W. Howell, 1896-01. 
 
Church Sketches 141 
 
 Deacons : Among the early deacons were S. C. 
 Pistole, Jolin Grime, A. D. Jones and Albert Davis. 
 Later we have W. J. Jones, William Massa, R. B. 
 Waller, 1894; J. G. Jones, 1894; and others not known. 
 
 They have sent out the following preachers : Eld- 
 ers Alonzo Bennett, Elijah Hickey and J. H. Nelson, 
 who were ordained in the early history of the church. 
 Since the reconstruction they are as follows : Elder 
 J. D. Howell, ordained November 23, 1888, by Elders 
 J. H. Grime and A. J. Waller ; Elder Samuel Howell, 
 ordained November 23, 1888, by Elders J. H. Grime 
 and A. J. Waller : A. D. Thomas was licensed June, 
 1890 ; Elders Louis Rice and Frank Judd have been 
 ordained by this church within the past few years, but 
 we cannot ascertain the particulars. 
 
 Since the reconstruction this church has affiliated 
 with New Salem .Association. 
 
 The present Pistole Church, as stated, was consti- 
 tuted August 14, 1874, by Elders J. C. Brien and T. 
 R. Cooper on the Confession of Faith of Salem Asso- 
 ciation. They have had officers as follows : 
 
 P.ASTORS: Elder J. C. Brien, 1874-75; Elder T. R. 
 Cooper, 1875-78; Elder A. L. Parker, 1878-79: Elder 
 William White, 1879-82: Elder T. H. Grime, 1882-83; 
 Elder Edwin Kelley, 1883-84; Elders T. R. Cooper, 
 William ]\Iyers and J. B. Fox, 1884-85: Elder Edwin 
 Kelley, 1885-89, when Elders J. D. and Samuel 
 Howell were called as assistants till 1893; Elder Sam- 
 uel Howell, i8<>3-95; Elder J. A. McClusky, 1895- 
 97; Elder Riley Green, 1897 to the present. 
 
 Clerk.s: W. J. A'ickers, 1874-77: G. W. Cole, 
 1877-80; F. M. Williams, 1880; T, R. Cooper, 1880- 
 84; T. J. Edwards, 1884-93; J. H. Pistole, 1893 to 
 the present. 
 
142 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Deacons: William Tibbs, 1874; S. C. Pistole, 
 1874; J. H. Grime, 1875; T. J. Edwards, 1875, Y. K. 
 Brown, 1876; J. H. Vickers, 1876; W. R. Hutson, 
 1888 ; J. W. Lafever, 1888. 
 
 The following ministers have been sent out, viz: 
 Elder P. H. Tibbs, ordained March 27, 1876, by Eld- 
 ers T. R. Cooper and J. W. Cunningham; Elder J. 
 H. Grime, ordained March 27, 1876, by Elders J. W. 
 Cunningham and T. R. Cooper ; Elder Louis Howell, 
 ordained July 29, 1891, by Elders S. N. Pitzpatrick, 
 J. A. McClusky, J. D. Howell, Samuel Howell and 
 Edwin Kelley ; Elder Spencer Jernigan, ordained No- 
 vember, 1891, by Elders J. A. McClusky, E. Kelley, 
 J. D. Howell, Samuel Howell and Louis Howell. 
 
 This church represents in Union Association. 
 
 BEECH GROVE. 
 
 This church is situated on Caney Fork River, at 
 the mouth of Holmes' Creek, some nine miles north 
 of Smithville, in DeKalb County, Tennessee. 
 
 This church was constituted in 1858, the exact time 
 not known. They united with Salem Association at 
 that date when convened at Woodbury. The circum- 
 stances of the origin of this church are peculiar and 
 interesting. A man by the name of Bond lived in this 
 community. He made no pretensions to Christianity 
 and, so far as this author knows, died without malting 
 any public profession. He was an honorable citizen 
 and possessed of a good degree of this world's goods. 
 At that time the community was isolated and destitute 
 of preaching or church privileges. So Mr. Bond built 
 on his own land, at his own personal expense, what 
 was regarded at that day as a splendid house of wor- 
 ship. When the house was complete he told the Bap- 
 
Church Sketches 143 
 
 tists if tliey would come and hold a meeting and con- 
 stitute a church he would deed them the house and 
 sufficient amount of land for their use. In compliance 
 with this request, Elder Henry Bass and some other 
 ministers held a meeting and constituted a Church of 
 fifteen members. INIost, if not all, of Mr. Bond's fam- 
 ily sooner or later became members of this church, 
 and, it is said, though not a Christian himself, that 
 none enjo>-ed the meetings more than he. The follow- 
 ing incident is told : During the first meeting there 
 one of his daughters professed faith in Christ and was 
 baptized, ^\'l1en the minister led her down into the 
 sparkling waters of Caney Fork River, her father fol- 
 lowed her and stood beside her and wept like a child 
 as the man of God buried her with Christ in baptism, 
 and with a loud voice he thanked God that his chil- 
 dren were coming in. Were not these things the fruit 
 of a new life? It is said he could not govern his tem- 
 per and would indulge in profanity, but none lamented 
 it more than he, and, at the risk of being criticised, 
 I will say that I expect to see him in heaven. I see 
 fruits which indicate a good tree. 
 
 Among the leading members we note the Lees, Fos- 
 ters, Martins, Hales, Congers and Merritts ; but for 
 the want of records cannot give particulars. 
 
 P.\.STriRs : Among the pastors we note the follow- 
 ing, viz. : Elders H. Bass, Felix Patterson, J. C. 
 Brien, I. R. Bowman, Elijah Hickey, J. M. Stewart, 
 William Simpson, J. H. Vickers, David Taylor and 
 J. H. Davis, A. J. Brien. 
 
 This church for many years was in a flourishing 
 condition, but at the present is at a very low ebb. She 
 is still identified with Salem Association. Thjs church 
 
144 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 is an offspring of Wolf Creek and has a present mem- 
 bership of fifty-four. 
 
 WOLF CREEK. 
 
 This church is situated on the waters of Wolf Creek 
 just above Smutsville, or Laurel Hill, in DeKalb 
 County, Tennessee. 
 
 This church was constituted in 1846 and united with 
 Salem Association the same year, with a membership 
 of nineteen. This church was constituted by mission- 
 aries of Salem Association, viz. : Elder Louis Dies 
 and others, and the growth for some time was ohe- 
 nomenal. We have no direct records of this church 
 and cannot give dates. 
 
 Pastors: She has enjoyed the ministry of such 
 men as Elders Louis Dies, D. M. Lee, Felix Patter- 
 son, J. C. Brien, J. R. Bowman, Elijah Hickey, J. M. 
 Stewart, R. E. Smith, J. T. Farmer, J. A. McCIusky, 
 A. J- Waller, Samuel Howell and A. J. Brien. 
 
 This is a mother church and has sent out several 
 other churches. She has sent out as ministers Elders 
 D. M. Lee and Felix Patterson. For some time this 
 was one of the leading churches of Salem Association. 
 In 1853 they went into the constitution of Johnson 
 Association and remained in this body until recently, 
 when she returned to Salem. This church at present 
 is very much run down and has but little preaching, 
 although she has a good house of worship. This 
 church has numbered among her members some of the 
 staunchest Baptists in this section. Elder Louis Dies 
 was a long time a member of this church. The pres- 
 ent number is forty-five, and present deacons are E. 
 A. Foster and W. R. Huddleston. J. D. Brown is 
 the clerk. 
 
Church Sketvhe.s 145 
 
 INDIAN CREEK. 
 
 This church is situated on the waters of Indian 
 Creek, some eig:ht miles north of Smithville, DeKalb 
 County, Tenn. This church was gathered through 
 the labors of Elders Nathaniel Havs and Archamac 
 Bass, and is an offspring of Salem Baptist Church. 
 
 This church was constituted November, 1844, with 
 seven members, and united the next year with Salem 
 Association when convened with Hickman's Creek 
 Church. Tlie}' numbered at this time twenty mem- 
 bers. Thev first took the name of Caney Fork Church 
 and changed their name to Indian Creek in 1848. 
 
 This church has had a fair degree of success, but 
 for the want of records we can give but little of the 
 details. 
 
 P-\STORS : The following, with perhaps others, 
 have served this church as pastor: Elder Henry Fite, 
 Elder J. C. Brien, 1881-83; Elder William Simp- 
 son, 1883-85; Elder J. C, Brien, 1885-88; Elder J. 
 II. Stewart, 1888-91; Elder A. J. Brien, 1891-92; 
 Elder William Simpson, 1892-93 ; Elder D. C. Taylor, 
 1893-96; Elder D. W. Taylor, 1896-97; Elder A. J. 
 Waller, 1897-98; Elder J. M. Stewart, 1898-99; Elder 
 D. C. Taylor, 1899-00; Elder D. W. Taylor, 1900-01 ; 
 Elder W. E. Wauford, 1901. 
 
 De.-^cons : T- C. Taylor and Jackson Hendrixson, 
 1844; O. D. Cantrel and James Pig, 1899. 
 
 In the latter part of the seventies a division occurred 
 in the church, which resulted in a few members with- 
 drawing and organizing a Freewill Baptist Church 
 near bv. This new fad seemed to prosper for a while 
 under the leadership of one Ehlcr Curtis, but we hear 
 jt has finally gone out. 
 
146 History of Middle Tennessee BaptisU 
 
 She has sent out as ministers Elders D. C. Taylor 
 and D. W. Tavlor. This was once a strong church, 
 but numbers at present only eighty-five members. 
 She has a new house of worship. 
 
 She has always represented in Salem Association. 
 
 MT. PLEASANT. 
 
 This church is situated in the northern part of Can- 
 non County, Tennessee, on the dividing ridge between 
 Woodbury and Liberty. The first Baptist sermon ever 
 preached in this community was preached by Elder 
 J. K. Womack in the month of April, 1874. The 
 work was then taken up by Elder Henry Bass, who 
 at that time was pastor of Sycamore Fork Church, 
 a short distance away. This work was fostered by 
 the church at Sycamore Fork, of which this church is 
 an ofi^spring'. The year following (1875) they were 
 constituted into an independent body by Elders H. 
 Bass, J. W. Hunt and A. J. McXabb. They came 
 into the Association with a constituency of twenty- 
 seven members. 
 
 Pastors: Elder H. Bass, 1875-79; Elder W. E. 
 Raikes, 1879-81: Elder James McElliot, 1881-83; 
 Elder A. C. Webb, 1883-89; Elder W. E, Raikes, 
 1889-91; Elder A. C. Webb, 1891-96; Elder J. B. 
 Tedder, 1896-97: Elder Stephen Robinson, 1897 to 
 the present. 
 
 Clerks: John \\'ard, 1875-76; W. J. King, 1876- 
 79; James M. Womack, 1870-81; A. C. Webb, 1881- 
 85; John Ward, 1885-86; J. B. Tedder, 1886-87; W. 
 M. Ward, 1887-89: A. C. Webb, 1889-90; J. D. Bogle, 
 1890-97: J. B. Tedder, 1897 to the present. 
 
 Deacons : The only deacons we could find from 
 the records were G. C. Keeton and W. A. Wilson, or- 
 dained 1876; A. C. Webb, 1879. 
 
Church Sketches 147 
 
 This church has sent out the following ministers, 
 viz.: Eider A. C. Webb, licensed June, 1882 (the 
 date of his ordination we fail to get) ; Elder J- B. 
 Tedder, ordained October 8, 1893, by Elders A. J. 
 Brien, A. C. Webb and W. F. Osborn. 
 
 This has never been a strong church, but has con- 
 tained some noble spirits and accomplished a great 
 deal of good. They have always since their consti- 
 tution represented in Salem Association. They num- 
 ber at present sixty-one members. 
 
 This was a very wicked community, but had been 
 preoccupied by the Campbellites. The persecution 
 against the Baptists at the beginning was very fierce, 
 as the following incident will ''lustrate. Elder Bass 
 was an old man of unquestioned piety. Soon after he 
 began preaching there, one Saturday on arriving at 
 the school house where he was to preach, near by he 
 discovered a gallows erected, with a notice in writing 
 that if he did not leave the community and cease to 
 preach his Baptist doctrine he would be hanged 
 upon it. He went into the house and preached. At 
 the close of the service he announced his hanging, 
 stating that they would find him about the Master's 
 business. It was believed that some of the parties who 
 had erected the gallows were present listening. Suf- 
 fice it to say, that while thev kept nyi their secret per- 
 secutions, they never undertonk another "bluft" on 
 Elder Bass. 
 
 P.VTMriS, riR NF.W L'XION. 
 
 This church is situated in DeKalb County, some 
 twelve miles southeast of .Smithville, and near I'rank's 
 Ferry. 
 
 The date of the cr)nstituti(>n of this church is not 
 known, the records having been lost. They were ad- 
 
148 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 mitted into Salem Association in i860. This church 
 was constituted by a Presbytery consisting of Elders 
 Felix Patterson and J. J. James. The circumstances 
 surrounding the organization of this church are some- 
 what pecviliar. These ministers conducted a meeting 
 in a Methodist house of worship, but were refused the 
 privilege of organizing in it ; so they retired to an 
 island in Caney Fork River, near the mouth of Sink 
 Creek, where the church was constituted, after which 
 converts were received and baptized. The fact that 
 the church was constituted on an island most prob- 
 ably suggested the name "Patmos," by which it was 
 a long time known. 
 
 This church was known as Patmos until about 1885, 
 when a new house was built and the name changed to 
 New Union. 
 
 Pastors : She has enjoyed the pastoral services of 
 Elders Felix Patterson, J. C. Brien and R. K. Keaton, 
 with perhaps others. Elder Keaton has served this 
 church as pastor since 1874. 
 
 Deacons: A. T. Fisher, John Fisher and N. T. 
 A\'all ; the two latter are serving at present. 
 
 Clerks : James Wright was for many years clerk ; 
 S. T. Wall is present clerk and has served since 1885. 
 This church at present numbers thirty-six and is not 
 in a very thriving condition. This is one of the most 
 inviting fields known to this author. A band of faith- 
 ful souls compose this little flock and with an active 
 leader would soon become a strong church. Elder 
 Keaton is old and feeble and must soon cease to visit 
 them. 
 
 FALLING CREEK. 
 
 This church is situated in the southern part of Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee, on the waters of Falling Creek. 
 
church Sketches 149 
 
 This church is an offspring of Smith's Fork Church, 
 also drawing some of her constituent members from 
 Union or Hurricane Church. This church was con- 
 stituted with twenty-one members, the first Saturday 
 in May, 1822, by a Presbytery consisting of Elders 
 John Jones, Joshua Lester and James Bond. They 
 were constituted in what was known as Copeland's 
 Meeting House and in their early history were fre- 
 quently known by that name. This house stood about 
 one mile east of Henderson's Cross Roads. The 
 church worshiped here until i88o, when a new and 
 commodious house of worship was built near said 
 cross roads and the place of w^orship changed. 
 
 Pastors: Elder James Bond, September, 1822, to 
 his death, September, 1852; Elder John Phillips, 
 June, 1854, to his death, April 15, 1862; Elder Mor- 
 gan Green, 1862-68; Elder J. M. Phillips, 1868-71; 
 Elder Enoch Windes, 1871-77; Elder J. M. D. Cates, 
 1877-78; Elder J. T. Oakley, 1878-97; Elder Enoch 
 \\'indes, 1897-98; Elder P. W. Carney, 1898 to the 
 present. It would be but justice to state that Elder 
 Williamson Williams, during his entire ministerial life, 
 beginning with 1833, and continuing till his death, 
 served as assistant pastor and did a great deal of the 
 preaching and most of the baptizing. 
 
 Deacons : Following is a list of the deacons : Wm. 
 Warren, Samuel Copeland, Preston Henderson, Rich- 
 ard Mount, Wm. Arbuckle, J. A. Blankenship, S. T. 
 Clemmons, Edwin Berry, J. A. Williams, L. D. Phil- 
 lips, Benjamin Cluck, J. H. Williams, S. B. Clem- 
 mons, O. W. Phillips, G. P. Clemmons, W. P. Phillips, 
 T. F. Atwood. The date of ordination I have failed 
 to secure. 
 
150 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Clerks: The following have acted as clerks but 
 dates are not known : Williamson Williams, William 
 Arbuckle, H. B. Williams, H. S. Henderson, S. B. 
 Clemmons, J. A. Williams, Sr., J. H. Williams, W. 
 T. Clemmons, G. M. Robinson and J. M. Williams. 
 
 This is one of the best churches in this section. 
 They went into the constitution of Salem Association 
 in 1822 as a new church and have represented in this 
 body ever since. They have since their organization 
 furnished a home for, perhaps, not less than 1,500 
 persons, I have obtained the following concerning the 
 number baptized by part of the pastors : Elder James 
 Bond baptized 334, Elder John Phillips baptized 82, 
 Elder Morgan Green baptized 63, Elder J. T. Oakley 
 baptized 207, Elder P. \\ . Carney has baptized to the 
 present 30. The statistics for the remainder of the 
 pastorates I have failed to secure. The present num- 
 ber is 279. 
 
 We have no means of knowing the number of min- 
 isters sent out by this church. They ordained Elder 
 Williamson \\'illiams in 1833. James Henry C)akley, 
 son of Elder J. T. Oakley, has just been licensed to 
 preach and preached his first sermon the fifth .Sunday 
 in June, 1901. J. M. Knight and W. E. Raikes were 
 also licensed by this church. They have furnished 
 members in part for several new churches : among 
 them we note Ramah, Shop Spring and Green A'ale. 
 This church was never troubled with the divisions 
 which rent asunder so many of our older churches. 
 They have abridged their name and are now known as 
 "Fall" Creek. This is a great place for the meeting 
 of our Baptist Israel. CXir fathers little knew how 
 wisely they built when that little band met in old 
 Copeland's iMeeting Ifouse and co^'enanted to keep 
 
Church Sketches 151 
 
 house for the Lord. It might be well to say that this 
 work was begun and fostered by Elder James Bond, 
 who is often spoken of as the father of this church. 
 
 CARTHAGE. 
 
 This church is situated in the town of Carthage, 
 the county seat of Smith County, Tennessee. They 
 were gathered through the ministry of Elder A. D. 
 Phillips and were constituted an independent church 
 July i6, 1881, by Elders J. W. Bowen and A. D. 
 Phillips. They numbered at the constitution seven- 
 teen members, including the name of Elder E. B. 
 Haynie. They adopted the Confession of Faith and 
 Church Covenant common to the Baptists of this sec- 
 tion. 
 
 Pastors: Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 1881-85; El- 
 der William Shelton, 1885-86; Elder W. H. Smith, 
 1886-88; Elder \. R. Sanborn, 1889-92; Elder R. B. 
 Mahony, 1892-95; Elder Rutherford Brett, 1895-99; 
 Elder T. T. Thompson, 1899-00; Elder G. W. Sher- 
 man, igoo-oi. 
 
 Clerks: W. D. Gold, 1881-83; L. A. Ligon, 1883, 
 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: James Piper, 1881 ; T. J. Fisher, Sr., 
 1881 ; H. M. Hale, 1893; W. D. Gold, 1893; W. V. 
 Lee, 1893 ; L. A. Ligon, 1893. 
 
 This is one of the most efficient churches in this 
 section in point of work. They number at present 
 seventy-nine, and embrace many of the leading citizens 
 of the town, including seven of the leading lawyers 
 and judges. They have a neat house of worship cen- 
 trally located. They were admitted into the fellowship 
 of Salem Association in September, 1881, when con- 
 vened with the Falling Creek Church. They repre- 
 
152 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 sented in that body until 1888, when they became a 
 constituent member of New Salem Association, in 
 which body they continue to represent. 
 
 NEW HOME. 
 
 The history of this church, properly speaking, dates 
 back to a beginning more than half a century ago. It 
 is the fruit of the missionary enterprise conducted by 
 the venerable Elder Jesse Johnson. In 1849 a church 
 was gathered and legally constituted by Elders Jesse 
 Johnson and Louis Dies in a schoolhouse known as 
 the "Fodder House." The church was called Mine 
 Lick after a creek by that name on the head waters of 
 which this church was located. This church was situ- 
 ated some eight miles west of Cookeville in Putnam 
 County on the table lands of Cumberland Mountain. 
 She united with Salem Association in 1849, when con- 
 vened with Bethel Church, representing a constituency 
 of twenty members. She represented in this body till 
 1852, when she became a constituent member of John- 
 son Association. 
 
 Pastors of this old church were as follows : Elders 
 Louis Dies, D. M. Lee, Joel J. James, Lon Bennett. 
 Jas. H. Nelson, Elijah Hickey, Jesse Brown, J. M. 
 Stewart and Phineas Bozarth. The dates of their 
 service are not known. 
 
 Clerks : Thomas Cate, D. C. Crawford, Harrison 
 Stewart and B. Thomas. 
 
 Deacons: Thomas Cooper, William Crawford, 
 Caleb Richardson, Humphries J. Allison, W. A. 
 Brown and R. D. Brown. 
 
 This church ordained Elder J. M. Stewart to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry August 7, 1871. 
 
Chnreh Sketches 153 
 
 This church kept up regular meeting until about 
 1887, when they ceased to meet at the old meeting 
 place. In May, 1873, a church was constituted out 
 of eight of her members some four miles west of the 
 old location, and given the name of 
 
 HOPEWELL, 
 
 This church was constituted by Elders Jesse Brown 
 and J. M. Stewart and Deacon Caleb Richardson. 
 
 P.ASTORs: Elder J. M. Stewart, 1873-83 : Elder Ed- 
 win Kelley, 1883-89: Elder J. D. Howell, 1889-92; 
 Elder Edwin Kelley, 1892-94; Elder Samuel Howell, 
 1894-98; Elder Riley Green, 1898-99; Elder R. A. 
 Sutton, 1899-01 ; Elder Edwin Kelley, 1901 to the 
 present. 
 
 Clerks: W. B. Wells, 1873-78; E. L. Thompson, 
 1878 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: Moses Whitehead, 1873; W. B. Wells, 
 and E. L. Thompson. 
 
 This church, at present, has a membership of 71. 
 
 In 1871 a church was constituted by Elders Elijah 
 Hickey and J. M. Stewart on the waters of Big Indian 
 Creek out of members drawn from the old Mine Lick 
 Church. This church was first known as Indian Creek, 
 but was afterward changed to 
 
 PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 Pastors : Elders J. M. Stewart, P. Bozarth and A. 
 J. Waller. O. Butler served as church clerk and Wil- 
 liam Hoggard as deacon. 
 
 This church also ceased to meet regularly, and in 
 July, 1898, Elder J. M. Stewart held a series of meet- 
 ings in the town of Boma, a station on a new railroad. 
 This was midway between the old mother, Mine Lick 
 
154 Historu of Middle Tennessee Baptids 
 
 Church, and Philadelphia. The members of these two 
 churches were brought together and constituted into 
 a church known as 
 
 NEW HOME^ 
 
 with seventeen members, by Elders J. M. Stewart and 
 R. A. Sutton. Elder J- M. Stewart was chosen pastor 
 and B. H. Brown clerk, which positions they still hold. 
 W. A. Brown, F. P. Whitehead and R. D. Brown came 
 into the organization as deacons. 
 
 This church has had a prosperous history so far. 
 They have seventy-one members and have erected a 
 neat house of worship and are moving forward in 
 every good work. They connected themselves with 
 'Salem Association in i8y8, where they still represent. 
 
 CANEY FORK SEMINARY. 
 
 This church is situated in Smith County, Tennessee, 
 on the north side of Caney Fork River, a short distance 
 below Trousdale's Ferry. 
 
 The church was constituted in the seventies by El- 
 ders James Barrett, J. W. Bowen, T. A. Hudson and 
 D. N. Jarrard. She vmited with Salem Association 
 as a newly constituted church in 1879, with twenty-six 
 members. This church is an otTspring of New Salem 
 Church, which stands a few miles north on Snow 
 Creek. They were gathered through the ministry of 
 Elders James Barrett and D. N. Jarrard. They ex- 
 isted a while and kept up regular services as an arm 
 of the mother church. As such Elder D. N. Jarrard 
 served them, becoming their first pastor. 
 
 Pastors: Elder D. N. Jarrard, 1875-79; Elder 
 Z. A. Lyon, 1879-81; Elder T. A. Hudson, 1882-84; 
 Elder G. M. Hunt, 1884-85; Elder W. B. Wooten, 
 
Church Sk£tchss 155 
 
 1885-86; Elder Z. A. Lyon, 1887-90; Elder S. B. 
 Whitlock, 1890-91; Elder James Bellar, 1891-94; El- 
 der M. W. Russell, 1894-97 ; Elder S. F. Hallum, 1897- 
 98; Elder M. W. Russell, 1898, to the present, lyoi. 
 
 Clerks: John Luck, 1875-78; James Welch, 1879- 
 85; A. J. Armistead, 1885-Q- P. L. Vaden, 1891-95; 
 T. W. Cooper, 1895-97; P- L. Vaden, 1897-00; R. A. 
 Vanderpool, 1900-01. 
 
 DiiACONs: William Vaden, 1875; Patrick Hubbard, 
 1875; John Luck, 1875; T. W. Cooper, 1881; James 
 Welch, 1881 ; F. G. Perkins, .1881 ; John Gibbs, 1885 ; 
 P. L. Vaden, 1885 ; A. J. Armistead, 1885. 
 
 This church has occujiied an important field and 
 done a g'ood work, though they have never become a 
 strong church. They number at present sixty-eight 
 members. For some time they worshiped in a school 
 building, but have recently constructed a neat house of 
 worship. They have had a hard pull, but have proved 
 true to their trust. Tliey represented in Salem .Asso- 
 ciation from 1879-89, when they united with New 
 Salem Association, in which they continue to represent. 
 
 NEW S.\LEM. 
 
 This church is situated on the waters of Snow 
 Creek in the fork of Cumberland and Caney Fork 
 rivers, Smith County, Tennessee, some seven miles 
 east of Carthage. This church is an offspring of 
 Hogan's Creek and Peyton's Creek churches. It is 
 the outgrowth of the ministry of Elder E. B. Haynie. 
 By invitation he went into the community preaching 
 at different times and holding a series of meetings and 
 receiving members under the watch care of Peyton's 
 Creek Church, when it was deemed advisable to con- 
 stitute them, with others, into an independent church. 
 
156 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 For the lack of records we are unable to ascertain 
 the exact date of the organization. It must have taken 
 place in the latter part of 1849 or the early part of 
 1850. The first public record we have of this church 
 is May 11, 1850, when she became a constituent mem- 
 ber of Enon Association. This church at that time 
 was a newly constituted church. They were con- 
 stituted by Elders E. B. Haynie, Daniel Smith and E. 
 W. Haile. Elder E. B. Haynie was the first pastor 
 and continued for about twenty-five years. The fol- 
 lowing brethren have served as pastors, but the dates 
 are not known, viz. : Elder James Barrett, Elder L. 
 D. Smith, Elder T. J. Hudson, Elder S. S. Hale, Elder 
 J. W. Bowen, Elder W. M. Kuykendall, Elder J. F. 
 McNabb, Elder M. W. Russell, Elder N. R. Sanborn, 
 Elder W. H. Smith, Elder Rutherford Brett, Elder 
 T. T. Thompson, and Elder G. W. Sherman. 
 
 Clerks : The following brethren have served as 
 clerk, viz. : Robert Knight, T. W. Cooper, W. W 
 Vaden and B. J. Vaden, Jr. 
 
 Deacons : We note the following deacons, viz. : 
 Harrison Lee, B. J. Vaden, Sr., Louis Franklin, S. S. 
 High, T. W. Cooper, Samuel Lee and H. B. C. Vaden. 
 
 This church from the best records we can gather 
 seems to have been organized with thirty-six members. 
 For a number of years they grew and became a strong 
 church, but for some years past they seemingly have 
 been on the back-ground. At last report they num- 
 bered only thirty members. They have a good house 
 of worship and occupy an important field. They have 
 had a hard struggle — they have had to encounter much 
 opposition to Baptist prmciples. It is to be hoped 
 that they will yet rise and put on their strength. They 
 first became a constituent member of Enon Associa- 
 
Chnroh Sketchet^ 157 
 
 tion. The)' continued to represent in this body until 
 1870, when they took a letter of dismission, and united 
 with Salem Association in 1871, when convened with 
 Providence Church, Warren County, Tennessee. They 
 represented in this body till 1888, when they became 
 a constituent member of New Salem Association, in 
 which they continue to represent. The meager data 
 have rendered this sketch very difficult. 
 
 NEW UNION, NO. 2. 
 
 This church is now e.xtinct. But as reference to it 
 will frequently be found in these pages, we give a 
 brief statement of its history. This church was located 
 one and a half miles south of Alexandria, DeKalb 
 County, Tennessee, on Helton Creek, near the turn- 
 pike. They were constituted about 1870, mostly of 
 members coming from New Hope Church. They 
 united with Salem Association at that date, bringing a 
 membership of sixty-one. The church grew rapidly 
 and was fast becoming one of the strongest churches 
 in the Association. Internal dissensions, however, 
 arose and a formal rupture was the result. This rup- 
 ture occurred about 1876. The majority was led by 
 their pastor, Elder J. R. Bowman, and it resulted in 
 him and his party being dropped from the Association, 
 and the minority being recognized as New Union 
 Church. The majority held the house, and the minor- 
 ity dissolved. Elder Bowman led his party into the 
 Freewill Baptists, and then deserted them and joined 
 the Cumberland Presbyterians where, a few years 
 after, he died. His deserted flock soon went to noth- 
 ing, part of them returning to the Baptist fold. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 BIOGRy\PHIES OF DECEASED MINISTERS. 
 ELDER JOHN BOND. 
 
 This man of God first looked out upon the light of 
 this world in Anson County, North Carolina, February 
 23, 1787. His father moved from the North State to 
 South Carolina when young Bond was only three 
 years of age, and removed to Wilson County, Ten- 
 nessee, in the year 1806. Young Bond's conversion 
 dates back, however, to 1802, when in the State of 
 South Carolina he gave his heart to God and received 
 the peace which passeth all understanding. Soon after 
 his conversion he came to Paget's Creek Baptist 
 Church, and related what the Lord had done for him, 
 and on Wednesday' after the third Sunday in July, 
 1802, Elder Thomas Green led him down into the 
 waters of old Tiger River and buried him with his 
 Lord in baptism. 
 
 On moving to Tennessee he became a member of 
 Smith's Fork Baptist Church, Statesville, Tenn., and 
 was doubtless one of the constituent members, as the 
 churcli was constituted the same year (7806) that the 
 Bond family arrived. He remained a member of 
 Smith's Fork Church (beginning his ministry with 
 her) till 181 5, when LTnion Church (Old Hurricane) 
 was constituted as a branch from Smith's Fork. Elder 
 Bond went into tlie new church and became her first 
 
 158 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 159 
 
 clerk. It seems that he was only a licensed minister 
 at this time, but was regularly ordained by Union 
 Church A. D., 1820, by a presbytery consisting of 
 Elders Joshua Lester and David Gordon. He served 
 this church as pastor thirty-nine years, almost his 
 entire ministerial life, for which it is said he received 
 only $11. 
 
 As a man, he is described as being of medium height, 
 slender in build, with a very intellectual bearing. As a 
 minister, he was rarely excelled, and his counsel was 
 sought far and near. For many years before he died 
 he was known as "Father Bond," and to sit at his 
 feet was regarded as an inestimable privilege, while 
 all vied with each other to do him honor. He was a 
 Baptist of the strictest sort, and a strong Calvinist. 
 In his day his name stood along with Graves, Howell, 
 Marshall, Whitsitt, Wiseman, Pickett and others. He 
 was a leader in his time in all denominational work. 
 He was well to do in this world's goods, owning at 
 one time 1,300 acres of fine land with a number of 
 slaves. He gave liberally to the cause. 
 
 He never aspired to authorship, but in 1859, at the 
 request of Concord Association, he consented to have 
 the "History of Concord Association," which he had 
 compiled, published, and was tendered $50 for his 
 services by the Association. 
 
 In 1808 he was married to Miss Sallie Cummings, 
 by whom he had ten children Ijorn. Most of these 
 preceded him to the better land. He died as he had 
 lived, full of faith and good works. On March 2, 
 1861, just as our beloved country was being hurled 
 into a cruel Civil War, God released his spirit and he 
 went home to the God of peace. 
 
160 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ELDER JAMES BOND. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was also a native of 
 North CaroHna, and an elder brother of Elder John 
 Bond, being born in 1784. Early in life he went with 
 his parents to South Carolina. When he was eighteen 
 years of age he gave his heart to God and united 
 with a Baptist Church in the South State. Soon after- 
 ward he came to Tennessee, settling on Fall Creek in 
 Wilson County, and united with what was then Big 
 Cedar Lick Church (now Mt. Olivet), Leeville, Tenn., 
 eight miles west of Lebanon. In 1807 he united with 
 Smith's Fork Church near Statesville, under the pas- 
 toral care of Elder Joshua Lester. He served as 
 deacon of this church, and was possibly licensed to 
 exercise his gifts publicly while a member of this 
 church. In 181 5 he became a constituent member of 
 Union Church, better known as Hurricane. In 1818 
 he entered regularly into the ministry and was or- 
 dained by Union Church, A. D. 1820, by a presbytery 
 consisting of Elders Joshua Lester and David Gordon. 
 He soon established a preaching place on the head 
 waters of Fall Creek, which resulted in the establish- 
 ment of Falling Creek Church in May, 1822. He be- 
 came pastor of this church and remained so till his 
 death, a period of thirty years. It might be said that 
 this church stands as a monument to his memory. We 
 might remark that he entered into the constitution of 
 Falling Creek Church and remained a member as long 
 as he lived. He was a fine preacher, and a great coun- 
 selor, and excelled as a pastor. He was twice modera- 
 tor of Salem Association. He held the gavel in the 
 division of 1837, ^"d the success of that session per- 
 haps was largely due to his coolness and discretion. 
 He has a large and honored posterity, though we 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 161 
 
 cannot give the details concerning his family. He 
 fell on sleep September, 1852, and his spirit went 
 home to God. He was a brother of blessed memory. 
 
 ELDER JOHN BORUM. 
 
 Elder John Borum was a native of Virginia and 
 was born in Nottoway County, December 15, 1775. 
 His father's name was Richard Borum. He professed 
 faith in Christ in 1788, very early in life, and from 
 the very first became active in the service. He, how- 
 ever, did not enter the ministry till much later in 
 hfe. 
 
 He emigrated with his father to Tennessee in the 
 latter part of 1805 and settled in Wilson County, He 
 united with Round Lick Baptist Church April 4, 1807, 
 when this church was located in Smith County near 
 Grant. He was ordained to the ministry by this 
 church August 5, 1810. He at once entered actively 
 upon the work which lay so near his heart. He was 
 indeed a man of God, leaving his impress on the 
 entire country near where he lived. The number of 
 churches he served is not known. Not long after he 
 began the ministry he established a preaching point 
 near Big Spring, Wilson County, which was soon 
 made an arm of Round Lick Church. On Saturday 
 before the fourth Sunday in July, 1820, he and Thomas 
 Durham, the pastor of Round Lick Church, constituted 
 this arm into an independent church and Elder Borum 
 became pastor and remained so as long as he lived — 
 for twenty-four years. He also cast his membership 
 with this new church, of which he died an honored 
 member as well as pastor. He was in the constitution 
 of both Concord and Salem Associations. He was 
 also a member of Salem Association in 1837, when the 
 6 
 
162 Histoi'y of Middle Tennessee Bwptists 
 
 division over the mission question occurred. As a 
 preacher he possessed many points of excellence. It 
 is said that few were ever able to sit under his ministry 
 and restrain their tears. 
 
 He was low of stature, strongly built and bald- 
 headed. In 1813 he was married to Miss Elizabeth 
 Bratten. This union was blessed with twelve children, 
 ten of whom, seven sons and three daughters, lived to 
 raise families. He had one son and one grandson who 
 were ministers. He and Elder Cantrel Bethel mar- 
 ried sisters. 
 
 The Borum family as far back as it can be traced 
 has been Baptists, coming to the new world as 
 such. 
 
 A very touching tribute to his memory is found in 
 the minutes of Salem Association for 1844, from 
 which we take the following: "No man, perhaps, 
 ever gave greater evidence of love to God and the 
 souls of men, than Elder John Borum. But he is 
 gone to enjoy that rest that remains to the people of 
 God ; while his usefulness and ivorth live, and are 
 cherished in the memory of all who were acquainted 
 with him." 
 
 He went home to glory June 26, 1844. His funeral 
 service was held by Elders E. W. Haile and E. B. 
 Haynie in old Cedar Creek meeting house in the pres- 
 ence of a vast throng of sorrowing friends. The 
 Scriptures used as texts on this occasion were Psa. 
 23 : 4 and 2 Tim. 4 : 6, 7, 8. Thus rounded up a life 
 of nearly three score and ten years. His body was 
 laid under a large mulberry tree near where he had 
 lived; while his spirit winged its way to mansions of 
 glory. Noble servant, glorious end ! 
 
Biographi€>i of Deceased Ministers 163 
 
 ELDER WILLIAM BORUM. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a son of Elder John 
 and Elizabeth (Bratten) Borum. He was born in 
 Wilson County, Tennessee, May 24, 1828. His father 
 was very strict in his family discipline, which had 
 much to do in shaping the future life of this eminently 
 useful man. He professed faith in Christ, December 
 27, 1843, during- a series of meeting's conducted by his 
 aged father and Elder Archamac Bass in the old Cedar 
 Creek Church. He found peace while on the road 
 home from church and that night, to use his own 
 words, he gave himself to the church, soul and body. 
 On the next day he was buried in the pure waters of 
 Big Spring, Wilson County, Tennessee, by Elder 
 Archamac Bass. The Lord laid his hand on him for 
 the ministry as soon as he was converted ; but poverty 
 and lack of education caused him to defer taking up 
 the work for some length of time. His uncle, Richard 
 Borum, realizing the situation, supplied the means and 
 gave him a good English education, mostly in "Marion 
 Collegiate Institute," which was under the direction 
 of Salem Association. He was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry on the fourth Sunday in 
 June, 1855, by Cedar Creek Church, Elders Richard 
 Lyon, W. N. Suite, James Barrett and Wm. Barton 
 acting as presbytery. 
 
 He was clerk of Salem Association for four years — 
 from 1856 to 1859. 
 
 Feeling that he could do more good by going to a 
 new country, he moved to the State of Arkansas in 
 the fall of 1859, and settled in Sevier County, where 
 he did a fine work. 
 
 He was twice married — first to Miss Sarah Haile, 
 the only daughter of Elder W. H. Haile, August 28, 
 
164 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1853, and second to Miss lone Jackson. He was a 
 fine student and gathered quite a library. In doctrine 
 — to use his own language — he was of the "firmest 
 landmark type." 
 
 He fell on sleep February 12, 1879, at his home in 
 Sevier County, Arkansas, at fifty-one years of age. 
 He fell of that dread disease, consumption, leaving 
 behind a wife and six children. His last moments 
 were pteaceful. When standing down in death's waters 
 he exclaimed : "It is strange that the good Lord 
 should make one feel so happy in death." 
 
 A very tender tribute is found to the memory of 
 this brother in The Baptist for April 12, 1879. He 
 has many relatives still living in this section. A 
 worthy son of a worthy sire. 
 
 ELDER J. C. BRIEN. 
 
 This brother was of Irish extraction — the son of 
 Elisha and Elizabeth Brien. He was born in Wilson 
 County, Tennessee, October 19, 1824. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Nancy A. Home, August 31, 1842. She 
 was a godly woman and was instrumental in leading 
 him to Christ. He made a public profession of the 
 Christian religion October, 1842, and in December fol- 
 lowing he united with Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 
 five miles north of Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennes- 
 see, and was baptized by Elder E. W. Haile. He hesi- 
 tated many years before entering the ministry. He 
 was finally ordained by New Hope Church, DeKalb 
 County, 'i'ennessee, Elders N. Hays, Henry Fite and 
 Henry Bass acting as a presbytery. His ordination 
 occurred January, 1859. From this time till his death, 
 a period, of twenty-nine years, his ministry was very 
 active. He kept no diary and I have no means of 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 165 
 
 knowing- the amount of his labors. I am sure it 
 would almost be fabulous for the length of time he 
 was in the work. He did a great deal of work in 
 destitute sections and organized quite a number of 
 churches. He, perhaps, baptized not less than 2,000 
 persons. He carried with him a good degree of Irish 
 wit. He was the father of seven children, one of whom 
 is a minister. He fell while away from home on a 
 
 preaching tour. The 
 following was writ- 
 ten by Elder J. T. 
 Oakley and pub- 
 lished in the min- 
 utes of Salem As- 
 sociation for 1888: 
 "Elder J. C. 
 Brien was the next 
 to lav down his 
 armor and enter the 
 rest that remains 
 for the people of 
 ("lod. . . . Brother 
 Brien traveled and 
 preached more, per- 
 haps, than any one 
 man in the Associa- 
 tion during his active ministry. Brother Brien had 
 serious faults (which he was free to acknowledge), 
 vet he accomplished a great deal of good. In the 
 great day of eternity hundreds will walk the golden 
 streets the result of our brother's ministry. We can 
 sav he fell at his post. He was on his way to fill an 
 appointment at Peyton's Creek, in Smith County, 
 when he was taken ill. From the beginning of his 
 
 ELDEK J. C. BRIEN. 
 
166 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 illness he believed it was unto death. He died a 
 triumphant death in the presence of his companion 
 and friends. His funeral was preached by the writer 
 in the presence of a large 9oncourse of friends and fel- 
 low citizens. May the God of peace deal tenderly 
 with his weeping companion, 
 
 "Brother, farewell, life's battles fought, 
 The victory won — enter thy rest." 
 
 The summons came February 22, 1888. He died 
 of hernia at the age of sixty-four years. His zeal in 
 the ministry never abated till the day of his death. 
 He had but little of this world's goods, but had two 
 brothers who were leading lawyers, one of whom gave 
 him a home in the town of Smithville, the only one 
 he was ever permitted to own. He was generous to 
 a fault. He would give the last cent of money, or the 
 last morsel to eat to a friend in need. He died in 
 great pain but died rejoicing, telling those about him 
 that he had no fears, all was well. 
 
 ELDER CANTREL BETHEL. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in the StatC' of 
 Maryland, December 17, 1779. Very early in life he, 
 with a colony, emigrated to Tennessee and settled 
 near where the town of Liberty now stands, then 
 Smith County, but now DeKalb County, Tennessee. 
 The coming of this colony marked the establishing of 
 the first town in Tennessee between Nashville and the 
 Cumberland Mountain. The location of Liberty took 
 place about the close of the eighteenth century. 
 Among the names included in this colony are the Brat- 
 tens, Whaleys, Evans, Dales and Givans. Thev were 
 soon joined by the Fites, Turneys, Turners and Over- 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 167 
 
 alls. Young Bethel found a helpmeet in the person of 
 a Miss Bratten. I am not advised as to her given 
 name, or the date of the marriage, or the number of 
 children born unto them. Among them, however, was 
 the talented Elder L. H. Bethel. 
 
 He settled on what is now known as the Allen farm, 
 one-half mile west of where Liberty now stands. Not 
 long after arriving in this community the Holy Spirit 
 touched his heart and changed his course in life. Hav- 
 ing now vowed his allegiance to the Lord the question 
 of his baptism gave him concern. At that time there 
 was no Baptist Church anywhere in this section of 
 country, and no one legally authorized to administer 
 the ordinance. So he made his way through the wilds 
 of an unbroken forest to the State of Kentucky, where 
 he could unite with a regular Baptist Church and re- 
 ceive valid baptism at her hands. The consensus of 
 testimony goes to show that he found a home with 
 old L^nion Church in Warren County, Kentucky, and 
 was doubtless baptized by either Elder John High- 
 tower or Alexander Devin. These ministers came to 
 that section from South Carolina in 1795 and estab- 
 lished the aforesaid church. 
 
 On his return from Kentucky, where he had gone 
 to seek church connection and regular baptism, he be- 
 gan the ministry. He soon succeeded in gathering a 
 band of brethren at Brush Creek, Smith County, and 
 was instrumental in constituting a church at that place 
 on May 29, 1802, he becoming a constituent member 
 of the same (see sketch of said church). Not long 
 after he secured an arm from Brush Creek at Liberty, 
 now DeKalb County, which was constituted into an 
 independent church August, 1809, Elder Bethel agam 
 heading the list. Besides these, he assisted in the con- 
 
168 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 stitution of the following churches, viz. ; Enon, May 
 24, 1821 ; Goshen, July, 1821 ; Sander's Fork (now 
 Auburn), in 1822; Round Lick, July 2, 1803; New 
 Hope, March 27, 1819; and doubtless many others of 
 which we have no record. He was a member of three, 
 and probably four, Associations, viz. : Mero District, 
 Cumberland, Concord and Salem, the latter of which 
 he helped to form. He was prominent in the work of 
 these bodies, acting frequently as moderator and often 
 filling the stand on Sunday. Perhaps no one in this 
 section did more work in his day than Father Bethel, 
 as he was familiarly called. 
 
 He was a man of strong physique and had a voice 
 almost like thunder. He was a great exhorter ; tender 
 and sympathetic, he moved his audience at will. A 
 few words from him would often move a large audi- 
 ence to tears. Brother J. W. Bowen, in speaking of 
 him, said: "He was noted for his eloquence." He 
 possessed unquestioned piety, and his moral worth 
 was felt wherever he went. In doctrine he was a 
 strong Calvinist, emphasizing God's sovereign election. 
 His ministerial labors were mainly confined to De- 
 Kalb, Smith and \Mlson Counties. However, he was 
 appointed missionary in 1817, and traveled in this ca- 
 pacity. During one of his missionary journeys he 
 fell from his horse, which rendered him a cripple for 
 life. His afflictions were so severe that he did his 
 preaching sitting in a chair the later years of his life. 
 He peacefully breathed his last among friends and 
 loved ones in his home, near Liberty, DeKalb County, 
 Tenn., October 22, 1848. Salem Church erected a 
 slab to his memory, upon which we find the following 
 inscription : 
 
 "A church's tribute of respect to their old and much 
 
Biographies of .Deceased Ministers 169 
 
 esteemed pastor, Rev. Cantrel Bethel, born December 
 17, 1779, died October 22, 1848, age 68 years, 10 
 months and 5 days. Few men have ever been held 
 in greater veneration by those who knew him. He 
 was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. 
 Many people were added unto the Lord by his great 
 zeal and faith, the marked sanctity of his life, the 
 efficiency of mighty faith, and the consecration of his 
 soul and entire service to his divine Redeemer, and the 
 furtherance of his kingdom. He died at his post." 
 
 His dust sleeps under the shadow of old Salem 
 Church. An un])retentious slab marks his last resting 
 place, but above him towers the house of the Lord, 
 a befitting monument of this old veteran of the Cross, 
 who, in early manhood, planted the standard and un- 
 furled to the breeze the banner of the great King at 
 this place. He fell at his post, and sleeps on the field 
 of battle, while over him waves the banner of victory, 
 and generation after generation will rise up to call 
 him blessed. 
 
 ELDER WILLI.Xir C. BK.XNSFORD. 
 
 This noble man of Cod was born in the "Old Do- 
 minion" in January, 1792, but emigrated to ^liddle 
 Tennessee, settling near Dixon's Springs. He came 
 of a Methodist family, but when he was converted he 
 began the study of Cod's word, which led him to ap- 
 ply to a Baptist church for a Christian home and 
 Scriptural baptism, though bitterly opposed by his 
 entire family. He was baptized into the fellowship of 
 Dixon's Creek Baptist Church by Elder John Wise- 
 man. He was ordained to the ministry by this church 
 some time in the twenties. In 1827 he was called to 
 the care of East Fork Goose Creek (now Hillsdale) 
 
170- History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Church to fill a vacancy caused by the death of their 
 pastor, Elder Malcom Smith. The church greatly 
 prospered under his ministry and, about 1833, he 
 bought land and moved into the community of East 
 Fork Goose Creek Church, where he filed his mem- 
 bership and spent the remainder of his days, serving 
 as pastor of said church as long as he lived. He was 
 an earnest, devout minister and did much service. He 
 assisted in the constitution of Mt. Tabor and Defeated 
 Creek Churches. He also assisted in the constitution 
 of Enon Association in 1850. Being a soldier in the 
 war of 181 2 under the command of General William 
 Henry Harrison, he came in possession of a land war- 
 rant, and in 1851 he went to Missouri to locate it. 
 While in that State he was taken sick, and died No- 
 vember 3, 185 1. He was a man of exceptional piety. 
 Though he fell away from home and among strangers, 
 yet God was with him and took him home. One of 
 his fellow laborers says he was the best man he ever 
 knew. 
 
 ELDER MOORE STEVENSON. 
 
 Perhaps no one figured more largely in the plant- 
 ing of the Baptist cause in this section than the one 
 whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He 
 was born in Northampton County, North Carolina, 
 in December, 1759. He was baotized by Elder Lemuel 
 Burkitt, one of the authors of the "Historv of the 
 Kehukee Association," in the year 1783, in the Old 
 North State. He had married to Miss Sarah Perry, 
 September, 1779. He moved to Tennessee in 1790, 
 and settled in Sumner County on Station Camp Creek, 
 depositing his membership with West Station Camp 
 Church, of which Elder Patrick Mooney wa? pastor. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 171 
 
 He was a successful farmer, possessing quite a num- 
 ber of slaves, and gave his attention to this till he 
 was awakened by a visit from Elder James Whitsitt. 
 Soon after this he entered the ministry. He began 
 preaching in 1800, and was ordained probably the 
 same year by Elders Patrick Mooney and Isaac Tona- 
 vine. The first preaching point he established was at 
 Big Cedar Lick (now Leeville), Wilson County. The 
 Lord greatly blessed his labors, and on the 25th day 
 of April, 1 801, by the assistance of Elders Patrick 
 Alooney, Clifton Allen and Frank Weathered, he con- 
 stituted Big Cedar Lick Church (now Mt. Olivet), 
 and became the first pastor. He moved his family to 
 Wilson County and settled on Cedar Creek near where 
 it empties into Cumberland River. On April 23, 1802, 
 he moved his membership from West Station Camp 
 Church to Big Cedar Lick. At their conference. May 
 21, 1803, they extended an arm to Little Cedar Lick, 
 which finally resulted in Little Cedar Lick Church. 
 Besides these, he was instrumental in establishing the 
 cause at the following places, where, in most instances, 
 he lived to see flourishing churches, viz. : Bradley's 
 Creek, Flat Rock, Bethesda. Rutland's, Ridge fleet- 
 ing House, Spencer's Creek and Barton's Creek. He 
 was one of the Presbytery in the constitution of Round 
 Lick Church. He lived to see the following ministers 
 established in his field of labor, where, when he be- 
 gan, there was nothing but a wilderness with only a 
 few pioneer settlers and not a single minister, viz. : 
 Elders Jacob Browning, Joshua Woolen, John Simp- 
 son, Edward Willis, James T. Tompkins, Elijah Mad- 
 dox, William White and Micijah Estes. 
 
 Elder Stevenson was well educated for his day, be- 
 ino- a man of fine address and pleasing appearance. 
 
172 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 We take the following from a sketch written by Elder 
 James Whitsitt and published in The Baptist of No- 
 vember 30, 1844 : 
 
 "Elder Stevenson was in easy circumstances. He 
 had a managing, industrious wife, and he generally 
 had faithful overseers, and he gave himself to the 
 ministry. He went forth into Wilson County, where 
 Christ had been but little named by Baptist preach- 
 ers ; there he labored day and night, Lord's day and 
 work day, and finally removed into that county, where 
 he died. His ministry was almost wholly confined to 
 that county. . . . Elder Stevenson was a sure preacher ; 
 he seldom failed to rise high ; he had the perfect con- 
 trol of himself, in the management of his voice. The 
 doctrinal parts of his discourses were well studied, and 
 coolly and deliberately delivered, without much fatigue ; 
 and by the time he would be through with his doctrine 
 his feelings were generally up and he would launch 
 into exhortations, which were most admirable — he 
 seldom sat down when his congregation were not in 
 tea's on their seats. Repentance, faith and baptism 
 was his forte : on baptism he excelled — he drew in a 
 number of Pedo-Baptists by his skillful management 
 of that point. He did not ascend into the more sub- 
 lime or strong points of divinity, and yet he was a 
 strong believer. ... I need not say that in his senti- 
 ments he was a strong Calvinist, for all were so in 
 that day, so far as it was known." 
 
 He died in the prime of life, at 59 years of age, be- 
 ing called from the embrace of the wife of his vouth 
 and ten children with which God had blessed theii' 
 union. He passed from earth to glory March 18, 
 t8i8, dying of that dread disease, influenza (more 
 modernly known as lagrippe). His wife survived 
 
Bio/jfir/p/ik-s of Deceaxed Mijuxterv 173 
 
 him many )ears, livin,q- to the ripe old a,q:e of 84 
 years. Their <kist sleeps tosjether in the old Rutland 
 g-raveyanl, one mile from Ru^and's Church. Peace 
 to their ashes. 
 
 Kr.l)i:K JOSIIIW LESTF.K. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was horn in Halifax 
 County, \'a.. September f>. 1781. He professed faith in 
 Christ in 1801, and soon after entered the ministry and 
 was orxlained in X'ir^inia. He emigrated to this State 
 from Pittsylvania County, A'irginia, in the fall of 1805, 
 and settled in ^^ ilson County, near the village of 
 Statesville. He soon gathered about him a band of 
 Baptists and on AFay 17, iSofi, with the assistance of 
 Elder John Jones, the pastor of Spring Cree'< Church, he 
 constituted thetu into a church known as Hodge's Meet- 
 ing House, afterward denominated Smith's Fork. 
 This was the third Baptist church constituted in the 
 county — P.ig Cedar Lick (now Mt. Olivet) and Spring 
 Creek being older. He was called to the care of this 
 new church and served them till July, 1843, when he 
 resigned on account of failing health. On his resig- 
 nation rpiite a tender tribute was spread on the church 
 book, from which we take the following extract: 
 
 "He carried with him a character as spotless as the 
 purest white and as brilliant as the noon-day sun : and 
 the effulgence of this character which he established 
 while living will serve as a beacon to posterity, while 
 his corporeal i^owers are slumbering in undisturbed 
 renose within the peaceful «iansion of the dead." 
 
 He was one of the ablest and most active ministers 
 of his d.av. He was often called upon to fill the stand 
 at associations and served as clerk of Salem Associa- 
 tion for fifteen sessions. He helped to form the Pres- 
 
174 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 bvtery in the constitution of many of the older 
 churches of this section, and served as pastor to many 
 of them. But Smith's Fork is his monument. It was 
 his hand that fashioned it. It was he who opened the 
 way and made the work possible for those who fol- 
 lowed after him. 
 
 He had a number of sons in the gospel. Among 
 them I note Elders John Bond, James Bond, Presley 
 Lester, H. W. Pickett, Sr., John Whitlock, and others. 
 
 In 1843, when Salem Association was in session 
 at Round Lick, he sent this very touching farewell 
 address by the hand of his noble son in the gospel. 
 Elder John Bond, as follows : 
 
 "Dear Brethren : Your annual session has again 
 rolled around. Glad would I be to be with you. For 
 thirty-seven years I missed but two sessions — 1840 
 and the present. From 1806 to 1 810 I was a member 
 of the Cumberland Association. There is none that 
 I know of, but my venerable Brother (John) Wise- 
 man, now, I expect, with you that at that time was 
 with me. From 1810 to 1822 I was a, member with 
 the Concord Association. From thence, tmtil afflic- 
 tion prevented me, I have been a member of Salem 
 Association. And although I am still lingering on 
 the confines of life, laboring under a painful disease 
 (cancer of the face) that will terminate my existence, 
 yet I have been spared, while McConico, White, Ezel, 
 Wilcox and Adkitison, of the Cumberland, and Ste- 
 venson, Gordon, Warren, Casev, Cross, Willis, Brown- 
 ing and P. Lester, of the Concord, and Durham, M. 
 Smith, Flooker, Evans, Rucks, Rucker and Jones, of 
 the Salem, have gone home to receive their reward. 
 And now, dear brethren, no more shall I record your 
 proceedings at your clerk's table ; no more will the 
 
Biogniphie.s of Deceased Ministers 175 
 
 name of Joshua Lester appear on the table of churches. 
 As I made a request to my brethren of Concord, I 
 now make the same to you, that, although it has been 
 forty-two years since, I hope, I received divine for- 
 giveness, my Master has given me grace to live so 
 that I have never. I hope, injured his holy cause. 
 And as the eyes of the Lord are over his people, his 
 ears open to their prayers, pra>' for me, that I may 
 bear my sore afflictions v.ith Christian resignation, 
 and not murmur at his a'f^icting hand, but that he 
 may give me grace to die like a saint of the Lord. 
 And while I am passing death's gloomv vale His 
 blessed presence ma\' be with me ; and that T mav ulti- 
 mately enter into that rest that remains for the people 
 of God. Finally, farewell, dear brethren of Salem. I 
 hope to meet you in the everlasting kingdom of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, where we shall meet and no more 
 part. Our afflictions and sorrows will then be over. 
 Oh. glorious hope of perfect bliss. I remain, }our 
 much afflicted brother, TnsHU.\ Lester." 
 
 "September 29. 1843. 
 
 Xoble saint of the Lord! What a heritage he has 
 left us pCH-jr mortals who are struggling on in this 
 world against sin and Satan. 
 
 He fell on sleep February 8, 1844, and his body sleeps 
 in the old cemetery at Smitn's Fork Church, where 
 most of his ministerial life was spent. Over his grave 
 wave the branches of a cedar tree, where in the win- 
 ter the winds play a requiem to his sleeping dust, and 
 in the summer the birds gather and sing, while his 
 spirit joins in the music on high. 
 
 "Peaceful be thy silent slumber; 
 Peaceful in the grave so low, 
 
176 Ilistori/ of Middle Tennei<see Baptixt^i 
 
 Thou no more wilt join our number; 
 
 Thou no more our sonp;s shalt know, 
 Yet again we hope to meet thee, 
 
 When the day of life is fled, 
 Then in heaven with joy to greet thea, 
 
 Where no farewell tear is shed." 
 
 ELDER ARCHAMAC BASS. 
 
 Elder Bass was born December 29, 1800, one mile 
 north of where Watertown now stands, in Wilson 
 County, Tennessee. He was the son of Ezekiel Bass 
 and an elder brother of Elder Henry Bass. His edu- 
 cation was limited — only such as he could secure at 
 the common schools of his day. 
 
 He gave his heart to God and was received into the 
 fellowship of Round Lick Baptist Church November, 
 1830, and was most probably baptized by Elder Thos. 
 Durham, the pastor. From the very start he became 
 an efficient worker in the church, and in June, 1822, 
 he was chosen clerk to fill the vacancy occasioned by 
 the death of John Gill, which position he held till 
 July, 1833. 
 
 In August, 1836, he was ordained to the ministry 
 by Round Lick Church, the following acting as Pres- 
 bytery, viz. : Elders Cantrel Bethel, Joshua Lester, 
 William Dale, H. W. Pickett, John Borum, Thomas 
 P. Moore, John Bond and Sion Bass. 
 
 The next year after his ordination the division over 
 the mission question came, in which he took a very 
 active part. He was a member of the Association at 
 New Hope when the matter culminated. 
 
 His ministerial life was short, a little less than ten 
 years. He did very little pastoral work, preferring 
 to give his time to destitute sections. He traveled 
 
Biogirtphie.v of Deceased Mhtisters 177 
 
 considerably as missionary. He was called to the care 
 of Round Lick Church a short time before his death, 
 but soon resigned to return to his missionary work. 
 He did much of which we can secure no data. He 
 was a great evangelist and witnessed many conver- 
 sions. Among those he baptized I note Deacon J. S. 
 Womack and Elder William Boruni. 
 
 A short time before he died he moved his family to 
 DeKalb County and settled on Smith's Fork Creek. 
 He purchased a fine farm here, which he thought 
 would secure his family a living while he broke the 
 bread of life to others. He was giving himself wholly 
 to the work, when the blaster said, "It's enough, come 
 up higher." He died as he had lived, full of faith in 
 him whom he served. On an unpretentious slab in 
 the old Salem Cemetery at Liberty, DeKalb County, 
 I find the following : 
 
 "Elder A. j\L Bass, born December 29, 1800; died 
 September 19, 1845. 
 
 " 'Eor he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost 
 and faith, and much people were added unto the 
 Lord.' " 
 
 The little we have been able to gather concerning 
 this dear brother creates a thirst for more. 
 
 His death in the prime of life and the very zenith 
 of his ministerial work was like the withering of a 
 full-blown rose by an early autumn frost. The light 
 was blown out when it shone the brightest. He went 
 from labor to refreshments at high noon. 
 
 ELniCR JOHN FITE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was one of the early set- 
 tlers of the community about Liberty. Calculating 
 from his death and age, he was born in 1758 or 17.59. 
 
178 History of jSliddle Te)iiiess€e Bajytists 
 
 He was a Presbyterian minister when he came to this 
 country from the State of Maryland. When he landed 
 here, in the very beg^inning-of the nineteenth century, 
 he found this country still a wilderness composed of 
 one continuous cane brake, and the sound of the sav- 
 age war whoop still ringing in the ears of those pio- 
 neer settlers who had cast their lots in the land of the 
 "Crooked River," and the deer were wont to gambol 
 on the hillsides and bruin would come to the cabin 
 door at night and claim his rights. Such was this 
 country when he arrived at Nashville. He helped to 
 cut away the cane and underbrush to construct the 
 first road from Nashville to Liberty : the work con- 
 suming a period of nineteen days for a number of 
 hands. On the next day after his arrival at Liberty 
 he started back to Nashville to mill on horseback, a 
 distance of fifty-five miles. 
 
 When matters became a little settled and he began 
 to hear the doctrines of the Baptists proclaimed, his 
 views were changed and in October, 1809, he cast 
 his lot with the Baptist brethren in Salem Baptist 
 Church, Liberty, Tenn. In Alay, 1812, he was licensed 
 to preach, and was ordained to the full work of the 
 gospel ministry by this church in August, 1815, the 
 Presbytery consisting of Elders Joshua Lester, Can- 
 trel Bethel and Thomas Durham. 
 
 From this time he began an active ministrv in the 
 Baotist denomination. It was through his ministry 
 the following churches were constituted, viz. : Goshen, 
 four miles north of Liberty, in 1821, with seventeen 
 members : Sander's Fork (now Auburn), in 1822, with 
 ninety-four members; Prosperity, in 1837. These, 
 with perhaps others, were the fruit of his labors. 
 While he made Liberty his home during his life, yet 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ilinistem 179 
 
 in 1821 he transferred his membership to Goshen and 
 became her pastor, the only one she ever had. In 
 1837 this church was dissolved and he transferred his 
 membership to the new constitution at Prosperity and 
 became their pastor, which position he held doubtless 
 as long- as he was able. He died a member of this 
 church, at the advanced age of 94. We find his name 
 among- the delegates of Salem Association, seventeen 
 miles from home when he was 87 years old. He was 
 the father of Elder Henry T'ite and Deacon Moses 
 Fite, He has a large progeny who belong to the stand- 
 ard citizenship wlierever they live. From the minutes 
 of 1852 we gather the following facts; 
 
 "Brother Fite was an ordained minister for many 
 years. He was one of the first preachers of his dav, 
 and was efificient and eminently successful in building 
 up the waste places of Zion and in winning souls to 
 Christ. Brother Fite lived a devoted Christian. He 
 was a kind father, a good husband and an honorable 
 fellow-citizen. He professed religion in his twenty- 
 third \-ear, became a Baj^tist in 1809, and died Feb- 
 ruar\' 18, 1852, in the ninety-fourth year of his age. 
 FTe was useful and esteemed in life, much lamented in 
 death, and we have reason to believe that he now rests 
 from his labors, and that his works do follow him." 
 
 Rest on, thou dear saint of God, 
 Th^' labor done, thy reward begun. 
 
 F.r.DF.R JOSI.XH RUCKS. 
 
 The name which stands at the head of this sketch 
 was a household word in the early history of Baptists 
 in this section. 
 
 He was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, 
 August 3, 1757. He became a Baptist and also a min- 
 
180 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ister long before leaving the "Old Dominion." Much 
 of the vigor of his early ministry was spent in mission 
 work in the State of Virginia. He emigrated to Ten- 
 nessee in 1809, and settled in Smith County. Of what 
 church he became a member we are not informed, 
 probably Round Lick. 
 
 We do find this, that when Round Lick moved from 
 Smith to Wilson County in 1820, they lettered 
 off a number of members to form Cedar Creek Church, 
 and Elder Rucks became a constituent member of 
 Cedar Creek Church, in which he lived till his death, 
 August 15, 1836. 
 
 While he did much ministerial work at various 
 points, yet his labors crystallized at Cedar Creek and 
 Knob Spring, and more especially at the latter place. 
 He became the first pastor of Knob Spring Church, 
 which was constituted in 1814, and held the position 
 till 1830, when, on account of his advanced age (be- 
 ing seventy-three years old ) , he was forced to re- 
 sign. 
 
 In doctrine he was a strong Calvinist, and wherever 
 he preached he both established in doctrine and built 
 up in numbers. 
 
 He was married to Miss Elizabetli Taylor, August 
 15, 1788. This union was blessed with ten children, 
 and some of the most royal Baptist blood in our sec- 
 tion still flows through the veins of his posteritv. 
 
 He acted as moderator of Salem Association in 
 1828 when it convened at Peyton's Creek Church. 
 The sun of his life went down in a cloudless sk}-. with 
 not a struggle to mar its peaceful setting. He said, 
 "I am going to sleep." "He closed his eyes with his 
 own fingers, and never waked again on earth." Peace- 
 ful sleep from which none ever wakes to weep. 
 
Biographies of Decerned Ministers 181 
 
 ELDER JESSE JOHNSON. 
 
 Father Jolinson, as he was familiarly called, was 
 one of the most useful ministers of his day. It would 
 begg-ar language to undertake to fully describe this 
 father in Israel and his work, although he was not 
 what would be called a great preacher in the common 
 acceptation of that term. Because he did not belong 
 to the class of renown, his history has been left un- 
 written. A\'e just know enough to get the scope of his 
 work, but have no data as to details. 
 
 As to the place of his birth or parents, we know 
 nothing. He was bom June 29, 1777, and was once 
 married. His wife lived but a very short while after 
 their marriage, when she went home, leaving him a 
 widower. He decided never to marry any more, and 
 to consecrate all his powers to the work of the minis- 
 try. The first thing we find of him as a minister is 
 in 1824. At that time he is a minister and a mem- 
 ber of Salem Church at Liberty, DeKalb County. He 
 had pushed out into the destitute section near Short 
 Mountain and collected about him a band of disciples. 
 They were evidently an arm of Salem Church. Just 
 where he lived we have no means of knowing. Possi- 
 bly he lived in the Short Mountain vicinity, for in 
 January, 1824, when they had decided to constitute 
 this arm into an independent church, he secured his 
 letter and became one of the newly constituted body, 
 which took the name of Short Mountain. He re- 
 mained a member of Short Mountain Church till 1840, 
 when he transferred his membership to Dixon's Creek- 
 Church. He remained here till January, 1845, when 
 he moved his membership to Athens Church in the 
 northern part of Wilson County. This was his Chris- 
 
182 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tian home till he was called to his home on high, Octo- 
 ber 31, 1856. It might be remarked that after his 
 withdrawal Short Mountain Church began to decline 
 and was stricken from the roll of churches in Salem 
 Association in the year 1854. 
 
 While he did a great deal of evangelistic work among 
 the churches, as well as to assist in the ordination of 
 many preachers and deacons, yet the work which made 
 him famous in his day was his work as a voluntary 
 missionary in destitute sections. And after he was 
 too old to do much preaching himself, he guided and 
 directed the work for younger hands. About the year 
 1847 or 1848 he pushed out east of the Caney Fork 
 River into the counties lying on the table lands of 
 Cumberland Mountains and inaugurated a mission 
 work, by which eternity alone must reveal the good 
 accomplished. Though more than three-score and 
 ten years old, and his hair as white as the driven snow, 
 he pushed his way into sections where the notes of 
 Baptist doctrine had never been sounded. He would 
 select suitable points, make appointments, then re- 
 turn and get his younger brethren in the ministry to 
 fill them and hold meetings for days and often estab- 
 lish churches. Thus he carried on the work at his own 
 expense, so far as his labor was concerned, and when 
 the Association would fail to meet the expenses of 
 the other brethren he would suoply them. Thus the 
 work went on till in one year he and his colaborers 
 brought eight new churches into the Association from 
 this field of labor. Would it be pardonable to say, 
 this was the year (1851) when this author was born, 
 and that his father lived in the center of these oper- 
 ations, and that his house was Father Johnson's home, 
 whose name ever after was a household word while 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 183 
 
 the old people lived? Soon the churches had increased 
 in this section till it was deemed advisable to consti- 
 tute a new association. In the minutes of Salem As- 
 sociation for 1852 we find quite a lengthy report on 
 this question, with a resolution favoring a division, 
 making Caney Fork River the dividing line. The 
 churches east of the river met on Saturday before the 
 second Sunday in May, 1853, at Hutchin's Creek 
 Church, three miles south of Cookeville, Putnam 
 County, Tenn., and constituted a new Association and 
 e'ave it the name of Johnson Association, in honor of 
 Elder Jesse Johnson, a monument more honorable 
 than any built of marble or granite. This occurred 
 within one-half mile of where this author was born, 
 and to the grace of God manifested through the mis- 
 sion work of tliis venerable father in Israel, he largely 
 owes what he is, and it is with gratitude he rejoices 
 in being permitted to contribute something in saving 
 his name from oblivion with the generations yet to 
 come. 
 
 In the minutes of Salem Association for 1851 we 
 find the following : 
 
 "Resolved , That wc, as an .Association, return our 
 heartv thanks to our venerable lirother, Jesse John- 
 son, for his gratuitous and efficient missionary labors 
 within the destitute fields within our bounds during 
 the past associational year." 
 
 He finally- finished his course, and fell on sleep at his 
 brother's home, in the northern part of Wilson 
 County, at the ri]ie old age of seventy-four years, full 
 of faith and gond works. He lies in an did. unattended 
 gravevard two miles nnrth of T,t, lors\'ille, in Wilson 
 Count\'. His grave is incasnl in gra\' granite, with 
 the simple statement of his I)irth and death engraved 
 
184 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 upon it. Blessed sleep, nothing disturbs his quiet re- 
 pose. Bless God for the hope of the resurrection. 
 Since writing the above, we learn he was ordained 
 by Dixon's Creek Church. 
 
 ELDER THOMAS DURHAM. 
 
 We have not been able to gather any data concern- 
 ing the early life of this eminent minister of the 
 Word. 
 
 He was probably a native of New Jersey, emigrat- 
 ing to North Carolina in early life. The above infer- 
 ence is drawn from a reference found in The Baptist 
 for February 13, 1847, while published by Howell 
 & Graves, in which he is represented as acting as pas- 
 tor of Jersey Settlement Baptist Church, Rowan 
 County, North Carolina. He baptized William HoUis 
 into the fellowship of that church in 1803. He was 
 called to the care of Round Lick Church December 
 31, 1808. So the matter is clearly settled that he emi- 
 grated, as an ordained minister, from North Carolina 
 to this State some time between these dates. He set- 
 tled somewhere in the community of Hickman, where 
 he most probably spent the remainder of his days. A 
 few instances of his work will suffice to show his im- 
 portance. We find him called in council in the or- 
 ganization of Salem and Cedar Creek Churches. He 
 was honored as moderator in the constitution of Con- 
 cord Association in 1810. tie preached the intro- 
 ductory sermon before that body in 181 1, and he 
 preached the introductory sermon in the constitution 
 of Salem Association. On coming to this country he 
 attached himself to Hickman Church and was doubt- 
 less one of the early pastors of that church. He was 
 pastor of Brush Creek twelve years and Round Lick 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 185 
 
 fifteen years, remaining in both positions till his death, 
 which occurred in the latter part of 1823. He was 
 exceedingly successful as a oastor, beloved by all who 
 knew him, and his death cast a cloud of gloom over 
 the churches of this section. He was the father of 
 Elder Levi A. Durham. 
 
 What we see draws us to him and creates a thirst- 
 ing to know more of his life. But we must content 
 ourselves to wait till the gathering comes and the veil 
 is removed, then face to face we shall talk of the strug- 
 gles and trials encountered by those fathers and 
 mothers in Israel who "made the crooked ways straight 
 and the rough ways smooth." 
 
 "In the dawning of the morning 
 Of that bright and happy day. 
 We shall know each other better 
 When the mists have rolled away." 
 
 ELDER LE\'I A. DURHAM. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the son of the la- 
 mented Elder Thomas Durham. 
 
 As to the date of his birth and early life, we have 
 no means of knowing, further than that he was brought 
 up on a farm situated at the southern limits of the 
 present town of Hickman, the home of his father dur- 
 ing his stay in Tennessee. After entering into life 
 for himself he became a member of .Brush Creek 
 Church, and it was under her watch-care that he be- 
 gan the ministry. He was ordained to the ministry 
 by this church in June,- 1827, by the, following Pres- 
 bytery, viz. : Elders John Jones, Cantrel Bethel, Pres- 
 ley Lester, H. W. Pickett, Miles West and Thomas 
 Hooker. Though young in years, he was soon 
 reckoned among the leading ministers of his time and 
 
186 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 section. Such was his fame that people would come 
 for a score of miles to wait on his ministry. Soon 
 after his ordinatibn he was called to the care of Round 
 Lick and Hickman's Creek Churches, and probably 
 others. In doctrine he was a strong Calvinist, em- 
 phasizing the doctrine of God's soverign electing 
 grace. He was an important factor in the work of the 
 Association as long as he remained in the State, once 
 preachmg the introductory sermon and once acting 
 as moderator. 
 
 In the spring of 1835 he resigned liis charges and 
 moved to tlie State of Mississippi, where the curtain 
 falls, and his name is lost. Wliere he fell, anrl where 
 his dust sleeps, we do not know. I'ut in the morning 
 of the resurrection, when God shall gather his elect 
 from the four winds, we shall see this noble saint of 
 the Lord and hear him tell with a new tongue the 
 victories of the cross. 
 
 ELDER \\ILLI.-\M DALE. 
 
 No name was more familiar among the Baptists of 
 this section three-quarters of a century ago than that 
 of Elder William Dale. He was born on Sunday, May 
 4, 1783, in Worcester Countv, Maryland. He was the 
 son of Thomas and Elizabeth Dale, who were strict 
 Presbyterians, and young Dale was brought up with 
 the training and rites of said Church. He was brought 
 up on a farm till he was in his seventeenth year, when 
 he left the moorings of this devout Presbyterian home 
 and went to sea as a "sailor boy." He followed this 
 occupation for some years, when he returned home and 
 wooed and wedded Miss Xancy 1'. Pitts, by whom he 
 raised a large family. Two rears after their marriage, 
 when God had blessed their union with one son, thev 
 
Biographies of Deceased Miimters 187 
 
 left their native State and turned their faces toward 
 Tennessee. In the year 1805 they reached the town of 
 Liberty, nestled among the vine-clad hills in the fertile 
 valley of Smith's Fork. He cast his fortune with 
 those sturdy pioneers and began the battles of life in 
 earnest. Having learned bv his experience upon the 
 high seas what hardships were, he faltered not at dif- 
 ficulties. He professed faith in Christ January 7, 
 1809, and united with Salem while it was yet an arm 
 of Brush Creek Church. He was immersed by Elder 
 Cantrel Bethel in the waters of Smith's Fork on the 
 first Sunday in May, 1809, having been born on that 
 same Sunday twenty-six years previous. In August 
 following this arm was constituted into an independent 
 church known as Salem Church of United Baptists. 
 In 1810 he was ordained as deacon, and in May, 181 2, 
 he was licensed to preach, and in .\ugust, 181 5, he 
 was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry 
 by the following Presbytery, viz. : Elders Thomas 
 Durham, Joshua Lester and Cantrel Bethel. 
 
 At the close of the year 1816 he purchased and 
 moved to a farm two miles south of Alexandria, where 
 he spent the remainder of his days. In the year fol- 
 lowing he began preaching at the private residence of 
 Thomas Findley, east of Alexandria, near where New 
 Hope Church now stands. In a few months he be- 
 came discouraged at the wickedness of t'le community 
 and abandoned the field ; but through the solicitation of 
 Sister Findley he returned, joined by Elder John Fite. 
 A band of brethren were gathered, which finally resulted 
 in the constitution of New Hope Church March 27, 1819. 
 
 He became the pastor of this church and remained 
 so till 1835, when he was so disabled by rheumatism 
 he could no longer walk or ride on horseback ; and 
 
188 History of Middle Tennessee Bcuptists 
 
 even then they only called an assistant pastor. He 
 was a fine scribe and composer and, in addition to be- 
 ing pastor, he served the church as clerk as long as 
 he lived. Not until his hand was stilled in death did 
 he cease to record the proceedings of this church. For 
 many years before he died he had to be borne to and 
 from his carriage, but, when possible, was always at 
 his post, and when preaching hour was approaching 
 the only inquiry was, "Do you see Brother Dale's 
 carriage?" 
 
 He was in the constitution of both Concord and 
 Salem Associations and was often called in councils 
 in church matters. Few men, if any, stood higher in 
 his day as a man and as a preacher. He read his Bible 
 through from beginning to end seventeen times and 
 almost knew the New Testament from memory. 
 
 In addition to his rheumatism, he b'^came afflicted 
 with bronchitis, which finally terminated his mortal 
 career. He fell on sleep September 25, 1845, '" his 
 sixty-third year. For twenty-two years before he 
 passed under the wave he had never walked. 
 
 Few, if any, of his name remain in this section ; 
 yet his posterity is legion. His blood flows through 
 the veins of many of the best families in the country. 
 
 Well done, good and faithful servant ; no more you 
 sail the high seas of this world and manipulate the 
 sails against adverse winds, but bathe in the waters 
 of God's love, while your vessel glides on the silvery 
 bosom of the river of life. No rheumatism there, but 
 amid the flowers of paradise, where perennial verdure 
 grows, and zephyrs from the eternal throne, freighted 
 with the perfume of the celestial city, fan your once 
 fevered brow, you may now live, free from pain and 
 the troubles of this world. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 189 
 
 ELDER RICHARD LYON. 
 
 This servant of the Lord first saw the hght of day 
 February 12, 1809. As to his early life, we know 
 little, except that he gave his heart to God while young 
 and united with the Baptist Church, most probably, 
 at old Cedar Creek, near Big Spring, When Athens 
 Church was constituted in 1843, 'le cast his lot with 
 them and soon entered the ministry. He was or- 
 dained by Athens 
 Church November 2, 
 1846, by a Presby- 
 tery consisting of 
 Elders E. W. Haile, 
 Jesse Johnson and 
 Louis Dies. He had 
 a fine natural mind, 
 yet uneducated — not 
 what the world would 
 call great, yet effi- 
 cient in the Master's 
 work. He was pas- 
 tor of Athens, his 
 home church, seven 
 years, and Mace- 
 donia three years. 
 Besides these, he had 
 calls at other points and did a great deal of preaching 
 in various sections ; for instance, Cedar Grove, Cedar 
 Creek (near Big Spring), Short Mountain, etc. He 
 was married to Miss Anna Swan, by whom he had 
 six children, some of whom still linger on the confines 
 of life. He was heavy of build and capable of much 
 physical endurance, and his strength was well used 
 
 ELDER RICHARD LYON. 
 
190 History of Middle Tennessee Barptists 
 
 in the service of Him whom he loved. He was a great 
 revivalist and his services in this line were in demand 
 far and near. 
 
 He fell on sleep September 15, 1883, and was laid to 
 rest in the old family g-raveyard, near the Cumberland 
 River, in the northern part of Wilson County, Ten- 
 nessee. He still lives in the hearts of the people about 
 old Athens Church. Blessed memory. 
 
 ELDER H. Y. TOMLYNSON. 
 
 This servant of the Lord was born January 28, 1831. 
 We know but little of his early life except that he was 
 brought up as a farmer. His life was spent in the 
 northern part of Wilson County, near the Cumberland 
 River, a short distance from the village of Taylors- 
 ville. He was the very embodiment of honesty and 
 uprightness. He embraced a hope in Christ during 
 the early part of the Civil War, at a revival meeting at 
 Athens Church, in which there were ninety-nine con- 
 versions. He united with Athens Baptist Church in 
 November, 1864, and was baptized by Elder J. C. 
 Brien. He was licensed to preach in October, 1879, 
 and ordained to the full work of the ministry by 
 Athens Church in May, 1883, by the following pres- 
 bytery : Elders J. C. Brien and A. E. Johnson. 
 Brother Tomlynson had but little education, yet he 
 possessed a strong native intellect. He never extended 
 his ministry very far from home, doing most of his 
 preaching among those who knew him best. He was 
 pastor of his home church six years, and possibly some 
 others of adjoining neighborhoods. He had a lovable 
 disposition and always came with a message of sym- 
 pathy to stricken hearts. He was very unassuming, 
 never pushing himself forward. He rarely ever at- 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 1.91 
 
 tended public meetings, content to be about the Mas- 
 ter's work amon^ his people at home. He was a good 
 gospel preacher though not a great theologian. 
 
 As to the particulars of his marriage and his family, 
 we are not informed. He fell on sleep July 8, 1898, 
 leaving many loved ones to mourn their loss. His 
 name and works still live in the community of old 
 Athens Church. 
 
 ELDER JOHN WISEM.\N. 
 
 Perhaps the name of no man is more cherished by 
 the Baptists of Middle Tennessee than that of John 
 Wiseman. He was born in Rowan County, North 
 Carolina, January 24, 1780. His parents belonged to 
 the Puritan stock, formerly of Pennsylvania, and con- 
 sequently were very strict in their family discipline, 
 as well as very tenacious for their religious views. So 
 it goes without saying that young Wiseman was 
 sprinkled in infancy. His parents were poor, and 
 were pioneers, with little educational advantages ; con- 
 sequently he grew up with but little education except 
 such as he gathered from the book of nature. But 
 God was guiding, for his was destined to be a pioneer 
 life. Hence to conquer the wilderness one must know 
 the wilderness. He needed that strong muscular body 
 that only children of nature can possess. The vigor 
 of his body did not outstrip the vigor of his mind. 
 He was indeed nature's child, possessing a body 
 capable of untold endurance, and a mind, though un- 
 polished, capable of grappling with the most profound 
 problems. 
 
 In the twentieth year of his age, he surrendered his 
 heart and life to God and united with the Baptists and 
 was baptized by Bolder Thomas Durham. This brought 
 
192 Hi-story of Middle Ten)iessee Baptists 
 
 down upon him the abuse of an irate father, who could 
 not bear the thought of his son joining the despised 
 sect of Baptists. But he faltered not. The next year, 
 April 20, 1800, he was married to Miss Annie Hunt, 
 a lady every way worthy, and one who proved a true 
 helpmeet to him in his struggles in the ministry. 
 
 It is said he began his public ministry in the State 
 of North Carolina. If this be true it was in a limited 
 degree. In 1805 he and his devoted wife, with two 
 children, in the depth of poverty, turned their faces 
 westward and sought a home among the forests of 
 what is now known as Middle Tennessee. This long 
 distance was traveled in a crude conveyance, consisting 
 of a tar-wheel cart, drawn by one horse. In this, the 
 wife and children, with the meager supply of house- 
 hold goods were placed, while the husband i.nA father 
 made the trip on foot. He first settled on the lands 
 of Major Taylor, on Round Lick Creek, in Wilson 
 County. He sought a Christian home with Round 
 Lick Church, which, at that time, stood near Grant, 
 Smith County. He deposited his letter with this 
 church, February, 1806, and at this same meeting was 
 licensed to preach. How long he remained a member 
 of this church the records fail to show. The follow- 
 ing is taken from the pen of the venerable Elder J. W. 
 Bowen : 
 
 "The first meeting he (John Wiseman) attended 
 after reaching Tennessee, was at Brush Creek, in 
 Smith County. It was the November meeting in the 
 year 1804. (This, according to other records should 
 be 1805.) He met there for the first time that won- 
 derfully eloquent preacher. Rev. Cantrel Bethel. They 
 were young then, and commenced that attachment 
 which lasted through life, and has been renewed in 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 193 
 
 the 'Bright summer land of bliss.' An incident oc- 
 curred at the meeting which led to the field of his 
 ministerial labors for the balance of his life. He had 
 come to the Brush Creek meeting on horseback, but 
 without a saddle, for he had none. He used a piece 
 of old bed quilt as a substitute. His shoes were 
 nearly worn out. The long journey from North 
 Carolina, the whole of which he traveled on foot, had 
 left them so nearly worn out that they were only kept 
 together by being tied with leather strings. As he 
 was leaving the meeting a man by the name of Dun- 
 can, who was a member of Hickman Creek, which 
 had been organized a short time before, took him aside 
 and requested him to come to their next meeting, and 
 told him if he would do so, and would let him have 
 the measure of his foot, he would have him a pair of 
 shoes made by that time." 
 
 It might be stated just here, by way of parenthesis, 
 that only an arm of Brush Creek existed at Hick- 
 man Creek at that time, the church being fully or- 
 ganized in 1806. He complied with the above request 
 and finally moved to Hickman, perhaps in 1806. 
 
 Elder Wiseman remained in the Hickman com- 
 munity about five years, during which time he en- 
 dured many hardships. It is said he could frequently 
 be seen, at the hour of midnight, cleaning up land 
 and burning logs in order that his family might have 
 bread while he preached the gospel to those pioneer 
 settlers. At the close of five years he moved to 
 Dixon's Springs at which place he remained till 1835; 
 then he removed to Castalian Springs, Sumner County, 
 where he remained till 1847 ; then he moved to Wilson 
 County, settling on Spring Creek some three miles east 
 of Lebanon. The remainder of his days were spent 
 7 
 
194 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 here. During all these years, till he grew too old, 
 he labored hard on the farm for a support for his 
 family, while he did more preaching than almost any 
 one of his time. In 1842 he lost the companion of 
 his youth, and some years after he was married to 
 Mrs. Sarah Penebaker, of Lebanon, with whom he- 
 lived 'till his death. 
 
 Among the points at which he preached we note the 
 following : Hickman's Creek, Dixon's Creek, Bled- 
 soe's Creek, Second Creek, East Station Camp, Ho- 
 gan's Creek, Peyton's Creek, Round Lick, Lebanon, 
 etc. ; and wherever he went success attended his min- 
 istry. He laughed at difficulties and cried : "It must 
 be done." His life was spent in poverty. The follow- 
 ing incident will serve to illustrate the many hardships 
 he had to encounter. He owned but one horse, which 
 must remain at home through the summer season to 
 make bread for the family, while his master would 
 walk to his appointments. While pastor of Round 
 Lick Church he had to travel a distance of more than 
 thirty miles. While coming to one appointment at 
 this church on foot his shoes gave out and were cast 
 aside ; putting his socks in his pocket, the remainder 
 of the journey was made bare- foot. He came to the 
 church, went into the pulpit with his bare feet, and 
 preached the word with "power and demonstration of 
 the spirit." The brethren took in the situation, and 
 at the close of the conference a brother was detailed 
 to go and purchase him a pair of shoes. These with 
 a pair for his faithful horse and one dollar in money 
 made up his salary for that year from this church. 
 
 For some time before he died, his voice was so 
 impaired from a paralytic stroke he could not preach. 
 He finished his course upon earth March 14, 1864, 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 195 
 
 and while the clash of arms could be heard on every 
 side his spirit went home to the God of peace of whom 
 he liad so long preached. For a little more than 
 eighty-four years he had fought the battles of life, till 
 at last, in great peace of mind, the pendulum stood 
 still, and it was said, "John Wiseman is dead." 
 
 ELDER E. B. IIAVNIE. 
 
 This man of God was born in Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee, five miles west of Carthage, October i, 1805. 
 His parents were natives of North Carolina and came 
 to this State when young : they were among the pioneer 
 settlers of this section. Though not religious them- 
 selves, yet they had a high regard for religion and 
 often entertained preachers, and would sometimes have 
 preaching at their house. When in his fourteenth 
 year, young Haynie was convicted, of sin under the 
 preaching of Elder Joshua Lester, the honored bishop 
 of Smith's Fork Baptist Church. Soon after he em- 
 braced a hope and united with Peyton's Creek Baptist 
 Church and was baptized by Elder John Wiseman. 
 December 20, 18 19. Brother \\'iseman on the day he 
 baptized him, prophesied that he would preach. In a 
 short time, though but a boy, he had impressions in 
 that direction. His father, though not religious, sus- 
 pected something of the kind and stopped him from 
 work on the farm and started him to school, where 
 he secured a good practical education. While yet in 
 the teens he was married to Elizabeth Payne. Seven 
 children were the result of this marriage. Having a 
 wife, with an increasing family to support, he turned 
 his attention from the ministry to the things of this 
 world. But the God who could subdue a Jonah 
 knew how to deal with this rebellious child. In the 
 
196 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 summer of 1827 he was brought down to death's 
 door. His physicians g-ave him up to die, but it proved 
 to be only the chastening of the Lord, and, in the end, 
 yielded the peaceable fruits of righteousness. It was 
 here that his grasp on the world was relaxed, and 
 holy zeal kindled in his soul which must find vent in 
 preaching the gospel of peace. From this time on he 
 was about the Master's business. In May, 1832, he 
 was ordained to the 
 full work of the 
 gospel ministry by 
 the following pres- 
 b y t e r y : Elders 
 Miles West, Wil- 
 liam C. Bransford 
 and Daniel Smith. 
 He "made full proof 
 of his ministry." 
 He traveled as mis- 
 sionary in Jackson 
 and Overton coun- 
 ties. He was pas- 
 tor of the following 
 churches, viz. : Pey- 
 ton's Creek, De- 
 
 , _ . ^ , ELDER E. B. HAYNIE, AT 4S YEARS. 
 
 feated Creek, Round 
 
 Lick, New Salem, Rome, Meadorville, Hillsdale and 
 Friendship. He did a great work with all those 
 churches ; but the monument of his ministry is found 
 in old Peyton's Creek Church, near his home, and 
 where he was baptized and ordained. He was called 
 to the care of this church as soon as he was ordained, 
 and remained their pastor for fifty years, during which 
 time the church continually flourished. It could truly 
 
Biographies of Decerned Ministers 197 
 
 be said that this was his "joy and his crown." 
 
 In April, 1852, the wife of his youth fell on sleep 
 and he was again married, March, 1853, to Miss Mar- 
 garet Haynes, by whom he had two sons. 
 
 Brother Haynie was a good preacher and a great 
 revivalist. In doctrine he was a strong Calvinist and 
 gloried in the doctrine of election. In practice he 
 sometimes affiliated in the exchange of pulpits with 
 ministers of other denominations. 
 
 He was a man of means, owning a valuable farm, 
 near where he was born, and a beautiful country home. 
 It was the privilege of this author to soend some time 
 in this home shortly before his death, and a more com- 
 panionable brother he never knew. It was his delight 
 to encourage a young brother who had aspirations. 
 
 He lived to a ripe old age and at his own home in 
 the midst of loved ones he peacefully breathed his 
 last. You say he is dead? "No, not dead, but sleep- 
 eth." Though numbered with the dead, he lives on 
 in deeds of righteousness which know no death. 
 
 ELDER JAMES BARRETT. 
 
 Elder James Barrett first saw the light of day in 
 Smith County, Tennessee, June, 1813. In his early 
 life, and for some sixteen years after he was married, 
 he was rude and wicked, giving no concern to re- 
 ligion, yet law-abidmg and honorable. In early life 
 he either had no opportunities, or slighted those he 
 did have, to secure an education, so that when he was 
 married he could neither read nor write. 
 
 In 1 83 1 he was married in the depth of poverty — in 
 fact, it has been told that they married while bare- 
 footed and with coarse homespun clothing. Let this 
 be as it may, he and his faithful wife began life even 
 
198 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 with the world. He had rather a deHcate body, but 
 few men possessed as much energy and push. Being 
 a man of a broad and comprehensive intellect, he 
 began at once to accumulate property. Feeling it 
 necessary in his business relations, he learned to read 
 and write. Though a wicked man and ambitious to 
 make money, he never turned the poor away empty, 
 and the suffering and distressed always found a help- 
 i n g hand. Such 
 deeds multiplied 
 friends among all 
 classes. Such was 
 his popularity that 
 i n 1847 Smith 
 County sent him to 
 the Legislature 
 where he served 
 them two years 
 faithfully and ef- 
 ficiently. We 
 might mention be- 
 fore passing that he 
 served a term in the 
 Florida war with 
 ex-Governor Camp- 
 bell as his captain. 
 They were ever 
 after fast friends. 
 
 During his term of service in the Legislature he 
 embraced the Christian religion, and was baptized into 
 the fellowship of Macedonia Church, near New Mid- 
 dleton, April, 1848, by Elder Louis Dies. As soon as 
 his legislative duties were performed in 1849, he re- 
 turned home and entered the ministry with the same 
 
 ELDER JAMES BARRETT. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 199 
 
 zeal which had characterized him in his business pur- 
 suits of life. He was ordained to the full work of the 
 ministry on Saturday before the third Sunday in 
 March, 1850. It could hardly be said that he was a 
 profound preacher, yet he was a soul-stirring preacher 
 who reached the hearts of the people. 
 
 Success attended his ministry everywhere he went. 
 He was pastor of a number of churches during his 
 ministry. His labor and means were spent in the 
 cause unstintedly. He gave the land and perhaps more 
 than $2,000 in money toward the erection of two new 
 houses of worship at his home church (Macedonia). 
 He served this church as pastor, without remuneration, 
 for nineteen years — almost all his ministerial life. His 
 first ministry and first pastorate were at Buena Vista. 
 It was he who first unfurled the Baptist banner at this 
 place, which resulted in the constitution of the church 
 — he becoming their first pastor. 
 
 Perhaps no one ever wielded a more wholesome 
 influence in their ministry than he. He poured oil on 
 the troubled waters wherever he went. He was in- 
 deed a father to young ministers. In him they always 
 found a friend. "Onward to the work" were his watch- 
 words, as long as his health would permit. On his 
 return from an appointment at Round Lick, where he 
 had served as pastor for a number of years, he got a 
 fall from his horse from which he never recovered. 
 .\fter lingering for some time he resigned all his 
 charges and went home to die. His sickness was lin- 
 gering, and for many months his friends anxiously 
 watched the slow, steady decline, till on December 3, 
 1873, at his own comfortable home at New Middleton, 
 Smith Countv, Tennessee, his spirit loosed from its 
 earthly moorings and went home to be with God. He 
 
200 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 was buried with Masonic honors, Elder J. M. PhilHps 
 conducting the reHgious services. 
 
 He had twelve children ; two still survive him, but 
 ten are not ; the Lord took them. He is the grand- 
 father of Elder R. N. Barrett. His faithful wife sur- 
 vived him thirteen years, when she quietly fell on sleep. 
 Her dust sleeps with his in the old Macedonia Church 
 yard, while her spirit communes with his in the pres- 
 ence of God and his angels. 
 
 Victor of the Cross, well done, 
 Life's battle fought, the victory won. 
 
 ELDER W. F. LUCK. 
 
 Few men are better remembered by those among 
 whom he labored than this veteran of the Cross, who 
 received his discharge and retired to the peaceful 
 shores of the Eden of God some years ago. 
 
 Elder William Erancis Luck was born in the State 
 of Virginia, November 27, 1801. Erom Virginia he 
 came to Tennessee, settling in Wilson County, where 
 he united with Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Octo- 
 ber 16, 1830. We should state just here that this 
 church, located about two miles below Statesville on 
 Smith's Eork, was at that time known as a Separate 
 Baptist Church and was presided over by Elder John 
 Whitlock. They belonged to Concord Association No. 
 2, which returned in 1842 (see chapter on Separate 
 Baptists), when many of their churches united again 
 with the churches from which they had separated. He 
 was licensed to preach by this church, June 3, 1831, 
 and was ordained to the full work of the ministry by 
 this same church, July 7, 1837, by Elders John Whit- 
 lock and Elisha Bell. It would seem that God brought 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 201 
 
 him into the ranks of the Separate Baptists at this 
 juncture for the purpose of effecting a reconcihation. 
 In the five years which he labored with them as an 
 ordained minister he had so entrenched himself in 
 their affections and confidence that much depended 
 upon his action as to the course they pursued. He 
 was one of the committee which drafted the articles 
 of agreement in the council of 1842. After the union 
 of the two Concord Associations he took a deep hold 
 on the entire brotherhood of this section. He was 
 very poor so far as this world's goods were concerned. 
 He was a carpenter by trade and raised a large family 
 of children, twelve of whom were still living at his 
 death. His whole life was absorbed in the work of 
 the ministry. His ministry in Tennessee lasted from 
 1831 to 1857. During this time he was pastor of vari- 
 ous churches in Davidson, Wilson, Rutherford and 
 Cannon counties. He was a yoke-fellow with Elder 
 J. ]\I. D. Cates, and equally as strong a Baptist and as 
 positive in his convictions and manner of address as 
 was Brother Cates. He also had a funny side to his 
 nature as the following incident will show. He and 
 Elder Cates once held a meeting in Warren County, 
 Tenn. At the close, it fell to Brother Cates' lot to 
 baptize a large number of converts in Rocky River. 
 Among the number was a lady who owned a fice-dog 
 which followed her everywhere she went, and con- 
 sequently was on hand at the baptizing. When 
 Brother Cates led her into the water, the dog followed 
 suit. As the water was beyond the dog's depth, he 
 had to keep swimming. So when Brother Cates 
 stopped the woman, the dog kept moving, swimming 
 around and around. When the minister was ready 
 to baptize the woman, unfortunately his dogship was 
 
202 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 just behind her, and down went the woman on the 
 dog, carrying him to the bottom of the river. As 
 Brother Gates led the woman to the shore, the dog was 
 swimming hard behind them. Brother Luck, with a 
 quizzical look, pointed at the dog and said: "Brother 
 Gates, what are you going to do with that member?" 
 Brother Gates, who was always equal to the emergency, 
 replied: "I will turn him over to the Gampbellites ; 
 he didn't tell any experience." 
 
 Once when preaching at Smith's Fork Ghurch, 
 during a protracted effort, he had been a little bit 
 severe on the doctrines of Pedo-Baptists, when some 
 of them became angry and excited, and began to mut- 
 ter in the audience. He abruptly stopped and said : 
 "Brethren, we are going to have a good meeting, I 
 hear the devil's pups growling." He then took up his 
 discourse and moved on as though nothing had oc- 
 curred. 
 
 On one occasion, when he felt an offending brother 
 needed rebuke, he said : "Yes, the devil has had a 
 bill of sale of you." He never failed to rebuke when 
 he thought it necessary ; and he saw humor in almost 
 everything. Yet he was as loving as a maiden and 
 as tender as a mother. He wept with those who wept, 
 and was sunshine in the home of the sorrowing. As 
 a result of his ministry he baptized about two thou- 
 sand converts. 
 
 He left Tennessee and moved to Missouri in 1857, 
 and settled in Lincoln Gounty as pastor of New Salem 
 Ghurch, where he remained as pastor till God called 
 him home on December 26, 1878. The last year of his 
 active ministry he baptized 130 into this church. 
 
 The Troy Herald said of him after his death : "He 
 was a devoted and able defender of the faith, uniformly 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 203 
 
 commanding the confidence and reverential respect of 
 the membership, and the kind regard of all." 
 
 He was not a man of letters, but a master of assem- 
 blies. An unknown minister, who attended him in his 
 last sickness, has this to say of him : "T)ie leading 
 characteristic of our brother was force of character. 
 He was not accurate in his literature ; indeed, he had 
 but little knowledge of books, except such as beat 
 directly upon the ministry. He was not always critical 
 and connected in his preaching, but there was force. 
 You could feel his presence and his power from the 
 time he rose to preach. And when he would become 
 fully animated his power was great. He loved the 
 Scriptures. . . . He talked but little on any but re- 
 ligious subjects, except in humor and diversion." 
 
 In connection with his pastorate at New Salem, he 
 served several other churches, both in Missouri and 
 Illinois. 
 
 I take this from the pen of his life-long friend, 
 Elder J. M. D. Gates : "He, in obedience to the com- 
 mand of God, contended earnestly for the truth, and 
 boldly contended against false doctrines in all their 
 shapes and forms. He was truly a bold, energetic de- 
 fender of the truth. 
 
 "His reproofs were pointed and frequently very 
 severe. On a certain occasion, while preaching at a 
 camp meeting to a large audience, and with great 
 earnestness exposing Campbellism, a lady who was of 
 that faith curled her lip at him. He immediately 
 stopped and said: 'Madam, if you do not repent you 
 will curl your lips in hell.' He then proceeded with 
 his sermon." 
 
 It could truly be said of him, that he "reproved, re- 
 buked, with all long suffering and doctrine." "His 
 
204 History of Middle Tennessee Bajytists 
 
 life was that of the soldier, his death that of the victor." 
 His body sleeps at New Salem Church, Lincoln Coun- 
 ty, Missouri, while his work stands as an immortal 
 monument of his faithful service, and his name lives 
 on memory's pages. 
 
 PRESLEY LESTER. 
 
 Elder Presley Lester was born in Pittsylvania 
 County, Virginia, February 9, 1783. In regard to his 
 youth, but little is known. He professed faith in 
 Christ in the fall of 1801, when he was nineteen years 
 old. He at once felt his call to the ministry and united 
 with Bufifalo Baptist Church in Halifax County, 
 Virginia, where he began to exercise in public the 
 next year; but, like many others, he shrank from duty 
 and virtually ceased to appear in public as a speaker. 
 Thus matters went till 1809, when he came to Ten- 
 nessee, and cast his membership with Smith's Fork 
 Church, near Statesville, Wilson County. In the fall 
 of 1812, a glorious revival broke out in that church 
 which fanned into a flame that smoldering fire in his 
 bosom, and again he began to exercise his ministerial 
 gifts. The church took cognizance of his gifts and 
 on January 16, 1813, he was licensed to preach by this 
 church. He now entered the ministry in earnest, and 
 was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry 
 in 181 5. The exact date of his ordination or the pres- 
 bytery who officiated we have no means of knowing. 
 He was a younger brother of the sainted Elder Joshua 
 Lester, who was, at that time, pastor of Smith's Fork 
 Church. 
 
 Soon after his ordination, he began preaching be- 
 tween Statesville and Alexandria in what is now 
 known as the Marler settlement. He soon succeeded 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 205 
 
 in getting about him a band of brethren who became 
 an arm of Salem Church. They worshiped under the 
 fostering care of Salem Church till May 24, 1821, 
 when they were constituted into an independent church 
 known as Enon, by Elders Joshua Lester, Cantrel 
 Rethel, Presley Lester, John Fite and William Dale. 
 This new church numbered twenty-three members 
 when Elder P. Lester cast his membership with this 
 little band and became their first pastor. He remained 
 pastor of this church till January, 1828, when he re- 
 signed the care of this church to take charge of Phila- 
 delphia (now Bradley's Creek), having moved into 
 that community. He transferred his membership to 
 Philadelphia and gave all his energies to the work at 
 that place, which was greatly blessed. In 1830 about 
 one hundred were added to the church. His work 
 with this church was his crowning work. While yet 
 in the strength of manhood he was called to his re- 
 ward. His preaching was soul-stirring and heart- 
 searching. His ministerial life was not nearly so long 
 and prominent as was his brother Joshua's : yet in his 
 day he was regarded as a fine preacher. His last ser- 
 mon was preached at Old Providence Church. He 
 returned home to die. On the next day (Monday) he 
 and his devoted wife took their beds. On Saturday 
 following her spirit winged its way to the paradise of 
 God. On Monday, just two days later, his spirit 
 loosed its earthlv moorings and sped away to join her 
 in the city of Cod. Happy reunion! But behind 
 stood seven orphan children gazing across the mystical 
 river. His death occurred August 26, 1839. His 
 wife's maiden name was Sallie McAllister, and they 
 were married June 21, 1810, soon after he came to 
 Tennessee. For twenty-nine years they fought the 
 
206 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 battles of life side by side, then fell together and went 
 away to sing the anthems of redeeming love while 
 their dust sleeps side by side. 
 
 ELDER H. W. PICKETT, SR. 
 
 The name which stands at the head of this article 
 is still a household word in many families. He con- 
 tinues to live in the hearts of his friends. Elder Hugh 
 Willoughby Pickett was born m the State of Virginia, 
 August 7, 1796. He 
 was removed with his 
 parents to Tennessee in 
 1801, settling in Wilson 
 County. His life was 
 uneventful till he en- 
 listed in the United 
 States army in the war 
 of 1 81 2. After one 
 year's service he was 
 discharged and returned 
 home, and on December 
 4, 1820, he was married 
 to Miss Louany Looper, 
 a lady every way worthy 
 to be a minister's wife. 
 This union was blessed i'L"™ "• \\'- imckett. 
 with ten children, one of whom bore his father's name, 
 and, after his father's death, entered the ministry. He 
 professed faith in Christ, September 25, 1821. He 
 cast his lot with Smith's Fork Baptist Church and 
 was baptized by Elder Joshua Lester, February 16, 
 1822. In less than one year from that time — January 
 18, 1823 — he was licensed to preach, and on August 
 14, 1824, he was ordained to the full work of the 
 
Biographies: of Deceived Mi )t inters 207 
 
 gospel ministry. Just what ministers officiated in his 
 ordination we have no means of knowing. In 1828 
 he was called to the care of Enon Church, situated 
 between Statesville and Alexandria, to .succeed Elder 
 P. Lester. He transferred his membership to this 
 church and continued to preach for them till 1843, 
 when he was called to succeed Elder Joshua Lester at 
 Smith's Fork, who had resigned on account of failing 
 health. Tt might be remarked just here that Enon 
 Church, in this same date, went to the anti-mission or 
 Primitive Baptists as a body. Brother Pickett trans- 
 ferred his membership back to Smith's Fork, where he 
 remained till death. 
 
 Besides the above points mentioned he preached at 
 various other places and helped to constitute a number 
 of churches. For many years he was prominent in 
 the work of the Association. In 1873 when the As- 
 sociation met at Smith's Fork, he was made moderator. 
 This was to him a surprise and he rose with the 
 weight of more than seventy-seven years upon him 
 and stood before his brethren and wept like a child. 
 
 As a preacher, he stood in the first rank. He was 
 doctrinal, experimental and wonderfully eloquent. It 
 is said he could rise to his height in fewer words than 
 most any man. He had a voice almost like thunder, 
 and yet there was a sweetness and a melody about it 
 rarelv heard. His life was that of the true minister, 
 pure and spotless as can be attained by mortals here 
 below. 
 
 At the ripe old age of nearly four-score years, full 
 of faith and good works, he went home to God on 
 June 24, 1875. He and his beloved wife sleep side by 
 side in the old church yard at Smith's Fork Baptist 
 Church. JJ^re is where he professed religion, where 
 
208 History of Middle Tennessee Bcqytists 
 
 he was baptized, where he was Hcensed and ordained, 
 and where he served as pastor seventeen years. It 
 seems befitting; that he should sleep here and rise here. 
 We no more hear the sweet melodies of his voice, as 
 he tells of God and his grace, but his work lives, will 
 live on through time and through eternity. 
 
 ELDER JOHN WHITLOCK. 
 
 Elder John Whitlock (better known as Uncle 
 Jackey) was a native of Virginia. At what date he 
 came to Tennessee we do not know. He was born 
 January 25, 1797. On coming to Tennessee he settled 
 near Statesville, Wilson County. He professed faith 
 in Christ, April, 1813, joined the Baptist Church at 
 Smith's Fork near where he lived, and was baptized 
 by the pastor, Elder Joshua Lester. He was ordained 
 to the full work of the gospel ministry October 26, 
 1821, by the following presbytery, viz. : Elders Joshua 
 Lester, John Bond, James Bond and Presley Lester. 
 
 Brother Whitlock was the father of twenty-three 
 children. It could be truthfully said that he diligently 
 obeyed the command to "multiply and replenish the 
 earth." 
 
 As a preacher he possessed good ability, and stood 
 as a staunch defender of the Baptist doctrines. One 
 of the most noted events of his life was that in 1827 
 he went with the Separate Baptists and for the time 
 being separated himself from the great body of Bap- 
 tists, but returned in 1842. (See chapter on Separate 
 Baptists.) While he was with the Separate Baptists 
 he established a church at Pleasant \'alley, two miles 
 below Statesville, over which he became pastor. The 
 latter part of his life was spent in Warren County, 
 Tennessee, where he fell on sleep April 14, i88r, being 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 209 
 
 more than eighty-four years of age. He died respected 
 and beloved by all who knew him. For sixty-eight 
 years he had walked with God, and for sixty years 
 he had preached the "everlasting gospel." Of his 
 family have come several preachers, among them the 
 lamented Elder T- H, Whitlock. It was he who bap- 
 tized and helped to ordain Elder W. F, Luck. He 
 was also a fast friend of Elder J. M. D. Gates. He 
 also baptized Elder S. L. Summar. 
 
 ELDER WILLI.\M FLOWERS. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in the State 
 of \'irginia (dates not known). He also united with 
 the church and was ordained in that State. He was 
 ordained in Buckingham Gounty, Virginia. September 
 6, 1788, by a presbytery consisting of Elders Roane 
 Ghastain, Robert Foster and James Sanders. 
 
 The date in which he came to Tennessee, we have 
 no means of knowing. It evidently was in the early 
 part of the nineteenth century. The first account I 
 find of him in the State is where he officiated in the 
 constitution of Hogan's Greek Ghurch, June 11. 1810. 
 He settled about three miles south of Rome, Smith 
 Gounty, on what is now known as the Seay Pike, 
 where he lived till God called him home. He united 
 with Hogan's Greek Ghurch and became their pastor 
 September, 181 1, while thev yet worshiped at the 
 mouth of Ganey Fork River. He held this position 
 twenty-seven years. He was also pastor of Knob 
 Spring Ghurch from t8^o till his fleath in 1844. In 
 1837 he became one of the constituent members of 
 I'lunkett's Greek Ghurch. The next year he trans- 
 ferred his membership to Knob Spring where it re- 
 mained tilt his death. In his dav he was one of the 
 
210 Ilistory of Middle Te)iue><.'<ee Bapiivfs 
 
 most active ministers of this section. Besides the pas- 
 torates mentioned he did other pastoral work and was 
 always engaged in the general, work of the denomina- 
 tion. Elder E. B. Haynie has this to say of him: "T 
 was well acquainted with Elder William Flowers. 
 Truly 'he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, 
 and much people were added to the Lord.' He was 
 considered rather an .-\rminian in doctrine ; his theme 
 was, however, salvation by prace." 
 
 He came ver)- nearly, at one time, being drawn into 
 the meshes of Campbellism : but when he came to him- 
 self he "saw men as trees walking" and threw off the 
 bewitching garb of Campbellism and lived loval to the 
 truth as taught by the Baptists. He was the father 
 of eleven children, and lived to a ripe old age, dying 
 in the full triumphs of a living faith in October, 1844. 
 His counsel was always sought when convenient, and 
 among the then noble ministry of this section he stood 
 prominent. He has a large progeny in this section 
 vet, though but few by his name. Some of the most 
 royal Baptist blood to be found anywhere flows 
 through their veins. 
 
 Let me remark just here by way of parenthesis, that 
 this was a reaping time among the ministers of this 
 section. From 1844 to 1848 there fell on sleep the 
 following: Elders Joshua Lester, Wm. Flowers, 
 Archamac Bass, Cantrel Bethel, William Dale, John 
 Borum, and within a few years of these, several others. 
 
 ELDER J. H. HIGH. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the son of William 
 and Rebecca Dunn High. He was born in Wake 
 County, North Carolina, March 8, i8to. His parents 
 emigrated to Tennessee when he was but two years of 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 211 
 
 age, and settled in Smith County, not far from Car- 
 thage. A severe attack of fever, when he was small, 
 left his eyesight very much impaired, from which he 
 never recovered. His mother watched him with tendei 
 interest from day to day, only to behold the steady 
 decline, till at last he ceased to return his mother's 
 smiles and to take pleasure in that which was wont to 
 amuse him in other days, and she was forced to say, 
 (vith an aching heart, "My boy is blind." 
 
 The death of his father and second marriage of his 
 mother brought many tiiffirulties in the way of little 
 blind Johnnie. Yet, through all these years he was 
 jolly and cheerful, so much so, that he was called 
 "Jolly Jack." Xotwithstanding he was blind he car- 
 ried sunshine everywhere he went, and was always a 
 welcome visitor. 
 
 \Miile }et in early life, the Holy spirit touched his 
 heart and he yielded his all to God. Even before this 
 he had showed signs of wonderful mental vigor, and 
 now his intellect must be consecrated to God. From 
 this time his gifts began to develop in a wonderful 
 degree. He was licensed to preach by Hogan's Creek 
 Baptist Church, December i, 1833, and was ordained 
 by tiie same church to the full work of the gospel min- 
 istr\'. September 6, 1834, by Elders John Harper, E. B. 
 Haynie, E. W. Haile and William Hughs. Feeling 
 the need of an education he went the next year to the 
 blind institute at Boston. He was now twenty-five 
 vears of age, and his touch not having been educated 
 when he was young, he found it very difficult to learn 
 through the touch. Returning, he went to Richmond, 
 depending on others to do his reading. Here he 
 learned very rapidly and soon became the marvel of 
 every one. He returned home, preaching in Middle 
 
212 History of Middle Tennessee Ba^ptists 
 
 and West Tennessee as well as some other States. He 
 often lectured on scientific questions which were re- 
 markable for their vigor of thought. While in West 
 Tennessee, he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Pettus. 
 She was a sister to the wife of Elder Peter S. Gayle 
 and a noble Christian woman. She had thoroughly 
 counted the cost and assumed her duties and was 
 indeed a benediction to his life. 
 
 His language was chaste and his diction both 
 pointed and eloquent. He held his audience as if by 
 magic. He was enjoying a lucrative pastorate with 
 Bethel Church in the State of Illinois, when the Civil 
 War broke out. His mind naturally turned toward his 
 home country, and being a Southern sympathizer, it 
 became necessary for him to resign his charge. He 
 now went on a lecturing tour and won to himself quite 
 a name. In 1863 he took his little family and came 
 back to Tennessee to die. On arriving at Memphis, 
 Tenn., he was taken ill with congestion of the brain 
 and on November 9, 1863, his spirit went away to 
 the city above, where there are no blinded eyes. His 
 spirit was taken from a coimtry convulsed by war and 
 confusion to the land of peace and quietude. 
 
 His eyes were blind. 
 
 His coins were few. 
 
 The difficulties mountain high ; 
 
 Yet in them all 
 
 He pushed on through. 
 
 Till he reached his home on high. 
 
 FJ.DICR K. W. TT.MI.F.. 
 
 Elder Elijah W. Haile was the son of Lcnian and 
 Henrietta Haile. He was born in Mecklenburg Coun- 
 ty, X'irginia, in the date of 1807, and, in early life, 
 he came with his parents to Tennessee, settling in 
 
Biograpliies of Becea.-^ed Ministers 2l3 
 
 Smith County. This countr)- at that time was almost 
 an unbroken forest with very Httle educational ad- 
 vantages. Consequently young Haile grew up to man- 
 hood unlettered. He professed religion, joined Knob 
 Spring Baptist Church and was baptized by Elder 
 William Flowers, November, 1830. From the very 
 time of his conversion there was a longing to preach 
 the gospel. He was licensed to preach in June, 1832. 
 I gathered the following facts from one who was 
 present at his first attempt to preach. He undertook 
 to line a hymn, but was un- 
 able to read it so as to make 
 it intelligible. His effort was 
 the poorest of the poor. The 
 brethren said among them- 
 selves "there is absolutely 
 nothing in him." Some were 
 in favor of peremptorily de- 
 manding his license. Others 
 said, "we will keep him among 
 ourselves and try him awhile." 
 Some even talked to him and 
 he only replied: "The Lord 
 has called me to the work." 
 In his second effort there was a marked improvement, 
 and it was not two years till he was the peer of almost 
 anv minister in this section. He was ordained to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry by Knob Spring 
 Church, June, 1833, by the following presbytery, viz.: 
 Elders William Flowers, Josiah Rucks, John Borum 
 and John Walker. He raised a large family of chil- 
 dren and had but httle of the goods of this world, yet 
 he faltered not and became one of the most powerful 
 pulpit orators in all this section. He was large and of 
 
 ELDER E. W. H-\ILE, 
 
214 Histcn^y of Middle Termessee Baptists 
 
 strong physique and very dark complexion, and the 
 father of this author was accustomed to say that when 
 he got his "mouth four-square no man could beat 
 him preaching." 
 
 He was not only able in discourse, but was critical 
 as well. He had several public discussions on points 
 of doctrine with such men as Fountain E. Pitts and 
 others of acknowledged ability. No man ever meas- 
 ured swords with him in the Polemic Arena that did 
 not come out second best. He was a staunch Land- 
 mark Baptist. 
 
 Besides doing a great deal of missionary work, he 
 was pastor of Athens, Knob Spring, Hogan's Creek, 
 Wolf Creek, Hickman's Creek, Auburn and quite a 
 number of other churches. 
 
 He died in the spring of 1862, when the clash of 
 arms could be heard on every hand. But he had a 
 warfare in which he was engaged, the weapons of 
 which were "not carnal, but mighty to the pulling 
 down of the strongholds of Satan." Many of his off- 
 spring and some of his own children still survive 
 him. May the God of all grace bless his memory to 
 the inspiration of some struggling young man. 
 
 ELDER L. H. BETHEL. 
 
 Few men were better known, or more revered, in 
 this section a quarter of a century ago, than Elder 
 Lemuel Hall Bethel. He was the son of Elder Cantrel 
 Bethel and Mary Bratten Bethel. He was born at 
 Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee, September 2y, 
 1810. Nothing very eventful occurred in his early 
 life. He received a common school education ; though 
 such was his application and adaptation that he ac- 
 quired a good use of language. His diction was 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 215 
 
 chaste and at times grew eloquent. He was large and 
 portly and always stood erect, making a verv fine, as 
 well as a commanding, appearance. He was devoutly 
 pious and yet he was always pleasant in the social 
 circle and enjoyed a diversion of wit. He always 
 dated his conversion in his twentieth year, under a 
 large oak, near the bluff above Liberty, on Smith 
 Fork. He united with Salem Baptist Church during 
 the pastorate of his father and was probably baptized 
 by him. The Lord immediately laid his hand on him 
 for the ministry. He was 
 licensed to preach by this 
 church in October, 1833. 
 About this same time he was 
 married to Miss Elizabeth 
 Buchanan, of Franklin, Wil- 
 liamson County, Tennessee, 
 and together they moved to 
 West Tennessee, casting their 
 membership with Spring Hill 
 Church, Gibson County. He 
 was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry by 
 Spring Hill Church, January 
 'ii, 1835, by Elders Peter S. Gayle and Z. N. Morrell. 
 His is the only Credential Certificate of Ordination 
 this author ever saw written on "sheep skin." It will 
 be framed and kept as a memento by the family. 
 
 From the time of his ordination till he was disabled 
 by age and disease, his life was given to the ministry. 
 He did extensive pastoral as well as evangelistic work 
 in Tennessee, Texas and Mississippi. However, Salem 
 Association can claim more of his life than any other 
 one place. He was the father of ten children, all of 
 
 ELDER L. II. BETHEL. 
 
216 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 whom lived to be grown and married, but some are 
 not now. He had three strokes of paralysis, the last 
 one terminating his life instantly. He fell on sleep 
 just as the first rays of light were kissing the western 
 hills on the morning of June i, 1888. He died at the 
 home of his daughter, Mrs. John Covington, Wood- 
 bury, Cannon Comity, Tennessee. There was a devo- 
 tion in his family rarely found. He loved his children 
 devotedly, and made many sacrifices to educate and 
 prepare them for the duties of life. It was this humble 
 author's privilege to be his pastor at the time of his 
 death, he being a member of Prosperity Church, Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee. Memorial services were held 
 by this church in which the pastor and many of the 
 older members took part. Here is a part of the tribute 
 paid his memory by this church through their com- 
 mittee, consisting of Deacons I. B. David, H. M. File 
 and J. M. Sneed : 
 
 "Truly, truly, it can be said of Elder L. H. Bethel, 
 'That he has fought a good fight, has finished his 
 course, and has kept the faith,' and has gone to receive 
 'that crown of righteousness which the Lord, the right- 
 eous judge, shall give him.' His life was long, useful, 
 and unspotted. He was a man, being in the world, but 
 not of the world. His ministry of half a century, in 
 this and other States, has been honored of God in the 
 salvation of thousands of immortal souls. Dr. W. H. 
 Whitsitt is among the number of his distinguished 
 converts. His orthodox faith, superior mental endow- 
 ments, and deep consecration to his Master's cause, 
 secured for him the love of his brethren and the first 
 place in the ministry of this country." 
 
 In doctrine, he was a strong Landmark Baptist, 
 also a strong Calvinist. In manner he was gentle and 
 
Biographies of Decerned Ministers 217 
 
 kind, though when necessary he could rebuke with 
 sharpness and everything- withered before his gaze. 
 He related to this author the following incident : On 
 a very bleak, cold night a companv of rather worthless 
 people called him up at the hour of midnight to marry 
 a couple of their number. This was in his old age, 
 and he stirred up the fire, burning what kindling wood 
 he had prepared for the morning. Shivering around, 
 finally the ceremony was said, and the groom stepped 
 up to Brother Bethel and asked his charge, and he 
 replied, "One dollar." The man said he did not have 
 the money. Elder Bethel straightened himself up and 
 with a commanding voice, and a piercing gaze he said : 
 "Stand uo and I will unmarry you," This was 
 enough ; the money was forthcoming. 
 
 He was nearing his four-score years when the mes- 
 sage came. He was ripe for the sickle and ready for 
 the Master's use. In his last days he talked of little 
 but heaven and getting home. The young minister 
 always found in him a helpful friend. 
 
 ELDER J. M. D. GATES. 
 
 At the very mention of the name of Elder J. M. D. 
 Gates every loyal Baptist heart among the older people 
 of this section bounds with emotion. His name is the 
 synonym of Baptist loyalty. He will be quoted for 
 generations vet to come. He was the son of Thomas 
 Gates and is said to be of Jewish descent. He first 
 saw the light of day in Orange Gounty, North Garo- 
 lina, on the waters of Gane Greek, tten miles west of 
 Ghapel Hill. He was born June 15, 1815. He left 
 the Old North State in 1834, and came to East Ten- 
 nessee and settled in Maryville. in Blount Gounty. 
 True to the Jewish custom, he learned the "trade" of 
 
218 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 saddlery. In February, 18^8, he left Maryville and 
 came to McMinnville, in Warren County, Middle Ten- 
 nessee. On his arrival here he entered school and 
 spent one year in school, and, with his close applica- 
 tion, his advance in the sciences was phenomenal. 
 The exact date of his conversion we do not know. 
 
 ELDER J. M. D. GATES. 
 
 But there was a little Baptist Church at this place con- 
 sisting of twelve women. To these he offered himself 
 for membership "and was received by women and 
 women alone." He was baotized by Elder Noah Cate 
 March 11, 1838. In the latter part of 1838 he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Ann P. Lyon. This union was blessed 
 with one son. After teaching for some time in Mis- 
 sissippi, he returned to McMinnville, where he was 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 219 
 
 licensed to preach, having lost his wife in tlie mean- 
 time. He was now in a strait. He felt that to prepare 
 himself for the work he must go to school, and yet 
 his purse was reduced to thirty-seven and one-half 
 cents. At this juncture two royal Baptists, Joseph 
 Marshall and Dr. Ring, assumed the bills and he en- 
 tered school at Xashville. After a stay of four months 
 in Nashville, he entered Union University at Mur- 
 freesboro. It was here he received most of his edu- 
 cation. He was not a graduate, but a fine, practical 
 scholar. He was ordained by McMinnville Church on 
 Sunday, October 13, 1844; the Presbytery consisted 
 of Elders Bradle}' Kimbro and Matthew Hillsman. 
 ft r^iHnt lie said just here that McMinnville Church 
 was at this time a member of Liberty Association, and 
 Elder Cates operated as missionary for this Associa- 
 tion two years. He operated extensively as pastor. 
 Among the main points he served we mention : Ma- 
 rion, Woodbury, MclMinnvillc, Auburn, Smith's Fork, 
 Falling Creek and Shiloh. 
 
 Besides corresponding extensively with various pa- 
 pers, he was editor and publisher of the Christian 
 Herald and later of the Baptist Mcsscni^cr. He was 
 author of the following books: "Marriage and Mar- 
 ried Life," "The \^oice of Truth," "Origin and 
 Genealogy of the Races," "Baptist Companion" and 
 "Sacred Harp." The last two were hymn books. He 
 was a good writer, a fine singer and a superb preacher. 
 He was a fine sermonizer and rarely ever failed to 
 rise high. His sermons were always doctrinal, and 
 yet accompanied by a tenderness which seldom failed 
 to carr)' his audience at will. He was one of the 
 greatest preachers of his day. 
 
 We will add a tribute from the pen of Elder J. W. 
 
220 History of Middle Tenriessee Baptists 
 
 Bowen, a colaborer of his through most of his min- 
 istry. 
 
 "Elder J. M. D. Gates, of the Marion Church, ex- 
 changed the toils and cares of earth for the higher 
 life in the spirit world during the last associational 
 year. Though not the oldest man at the time of his 
 death, he had been longer connected with the Asso- 
 ciation than any preacher living. It is no disparage- 
 ment to others to say, that during all these years he 
 had been the leader of thought and progress among 
 us. He was always found in the front advocating 
 missions, temperance and the higher education. For 
 more than thirty years he was the bold, outspoken 
 advocate of the abolition of the whiskey traffic by 
 legal enactment, and that when he stood almost alone. 
 
 "Though not a scholar in the broadest sense of 
 the term, yet by assiduous study and careful reading he 
 was self-educated, and acquired a large fund of in- 
 formation. He was one of our best and ablest evan- 
 gelical preachers. As a writer for the religious press, 
 and of books, he obtained a deserved reputation. 
 Brother Gates was a man of strong convictions and 
 positive views ; what he believed and held as true, he 
 avowed with all the intensity of profound conviction. 
 In the way where he saw his duty he went in the face 
 of whatever difficulties might appear or opposition 
 arise. So strong and ardent was his love for truth, 
 that he could see nothing in what he regarded error 
 to tolerate. His opposition to the latter was, there- 
 fore, as uncompromising as was his advocacy and 
 defense of the former, earnest and zealous. It may 
 be truly said, that he did not so much hold his con- 
 victions as that they held him, and it was a part of his 
 very life to maintain them against all comers. And 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 221 
 
 yet his rigor of convictions, this sternness and inflex- 
 ible righteousness in their maintenance, were so 
 blended with the love and meekness of Christ, that to 
 those who came near him and shared his confidence 
 he appeared always the Christian gentleman. How- 
 ever strong his denunciations of error were, for the 
 errorist, personally, he had none but the kindest feel- 
 ings. For many of his last years he was a great suf- 
 ferer on account of disease, and consequent physical 
 debility. He inherited a weak physique and feeble 
 constitution, but was capable, because of an in- 
 domitable will, of great endurance, and of performing 
 an immense amount of labor. Years after most men 
 would have laid up, he continued to preach." 
 
 His last sermon was preached at Smithville, in De- 
 Kalb County, and he went home to die. 
 
 He was small, dark-complexioned, homely and un- 
 imposing in appearance. His appearance would never 
 indicate his real worth. He enjoyed an occasional 
 reference himself to his looks. Sometimes when 
 speaking on the question of temperance he would say 
 that he saw one drunken woman. He said he knew 
 she was drunk because she wanted to kiss him, and 
 he said no sober woman would want to kiss such a 
 looking man as he was. When anything was offered 
 to the ugliest person in the company, he invariably 
 claimed it. 
 
 This author was with him a great deal during his 
 last illness, and his zeal for the truth seemed to in- 
 crease as he neared the Golden City. His only re- 
 gret seemed to be that he could not continue the work 
 of the ministry. He was married a second time, to 
 Mary Jane Taylor, in 1848, who became the mother 
 of several children. He died August i, 1887, leaving 
 
222 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 a widow and children to mourn their loss. His wife 
 has since died, and they sleep side by side in the vil- 
 lage of Cateston, Cannon County, Tenn. His miJsical 
 voice is stilled in this world, but with renewed rich- 
 ness he is singing the anthems of redeeming love in 
 the paradise of God. 
 
 As a feeble token of their esteem, the Salem and 
 New Salem Associations have erected a marble shaft 
 over his grave. His friends were of the strongest 
 type. He lived in the hearts of his friends. 
 
 For boldness and courage, 
 
 A soldier true and tried, 
 A victor at the last, 
 
 "He conquered, though he died." 
 
 ELDER J. W. BOWEN. 
 
 Elder John Wesley Bowen was born in Rhea 
 County, East Tennessee, January g, 1811. He was the 
 son of Randall and Mollie England Bowen. When he 
 was but two years old his father died, leaving his 
 mother a widow and her children orphans. His mother 
 soon moved across the mountains into Middle Ten- 
 nessee, settling in Rutherford County. Nature had 
 endowed him with a superior intellect, but the pov- 
 erty of his widowed mother robbed him of the ad- 
 vantages of an early education. His mother, how- 
 ever, taught him to read at home. It is said his read- 
 ing in early life was confined to three books : The 
 Bible, Weems' "Life of Washington" and Milton's 
 "Paradise Lost." For the lack of means to purchase 
 other books, these were read and reread. 
 
 He professed faith in Christ at the age of sixteen 
 and united with the Protestant Methodists. Before 
 he was twenty years of age he was admitted to the 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 223 
 
 ministry in this denomination. But such a mind 
 as his was not to he circumseribctl. So after prose- 
 cuting- his work for some time he sought an education 
 in CHnton College. This institution was situated in 
 Smith County, Tennessee, on the pike between New 
 Middleton and Grant and was under the direction of 
 Dr. Frank Cordon. In this institution he took a full 
 
 ULUMR J. W. I'.OWICX. 
 
 course in Greek, Latin, English and Mathematics, 
 graduating in 1837. He easily ranked among the 
 best scholars of his day ; yet he was never known to 
 refer to it in public. His reading and research in after 
 years along all lines of good literature was immense, 
 he being perhaps in this particular the peer of any 
 man in the State. 
 
224 History of Middle Tennessee Ba/ptists 
 
 He was married to Miss Fannie Gordon, sister of 
 Dr. Gordon, President of Clinton College, on Sep- 
 tember II, 1840. The Lord gave unto them three 
 children — two girls and a boy. Not long after the 
 birth of their son he said to his wife: "We had better 
 have our boy baptized." His wife, though not a 
 member of any church, replied : "Do as you think 
 proper, dear, but perhaps it would be well first to see 
 if there is any Scriptural authority for baptizing in- 
 fants." This remark somewhat stung the pride of 
 the father, who stood before the world as a teacher 
 of the Bible. But without any reply he turned away 
 and at once began the investigation of the question. 
 This was the turning point in his life. Instead of 
 having his boy baptized, it was not long till he sought 
 baptism at the hands of a Baptist church. 
 
 His preaching powers were rarely ever surpassed. 
 As a pulpit orator he easily ranked among the best. 
 He spoke dehberately and unpassionately ; yet often 
 rising to the most sublime heights of eloquence. In 
 doctrine he was sound, being a strong Calvinist, and 
 preached the doctrines with a clearness which was 
 convincing. Yet he was liberal, many of his brethren 
 thought to a fault, and was often known to affiliate 
 with other denominations in preaching. 
 
 To show the esteem in which he was held by his 
 brethren, we take the following from the minutes of 
 New Salem Association for the year 1892 : 
 
 "Among the many summonses from time to great 
 eternity by that grim monster under whose icy 
 touch each and all of us shall sooner or later fall, is 
 our dearly beloved and much respected brother, John 
 W. Bowen. Brethren, Dr. Bowen's place in this body, 
 which he has so well and honorably filled ; his place in 
 
Jiiograplu'e'^ of DeceiO^ed 3/itn'sfers 225 
 
 the pulpit, where Christians were so faithfully, gently 
 and lovingly exhorted to duty, and where sinners 
 were expostulated with, and entreated as in the fear 
 of Ciod, to give their hearts to the Lord ; in society, 
 where by manner, mild and Christ-like, men were 
 drawn to him ; in the family circle, where, as husband 
 and father, his firm and unfaltering love of home, 
 wife and family was so dearly and unmistakably 
 given ; these places are all vacated, and never again 
 in this life shall we sit under the sound of his voice, 
 or hear the words as they fell in such smooth, round 
 cadences from his lips. We mourn his loss, and ten- 
 der to his beloved wife and children the consolation 
 that, although our dearlv beloved brother is dead, he 
 lives, lives in the hearts of his brethren, lives in 
 heaven." 
 
 He wrote a great deal for the press. His produc- 
 tions were of the highest order, and the elegance of 
 his stvle was seldom equaled. 
 
 He did considerable pastoral and evangelistic work 
 in the days of his active ministry. He always took an 
 active part in associations and ministers' meetings. 
 As long as he was able he delighted to meet with his 
 brethren in these general meetings. 
 
 Brother Bowen had fine means in his latter days, 
 and a most lovely home in the town of Gordonsville, 
 Smith County. It was his delight to entertain his 
 brethren in the Lord. He retained the activity of 
 both body and mind in a wonderful degree till at- 
 tacked by his last illness. 
 
 In his declining years he often, both in his preach- 
 ing and in private conversation, spoke of his change 
 and the coming glory. One day, in one of his hap- 
 piest moods, he had described death, and on leaving 
 
226 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the church a brother took this author by the hand and, 
 with eyes suffused with tears, said: "I felt to-day just 
 Hke I wanted to die." He often spoke of himself as 
 resting in the Beulah-land in peace with God and all 
 mankind, while his sun was setting in a cloudless 
 sky. 
 
 The following is taken from a private letter he- ad- 
 dressed to Elder J, M. Pendleton, in the year 1883 : 
 
 "And now, standing here at the end of life, while I 
 have painful regrets of the little I have done in compar- 
 ison with what I ought to have done, I am well content 
 to wait the Master's bidding to pass over to the other 
 side. To me now, instead of there being a dark, deep 
 and swift stream with precipitous banks between this 
 and the other side, where lies the sweet summer land 
 of bliss, there appears only a shallow brook, gently 
 flowing in silvery wavelets over the golden sands, 
 while the way thereto is an easy descent lined on either 
 side with beautiful flowers. These blessed visions are 
 mine not because of anything I have done or can 
 merit. It was 'amazing grace that saved a wretch like 
 me' at first, and that grace revealed in the Son of 
 God is my only foundation of confident rejoicing in 
 the present, and hope for the future. It was fifty- 
 five years last May (1883) when, as a poor, hireling 
 boy, I was enabled to give my heart to Jesus. Since 
 that time I have made a thousand mistakes and 
 more; but if now, at the end of life, I have a quiet 
 home with loved ones around me, and at peace with 
 all the world, I owe it all to Him." 
 
 These are indeed beautiful words. An eye-witness 
 tells of his last sickness. A short time before his 
 passage to the better land he seemed to fall into a 
 trance, and after gaining consciousness he said he 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 227 
 
 had "glimpses of the better land." He then calmly 
 closed his eyes and went to sleep. 
 
 "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, 
 From which none ever wakes to weep." 
 
 ELDER ELIJAH MADDOX. 
 
 It is with reluctance we speak of this veteran of the 
 cross. He was one of the leading ministers of the 
 early history of this section, and yet beyond this fact 
 we have but little data, and we feel that this imper- 
 fect sketch will do a great man an injustice. 
 
 He was born in the State of Virginia. Of his 
 family, or blood, nothing is known. A family, the 
 name of which I do not know, found him, a small in- 
 fant, upon their door step one night, and gave him 
 the name of Elijah Maddox. Here the curtain niust 
 fall, so far as his ancestry is concerned. The people 
 into whose hands he fell, instead of appreciating his 
 mental endowments, and helping him to prepare for 
 the duties of life, made of him a slave., He only went 
 to school one day in all his life. He came to this State 
 in the early part of the nineteenth century. He was 
 born about 1772, and was probably a minister when 
 he came to this section, as we iind him first as, such. 
 I gather, from an incidental statement of Elder James 
 Whitsitt, that he was baptized in the old State. Every 
 reference to him acknowledges his ability as a preacher, 
 some going so far as to say that he was not excelled 
 in his day. He took an important part in the work 
 of Concord and Salem Associations, helping to con- 
 stitute the latter. He lived in the vicinity of Cedar 
 Grove Church, and was pastor of this church twenty- 
 six years; from A. D. 1815 to 1841. Besides this, he 
 did other pastoral work, as well as evangelistic work. 
 
228 Histoi'y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 He died in time of the Civil War, in the home of Fos- 
 ter Tucker, who at that time was not a member of 
 any church, and was buried at his expense in the old 
 Tucker graveyard. He lived to the ripe old age of 
 ninety-two years. 
 
 We long to know more of this man of God, but 
 must content ourselves till the "mists have cleared 
 away." He was in the constitution of Salem Asso- 
 ciation and was a zealous worker there for forty years, 
 when the Lord called him to the great association on 
 high. 
 
 ELDER JOHN JONES. 
 
 The data in regard to this man of God are very 
 meager. We just have enough to get the scope of his 
 work. As to his birth, nativity and family descent, 
 we know nothing. He was perhaps the second minis- 
 ter to settle within the present limits of Salem and 
 New Salem Associations. He settled on Spring 
 Creek, three or four miles East of Lebanon, in Wilson 
 County, not later than 1804. He soon succeeded in 
 collecting a church in that community, known as Spring 
 Creek Church, but frequently spoken of as "Jones' 
 Meeting House." The collecting of this church, from 
 all data, must have occurred in 1804. From' this time 
 on Elder Jones was a leading man among the Baptist 
 ministry of this section. He was first a member of 
 Cumberland Association, and it was while in session 
 at his church, in 1809, that Cumberland Association 
 divided to form Concord the year following. He was 
 in the constitution of Concord Association in 1810, 
 and remained in this body till 1822 ; then he went into 
 Salem Association, in which body he lived till his 
 death, which occurred about 1834 or 1835. 
 
Biogrcqyhies of Deceased Ministers 229 
 
 He was prominent in the work of all these bodies. 
 He was pastor of Spring Creek Church from the con- 
 stitution to his death, a period of about thirty years. 
 In 1821 his church, under his leadership, sent out 
 Lebanon Church. He officiated in the constitution of 
 more churches than any minister of his dav, with pos- 
 sibly few exceptions. .Among the churches he helped 
 to constitute we note the following: Spring Creek, 
 Lebanon, Smith's Fork, Falling Creek, Hogan's 
 Creek, Knob Spring, Cedar Grove and Cedar Creek, 
 with perhaps others. He died only a few years prior 
 to the division on missions in 1837, and, having been 
 succeeded bv Elder Sion Bass, the church was led 
 into the Hardshell, or Primitive Baptist, faction. iNIat- 
 tcrs would possibl}- have been different had this vet- 
 eran lived. 
 
 In addition to the above facts, there seems to be a 
 legitimate inference that he came to this State a 
 preacher of mature years and died with the weight of 
 }'ears upon him. 
 
 His life was full of good works and the fruits of 
 righteousness. W'e long to know more of this brother, 
 but the veil is dra\v)i and our visions arc shut out. In 
 the resurrection we sliall see him face to face, and 
 "know as we arc known." 
 
 Er.li!;K M. W. T.XNU.NKY. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a native of the Blue- 
 grass State. He was born in r'ayette County, Ken- 
 tuckv, A. D. 1798. While (|nite \(jung he professed 
 the Christian religinn and unile I with the Cumberland 
 l'resb)'terians. He also entered the ministry in that 
 denomination. It was about the year 1828 that his 
 views were changed on the doctrines and he sought 
 
230 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 membership in a Baptist church. He was ordained by 
 Union Baptist Church, in Logan County, Kentucky, 
 the same year ; the Presbytery consisted of Elders J. 
 Lamb and D. Robinson. He resided in Russellville 
 until 1840, when he moved to Tennessee and settled 
 in Davidson County. He remained here until 1843, 
 when he removed to Rutherford County. From 1840 
 to 1850 he was one of the most active ministers in this 
 part of the State ; and, while he was a member of Con- 
 cord Association, yet his ministry was so interwoven 
 with the work of Salem Association that it became 
 a part and parcel of it. He was a yoke-fellow and co- 
 laborer of Elders J- M. D. Cates, P. T. Henderson, 
 W. F. Luck, A. Bass, and others. He was a man of 
 great zeal, and always had some special theme to ad- 
 vocate. He sometimes carried a point to extremes. 
 At one time he espoused the temperance cause and 
 pushed it with all his being. He served as a mis- 
 sionary of the general Association for some time. He 
 was a fine evangelist. In doctrine, he was somewhat 
 Arminian. 
 
 He was married in i8ig to Miss Harriet Postlewait, 
 of Lexington, Ky., by whom he had several children 
 born. A number of his posterity, including a daughter 
 (Mrs. S. J- Ferguson), are at present members of the 
 little Baptist church at Milton, Tenn., where this 
 humble author has the privilege of being pastor. 
 Stauncher Baptists cannot be found anywhere. 
 
 He became a successful cancer doctor in the latter 
 part of his life. Being occupied in a large measure 
 with his practice, he was not so active in the ministry 
 during his last days. He moved to Gibson County, 
 West Tennessee, in 1863, where he soon after died. 
 
 He did considerable writing for the public press, 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 231 
 
 especially on the subject of temperance. He pub- 
 lished an elaborate tract on the subjects of Election 
 and Predestination. His memory still lingers in the 
 minds of many of the older people. 
 
 ELDER J. J. MARTIN. 
 
 This minister of the gospel was a native of Ten- 
 nessee, born in Wilson County, March 24, 181 1. He 
 
 was a son of Jacob 
 ]\Iartin, who emi- 
 grated to this State 
 from South Carolina 
 in the early part of 
 the century. He was 
 brought up on a 
 farm and, I am sor- 
 ry to say, became 
 very wicked and 
 dissipated, and took 
 but little interest in 
 mental culture. He 
 was regenerated 
 about the time he en- 
 tered mature man- 
 hood, though it was 
 not until some years after that he made a public pro- 
 fession. In his twenty-fourth year, he was first mar- 
 ried to JMiss INIartha A. A'aughan. In the next year 
 (1835) he made a public profession and united with 
 old Providence Church, and was baptized by Elder 
 David Clark. He was shortly after ordained to the 
 deaconship in this church ; but this was a time when 
 all our churches were in a stir over the mission ques- 
 tion. This church was situated in Rutherford County, 
 
 ELDER J. J. MARTIN. 
 
232 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 between Lascassas and Murfreesboro. A large ma- 
 jority was on the anti-mission side, which left only a 
 small minority, composed of Brother Martin and a few 
 others. After consultation they thought it best to 
 disband and go to other churches. Brother Martin 
 united with Bradley's Creek Church. This occurred 
 about 1837; and hard was he pressed to bear the gos- 
 pel message, but he faltered — feeling his inability. 
 But at last he determined to prepare himself and en- 
 ter the work. He entered school and remained till 
 he was competent to teach. He then began teaching 
 and trying to preach. His first attempt at preaching, 
 as related by himself to this author, was as follows : 
 Soon after going into a certain community to teach 
 school, it was noised abroad that he expected to enter 
 the ministry. He soon received an invitation to make 
 an appointment to preach at the private residence of 
 one of the leading families in the community ; and he 
 himself to be the guest of the family for the night. 
 He made elaborate (ireparations, and felt within him- 
 self that he was fully equal to the task. The hour 
 arrived and he was greeted with a large audience of 
 eager and curious listeners. He became bewildered, 
 lost control of himself and his notes, and it would be 
 hard to describe the miserable effort he made. Preach- 
 ing was over and a bountiful supper was in waiting, 
 and Elder Martin, as they called him, was seated at 
 the head of the table and asked to return thanks. By 
 this time he had forgotten his ceremony of "grace" 
 and what he said he knew not. By this time matters 
 were desperate. Tlieir plates were helped, and he 
 said when he came to himself he was sitting playing 
 in his gravy with his fingers. Here the curtain must 
 fall. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 
 
 
 He was licensed to preach in 1844, and ordained to 
 the full work of the gospel ministry in 1845, by the 
 following- Presbytery, viz. : Elders Joseph H. Eaton, 
 John Bond, James Bond, John Selvidge, R. VV. Jan- 
 uary and Thomas Fuqua. 
 
 He soon lost his wife and two children by death 
 and was married a second time, February, 1849, ^ 
 Mrs. Elizabeth \\'insett. This union never gave him 
 any children, and he died without an offspring living. 
 
 Brother Martin was a fine preacher, being one of 
 the best sermonizers in Salem Association. His man- 
 ner of address was not altogether as pleasing as 
 some, and he was not as critical in his investigations ; 
 yet he easily ranked among the leading ministers of 
 Middle Tennessee. 
 
 He was a fine writer and wrote a great deal for the 
 religious press. He was a long time associate editor 
 with Elder J. M. D. Gates of the Baptist Messenger. 
 He had a good English education and used good 
 language in his preaching. In manners he was chaste 
 and dignified ; in appearance he was portly and com- 
 manding. He was six feet and two inches tall and 
 weighed more than two hundred pounds, and would 
 attract attention in any company. He was com- 
 panionable and always seemed as a father to the 
 young ministers. 
 
 While he was pastor of other churches, yet his 
 main pastorates were Auburn and Bradley's Creek. 
 He was a member, during his ministerial life, of both 
 Concord and Salem Associations, and was prominent 
 in both these bodies. 
 
 His wife preceded him to the better land and his 
 last davs were somewhat lonely, having buried her 
 who had so long been his companion. 
 
234 History of Middle Tennessee Bwptists 
 
 He died at his brother's home, in the village of Las- 
 cassas, September 21, 1892, in full triumph of a living 
 faith. Services were held at his funeral by a life-long 
 friend, Elder A. J. Brandon. Elders J. M. D. Gates 
 and L. H. Bethel were his constant companions in 
 the ministry. They were yoke-fellows almost through 
 their entire ministry. He was ripe in years, experience 
 and grace when he laid his armor by. He died a 
 member of Auburn Church. 
 
 Sleep on, dear saint of God, 
 
 Till the last loud trump shall sound, 
 
 Then come forth to thy reward 
 And up to thy mansion bound. 
 
 ELDER HENRY BASS. 
 
 Few men have been more conspicuous in the church 
 life among the Baptists of this section than Elder 
 Henry Bass. He was the son of Ezekiel Bass, who 
 was the first settler in the community where Water- 
 town now stands. He came to this State, in the latter 
 part of the eighteenth century, from the State of North 
 Carolina. He made his way from that State to this 
 in a crude conveyance composed of a tar-wheel cart 
 drawn by one horse. The trip was long and perilous, 
 and little did he know of the heritage he was to open 
 up to future generations. At last, worn and fatigued, 
 he struck camp one mile north of where Watertown 
 now stands and eight miles, at that time, from the 
 nearest settlement. He built a rude log cabin on the 
 bank of Round Lick Greek and applied to it that en- 
 dearing title of "home." He was soon joined by two 
 brothers, from whom have sprung the large genera- 
 tion of Basses. The hills and valleys were then 
 
BiographieH of Deceased Ministers 235 
 
 covered with cane, and the turkey roamed at will, 
 while the deer were wont to gambol in the sun's morn- 
 ing rays, and the finny tribe in every brook presented 
 a tempting scene to the angler. 
 
 Such were the surroundings when this cabin first 
 furnished shelter for this child, whose life was to be 
 so long and eventful. He was born April 8, 1812. 
 
 ELDER HEXKY B.\SS. 
 
 The surroundings of his youth gave him a rustic air, 
 which followed him through life. His education was 
 very limited so far as letters were concerned, yet he 
 had an education which was paramount to any re- 
 ceived from text-books. He studied nature's book 
 and received instructions from nature's God. 
 
236 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 When he was nineteen years old he was mightily 
 convicted of sin. For twelve months he struggled 
 with those impressions, attending meetings far and 
 near for a radius of twenty-five miles. But it was not 
 until May, 1832, that he found peace by believing in 
 Jesus. While plowing in the field one day the Lord 
 spoke peace to his troubled soul. But, feeling his un- 
 worthiness, he delayed attaching himself to the church 
 till September, 1841, when he united with Round 
 Lick Church and was baptized by Elder John Wise- 
 man. He was elected deacon in June, 1843. In Sep- 
 tember, 1854, he was licensed to preach. He oper- 
 ated as a licensed minister two years, when he was 
 ordained in August, 1856, by the following Presby- 
 tery, viz. : Elders E. B. Haynie, John Bond, John 
 Phillips and John Wiseman. 
 
 His ministry was pushed with that same energy 
 which characterized him through life. Most all his 
 ministry was in destitute sections. He was never pas- 
 tor of a church he did not organize. The following 
 churches were mainly organized through his minis- 
 try : Providence, Beech Grove, Sycamore Fork, 
 Mount Pleasant and Poplar Hill. He preached for 
 most of them years after they were organized. He 
 received very little for his ministry, working with 
 his own hands for a support, while he preached the 
 gospel to the poor. The following, taken from the 
 minutes of Salem Association for 1896, will give some 
 estimate of the esteem in which he was held by his 
 brethren : 
 
 "We, the brethren composing the Salem Association, 
 now in session with Sycamore Fork Baptist Church, 
 Cannon County, Tennessee, with the brothers and 
 sisters in attendance : To Elder Henry Bass, greetings. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Mi) ante rs 237 
 
 "It is with profound gratitude to God that we ex- 
 tend to you this greeting. It makes it all the more 
 befitting, because that twenty-five years ago this 
 church with which we are assembled was organized 
 under your ministry. In a quarter of a century this 
 church has grown from the little nucleus gathered by 
 you under God to be the strongest church in the As- 
 sociation. It stands to-day as a mighty army, battling 
 for God and truth, and worshiping in a large new 
 house, while many of those you gathered at the be- 
 ginning have fought their battles, conquered the last 
 enemy, and gone home to glory. 
 
 "Well do we remember, as an Association, when 
 you and your fellows. Elders Gates, Martin, Bethel, 
 Bowen, Barrett, Brien, McNabb, Jarrard, Suite, Hunt, 
 and Dies, held the helm and guided the work of 
 this Association. But they have been gathered to the 
 Father-land, whi.e you alone remain till the shadows 
 are a little longer grown. It would have been a pro- 
 found pleasure to have greeted you at this sitting of 
 this body, but the touches of time remind us that many 
 of us shall see your face no more till we shall greet 
 }0U in that sainted throng in the Father's home." 
 
 He was large and strong, and could undergo untold 
 fatigue. As a preacher, he was not great, but his 
 piety, zeal and consecration made him abundantly 
 useful, and many will rise up in the coming glory to 
 call him blessed. He, perhaps, did more preaching, 
 as well as other service, for Round Lick Ghurch than 
 any other one man. 
 
 He was married the first time to Miss Sinah Phil- 
 lips, November 4, 1830. This union was blessed with 
 five children, three of whom still remain. She died 
 October 21, 1886. He was again married, to Mrs. 
 
238 History of MicldU Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Adaline Greer, March 26, 1889, who still survives 
 him. He fell on sleep September 22, 1898, in his eighty- 
 seventh year. He was familiarly known as "Uncle 
 Henr)'." He was a brother of Elder A. Bass. Two 
 things he was especially noted for — as a temperance 
 worker and his liberal hospitality. He had a fine 
 farm near Watertown, and a good living ; and I would 
 not exaggerate to say that he fed another good living 
 away to his guests. Few men honored their calling 
 more than he. All hail to those who love the cause 
 more than riches or honor. 
 
 His dust sleeps one mile west of Watertown in the 
 old family grave)-ard. 
 
 ELDER LOUIS DIES. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Smith County, 
 Tennessee, July 30, 181 5. There were a number of 
 brothers by the name, all large, sinewy men, and 
 were great fighters back in the days when physical 
 manhood was might. The entire family moved to 
 the northern part of Wilson County, settling in the 
 community where old Athens Church now stands. 
 They all, I believe, without exception, became mem- 
 bers of the church, and zealous, consecrated Christian 
 workers. Elder Louis Dies professed faith in Christ 
 November 11, 1843, ^"d was baptized by Elder E. 
 W. Haile into the fellowshi)3 of Athens Church on 
 the twenty-second day of the same month. 
 
 He at once became a consecrated Christian worker 
 and soon began to exercise in public. He was or- 
 dained to the full work of the gospel ministry July 3, 
 1846, by Athens Church, the following serving as 
 Presbytery: Elders J. A. Bullard, W. C. Bransford, 
 E. W. Haile and Jesse Johnson. Much of the earlier 
 
Biographies of Deceased 3fi)iisfe)'s 239 
 
 part of his ministry was spent in connection with Elder 
 Jesse Johnson and others in evangelizing the country 
 east of the Caney Fork River. He finally moved his 
 headquarters to Wolf Creek, and cast his membership 
 in this church. For some years he radiated from this 
 point in this work. 
 
 Often during these years was he in the home of this 
 author's father, and although we never met him but 
 
 once, the often ref- 
 erence to liim in this 
 h o m e makes his 
 m e m o r y hallowed 
 with many sacred re- 
 flections. Many and 
 varied were his ex- 
 periences during 
 these yeajs, man}'' 
 of which, if spread 
 upon these pages, 
 would be discredited. 
 On one occasion, af- 
 ter spending the 
 night at one of these 
 mountain homes, on 
 going to breakfast 
 next morning he left 
 his watch hanging 
 on a nail where he had placed it the night before. As 
 soon as he was out, some small boys spied it and went 
 for it. Their eyes had never beheld a thing like that 
 before, and when they heard the ticking inside they 
 supposed something live must be in there, and pro- 
 ceeded to the hammer and "tended to it." \\'hen 
 Brother Dies returned, he seemingly had pieces enough 
 
 ELDER LOUIS DIES. 
 
240 History of Middle Tetviessee BaptiKts 
 
 for several watches. On another occasion, he had 
 an appointment to preach at nightfall in a crude pio- 
 neer school building'. One old-fashioned grease lamp 
 must serve for light. Among his auditors were an 
 old lad}- and, perhaps, a granddaughter, of the most 
 rustic type. While Brother Dies was lining his hymn 
 (as our fathers were wont to do) the old lady decided 
 she must smoke, and proceeded to load uo her stone- 
 ware pipe and delivered it to the young lady to light 
 from tlie lamp in the hand of the minister. She went 
 to Brother Dies, taking the lamp and puffing away till 
 tlie pipe was lighted, delivered the lamp back and re- 
 turned to the dame in the rear of the house. The pipe 
 went out, and the same process was repeated, and it 
 went out again ; then the voung lady said, "Give it to 
 me, I will light it." But the old lady replied, "Never 
 mind, the backer is wet anyhow." 
 
 Among the older people his name still lingers in 
 this section, and eternitv alone will reveal the good 
 done by him in this difficult field. He lived to see 
 many thriving churches built up in this territory. 
 When he closed his mission work in this section he 
 returned to his old home in Wilson County, and en- 
 gaged in pastoral and evangelistic work among the 
 churches. Among the churclies he served we men- 
 tion : Athens, Knob Siirine:', Plunkett's Creek, Hogan's 
 Creek, Macedonia, Buena \'ista, and many others. 
 
 As a preacher, he ranked well in his day. His edu- 
 cation was limited, but he was well versed in the 
 Bible, and was experimental and sympathetic. It is 
 said he never preached without weeping. His audi- 
 ences were usually bathed in tears. 
 
 He was never married and always lived with some 
 one, until a short time before he died he bought ten 
 
B)(>(ji'c(pJiiefi of Decenned Ministrr.s 241 
 
 acres of land some two miles east of Athens Church, 
 ami secured a faniilv to live with him. He passed 
 through the sjate into the city of God May 30, 1879. 
 This author stood, not lonsa: since, in tlie liumble cabiit 
 where he died. He felt somehow that he stood on 
 hoi}' ground. His bodv lies in an unmarked grave, in 
 the old unattended grave yard where Elder Jesse 
 Johnson lies, some two miles north of Tavlorsville, in 
 Wilson County, Tennessee. I went in search of his 
 grave hut it could not be found, but when the trump 
 shall sound he will come forth from his dusty bed to 
 walk the golden streets of the citv of God. 
 
 ELnF.R WIIJ.I AM X. SUITF,. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born October 21,, 
 1 82 1. \Mien young, his mother was left a widow, and 
 the support of the family rested upon him and a 
 
 brother; so he grew up with 
 but little education. He was 
 a mechanic by trade and was 
 indeed a fine workman. He 
 professed faith in Christ and 
 united with Knob Spring 
 r.a|)tist Church in 1842, and 
 was most (irobably baptized 
 l.v RUler E. W. Haile. He 
 shorth' afterward moved his 
 membership to Plunkett's 
 Creek, where he was ordained 
 to the full work of the gospel 
 ministrv on Saturday before 
 the second Sunday in April, 1850, by Elders James 
 Barrett, Joseph Payne and Jesse Johnson. He re- 
 mained with this church a few years, when he trans- 
 
 KIJ3ER WM. N. SUITE. 
 
242 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ferred his membership to Rome where he died. 
 Brother Suite was a fine preacher. He was doctrinal, 
 and in style dispassionate and' composed. He was an 
 example of piety. He was not an orator, but spoke 
 in a pointed, matter of fact way which gave much force 
 to his preaching. 
 
 He was one of the sweetest spirited men I ever 
 knew. He was small of stature and had a delicate 
 constitution, never strong, yet he never complained at 
 his lot. Withal his zeal and energy enabled him to do 
 an immense amount of labor, both manual and minis- 
 terial. His pastoral work was mainly at Knob Spring, 
 Rome, Plunkett's Creek and Hogan's Creek. 
 
 He was married to Miss Mary Jane Duncan, Sep- 
 tember 9, 1852. Of those we knew, four daughters 
 and a son were the result of this union. And we have 
 often thought this was a model home. 
 
 Brother Suite never attained a wide notoriety in 
 the denomination at large, never wrote a great deal. 
 He was content to be about the Master's business 
 within his own sphere. He died of consumption and 
 his illness was of long duration. It was our privilege 
 to visit him during his last illness and hear him tell 
 of his hopes of heaven. His sun sank in a cloudless 
 sky, and with joy he reached the end. He was scarce- 
 ly three-score years old when he passed under the 
 wave. He fell on sleep February 20, 1881. Services 
 were conducted by Elder J. T. Oakley and his body 
 laid away by sorrowing friends to await the resurrec- 
 tion. 
 
 ELDER J. H. WHITLOCK. 
 
 This much lamented young brother was born 
 October 26, 1869, in Warren County, Tennessee. He 
 came of a family from which have sprung a number 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 243 
 
 of preachers. His parents were poor, but he managed 
 to secure a good English education, and part of his 
 earlier life was spent in teaching public schools. He 
 professed faith in Christ in August, 1888, and cast his 
 lot with the brethren of Charles' Creek Baptist Church 
 in September following and was baptized by Elder 
 J. K. P. \Miitlock, an uncle of his. It might be well 
 
 ■M|pwK<^-;j 
 
 -:-n-.ffv.»qgMM»L- 
 
 
 
 wBy^>:r 
 
 "■ "^M 
 
 
 ^:,^^ 
 
 
 
 Pl^l 
 
 
 ELIJF.R J. H. WHITLOCK. 
 
 to remark just here that this church was what was 
 once known as "Separate Baptist." (See chapter on 
 Separate Baptists.) Soon after uniting with the 
 church, he removed to Texas, but the Lord laid his 
 hand heavilv on him, and he returned to Tennessee 
 and entered the ministry. He preached his first ser- 
 mon on Saturday before the first Sunday in No- 
 
244 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 vember, 1891. He was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry soon after, date not known. 
 
 His ministerial life was not destined to be long — 
 but eventful. It will be no disparagement to others 
 when we sav that be was the readiest man in the Bible 
 of his age and experience we ever knew. He bade fair 
 to be a leader in thought wherever. he went. It would 
 beggar language to describe the gifts with which God 
 had endowed him. He had several oral discussions, 
 some of them with men of ability, and the ease with 
 which he handled an adversary was amazing. 
 
 He was alwavs kind, gentle and courteous and 
 easily won his way to the hearts of all with whom he 
 came in contact. He was sound in doctrine and loved 
 the truth with an undving love. He was small of 
 stature and of a very nervous temperament ; his hair 
 black, with keen black eyes, and an unusually large 
 forehead. As a speaker, he was pointed and forceful, 
 with an invincible logic which always carried convic- 
 tion of the truth of the statement. When he entered 
 the ministry he burned the bridges behind him and 
 gave all he had and was to the service of the Lord. 
 He cast his lot with the Baptist saints at Alexandria, 
 Tenn., in the spring of 1900, but was not permitted 
 to remain with them long. 
 
 He was married to Miss Willie Elizabeth Jernigan, 
 December 16, 1895. Of this union two children, a 
 son and daughter, were born, but the elder, the son, 
 preceded the father to the better land three days. 
 
 Brother Whitlock was a very close student and a 
 good writer. He was author of a tract, exposing the 
 fallacies of Campbellism, which manifested consider- 
 able ability, though written soon after entering the 
 ministry. 
 
Biographies^ of Deceased 3fi/iisferv 245 
 
 While he did sonic pastoral work, yet the most of 
 his ministerial work was as an evangelist and extended 
 to some three or four States. 
 
 He died in the town of Alexandria, Aug^ust 13, 1900. 
 Services were held at_jhe Baptist Church by his pastor. 
 Elder T. J. Eastes, after which he was followed by a 
 large concourse of sorrowing- friends to the Old Salem 
 Cemetery at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee, where 
 he was laid beside his little son to await the resurrec- 
 tion. 
 
 His death, at the age of thirty, and when less than 
 nine years of his ministry had been performed, is one 
 of the mysteries human wisdom cannot solve. Like 
 a meteor, he passed before our vision and was gone. 
 Almost dazed by his brilliancy, we stand in bewilder- 
 ment and wonder why it is so. It seems natural, and 
 the heart responds an amen to the gathering of the 
 well-ripened sheaves ; but why this brother in the very 
 bloom of life, and with such a future before him, 
 should fall before the sickle is something we mortals 
 may not know till we shall go hence. But we can 
 assure our hearts that an all wise God is guiding for 
 good, and, "when the mists have cleared away" we 
 shall see how "all things were working together for 
 good." 
 
 ELDER A. J. m'nAEB. 
 
 Elder Andrew Jackson McXabb was of Scottish de- 
 scent. He was the son of Andrew and Elizabeth 
 McNabb. He was born in Roane County, East Ten- 
 nessee, November 10, 181 1. In regard to his early life 
 but little is known except that he grew up as most 
 boys of his day with but little advantages. He gave 
 his heart to God while young and united with old 
 Prospect Baptist Church in East Tennessee, in 1828, 
 
246 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 and was baptized by Elder Moony. The Lord soon 
 laid his hand upon him for the ministry, and he was 
 ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by 
 Prospect Church in the year 1831, by a presbytery 
 consisting of Elders Moony, Richard H. Talia- 
 ferro and Harden Taliaferro. A short while before 
 his ordination, a circumstance occurred which had 
 much to do with his future life. In the community 
 there lived a Presbyterian girl by the name of Frances 
 Owen Christian. She 
 was prohibited by her 
 stepmother from at- 
 tending Baptist wor- 
 ship. One day she 
 accidentally attended 
 a service at Old Pros- 
 pect Baptist Church 
 and witnessed the 
 baptizing of some 
 happy converts. This 
 did its work, and she 
 began to read the 
 Bible to know her 
 duty. (It might be 
 remarked here that 
 her stepmother had 
 never allowed her to 
 
 ELDER A. J. M NABB, AT 4O. 
 
 attend school a day in her life, she learning to read 
 at home.) She soon decided to join the despised 
 Baptists, but her clothes were locked up until the rigors 
 of a severe winter were on, and the streams were all 
 frozen over. Thinking no one would attempt baptism 
 in such weather, her clothes for a change were un- 
 locked. Fortunately it was at the time of Old Prospect 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 247 
 
 meeting and when she had secured her clothes she 
 walked seven miles over frozen ground to cast her 
 lot with this despised sect, called Baptists. Then the 
 ice to the thickness of three inches was cut on the 
 bosom of old Tennessee River, and on Sunday morn- 
 ing, January, 1831, she was baptized by Elder Moony 
 into the fellowship of Old Prospect Church. This 
 circumstance won the heart of young McNabb, who 
 was just entering the ministry. He decided to win 
 her as a partner for his life's work, and they were 
 married August I, 1831. This union was blessed with 
 ten children, seven bo}-s and three girls. Six of these 
 children are not, the Lord took them. They lived to 
 see two of their sons espouse the ministry they so 
 much loved. Their oldest son, Charles Andrew Mc- 
 Nabb, was ordained to the gospel ministry by New 
 Hope Baptist Church in Rutherford County, the third 
 Sunday in September, 1881, by Elders G. M. Savage, 
 
 A. J. Brandon and Patterson. A younger son, 
 
 John Farrow McXabb, was ordained by the authority 
 of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Warren County, 
 Tennessee, on January 20, 1879, by Elders J. W. Saul- 
 man and L. Brown. About the time of his marriage 
 (1831) he was ordained to the ministry by Old Pros- 
 pect Baptist Church and entered actively into the 
 work. For some time he labored in Roane and sur- 
 rounding counties, then he came into Sequatchie Val- 
 ley, settling near Pikeville ; there he remained as mis- 
 sionary and pastor till 1841 ; then he crossed the moun- 
 tain into Middle Tennessee, settling at first in Coffee 
 County, later to Rutherford and finally to Cannon 
 County. These counties were the center of his opera- 
 tions for the remainder of his life. Among the 
 churches he served as pastor we mention the follow- 
 
248 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ing: New Hope, Rover, Fairfield, Cross Lanes, 
 Cripple Creek, Auburn, Prosperity, Shiloh, Macedonia, 
 Smithville, Barren Fork, etc. He also labored as inis- 
 sionary of Salem Association. 
 
 During the Civil War, he was identified with the 
 lost cause and was captured and carried to Fort Dela- 
 ware, as a prisoner of war, in 1863. During the 
 eighteen months of imprisonment which he spent, he 
 was about the Master's business. During a revival, 
 which he held there in prison, a number of converts 
 were made, two of whom became eminent ministers. 
 When these converts asked baptism at the hands of 
 Elder McNabb he was put to his wits. He first asked 
 assistance at the hands of the Baptist Church in the 
 city. But the authorities refused to allow this, and as 
 a last resort he called the Baptists in prison together, 
 and they formed themselves into a temporary or 
 prison church. They received the converts and got 
 permission to go out under guard to baptize them. 
 He was a man of good ability and an efifective preacher. 
 He was a strong Calvinist and a staunch Landmark 
 Baptist. He never feared to declare the truth. He 
 was a yokefellow of J. M. D. Cates, J. J. Martin and 
 L. H. Bethel. He spent about fifty-six years in active 
 ministry, during which time he held meetings in Ten- 
 nessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, 
 North Carolina and Virginia. 
 
 In 1880 he had a stroke of paralysis which rendered 
 him unable to preach the remainder of his life, though 
 he would sometimes talk sitting in his chair. His 
 zeal for the cause never abated, even through these 
 years of afifiiction. He was loved and venerated bv 
 his brethren in the Lord. He fell on sleep in Warren 
 County, Tennessee, September 19, 1892, and lies in 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 249 
 
 the old Smyrna Cemetery, where he preached his first 
 sermon in Middle Tennessee. His posterity, so far as 
 this writer knows, are all Baptists. His works stand 
 as a monument to his faithfulness in this life. 
 
 ELDER JOHN PHILLIPS. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is of Welch descent. He 
 was the son of David and Mary Waters Phillips and 
 was one of a larg-e family of children, all of whom have 
 crossed the mystic river. 
 
 He was born near Cherry \^alley, Tenn., October 23, 
 
 1 82 1. He was brought 
 up a farmer boy, with 
 the common incidents of 
 farm life. He professed 
 faith in Christ and 
 united with Round Lick 
 Baptist Church some 
 time in the forties. He 
 was ordained to the full 
 work of the gospel min- 
 istry by Round Lick 
 Baptist Church on the 
 fourth Sunday in April, 
 1848, by a presbytery 
 consisting of Elders 
 John Wiseman, John P.ond, E. B. Haynie and Wil- 
 hamson Williams. He seems to have gone actively 
 into the work from the very beginning. He soon 
 removed from this comnumity into that of Falling 
 Creek Church, and united with that church by letter 
 from Round Lick in June, 1852. He was called to the 
 care of Falling Creek Church in June, 1854, which 
 position he held till his death. This was his most 
 
 ELDER JOHN PIIILT.irS. 
 
250 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 noted pastorate, yet he had other charges and did a 
 great deal of evangeHstic work. It was thought his 
 zeal in the work perhaps shortened his days. I am 
 told that he was a good preacher for his day, and 
 lived in the hearts of his people. Among his pastor- 
 ates we note Barton's Creek, Falling Creek, Cedar 
 Creek, Providence, etc. 
 
 As stated before, his ancestry came from Wales ; 
 and from this old Welch stock has sprung a large 
 and prominent family. It might be said to be a family 
 of preachers and among them have been found men 
 of note and marked ability. 
 
 He died prematurely and unexpectedly, at a little 
 more than forty years of age. Why he should be 
 taken in the strength of manhood and usefulness 
 we shall never know till we reach the other shore. He 
 yielded up his spirit and went home to God April 15, 
 1862, while our country was in the throes of cruel 
 war. The years of. the war seem to have been a 
 reaping time among the Baptist ministry of this sec- 
 tion. There were at least two of those who helped to 
 ordain him (Elders John Wiseman and John Bond) 
 who died during the war. 
 
 Elder Phillips had a family, but of these we have 
 learned very little. His ashes sleep in an old family 
 graveyard, near where Overton Phillips (a nephew 
 of his) lives, in the Falling Creek community. Peace 
 to his ashes, and devotion to his memory. 
 
 ELDER WILLIAMSON WILLED MS. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in North Caro- 
 lina. Nothing is known of his early life, or when he 
 came to Tennessee. We first find him in the con- 
 stitution of Falling Creek Church, as a constituent 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 251 
 
 member in 1822. He was chosen clerk of this new 
 church and served as such until 1830, when he was 
 licensed to preach. He was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry by Falling Creek Church in 
 1833. He was then chosen as assistant pastor of 
 Falling Creek Church, which position he held as long 
 as he lived, operating with Elders James Bond and 
 John Phillips. He was a man of considerable ability 
 and was quite prominent in the work of Salem As- 
 sociation. He was a good man with unquestioned 
 morals but a very high temper. He died probably in 
 the fifties, and his dust sleeps in the old Henderson 
 grave yard, near Falling Creek Church. 
 
 We regret that we can learn no more of this man 
 of God, but over the river it will all be made plain. 
 
 ELDER Z. A. LVON. 
 
 Elder Z. A. Lyon was born in Wilson County, Ten- 
 nessee, March 20, 1834. As to his youth but little is 
 known. He professed faith in Christ and united with 
 Athens Baptist Church in November, 1852. He soon 
 became active in the church work and was chosen as 
 clerk of the church, being an exceedingly fine scribe. 
 He filled this place for eight years, when he resigned, 
 having the ministry in view. He was licensed by this 
 church to the ministry October. 1878, and was or- 
 dained to the full work of the gospel ministry July 
 6, 1879, by Elders John S. Rice, John Harper and 
 A. E. Johnson. His ministry was of short duration 
 and he was a man of very frail constitution, not able 
 to endure very great labor. Yet, for the short period 
 he was in the ministry, he did considerable amount 
 of preaching. His ministry was mainly done at 
 Athens, Cedar Creek and Caney Fork Seminary. As 
 
252 History of Middle Tennessee Btqytists 
 
 to the date of his marriage, we are not advised. He 
 left a wife and children. His last sickness was 
 lingering, and for some time before his decease he was 
 not able to preach. He passed to the other shore 
 March 9, 1890, and was bnried with Masonic honors 
 in the family bnrying ground, at Lock Port, Wilson 
 County, Tennessee. Elder J. H. Cirime conducted the 
 services at the funeral. 
 
 EI.nF.K S. Ti. WIIITLOCK'. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born Julv 3, 1839. 
 As to his ancestry and early life but little is known. 
 He professed religion and united with Brush Creek 
 Baptist Church in the fall of 1857; there his member- 
 ship remained while he lived. He was ordained to the 
 deaconship by this church in August, 1874. He was 
 licensed to preach sometime in 1885, and ordained to 
 the full work of the gospel ministry, February 4, 1888, 
 by Elders L. D. Smith, Wm. Simpson and J. C. Brien. 
 His ministry was destined to be of short duration, liv- 
 ing onlv five vears after his ordination. He was a 
 zealous, devoted minister and, had he lived, would 
 have done much good. He was ])astor at Commerce 
 and some other points when he was called upon to lav 
 his armor by. He left a wife and children to mourn 
 his absence. It was always a pleasure to be with 
 Brother Whitlock. He loved to talk of the Lord and 
 his ministry. He was called to his reward September 
 ■5> i%3- ^'1 tlic minutes of \e\v Salem .Kssociation 
 for that year we find the following: 
 
 "Elder S. 11. A\'Iiill(ick, whom man\- of this body 
 kn(jw to be an earnest, zealmis minister t)f the gospel, 
 and whom some of your committee visited in his last 
 hours of affliction ; while he expressed a desire to re- 
 
Jjiogj-ap/iiev of Decease J Ilinisfern 25.-5 
 
 cover and do more work in the ATaster's cause, he 
 said the future was bright, and he was submissive to 
 the will of the Master." Blessed be the Christian's 
 hope, and blessed be the sleep of our dear brother in 
 the Lord. 
 
 ei.di-;k w. h. grimmet. 
 
 Elder William Harvey Grimmet, son of Jacob and 
 Martha Grimmet, was born in Sevier Countv, Ten- 
 
 ELDF.K W. II. GKlAIMiCT. 
 
 nessee, March 13, 1815. He gave his heart to God 
 while young and was baptized into the fellowship of a 
 Baptist Church by Elder Robert Sneed, July, 1833. 
 We next find him in Wilson County, Middle Ten- 
 nessee, where he secures a life partner in the person 
 
254 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 of Miss Elizabeth Bryan. They were married June 
 14, 1836. She was a noble woman and in every way 
 suited to be a preacher's wife. Some time early in 
 the history of Prosperity Church, he cast his lot with 
 them and was licensed to preach by this church in 
 1839. Soon after this, he moved near where the vil- 
 lage of Greenvale now stands and cast his membership 
 with Bradley's Creek Church. He was ordained to the 
 full work of the gospel ministry by this church in 
 1848. His educational advantages were not good, but 
 his fine native intellect supplied this defect. Few 
 men possessed a more logical, comprehensive mind, 
 and at times he grew very eloquent. He possessed 
 a will power and energy which knew no failure. He 
 was indeed a standard bearer among the hosts of 
 Israel. He was a staunch Baptist and an earnest de- 
 fender of the faith. He continued active in the min- 
 istry until disabled by catarrh of the throat and nerv- 
 ous debility. One of the last works of his life, after 
 he was no longer able to preach, was to help engineer 
 the organization of Green Vale Baptist Church and 
 the erection of a neat new church house in the village 
 near his home. This was the pride of his last days. 
 
 He was the father of ten children. Eight of these 
 grew up and seven of them became faithful members 
 of Baptist churches. He lost the wife of his youth 
 a few years before he died, and was again married to 
 Mrs. Mary Jennings, a noble Christian woman. 
 
 His death was somewhat tragic, and yet most be- 
 fitting for a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. He 
 was attending services at Smith's Fork Church where 
 he had often told the old, old story, and while sitting 
 on the front seat, the death angel touched him and 
 he went home to glory without a struggle. The Lord 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 255 
 
 had blessed him with the goods of this world, but 
 with him, 
 
 '"Twas not the whole of life to live 
 Nor all of death die :" 
 But so to live, that after death 
 He'd live eternally. 
 
 ELDER p. T. HENDERSON. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the son of James 
 Francis Henderson, who came to this State and settled 
 in Rutherford County, in the early part of the nine- 
 teenth century, where he was born in January, 1819. 
 Few men have been better known in this section than 
 Elder Pleasant Terry Henderson. He was born with 
 a very defective eyesight and, later in life, became 
 totally blind. At the age of twelve, he gave his heart 
 to God and united with the Methodists. Later in 
 life, when he had investigated the subject of baptism, 
 his mind was entirely changed and Methodism failed 
 to any longer furnish a congenial home for him. Con- 
 victions led him to the views of the Baptists, but he 
 could not endure the idea of joining the "selfish Bap- 
 tists." But at last, through much prayer, he was able 
 to overcome, and during a revival at Union (Hurri- 
 cane) Church in Wilson County, he cast his lot with 
 the despised Baptists and was baptized by Elder James 
 Bond. From this time on he was happy and free. 
 Some time afterward he transferred his membership 
 to Falling Creek Church and was ordained deacon by 
 this church. Still later he transferred his membership 
 to Brawley's Fork (now Marion), Cannon County, 
 Tennessee, and was ordained to the full work of the 
 gospel ministry by this church, on Tuesday, October 
 15, 1844, by the following presbytery: Elders R. W. 
 
256 Ilixtory of Middle Tennest^ee liapti-sts 
 
 January, W. F. Luck and Williamson Williams, with 
 Deacons J^mcs R. Taylor and John Hollis. He im- 
 mediately took the pastoral care of I'rawley's Fork 
 Church and from that time on, though totally blind, 
 he was an active minister of the word. In his early 
 life his education was neglected by his parents, feeling, 
 that it was useless on account of his blindness. But 
 
 ■""■';■.,■';'■■ ■■■ 
 
 ^><«»'^«H|nHH^| 
 
 
 ^^Bi 
 
 
 -.-^H 
 
 %, \ 
 
 %. -^"^ '^ibv^R^H 
 
 :;,ft ,'■ 
 
 '^H^^^^B 
 
 /'..%■ __ 
 
 ^^HH 
 
 ^jpfc^^i 
 
 H 
 
 ELDER T'. T. II ENDICUSON. 
 
 when he was of sufficient age to act for himself he 
 entered school, and through the kind offices of others, 
 who would read for him, he acquired a fine education. 
 He became a teacher and for forty years, though blind, 
 he was principal of academic schools in Tennessee 
 and North Alabama, and many of his students are 
 found in the important stations of life. In connection 
 
Biographies of Deceased Mini.sf.ers: 257 
 
 with his teaching^, lie did a great deal of pastoral work. 
 As a thinker, few men surpassed him, and his sermons 
 were always logical. He was a sound and able theolo- 
 gian. He was a man of great faith and was often 
 found on his knees in prayer. His life was a benedic- 
 tion to those with whom he came in contact. He was 
 married in early life to INlijs Ann E. Furnian, a lady 
 of culture and piety, who was a great stay to him in 
 his life's work. They had no children of their own 
 but gave themselves to the training of those of other 
 people. Late in life, he cast his membership with 
 Green Vale Baptist Church, of which he died a mem- 
 ber. He lived to the ripe old age of fourscore and 
 two vears, when he fell asleep in Jesus, February, 1901. 
 ''Truly a prince in Israel has fallen." 
 
 ELDER J. W. HUNT. 
 
 But little is known, by this author, of the early 
 life of this eminent minister of Jesus Christ. He came 
 
 to this section a minister 
 in the latter part of the y^ar 
 1867, and settled in Liberty, 
 DeKalb County, Tennessee. 
 He cast his membership with 
 Salem Baptist Church, Janu- 
 ary, 1868. He was a zealous 
 worker and was soon num- 
 bered among the leading 
 ministers of this section. 
 During his stay with the 
 Baptists of this section per- 
 haps none ranked higher or 
 were more active than he. He was not permitted to 
 remain long. He was pastor of several churches. He 
 9 
 
 ELDER JOHN W. HUNT. 
 
258 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 was called to the care of Salem Church early in 1871 
 A. D., and was still pastor at his death, which occurred 
 Sunday morning, March 5, 1876. Brother Hunt was 
 also a Mason of high standing. In the Baptist Mes- 
 senger for April, 1876, we find resolutions passed by 
 both the church and lodge. Among other things we 
 find the following : 
 
 "His life went out — went out, not as the sun sinks 
 behind the darkened West, but like the morning star 
 that melts away in the light of heaven. He fell asleep 
 as sweetly as a child, whom neither thought disturbs, 
 nor care encumbers ; tired with long play at close of 
 summer's day, lies down and slumbers ; and then his 
 pure spirit went to its home and its God." 
 
 He was only a little more than middle life when the 
 reaper came. It seemed, from human appearances, 
 that the church much needed him to remain, but God 
 knew his work was done and took him to his reward. 
 Amid a host of weeping friends, he was laid to rest 
 in the Salem Cemetery at Liberty, DeKalb County, 
 Tennessee. We find the following inscription on his 
 grave stone : 
 
 "rev. JOHN W. HUNT. 
 
 "Born December 10, 1825 ; died March 
 5, 1876; professed faith and joined the 
 Baptist Church, October, 1841 ; was or- 
 dained a minister in 1856; a Christian 
 earnest, faithful and true. The law of 
 the Lord was his delight. In his death 
 Salem lost a faithful shepherd. 
 
 "Soldier of Christ, well done, 
 Praise be thy new employ, 
 And while eternal ages run, > 
 
 Rest in thy Savior's joy." 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 259 
 
 ELDER J. R. HEARN. 
 
 This consecrated brother, who went home to glory 
 some years ago, was the son of Elder Jacob and Patsy 
 Hearn. His father was a Methodist minister and a 
 man of unquestioned piety. He was born September 
 20, 185 1, near Watertown, Wilson County, Tennessee, 
 and was one of a large family. He professed faith 
 
 ELDER J. R. in:ARX. 
 
 in Christ at the old Cragwall Schoolhouse, some three 
 miles east of Watertown, when only fourteen years of 
 age, and joined the Methodists. While yet in early 
 life, he entered the ministry and began preaching for 
 the Methodists. He soon became dissatisfied with the 
 doctrines of the Methodists and united with New 
 Union Baptist Church, one mile south of Alexandria, 
 
260 Hixtory of Middle Tenne'^vee Baptists 
 
 and was baptized In' Elder J. R. Bowman. (This 
 church is now extinct.) He was ordained by this 
 church to tlic full work of the fj'ospel ministry on 
 September 8, 1874, the following; brethren actintj as 
 presbytery, viz. : Elders J. W. Hunt, A. J. McXabb, 
 R. A. Dillard and J. R. Ilnwman. His ministry was 
 destined to be a short one. ( )nly about ten years 
 elapsed between his ordination and the time when 
 failing' health forced him to retire from the work. Yet 
 these ten years were full of work. He was one of the 
 most actiye. Among his ]iast(irates, we note the fol- 
 lowing: Xew Hope, Coo]')cr's Chai^el, S_\xamore 
 Fork, Prosperitw llrush Creek, Macedonia, Cedar 
 Creek, etc. He was a fine reyiyalist and was very 
 popular among the brethren. His social Cjualities were 
 very fine. He was one of the strongest Baptists to 
 be found anywhere. 
 
 He was married to Miss Tennie I'outch, Ma\", 1870. 
 This union was blessed with four children, two boys 
 and two girls, all of whoiu are still living. 
 
 He fell on sleep June 30, i88y. He died of tliat 
 dread disease, consumption. ( )n the seventeenth of 
 December following, his comjianion joined him in the 
 better land, and their bodies slee]) side by side one- 
 half mile south of Alexandria, DeKalb County, Ten- 
 nessee. This authnr visiteil him in his last illness and 
 it was indeed refreshing to bear him talk of getting 
 home. His life was short but bright. May Cod bless 
 his orphan children. 
 
 i-:r.i)i:R m. .\. cvnuwiri'. 
 
 This laiuented \-oung hrnther was the sou of George 
 Cathcart and was born on the waters of Dry Creek, 
 some six miles south of l^owelltov\n, DeKalb County, 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 261 
 
 Tennessee, September ii, 1858. He gave his heart to 
 God when young (September, 1875), and, although 
 he was of a Methodist family, he cast his lot with the 
 Baptists. He united with Mount Moriah Baptist 
 Church on Saturda)- before the fourth Sunday in 
 August, 1876. He was ordained to the full work of 
 the gospel ministry b\- this same church on Monday 
 
 ELIiEK jr. A. CATIK'ART. 
 
 after the fourth Sunday in 
 
 1877, by Elders 
 
 J. K. P^ Whitlock and L. Brown. (It might be well 
 to remark that this church is what was once known as 
 a Separate Baptist Church. ) Soon after his ordina- 
 tion he assisted in the ordination of Elder J. A. 
 Ewell, who became a yokefellow in his early min- 
 istry. He transferred his membership to Syca- 
 
262 History of Middle Temmssee Baptists 
 
 more Fork Baptist Church in August, 1880. He 
 was a young man of high aspirations and com- 
 menced a struggle for an education, and through 
 many hardships and difficulties he pushed his way 
 with true heroism. He graduated with high honors 
 from the Southwestern Baptist University, May 30", 
 1887. He soon took charge of a work in Nashville. 
 But fever, dread fever, laid his burning hand upon 
 him and laid him low. He was carried home by lov- 
 ing hands to die. He passed under the wave October 
 20, 1887, in his thirtieth year. He was one of our 
 brightest young ministers ; and why he should be 
 called, just as he was ready to enter the harvest, is 
 something we cannot understand. 
 
 His father and mother have gone home to glory, 
 but loving brothers and sisters still live to cherish his 
 memory. It might be said that all the family, foUow- 
 mg his example, became members of Baptist churches. 
 
 He was never married, but a photo which still re- 
 mains with his keepsakes tells of a sad heart at 
 Jackson, Tenn. 
 
 His body sleeps in the cemetery at Sycamore Fork 
 Baptist Church, while his spirit dwells in the mansions 
 of the blest. Blessed memory. 
 
 ELDER NATH.-iiNIEL (nATTY) HAYS. 
 
 This faithful man of God was born in 1807 or 1808. 
 Of his early life, we know but little. He professed 
 faith in Christ in the year 1832, and united with Salem 
 Baptist Church at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee. 
 He was ordained by this same church to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry in October, 1846, by a presby- 
 tery, viz. : Elders Samuel Odum and Henry Fite. 
 From this time to the close of his life, he was one of 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 263 
 
 the most active ministers Salem Association has ever 
 had. His education was limited, and he was not 
 critical in his preaching ; but he was a man of the 
 people, and the common people heard him gladly. He 
 was a great revivalist and usually held his own pro- 
 tracted meetings, doing his own preaching. He was 
 also a trader in live stock, and accumulated consider- 
 able property for his day. The brethren were ac- 
 customed to tell a good many anecdotes at his expense. 
 Once when engaged in a meeting at New Hope, 
 Deacon Grandstaff had a fine bunch of fat hogs which 
 Brother Hays wished to buy. The deacon had made 
 him a price on the hogs but he had not closed the 
 trade. While preaching that day he saw another hog 
 buyer beckon the deacon to the door. As the deacon 
 walked down the aisle, without breaking the thread of 
 his discourse, he said: "Brother Grandstaff, I'll take 
 them hogs." 
 
 In preaching, he put all his energy into his words. 
 While he did some work at other points, yet the 
 churches with which his ministerial life was inter- 
 woven were Salem, New Hope, Brush Creek, Hick- 
 man's Creek and Mt. Zion. In the minutes of Salem 
 Association for 1869, we find the following concern- 
 ing him : 
 
 "He preached his last sermon to the New Hope 
 congregation, on the third Sunday in October last, 
 in physical weakness, but in 'power and demonstra- 
 tion of the spirit,' and went home to die. Our brother 
 is gone from us on earth ; we shall see his face no 
 more in this life, nor hear his familiar voice warning 
 the sinner, and urging on the sacramental host. But 
 our loss is his gain. He now rests from his labors, 
 and his works will follow him. If he had faults, we 
 
264 irmtory of Middle Te)mex><ee BaptiHU 
 
 will foro'ct them, while we cherish the memory of 
 his virtues." He died at his post. He fell on sleep 
 October 28, 1868, and his body sleeps in the old Salem 
 Cemetery at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee. It 
 was here he first found the Lord ; it was here he was 
 baptized and ordained ; it was here he served as pas- 
 tor through his entire ministerial life ; how befitting 
 that he should sleep here, and be resurrected here. 
 
 Other generations must pass away yet, before the 
 name of Elder "Natty" Hays will be forgotten in this 
 section. He has an only son who is still living in this 
 section. Trulv a good man has fallen. 
 
 KLniCK HKNRY FITE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the son of Elder 
 John Fite, who came to this state from Maryland, 
 about the beginning of the nineteenth centur^'. He 
 was born December 23, 1800, most jirobablv before 
 his father left Maryland. His early life was spent 
 around Libert\', DcLalb Count\', in an almost un- 
 broken forest. He |)r(ifcssed faith in Christ in 1822, 
 and united with Salem Baptist Church, Liberty, Tenn. 
 He was licensed to preach by this church in October, 
 1S33, and was ordained to the full work of the gospel 
 ministr\- b\- this same church in August, 1837. The 
 presbyter)- consisted of Elders Joshua Lester, Cantrel 
 Bethel, Wm. Dale, If. \\\ Pickett, John Fite, James 
 Bond and Archamac Bass. 
 
 His ability as a minister was ordinary. It was 
 through his ministr)- that JMount Zion Church was 
 constituted and for several vears he was their pastor. 
 His ministrv also had much to do with the early 
 history of Indian Creek Church. He was once pastor 
 of Salem Church, and was clerk of Salem Association 
 
Biograpliies of Decea-^eil A/inister!^ 2(15 
 
 from 1842 to 1849. H'^ name is often found in or- 
 daining- councils. He died l'>bruar\- 22, 1861, just as 
 our nation was being- convulsed by tliat cruel Civil 
 \\ ar, and wben he was only threescore years of age. 
 In the minutes of Salen-i .\ssociation for 1861. we 
 find the following concerning this man of Cod: 
 
 "He lived the life of the Christian and was beloved 
 and greatly esteemed by his brethren. He died in 
 the triumphs of a living faith, and has gone to reap 
 tlie reward of the faithful." 
 
 He was twice n-iarried and has a large progenv, 
 among whon-i ma}- he found many of the best citizens 
 I if this section. His bod\- sleeps in the old Salem 
 Cemetery at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee, 
 while his spirit dwells with the blest. 
 
 EI.HEK J.\M1-:.S I'lX'ANS. 
 
 We are sorry that a life which seemed to be so 
 useful should he so obscured as the one we have 
 under consideration. A\'e know nothing of his familv 
 relations, except that he belonged to the large familv of 
 Evans, some of whom still reside about Libertv, De- 
 Kalb Count}-, Tenn. 
 
 In the early part of the century he identified him- 
 self with Salem Baptist Church, located at Liberty, 
 DeKalb Count}-. He was ordained deacon of said 
 church in April, 1818. He was licensed to preach 
 Afarch, 1818, anrl was ordained to the full work of the 
 gospel niinistrv b\- this church in August, 1825. The 
 Presbyter}- consisterl of Elders Clark Hubbard, Pres- 
 \e\ Lester, John h'ite and Cantrel Bethel. 
 
 His ren-iains lie buried in the Salem Cemeter}-, and 
 a marble slab marks his last resting place, but tiiue 
 has done his work and no dates can be ascertained. 
 
266 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 There is one living monument yet to his ministry. 
 Sister Susan James, the mother of Elder T. J. Eastes, 
 was baptized by his hands. She has been a Baptist 
 about seventy years. She is approaching ninety years 
 of age and bids fair to reach one hundred. If this 
 was the only trophy of his ministry, we could not 
 cease to thank God that Elder James Evans had lived. 
 
 ELDER J. T. HANCOCK. 
 
 This lamented young brother was born on the 
 waters of Clear Fork, in the northern part of Can- 
 non County, Tennessee, October 28, 1859. He was the 
 son of Monroe and Cynthia Hancock, both of whom 
 died when he was small, leaving him, with a number 
 of smaller children, orphans. From the time he was 
 twelve years old, he assumed the care of his brothers 
 and sisters, and raised them all to be honorable men 
 and women. All of them became worthy members of 
 Sycamore Fork Baptist Church. The date of his pro- 
 fe ;sion and baptism we do not know. He was licensed 
 to preach by Sycamore Fork Baptist Church. He sup- 
 plied Marion Church, then was called to the care of 
 his home church, and arrangements were being made 
 for his ordination when he was called home. He was 
 also ordained deacon of his church in January, 1887. 
 
 He was married to Miss Ida Hale, an estimable 
 Christian woman, on March 2, 1886. This union was 
 blessed with three children — two daughters and a 
 son — who were early left orphans. He died rather 
 suddenly on January 9, 189s. His death was a shock 
 to all his acquaintances. To know him was to love 
 him. If he had an enemy, this author has no knowl- 
 edge of it. He was a young man of fine promise. He 
 published a tract of deservtd merit. 
 
Biographies of Dereased Ministers 2()7 
 
 His funeral services were held by this author, when 
 his body was laid to rest in Sycamore Cemetery. 
 Peace to his ashes. 
 
 ELDICK S. C. ODUM. 
 
 The subject of this sketch belonged to the extensive 
 family of his name, still found in Middle Tennessee. 
 He was an uncle of Deacon C. B. Odum, of Auburn 
 Baptist Church. He was the son of James W. Ddum, 
 and was born about 1808 A. D., near where the town 
 of Auburn now stands, in Cannon County, but was at 
 that time Wilson Coimt\'. Tennessee. 
 
 He was brought up a farmer boy and learned much 
 of the earlier settlements of his country. He gave 
 his heart to God when (|uite young and united with 
 Sander's Fork (now Auburn) Baptist Church, prob- 
 ably in the twenties. He was ordained to the ministrv 
 by this church, but the date when this took place we 
 have no means of knowing; probably about 1840. He 
 became pastor of said church in 1844, which position 
 he held for some time. 
 
 He moved to (jibson County, West Tennessee, about 
 1852, and remained there until his death, about 1866. 
 
 He \vas a useful minister in his day and did a great 
 deal of good, and it is to be regretted that we know 
 so little ol him and his work. We know but little of 
 his family, except that he was married to Miss Eliza- 
 beth, daughter of Josiah < )wen. 
 
 VA.uvM i:mi,\ii ii]rKr:v. 
 
 This noted minister was born on the tablelands of 
 Cumberland Mountain, most probably in White 
 County, Tennessee. He belonged to a family who 
 gave but little concern to religion. He was brought 
 
268 History of Middle Tennessee Bajjtifits 
 
 up on a farm and spent all his leisure time, and much 
 more which should have been spent in labor on the 
 farm, in dissipation. He was regarded as a dissolute 
 character. He married a Miss Saviors, and purchased 
 and moved to a farm on the waters of Cane Creek, 
 in the extreme southern part of Putnam County, Ten- 
 nessee. He gathered about him the means for a good 
 living and reared a large family of children. About 
 1851-2 A. D., when he was some thirtv-six vears of 
 age, while attending a protracted meeting at Pistole's 
 Church, in White County, he gave his heart to God 
 and united with the church. The Lord called him 
 into the ministry, but he did not know even the English 
 alphabet. Notwithstanding all this, God's call was 
 upon him and he must obey. He jjurchased a New 
 Testament and in this he learned the alphabet, and 
 learned to spell and read. I suppose it would be safe 
 to sav that he scarcelv ever read a page in m\\ book 
 apart from the Bible. He almost knew the Piible from 
 memory, and was withal a good ])reacher and a staunch 
 Baptist. His eccentricities, due maiid\- to the lack of 
 an education, hindered him much in his ministry, and 
 drove from him man\' of his hearers. His friends, 
 who were numerous, were of the strongest t\pe. He 
 was tall in stature, and uncouth in manners, but a man 
 of God. He lived to be more than eight)- years of age, 
 preaching as long as he li\'ed. He was born about 
 1815 and died about i8(,9. During his ministerial life 
 of a half century he tra\'eled and preached almost in- 
 cessantly. He was instrumental in the establishment 
 of quite a number of churches. For a short while 
 after uniting with the church he was connected with 
 Salem Association. The remainder of his life was 
 given to Johnson Association, an offspring of Salem. 
 
Biogrujyhles of Beceaaed Ministers 269 
 
 He had man>- faults, yet, everything; considered, 
 few men deserved more honor or did more good. 
 
 He fell on sleep in the full triumphs of a living faith 
 and went home to Ciod and to glorv. 
 
 i:i,1)i:r lox r.icxxETx. 
 
 Nothing- is known of the earlv life of this man of 
 God. He gave his heart to God and united with 
 Pistole's Baptist Church about 185 1, and soon entered 
 the ministr\". 
 
 His education was limited, but his natural endow- 
 ments largely supplied this defect. He was a preacher 
 of power and was fast forging his wav to the front 
 when the cruel war between the States drew the cur- 
 tain and hid him from view. During this awful strug- 
 gle he took pneumonia, and God released his spirit 
 and he went hrmie to glorv. He passed over our de- 
 nominational horizon like a meteor. Why he should 
 he called so earlv in life we will never know till we 
 shall go hence. 
 
 "God moves in a mysterious way 
 His wonders to perform." 
 
 FJ.iiKK jonx ii,\rpi-;r. 
 
 The subiect of this sketch is of Irish descent. He 
 was born in the State nf \'irginia in 1788. He came 
 of one of the leading families of the C )ld Dominion. 
 His fatiier and uncles purchased of Gen. George 
 W'ashmgton what is now known as Harper's Ferry, 
 from which famil\- the |jlace took its name. They also 
 purchased all the lands where Gharleston now stands. 
 
 He came tc) Tennessee while he was \'et a single 
 man, but at \\'hat date we are not advised. 
 
270 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 When he was converted we have no means of know- 
 ing, but he was received into the fellowship of Hogan's 
 Creek Church in July, 1827, and was no doubt bap- 
 tized by that godly man, Elder William Flowers. 
 
 He soon entered the ministry, for we find him estab- 
 lishing an arm of Hogan's Creek Church at New 
 Middleton as early as 1830. This interest was sup- 
 plied by him until they were constituted into an in- 
 dependent church, April 13, 1839, known as Mace- 
 donia, and became the first pastor. He later began 
 an interest on Plunkett's Creek, which resulted in the 
 constitution of Plunkett's Creek Church as early as 
 August 26, 1837. Having moved into this commu- 
 nity, he cast his membership with this new organiza- 
 tion and became the first pastor. 
 
 He was first married to a Miss Hodges, who shortly 
 afterward died, leaving no children. He was again 
 married, to Miss Jane Fleming Skelton, who bore to 
 him twelve children — seven boys and five girls — only 
 five of whom are now living. One of these. Elder 
 John Harper, Jr., is also a Baptist minister. His 
 daughter, the wife of Dr. C. S. Sampson, is still a 
 member of Plunkett's Creek Church. 
 
 He was a useful man in his day and generation, 
 and made many sacrifices. He went into the "high- 
 ways and hedges," gathering churches and building 
 up the waste places in Zion, with but little remunera- 
 tion for his services. We cannot bestow too much 
 honor upon those pioneer ministers who cleared the 
 forests and gave to us the heritage we enjoy. He 
 passed to his reward in 1848, at the age of sixty years. 
 He left a wife and children to mourn their loss. His 
 wife and most of his children have joined him in the 
 better land. "He rests from his labors, while his 
 works follow him." 
 
Biograpliies of Deceased Ministers 271 
 
 ELDER A. W. MEACHAM. 
 
 This father in Israel first saw tlie lig^ht of day in 
 Christian County, Kentucky. He was born February 
 13, 1818. He was brought up on a farm and received 
 a fair EngHsh education. He was rather small of 
 stature, and feeble constitution. He was baptized mto 
 the fellowship of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, in his 
 native county, by Elder I^obert Williams, on Decem- 
 ber 10, 1S38. He was licensed to jireacb May 11, 
 1839, and ordained by this same church, December 
 10, 1839, by a Presb}tery, viz. : Elders O. H. Morrow, 
 W. S. Baldry and Robert Williatns. He might be 
 characterized as a bundle of energy. He entered at 
 once into evangelistic work, after which he became 
 pastor at Paducali, K}-., where he remained one )ear. 
 He then (this was Xovember, 1843) moved to Mid- 
 dle Tennessee and became missionary for the General 
 Association of Middle Tennessee and North Alaba- 
 ma. He operated in this capacity about one year, 
 when he entered the pastorate in JMiddle Tennessee. 
 He served the following churches : Shelbyville, Cor- 
 nersville, Mt. Lebanon, Marshall County; Antioch, 
 Davidson County ; Lebanon, Wilson County. This 
 work continued from 1843 to 1852, when his health 
 gave way, having severe hemorrhage of the lungs, 
 and he resigned liis^work at Lebanon and returned to 
 his home in Kentuck-}-, to die. Perhaps no man ever 
 did more active ministerial labor in nine years than he 
 did during the years spent in Tennessee. He baptized 
 183 persons into the fellowship of Lebanon Church in 
 one year. He was moderator of Salem .-\ssociation 
 in 1850, when convened with Draw ley's Fork (n(iw 
 M-arion) Church. To the surprise of everyone, he 
 
272 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ref^^ained his health and still lingers on the confines of 
 time at his home at Gracic. Christian County, Ken- 
 tucky. The remainder of his ministerial life has been 
 spent in that section where he now lives. He has 
 baptized more than 4,000 persons and aided in the con- 
 stitution of more than twenty-five churches, and per- 
 haps twentv-five of those whom he baptized have be- 
 come preachers. He was moderator of Little River 
 Association for twenty years. He has been a bulwark 
 of strength when in the strength of his manhood. 
 ]Uit his work is over and has been well done. He 
 now stands in the gathering shade of the evening of 
 life, waiting the summons home. His sun is setting 
 in a cloudless sk}-, while a halo of glory wreathes his 
 brow as he treads the shore of the mystic river. 
 
 "Rise, glorious concpieror, arise 
 Into thy native skies — 
 
 Assume thy right ; 
 And wdien in many a fold 
 The clouds are backward rolled, 
 Pass through the gates of gold, 
 
 And reign in light." 
 
 KF.DKR LICADEN BROWN. 
 
 We have but little data concerning this very dear 
 brother. He was born in the year 1826. Of his early 
 life nothing is known. He professed religion and was 
 baptized into the fellowship of Philadelphia Baptist 
 Church, but the date is not known. He was pastor at 
 Philadelphia and Providence and was for many years 
 an efficient worker in the vineyard of the Lord. He 
 helped to constitute several churches, and laid hands 
 on a number of young ministers in their ordination. 
 
Bi(Xjr(tphiex of Dece((''<ed Miiiixfeni 273 
 
 He was first married to Louisa Crosslaiid, bv whom 
 he had six children, when she was called home. He 
 was again married to Mrs. Susan Jane Eskew, April 
 8, 1866, who bore him three children. His widow 
 still survives him. 
 
 He was a model Christian gentleman. In pietv and 
 uprightness, he ever stood an ensample to those around 
 him, and, as a minister of the word, ranked well. 
 \\'ould that we knew more of his life. 
 
 He fell on sleep at his home, in Warren County, 
 Tennessee, where most of his life had been spent. 
 May I, 1890. ^^'ell done, good and faithful servant, 
 you rest from your labors, while }-our works follow you. 
 
 1:1. DICK X. M. GKF.EX. 
 
 The subject of this sketch. Elder Xathaniel JMorgan 
 Green, was for man)- years a very noted landmark 
 among Baptists in this section. He was born in Wil- 
 son Count)', Tennessee, March 7, 181 3. His parents 
 were poor and couhl give him but little of the advan- 
 tages of early training. He was brought up on the 
 farm and used to hard labor, with but little knowl- 
 edge of books. Acting the part of wisdom, however, 
 early in life he gave his heart to God, and in Septem- 
 ber, 1839, he cast his lot with the Baptist Church at 
 Union (Hurricane), in Wilson Count)-, near where 
 he lived. He was probably ba])tized b)- Elder John 
 Bond, the pastor. 
 
 The Lord soon laid his hand on him ffir the work of 
 the ministry, antl he was ordained by this same church 
 to the full work of the gospel ministry in Jul)-, 1843, 
 bv a Presb\ter\-, viz. : Elders John Bond, James Bond, 
 H. W. Pickett and John Selvidge. He now entered 
 .actively intc? the work, and became one of the most 
 
274 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 active pastors of his day. Among the places he served 
 as pastor we note the following : Union, Rocky Val- 
 ley, Barton's Creek, Mt. Olivet, Rutland, Fellowship, 
 Shady Grove, Powell's Chapel, Republican Grove, 
 Bradley's Creek, Falling Creek and Salem. He was 
 pastor of his home church for about thirty years. His 
 pastorates were very successful and his converts were 
 numbered by the hundreds and jiossibly by the thou- 
 sands. He married a great niau\- coujiles, and hun- 
 dreds of young people 
 regarded him as thev 
 would a father. He 
 ctuild scarcely read 
 when he entered into 
 life for himself, but he 
 collected a fine library 
 and became self-edu- 
 cated, and one of the 
 best posted ministers 
 of his day. Few men 
 wielded a more exten- 
 sive influence among 
 the brotherhood. 
 
 He was first married 
 to Miss Jane Robinson, 
 July 21, 1834, and 
 
 started the battles of life even with the world. He 
 made his own furniture and, with their own hands, 
 he and his faithful wife earned a livelihood. God 
 blessed their labors and he gathered about him good 
 property for his day. To them were born three sons 
 to bless their home, all of whom still live; one in Ar- 
 kansas, one in West Tennessee and the youngest, 
 Brother T. M. Green, occupies the old home- 
 
 la.DEK N. II. GREEN. 
 
Biogntpliie.s of Deceased iMiniaters '275 
 
 stead, on Fall Creek, Wilson County, Tennessee. 
 
 On February i6, 1854, the wife of his youth went 
 home to glory, leaving him and three small children 
 heartbroken. It would be hard to describe the strug- 
 gles in this home. He faltered not, giving his time 
 and talent to the Master's cause, and receiving in re- 
 turn but little of the good things of this world. But 
 the Lord continued to prosper him, not oid\- in spir- 
 itual things, but also in carnal things. The Civil War 
 swept away a large amount of his possessions, leaving 
 him with a stripped home. Fie married a second time, 
 to Mrs. L. S. Simmons, July i8, 1865. Two vears 
 later, while awav on a preaching tour, his house 
 burned with its contents, including his valuable library. 
 Undaunted hx these misfortunes, he moved forward in 
 his work. 
 
 The latter part of his life he was in feeble health, 
 but never ceased to preach as lung as he was able. 
 He passed to his reward August 20, 1889, in his sev- 
 enty-seventh \cd.r. The name of "L'nclc Morgan 
 Green" will be dierished for years to come, and it can 
 truly be said of him that, though he is dead, he still 
 lives — lives in the liearts of the brethren, lives in heaven. 
 
 i-:i,I)i:r jesse stf.wart. 
 
 This father in Israel is a grandfather of Elder J. 
 M. Stewart, of I'.oma, Tenn. I'.ut little can be gath- 
 ered concerning him. The first authentic informa- 
 tion we; have concerning him, he was a member of 
 Roaring River Church, in ( )verton County, Tennes- 
 see. This is one of the oldest churches in Middle 
 Tennessee and was in the constitution of Stockton's 
 Valley Association in 1805. Elder Stewart was prob- 
 ably ordained by this church. At least he was an 
 
276 History of Middle Teiiuetinee Ba.-ptlxU 
 
 ordained minister in this Association when the mis- 
 sion controversy arose. He took the side of missions, 
 and the majority of his church took the other side. The 
 war waged, and finally the church excluded him for 
 his mission views. His exclusion was publicly an- 
 nounced in the Association, A. D. 1843. The con- 
 troversy in this (Stockton's \'alley) Association on 
 the mission question assumed a serious aspect as early 
 as 1836, and this meeting: in 1843 was the culmination 
 of the long--strained condition of the body. And those 
 parts of the churches which had been dropped from 
 the Association, including- those who had been ex- 
 cluded for their princii")les, with other sympathizers, 
 met at Pjcech Grove, Monroe County, Kentucky, on 
 the first Saturda\- iii November, 1843, ^'t^^ constituted 
 Freedom Association. This .Association had six 
 churches, ag'S'regatint;' 216 members. (See Historv 
 of Kentuck}- T.aptists, liy J. H. Spencer, \^ol. 2, p. 217). 
 
 Fdder Stewart most ])robal3h' remained a member 
 of Freedom Association until some time in the fifties. 
 Then he became identified with the ^.-reat mission 
 mo\'enient of .Salem Association which swe])t over the 
 niriuntain counties, takino' Putiiaiu Count\' as a cen- 
 ter. Later, he Ijccame identified with Johnson .As- 
 sociation. 
 
 AMien this author was a small child Flder Stewart 
 was wont to ^'isit his father's home, in the southern 
 part of Putnam County, Tenn. This was in the fifties : 
 and 1 remember him as a feeble old man and vcr\- 
 badh' palsied. 1 le is ])erha])s the first minister I re- 
 member to lia\'e seen, thougii 1 ha\'e no recollection 
 of hearinj;' him ])reach. It seems that 1 can now feel 
 bis trembling;" hand on m\- head and hear his falterin_q" 
 \oice as he pronounces liis blessings upon a white- 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 277 
 
 haired boy. It is said he was a good, old-fashioned 
 preacher. I am told that he moved to the State of 
 Kentucky and went from there to o:lory. This oc- 
 curred about the time of the Civil War. 
 
 Where he sleeps is unknown to this author, but 
 God will keep watch over his dust and bring- it 
 forth in that D,\y. 
 
 ELDER .\. C. W EHB. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born about 1850 — 
 the exact date not known. His earlv life was spent 
 in wickedness and bold defiance of the cause of Christ. 
 In 1879 Elder W. E. Raikes \vas holding a meeting 
 with Mt. Pleasant Church, in the northern part of 
 Cannon County. Tennessee, when he was powerfullv 
 convicted of sin. He soon made a profession and 
 united with this church, and was baptized bv Inkier 
 W. It. Raikes in August, 1879. On March 12, 1881, 
 he was ordained deacon of his church; and in June, 
 1882, he was licensed to preach. He was ordained by 
 this same church soon after, but date and name of 
 Presb_\-tery not known. In the earlv nineties he moved 
 his membership to Sycamore Pork Church. 
 
 He served as pastor the following churches, viz. : 
 Mt. Pleasant, Drv Creek, Mt. Zion, Cooper's Chapel, 
 Xew Hope and Piarren kork'. 
 
 He was low of stature and exceedingly strong of 
 build. He was a daring, fearless man. He lived in 
 a rough communitv, where whiskev was constantlv 
 sold and drunk. This he opposed with might and 
 main, which made him many bitter enemies among 
 the ,whiskc\- element. While assisting a sister-in-law 
 to collect a damage judgment for the murder of her 
 husband, one of these whiskev men shot and killed 
 
278 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 him. This occurred in 1899, if I remember correctly. 
 As a preacher, he was not systematic, but zealous and 
 original in his statements. 
 
 He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Sycamore 
 Fork Church, at the expense of the public, mainly 
 those of his church. He left a wife and large family 
 of children to mourn his loss. 
 
 ELDER T. R. COOPER. 
 
 This consecrated man of God was born about 1840, 
 Of his early life little is known. He professed religion 
 and united with old Mine Lick Church some time in 
 the fifties. He was also made deacon of this church. 
 He most likely transferred his membership to Mud 
 Spring Church, in the northern part of Putnam 
 County, and was most probably ordained by this 
 church. He was tall and slender, with a feeble con- 
 stitution. His preaching was cool and deliberate, vet 
 well arranged and pointedly put. His sermons were 
 not profound, yet they were full of the meat of the 
 gospel. At the close of the war, he cast his lot with 
 the Macedonia Church of Separate Baptists, in the 
 Union Association. He remained with this church 
 until the division of Cnion Association on the mis- 
 sion question, when he attached himself to Pistole's 
 Church. He was a blacksmith bv trade and worked 
 hard for a su])port for himself and family, while he 
 preached the gos]iel for the ])eople with but little re- 
 muneration. He married Miss Eliza Stewart, by 
 whom he raised a number of children. 
 
 He moved to Smith County, Tennessee, where 
 he died about t8<jO. He was indeed a man of 
 God. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 279 
 
 ELDER DAVID N. JARRARD. 
 
 This consecrated man of God first saw the Hght of 
 day amid the mountains of Northeast Georgia. He 
 was born in Habersham County, in that State, June 
 3, 1832. He was the son of Elder James C. and Mary 
 Jarrard. He also had a brother, Elder William W. 
 Jarrard. who was an ordained Baptist preacher. Per- 
 haps it would be well 
 to make a brief ref- 
 erence to his ancestry. 
 He was of English ex- 
 traction. His great 
 grandfather emigrated 
 from England to this 
 country and settled in 
 the middle colonies. 
 He was killed by the 
 Tory element during 
 the struggle for in- 
 dependence. He left 
 only one son (David 
 Jarrard), the grand- 
 father of the subject 
 of this sketch, and the 
 one for whom the 
 subject of this sketch 
 was named. From 
 this one son have sprung the Jarrard family of 
 America. His father, Elder James C. Jarrard, was 
 also a Baptist preacher of note and influence. Most, 
 if not all, of his mmisterial life was spent in north- 
 east Georgia, making his home in Habersham County. 
 He was an active minister for more than half a cen- 
 tury. A writer speaks of him as "nature's nobleman." 
 
 ELDER [■. X. J.\RR.\Rn. 
 
280 Ilixtory of Middle Tenne^^see Bajythtx 
 
 In ])ers()n, lie was tall and erect, with a dignified bear- 
 ing. In manner, he was affable and as gentle as a 
 maiden. .-\s a minister, he was devout and earnest, 
 wielding an influence such as few ministers do. He 
 was familiarh" known as "L'ncle Jimmy" and his 
 name was a household word in all northeast Georgia. 
 He lived to the ripe oUl age of ninety-four years, 
 passing to his reward from his old home in Haber- 
 sham County, Georgia, December 2y, 1894. It was 
 this home, and this noble sire, which gave to us Elder 
 David X. Jarrard. He was brought up a tiller of the 
 soil. The romantic scenes with which his country 
 home was surrounded gave to his young mind con- 
 stant glimpses of the beauties of the unseen, and opened 
 to him avenues for a vivid imagination. He secured 
 a fair primary education in the common country 
 schools. P)Ut by assiduous study and close applica- 
 tion, coupled with a strong native intellect, he soon 
 became a fine English scholar, and a good part of his 
 after life was spent as school teacher. 
 
 On December i, 1852, he was married to jNIiss Mar- 
 garet T- Fincannon, by whom he had fourteen chil- 
 dren born, eleven of whom are still living. 
 
 Some three months after he was married he gave 
 his heart to God and was baptized into the fellowship 
 of Providence Church, by Elder Singleton Sisk. He 
 soon had impressions to enter the ministry, but, like 
 many others, he hesitated, feeling himself unworthy. 
 For five long years he fought this battle against God's 
 call to dut}'. At last he yielded and was ordained to 
 the ministry about 1857, by Elders Elijah Sutton, A. 
 J. Harris and James C. Jarrard. He at once entered 
 actively into the work and up to and through the 
 Civil War he continued the work, becoming pastor 
 
jBiog/'(/p/uev of Deceased Miuinters 281 
 
 of a number of churches in northeast Georgia. When 
 the white flag of ])eace again floated over our beloved 
 land, in the fall of 1865. he turned awav from the 
 scenes of childliood and cast his lot with the Bap- 
 tists of Smith County, Tennessee. For seventeen 
 }ears his name and work were prominent in Salem 
 Association, and especially in the churches of Smith 
 County. He also did considerable teaching in con- 
 nection with his ministry. .Among the churches he 
 served as pastor we note the following : Buena Vista, 
 f'lunkett's Creek, Hogan's Creek, Caney Fork Sem- 
 inarv, and others. He assisted in the constitution of 
 churches and ordination of a number of ministers and 
 deacons. .Among the man\' whom he baptized while 
 in Tennessee is Elder J. T, ( )aklev. During the latter 
 part of his sta\' in Tennessee he \vas in poor health 
 and devoted most of his time to teaching. He was 
 tall and slender, a man of ]ileasant address, and 
 withal a fine preacher. 
 
 In the latter part of 1881 he rcnio\'ed to Cawlington, 
 Choctaw Territory, having been appointed by the 
 Ciovernment to tcacli school at that i)lace. He had 
 onlv taught three months when he was stricken with 
 slow fever, and (jn Februar\- \Ck 1882, his spirit was 
 released and he was with (iod. He has two children, 
 J. R. Tarrard and Mrs. Bettie Highers, who still re- 
 side in Smith Comity, Tennessee, a brother, J. A. 
 Jarrard, who lives at Morrison's Bluff, -\rk., while his 
 widow still lingers where he fell. He still lives in 
 the hearts of man\- Tc^messee Tiaptists. Is he dead ? 
 No; his body sleeps while his spirit dwells with God. 
 
 Servant of (Jod, well done; 
 
 The battle fought, the victory won. 
 
282 Histofy of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 DEACON JOHN GRIME. 
 
 The subject of this sketch js of German extraction, 
 his grandfather being born in that empire. He is the 
 son of Jacob Grime and was born in Ashe County, in 
 the northwest corner of North Carohna, August 24, 
 1809. When he was seven years old he went with 
 his father to Union County, Indiana, where he re- 
 mained until he was fourteen ; then his father removed 
 to the State of Kentucky, where young Grime grew 
 
 DEACON JOHN GRIME. 
 
 to manhood. His young manhood days were spent in 
 Adair and surrounding counties. He hunted coons 
 at night, and deer by day, among the hills along 
 Green River and Russell's Creek and their tributaries. 
 In early manhood he was married to Margaret Smith, 
 daughter of Elder William Smith. Of this union 
 seven children were born, one son and six daughters. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 283 
 
 In the meantime he left the State of Kentucky and 
 moved to Tennessee, settling three miles south of 
 ^vhere Cookeville now stands, in what was then Jack- 
 son County, but nc>w Putnam County, Tennessee. 
 The date of his coming to Tennessee is not known. 
 It was probably in the early forties. About 1847, 
 his wife was taken home. In 1848 he was again 
 married to Miss Lois Smith, wdio lived four miles 
 south of Albany, in Clinton County, Kentucky. She 
 was the daughter of Jesse Smith and granddaughter 
 of George Smith, one of the first white men to make 
 Clinton County a permanent home. It was he, who, 
 with his family, accompanied Thomas Stockton and 
 AMlliam Wood into this valley and helped to constitute 
 old Stockton's Valley Church in 1802, one mile south 
 of Albany, which has since been changed to the name 
 of Clear Fork. Of this union two children were born, 
 a girl and a boy, the youngest being Elder J. H. 
 Grime. In 1853 he purchased a section of land, cov- 
 ered with an unbroken forest, in the extreme southern 
 part of Putnam County, and moved to it, where he 
 spent the remainder of his days. 
 
 He professed faith in Christ and luiited with a 
 P>aptist Church before leaving the State of Kentucky. 
 After settling in Tennessee, for some years he was 
 deprived of church privileges. There was no Baptise 
 Church for many miles in any direction. He and his 
 devoted wife had often prayed for help, and that the 
 time might come when they should have access to the 
 Lord's house. One day, most probably in 1848, an 
 old man with hair white as the driven snow, rode 
 up on horseback and enquired for John Grime. He 
 introduced himself as Jesse Johnson, a Baptist min- 
 ister living in Wilson County, some sixty miles distant, 
 
284 History of Middle Tennesnee Baptists 
 
 stating that he had come as a volunteer missionary of 
 Salem Association. This was the beginning of good 
 times. He was accepted in the name of the Lord. 
 After a few days' stay, and having with much prayer 
 discussed the situation, they arranged appointments 
 for meetings and "Father" Johnson returned home 
 and brought younger ministers to do the preaching 
 and churches sprung up all over the country. The 
 home of John Grime was the rendezvous for the mis- 
 sionaries in this section and they found a home there 
 at an}' time they might arrive, either day or night, or 
 as long as thev chose to stav. His home was the 
 center from which all the missionary operations radi- 
 ated. Soon self-sustaining churches were built up all 
 over the section of country in which he lived. His 
 hospitality was unbounded. This scribe well remem- 
 bers when during the sitting of an Association he had 
 al)out one hundred guests. The table was not cleared 
 off during the entire session but was at all times ready 
 for anyone who might drop in himgrv. At night 
 "P>aptist pallets" were spread on all availaljle s]iace 
 in the house, others were transported to the barn. The 
 weather was warm, and all claimed to get along well 
 and pood humor and cheer seemed to possess all alike. 
 No estimate could be approxiniated of the amount of 
 entertainment done by him and his faithful wife for 
 churchgoers. He was not onlv generous in this line, 
 but also as a contributor. He rarely ever let a non- 
 resident minister leave his house without giving him 
 something to help him on his way. He was especially 
 helpful to young ministers. In church work or build- 
 ing church houses, when all other resources had been 
 exhausted, he shouldered the remainder and paid it 
 out. Salem Association will never know how much 
 
Biographies of Deceased jUinistefs 285 
 
 they owe to him in their missionary work in this 
 mountain chstrict. He was first a member of Hudgens' 
 Creek Church, then of I'istole's and lastl)- of Boihng 
 Spring-. He made a mistake, however, in taking the 
 side of alien immersion in the controversy in Boihng 
 Spring Church (see sketch of said church). It is but 
 just to say that he diil not regard it as ahen, and 
 woukl not receive Pedo-Baptist immersions. As a 
 resuU he dropped otit of the church and never did 
 return tii lier fold He became convinceck however, 
 of his mistake, tool< part in her worship and con- 
 tributed to her su])port. His faithful wife (I^ois) 
 went to her reward December lo, 1886, and he was 
 again married to Mrs. Julia Nicholas, who still sur- 
 vives him. He peacefully breathed his last at his 
 'home in Putnam Count}', Tennessee, November i, 
 i8i)2, and he and his wife (Lois) sleep side by side 
 in the old family graveyard. 
 
 "Asleep in Jesus blessed sleep, 
 From which none ever wakes to weep." 
 
 i-:Lni;K j. r,. fox. 
 
 This noble man of ( iod came to Middle Tennessee 
 an ordained minister, the exact date not known, but 
 about .A. 1). 1870, possibly a little earlier. He pur- 
 chased land and settled in Jackson County, some si.-v 
 or seven miles north of lUoomington Springs. He 
 was tall, of large frame, with dark complexion and 
 perhaps weighing two hundred pounds. He had a 
 strong, coarse voice and an earnest deliver}-, and was 
 withal a good preacher. He struck square from 
 the shoulder and exposed error in no uncertain 
 wav. If he thought a man was wrong he told him so 
 in a way that he could understand. And yet he was 
 
286 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 very companionable and good humored and made 
 those in his presence feel pleasant ; but there was a 
 soberness about his speech which carried with it con- 
 viction. When heresy would come, he stood like a 
 bulwark of strength and the fiercer the battle would 
 rage the firmer he would stand. He did most of his 
 work in old Johnson Association and, in all the sore 
 conflicts through which that body passed, he showed 
 himself the true man of God, and eternity alone will 
 reveal all the sacrifices he made for the cause. He 
 spent most of his means in trying to maintain the 
 cause in the mountain section. He went to his reward 
 about 1888. He was at that time about seventy years 
 old. At the meeting of Salem Association in 1887 at 
 Hickman's Creek, after a brief statement by Elder 
 J. H. Grime, a voluntary collection of more than 
 twenty dollars was laid on the table to replenish his 
 empty purse. As he stood before the Association, all 
 broken in health, to thank them, while the tears fell 
 thick and fast from his furrowed cheeks, the whole 
 audience were bathed in tears and many more rushed 
 forward to contribute. This was, perhaps, the last 
 time he ever met his brethren in worship. He re- 
 turned to his home and soon went to glory. Noble 
 servant, well done. 
 
 DEACON THOMAS YOUNG. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was of Scotch-Irish descent 
 and was the son of James and Nancy Young, of Water- 
 town, Wilson County, Tennessee. James Young, 
 Esq., the father of the subject of this sketch, in his 
 day, was one of the standards of his country, and one 
 of the best business men Wilson County ever had. 
 He was the very embodiment of honesty, and his 
 
Biographies of Deceased MiniKtera 287 
 
 son became heir to many of his sterling qualities. 
 Thomas Young first saw the light of day at Water- 
 town, Wilson Count)', Tennessee, May 1 1, 1834. He 
 was trained to farm life, he naturally possessing a 
 very industrious disposition. He was one of those 
 men who made farming a success. He was very sys- 
 tep.iatic in all his pursuits in life and never left until 
 to-morrow what should be done to-dav. His motto 
 
 
 ^ § . 
 
 
 
 1 ;• . Z~^^^^ 
 
 50^< < 
 
 J.*i'- • -^1 
 
 Dl£.\CnN TIlfi.AlAS ^'OUNG. 
 
 was: "A place for everything, and everything in its 
 place." He was of delicate C(institution, being very 
 tall and slender with light complexion. Though he 
 was not strong, yet his system and energy enabled 
 him to do a great deal of labor. 
 
 He professed faith in Christ at Round Lick Baptist 
 Church and was baptized into the fellowship of said 
 church in September, 1854, by Elder E. B. Haynie. 
 
288 History of Middle Tentieiiftee Baptists 
 
 He was niarried to Miss Mary Neal, daughter of 
 Ashley and EHzabetJi (Waters) Neal, of Watertown, 
 Tenii., on December 14, i!^5''>. She was a noble Chris- 
 tian woman and is entitled to much of the credit for 
 the successes which attended him in life. To them 
 eight children were born, six of whom still survive. 
 
 He never let secular business interfere with his 
 church duties. When the Lord's business called, he 
 was always at his post. He served as treasurer of 
 his church from 1867 to 1874. He was made deacon 
 in October, 1885. He was one of the men, if not 
 providentially hindered, who covild always be present 
 at Sunday school with his family, although he lived 
 three miles away. He was a Baptist who never gave 
 an uncertain sound — firm in discipline and liberal in 
 giving. He was devoted to his church. 
 
 After a lingering illness of some months he passed 
 to his reward March 14, 1894, leaving the wife of his 
 youth with six children to mourn their loss. (His 
 first born accompanies this author along the journey 
 of hfe.) 
 
 DE.\CON \\'ILLIAM ROBINSON. 
 
 The subject of this sketch belonged to the large 
 family of Robinsons, who are still numerous in 
 DeKalb County, Tennessee. His father was familiarly 
 known as "Uncle Ned" Robinson and spent most of 
 his days on the waters of Smith's Fork Creek, a short 
 distance below Dowelltown, DelCalb County, Ten- 
 nessee, where this brother was born July 4, 1838. He 
 grew up on the farm and professed faith in Christ, 
 and, belonging to a Methodist family, united with 
 the Methodists, where he remained until about 1877, 
 when he became thoroughly convinced that the Bap- 
 tists were right and united with Salem Baptist Church 
 
Blograp]uef< of Deceased Ministers 289 
 
 at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee. In 1878 he 
 was made deacon of said church, which position he 
 held with distinction till his death. 
 
 He was first married to Catherine Clifton Smith, 
 daughter of Deacon Nicholas Smith, September 8, 
 1S59. Of this union twelve children were born, five 
 of whom preceded him to the better land. He was 
 ag-ain married to Mrs. Nancy Ann (Ford) Young, 
 
 niCACON WILLIAM ROBINSON. 
 
 daughter of Thomas Ford, Alarch 12, 1885, Elder J. 
 H. Grime officiating. This union was blessed with 
 four children, one of wliom is dead. No man ever 
 had two nobler Christian wives. All the children who 
 are old enough are Baptists. Early in his married 
 life he moved midway between Liberty and Alex- 
 andria in DeKalb County, where he spent the re- 
 mainder of his days. It is no disparagement to others 
 10 
 
290 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 when I say that he was the leader in all his section in 
 both church and State. He served as Justice of the 
 Peace thirty years, when, against the wish of his peo- 
 ple, he declined to serve any longer. In church, school 
 and State he led his people onward and upward. He 
 was the peacemaker of his community. He was the 
 friend of the poor and struggling and a wise coun- 
 selor. He was both good and useful, and could truly 
 be denominated a "pillar in his church." He passed 
 to his reward June 27, 1901, but left a noble heritage 
 more precious than gold, to weeping loved ones. His 
 funeral services were conducted by Elder T. J. Eastes 
 — his pastor — who had, some twenty-five years previ- 
 ous, led him into the baptismal waters. 
 
 ELDER THOMAS HOOKER. 
 
 We have no data concerning the early life of this 
 noble man of God. He lived in the community of 
 Brush Creek. During a revival held at the Brush 
 Creek Baptist Church by Elder Thomas Durham, 
 their pastor, in 1812, he, with twenty-two others, gave 
 their hearts to God and were baptized into the fellow- 
 ship of that church, doubtless by their pastor. Elder 
 Thos. Durham. 
 
 In 1822 he was ordained to the ministry by the 
 Brush Creek Church. In the spring of 1823, their 
 pastor, Elder Thomas Durham, went home to glory. 
 They then called the subject of this sketch to succeed 
 him as pastor. Though young in the cause, yet he 
 took hold of the work with marked ability. The first 
 year of his pastorate he baptized forty-five persons 
 into the fellowship of this church. He served this 
 church as long as he lived. In addition to his pastorate 
 at Brush Creek, he also served New Hope, and per- 
 
-Bioginp/iiesi of Deceaxed Ministers '291 
 
 hajis other cinirclies as pastor. He was highly 
 esteemed both as a citizen and a ]ireacher. After a 
 brief career of nine years as a preacher lie went to 
 his reward on October i6, 1831, and left his cluirch 
 again in mourning-. His body sleeps in an unmarked 
 grave just back of Brush Creek Church building. 
 Peace to his ashes and honor to his name. 
 
 DE.iiCON NICKOLAS SMITH. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Carter 
 County, East Tennessee, near Elizabethton, December 
 2, 1801. He was the son of Daniel and Mary Smith, 
 
 who emigrated to Middle 
 Tennessee w hen young 
 Nickolas was yet a youth. 
 They settled in Wilson 
 County, near Mahone, 
 midway between Watcr- 
 t o w n and .Alexandria, 
 w h e r e IVother D. L. 
 Smith, a descendant of 
 theirs, now lives. Here 
 he grew to manhood, re- 
 ceiving in all his life only 
 t e n months' schooling. 
 Yet the grasp of liis in- 
 tellect, his keen perception 
 and close observation made 
 of him in after }-ears one of the best-informed men 
 in this section of country. 
 
 He professed faith in Christ and united with Round 
 Lick Baptist Church about 1820. This was while 
 the church was located near Grant, Smith County, 
 fie was afterward made deacon of that church, but 
 
 i)i-:.\coN Nici-.oi.AS SMITH. 
 
292 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the date of his ordination is not known. He remained 
 a member of this church until 1848. He was a mem- 
 ber and a leader in this church during the exciting 
 division over the mission question in 1837. He and 
 Archamac Bass stood shoulder to shoulder through 
 all that struggle. In 1848 he moved to Temperance 
 Hall, DeKalb County, Tennessee, and cast his mem- 
 bership with Bethel Church. About 1850, Bethel 
 Church, which stood at Temperance Hall, moved some 
 two miles down the creek, and Mt. Zion Church was 
 constituted in 1851, a short distance up the creek. 
 Soon after this new church was constituted Deacon 
 Smith transferred his membership from Bethel to Mt. 
 Zion. The church was then worshiping in a school- 
 house, and his means largely built the present house 
 of worship, which stands as a monument to his 
 benevolence. He started in the world very poor, but 
 his industry and God's blessing gave to him much 
 of this world's goods which he most freely used in 
 the support of the cause of Christ and in the relief of 
 the poor. He was too feeble to attend Salem Asso- 
 ciation the year before he died — the first session he 
 had missed in fifty years. For many years when 
 starting to the Association he set apart $100 to be 
 distributed at the meeting, to the various objects. 
 Perhaps God never bestowed wealth where it was 
 more thoroughly consecrated. His charity was known 
 and spoken of by all. Besides his generosity he was 
 devoutly pious, and loved his church as he loved his 
 own life. Yea, doubtless like Paul, he would have 
 laid down his neck for the cause. 
 
 He was first married to Sarah Compton, December 
 12, 1822, by whom he had five children, all girls. 
 God took the wife of his youth to himself and he 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 293 
 
 was again married to Penelope Summar, February 
 14, 1836. This union was blessed with eight children, 
 seven girls and one boy. Of the thirteen children, only 
 three are living, one of the first, and two of the sec- 
 ond marriage. 
 
 He lived to be full of )'ears and full of good works. 
 He fell on sleep February 14, 1877, the anniversary 
 of his second marriage, in his seventy-sixth year. 
 Services were conducted bv Elder T. J. Eastes, after 
 which he was laid to rest just outside the Mt. Zion 
 Church house window where he was accustomed to 
 sit to worship. A marble slab marks his last resting 
 place, but above him towers the house of the Lord, a 
 more befitting monument to one so generous. The 
 name of Uncle "Nick" Smith will live as the years 
 go by. 
 
 MR.?. MARY SUS.\N JAMES. 
 
 So far as we have been able to ascertain this is the 
 oldest living Baptist within the limits of the territory 
 covered bv this work. If she lives to see the second 
 Sundav in Xovember, 1902, she will have been bap- 
 tized three-score and ten years. Her maiden name 
 was Walker and she was born in \^irginia, May 28, 
 1814. Her parents moved to Tennessee, settling in 
 Smith County, while she was yet an infant. She gave 
 her heart to God, united with Brush Creek Church, 
 and was bajjtized by Elder James Evans on Saturday 
 before the second Sunday in November, 1832. She 
 was married to Jno. W. Eastes, November 5, 1835. 
 She moved with her husband near Commerce, Tenn., 
 and transferred her membership to Round Lick 
 Church and was a member there when the "split" oc- 
 curred in 1837 over the mission question. Soon after 
 
294 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 this they moved on Hogan's Creek, Smith County, 
 she transferring her membership to Hogan's Creek 
 Church, where it has remained for more than sixty 
 years. In January, 1840, her husband, Jno. W. Eastes, 
 united with Hogan's Creek Church. He was soon 
 made deacon and then licensed to preach, but failing 
 
 MRS. MARY SUSAN JAMES. 
 
 health prevented the prosecution of the work and he 
 passed to his reward October 21, 1850, in his fortieth 
 year. The above marriage was fruitful of four sons, 
 the only children she ever bore. Her oldest, Jonathan 
 M. Eastes, was a captain in the Confederate Army 
 and fell in battle July 13, 1864. Her second son is 
 Elder T. J. Eastes. Her third son, W. B. Eastes, is a 
 staunch Baptist, and the youngest was Deacon Jno. J. 
 
Biographies of Deceased Ministers 295 
 
 Eastes, of blessed memory, who has also gone to his 
 reward. 
 
 She was again married to Deacon L. R. James in 
 February, 1858 — one among the best men this author 
 ever knew. At the time of his marriage he was a 
 deacon of Macedonia Church, but transferred his 
 membership to Hogan's Creek, where he acted as 
 deacon as long as he lived. He was a great blessing 
 to her in the raising of her bovs. He passed awav 
 .-Vpril II. l8<;2, in the sevcntv-sixth ^•ear of his age, 
 leaving her for the second time a widow. She is now 
 in her eighty-eiglith year and as active as many women 
 of fortv. The cpiestion would naturally arise, whether 
 or not she is a Primitive r)aptist. She was a Baptist 
 before the so-called "Primitive I'aptists" were con- 
 stituted. May many more years )'et of jo)' and happi- 
 ness be hers. 
 
 DE.\CON JOHN J. K-\STr-:s. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born on the waters 
 
 of Hogan's Creek, some 
 three miles south of Car- 
 thage. Smith Countv, Ten- 
 nessee, June 20, 1848. He 
 is the son of Deacon Jno. 
 W. a n (1 Alar y Susan 
 (Walker) Eastes. He 
 was rather tall and slender, 
 with dark complexion and 
 was always of rather deli- 
 cate constitution, ^•cl: his 
 indomitable will power 
 and energy enabled him to 
 DEACON JOHN J. EASTiis. do as much as many Others 
 
296 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 of strong physique. He professed faith in Christ and 
 united with Hogan's Creek Church in the spring of 
 1879, and was baptized by Elder W. N. Suite. He 
 was shortly afterward elected to the deaconship in 
 said church, which position he faeld with honor to 
 himself and the cause of Christ. He was wise in 
 counsel, devout in worship, and earnest in service. He 
 was the pastor's best friend and generous with his 
 means almost to a fault. He was a favorite wherever 
 he was known, both by his neighbors and his brethren 
 in the Lord. He is the youngest brother of Elder T. 
 J. Eastes. He was married to Miss Donnie Bains, 
 November 23, 1875, by whom he had a large family of 
 children, all but two of whom are still living. He 
 passed peacefully to his reward May 12, 1898. Few 
 men can fill the place made vacant by his death, either 
 as a citizen or officer in the church. May God bless 
 his widow and orphan children. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 i-:n()X association. 
 
 This body is an offsprinj^ of Salem Association 
 located in Sumner, Tronsdale, Smith, Macon and Clay 
 connties, Tennessee. Some five years before the mat- 
 ter assumed shajie, the (|uestion was sprung- by Mt. 
 Tabor Churcli and a division was advocated on the 
 grounds of C(in\enience. i'rom this time on the mat- 
 ter was discussed until the meetint;' of Salem .Asso- 
 ciation in 1849, when it convened with the church al 
 Hethel, DeKalb l'ount\-. They mutuall>- agreed to 
 di\-ide, making the Cumberland and Caney Fork rivers 
 the line. Those on the south side were to retain the 
 old name and constitution while those on the north 
 side should call a convention and form a new Asso- 
 ciation. In accordance with this resolution, the 
 cliurclies on the north side of the river called a con- 
 vention of said churches to meet at Dixon's Creek 
 Meeting ITjusc, on May 11, 1850. The following 
 churches were re|)rcsented in said council or conven- 
 tiiin, viz.; Dixon's Creek, lUedsoe's Creek, IVnton's 
 Creek, Secrmd Creek', ]i. \\ Coose Creek, Mt. Tabor, 
 Defeated Creek, Liberty, lieech (jrove, Siloam, Shady 
 Crove, M. I'". ( ioose Creek, Lafayette, New Hope, 
 P'leasant Hill and New Salem : making sixteen churches 
 represented. There were two others included in these 
 bounds, but not represented in this convention, viz. : 
 iVft. Olive and Sharp's Creek. 
 
 297 
 
298 History of Middle Tennessee Bwptists 
 
 A sermon introductory to business was preached 
 by Elder E. B. Haynie. Elder Daniel Smith was 
 chosen moderator and Deacon James L. Carson, clerk. 
 
 On motion of Elder E. B. Haynie, this body was to 
 be called "Enon Association of United Baptists." 
 They adopted the following Abstract of Principles, or 
 Confession of Faith, as a ground or basis of union, 
 viz. ; 
 
 "i. We believe in one true and living God — the 
 Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 
 
 "2. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and 
 New Testaments are the Word of God, and the only 
 rule of faith and practice. 
 
 "3. We believe in the doctrine of election, 'accord- 
 ing to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, through 
 sanctification of the spirit unto obedience and sprink- 
 ling of the blood of Jesus Christ.' 
 
 "4. We believe in the doctrine of original sin, and 
 in man's impotency to recover himself from the fallen 
 state he is in by nature, by his owp free will and 
 ability. 
 
 "5. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight 
 of God, by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. 
 
 "6. We believe the saints will persevere in grace, 
 and never finally fall away ; and that good works are 
 the fruits of faith and follow after justification. 
 
 "7. We believe that Baptism and the Lord's Supper 
 are ordinances of Jesus Christ, and that true believers 
 are the only proper subjects thereof; and that the only 
 proper mode of Baptism is immersion. 
 
 "8. We believe that no minister has a right to ad- 
 minister the ordinances, only such as are regularly 
 baptized, and come under the imposition of hands by 
 a presbytery. 
 
Eno)i Association 299 
 
 "9. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and 
 general judgment; and that the punishment of the 
 wicked and joys of the righteous will be eternal." 
 
 They also adopted a suitable "Form of Govern- 
 ment" and "Rules of Decorum." 
 
 Defeated Creek Church was selected as the place 
 for the first meeting of this new Association. The 
 Association was divided into two sections. At the 
 first meeting of this Association, there were eighteen 
 churches represented, with a numerical strength of 
 1,680 members. The following ministers were mem- 
 bers of this new constitution, viz. : Elders Jonathan 
 Wiseman, E. B. Haynie, W. C. Bransford, H. Roark, 
 Daniel Smith, L. A. Smithwick, D. H. Murry and 
 D. Buckley. 
 
 These were consecrated servants of God and many 
 of them eminent in the ministry of the word. Well 
 has this Association occupied her territory. She has 
 had, in her fellowship since 1850, fifty-nine churches: 
 and from her bounds have come a number of eminent 
 ministers, such as any community might well be proud 
 of. 
 
 Among the noted events in the history of this As- 
 sociation we find the following: In 1851 they pur- 
 chased Wirt College and established Enon College, 
 near the line between Sumner and Trousdale counties, 
 on the pike leading from Gallatin to Hartsville. h 
 partnership in this institution was formed with Salem 
 Association, and much was accomplished in the way 
 of education. After a successful history for a few 
 \-ears the institution failed. In 1882 this Association 
 leased Bellwood Academy, in Macon County, and 
 established a first-class academic school. Later, the 
 property was permanently secured by this Association 
 
300 History of Middle Teimesxee BapUda 
 
 and for many years a fine school was fostered by this 
 body. Eternity alone will reveal the good accom- 
 plished by this institution. It was here that many 
 young ministers have laid the foundation for lives of 
 usefulness. 
 
 In 1891 it was found that this Association had 
 grown to such proportions, both in numbers and ter- 
 ritory, that a division for convenience would be ad- 
 visable. A committee consisting of the following 
 brethren were appointed, viz. : Elder J. S. Pardue, 
 W. A. Whitley, D. B. Cothron, S. M. W'ilks, Elder 
 J. F. Lambert, King Robinson, Elder R. \\. Davis and 
 H. Fitzpatrick. This committee reported, recommend- 
 ing a division ; the line running from Riddleton on the 
 south by way of Lafayette to the Kentucky line : leav- 
 ing nineteen churches on the east side which should 
 retain the old name and constitution, dismissing 
 eighteen churches on the west side of said line to 
 form a new Association. The report was unanimously 
 adopted, and resulted in the constitution of Wiseman 
 Association in November following, at Cedar Bluff 
 Church, Macon County. (See chapter on Wiseman 
 Association.) 
 
 There has, perhaps, never been a stauncher body of 
 Baptists, or an Association which has more completely 
 worked their territory for Baptist principles. Their 
 churches have never developed in benevolence as thev 
 should, but they have certainly extended their borders 
 round about them. Their ministry has been a godly, 
 self-sacrificing band of Christian heroes. Below we 
 give a table showing the meetings of this body : 
 
Eiioti Ax^tocintioii 
 
 ;50i 
 
 o~ ° S O ^ C^— OOCCOOOOO O j; Jii 
 ■-^Ojo3o3ajo!3q3a3o!doja!ceo3o3oj(afe> 
 
 e ; 
 
 a— fi^ fl a:;::;:: — -- — ';:•;: £3 fl-^t;-*^"^'!^ 
 
 
 
 'P Kp'^-^ >ip t-'_ 
 cSiSdeap^^tflChH 
 
 cdgfflg-<i^cQg-a 
 
 ■ o ■ o ^ • o 
 
 H 
 
 HH> 
 
 . p 
 
 6 
 
 .2 ■ <- 
 
 bo bp b? ''■■S'S^W 3 >.'5 
 
 :iE'-^- 
 
 ; 7. ^ 
 
 ■p-ci 
 
 . Oj 3^ O 
 
 — (~ aj fr, - 
 
 ^-■jy^ p 
 
 t- a ij ^ .S 
 
 56-E 
 
 ■" 03 "T! tfl ' 
 
 
 
 ^ Q Q c- K Iz; X ►-: t^S X Q fcM G P 
 
 ; m 
 
 
 Kg 
 
 n2;o 
 
 xx«)ocxxxxxa5oOQoxa5x>QCXooooxQooootooacoo&ox. xccSxaSdsae 
 
302 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ^1 ii m m Vi m , » 
 
 sesssE^gfeS 
 
 '-a'-:ii-a'-;'-^i-s'-s'-ii-~>i-^'-^i-^H^i-^i-^P^i-^ 
 
 n O! tn 
 
 a 
 
 (n cc (n 
 
 Q 0) 1) >^t^O 
 
 3 3 = 6 a'"^>^.-S.SS 3 5 a - , .. - 
 
 C . 6; 
 
 S oS = a a =-3 0'3 t> a B-- « s 
 
 aB^^HJ35&:^«^aH^^QM 
 
 
 <0A o t- o 
 
 ■ 1^ '-' 
 
 8>U 
 
 
 OOQCQOOOOOQOOOOOaDOOOOQOOOOOOOOC** 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 WISKMAN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 After the formation of Enon Association in 1850, 
 she beg-an to extend her borders, and multiply her 
 churches, until it was finally discovered that the body 
 was o-rowing- unwieldy, and the travel too great, 
 which it reciuircd in order to convene the boily. After 
 talking- the matter over for some years, they finally 
 decided the thing to do was to divide and form two 
 Associations. We find in the minutes of Enon As- 
 sociation for iSyi, while in session at Friendship 
 Church, the following, which explains itself : 
 
 "din'isiox of the association. 
 
 ''Elder J. S. Pardue, Chairman of the Committee 
 on Division, read the following report: 
 
 "We, your committee, submit the following: We 
 recommend the division, and that the line of division 
 begin at Riddleton, on the southern boundary, running 
 thence north by Lafayette (leaving the church located 
 there on west side of said line) to the Kentucky line. 
 We recommend a^ names East Enon and West Enon. 
 Signed by the commktee. 
 
 "I. S. Pardue, Chairman, 
 "\V. A. Whitley, 
 
 "D. B. COTHRON, 
 "S. M. WiLKS, 
 
 "J. F. Lambert, 
 "King Robinson, 
 "R. B. Davis, 
 "H. Fitzpate^ck. 
 303 
 
.".04 Hixtory of MuhJh Tcniie!<'<te B(il>tixt>i 
 
 '"( -n motion, the report was amenckxl so as to strike 
 out tiie recomniendatioii relative to the names of the 
 two bodies, and the following be inserted in its stead: 
 
 "W'e recommend that the Eastern Division be recog- 
 nized as Enon Association, and that the Western 
 Division be hereby dismissed therefrom for the \mv- 
 pose of forming a new Association. 
 
 "The report, as amen(kd, was ailopted without dis- 
 cussion." 
 
 This division dismissed the following churches to 
 form a new Association, viz.: 
 
 Cedar I'luff, Coruni Hill, Dixon's Creek, Friend- 
 ship, Hartsville, Hillsdale, Hopewell, Independence, 
 Lafayette, Meadorville, Mt. Olivet. New Harmony, 
 Pleasant Grove, Rock Bridge, Shady Grove, Siloam, 
 Zion and Good Will ; a total of eighteen churches, 
 leaving nineteen in the original body. 
 
 Before dispersing, the messengers from the west 
 side churches held a consultation and appointed a time 
 and place wdien the}- would meet and form a new As- 
 sociation. 
 
 According to the above agreement, messengers, 
 chosen by these churches, assembled with Cedar Bluff 
 Church, j\lacon County, Tennessee, November i8, 
 1891. The following churches were represented: 
 Cedar Bluff, Dix-on's Creek, T-'riendship, Good W\\\. 
 Hillsdale, Hopewell, Independence, Lafayette, Mead- 
 orville, Xew Harmony, Pleasant Grove, Rock Bridge, 
 Siloam and Zion : making fourteen in all. 
 
 Elder W. M. S. Wilks was made temporary modera- 
 tor and Brother Dock AMiite, temporary clerk. 
 
 After the roll was complete Elder ^^■. W. S. AN'ilks 
 was elected moderator and Brother B. R. Hawkins, 
 clerk. 
 
Wi'.'^eiiKHi Associ<(fioii 305 
 
 At tlic request <if some of the brethren. Elder J. H. 
 (irinie (h'ew up a preamble and constitution, which was 
 unanimously adojited as follows : 
 
 "We, the missionary Baptist churches of Christ, 
 situateil in the counties of IMacon, Trousdale and 
 Sumner, State of Tennessee, for the purpose of ad- 
 vancing the cause, and in the interest of our Lord, 
 have agreed to enter into a compact, and meet an- 
 nually, as an Association. To this end, we adopt the 
 following- as a basis of operations : 
 
 "Artkli-: I. This body shall be known as Wise- 
 man Association. 
 
 "Artici-I-; II. These Associations shall be com- 
 posed of members, duly chosen b\' regular and orderly 
 missionary Baptist churches within our bounds. 
 
 "Article III. Tlie letters from the churches to the 
 Association shall give the number of members in fel- 
 lowship, received b}- experience and baptism, received 
 by letter, restored, excommunicated and dead since 
 last meeting. 
 
 "Artici.k W . Each church shall be entitled to a 
 representation of three messengers. 
 
 "Artici.i-: W These Associations shall elect an- 
 nualh' as officers, a moderator, clerk and treasurer, 
 whose duties shall be to serve their brethren in their 
 several capacities. 
 
 "Artkt.e \\. These Associations shall never in- 
 terfere with the independence of any church, or claim 
 anv ecclesiastical po\\ers, or rights of su|iervision over 
 any of the churches. 
 
 "Artici.k \'II. It shall be the object of these As- 
 sociations to promote the unity of the faith of the 
 gospel, with our educational and mission interests. 
 
 "Article VIII. These Associations shall meet an- 
 
306 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 nuall}- on Wednesday, at lO a.m., after the third Sun- 
 day in September, and continue three days, the meet- 
 ing to be held at such places as may be agreed upon 
 by the Association at its annual sittings. 
 
 "Article IX. A majority of the members of any 
 regular meeting shall constitute a quorum for the 
 transaction of business. 
 
 "Article X. It will be expected that these meet- 
 ings will be missionary in practice, as well as theory. 
 
 "Article XI. New churches may be admitted into 
 this Association, who shall petition by letter, antl tlele- 
 gate, or delegates, and on examination, if found or- 
 thodox and orderly, may be received and made known 
 by the moderator giving the right hand of fellowship 
 to the delegate or delegates present. 
 
 "Article XII. The Association may exclude from 
 their union any church or churches that are heterodox 
 in principles, or disorderly in practice. 
 
 "Article XIII. The Association, at its sittings, 
 may admit any of the visiting brethren present to sit 
 with them, who shall have the liberty to discuss any 
 question, and give their lights, but not to vote, except 
 on subjects of general union. 
 
 "Article XIV. Any alteration may be made to 
 this constitution at any regular annual meeting by a 
 two-thirds majority vote of the members present." 
 
 Elders J. F. Lambert, J. S. Pardue and S. R. Haw- 
 kins were appointed as a committee to draft Articles 
 of Faith and Rules of Decorum to be presented at the 
 first annual session of the body to be held at Meador- 
 ville. 
 
 Elders J. F. Lambert and J. S. Pardue, with Gus 
 Fnqua and B. R. Hawkins, were appointed an Ex- 
 ecutive Board for the Association. 
 
'\Vise)/t<t)i Association 307 
 
 They adopted the Rules of Decorum of Enon As- 
 sociation at their first annual meeting. 
 
 The name of "NN'iseman Association" was adopted 
 in honor of the \\'isemans, three of whom were among 
 the most talented ministers of this section. The father, 
 Elder John Wiseman ; the son. Elder Jonathan Wise- 
 man, and the grandson, Elder Josiah J. Wiseman, 
 formed one continuous chain of ministerial service in 
 the bounds of this Association for nearly three-quar- 
 ters of a century. This Association stands as a be- 
 fitting monument to tlieir faithful service. This is 
 a monument more honorable than any which could he 
 built of marble and will stand as a constant reminder 
 of the man)- hardships they endured before we were 
 born to establish the Baptist cause in this section. 
 
 This is one of our verv best voung Associations. 
 Thev have had a prosperous career since their con- 
 stitution in 1 89 1. The\" have grown from a con- 
 stituenc\ of fourteen cliurches and nine hundred mem- 
 bers at the beginning, to twenty-three churches and 
 seventeen hundred and forty-eight members. They 
 have a consecrated ministry who are ever busy push- 
 ing out her borders and occu])}'ing new fields within 
 her bounds. They occupy Trousdale, part of Smith, 
 part of Macon and part of Sumner counties, Ten- 
 nessee. TSelow will be found a table showing the meet- 
 ings of the bodv : 
 
308 Ulxtovu of Middle Ttimex-'^ee Bajytists 
 
 dec 
 
 
 rt as rt t- t 
 
 ■U <!.. OJ 1) 4: C" <li 
 
 
 a: 7; m CD X x-r-; 2 S 
 
 M^ISl^ll. 
 
 a 
 
 iccSccS^ 
 
 T'gs'^^. 
 
 Cl^-^Z^'^.B 
 
 
 
 -^ -2i Qj d - -~ 2" 
 
 
 : I' cl 
 
 ESS 
 
 CT. cT 3iS 
 
 ss 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CHURCH SKF.TCHF.S. 
 SILOA^r. 
 
 Tliis church is situated three miles southeast of 
 ^^'estmo^eland, AFacon County, Tennessee. From all 
 we are able to gather, the history of this church dates 
 back to 1812 A. 1). In this date a church was con- 
 stituted at what is known as the Gap of the Ridge, six 
 miles northwest of Lafayette, Alacon County, Ten- 
 nessee. From all the data in hand, this old church 
 was most probably an offs|)ring- of ( )ld Salt Lick 
 Church and gathered by Elders Alalcom Smith, a 
 young minister belonging to that church, and Aides 
 West, the pastor of said church. Testament Church 
 (or Cap of Ridge, as it was locally known) united 
 with Concord Association in 1812, when convened 
 with Hopewell Church, Sumner County, Tennessee. 
 A fair degree of prosperity attended this old church 
 until 1837, when the mission controvers)- arose. They 
 were at this time a member of Salem Association, hav- 
 ing been one of the constituent members of that body. 
 Elder Rlalcom .Smith had gone to his reward, and 
 this left the church largely at the mercy of Elder 
 Miles West, the leader of the atiti-mission party. 
 Tradition says the church divided, the regular Baptist 
 party holding the regular day under the ministr\' of 
 Elder William C. Bransford, while the anti-mission 
 or "Primitive Baptists," as they called themselves, took 
 
 309 
 
310 Histm'y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 another <lay under the leadership of Elder Miles West. 
 (No such thing- as "Primitive Baptists" were known 
 before this time.) The Primitive Baptists soon moved 
 near Lafayette, and since some eight miles away, 
 where they still have a small handful of members. 
 Tradition says that the regular Baptists worshiped at 
 the old house until November, 1854, when they dis- 
 solved, going to Siloam and New Harmony churches. 
 Here seem to be the facts as they are taken from the 
 records. In 1837 after the division, Testament Church 
 became one of the constituent members of Round 
 Lick Association of Primitive Baptists. However, the 
 church dropped out of Salem Association and was 
 never represented again in that body. But there were 
 members who protested against the action of the 
 church in leaving the Regular or United Baptists as 
 they vi'ere then called and going into this new move- 
 ment, denoniinating themselves Primitive Baptists. It 
 is possible that a few of the scattered members re- 
 mained until the date above mentioned, November, 
 1854. Of those who protested against this anti-mission 
 innovation, Taylor G. Gilliam was tlie leader. So at 
 the regular meeting of Salem Association for 1838, 
 they appointed Elder Jonathan Wiseman to preach 
 regularly in the neighborhood of Taylor G. Gilliam. 
 This was continued until 1842, when a sufficient num- 
 ber of this church agreed to form a separate constitu- 
 tion. This was effected in January, 1842, and the 
 new constitution was called Siloam Church of LTnited 
 Tiaptists. This new body consisted of nineteen mem- 
 bers, and was constituted bv the following presbyterv, 
 viz. : Elders W. C. liransford and Jonathan Wise- 
 man. This was virtually a continuation of Testament 
 Church of Cnitcd r>aptists. This list is led by Taylor 
 
Chnvch Sketches 311 
 
 G. Gilliam, and prominent among them are the Toolys 
 and Hawkins's. I see the names of Joseph and R. G. 
 Hawkins, of blessed memory, who were so long dea- 
 cons of Friendship Church. 
 
 P.\STOKs: Elder W. C. P.ransford, 1842-50; Elder 
 Jonathan \Mseman, 1850-57; Elder J. B. Alvis, 1857- 
 61 ; Elder J. J. Wiseman, 1861-66; Elder G. C. Harris, 
 1866-71 ; Elder C. Miller, 1871-72; Elder S. C. Talley, 
 1872-76; Elder G. C. Harris, 1876-79; Elder W. D. 
 Burnley, 1879-82; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1882-86; 
 Elder C. X. Simmons, 1886-91 ; Elder J. F. Lambert, 
 1891-92; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1892-94; Elder J. L. 
 Hawkins, 1894-1901. 
 
 Clerks: Taylor G. Gilliam, 1842-46; John Smoth- 
 ers, 1846-68; W. R. Minick, 1868-81; J. W. Fleming, 
 1881-91 ; J. D. Roberson, 1891-94; A. J. Roberson, 
 1894-98; T. C. Harrison, 1898-1901, and is still clerk. 
 
 Deacon.s: James R. Hawkins, 1842-81; Thomas 
 Meador, 1846-69; G. C. Harris, 1846-65; Martin 
 Angle, 1865-1901 ; W. R. Minick, 1865-81; W. M. 
 Bentle, 1881-85; .\. J. Roberson, 1881-1901 ; Joe Sim- 
 mons, 1881-1901. 
 
 This church has sent out three colonies, which were 
 constituted into independent churches, known as fol- 
 lows ; Pleasant Grove, Bledsoe's Creek and Chestnut 
 Grove. The following ministers have been ordained, 
 viz.; James R. Alvis, ordained in 1854; ( iiles C. 
 Harris, ordained in 1865. The\' also liave, within their 
 ranks at ])resent, three ordained ministers, viz. ; El- 
 ders J. L. Hawkins, J. R. Stinson and S. R. Hawkins. 
 
 This church has furnished a Christian home for 
 480 persons since 1842. Their present numl)er is 
 ninet\--eight, and thev are in »eace and harmony under 
 the leadership of Elder J. L. Hawkins. They cast 
 
;'12 nistorij of Middle Teniie.'^'^ee Baptl'^t'-^ 
 
 their lot (iiuiiibcring- forty memliers) with Salem 
 Association in 1842, when convened with Prosperity 
 Church. Wilson C"ounty, Tennessee. They remained 
 with this body till 1830; then they became a con- 
 stituent member of h~non .\ssociation, where they con- 
 tinued to represent until i8yi ; then thev went into 
 the constitution of \\ iseman .\ss(X'iation, where thev 
 continue to represent. 
 
 M-:W ll.\KiMONV. 
 
 This church is situated five miles south of La- 
 fayette, on the Middle I'ork of ( ioose Creek. Alacon 
 County, Tennessee. It is an ofl:s])rinj;- of Hillsdale 
 Church, which was then known as the I^ast I'^ork of 
 (ioose Creek. This church established an arm on the 
 Aliddle ]<"ork of (loose Creek, December, 1846. This 
 arm worshiped in a schoolnouse, known as "Frog 
 I'ond." They worshiped here for nearly two years, 
 during which tinre they had increased to si.xteen mem- 
 bers, five males and eleven females. In Alay, 1848, 
 they petitioned East I'ork Church for letters and called 
 council for organization. They were constituted an 
 independent church, in the above named schoolhouse, 
 on Saturday before the second Sunday in August, 
 1848, by Elders W. C. liransford and Henry Roark 
 and Deacons Wilson T. Aleador, Woniack Parker and 
 Stephen Holland. They adopted the Confession of 
 I'^aith of Salem .Vssociation, with C'hurch Covenant 
 and Rules of Decorum. They adopted the name of 
 .Middle T'ork of Coose Creek, .\fter two vears, thev 
 moved one and a half miles down the creek and built 
 a log house of worship at the fork of .\dams and Bear 
 creeks. Thev retained the original name until 1871, 
 when they ado|)te(l the name of Harmony. In 1874 
 
Church Sketches 313 
 
 tlieir membership had drifted up Adams Fork and 
 they moved three miles up this creek, where the church 
 now stands, and built a new log house and called it 
 New Harmonv. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Henry Roark, 1849-52; Elder E. 
 G. Cartwrig-ht, 1854-55; Elder W. H. Haile, 1856-60; 
 Elder Josiah Wiseman, 1864-65 ; Elder Giles C. Har- 
 ris, 1865-66; Elder V. A. Sanders, 1870-73; Elder E. 
 P>. Stinson, 1873-74: Elder L. A. Minick, 1874-81 ; El- 
 der M. B. Ramsey, 1881-86: Elder T. W, Matthews, 
 1S86-89; Elder j". S. Pardue, 1889-90; Elder C. N. 
 Simmons, 1890-91; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1892-94; 
 Elder R. P. DiUard, 1896-97: Elder M. B. Ramsey, 
 1898-99; Elder J. J- Dyer, 1900 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: X. M. Adams, 1848-58; Solomon Smith, 
 1858-60 (no records were kept during the Civil War) ; 
 Gus Fuqua, 1870-82: W. G. Adams, 1882-85; F- ?• 
 Claiborn, 1885-89: W. A. Fuqua, 1889-94: J. W. 
 Hughs, 1894-97 ; Gus Fuqua, 1897 to the present. 
 
 Deacons : The early deacons of this church were : 
 Leroy Adams, 1849: John Adams, 1849; ^^- J- 
 Claiborn, about 1870: Caleb Fuqua, 1870; J. W. 
 Adams, 1870: J. D. Smith, 1872; Gus Fuqua, 1880; 
 Willis Norman, 1880: R. W. Mason, 1886; G. W. 
 Claiborn, 1886: James Parker, 1900; J. W. Hughs, 
 1900; R. L. Ragland, 1897. 
 
 This church has had quite a struggle for existence. 
 In their early history, they had a hard fight among 
 themselves on the temperance question, brought about 
 by some of their number joining the' "Sons of Tem- 
 perance." In the seventies, Elder E. B. Stinson, their 
 pastor, went oiif into heresy and had to be excluded. 
 Francis Dury was licensed by this church. 
 
 They united with Salem Association in 1848, when 
 
314 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 convened with Dixon's Creek Church. They num- 
 bered, at that time, twenty-two members. They re- 
 mained with this body till 1850, when they helped to 
 form Enon Association ; in this, they represented till 
 1891 : then they went into the constitution of Wiseman 
 Association, where they continue to represent annually. 
 Thev are in a thrivinf^ condition and have recently 
 completed a neat frame house of worship. Deacon 
 Gus Fuqua has lonp; been a pillar in this church, as 
 well as a leader in the work of the Association. They 
 entertained the Enon Association in 1882, and had the 
 exquisite pleasure of having in their midst a no less 
 distinquished man than the lamented J. R. Craves. It 
 was this author's privilegre to be present and listen to 
 him for three hours, on Sunday, as he presented the 
 things of the kingdom of God. This occasion will 
 never be forgotten by the people then living in that 
 community. 
 
 FRIENnSHIP. 
 
 This church is situated in Trousdale County, Ten- 
 nessee, four miles north of the town of Hartsville, on 
 Little Goose Creek, near the village of W^illard. It 
 could hardly be said to be the offspring of any one 
 church. They came, more largely, from old Hopewell 
 Church, than any other, and it might be said to be the 
 mother of this church. This church was gathered 
 through the ministry of Elder Daniel Smith. They 
 were constituted into an independent church, February 
 16, 1855, by the following presbytery, viz. : Elders 
 Daniel Smith, O. J- Fisk and Jonathan Wiseman, with 
 Deacons John Weathered and John Wilks. Tliey con- 
 stituted with twenty-one members, drawn from differ- 
 ent churches. 
 
Church Sketches 315 
 
 Pastois: Elder Daniel Smith, 1855-57, when death 
 closed his work; Elder Jonathan Wiseman, 1857-69, 
 when death closed his work ; Elder E. B. Haynie, 1869- 
 70: Elder W. H. Haile, 1871-74; Elder E. Petri, 1874- 
 76; Elder T. W. Bibb, 1876-79; Elder A. D. Phillips, 
 1880; Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 1881-86; Elder J. H. 
 Grime, 1887-91 ; Elder A. Malone, 1891-93; Elder W. 
 M. S. Wilks, 1893-99; Elder E. N. Dicken, 1900-01. 
 
 Clerks: S. C. Talley, 1855-60; P. S. Harris, 1860- 
 83; B. R. Hawkins, 1883-85; P. S. Harris, 1885-87; 
 T. J, Lockett, 1887-89; B. R. Hawkins, 1889-94; T. A. 
 Bass, 1894-95 ; F. M. Burton, 1895-1900; J- W. Lewis, 
 igoo to the present. 
 
 De.vcons: J. G. Hawkins, 1855 ; P. S. Harris, 1855 ; 
 J. M. Wilks, 1890; T. J. Reece, 1890; J. B. Jeffries, 
 1890; P. F. Burnley, 1901 ; T. A. Bass, 1901 ; J. W. 
 Lewis, 1901, and possibly others. 
 
 This church worshiped hig-her up the creek than 
 where the house now stands, for some years. Perhaps 
 about the latter part of the seventies, they secured the 
 large and beautiful lot (some four acres) where they 
 now worship, built a neat house of worship and con- 
 structed a beautiful cemetery. I know of no church 
 with more beautiful surroundings. In addition to this. 
 Brother J. M. Lewis, of blessed memory, who went 
 to his reward December 8, 1889, bequeathed to this 
 church a beautiful lot and neat cottage house, admir- 
 ably located for a pastor's home. This was to be kept 
 by this chureh and the rents applied to missions. 
 
 This church has never sent out any colonies, except 
 the negroes were constituted into an independent 
 church in 1869, known as Gravel Hill. They still 
 have a prosperous church m the hills some distance 
 north of the white church. 
 
316 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 This church has ordained the following ministers, 
 viz.: Elder S. C. Talley (about A. D. i860), by El- 
 ders W. H. Haile, Jonathan Wiseman and W. H. 
 Cooper; Elder E. B. Stinson, September, 1868, by El- 
 ders Jonathan Wiseman, S. C. Talley and W. H. ITaile ; 
 Elder Richmond Rankins (colored), August, 1868; 
 Elder John Mitchell (colored), April, 1869, by Elders 
 E. B. Haynie, Giles Harris, S. C. Talley and E. B. 
 Stinson. 
 
 The records are so imperfect we cannot determine 
 accurately the number belonging to this church since 
 its organization ; but perhaps not less than 400. They 
 number at present 164. 
 
 This church united with Enon Association in 1855, 
 when convened with Second Creek Church. They rep- 
 resented annually in this body until 1891, when they 
 became a constituent member of Wiseman Associa- 
 tion, in which body they continue to represent. This 
 is one of the most efficient country churches to be 
 found anywhere. Many of the pillars of this churci 
 have been taken away within the last few years, and 
 others stand gazing across the mvstic river. But. 
 blessed be God, he is supplying their places with young 
 men of sterling worth. 
 
 MACF.nONI.V. 
 
 This church is situated in IN'lacon County, Tennessee, 
 two miles south of Red Springs, on the road leading 
 to Carthage. This church was constituted by those 
 veterans of the cross, Elders D. W. Smith and W. L. 
 r)uie, in tlie \'ear 1877, ^'^ ^ schoolhouse, some two 
 miles distant fron: where the church is now located. 
 They were constituted with only ten members, a rather 
 small beginning, but God said, "Fear not, little flock." 
 
Church Sketches 317 
 
 Pastors : The records failed to show who served 
 the first two years after the constitution. Elder M. B. 
 Ramsey, 1879-83; Elder T. W. Matthews, 1883-84; 
 Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1884-85; Elder W. L. Buie, 
 1886-99; Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1899, to the present, 
 
 IQOI. 
 
 Clerks: B. P. Jenkins, 1877-87; Wiley A. Whit- 
 ley, 1887 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: A. H. Morrow, 1877; Wiley A. Whidey, 
 1884; J. C. Whitley, 1894; W. C. Canada, 1894: W. 
 N. Crowder, 1894. 
 
 Elder Wiley Martin was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry by this church in June, i8gi, 
 by the following presbytery, viz. : Elders D. W. 
 Smith, W. L. Buie, John Knight, J. L. Talmon and 
 W. S. Drury, with Deacons King Robinson, J. M. 
 Hall, A. J. Gregory, E. S. Russell, A. H. Morrow and 
 Wiley A. Whitley. 
 
 We are also informed that Wiley A. Whitley and 
 George Lyons are licensed ministers in this church. 
 
 This church has furnished a Christian home for 
 eighty-five persons, since its constitution in 1877. 
 They have at present fifty-one members. 
 
 They united with Enon Association in 1877, when 
 convened with Independence Church. They brought 
 with them a constituency of fourteen. They have rep- 
 resented annually in this body from that date to the 
 present. 
 
 They have a neat new house of worship, which does 
 credit to the zeal of this noble little band. 
 
 GOOD WILL. 
 
 This church is situated on the road leading from 
 Dixon's Springs to Hillsdale, Trousdale County, Ten- 
 
318 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 nessee. It is an offspring of the Dixon's Creek Church. 
 They were gathered under the ministry of Elder J. J. 
 Dyer. 
 
 The church was constituted in a schoolhouse, known 
 as the Watson Schoolhouse, on the second Sunday in 
 January, 1891, by the following presbytery, viz.: El- 
 ders J. J. Dyer, and J. L. Talmon. They numbered in 
 the constitution only seven members. 
 
 Pastors : Elder J. J. Dyer was called to the pastoral 
 care of this church at the constitution and has served 
 without intermission to the present ; being called an- 
 nually, and never losing a vote in the history of the 
 church. A remarkable history indeed ; and the clerk 
 says they expect to keep him till they "wear him out," 
 unless peradventure they should "starve him out first." 
 
 Clerks: Henry Harper, 1891-93; T. M. Kirby, 
 1893-94 ; F. P. Duty, 1894-97; Henry Harper, 1897, 
 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: J. W, Harper, 1891 ; J. P. Lee, 1891 ; 
 Hugh Hargis, 1891; George Taylor, 1900; George 
 Scruggs, 1900; A. N. Blackwell, 1900. 
 
 I'his church, young as it is, has been honored in 
 sending forth two heralds of the cross. 
 
 Elder W. J- Watson was ordained by this church 
 on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in June, 1893, 
 by the following ]iresbytery, viz. : Elders R. B. Davis, 
 J. L. Talmon, W. L. Piuie and J. J. Dyer, with Dea- 
 cons Henry Gammons, S, S. M. Blankenship, J. J. 
 ChamlxTs, Gus Fuqua, T. J. Maxey, James Oldham. 
 J. P. Lee and J. W. Harper. 
 
 l'"dder Benj, Matthews was ordained first Sundav in 
 July, 1899, by Elders W. L. Buie, J. L. Talmon, T. 
 W. Matthews, E. L. Smith and J. J. Dyer, with 
 Deacons J. W. Dillahay, J. W. Massey, J. J. Cham- 
 
Church Sketches 319 
 
 bers, W. S. Oldham, F. C. Cornwell, Cicero Gam- 
 mons, Wade Smith and J. W. Harper. 
 
 This church, in her brief history, has furnished a 
 Christian home for 114 persons. Her present number 
 is eighty-two. 
 
 This church united with Enon Association in 1891, 
 when they met with Friendship Church. That same 
 fall she became a constituent member of Wiseman 
 Association. Brother Henry Harper, clerk of this 
 church, is at present acting as Colporter of Wiseman 
 Association. 
 
 OAK GROVE. 
 
 This church is the outgrowth of the ministry of 
 Elder W. H. Smith, while he was acting as missionary 
 of Enon Association. The church is situated in Clay 
 County, Tennessee, two miles southeast of Clements- 
 ville, on Lyon Creek. It was constituted April 14, 
 1883, by the following presbytery, viz. : Elders W. 
 H. Smith and J- L- Talmon, with Deacon George W. 
 Glover. The church was constituted with only six 
 members. They have never grown rapidly, and are 
 now in rather a low state. 
 
 P.ASTORS : I have not the dates of the service of the 
 pastors, but the following have served the church as 
 pastor: Elders W. H. Smith, T. W. Matthews, D. 
 W. Smith, W. S. Drury, J. H. Swann and Don Q. 
 Smith. 
 
 Clerks: Brother S. A. Pitcock is the only clerk 
 this church has ever had. 
 
 Deacons: S. A. Pitcock, E. C. Grisham, J. A. 
 Parker and C. W. Copas. 
 
 They united with Enon Association in 1883, when 
 convened with Corum Hill Church. They have repre- 
 
320 ITtstory of Middle Tennessee JDaptlsts 
 
 scnted in this body annually until the last two years. 
 It is to be hoijed some minister will go to their relief, 
 as this is an important point. 
 
 im-:I'-|£Ati:d creek. 
 
 This church has one of the most interesting histories 
 of any church in this section. In the very early part 
 of the nineteenth century, a Baptist Church was 
 planted near Piagdad, on Salt Lick Creek, in the edge 
 of Jackson County, Tennessee. The church was given 
 the name of Salt Lick. It was evidently planted by 
 ministers of Old Green River Association, of Ken- 
 tucky, and they cast their lot with this body, or at 
 least we know, upon good authority, that this church 
 was in the constitution of Stockton's Valley Associa- 
 tion, in the fall of 1805 A. D., which was brought 
 about by a division in old Green River Association. 
 Hence we must look beyond that date for the constitu- 
 tion of this old historic church. This church, at this 
 early date, was, most probably under the pastoral care 
 of Elder Levi Rhoden. About 1806 Elder Miles West 
 moved from Halifax County, Virginia, and settled in 
 this community and cast his membership with this 
 church. He had been ordained in the State of Vir- 
 ginia, and came as an ordained minister, and soon 
 took charge of the church. In 1807, Malcom Smith, 
 from North Carolina, who soon after became a min- 
 ister, filed his membership with this church. Through 
 their influence, doubtless, this church, in 1807 A. D., 
 took a letter of dismission from Stockton's Valley 
 Association, and cast their lot with the Cumberland 
 Association, which included, at that time, most of the 
 churches of Middle Tennessee. They remained a 
 member of that body till 1810, when they became a 
 
Chm'ch Sketches 321 
 
 constituent member of Concord Association. They 
 represented annually in Concord Association until 
 1822, when they became a constituent member of 
 Salem Association. They represented annually in this 
 body, passing through all the conflicts with Campbell- 
 ism, standing like a bulwark in defense of the truth. 
 In 1827, Elder Alalcom Smith, a member of this 
 church, went to his reward. 
 
 During all these years this church was ministered 
 to by Elder Miles West, and everything went well 
 imtil the mission question began to be agitated. This 
 was the signal for trouble. Elder West was a man of 
 more than ordinary ability and had a strong hold on 
 his people. However, a considerable minority could 
 not see as he did. But, nothing moved, he stubbornly 
 opposed everything which savored of missions. He 
 at last, supported by a majority, determined to rid 
 the church of every vestige of this sentiment. And 
 more, they decided to make a test of it in the Associa- 
 tion, knowing that many more of the churches were 
 opposed to missions or divided in sentiment. 
 
 In the summer of 1837 they notified this minority 
 that thev must yield or get out of the church. So, 
 when the time for the meeting of the Association was 
 drawing near, the minority of this church sent a 
 memorial address to the Association asking that some 
 steps be taken to adjust the difficulty. The calling 
 up of this memorial letter was the signal for action, 
 and Elder Miles West, followed by Elder Sion Rass 
 and some few others, bolted the Association. (See 
 an account of the Association for this year in another 
 place.) When the minority saw that the last vestige 
 of hope for reconciliation had fled, they asked the As- 
 sociation to send a committee to constitute them into 
 11 
 
322 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 a church at Williams' X Roads. Hence a com- 
 mittee or "presbytery to consist of Elders John Wise- 
 man, Wm. C. Bransford, William Flowers and Jona- 
 than Wiseman" was appointed to meet at the cross 
 roads on Defeated Creek on Friday before the fifth 
 Lord's Day in October, 1837, to constitute this 
 minority into a church. This marks the present loca- 
 tion of the church. It is some three miles west of 
 old Salt Lick Church, and about ten miles north of 
 Carthage in Smith County, Tennessee, on Defeated 
 Creek. From some cause, the constitution took place 
 one day later than the time appointed. On Saturday 
 before the fifth Sunday in October, 1837, Elders John 
 Wiseman, Wm. C. Bransford and Jonathan Wiseman 
 appointed by Salem Association, with the addition of 
 Elders Daniel Smith, E. B. Haynie and Joseph Payne, 
 met with this minority at the place above named and 
 constituted them into an indejiendent church, taking 
 the name of Defeated Creek. This was to all intents 
 and purposes a continuation of the old organization 
 with the name changed. The reconstruction was 
 necessitated by the fact that they had neither officers 
 nor records and the opposition was so bitter that they 
 were refused access to the original records. This 
 church stands in the same relation to the original con- 
 stitution that Round Lick, Brush Creek, Hickman, 
 New Hope, and others do, where the anti-mission 
 element had the majority. Defeated Creek Church, 
 when reorganized numbered thirty-one members, and 
 by the meeting of Salem Association the next fall, they 
 had grown to forty-six in number, and were received 
 back to the bosom of this staid old body as the legiti- 
 mate representative of old Salt Lick Church. After 
 Elder Miles West bolted Salem Association in 1837, 
 
Chiiirh Sketche.s 32?, 
 
 he led a new movement. With the majority of Salt 
 Lick Chnrch, and factions of four other churches, he 
 constituted a new Association the month following, 
 at Cedar Creek Church, known as Round Lick Asso- 
 ciation. This new movement was given the title of 
 Primitive Baptists. Elder West continued to serve 
 the majority faction as pastor until July i8, 1845, 
 when he went to his reward. He was a good man, 
 though mistaken in many of his views and actions. 
 He had a son and namesake. Elder Miles West, Jr., 
 who soon took his place. But with all this, the 
 majority faction continued to decline until some years 
 ago they were forced to move their place of worship 
 some miles distant from where it was constituted and 
 the name changed to Friendship. Elder Miles West, 
 Jr., is now dead and the anti-mission cause is in a 
 languishing condition in this section. 
 
 Return with me to the original Salt Lick Church. 
 Among the events of interest in this old body, before 
 the division, we note the following: In 1812 they 
 most probably sent out a colony, which was constituted 
 into an independent church at Gap of Ridge, some 
 six miles northwest of Lafayette, Macon County, 
 Tennessee, knowai as Testament Church ; in 1810, they 
 ordained to the ministry. Elder Malcom Smith. After 
 this church was reorganized under the name of De- 
 feated Creek in 1837, '^^^ find the following record: 
 
 Pastors: Elder E. B. Haynie, 1837-53; Elder L. 
 A. Smithwick, 1853-56; Elder D. W. Smith, 1856-61 ; 
 Elder E. B. Haynie, 1861-83; Elder T. A. Hudson, 
 1883; Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 1883; Elder W. H. 
 Smith, 1883-90; Elder T. A. Hudson, 1890-95; Elder 
 W. S. Drury, 1895; Elder T. W. Matthews, 1895-97; 
 Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1897-98; Elder W. J. Watson, 
 1898 to the present, 1901. 
 
324 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Clerks: James Cook, 1837-45; Wm. Glover, 1845- 
 47; A. Cartwright, 1847; I- W. Stewart, 1847-53; 
 Thos. Jones, 1853-58; W. M, Smith, 1858-64; Jas. H. 
 Williams, 1864-65; L. W. Russell, 1865-69; E. W. 
 Cornwall, 1869-79; J- H. Jones, 1879-91 ; N. J. Kemp, 
 1891-96; Jno. A. Kemp, 1896-98; G. F. M. Russell, 
 1898 to present. 
 
 Deacons: Joel L. Worley, 1837; Thos. Shoulders, 
 1852; John Nixon, 1852; John Parker, 1852; Wiley 
 Jones, 1852; Present Deacons, Jas. H. Williams, D. A. 
 Duke, M. L. Jones, P. T. Kemp, W. C. Kennedy, H. 
 R. Williams and S. S. High. 
 
 Elder T. W. Matthews was ordained in 1874, by 
 Elders E. B. Haynie, W. H. Haile, G. C. Harris and 
 M. B. Ramsey. 
 
 In November, 1896, they gave letters to thirty-two 
 members to constitute Mt. Vernon Church, near the 
 site of the old original Salt Lick Church. Thus it 
 will be seen that they have sent this daughter back to 
 occupy the old homestead. This is one of the most 
 prosperous churches in all this section. They number 
 at present 272, and are in a very thriving condition. 
 They represented in Salem Association till 1850, when 
 they became a constituent member of Enon Associa- 
 tion, where they still continue to represent. They 
 have a splendid house of worship, and a more conse- 
 crated membership would be hard to find. This old 
 church is now about one hundred years old, and many 
 have been her difficulties, but God has kept her and 
 led her safely through the breakers. 
 
 MOUNT VERNON. 
 
 This church is an offspring of Defeated Creek 
 Church. It is situated in Smith County, Tennessee, 
 
Church Sketches 325 
 
 near the line between Smith and Jackson counties, 
 some twelve miles north of Carthage on the head 
 waters of Salt Lick Creek, and near the site 
 where okl Salt Lick Church once stood. They were 
 constituted December ii, 1896, in Oak Grove school- 
 house, with twent}'-four members. Following is the 
 presb_\ter_\', viz. : Elders T. W. Matthews, T. A. Hud- 
 son, J. H. Swann and T. H. Vantrease, with Deacons 
 King Robinson, W. M. Evans and J. M. Russell. 
 
 The Articles of Faith of Enon Association were 
 adopted and church covenant, as found in Pendleton's 
 Church Manual. 
 
 P.\ST()RS: Elder T. H. Vantrease, 1896-97; Elder 
 G. W. Ramsey, i8(;7-i90o; Elder C. E. Ramsey, 1900, 
 to the present, 190 1. 
 
 Clerks: . John Matthews, 1896-98; R. AT. West, 
 1898 to the present. 
 
 Di-:ac()Ns: Robert West, 1897; John McCormac, 
 1897; Matthew Matthews, 1897. 
 
 This church is still in her infancy but she is about 
 the Master's business. She has Iniilt a neat frame 
 house of worship which is nearly complete. She 
 united with Enon .Association in 1897, when convened 
 with Pleasant \'allev Church, and still continues to 
 represent in that body. This church stands where the 
 old mother church once stood. God turns things 
 around and we shall expect r^reat things of this church. 
 They number at present thirty-five members. 
 
 sn.\nY f.uovE. 
 
 This church, in its constitution, drew its members 
 most probably from Knob Spring, Athens, Second 
 Creek anfl Dixon's Creek. It most probably should 
 be termed an offspring of Dixon's Creek. It was 
 
326 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 gathered through the ministry of Elder E. W. Haile. 
 The best we can gather, this church was constituted 
 in November, 1846, by Elder E. W. Haile and others. 
 It was at this time that Elder Haile baptized his 
 brother, W. H. Haile, into the fellowship of this 
 church. They did not unite with the Association until 
 1847, thus showing they were constituted after Sep- 
 tember, 1846, and before the time of this baptizing, 
 November, 1846. It is most probable that he was 
 baptized at the same meeting the constitution took 
 place. They numbered twenty-five members when 
 they united with the Association in 1847. 
 
 Pastors : Elder E. W. Haile was most probably 
 their first pastor, serving until 1850, when he resigned 
 to move to Putnam County, near Cookeviile, to en- 
 gage in mission work. At this time, his brother, 
 W. H. Haile, had begun to preach and in the early 
 part of the next year, he was ordained and began his 
 work as pastor of this church. He served the church 
 faithfully, until about 1878. The following is the 
 best we can gather from incomplete records : Elder 
 J. H. Jackson, 1878-80; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1882-85; 
 Elder A. H. Rather, 1885-88; Elder J. L. Talmon, 
 1888-90; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1890-91 ; Elder T. W. 
 Matthews, 1891-93; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1893-94; 
 Elder J. A. Stone, 1894-97; Elder J. J. Dyer, 1897- 
 98; Elder J. A. Stone, 1898-99; Elder S. N. Fitz- 
 patrick, 1899 to the present. 
 
 Clerks : Thos. Stalcup is the first clerk we have 
 any account of. Since 1880 we find J. M. Baron, D. 
 S. Reed and W. M. Bundy, but the dates they served 
 we are not informed. 
 
 Deacons : The only deacons we can secure the 
 names of are W. M. Bundy, R. Nolver, John Burford, 
 
Church Sketches 327 
 
 Jackson Tilman, Caleb Reed, Alex Reed and E. S. 
 Huffman. 
 
 This church is situated some three miles southeast 
 of Hartsville, Trousdale County, Tennessee, in the 
 bend of Cumberland River, on the north side of this 
 historic stream. 
 
 They ordained, in 185 1, to the full work of the 
 gospel ministry, Elder W. H. Haile, the following 
 acting as presbytery: Elders Jonathan Wiseman, 
 Hcnrv Roark and E. \\^ Haile, with Deacons John 
 Wilks and John Weathered. 
 
 The saddest thing in the history of this church, is 
 when they turned off their tried and faithful old pas- 
 tor. Elder W. H. Haile, for one J. H. Jackson, an 
 impostor, who came near working the ruin of this 
 church. It seemed for some time that they would 
 finally become extinct, but God heard the cry of the 
 faithful and they have again come to the front, and 
 stand among the active churches of the Association. 
 They have at present eighty-four members. This 
 church united with Salem Association in 1847, ^'id in 
 1850 they became a constituent member of Enon As- 
 sociation. In 1891 they became a constituent member 
 of Wiseman Association, in which they continue to 
 represent. Within the past few years, they have con- 
 structed a neat frame house of worship and they are 
 marching on to victory. The Association is to meet 
 with them in 1902. 
 
 day's cross roads. 
 
 This church is located two miles east of Lafayette, 
 on the Red Springs road, Macon County, Tennessee. 
 It is an offspring of Lafayette Church, and was con- 
 stituted November 6, 1885, with nine members. The 
 
328 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 presbytery at the organization consisted of Elders M. 
 B. Ramsey, T. W. Matthews, Stephen Harper and 
 J. L. Tahnon. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. L. Talmon, 1885-93; Elder J. 
 B. R. Knight, 1893-96; Elder W.^H. Driver, 1896-97; 
 Elder J. L. Talmon, 1897-1901 ; Elder G. W. Ramsey, 
 1901 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: G. P. Day, 1885, to the present, being the 
 only clerk the church has ever had. 
 
 Deacons: G. P. Day, 1888; G. A. Gregory, 1897; 
 H. F. Hargis, 1897. 
 
 This church has furnished a Christian home for 
 eighty-one persons since they were constituted. They 
 united with Enon Association in 1886, when convened 
 with Bellewood Church. They continue to represent 
 in this body. The present number of members is fifty- 
 eight. They have a consecrated, zealous membership 
 and the Lord is blessing their labors. We shall expect 
 to hear from this young church as the years go by. . 
 
 ZION. 
 
 This church is situated some three or four miles 
 southwest of Hartsville, Trousdale County, Tennessee, 
 in Puryear's Bend, on the north side of Cumberland 
 River. 
 
 This church is an offspring of Second Creek and 
 Athens churches. The church was gathered under 
 the ministry of Elders Louis Dies and W. H. Haile. 
 They were constituted into an independent church 
 November 9, 1878, by a presbytery consisting of El- 
 ders W. H. Haile, Richard Lyon and Louis Dies, 
 with Deacons P. S. Harris, J. W. White and Z. A. 
 Lyon. They were organized with sixteen members, 
 but they now number, according to last minutes, fifty. 
 
Church Skttches 329 
 
 They have had, from the beginning to the present, 
 one hundred members in their fellowship. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Louis Dies, 1878 (he served only 
 six months when he was called to his reward) ; El- 
 der J. S. Rice. 1879-84; Elder A. H. Rather, 1884-87; 
 Elder J. F. Lambert, 1887; Elder J. S. Rice, 1888-90; 
 Elder W. ]\L S. Wilks, 1890, to about 1894; Elder 
 P. W. Carney, 1894; Elder J. J. Carr, 1895-96; Elder 
 J. B. R. Knight, 1896-99 ; Elder G. W. Sherman, 1900 ; 
 Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, 1901 to the present. 
 
 Clerks : P. B. Vaughn, R. B. Hager, W. B. Rober- 
 son and J. D. Roberson. Dates of service not known. 
 
 Deacons : Charles Roberson, D. Y. Puryear, W. 
 B. Smith, W. B, Roberson and Daniel Puryear. 
 
 Soon after the constitution of this church, Elder W. 
 H. Haile cast his membership with her and was still 
 a member here when he passed under the wave. 
 
 This church united with Enon Association in 1879, 
 when convened with the church at Siloam. They had 
 increased at that time to twenty-nine members. They 
 have a good house, and occupy a place which would 
 otherwise he destitute ; yet they will always be some- 
 what circumscribed in territory by the river. They 
 were on the decline at one time, but are now taking 
 on new life. 
 
 IIOPEW'RLL. 
 
 Tliis old historic church is now located two miles 
 east of Castalian Springs on the old Gallatin and La- 
 fayette "dirt road," Sumner County, Tennessee. 
 
 Tradition fixes the origin of this church in the latter 
 part of the eighteenth century. United States Senator, 
 Hon. W. B. Bate, who is a member of this church, 
 tells the story thus : The church was organized some 
 
330 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 time between the dates of 17QO A. D. and 1800, by 
 his great-grandfather, Elder Frank Weathered, and 
 that the said Weathered was the first pastor. He takes 
 great pdeasiire in pointing out one of the corner-stones 
 of the house in which this early church worshiped. 
 The stone is still intact, situated in the yard of the 
 Senator's summer home one mile north of Castalian 
 Springs. 
 
 Owing to the fact that the records of this church 
 prior to 1841 were burned, this has been accepted as 
 the early history of this church. This author does 
 not call in question the above facts and would do all 
 possible honor to this father in Israel. The mistake, 
 however, occurs in connecting this ancient body with 
 the present Hopewell Church. As this was in the 
 time when Indian outbreaks were still disturbing our 
 civilization and matters were unsettled, it is probable 
 this early interest was dissolved. 
 
 In A. D. 1835, Salem Association, while in session 
 with Spring Creek Church, some four miles east of 
 Lebanon, requested the clerks of the various churches 
 to write up their history for publication in Allen's 
 (Baptist) Register for 1836. The history of this 
 church was written by their clerk, Raymond Head, 
 and can be found on page 228 of this work. This was 
 written before the records were burned, and while 
 many of the constituent members were still living. 
 P'rom this sketch, we gather the following facts : 
 
 The church was gathered through the labors of 
 Elders William Phipps, Patrick Mooney and George 
 Tillman. Thev were constituted into an independent 
 church May 24, 1800, Elders William Phipps and 
 Patrick Mooncy acting as constituting presbytery. It 
 was constituted nine miles east of Gallatin on Bledsoe's 
 
Church Sketches 331 
 
 Creek and was given the name of Bledsoe's Creek 
 Church, afterward taking the name of Hopewell. 
 There were nineteen members in the constitution. 
 This church was most probably an offspring of West 
 Station Camp Church, of which Elder Phipps was at 
 this time pastor. Soon after the constitution of this 
 church, Elder Daniel Parker, a young minister at that 
 time, but who afterwards became the famous founder 
 of the Two-seed Baptists, moved into the community. 
 The said Elder Daniel Parker was chosen pastor of 
 this church July 25, 1807, and continued as such 
 until November 22, 1 81 7, when he resigned and moved 
 to Illinois. (See Spencer's History of Kentucky Bap- 
 tists, Vol. I, p. 576.) He soon rose to be one of the 
 leading lights among the ministry of Concord Asso- 
 ciation and the church was very prosperous under his 
 ministry. (See sketch of his life in another place.) 
 From the time of his resignation until April, 1820, 
 they seem to have been without any regular pastor. 
 At this time they extended a call to Elder John Wise- 
 man, who at that time lived near Dixon's Springs, 
 Smith County. At this same meeting, they sent out 
 a colony of fifteen members to form a new church. In 
 December following, thev sent out another colony of 
 eighteen to form another new church. Unfortunately, 
 the author fails to tell what new churches were con- 
 stituted. This church numbered 114 members in 1835. 
 They also had preaching twice each month and had 
 continuously kept up a prayer meeting for twelve 
 years, or since 1823. They also fostered a Sunday 
 school. Remember that this was prior to the division 
 on the mission question. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Daniel Parker, 1807-17; Elder 
 John Wiseman, 1820-48; Elder Jonathan Wiseman, 
 
332 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1849-69, when death closed his labors ; Elder Josiah 
 J. Wiseman, 1869-71, when death also closed his 
 labors; Elder J. M. PhilHps, 1872-74; Elder R. S. 
 Blankenship, 1874-76; Elder J. H. Jackson, 1876-78; 
 Elder J. M. Walters, 1878; Elder John S. Pardue, 
 1879-80; Elder A. H. Rather, 1880-83; Elder W. M. 
 Kuykendall, 1883-85; Elder J. H. Piland, 18S5— ; 
 Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1887 to the present. 
 
 Clerks : John Weathered was first clerk ; Ray- 
 mond Head was clerk in 1835. The next is Pascal 
 Head, who closed his labors 1849; Wm. Crim, 1849- 
 71; Jno. W. Wiseman, 1871-87; Jno. W. Jones, 1887- 
 88; Robt. F. Byrns, 1888-92; Jno. W. Jones, 1892-96; 
 Thos. S. Jones, 1896, to the present. 
 
 DliACGNS : The first deacons of whom we have any 
 record were John Weathered, 1807, and John Wilks, 
 Sr. They were among the best known and most active 
 deacons of their day. They were often called many 
 miles to aid in church matters. Richard Winn, 1845 
 William Crim, 1845; John G. Pardue, 1872; John W 
 Wiseman, 1872; W. M. S. Wilks, 1877; John W 
 Jones, 1881 ; Thos. D. Johnson, 1889; J. M. Wilks, — 
 
 Besides the two colonies mentioned above, this 
 church has sent out Second Creek Church, 181 5 
 Friendship, 1855 ; Corum Hill, 1857. 
 
 They have sent out the following ministers : Elder 
 Jonathan Wiseman, ordained 1836, by Elders John 
 Borum, Robert Rutherford and Thos. Watts ; Elders 
 Jno. S. Rice and Josiah J. Wiseman, ordained Novem- 
 ber 22, 1856, by Elders Wm. Henry Haile and Jona- 
 than Wiseman ; Elder Thos. E. Kiser, ordained Octo- 
 ber, 1866, by Elders D. B. Hale, Jonathan Wiseman 
 and J. J. Wiseman; Elder Jno. S. Pardue, ordained 
 December, 1877, by Elders J. H. Jackson and R. S. 
 
Church Sketches 333 
 
 Blankenship; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, ordained May, 
 1881, by Elders A. H. Rather, J. F. Lambert, J. P. 
 Gilliam and J. S. Pardue ; Elder Jno. W. McQueen, 
 ordained December, 1897, by Elders W. M. S. Wilks 
 and John S. Pardue. 
 
 Tliis is certainly a fine record, to send out seven 
 ministers, and especially men of so much ability. It 
 is perhaps the only country church which can claim 
 a United States Senator as a member. 
 
 \Mien this church was first constituted in 1806, they 
 united with Stockton's Valley Association, while in 
 session at Mill Creek, Monroe County, Kentucky. In 
 1807 they took letter and united with Cumberland As- 
 sociation, In 1810 they went into the constitution of 
 Concord Association ; in 1822 they went into the con- 
 stitution of Salem Association ; in 1850 they became 
 a constituent member of Enon Association ; and in 
 1891 they went into the constitution of Wiseman As- 
 sociation where they still continue to represent. 
 
 This church worshiped near the spot where they 
 were constituted until 1897, when they moved to the 
 present Uxation, building, in all, four houses of wor- 
 ship. They retained the name of Bledsoe's Creek as 
 late as 1870, when they took the name of Hopewell. 
 
 A good many years ago the church became weak- 
 ened on account of deaths, removals, and other causes 
 until, unable to keep up their house of worship, they 
 consented, for the sake of financial help, to share it 
 with the CampbelHtes. In the eighties, the Baptists 
 became so weakened that the Campbellites thought it 
 their time to strike. So they assumed a dominant 
 attitude, and instead of contenting themselves with 
 their interest in the house, they assumed full control, 
 occupying every Sunday, with their Sunday school 
 
334 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 and communion service, and if a Baptist wanted to 
 preach on Sunday he could not get a hearing until 
 they were through, even though it ran over the regular 
 preaching hour, and, even then, they would go away 
 and refuse to hear him preach. After dragging along 
 in this way for some time a good per cent gave up 
 in despair and cast their membership with other 
 churches. The few left wandered aimlessly along, 
 having no meetings, while the sanctuary where the 
 fathers had preached and prayed and wept resounded 
 with the harangue of baptismal remission of sins. 
 In July, 1887, Elder George Hildry Dorris, a traveling 
 evangelist (not the modern type), who stands for 
 Baptist doctrine against all comers, and especially 
 against Campbellism, came to their rescue. In a meet- 
 ing of about two weeks, he wielded the sword of truth 
 against Campbellism with unmerciful vigor. God 
 blessed it ; new converts were made ; the scattered 
 hosts of Israel rallied and routed the hosts of the 
 Philistines. They called Elder W. M. S. Wilks as 
 pastor, and recruits of the Gideon type came thick 
 and fast, and under Brother Wilks' ministry, since 
 1887, they have grown from 14 to 123. It is to-day 
 one of our best churches — worshiping in a neat, new 
 house. It is but justice to say that Elder J. S. Pardue, 
 who was a member there, stood through all these years 
 of struggle, like the "boy on the burning deck." He 
 prayed and preached and struggled, and "against hope, 
 believed in hope" till the relief came, and he mounted 
 the parapet and shouted victory. If you would know 
 where the Campbellites are, ask the winds. I suppose 
 it would be safe to say that this church, since the be- 
 ginning, has furnished a Christian home for more 
 than four hundred people. 
 
Cliurch Sketrlies 335 
 
 CORUM HILL, 
 
 This church is located in the First Civil District of 
 Sumner County. Tennessee, ten miles east of Gallatin, 
 in Belote's Bend, on the north side of Cumberland 
 River. The church might properly be termed an off- 
 spring of Hopewell Church, though drawing some 
 members from Second Creek. It was gathered 
 through the ministry of Elder Jno. S. Rice, who be- 
 came one of the constituent members. They were con- 
 stituted into an independent church, with fifteen mem- 
 bers the first Sunday in January, 1857, by the follow- 
 ing presbytery, viz. : Elders Daniel Smith, W. H. 
 Haile and D. W. Smith, with Deacons John Weath- 
 ered, John Wilks, William Crim, James S. Siddons 
 and Pleasant Harris. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Jno. S. Rice, 1857-70; Elder R. 
 Dorris, 1872-72; Elder R. S. Blankenship, 1872-75; 
 Elder J. S. Rice, 1876-81 ; Elder A. H. Rather, 1881- 
 87; Elder J. E. Lambert, 1887-88; Elder W. M. S. 
 Wilks, 1888-91; Elder J. A. Stone, 1891-93; Elder 
 T. T- Carr, 1893-1901 ; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, to the 
 present. 
 
 Clerks: William Locket, 1857-73; W. W. Locket, 
 1874-77; J. 1!. Locket, 1877-80; H. C. Corum, 1880; 
 William Young, 1880-82; J. B. Locket, 1882-84; S. M. 
 Wilks, 1884-94; J. E. Corum, 1894-96; S, M. Wilks, 
 1896, to the present.^ 
 
 Deacons: David Rice, 1857; William Locket, 
 1857; William Corum, 1865 ; George Mitchener, 1865 ; 
 E. N. Mitchener, 1865. 
 
 This church ordained to the ministry Elder J. A. 
 Stone, October, 1887, by Elders J. F. Lambert and 
 W. M. S. Wilks with the deacons of Corum Hill 
 Church, 
 
33H History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 The church was constituted in an old log house and 
 given the name of Corum's Chapel. They afterward 
 purchased a beautiful lot on a high hill and built a 
 neat house of worship and changed the name to 
 Corum Hill. 
 
 This church has furnished a Christian home for 213 
 persons since the organization. They now number 
 sixty-eight members. 
 
 They united with Enon Association in 1857, when 
 in session with Friendship Church. This church oc- 
 cupies an important point, yet a little bit circumscribed 
 in territory. They have had much opposition, but 
 have proved themselves faithful warriors. They have 
 represented in Wiseman Association since 1892. 
 
 MX. TABOR. 
 
 This church is situated in Smith County, Tennessee, 
 near the village of Pleasant Shade on the waters of 
 Peyton's Creek, some nine miles northwest of Car- 
 thage. It is an ofTspring of Peyton's Creek Church 
 and was gathered through the ministry of Elder Dan- 
 iel Smith. They were constituted into an independent 
 church in May, 1836, with twenty-four members. This 
 was at the time when the denomination was stirred 
 over the mission question. The organizing Presby- 
 tery consisted of Elders John Wiseman, W. C. Brans- 
 ford, Daniel Smith and E. B. Haynie, with Deacons 
 William Martin, Jno. A. Johnson, Thos. Taylor and 
 Abel Gregory. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Daniel Smith, 1836 to 1856; Elder 
 Daniel Wiseman Smith, 1856-59; Elder John Patter- 
 son, i859;6i ; Elder E. L. Smith, 1865-88; Elder M. 
 B. Ramsey, 1888 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: John Patterson, 10 or 15 years; John 
 
Church Sketches 337 
 
 Boston, 5 years; John Nixon, 7 or 8 years; M. C. 
 Gregory, 10 years ; Robert Gregory, 3 or 4 years ; J. 
 W. Hall, 5 or 6 years ; A. J. Gregory, 3 or 4 years ; 
 Wiseman Gregory, 6 or 7 years; W. C. Earps is the 
 present clerk. 
 
 Deacons: Jack Shoulders, Andy Boston, John 
 Nixon, Abel Gregory, John Evans, John Patterson, 
 
 D. J. Smith, James Earps, Thomas Smith, Pitts Greg- 
 ory, Charley Nixon, W. C. Porter, T. T. Shepherd, 
 James Gregory, James Earps, Jr., W. T. Smith, and 
 I. P. McDonald. 
 
 This church has sent out the following ministers, 
 viz. : 
 
 Elder Enoch G. Cartwright was ordained by this 
 church, date not known. 
 
 Elder Levi A. Smith wick, ordained 1846, by Elders 
 John Wiseman, Jonathan Wiseman, Daniel Smith, 
 and Reuben Payne. 
 
 Elder John Patterson, ordained 1861, by Elders 
 
 E. B. Haynie and D. W. Smith. 
 
 Elder E. L. Smith, ordained October, 1864, by El- 
 ders E. B. Haynie and W. H. Haile, with a number 
 of deacons. 
 
 This church has sent out two colonies to form new 
 churches, viz. : Ebenezer and Sycamore Valley, 
 These are both thriving churches. 
 
 From some cause, they did not unite with the As- 
 sociation until 1837, when they brought a constitu- 
 ency of 85 members into Salem Association, while 
 in session with New Hope Church. They certainly 
 had a stormy reception, for it was at this session that 
 Elder Miles West bolted the Association, on the mis- 
 sion question. They continued to represent in Salem 
 Association until 1850, when they became a constitu- 
 
338 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ent member of Enon Association, in which body they 
 continue to represent. It was this church which first 
 sprung the question of divisicoi to form Enon Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 This church is a great place for the people to meet, 
 and has had a prosperous career. They have baptized 
 hundreds, through their pastors. Present number of 
 members is 255. One thing can be said of them : they 
 are roval Baptists, standing for the old landmarks 
 blazed out by the fathers, and nothing but a Baptist 
 need apply. They have an elegant house of worship. 
 
 LinEr.tTY. 
 
 This church is situated six miles northeast of La- 
 fayette, Macon County, Tennessee. 
 
 Tradition says that Baptist doctrine was first intro- 
 duced into this community in 181 1, and that an arm 
 from East Fork of Goose Creek (now Hillsdale} was 
 extended here in 1814. The records begin with No- 
 vember 2, 1822, when they were constituted into an 
 independent church bv Elders John Wiseman, Hiram 
 Casey, William Roark and Malcom Smith. The 
 church was doubtless gathered through the ministry 
 of Elder Malcom Smith, who became their first pas- 
 tor and served until his death, in 1827. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Malcom Smith, 1822-27; Elder 
 Daniel Smith, 1830-57; Elder D. W. Smith, 1857-79: 
 Elder W. L. Buie, 1879-86; Elder W. H. Smith, [886- 
 87: Elder W. L. Buie, 1887-89: Elder J. L. Talmon, 
 1889-90; Elder W. L. Buie, 1890-92; Elder D. W. 
 Smith was called and served until his death, Septem- 
 ber, 1892; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 1892-94; Elder W. 
 L. Buie, 1894-96; Elder R. B. Davis, 1896-98; Elder 
 J. B. R. Knight, 1898 to the present. 
 
ChniTh Sketches 339 
 
 Clerks: Thomas Dodson, 1822-32; Alexander 
 Pipkin, 1832-51; T. S. Meador, 1851-54; iM. N. Tur- 
 ner, 1854-56; C. H. Smith, 1856-61; W. L, Buie, 
 1861-65; J. S. Horn, 1865-66; W. M. Smith, 1866-69; 
 G. R. brury, i8rx)-73 ; W. C. Pipkin, 1873-84; J. W. 
 Marsh. 1884-86; Pattie East, 1886-89; W. S. Drury, 
 1889-90; J. S. Freeman, 1890-91 ; J. W. Marsh, 1891 
 to the present. 
 
 De.\cons; Thomas Dotson, 1823; Abraham Par- 
 ker, 1832 ; Dabney Cooper, 1833 ; Alexander Pipkin, 
 1837; Growner Owens, 1844; Thomas S. Meador, 
 1854; W. L. Buie. 1859; D. D. C. Smith, i860; Ira 
 W. Meador, i860; A. J. Pipkin and G. J. Tucker, 
 1872; E. F. Tucker and J. S. Horn, 1874; Jas. Willis, 
 Jas. Holland and ^^'m. Dun, 1880 ; Wilson Ragland, 
 Dock Cooper, H. H. Tucker and James Reagan, 1901. 
 
 This church has been called the mother of churches 
 and preachers. Among- the colonies sent out to form 
 new churches, we note the following: Lafa}-ette, 
 I.Tnion, Bethany, Enon and Antioch. 
 
 They have sent out the following ministers, viz : 
 Elder Z. M. Williams, ordained May, 1823 (this is 
 all that can be ascertained of him) ; Elder W. L. Buie, 
 ordained May, i860; Elders W. H. Smith and J. L. 
 Talmon, ordained November 12, 1881, by Elders Cris- 
 ley Miller and M. B. Ramsey, with a number of Dea- 
 cons ; Elder W. S. Drury, ordained ]\Iay, 1891 ; Elders 
 P. G. Drury and W. H. Driver, ordained May, 1894; 
 Elder D. E. Morris, ordained February, 1900. 
 
 This church, in 1823, passed a resolution to unite 
 with Salem Association. But, ior some cause, they 
 seem never to have done so. They rejiresented in 
 Green River Association, of Kentucky, until 1830, 
 when they went into the constitution of Barren River 
 
340 History of Middle Tennessee Baiptists 
 
 Association. They represented in this body until 1840, 
 when they transferred to Salem Association. They 
 represented in this body till 1850, when they went 
 into the constitution of Enon Association, where they 
 continue to represent. 
 
 This church has never been wealthy, and her fame 
 has never gone abroad, yet, in reality, few churches 
 have been more blessed of the Lord in extending her 
 borilers and sending forth heralds of the cross. They 
 have always had a good working memljersliip and 
 now number 167 members. They have a good new 
 house of worship. They are Baptists of the sterling 
 type. 
 
 ROCK BRIDGE. 
 
 This church is situated in Sumner County, Tennes- 
 see, ten miles northeast of Gallatin, on the High Land 
 Rim. This is an offspring of Pleasant Hill Church. 
 They were constituted into an independent church 
 January 20, 1883, by Elders J. F. Lambert and Jno. 
 S. Pardue, with twelve members. 
 
 P.\ST()Rs: Elder A. H. Rather, 1883; Elder J. S. 
 Pardue, 1883-86; Elder I. M. Ashlock, 1886-89; El- 
 der J. F. Lambert, 1889-90; Elder A. W. Keen, 1890- 
 92; Elder J. S. Pardue, 1892-95; Elder J. W. Swan, 
 1896 to the present. 
 
 Clerks; Mrs. ]\Iary Addy, 1883; J. W. Dorris, 
 1883 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: J. S. Addy, 1883; W. A. Dorris, 1883; 
 W. B. Wallace, 1887; J. W. Dorris, 1889; James Ash- 
 lock, 1889; J. P. Lee, 1901. 
 
 Tliis church has ordained to the ministry Elder W. 
 H. Taylor, ordained September 24, 1893, by Elders 
 J. S. Pardue, J. W. Dorris and J. O. Kirkham. 
 
Chvrch Sketches 341 
 
 This church has never been very strong. She has 
 furnished a Christian home for 80 persons during- her 
 short history. They now number 31 members. They 
 united with Enon Association in 1883, when convened 
 with Corum Hill Church. They represented in this 
 body until 1891, when they went into the constitution 
 of Wiseman Association, where they still represent. 
 Elder I. M. Ashlock, a minister who belonged to this 
 church, went to his reward in June, 1894. He was 
 indeed a man of God. 
 
 This church is located on the headwaters of Long 
 Fork Creek, Macon County, Tennessee, some six miles 
 east of Lafayette. LTnion Church is an offspring of 
 Liberty Church, and was constituted with thirteen 
 members. They were most probably gathered through 
 the ministry of Elder Daniel Smith. They were con- 
 stituted into an independent church May 29, 1852, by 
 the following Presbytery, viz. : Elders Daniel Smith, 
 E. G. Cartwright, Levi A. Smithwick and Washing- 
 ton Glover, with Deacons A. Pipkin, T. M. Wallace, 
 John Nixon and John Shoulders. D. W. Smith, a 
 son of Elder Daniel Smith, and who himself after- 
 ward became an eminent minister, was one of the 
 constituent members. 
 
 P,\STnKS : According to the best information we 
 arc able to gather. Elder Daniel .Smith was the tirst 
 pastor. In the absence of a house of worship he held 
 services, through the summer season, in a beech grove 
 near the house where I^cacon J. M. Williams now 
 lives, but where his father then lived. They would 
 presumably meet in private residences thmugli the 
 winter season. The following is ni)pr()xiniatel\' cor- 
 
342 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 rect : Elder Daniel Smith, 1852-53; Elder Washing- 
 ton (Tlover, 1853-54; Elder Levi A. Smithwick, 1854- 
 57; Elder D. W. Smith, 1857-92, when he was called 
 from labor to rest; Elder E. L. Smith, 1892-94; Elder 
 J. B. R, Knight, 1894 to the present. 
 
 Clerks : The following have served as Clerk for 
 this church, but the date of service is not known, viz. : 
 J. A. Parker, W. M. Gregory, L. T. Brooks, I. P. 
 McDonald, J. M. Williams, I. T. G. McDonald, Eth- 
 ler McDonald and E. M. McDonald. 
 
 Deacons: Their Deacons have been as follows: 
 D. W. Smith, Richard Williams, Growner Owens, 
 W. M. Gregory, L. T. Brooks, W. A. Hargis, Wiley 
 Kemp, J. M. Williams, E. F. Tuck, W. D. McDonald 
 and W. H. Smith. 
 
 This has been one of the most prosperous churches 
 in that section. In the last fifty years there have been 
 some four hundred persons baptized by her authority, 
 and perhaps not less than six hundred persons have 
 found a home with her. She has furnished members 
 in the constitution of Macedonia, Sycamore Valley 
 and Day's X Roads ; yet she could hardly be called the 
 mother of any church. 
 
 Elder D. W. Smith was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry by this church in June, 1854, 
 by the following Presbytery, viz. : Elders Daniel Smith, 
 Andrew Jackson, Washington Glover, and L. A. 
 Smithwick, with Deacons A. M. Gibbs, Wiley Jones, 
 R. Smith, A. Pipkin, M. Wallace, John Shoulders, J. 
 Ni.xon, R. Willi.!, ns and G. Owens. 
 
 So far as we know, this is the only minister ordained 
 by this church, but this is an achievement of which 
 any church should be proud. Brother Smith was 
 rarely surpassed as a gospel preacher. After his ordi- 
 
Church Sketches 343 
 
 nation, he entered at once upon the pastorate of this 
 church and continued for thirty-five years. During 
 all these years this church was noted for her faith 
 and discipline. They have kept up the practice of 
 washing feet. There is not the vigor in this body 
 there once was, but even yet she stands a power for 
 good. At present they have 102 members. They 
 erected a good log house of worship in 1855, in which 
 they continued to meet until 1892. They then erected 
 a neat frame building, where they continue to wor- 
 ship. They cast their lot with Enon Association in 
 1852, when convened with New Salem Church, on 
 Snow Creek, Smith County. They have annually rep- 
 resented in this body to the present time. This church 
 is composed of royal Baptists. But how could it be 
 otherwise, with such a ministry as they have had, and 
 that prince of Baptists, Deacon J. M. Williams, to 
 counsel them ? 
 
 LONG CREEK. 
 
 This church is situated on the waters of Long 
 Creek, from which they derived the name, some five 
 miles west of Lafayette, Macon County, Tennessee. 
 The constitution of this church grew out of a revival, 
 held in a school house, by Elders Daniel Smith and 
 .'\ndv Jackson. This church was constituted, most 
 probablv, about November, 1853. The first authentic 
 statement we have of this church is when they united 
 with Enon y\ssociation, on Saturday before the first 
 Sunday in October, 1854. The best we can gather 
 they were constituted with nine members and had in- 
 creased to eighteen by the time they united with the 
 Association. They were constituted by a Presbytery 
 consisting of Elders Daniel Smith, Andy Jacicson, E. 
 
344 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 G. Cartwright, Levi A. Smithwick, Thomas Jent and 
 Ira Henderson. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Andrew Jackson, 1854-58; Elder 
 James h. Alvis, 1858-60; Elder Josiah J. Wiseman, 
 1860-63; Elder L. A. Minick, 1863-65; Elder W. L. 
 Buie, 1865-73; Elder L. A. Minick, 1873-74; Elder V. 
 A. Sanders, 1874-75 ; Elder Giles C. Harris, 1875-79 i 
 Elder William Burnley, 1879-80. At this period trou- 
 ble arose and they were supplied by Elder L. A. Min- 
 ick until 1881 ; Elder V. A. Sanders, 1881-84; when 
 such confusion prevailed that a majority took letters, 
 virtually leaving the church m a disbanded state. This 
 condition prevailetl, 'with only occasional preaching, 
 until 1895, when they dissolved in full. Soon after, 
 however. Elders W. L. Buie, J. L. Talmon and V. A. 
 Sanders held a meeting there of several days, which 
 God graciously blessed. The scattered hosts of Israel 
 took courage and came together October 31, 1896, 
 and reorganized with fourteen members, the following 
 acting as Presbytery, viz. : Elders W. L. Buie, J. S. 
 Parduc, J. L. Talmon, V. A. Sanders, J. Y. Freeman 
 and S. R. Hawkins, with a number of Deacons. After 
 this their pastors have been Elder \N . L. Buie, 1896- 
 99; Elder J. S. Meador, 1899-1900; Elder R. P. Dil- 
 lard, 1900 to present. 
 
 Clerks: J. O. Claiborn, 1860-95; ^^- W. Jenkins, 
 1896 to the present. 
 
 Deacons : H. J. Claiborn, Jeff Jenkins, J. D. Jen- 
 kins ; since reorganization, Ben Lack, W. K. John- 
 son, G, W. Jenkins, iqoi ; T. F. Meador, 1901. 
 
 This church united with Enon Association in 1854, 
 when convened with Peyton's Creek Church. Thev 
 represented with this body imtil 187Q, when thev 
 ceased ; and in 1884 they were dropped from the roll. 
 
Church Sketches 345 
 
 Then came their long and painful sleep, but, ihank 
 the Lord, they have awakened and gone forth to the 
 work. In 1897 they cast their lot with Wiseman As- 
 sociation, when convened with Independence Church, 
 Sumner County, Tennessee. 
 
 This church keeps up the practice of washing feet 
 in church capacity. They number nineteen members. 
 
 SECOND CREEK. 
 
 This old church is extinct. But so long and so 
 prominently did she figure in the history of the Bap- 
 tists of this section that this book would not be com- 
 plete without some reference to her work. The loca- 
 tion of this church was some three miles west of 
 Hartsville, in Trousdale County, Tennessee, and near 
 the pike leading from Hartsville to Gallatin. They 
 took their name from Second Creek, on whose waters 
 they were located. This church was gathered by El- 
 der John Wiseman and was most probably an off- 
 spring of Hopewell, then known as Bledsoe's Creek. 
 This church was constituted about 181 5. They united 
 with Concord Association in 1815, when convened 
 with Overall's Creek, in Rutherford County, Tennes- 
 see. They continued to represent in this body until 
 1822, when they went into the constitution of Salem 
 Association. They then represented annually in this 
 body until 1850, when they again went into the consti- 
 tution of Enon Association. They then represented in 
 this body until 1878, after which time the name of 
 Second Creek disappears from the roll. They had 
 become depleted in membership, in consequence of re- 
 movals, deaths and supplies for new .churches. Soon 
 after the meeting of Enon Association, in 1878, Zion 
 Church was constituted largely out of the member- 
 
34(i Hiatury of Middle TenHex.xee Baptldx 
 
 ship of Second Creek. This left only a remnant of 
 this old church, and of necessity they disbanded. This 
 was for many years one of the leading churches of 
 this section. Elder John Wiseman was their first pas- 
 tor. Among- the leading spirits in this church we men- 
 tion Deacons J. L. Carson and D. Thompson and C. 
 Robinson. Brother Carson was one of the leading 
 men in the Association, and for many years the clerk 
 of the Association and probably of his church. This 
 church once entertained Salem Association and twice 
 Enon Association. 
 
 It naturally brings a feeling of sadness when we 
 write of the decline of this old church. I never pass 
 by where this consecrated band worshiped, and where 
 such consecrated men of God delivered the gospel mes- 
 sage, as those were who stood in her 'pulpit, but what 
 I feel like uncovering my head. This church was 
 wisely located at the start, and did her work and did 
 it well ; but time changed the centers of influence and 
 numbered her days. Eternity alone will reveal the 
 good accomplished by this old church, and it will be 
 the pride of these pages to help preserve her name to 
 generations yet to come. 
 
 MT. OLIVET. 
 
 This church is situated in Trousdale County, Ten- 
 nessee, in the bend of Cumberland River, some three 
 miles north of Hunter's Point and eight miles west of 
 Hartsville. This church was constituted about 1882, 
 from a remnant left from old Second Creek Church 
 and a few scattering Baptists who had moved into the 
 community. Their territory was somewhat circum- 
 scribed and they never had a rapid growth. At the 
 start they had the services of such men as Elders T. 
 
Church Sketches 347 
 
 J. Eastes and J. T. Oakley, and such pillars in the 
 church as Deacons J. L. Carson and Ezekiel Bass. 
 Largely through the influence and means of Deacon 
 Bass a neat frame house of worship was erected. But 
 these two fathers have gone home to heaven and others 
 have moved out of the community ; thus the house is 
 left desolate, with scarcely enough members to claim an 
 organization. We can only hope that better times 
 await them. They united with Enon Association in 
 1882, and represented in this body till 1892, when they 
 attached themselves to Wiseman Association. 
 
 SPRING CREEK. 
 
 This church is situated on the waters of Spring 
 Creek, a short distance northwest from Lafayette, 
 Macon County, Tennessee. This church is an off- 
 spring of old Puncheon Camp Church, of Allen Coun- 
 ty, Kentucky. They were constituted with twenty- 
 four members April 13, 1849, by the following Pres- 
 bytery, viz. : Elders Daniel Smith, William Semons, 
 Wiley McReynold, Patrick Raney, Matthew John- 
 son and John Jent. Four of the constituent members 
 of this church are said to be still livmg. 
 
 Pastors: Elder John W. Hickman, 1849-51 , when 
 he went to his reward; Elder Henry Roark, 1851-55; 
 Elder Levi A. Smith wick, 1855 ; Elder Andrew Jack- 
 son, 1855-60; Elder Ira Henderson, 1860-62 (there 
 seems to have been a disturbance here by the civil 
 war) ; Elder W. L. Buie, 1868-79; Elder W. D. Burn- 
 ley, 1879-80; Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1881-84; Elder J. 
 S. Meador, 1884-89; Elder A. W. Keen, 1889-90; El- 
 der J. S. Meador, 1890-91 ; Elder J. J. Dyer, 1891-93; 
 Elder R. P. Dillard, 1893-94; Elder W. L. Buie, 
 1894-98; Elder J. J. Dyer, 1899-1900; Elder R. P. 
 
348 History of Middle Teiuiessee Baptists 
 
 Dillard, 1900-1901 ; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 1901 to 
 the present. 
 
 Clerks: Wihiam M. Lee, 1849-57; Richard Hud- 
 son, 1857-58; William Barbee, 1858-69; J. M, A. 
 Jones, 1869-70; William Barbee, 1870-72; J. W. King, 
 1872-76; T. W. Fishburn, 1876-84; E. W. Harper, 
 1884-86; T. W. Fishburn, 1886-88; J. H. Blanken- 
 ship, 1888-98; S. H. Dillard, 1898 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: Eli Barbee, 1849; Jo'm Barbee, 1849; 
 Bluford Bandy, 1850; C. R. Jones, 1850; Alvin Jent, 
 1853; Thomas Jent, 1853; William Barbee, 1869; J. 
 A. Driver, 1869; J. M. A. Jones, 1873; J. W. King, 
 1873; S. S. M. Blankenship, 1883; R. P. Dillard, 
 1883; T. W. Fishburn, 1883; S. P. S. King, 1889; M. 
 W. Walton, 1889; J. W. Hargis, 1889; S. H. Dillard, 
 1896; W. K. Johnson, 1896. 
 
 This church has ordained and sent out four minis- 
 ters, viz. : Elder Lewis Barbee, date of ordination not 
 known; Elder V. A. Sanders, ordained January, 1869, 
 by Elders W. L. Buie and L. A. Minick, with Deacons 
 J. F. Minick, J. Jenkins and William Barbee ; Elder 
 Carrel Dillard, date of ordination not known ; Elder 
 R. P. Dillard. 
 
 This church held a celebration on their fiftieth an- 
 niversary in 1899, and up to that time tliev had en- 
 rolled 312 members. They have at present loi mem- 
 bers on roll. This church never attached themselves 
 to any Association until the fall of 1850, when they 
 united with Enon Association, while in session with 
 Defeated Creek Church. They represented in this 
 body annually until 1893, when they attached them- 
 selves to Wiseman .Association, when in session with 
 Di-\on's Creek Church. They have a neat house of 
 worshi]!, and, everything considered, are moving along 
 to the glory of God. 
 
Church Skefchen ?.49 
 
 PLEASANT VALLEY. 
 
 This church is located in the extreme northwestern 
 corner of Jackson County, Tennessee, on the waters 
 of Jennings Creek, one mile from North Springs post 
 office. The church is an offspring of Belhvood Church 
 and was constituted with nine members in the fall of 
 1874, by Elders W. H. Smith and L. A. Smithwick. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. A. McKinnis, 1874-79; Elder 
 D. W. Smith, 1879-92; Elder W. S. Drury, 1892-95; 
 Elder i\I. B. Ramsey, 1895-97; Elder J. H. Swann, 
 1897-1901 ; Elder T. ^^^ Matthews, 1901 to the pres- 
 ent. 
 
 Clerks : The clerks have served in the following 
 order, but dates not known, viz. : A. Monday, S. A. 
 Newberry, J. D. Kennedy and W. R. Kennedy. The 
 latter has served since 1892. 
 
 Deacons: A. C. Crofford, 1874; S. T. Hudson, 
 1874; ^y. H. Graves, 1874; J. D. Kennedy, 1898; 
 Sherman Hance, 1898. 
 
 This church was planted in the midst of bitter op- 
 position. The Campbellites had the field, and thcv 
 contested every inch of the ground. The contest be- 
 came sharp and it was a life and death struggle; but 
 truth was mighty and triumphed over all opposition. 
 They have ordained and sent forth three ministers, 
 viz. : Elders Carrell Hardcastle, James Morris and 
 A. Monday. We have no means of knowing when or 
 by whom these heralds of the cross were ordained. 
 
 This church, during her brief history, has enrolled 
 87 members. They number now 62 members and are 
 in a thri.ving condition. They have a neat house of 
 worship which stands as a monument of the truth 
 where error once held sway. This church united with 
 
350 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Enon Association in 1875, while in session with Dix- 
 on's Creek Church, and has continued to represent 
 with them to the present time. The many contentions 
 with error have developed some stalwart Baptists in 
 this church. 
 
 BLEDSOE CREEK. 
 
 This church might properly be styled an offspring 
 of Siloam Church, though probably drawing some of 
 the constituent members from other sources. The or- 
 ganization took place Saturday before the second Sun- 
 day in July, 1867, with 27 members. The Presbytery 
 consisted of helps from Siloam, Hopewell and Friend- 
 ship churches, viz. : Elders G. C. Harris, S. C. Tal- 
 ley, Thomas E. Kizer, E. B. Stinson and James Stin- 
 son. The two latter were licensed ministers. With 
 these were Deacons James Hawkins, Martin Angle 
 and Joseph Hawkins. 
 
 This church was constituted on the head waters of 
 Bledsoe Creek, in the northeastern part of Sumner 
 county. This is a very broken section, and their first 
 house of worship was built in this narrow valley, on 
 the bank of this little creek, and also on the side of the 
 turnpike road leading from Gallatin, Tenn., to Scotts- 
 ville, Ky. The church was given the name of Inde- 
 pendence at the constitution. They worshiped at the 
 above named place about 33 years. In the process of 
 time, perhaps the early eighties, a railroad was con- 
 structed up this valley and a station established a short 
 distance down the creek below the church by the name 
 of Bransford. About 1900 this church built a new, 
 neat house of worship in the town of Bransford and 
 changed the name of the church from Independence 
 to Bledsoe Creek. 
 
Church Sketches 351 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. J. Wiseman, 1867-68; Elder 
 Jonathan Wiseman, 1868; Elder S. C. Talley, 1868- 
 70; Elder G. C. Harris, 1870-78; Elder J. S.'Pardue, 
 1878-79; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1879-83: Elder A. H. 
 Rather, 1883-84; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1884-85; Elder 
 H. S. Moore, 1885-86; Elder J. S. Pardue, 1886-88; 
 Elder Berry Keen, 1888; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1889- 
 90; Elder I. M. Ashlock, 1890-91 ; vacant, 1891-96: El- 
 der J. R. Stinson, 1896; Elder J. W. McQueen, 1896- 
 1900: Elder J. A. Stone, 1901 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: T. J. Talley, 1867-70: J. P. Gilliam, 1870- 
 79; J, W. Fleming, 1879-80; W. J. Meador, 1880-81 ; 
 W. R. Minick, 1881-87; F. M. Defrees, 1887-89; M. 
 S. Taylor, 1889-93; J. M. Pardue, 1893 to the present. 
 
 Deacons : J. W. Stinson, 1868 ; Adken Pardue, 
 1868; B. H. Gilliam, 1877; F. M. Defrees, 1877; L. 
 W. GiUiam, 1877; J. M. Pardue, 1891 ; W. J. Wood- 
 ward, 1 89 1. 
 
 This church has had the honor of sending out the 
 following ministers : Elders J. P. Gilliam and B. B. 
 Davis were ordained August, 1878, by Elders E. B. 
 Haynie, J. S. Pardue, J. K. Tinsley; Elder S. R. Haw- 
 kins was ordained November, 1883, by Elders A. H. 
 Rather and R. H. Piland ; Elder J. L. Hawkins, or- 
 dained June, 1892, by Elders J. S. Pardue, J. R. Stin- 
 son, J. W. Davis and I. M. Ashlock, with Deacon J. 
 G. Pardue. 
 
 Elder B. B. Davis died soon after his ordination. 
 He was an humble, devout Christian, and would no 
 doubt have proved a faithful minister. 
 
 This church has enrolled 231 members during her 
 history. They have 57 on their roll at present, and are 
 in a thrifty condition. 
 
352 History of Middle Tennessee Ba/ptists 
 
 This church united with Enon Association in 1867, 
 while in session with the church at Siloam. They rep- 
 resented annually in this body until 1891, when they 
 went into the constitution of Wiseman Association, 
 'ivhere they continue to represent at the present. 
 
 ROCKY MOUND. 
 
 This church is located on the High Land Rim in 
 the western part of Macon County, Tennessee, three 
 miles north of Epperson's Springs. The history of 
 this church dates back to about 1878 A. D. About 
 this time Elder Wiley Henderson began preaching in 
 this community and an organization was effected. In 
 the absence of records, but little can be learned of this 
 work. From some cause, however, the work did not 
 prosper, and about 1882 A.D., they partially disband- 
 ed. But, not willing to give over the struggle, some 
 few of these scattered brethren, with a few from Gar- 
 retts Creek and Pleasant Grove Churches, came to- 
 gether on November 7, i88s, and were reorganized 
 into the present body. The' Presbytery in this consti- 
 tution consisted of Elders J. R. Stinson and Samuel 
 Carter, with others unknown to this author. With 
 this date the detailed history of this church must nec- 
 essarily begin. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. R. Stinson, 1885-86; Elder J. 
 W. Meador,- 1886-88; Elder J. S. Meador, 1888-90; 
 Elder R. P. Dlllard, 1890-91 ; Elder J. S. Meador, 
 1891-92; Elder Matthew Jones, 1892; Elder R. P. 
 Dillard, 1892-94 Elder J. ¥. Lambert, 1894-95 ; Elder 
 J. P. Durham, 1895-96; Elder J. S. Meador, 1896- 
 00 ; Elder J. L. Hawkins, 1900-01 ; Elder A. W. 
 Keen, 1901 to the present. 
 
Church Sketches 353 
 
 Clerks: J. G. McGuffcy, 1885-88; P. A. Meador, 
 1888-92; S. S. Reacjan, 1892-94; P. A. Meador, 1894- 
 97; C. B. Massey, 1897; W. J. Bradley, 1897-1900; 
 P. A. Meador, 1900-01 ; W. J- Bradley, 1901 to the 
 present time. 
 
 Deacons: Gideon Meador, about 1882; J. G. 
 McGufifey, 1888; H. W. Barbee, 1888; R. B, Freeman, 
 1888; P. A. Meador, 1888; R. M. Ballard, 1889; W. 
 J. Bradley, 1889. This church has ordained and sent 
 forth the following ministers : Elder J. E. Overton 
 was ordained January 11, 1890, by Elders J. W. 
 Meador, W. H. O'Neal, J. S. Meador, wnth nine 
 Deacons : Elder J. Y. Freeman was ordained Decem- 
 ber, 1896, by Elders J- S. IMeador, George Roberts, 
 J. E. Overton, J. \Y . Meador and J. P. Durham, with 
 nine Deacons ; Elder C. B. Massey was ordained 
 June, 1899, by Elders C. X. Simmons, G. H. Roberts, J. 
 S. Meador, J. L. Hawkins, Jacob Stinson, H. W. Jent, 
 J. E. Overton, J. W. Meador, with eleven Deacons. 
 
 Since their reorganization in 1885, A.D., they have 
 enrolled f'li memuers. They have on roll at present 
 44 members. This church, when they were consti- 
 tuted, began to represent in Long Creek Association. 
 After their reorganization they again returned to this 
 body and continued to represent with the body until 
 the Association was dissolved. Then, in 1893, they 
 united with Wiseman y\ssociation, where they still 
 continue to represent. 
 
 SWEET HOME. 
 
 This church is located in the nortlieastern part of 
 Sumner County, Tennessee, four miles west of West- 
 moreland. This church was organized with four mem- 
 bers September 20, 1889, by the following Presbytery, 
 12 
 
354 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 viz. : Elders J. F. Lambert, C. N. Simmons, I. M. 
 Ashlock and J. R. Stinson. 
 
 Pastors: Elder J. F. Lambert, 1889-90; Elder A. 
 W. Keen, 1890-95; Elder J. S. Meador, 1895-96; El- 
 der J. L. Hawkins, 1896-97 ; Elder J. J. Dyer, 1897- 
 00; Elder C. B. Massey, 1901 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: J. A. Hanna, 1889-91; C. D. Hanna, 
 1891-95; J. M. Graves, 1895-98; T. M. Kirly, 1898- 
 99; J. M. Graves, 1899; Greg Mandrell, 1899-1900; 
 H. L. Creasy, 1901 to the present. 
 
 Deacons: J. A. Hanna, 1889; J. H. Ashlock, 1889; 
 H. L. Creasy, 1898; W. J. Graves, 1898. 
 
 This church has enrolled 24 members since her or- 
 ganization. They have 10 members on roll now. She 
 united with Wiseman Association, in which body she 
 continues to represent. 
 
 Dixon's creek. 
 
 The history of this old mother church comes to us 
 with peculiar interest. This church is located near 
 the bank of Dixon's Greek, some two miles above and 
 north of the town of Dixon's Springs, in Smith 
 County, Tennessee. This church, at first, was com- 
 posed of emigrant Baptists from the older States. She, 
 however, was the foster child of El Bethel Church, 
 on Station Camp Creek, in Sumner County, some twen- 
 ty-five miles away. In 1798 these emigrant Baptists, 
 longing for the house of the Lord, and there being no 
 church within reach, and having no minister among 
 them, banded together into what they were pleased to 
 call a "District Church." They met at private residences 
 for worship, sometimes at Captain Grant Allen's, near 
 the mouth of Dixon's Creek, then at Colonel William 
 Martin's, near where the church now stands, then 
 
Ohnrrh Sketches 355 
 
 ag:ain on the waters of Goose Creek. This continued 
 until the summer of 1799, when they began to lament 
 their situation. After consultation, they agreed to 
 make their situation known to the nearest Baptist 
 church. On inquiry it was found that the nearest 
 Baptist church was located on Station Camp Creek, 
 Sumner County, Tennessee, twenty-five miles distant. 
 This church was known as El Bethel. They appointed 
 a committee to visit said church and lay before them 
 their situation. This resulted in Colonel William Mar- 
 tin visiting said church, and in conference thev ap- 
 pointed a committee to visit this neighborhood and 
 constitute these brethren into an arm of said church. 
 In compliance with this agreement, they met at Cap- 
 tain Grant Allen's and received the letters which these 
 brethren had brought from the old States. They wor- 
 shiped as an arm of said church till March 8, 1800, 
 when they were constituted into an independent church 
 by the following Presbytery, viz. : Elders Joshua 
 White, William Phipps and Clifton Allen. 
 
 At this point we append an old church letter, which 
 we have in our possession, which will shed some light. 
 The letter reads as follows : 
 
 "The church of Christ on Station Camp Creek, in 
 Sumner County, under the watch-care of William 
 Phipps, holding the doctrines of original sin, eternal 
 election, particular calling, final perseverance, bap- 
 tism by immersion and a general judgment, being met 
 in conference the third Saturday in January, 1800, on 
 motion. Brother James Hollis and his wife, Margaret, 
 are dismissed from our watch-care, as orderly mem- 
 bers, when joined to another church of our order. 
 
 "Signed by Clifton Allen." 
 
 The above is an exact copy of the letter, and from 
 its contents it will be seen that it was given by this 
 
356 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 same church, under whose authority Dixon's Creek 
 Church was constituted. It was written hardly two 
 months before Dixon's Creek Church was constituted 
 In the next place, it will be seen that Elders William 
 Phipps and Clifton Allen, two of the Presbytery who 
 constituted Dixon's Creek Church, were jiastor and 
 clerk of said church. Finally, it clearly shows the 
 doctrines of said church and Presbytery upon which 
 Dixon's Creek Church was constituted. It mip^ht be 
 stated just here that all the Baptists of this section, at 
 that time, both ministers and churches, were strictly 
 Calvinists and never failed to emphasize God's sov- 
 ereign election. They were constituted in Captain Grant 
 Allen's private residence, but soon after constructed 
 a log house of worship near the mouth of what is 
 known as Scanty Branch. They worshiped here for 
 some time, and, when it became necessarv to build a 
 new house. Colonel William Martin donated a lot of 
 some five acres, where the present brick house of wor- 
 ship now stands. 
 
 On the day they were constituted they ordained to 
 the full work of the gospel ministry one Elder Daniel 
 Burford, one of the constituent members, and he was 
 immediately chosen as pastor. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Daniel Burford, 1800-07: Elder 
 Miles West, 1807-11: Elder John Wiseman, 181 1-46: 
 Elder Jonathan Wiseman, 1846-64 ; Elder W. H. Haile, 
 1864-78: Elder D. W. Smith, 1878-89; Elder M. B. 
 Ramsey, 1889 to the present. 
 
 Clerks : The early clerks failed to sign their 
 names. Their first clerk was most probably William 
 Martin, who was a leader in the organization of this 
 church. The first clerk we gather from the records is 
 William C. Bransford, who afterward became an or- 
 
Church Sketches 357 
 
 dained minister. Then follows ; N. D. Martin, and 
 probably others ; then J. H. Lifjon for about thirty 
 years: then Benjamin Payne and W. S. Towns, the 
 latter extending to 1885: J- W. Dillahay, 1885-90; W. 
 S. Towns, 1890; J. W. Massey, 1890 to the present. 
 
 De.\cons : The dates of ordination for the early 
 deacons are not known. Amonp; them we note the 
 following- : William Martin and Joseph Sitton, who 
 were probabl)- ordained at the constitution ; then comes 
 J. H. Lipon, J. D. Day, Wamack Parker, Abel Greg- 
 ory, W. S. Towns, J. R. Gammons, J. S. Watson, 
 1884; J. W. Massey", 1884: John Lee, 1884; J. H. 
 Richmond, 1884; F. C. Conwell, 1891 ; J. W. Dillahay, 
 1891: W. S. ( )ldham, i8i)i ; Cicero Gammons, 1891 ; 
 Arch Parker, 1891. The present deacons are J. W. 
 Massey, J. W. Dillahay, F. C. Cornwell, W. S. Old- 
 ham, Cicero Gammons and Arch Parker. 
 
 This old church has sent out the following churches, 
 viz. : Hogan's Creek, East P'ork Goose Creek, Shady 
 Grove, Goodwill, with perhaps others. And from her 
 immediate offsjirings other churches have been sent 
 out until it would he hard t(j determine how far her 
 borders have been extended. 
 
 She has ordained the following ministers, viz.: El- 
 der Daniel Purford. ordained March 8, 1800, by Elders 
 William Phipps. Joshua White and Clifton Allen: 
 Elder William Simmons, ordained March, 1838, by 
 Elders John \\'iscinan, Daniel Smith, W. C. Brans- 
 ford, E. B. Haynie, E. \\'. Haile and William Terrill. 
 
 Elder W. C. Bransford seems to have been ordained 
 by this church, most prciliably in the latter part of the 
 twenties. 
 
 There are perhaps others, if we only had the data, 
 who have been ordained b\- this old church. 
 
358 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 We have no means of knowing how many have be- 
 longed to this old church during her history. Per- 
 haps we would be safe in saying that the names which 
 have been entered upon her roll book will not fall 
 far short of 2,000. They now have upon their roll 287 
 members. They have a large brick house of worship 
 standing on the beautiful five-acre lot donated by that 
 consecrated deacon, Colonel William Martin. This is 
 a great place for the hosts of Israel to gather. One 
 naturally feels when they approach this spot that they 
 arc on hallowed ground. This church has affiliated 
 in six Associations and helped, to constitute five of 
 them. They are as follows : Mero District, Cumber- 
 land, Concord, Salem, Enon and Wiseman. 
 
 This church has a remarkable history. Few churches 
 can boast of a stronger successive ministry for a hun- 
 dred )ears than this church. She has had some noble 
 spirits in her membership, but pre-eminentlv among 
 them stood Deacon William Martin. He was one of 
 the greatest spirits of which Middle Tennessee Bap- 
 tists can boast. They stood firm through the mission 
 controversy of 1837. 
 
 nETn.\NY. 
 
 This church is located in Macon County, Tennes- 
 see, some twelve miles east of the town of Lafayette, 
 on the waters of Big Salt Creek, which empties into 
 Barren River. This church is an ofifspring of Liberty 
 church. The organization took i)lace in 185 1 A. D., 
 before the meeting of the Association for tliat year. 
 They were constituted in the private residence of 
 Jesse Springer, by l-^lders Daniel Smith and E. B. Hay- 
 nie. They represented eighteen members in the .\sso- 
 ciation that year. 
 
Church Sketches 359 
 
 Pastors: Elder Andrew Jackson, 1851-65, being 
 assisted during this time by Elders Washington Glover 
 and D. W. Smith ; Elder D. W. Smith, 1865-76; Elder 
 T. W. Matthews, 1876-78; Elder D. W. Smith, 1878- 
 82; Elder John Patterson, 1882-83; Elder T. W. 
 Matthews, 1883-86; Elder D. W. Smith was again 
 called in 1886, but trouble awaited him — a serious rup- 
 ture in the church, which leaves us without records 
 for this year; Elder Ellis Riggs, 1887-88; Elder R. B. 
 Davis, 1888; Elder John Patterson, 1888-89; Elder W. 
 S. Drury, 1893-95; Elder T. A. Hudson, 1895-96; 
 Elder John Patterson, 1896-97; Elder T. W. Mat- 
 thews, 1897-98 ; Elder Don Q. Smith, 1898-1900; Elder 
 M. B. Ramsey, 1900; Elder G. W. Ramsey, 1901-02; 
 Elder C. E. Ramsey, 1902 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: Joshua Rush, 1851-68; Wiley Whitley, 
 1868-83 ; A. J. Ferguson, 1883-87 ; J. A. Russell, 1887- 
 88; W. J. Glover, 1888; T. A. Owen, 1888-90; W. S. 
 York, 1890-1900; O. S. Barton, 1900 to the present. 
 
 De.xcois's : Eollowing are the deacons, but dates not 
 known : W. B. Neal, Ellis Riggs, A. Pipkin, John 
 Harlen, Thomas IMeador, W. N. Smith, Richard Wil- 
 liams, Randall Smith, Jerry Rush, W, B. Meador, D. 
 C. Smith, Cullum Cardy, John A. Russel, Bethel 
 \\'hitle)'. 
 
 This church had a serious division in 1886. They 
 had in their body a "Very shrewd man — one Dr. John 
 Smith — who went away into error ; and, being a man 
 of influence, he drew away a majority of the mem- 
 bers. They droppe<l at one bound in the minutes from 
 a membership of 145 to 36. The few who were 
 C(jntcnding fur the faith were in a terrible strait. A 
 large majority had gone away, and to see their prop- 
 erty taken from them and converted into a place to 
 
3<)0 History of Middle Tennes.see Bapfisls 
 
 teach error was more than they could hear, if it could 
 be avoiiled. lUit wliat to do they knew not. For- 
 tunate!)', the ininiita1)lc Elder 1). W. Smith was tlieir 
 pastor, and he told the hrethren of the minority to 
 ])ut the whole of the ma]\)rity unilcr charc;e for heresv. 
 This was done, and he ruled that they had no rii^ht 
 to vote while under ehari^e, and the minority took 
 them up one at a time and excluded them for heresy. 
 Thus the minorit}' ]n\t out the majority and went on 
 with the Master's business. 
 
 This church united with Enon .Association in 185 1, 
 while in session with Siloani Church. The Lord is 
 apain blessinpf this faithful band and they have in- 
 creased to fifty-six members. They have a g'ood house 
 of worship. 
 
 I'eyton's C'UEICK. 
 
 This old church is located five miles north of Car- 
 thag:;e, in the villag'e of Monoville, Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee. The house of worship stands on the side of 
 the pike leading- from Cartha.s;"e to Hartsville and in 
 the fertile valley traversed by the beautiful waters of 
 Peyton's Creek, from which the name was taken. 
 
 This church is an offsprins;' of Hoc^-an's Creek 
 Church and was gathered mainly through the minis- 
 try of Elder John Wiseman. They were constituted 
 into an independent church on Saturday before the 
 third Snnda)- in July, 181 2. From \\hat data we have 
 at hand, it would be safe to say that among those who 
 assisted in the constitution of this church were Elders 
 John \\'iseman, Daniel llurforil and William Flowers. 
 These men, at that time, ])erhaps, knew not how wisely 
 they built, and the fruits that should follow. 
 
 Pastors: Elder John Wiseman, 1812 to about 
 
Cliurch Sketches 361 
 
 1829, when he moved from Dixon's Creek to near 
 CastaHan Springs, in Sumner County. He was fol- 
 lowed by Elder Daniel Smith, who remained pastor 
 until 1840: Elder E. B. Haynie, 1840-81 ; Elder J. C. 
 Brien, 1881-83; Elder D. W. Smith, 1883-85; Elder 
 M. B. Ramsey, 1885-87; Elder J. C. Brien, 1887-88; 
 Elder R. B. Davis, 1889-00; Elder T. W. Matthews, 
 1901-02. They have no pastor at present. In addi- 
 tion to the above. Elders T. A. Hudson and W. S. 
 Drury were, for short periods each, at one time pastor 
 of this church, but dates not known. 
 
 Clerks: W. T. Taylor is the present clerk, but 
 have failed to secure the names of any of his prede- 
 cessors. 
 
 De,\cons : The present deacons are as follows : M. 
 D. Hackett, J. C. Nixon, B. I. Taylor, James Cham- 
 bers, Edward Hackett and Alexander Porter. Be- 
 yond this we have no data. 
 
 This church could properly be called the mother of 
 ;\It. Tabor and Riddleton Churches, besides furnish- 
 ing many members in the constitution of other 
 churches. 
 
 She has sent out the following ministers, with per- 
 haps others of which we have no account: Elder 
 Daniel Smith, ordained in the fall of 1824, by Elders 
 John Wiseman and Miles West ; Elder E. B. Haynie, 
 ordained in May, 1832, by Elders Miles West, W. C. 
 Bransford and Daniel Smith ; Elder R. B. Davis, or- 
 dained August 20, 1887, by Elders D. W. Smith, J. 
 C. Brien, W. H. Smith, AI. B. Ramsey, E. L. Smith 
 and T. A. Hudson. 
 
 This church has had a remarkable record. We have 
 no means of knowing how many have found a home in 
 this old church since she first unfurled her banner in 
 
362 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1812. Perhaps the number would not fall far short of 
 2,000. At one time they numbered nearly 400. They 
 number at present 211. This is one of the greatest 
 places for the multitudes to assemble to hear the word 
 preached known to this author. They have built sev- 
 eral houses of worship and, within the past few years, 
 'jiave built a neat frame building. 
 
 This church first united with Concord Association 
 in 1812, while in session with Hopewell Church, Sum- 
 ner County, Tennessee. In 1822 she became a con- 
 stituent member of Salem Association, and repre- 
 sented annually in that body until 1850; then she went 
 into the constitution of Enon Association, where she 
 still continues to represent. This church was never 
 disturbed by the anti-mission rupture of 1837. Allow 
 me to say, in this connection, that Peyton's Creek, and 
 her contemporary churches, are much older than the 
 present so-called "Primitive Baptists." They were 
 here, looking after the Master's business in these hills 
 and hollows, long before such a thing as the "Primi- 
 tive" Baptists were ever heard of. May the colors 
 never trail in the dust about old Peyton's Creek. 
 
 LAFAYETTE. 
 
 This church is located in the town of Lafayette, the 
 county seat of Macon County, Tennessee. This is on 
 the High Land Rim in the northern part of the State. 
 This church is an offspring of Liberty church and 
 was gathered through the ministry of Elder Daniel 
 Smith. They were constituted an independent church 
 A. D. 1849, prior to the meeting of the Association in 
 that date. The number in the organization is not 
 known. They brought a constituency of twelve mem- 
 bers into the Association. The constituting presbytery 
 
Church Sketches 363 
 
 consisted of Elders Daniel Smith and Wm. C. Brans- 
 ford. The town in which this cliurch is situated is 
 an inland town, beautifully situated, and has a popu- 
 lation of some 1,200 souls. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Daniel Smith, 1849-54: Elder W. 
 H. Aladdox, 1854-55; Elder E. G. Cartwright, 1855- 
 56; Elder W. H. Maddox, 1856-58; Elder Willis 
 Turner, 1858-66: Elder D. W. Smith, 1866-72; Elder 
 Giles C. Harris, 1872-74; Elder J. H. Jackson, 1874- 
 76; Elder D. W. Smith, 1876-78; Elder John Mc- 
 Kmnis, 1878-83: Elder W. L. Buie, 1883-85; Elder 
 J. B. R. Knight, 1885-91 ; Elder A. Malone, 1891- 
 1900; Elder J. H. Swann, 1900 to the present. 
 
 Clerks: ]\I. N. Alexander, 1849-66; Smith 
 Meador, 1866-80; W. M. Gammons, 1880 to the 
 present. 
 
 Deacons : The present deacons are Alexander 
 Jenkins, Allies \\'est, W. H. Smith and W. A. John- 
 son. 
 
 This church has had quite a struggle for existence. 
 It has been war with the Campbellites — "war to the 
 knife and the knife to the hilt." But the God of all 
 grace has brought the truth out victorious, and the 
 church was never so prosperous as now. They num- 
 ber at present 109. This church united with Salem 
 Association in 1849, while in session with Bethel 
 Church, near Temperance Hall, DeKalb County, Ten- 
 nessee. In the next year they went into the consti- 
 tution of Enon Association and represented in that 
 body until 1891, when they went into the organization 
 of Wiseman Association. May their light never grow 
 dim. They have a splendid house of worship, well 
 located. 
 
364 History of Middle Temiessee Baptists 
 
 smith's chapel. 
 
 This church is located on the north side of Cum- 
 berland River, on the road leading from Carthage to 
 Gainsboro, in the Fourteenth Civil District of Jackson 
 County, Tennessee. 
 
 The church was constituted in a schoolhouse, No- 
 vember 5, 1894, by Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, with seven 
 members ; two from Plunkett's Creek Church, one 
 from New Hope, DeKalb County, and four from Lib- 
 erty Church, Jackson County. 
 
 Pastors: Elder T. H. Vantrease, 1894-97; Elder 
 T. A. Hudson, 1899 ; Elder G. W. Ramsey, 1900-01 ; 
 Elder J. L. Talmon, 1902. 
 
 Clerks: D. A. Tyree, 1894-97; Ben Taylor, 1897 
 to the present. 
 
 Deacons : D. A. Tyree, 1895 ; Joseph Williams, 
 1895; Ben Taylor, 1895. 
 
 They have had eighteen members on the roll. They 
 number at present only twelve. 
 
 They have ordained one minister. Elder T. H. Van- 
 trease, ordained April 7, 1895, by Elders S. N. 
 Fitzpatrick and R. B. Davis, with a number of 
 deacons. 
 
 This church united with Enon Association in 1895, 
 and have represented in this body annually to the 
 present. 
 
 They have no house of worship, but hold their serv- 
 ices in a schoolhouse. They have secured a lot most 
 admirably located, some two miles from where they 
 worship now, on the waters of Salt Lick Creek. They 
 have part of the lumber and expect to erect a house 
 of worship on this lot within this year. This is an 
 important point, which should not be neglected. 
 
Church Sketches 365 
 
 ENON. 
 
 Tliis church is located on the waters of Big Salt 
 Lick Creek, eleven miles northeast of Lafayette, in 
 ?\lacon County, Tennessee. This, church is an oiT- 
 spring of old Liberty Church. In A. D. 1853 Lib- 
 erty Church extended an arm to Hickory Grove Camp 
 Ciround — presumably a schoolhouse. Thev worshiped 
 here as an arm of Liberty Church for a year or so, 
 when they were constituted into an independent church, 
 April 3, 1S54, witli seventeen members and taking the 
 name of Enon. The constituting presb_\-tery consisted 
 of Elders Andrew Jackson, A\'ashington Glover and 
 L. A. Smithwick, with Deacon Randall Smith. In the 
 constitution Elder .Vndrew Jackson acted as moderator 
 and L, A, Smithwick as clerk. From the best infor- 
 mation obtainable, it seems this church was gathered 
 through the ministry of Elder Andrew Jackson, who 
 became the first pastor. 
 
 r.\STr)Ks: Elder .\ndrew Jackson, 1854-59; Elder 
 \\'ashington Glover, 1859-^)1 ; (war vacancy :) Elder S. 
 v.. Harper, 1866-67; Elder John Patterson, 1867-89; 
 Elder Harrison Evans, 1890-91 ; Elder John Patterson, 
 1891 ; Elder J. E. R. Knight, 1891-92; Elder John Pat- 
 terson, 1892-94; Elder T. W. Matthews, 1894-96; El- 
 der John Patterson, 1896-97; Elder J. H. Swann, 
 1897-1902. 
 
 Cli:rks: W. B. Meador, 1854-57; W. M. Wood- 
 cock, 1857-61; (war vacancy;) Wm. Gentry, 1866-72; 
 I. P. Meador, 1880-81; Daniel Smith, 1881-85; C. N. 
 Patterson, 1885-86; Robt. Dotson. 1886; W. T. 
 Meador, 1886-88; Daniel Smith, 1888-91; T. E. Dot- 
 son, 1891-96; T. M. Kirby, 1896-97; Thos. Wilson, 
 1897; E. :\L ^leador, 1897-gS; W. W. Wilson, 1898- 
 1902. 
 
366 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Deacons: John Harlan, 1854; William Dunlap, 
 1854; J. C. Harlan, 1865; W. R. jMeador, 1865; T. S. 
 Meador, 1865; T. F. Dotson, 1894; Thos. Kirly, 1894; 
 Wiseman Deckard, 1894: E. M. Meador, 1897; O. K. 
 Harlin, 1897; IMcCager Dotson 1897. 
 
 Elder Stephen P>. Harper was ordained to the min- 
 istry on Friday before the third Sunday in May, i860. 
 
 In December, 1872, William Gentry was licensed to 
 preach. The church held no services during- the Civil 
 \\'ar. She united with Enon Association in 1854, 
 while in session with Peyton's Creek Church, having 
 at that time thirty members. She continues to repre- 
 sent in this body to the present. She now numbers 
 forty members, and has a fair house of worship. This 
 church has seen better days, once numbering one hun- 
 dred. She has had some noble spirits in her ranks. 
 This is the Christian home of Elder John Patterson, 
 one of the noblest Christian spirits of this age. He is 
 now waiting for the summons home. This is the birth- 
 place and home church of W. M. Woodcock, of Nash- 
 ville. 
 
 CEDAR BLUFF. 
 
 This church is located six miles north of Hartsville 
 on the head waters of Goose Creek, Macon County, 
 Tennessee. They were constituted into an independ- 
 ent church July 29, 1887, with seven members from 
 dilTerent churches. The constituting Presbytery con- 
 sisted of the following coming from a number of dif- 
 ferent churches, viz, : Elders J. F. Lambert and J. J. 
 Dyer, with Deacons A. J. Robinson, Gus Fuqua, R. 
 W. Mason, A. J. Claiborn and Henry G. Gammon. 
 Elder J. F. Lambert acted as moderator, and, im- 
 mediately after organizing, a number of converts were 
 received for baptism. 
 
Chmvh Sketches 367 
 
 Pastors: Elder C. N. Simmons, 1887-94; Elder J. 
 L. Hawkins, 1894-99; Elder J. W. McQueen, 1899- 
 1901 ; Elder C. N. Simmons, 1901-02. 
 
 Clerks: A. T. Rransford, 1887-89; B. R. Reid, 
 1889-91; D. H. White, 1891-95; J. W. Blankenship, 
 1895-1900; D. H. \\1iite, 1900-02. 
 
 Deacons: Dock Cothron, 1887; D. A. H. White, 
 1887; P. E, Livingston, 1887; J. D. White, 1887. 
 
 This church, with a constituency of sixteen mem- 
 bers, united with Enon Association in 1887, while in 
 session with Dixon's Creek Church. They represented 
 in that body until 189 1, when they became a con- 
 stituent member of Wiseman Association. This 
 church has the distinguished honor of being the birth- 
 place of Wiseman Association, This has never grown 
 to be a strong church, but has always been an active, 
 thrifty body. They are located in a broken, but very 
 fertile section, and number at present forty-four mem- 
 bers. 
 
 rLEAS.\NT GROVE. 
 
 This churcli is situated on the High Land Rim, in 
 the northeastern part of Sumner County, Tennessee, 
 near the railroad town of Westmoreland. This church 
 was constituted December 3, 1881, with fifteen charter 
 members, five males and ten females. The council or 
 presbytery, which constituted this church consisted 
 of Elders J. S. Pardue, A. H. Rather, W. M. S. Wilks 
 and L M. Ashlock, with Deacons J. G. Pardue, J. M. 
 Jones and J. M. Pardue. 
 
 Pastors : Elder A. H. Rather, 1881-83 ; Elder J. F. 
 Lambert, 1883-85; Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 1885-86; 
 Elder J. F. Lambert, 1886-87; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 
 1887-88; Elder J. S. Meador, 1888-89; supplied by 
 
368 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Elders J- F. Lambert and C. N. Simmons, 1889-93; 
 Elder J. E. Lambert, 1893-95 ; Elder A. Malone, 1895- 
 96; Elder J. S. Pardue, 1896-97; Elder C. N. Sim- 
 mons, 1897-1902. 
 
 Clerks: F. M. Atkerson, 1881-87; W. A. Dorris, 
 1 887- 1 902. 
 
 Deacons: A. M. Gammon, 1881 ; C. T. Hawkins, 
 1881. 
 
 This church has had sixty-four members on their 
 roll since the constitution. They number at present 
 twenty-eight members. They have a good house of 
 worship, and, though but few in number, have a good 
 live membership. 
 
 They united with Enon Association in 1882, while 
 in session with New Harmony Church. They num- 
 bered at that time twenty-nine members. They rep- 
 resented in that body until 1891, when they went into 
 the constitution of Wiseman Association, where they 
 continue to represent. 
 
 ANTIOCH. 
 
 This church is located seven miles northeast of La- 
 fayette, Macon County, Tennessee. This church was 
 constituted Saturday before the second Sunday in 
 March, 1874, and is an offsnring of Liberty Church, 
 drawing all of the constituent members from that staid 
 old church. They were constituted with eleven mem- 
 bers. The records of this church have been burned 
 and the following is approximated by personal testi- 
 mony. 
 
 Pastors: Elder W. L. Buic served eleven years; 
 Elder J. S. Meador, two years; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 
 twelve years ; Elder T. W. Matthews, two years ; Elder 
 J. B. R. Knight is the present pastor. 
 
Church Sket.<-he(< 369 
 
 Clerks : The following have served as clerks in 
 the following order, but time not known : J. F. Free- 
 man, H. H. Tucker, F. V. Harwood, W. W. Tucker, 
 Daniel W. Smith. H. S. Cook, Milton Shaw, G. G. 
 Tucker, H. S. Cook. 
 
 Deacons : The following deacons are given, but 
 date of ordination not known : C. B. Holland, Abra- 
 ham Freeman and M. 13. Freeman. These were the 
 early deacons. The later ones arc J. F. Freeman, Isaac 
 INIeador, W. T. Fox and W. V. Holland. 
 
 This church is enjoying a wonderful degree of pros- 
 perity at this time, having, within the last year, added 
 fifty-three members to their number. They now have 
 a membership of i6i. They united with Enon Asso- 
 ciation in 1874, while in session with Enon Church, 
 Macon County. Tennessee. They have represented 
 annually in this body to the present. 
 
 BELLWOOD. 
 
 This church is situated in the town of Willette, 
 twelve miles east of Lafa>-ette. Macon County, Ten- 
 nessee. The church was constituted with twenty mem- 
 bers on Friday before the first Sunday in July, 1855. 
 The constituent members perhaps came from a num- 
 ber of surrounding churches. The presbytery which 
 constituted this church consisted of the following: 
 Elders Daniel Smith, L. A. Smithwick and D. W. 
 Smith, with Deacons Jobn Shoulders, Richard Wil- 
 liams, G. Owen and Alfred Gibbs. 
 
 The church, at the organization, was located on the 
 ridge some little distance below where the house of 
 worship now stands and was given the name of Timber 
 Ridge Church. They retained this name until about 
 [884, when the present elegant house of worship was 
 
370 Hwtory of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 constructed and the name changed to Bellwood. This 
 church can boast of the following able ministry as 
 their 
 
 Pastors : Elder L. A. Smithwick, Elder D. W. 
 Smith, Elder L. A. Minick, Elder John Patterson, El- 
 der Washington Glover, Elder Willis Turner, Elder 
 T. W. Matthews, Elder W. M. Kuykendall, Elder 
 Wm, Shelton, Jr., Elder M. B. Ramsey, Elder W. H. 
 Smith, Elder John Washburn, Elder W. S. Drury, 
 Elder T. A. Hudson, Elder J, H, Swann, Elder W. J. 
 Watson, Elder J. S. Pardue and G. W. Ramsey, the 
 present pastor. 
 
 Clerks : The following have served as clerks of 
 this church, viz. : E. B. Kemp, Thomas Jones, G. H. 
 Wakefield, A. P. Kemp and W. C. Jones, the present 
 clerk. 
 
 Deacons : Alfred Gibbs, J. C. Kirby and John 
 Evans have passed to their reward. Those still living 
 are Thomas Jones, 1873 ; W. C. Jones, A. P. Kemp, 
 Allen Kemp and J. S. Russell. 
 
 Elder J. A. McKinnis was licensed by this church 
 in August, 1871, and was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry by this church on Saturday be- 
 fore the fifth Sunday in June, 1873, bv Elders L. A. 
 Smithwick, D. W. Smith and L. A. Minick, with 
 Deacons Richard Williams, Alfred Gibbs, J. C. Kirby 
 and John Evans. 
 
 Elder B. A. Copass was ordained on Fridav before 
 the fourth Sunday in July, 1887, by Elders W. H. 
 Smith, D. W. Smith, f. A. Hudson, M. B. Ramsey 
 and T. W. Matthews, with Deacons Wiley Jones, 
 Thomas Jones, J. M. Williams, A. P. Kemp, Allen 
 Kemp, W. H. Graves, W. J. Jones and King Robin- 
 son. 
 
Chnrrh Sketches 371 
 
 Ekier Don Q. Smith was ordained in February, 
 1898, by Elders G. W. Ramsey, T. W. Matthews, M. 
 H. Drury and J. H. Swann, with Deacons J. M. Wil- 
 hams, Tiiomas Jones, A. P. Kemp, Allen Kemp and 
 W. C. Jones. 
 
 They sent out a colony in 1874 io form Pleasant 
 \'alley Church on Jenninp's Creek, in Jackson County. 
 
 This church has a membership of sixty-four. Alto- 
 gether, this church has a fine record. They united 
 with Enon Association in 1855, when convened with 
 Second Creek Church. They have represented an- 
 nually in this body to the present. 
 
 RUSSELL HILL. 
 
 This church is located on the Carthage road, twelve 
 miles south of Lafayette, in Macon County, Tennes- 
 see. T't" c'^'urch was constituted in Rrackett's school- 
 house, August 14, 1885, with seventeen members. 
 These members were perhaps from different surrotind- 
 ing churches. The presbyterj' consisted of Elders D. 
 W. Smith, H. W. Pickett, Jr., E. L. Smith, M. B. 
 Ramsey, T. W. Matthews, S. B. Harper, T. A. Hud- 
 son anfl John Smith, with Deacons Wiley Jones, W. 
 H. Graves, Thomas Jones, A. P. Kemo, J. C. Kirby, 
 A. M. Gibbs, W. C. Kennedy and W. S. Towns. 
 
 The\- adopted the Abstract of Principles of Enon 
 Association. This church was probably gathered 
 through the ministry of Elder H. W. Pickett, Jr., 
 who was immediately called as pastor of the church. 
 
 P.xsTORs: Elder H." W. Pickett, Jr., 1885; Elder 
 M. B. Ramsey, four years ; Elder E. L. Smith, two 
 years ; Elder T. W. Matthews, two years ; Elder J. H. 
 Swann, two years ; Elder G. W. Ramsey, one year ; 
 Elder M. B. Ramsey, till 1892. Elder C. E, Ramsey is 
 the present pastor. 
 
372 Ilintory of Middle Tennessee Beqytists 
 
 Clerks : J. M. Hall, G. W. Ramsey, J. J. DiUahay, 
 Mollie Jenkins and W. A. Ivins, the present clerk. 
 
 Deacons: Joseph Covington, 1885; William Rus- 
 sell, 1885 ; King Robinson, 1885 J George Canter, 1885 ; 
 William A. Ivins, 1890; James Russell, 1890; J. M. 
 Hall, 1890. 
 
 Elder G. W. Ramsey was ordained by this church 
 on Friday before the fifth Sunday in August, 1897, 
 by Elders T. A. Hudson, T. W. Matthews, W. M. S. 
 W'lks, J. H. Swann, M. B. Ramsey, J. F. Lambert 
 and E. L. Smith, and a large number of deacons. 
 
 This church has a neat house of worship, beautifully 
 located. They now number forty-seven members. 
 They united with Enon Association in 1885, while in 
 session with Pleasant Grove Church, Sumner County, 
 Tennessee. They have represented annually in this 
 body to the present. 
 
 EBENEZER. 
 
 This thriving church is located on the waters of 
 Peyton's Creek at the foot of the dividing ridge, be- 
 tween this and Dixon's Creek. This is a very broken, 
 but fertile section with a dense population. It was 
 once regarded as an uncultured, immoral community, 
 without church or anything to make it a desirable place 
 of residence. Lands were cheap and the citizenship, 
 who, in the main, were honest yeomanry, but lacked 
 the essentials of the Christian life, were almost shut 
 ofif from the outside world. This community is found 
 in the southern part of Macon County, Tennessee, nine 
 miles south of Lafayette. The faithful Baptist min- 
 isters of the surrounding country, perhaps led by El- 
 der L. A. Minick, carried the gospel into this section. 
 It was at once seen that they were ripe for the harvest 
 
Chnrch Sketches 373 
 
 and it was deemed expedient to constitute a church 
 in their midst. The church was constituted with four- 
 teen members, seven males and seven females, at 
 Brown's schoolhouse, October 4, 1871. The follow- 
 ing constituted the presbytery, viz. : Elders D. W. 
 Smith and L. A. Minick, with Deacons J. G. Jenkins, 
 J. Evans, Thomas Gammon and D. J. Smith. These 
 brethren knew not how wisely they built. 
 
 Pastors: Elder L. A. Minick, 1871-84; Elder E. 
 L. Smith, 1884-92; Elder J. E. Lambert, 1892-1900; 
 Elder R. B. Davis, 1900, to the present, 1902. 
 
 Clerks: E. J. Cartwright, 1871-82; T. J. Hargis, 
 1882-1901 ; W. C. Gregory, 1901, to the oresent. 
 
 Deacons: H. A. Gammons, 1871 ; W. R. Cothron, 
 1871; John Buie, 1871 ; T. M. Cothron, 1888; A. J. 
 Massey, 1888; James Cothron, 1888. 
 
 They have enrolled since their organization about 
 366 members. They number 201 at present. It would 
 be difficult to estimate the work of this church. This 
 is now a community with a fine state of morals, all 
 interested in the church and the prosperity of Zion. 
 Land has wonderfully advanced in valuation, and the 
 community has a prosperous moral citizenship. 
 
 Just two days after the constitution this church 
 united with Enon Association, while in session with 
 the church at Hartsville. They have represented an- 
 nually in this body from then to the present and are 
 in a prosperous condition. 
 
 SYCAMORE VALLEY. 
 
 This church is located on the waters of Peyton's 
 Creek, nine miles southeast of Lafayette, Macon 
 County, Tennessee. They were constituted on Sat- 
 urday before the fourth Sunday in Alarch, 1889, in 
 
374 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the Sycamore Valley schoolhouse. They were consti- 
 tuted with twenty-one members by the following; pres- 
 bytery, viz. : Elders E. L. Smith and R. B. Davis, 
 with Deacons Wiley Kemp, W. A. Hargis, E. F. Tuck, 
 J. M. Williams, W. C. Porter, A. J. Massey, H. A. 
 Gammons, Wesley Cothron, T. M. Cothron, W. R. 
 Cothron, J. C. Nixon, J. H. Williams and King Rob- 
 inson. 
 
 This church is an offspring of Mt. Tabor Church 
 and was gathered largely through the ministry of 
 Elder E. L. Smith. 
 
 Pastors: Elder E, L. Smith, 1889-95; Elder J. B. 
 R. Knight, 1895-98; Elder E. L. Smith, 1898-99; El- 
 der R. B. Davis, 1899 to the present, 1902. 
 
 Clerks : W. N. Uhles and W. W. Tuck, dates of 
 service not given. 
 
 Deyvcons: p. W. Oliver, 1890; John A. Gregory, 
 1890; H. S. Gregory, 1890; John Russell, 1899; 
 George W. Jenkins, 1899. 
 
 This church has constructed a neat house of wor- 
 ship and is enjoying both peace and prosperity, and is 
 wielding a great influence for good. This young 
 church has a fine record so far. May she live long to 
 do good. Their present membership is 113. They 
 united with Enon Association in 1889, while in session 
 with Hopewell Church, Sumner County, Tennessee. 
 They have represented annually in this body from 
 that time to the present. 
 
 HILLSDALE. 
 
 This church is an offspring of Dixon's Creek 
 Church and is one of the oldest churches in this sec- 
 tion. The church is situated at Hillsdale, on the East 
 Fork of Goose Creek, Macon County, Tennessee. 
 
Chiirch Sl-efrliex P.75 
 
 They were constituted an independent church, at what 
 was known as ElHs' churchhonsc, one mile east of 
 Ateadorville, in what was then Smith County, Jidy i6, 
 1817, by a presbytery consisting- of Elders Miles West, 
 John Wiseman, Joseph Sitton and INIalcom Smith and 
 Deacon William Martin. The church was given the 
 name, at the organization, of East Fork Goose Creek, 
 by which they were known for half a century. This 
 church is located in one of the most fertile sections in 
 Middle Tennessee. 
 
 This church was mainly gathered through the min- 
 istry of Elder Hiram Casey, who also became one of 
 the constituent members, and was installed as pastor 
 at the organization. 
 
 Pastors: Elder Hiram Casey, 1817, to November, 
 1824, when he resigned and moved to Hardeman 
 County, Tennessee : Elder IMalcom Smith. 1824, to 
 August 25, 1827, when he was called from labor here 
 below to refreshments on high ; Elder ^^^illiam C. 
 Bransford, 1827, to November 3, 185 1, when he, too, 
 went to his reward; Elder William Simmons. 1852; 
 Elder E. II. Haynie, 1853-55; Elder William H. Mad- 
 dox, 1856-57; Elder James Barrett, 1858-60; Elder 
 E. B. Haynie, 1866-71 ; Elder W. O. Bailey, 1871-72; 
 Elder William H. Haile, 1872-77; Elder E. B. Haynie, 
 1877-78; Elder T. J. Ham, 1879-83; Elder W. H. 
 Smith, 1883-85; Elder William Shelton, Jr., 1885-86; 
 Elder C. N. Simmons, 1886-87; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 
 1888-89; Elder A. Malone, 1890-92; Elder W. M. S. 
 Wilks, 1893-1901 ; Elder G. W. Sherman, 1901-02. 
 They are at present without a pastor. 
 
 Clerks : The first clerk of which we find any 
 record is Moses B. Freeman. At what date he began 
 we do not know. He was clerk in 1835, and closed 
 
376 Ilistory of Middle Tennessee Bajytists 
 
 his service in November, 1838; Jacob S. Johnson, 
 1838-42; N. M. Adams, 1843-48; John S. Johnson, 
 1848-92, a period of forty-four years, when death 
 finally released him ; J. W. Cothron, 1892 to the 
 present, 1902. It should be stated just here that John 
 F. Bransford was elected clerk, November, 1842, and 
 served four months, when he was drowned in the Mis- 
 sissippi River, while en route to New Orleans on a 
 flat boat. 
 
 Deacons : Dates cannot be given of the early dea- 
 cons, which are as follows, so far as we can ascertain : 
 James Jones, Wamack Parker, Dempsey Parker, 
 Stephen Holland, Jacob S. Johnson, 1842; Wilson T. 
 Meador, 1845; Wm. C. Johnson, 1866; Lambert M. 
 Cothron, 1866; Wm. W. Bransford, 1855; Jonathan 
 A. Parker, 1882 ; T. J. McClard, 1895 ; T. J. Thomp- 
 son, 1895 ; Andrew C. Meador, 1895. 
 
 This church has ordained and sent out the following 
 ministers : Elders Thos. D. Johnson and Henry 
 Roark, ordained in 1842, by Elders William C. Brans- 
 ford, Daniel Smith and William Simmons; Elder W. 
 O. Bailey, ordained May, 1871, by Elders Geo. W. 
 Griffin, W. H. Haile and Josiah J. Wiseman. 
 
 They have also, in whole or in part, sent out the 
 following churches, viz.: Lafayette, 1849; New 
 Harmony, 1848; Meadorville, 1869. 
 
 This church worshiped near where they were con- 
 stituted for some time when they moved to Meador- 
 ville. They worshiped at that point imtil their wor- 
 ship was interrupted by the Civil War. At the close 
 of the war the church was in a disorganized condi- 
 tion ; but a few of them got together and agreed to 
 move their place of worshi]) to where the church now 
 is located, and called Elder E. B. Llaynic as pastor. 
 
Church Skefc/ies 377 
 
 They worshiped, for a time, in a schoolliouse, then 
 the neat house in whieh they now worsiiip was erected 
 and the name of the churcli changed from East Fork- 
 Goose Creek to HillscLale. 
 
 The era of prosperity with this church seems to 
 liave hegun with the pastorate of Ehler W . C. Brans- 
 ford. They increased in memhership, in a few years, 
 from twenty-nine to io8. This church has enrolled 
 about 882 members during her existence and numbers 
 at ]iresent 145. 
 
 This church united with Concord Association in 
 1817, while in session with Hickman's Creek Church, 
 Smith Count)-, Tennessee. She became a constituent 
 member of Salem Association in 1822, also of Enon 
 in 1850, and again of Wiseman in 1891, where she 
 continues to represent at the present. 
 
 This church was not materially affected by the mis- 
 sion troubles of 1837. Some twelve of their members 
 went oft with the Hardshells, but the great body of 
 the church remained intact. 
 
 It would be unjust to close this sketch without a 
 brief reference to Deacon AA'm. C. Johnson. He has 
 been one of the most generous and iiublic spirited 
 Baptist deacons to be found in the up]ier Cumberland 
 A'allev. His support to ]]ellwood Academy and other 
 public enterprises will cause his name to live in the 
 hearts of generations }et to come. 
 
 CORINTH. 
 
 This church is now e.xtinct. But as reference is 
 frequently made to it in this volume we give this note. 
 This church was located at liratton's Branch, or Brat- 
 ton's X Roads, two miles north of Lafayette, IMacon 
 County, Tennessee. They were organized July, li 
 
378 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 with some fifteen or twenty members, by Elders Solo- 
 mon Smith, V. A. Sanders and L. A. Minick, with 
 Deacons A. J. Claiborn, Gus Fuqua and others. They 
 did well for a few years with the following pastors : 
 Elders V. A. Sanders, W. M, S. Wilks, J. F. Lam- 
 bert, W. H. Smitli, John Knight and R. P. Dillard. 
 Evils finally crept in, mainly this modern holiness 
 craze, until, in 1893, they met and dissolved, the mem- 
 bers mainly returning to Long Creek and Lafayette, 
 their mother churches. 
 
 LIBERTY HILL. 
 
 This church is located on the waters of Proctor's 
 Creek, three miles west of Celina, Clay County, Ten- 
 nessee. There was an old church in this section be- 
 fore the Civil War, but this had gone down with only 
 three or four members remaining. Elder W. H. 
 Smith, missionary for Enon Association, visited them 
 and soon gathered a number of members, which were 
 supplemented by a number from Oak Grove Church. 
 These were organized into a church in 1885, by El- 
 ders W. H. Smith, T. W. ^Litthews and ^L B. Ram- 
 sey. They built a good house of worship and pros- 
 pered rapidly for a while, when internal dissensions 
 burst them asunder and they arc now doing but little 
 for the Master. This is an important field and it is 
 to be hoped will soon be worked. 
 
 cornwell's chapel. 
 
 This church is l(5catcd on Defeated Creek, near 
 where it empties into Cumberland River, Smith Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee. They were constituted on Saturilay 
 before the fourth Sunday in June, 1879, with twelve 
 members. Nine of these constituent members were 
 
ClDurh Sketches 379 
 
 from Peyton's Creek Church and three from Defeated 
 Creek Church, They were orijanized by the following 
 presbyter)-, viz. : Elders E. B. Haynie, T. A. Hudson 
 and T. W. Matthews, with the deacons from Defeated 
 Creek and Mt. Hope churches. 
 
 r.\STOKS : The following brethren have served this 
 church as pastor: Elder T. A. Hudson, Elder J. W. 
 r.ailey. Elder M. P.. Ramsey, Elder T. W. Matthews, 
 Elder W. ]. Watson, Elder R. B. Davis and Elder 
 G. W. Ramsey. 
 
 Clerks: Elijah W. Cornwell and V. D. West. 
 These are all the names we have been able to secure. 
 
 De.\cons: John M. Nesbit, 1879: Psaac Smith, 
 1879. These are all the names which have reached 
 us. 
 
 The establishment of this church is largely due to 
 the influence of that noble laMiian, Elijah W. Corn- 
 well. With very little assistance he built a good house 
 of worship and the church justly called it "Cornwell's 
 Chapel." 
 
 Thev united with Enon Association in 1879, when 
 m session with Siloam Church. They had, at that 
 time, twenty-five members. They now number 132. 
 The church is in a very prosperous condition. They 
 continue to represent in Enon Association. 
 
 ME-MX)KVILLE. 
 
 This church is situated in the village of Meador- 
 ville, on the East Fork of Goose Creek, Macon County, 
 Tennessee. By reference to the history of Hillsdale 
 Church, it will be seen that this section was occupied 
 b\' the East Fork Goose Creek Church, for about a 
 half century. When they moved to Hillsdale it was 
 soon thought best to reoccupy this section with a 
 
380 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 church, so, in December, 1869, they sent out a colony 
 which was constituted into the present Meadorville 
 Church. 
 
 Pastors : I have very httle data, but the following- 
 is perhaps approximately true. The church was gath- 
 ered through the ministry of Elder L. A. Minick. 
 Since then they have had the following pastors : El- 
 der Giles C. Harris, Elder M. B. Ramsey, Elder W. 
 H. Smith, Elder R. P. Dillard, Elder J. J. Dyer and 
 Elder J. H. Swann. 
 
 As to clerks and deacons we know nothing. 
 
 This church has had a hard struggle for existence, 
 but thev are now pushing forward nobly. They have 
 just completed an excellent house of worship and God 
 has blessed them with a large ingathering. They 
 united with Enon Association in 1870, with twenty-six 
 members. They now number sixty-five members. 
 They represent in Wiseman Association, being one of 
 the constituent members. 
 
 HARTSVILLE. 
 
 The records of this church are lost and this renders 
 it difficult to secure anything like a full sketch of her 
 history. The church is located in the town of Harts- 
 ville, one mile from Hart's Ferry, or landing, on the 
 waters of Little Goose Creek. Hartsville is the county 
 seat of Trousdale County, Tennessee, and is a town of 
 some 800 population. The exact date and circiuiistan- 
 ces of the organization of this church have not been 
 ascertained. They imited with Enon Association in 
 iSi^;!;, while in session at Second Creek Church. Thev 
 were at this time a newh' organized church, numbering 
 twenty-four members. This was before the ccjustitu- 
 
CliMrcli Sl-effhe.s ;',.S1 
 
 tion of Trousdale County, Ilartsvillc at that time be- 
 ino- in Sumner Coimtv. 
 
 Among those who have served this clnircli as pastor 
 we note the followin.s;: Fdder S. C. Tallcy, Elder J. 
 M. Fhilliiis, Elder J. T, Oakley, Elder W. M. Kuyken- 
 dall. Elder J. H. Anderson, Elder J. H. Grime, Elder 
 \'. K. \\'itt. Elder A. Malone, Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 
 Elder X. R. Sanborn, Elder R. P,. jMahony, Elder R. 
 Crett, Elder T. T. Thompson, Elder C. W. Sherman. 
 
 Amonn; the dcaeons wc note S. T. Harris, E. G. 
 Harris, J. A. Jones, A. S. Reaves, C. D. Hiph, and 
 others. 
 
 The present clerk is P. G. Terrv. 
 
 The church for some years languished, but they 
 have arisen and put on their strength. Thev now 
 number 123, have an elegant house of worship, have 
 recently built a preacher's home and are alive to everv 
 good work. They are being sup]5lied with preachin.g 
 at present by Elder E. E. Folk, of Nashville, Editoi 
 of the Baptist and Reflector. They represent now in 
 Wiseman .\ssnciation. 
 
 MT. HorF.. 
 
 \'erv little is known of this church. It is located on 
 the north side of Cumberland River a few miles above 
 Carthage, in Smith County, Tennessee. They united 
 with Enon Association in 1872, as a nc\vl3 constituted 
 church. The\' numbered at that time thirty-one 
 members. Thev have re])resented annually in Enon 
 Association from that date to the present. They now 
 number fifty-five. Elder G. W. Ramsey is their pastor. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 SKETCHES OF DECEASED MINISTERS. 
 ELDER DANIEL SMITH. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was a native of North 
 CaroHna. He was born in Chatham County, that 
 State, August 6, 1792. He was descended from pious 
 Presbyterian parents. They were possessed of but ht- 
 tle of this world's goods, and young Smith was 
 brought up to know the hardships of poverty con- 
 nected with pioneer hfe. He was taught a strict ad- 
 herence to the faith of his parents and was sprinkled 
 in infancy. In 181 1 he turned his face westward and 
 found a home among the vine-clad hills, in one of the 
 fertile valleys of Smith County, Tennessee. About 
 three years later, he joined the army under Andrew 
 Jackson, and was in the famous battle of New Or- 
 leans, January 8, 1815. At the close of this war, he 
 returned to his home in Smith County and resumed 
 the occupation of farming. 
 
 In 1820, he gave his heart to God, and now came 
 the struggle of his life. Here were the long and con- 
 tinued teachings of his parents in Presbyterianism on 
 the one hand, and what he understood to be the teach- 
 ings of God's word on the other. But God enabled 
 him to break away from his early training, and he 
 soon presented himself for membership with Peyton's 
 Creek Baptist Church, and was immersed, most proba- 
 bly, by Elder John Wiseman. It was not long until 
 
 382 
 
Sketches of Decea><ed JSfUiiAtei 
 
 3Q'J 
 JO.) 
 
 the church discovered that lie was the Lord's anointed 
 to bear his message to the pcrisliinp of earth. So in 
 the fall of 1824 he was ordained by this church to the 
 full work of tlie gospel ministry, the presbytery con- 
 sisting of Elders John Wiseman and Miles West. 
 Thus began a ver}- remarkable ministerial career. His 
 education was very limited, but his superior mental 
 
 ELDICR DAXIEL SMITH. 
 
 endowments, natural gifts, and close application made 
 amends for his lack in letters. His active ministry 
 extended for a radius of a hundred miles, perhaps, in- 
 cluding a number of counties in Tennessee and south- 
 ern Kentucky. He was, for many years, one of the 
 leading lights in Salem Association, and often 
 preached the annual sermon, and acted as moderator 
 of that body. He also was frequently selected to 
 fill the stand on Sunday. In 1850 he acted as modera- 
 
384 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tor in the formation of Enon Association, and, with 
 one or two exceptions, filled the chair in this body as 
 long as he lived. 
 
 As a preacher, he ranked among the very best. An 
 announcement that he would preach always created a 
 stir among the people and it is said they would walk 
 eight and ten miles to hear him preach. He was low 
 of stature, but strong of build. I was told by a 
 brother deacon, who had tested him for hours, that 
 you might read any verse in the Bible and he would 
 quote the next in succession from memory. With 
 such a wonderful knowledge of God's word as this 
 there can be no wonder at his power in the pulpit. 
 
 Among other things, he possessed a large amount 
 of natural wit which he sometimes brought into play 
 with good effect. Among the anecdotes told of him, 
 I note the following : He was very low of stature 
 and not beautiful to behold. On a first visit to a 
 church where they had an old-fashioned box pulpit of 
 rather extra height, he entered the pulpit where he 
 could only get his head above the book-board and an- 
 nounced as his text, "It is I, be not afraid." The 
 congregation saw him peeping over the pulpit and 
 caught the ridiculous side and broke down with laugh- 
 ter. 
 
 On another occasion, he was to preach at a school- 
 house where there were no arrangements to have fire. 
 The day being very cold the people had built a large 
 fire in the yard. When he arrived and entered the 
 house they all followed him. He knew the fire in the 
 yard would be a great temptation ; so he remarked : 
 "Brethren, I have on good warm socks and I think 
 I can stand it for one-half hour, but if any of you 
 have holes in your socks or stockings it will be all 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers ?)85 
 
 right for you to go to the fire." Suffice it to say none 
 of them went. 
 
 He constituted many churches and carried the 
 gospel for the first time into many destitute sections. 
 He was well versed in church history and was a 
 staunch defender of the perpetuity of Baptist 
 churches. 
 
 His family is a family of preachers. In his im- 
 mediate family he had a son, Elder D. W. Smith; a 
 grandson, Elder W. H, Smith; and a great-grandson, 
 Elder Don O. Smith, who were and are able ministers 
 of the word. They are worthy sons of a noble sire. 
 
 Some months before his death he was stricken with 
 paralysis in his left side, but recovering sufficiently he 
 returned to the work. In 1857 he visited Barren River 
 Association at Mt. Gilead Church in Allen County, 
 Kentucky, and preached his last sermon while there, 
 from the text: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek 
 those things which are above," etc. He went from there 
 to an a])pointment in Simpson County, Kentucky, where 
 he arrived feeling well, ate a hearty supper and re- 
 tired to rest in the home of a friend. Without a 
 moment's warning the death angel touched his heart 
 and his spirit was with God. Blessed servant of God, 
 well done. He was a strong Calvinist in doctrine, and 
 is, no don1)t, now magnifying God's grace on the other 
 shore. 
 
 ET.liKR L. S. SMITIIWICK. 
 
 This noble man of God was born in Washington 
 County, North Carolina, January 23, 1820. He was 
 the son of Thomas and Fanny (Simpson) Smithwick. 
 He was of English-Irish extraction. While he was 
 yet an infant, his father moved to Tennessee and set- 
 tled in Smith (now Trousdale) County, on Goose 
 13 
 
386 History of Middle Tennessee Bajytists 
 
 Creek about one mile from the town of Hartsville. 
 He had but Httle educational advantages, working on 
 the farm until he was fourteen years of age, when 
 his father sent him to school two years. This, with 
 a session in Enon College after he was married, 
 coupled with his close application, enabled him to ac- 
 quire a fairly good English education. He was a fine 
 mathematician, with some knowledge of Greek. 
 
 At the early age of eleven years, he gave his heart 
 to God while attending a camp meeting near Dixon's 
 Springs. Being young, under the influence of as- 
 sociation he joined the Methodist society, where he 
 remained till he was seventeen. At this age he began 
 to read the Bible and church history. He soon saw 
 that Methodism would not do. He then began an 
 earnest enquiry after the true church of Jesus Christ. 
 The Bible settled this question for him, and in 1844 
 he united with the then newly constituted Baptist 
 Church, at Athens, Wilson County, Tennessee, having 
 previously moved into that community. He was most 
 probably baptized by Elder E. W. Haile, that prince 
 of preachers. It was soon discovered that the L.ord 
 had laid on him the work of the ministry and he was 
 licensed to preach by Athens Church in 1845. His 
 field of usefulness began to enlarge itself, and, fol- 
 lowing the leadings of providence, he soon moved to 
 Smith County, and cast his membership with Mt. 
 Tabor Church on the waters of Peyton's Creek. He 
 now began his work in earnest, and was ordained by 
 Mt. Tabor Church to the full work of the gospel min- 
 istry in 1846, by a presbytery, viz. : Elders John 
 Wiseman, Jonathan Wiseman, Daniel Smith and 
 Reuben Payne. In this same year he was married to 
 Miss Sidney L. Brown and moved to Tompkinsville, 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers 387 
 
 Ky., where the remainder of his life was spent. His 
 marriage was blessed with three children. 
 
 He was rarely excelled as a preacher. He was log- 
 ical and systematic, yet with a fine sense of imagery. 
 He was both doctrinal and sentimental. He held one 
 public debate with a Mr. Wright, a Campbellite cham- 
 pion, and carried everything before him. He had a 
 bodily defect which some times interfered with hard 
 labor. Hence the people of his county tendered him 
 some public office as long as he would accept of it. 
 He also taught school in connection with his ministry. 
 He passed to his reward at his home near Tompkins- 
 ville, Ky., in the spring or summer of 1881 A.D. He 
 'died with the universal esteem of those who knew him. 
 It could truly be said that he was indeed a man of 
 God. In doctrine, he was a mild Calvinist and a 
 strong Landmark Baptist. 
 
 ELDF.R MALCOM SMITH. 
 
 This veteran of the cross was born in Chatham 
 County, North Carolina, in the year 1765. He pro- 
 fessed hope in Christ in 1787 and was baptized by El- 
 der Abel C)liver in his native State. He left his moor- 
 ings in the Old North State and came to Tennessee, 
 landing in Smith County, October, 1807. He cast his 
 membership with that old historic Salt Lick Church, 
 situated in the edge of Jackson County. It might be 
 remarked just here that this was one of the oldest 
 churches in this section, having been constituted in 
 the very early part of the century. He was ordained 
 by this church in 1810, by Elder Miles West and 
 others. His ministry was mostly confined to Smith 
 and Macon counties. He was a strong Calvinist in 
 doctrine and his preaching was largely experimental. 
 
388 nUtory of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 He raised a large family, most of whom became Bap- 
 tists. One of his descendents, Elder E. L. Smith, of 
 Mt. Tabor Church, is a noted minister of the gospel. 
 He was present and assisted in the constitution of 
 Salem Association in 1822. He was always busy about 
 the Master's business till God called him home. He 
 passed to his reward August 25, 1827. Peace to his 
 ashes ; would that we knew more of him. 
 
 ELDER HIRAM CASEY. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in the State 
 of Georgia, March 23, 1790. His father emigrated to 
 Tennessee, settling in Smith County, when Hiram was 
 still a youth. Being reared in a frontier community, 
 he grew up with but very little education. At the 
 early age of seventeen, he was married to Miss Cath- 
 erine Depriest by whom he became the father of twelve 
 children. 
 
 He professed faith in Christ and was baptized into 
 the fellowship of a church in Hickman County, Ten- 
 nessee, by Elder Caruthers, when lie was twenty-two 
 years of age. Whether he had, for the time being, set- 
 tled in that section or was on a visit there, we are not 
 informed. He entered immediately into the ministry. 
 He spent the first twelve years of his ministry (from 
 1812 to 1824) in Smith and surrounding counties in 
 Middle Tennessee. Part, if not all, of this time his 
 home was on Goose Creek near Meadorville. His 
 membership was probably with the church then known 
 as East Eork Goose Creek. While he did some pas- 
 toral work and helped to constitute some churches, yet 
 the greater part of his ministry was performed as an 
 evangelist. He traveled and preached a great deal 
 with Elder John Wiseman. His qualifications were 
 
S/cef(7iev of Deceami Ministers 389 
 
 suited to evanp:elistic work. He was large and portly, 
 with a strong-, clear, yet melodious voice, combining an 
 eloquence and pathos that was captivating. He was 
 known as the singing preacher and his power in song 
 would often move large audiences to tears. 
 
 He was one of the ministers who assisted in the 
 constitution of Salem Association in 1822, at old 
 Cedar Creek Church. He was loved wherever he was 
 known. He possessed a good degree of natural wit, 
 and was cheerful and lively in the social circle, which 
 made him a favorite even among the young people. 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1824, he left the scenes 
 of his early ministry in Middle Tennessee and settled 
 in Hardeman County, West Tennessee ; there he con- 
 tinued to preach with the same zeal which had charac- 
 terized him in Smith and adjoining counties. Tut he 
 soon finished his work and went to his reward Decem- 
 ber 4, 1828, while he was yet only thirty-eight years of 
 age. This is another one of the strange providences 
 of God, that we shall never understand till we shall 
 go hence. It is found on the fly leaf of his old P>ible 
 that he preached 1,123 sermons from A. D. 181 7, to 
 A. D. 1822, a period (if five years, making an average 
 of 225 in each year. This will give the reader some 
 idea of the amount of labor lie performed. As to the 
 number he baptized, etc., we are not informed. Eter- 
 nity alone can reveal the good done bv this man of 
 God ; or the number who shall rise up in that day to 
 call him blessed. His dust sleeps in the old Mt. Pleas- 
 ant cemetery, where he was pastor when the Master 
 said it was enough, some ten miles southwest of P)oli- 
 var, Tenn. 
 
 "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, 
 From which none ever wakes to weep." 
 
390 Eistoi'y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ELDER W. H. HAILE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was an elder brother of 
 Elder E. W. Haile. He is a son of Lenian and Hen- 
 rietta Haile. He was born in Mecklenburg County, 
 Virginia, in the year 1803. When yet quite a youth, 
 he came with his parents, who sought a home among 
 the hills of Smith County, Tennessee. He had but 
 little educational advantages in this pioneer home and 
 entered life with but little knowledge of books. The 
 early part of his life was spent in the service of the 
 wicked one. He made the devil a faithful servant 
 and was accustomed to refer to his wickedness after 
 he became a minister. This course was kept up untiS 
 he was forty-three years of age, when he gave his 
 heart to God. This was a complete surreniler and his 
 life, from that day to the day of his death, was one 
 of consecration to God. He was as faithful in the 
 service of God as he had been in the service of the 
 devil. In the meantime, he had married and moved 
 from the community of Knob Spring Church in Smith 
 County, on the south side of the Cumberland, where 
 his father settled, to what is now Trousdale County, 
 on the north side of the river near Hartsville. Hence 
 he cast his membership with Shady Grove Church, in 
 the bend above Hartsville, and was baptized bv his 
 brother. Elder E. W. Haile, in November, 1846. 
 Shortly afterward he was ordained as deacon of this 
 church. Cut God had thrust upon him a greater work, 
 that of preaching the gospel. He was ordained by 
 Shady Grove to the full work of the gospel ministry 
 carl)' in the year 185T, by a iiresb\'tery, viz. : Elders 
 Jonathan Wiseman, Henry Roark and E. W. Haile 
 with Deacons John Wilks and John Weathered. 
 
 He entered at once actively into the work of the 
 
Sketclies of Deceased Ministers 391 
 
 ministry. His ministry covered a period of thirty 
 years, from 1851 A. D. to 1881. He served, in all, 
 eig-ht churches as pastor. Among- the places he served 
 the following were prominent, viz. : Shady Grove, 
 Knob Springs, Friendship, New Harmony, Athens 
 and Dixon's Creek. 
 
 While he began late in life, yet his close application 
 soon brought him to the front as a preacher. He was 
 regarded by many as the ablest exponent of the doc- 
 trines of the Bible in his section. This may be putting 
 it too strong; yet, it is safe to say that he was rarely 
 excelled. He was an tmf] inching Landmark Baptist, 
 and never failed to magnif}- the peculiar doctrines of 
 our beloved Zion. He no doubt would have gone to 
 the martvr's stake for the defense of his principles. 
 
 He was married three times. He was first married 
 to Miss Eliza Harris in 1830, who lived only a few 
 years. In 1841 he was again married to Miss Chris- 
 tian Avritt. This second marriage was again soon 
 disturbed by death, and in 1854, after he had entered 
 the ministry, he was married the third time to Mrs, 
 Eveline Pride, who survived him and is still living. 
 These marriages were blessed with seven children, 
 onlv one of whom, a son, is still living. 
 
 His pastorate at Shady Grove covered almost the 
 entire period of his ministerial life. Having been bap- 
 tized into the fello\*ship of this church at its constitu- 
 tion, it was to him dearer than life itself. A short 
 time before he died, an impostor, one J. H. Jackson, 
 who had secured ordination at the hands of a Baptist 
 Church, came into the community. He was a very be- 
 witching speaker and had all the brass, deception and 
 treachery which usually belong to false teachers. He 
 soon succeeded in deceiving the brotherhood, but 
 
392 Ilistori/ of Middle Tennessee Baptlsti 
 
 Father Haile rightly judged him and warned his breth- 
 ren against hitn. Jackson saw it was his time to strike 
 and urged the matter to an issue, when, wounded and 
 forsaken by his brethren, for the sake of a glaring 
 fraud, he retired from tlie jiastorate and Jackson took 
 his place. Broken hearted, this noble father in Israel 
 turned away from his unfaithful brethren and children 
 in the Lord, and from the scenes of his life work and 
 sought membership in Zion Church some three miles 
 down the river below Hartsville. He died a member 
 of this church, going to his reward January 30, 1881. 
 He died in the blissful hope of immortal glory ; 
 but with a heart saddened by having been wounded 
 in the house of his friends. 
 
 ELDER JONATHAN WISEMAN. 
 
 This lovable brother was a son of Elder John and 
 Anna (Hunt) Wiseman. He was born in Rowan 
 County, North Carolina, in 1804. While he was yet 
 very small, his father left the Old North State and came 
 to Tennessee, settling on Round Lick Creek in Wilson 
 County; soon moving to Hickman, in Smith County, 
 and later to Dixon's Springs, and still later to Cas- 
 talian Springs, Sumner County. 
 
 In 1828 A. D., young Wiseman left the parental 
 roof and wedded IMiss Mildred Weathered, daughter of 
 Deacon John Weathered. He was married by Elder 
 Daniel Smith. Of this union, eleven children were 
 born. After his marriage he bmight a farm and set- 
 tled not far from old Hopewell Church, in Sumner 
 County, Tennessee, where he spent the remainder of 
 his days. It was at this church, he gave his heart 
 to God in the year 1832. lie then united with this 
 same church and was baptized by his father, Elder 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers 393 
 
 John Wiseman. It was soon discovered that the Lord 
 had set his mark upon him for the ministry of the 
 word. He was ordained to the full work of the gospel 
 ministry by this church ni the year 1836, by a pres- 
 bytery consisting of Elders John Borum, Robert Ruth- 
 erford and Thomas Watts. He now entered heartily 
 
 i- ' 
 
 
 M,-. 
 
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 ■HP|ri-"^V--'"^ , 
 
 
 EpM.^ , 
 
 ELDI'.K JONATIL\N WISRMAN. 
 
 into his calling. His first charge was Sylvan Church 
 in the northern part of Sumner County. Among the 
 points he served as pastor, mention might be made of 
 Hopewell, Second Creek, Fricndshi]), Dixon's Creek 
 and others. He was one of the most popular minis- 
 ters of his day, as well as one of the most useful. 
 He perliaps did not have the dcjith of thought and 
 
394 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 grasp of intellect that his father possessed (and there 
 were very few that did), but as a successful minister 
 he was perhaps his equal. He was certainly a worthy 
 son of a noble sire. Seldom do we see their like. In 
 doctrine he was firm, but not rash. 
 
 He inherited a strong physique and enduring con- 
 stitution from his father. He was capable of great 
 labor, and few men made more sacrifices for the cause. 
 His ministry lasted for a period of nearly forty years, 
 and he numbered his converts by the hundreds and 
 probably by the thousands. 
 
 He passed to his reward February i8, 1869, at the 
 age of sixty-five years. He died of stomach trouble. 
 He preached his last sermon at Hopewell, his home 
 church, .on the fourth Sunday in January, 1869, and 
 went home to die. It was here he gave his heart to 
 God ; it was here he had served as pastor almost 
 through his entire ministerial life ; it was here he 
 closed his work and went home to God ; it is here his 
 body sleeps. 
 
 ELDER JOSIAH J. WISEMAN. 
 
 This brother was a son of Isaac and Peachy Wise- 
 man, and a grandson of Elder John Wiseman. He 
 was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, in the year 
 1833. He was left an orphan when quite young, 
 and found shelter and protection in the home of his 
 uncle. Elder Jonathan Wiseman. His relations in 
 this home were those of parents and son. His uncle, 
 feeling the need of an education so much himself, 
 strove to give his nephew better advantages. Through 
 his influence and means together, this young man was 
 kept in Enon College some time, and in Union Uni- 
 versity one year, from which he acquired a good edu- 
 cation. 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers 395 
 
 In the early fifties, while with friends in Smith 
 County, he gave his heart to God and united with 
 the Shady Grove Baptist Church. He soon returned 
 to Sumner County to live, and was united in marriage 
 with Miss Fannie Rice in 1856. He was already feel- 
 ing "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." He and 
 his wife cast their membership with old Hopewell 
 Church and he was soon ordained by this church to 
 
 ELDER JOSIAH J. WISEMAN. 
 
 the full work of the gospel ministry. He began to 
 teach, in connection with his ministry, and grew 
 rapidly in favor as a minister. Among the points he 
 labored at as pastor we mention the following : Hope- 
 well, Sylvan, Corum Hill, Independence, Siloam, New 
 Harmony, etc. 
 
 He did not have that robust constitution which had 
 characterized his uncle and grandfather, and the 
 reader must prepare to see this useful life cut short. 
 
396 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 It was in the spring of 1871 that a long standing 
 throat trouble developed intO' a fatal lung trouble, and 
 his friends, day by day, saw this useful life fade away 
 like a flower before the withering touch of the frosts 
 of autumn. The decline was rapid, and on June 30, 
 1871, the house of clay yielded up the spirit and it 
 flew away to be with God. So this useful life closed 
 when it had numbered but thirty-eight summers. The 
 ever recurring question looms up again : "Why should 
 such a life be taken from the earth ?" His remains were 
 laid to rest in the old Hopewell cemetery. Sleep on, 
 dear saint of God, you shall live again some day in 
 a land where weak lungs are not known. 
 
 DEACON WILLIAM MARTIN. 
 
 No history of the Baptists of this section would 
 be complete without some special notice of this godly 
 man. His life is so interwoven with the history of the 
 Baptists of this section that they stand inseparable. 
 
 Colonel Martin, as he was familiarly called, was the 
 eldest son of General Joseph Martin. He was born in 
 Orange County, Virginia, November 26, 1765. His 
 father was one of the first to explore Powell's Valley, 
 in southwest Virginia and East Tennessee. As a 
 hunter and adventurer, he was the precursor of Boone, 
 Robertson, Sevier, Henderson, and others whom we 
 are wont to praise as leaders through the wilderness. 
 "He was the youthful companion of Sumpter and 
 Cleavland, two daring spirits of the Revolution.'' He 
 was put in charge of the United States army in East 
 Tennessee, during the Indian wars, and distinguished 
 himself as a gallant leader. 
 
 His son, William, the subject of this sketch, was 
 brought up amid these struggles of pioneer life and 
 they became a part of his nature. Being brought up 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers 397 
 
 amid the scenes of pioneer life, his education was 
 necessarily very limited, but his intellect was broad 
 and deep, and with his observation and reading, he 
 was indeed self-educated in the highest degree. His 
 first campaign in the Indian wars occurred when he 
 was but fifteen years of age. He was under the leader- 
 
 DEACON \\'ILLL\M MARTIN. 
 
 ship of General William Campbell, one of the heroes 
 of King's Mountain. In 1787 he was placed in com- 
 mand of a company of rangers and sent to the "Cum- 
 berland country" now known as Middle Tennessee. 
 He remained in this section for two years, protecting 
 the infant settlements against the onslaughts of Indian 
 
398 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 barbarism. It was during this time that he guarded 
 and assisted in cutting out the first direct road from 
 Knoxville to Nashville. This road has been known 
 in subsequent years as the Walton Road. It runs near 
 Cookeville, down the dividing ridge between Cumber- 
 land and Caney Fork rivers, crossing the latter at 
 Trousdale's Ferry, then passing on by Grant, and 
 Lebanon to Nashville. It was at this time, that some 
 incident caused a tributary, emptying into the Cum- 
 berland at Granville, Jackson County, Tennessee, to 
 be named in honor of him, and it still bears the name 
 of Martin's Creek. After a sojourn of two years in 
 the wilds of Tennessee, he returned home, married 
 and moved to South Carolina, settling on the Tugalo 
 River. He was chosen and served in the Legislature 
 of South Carolina for several years. But the enchant- 
 ment of the vine-clad hills and fertile valleys, traversed 
 by sparkling brooks, in the Cumberland country 
 haunted him by day and by night. So in 1798 he 
 took his family and started for this section, made dear 
 to him by former experiences. We should state just 
 here that he professed faith in Christ and united with 
 a Baptist church in South Carolina in 1791, and came 
 to Tennessee a Baptist. On reaching the Cumberland 
 Valley, he settled on Dixon's Creek, a short distance 
 above Dixon's Springs, one of the most fertile sec- 
 tions of Smith County. This marks the beginning of 
 one of the most remarkable careers the County of 
 Smith has the honor to claim. He was for many years 
 a member of the Legislature from his county, and was 
 twice made presidential elector. In fact, there was 
 nothing of public interest which came up in his county 
 or community, and, in fact, little in the State, but his 
 advice was sought. In fact, he was an associate and 
 
Sketch e,i of Deceased Ministers 399 
 
 companion of General James Robertson, the first real 
 settler of Nashville, Colonel Donelson, General Jack- 
 son and all others of that day conspicuons in the af- 
 fairs of the State. 
 
 While he was great in the affairs of State, which 
 meant so much to the infant settlements of that day, 
 it was not this which added the greatest luster to his 
 superb character. He was a Christian hero and a 
 stalwart Baptist. His great brain, his time and his 
 means, were given to the pushing forward of the 
 cause of Christ. It was he who made a line across 
 the center of both his corncrib and smokehouse, 
 turning half the contents of each over to Elder John 
 Wiseman for his support. It was not uncommon for 
 him to give fifty to one hundred dollars at a time 
 to some benevolent cause. After coming to Tennes- 
 see, he was connected with the following Associations, 
 viz. : Mero District, Cumberland, Concord and Sa^ 
 lem ; and in all these, as well as the General Associa- 
 tion, he was a leading figure. To him the constitution 
 and early prosperity of Di.xon's Creek Church are large- 
 ly due. He was to the northern side of the river what 
 Nicholas Smith was to the southern side. He was a 
 soldier, statesman and Christian, but above all a Chris- 
 tian. In his own language, "The Bible is the Alpha 
 and Oinci^a:" He could repeat whole chapters from 
 memory. He loved his church and the cause of Christ 
 as he loved nothing else. On his arrival in Tennessee, 
 he soon succeeded in bringing about the constitution of 
 Dixon's Creek Church, near his home, where he became 
 one of the constituent members and in which he died. 
 
 He was taken sick on October 8, 1846, with some- 
 thing like pleurisy. He lingered until November 4, 
 when his spirit cut loose from the house of clay and 
 
400 Eiatwy of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 went to God. He talked but little during his sickness 
 of anything but religion. His death was indeed the 
 death of the righteous. In body, he was strong and 
 agile. When he was fourscore he could mount a 
 horse like a youth, and he stood with the erectness 
 of one half his age. In disposition, he was lively and 
 pleasant and delighted to entertain company with the 
 incidents of pioneer life. He lacked but few days of 
 living eighty-one years, and these were full of service 
 to God and man. He gave a large and beautiful lot for 
 the use of Dixon's Creek Baptist Church ; and on this 
 lot stands a neat brick house of worship, a fit monu- 
 ment to one who had given so much to this cause for 
 a period of fifty-five years. He has a number of de- 
 scendents still in this country. Noble servant, well done. 
 
 ELDER DANIEL PARKER. 
 
 Tills remarkable man was born in the Old Do- 
 minion, Culpeper County. The date of his birth is 
 not known. He was the son of John Parker, who 
 moved from Virginia to Georgia when Daniel was but 
 a small child. Here he was brought up in the depth 
 of poverty, acquiring barely enough education to 
 read. But God had endowed him with an intellect 
 which neither poverty nor illiteracy could chain. He 
 must be heard from. He gave his heart to God under 
 the preaching of Elder Moses Sanders. He was bap- 
 tized into the fellowship of Nail's Creek Baptist 
 Church, in Franklin County, Georgia, in January, 
 1802. He was licensed to preach by this same church 
 and soon began to exercise in public. In 1803 he 
 moved to what is now Dickson Count}', Tennessee. He 
 filed his membershi]) with Tumbull Qhurch and con- 
 tinued to exercise his gifts. He was set apart to the 
 
/S/i-etc/ie^'^ of Deceased MinL^tem 401 
 
 full work of the gospel ministry by this church, May 
 20, 1806, by a presbytery, to wit: Elders Garner Mc- 
 Conico, John Record and John Turner. Very soon 
 after his ordination he moved to Sumner County, Ten- 
 nessee, and settled near Castalian Springs and united 
 with Bledsoe's Creek (now New Hopewell) Church. 
 He was called to the care of this church July 25, 1807, 
 and began his pastoral work. He rose rapidly and 
 soon began to be recognized among the leading minis- 
 ters of his (lay, and few men could preach the "old, 
 old stor)-" with more unction than he. He was at one 
 time, perhaps, the most popular man in Concord Asso- 
 ciation. All things went well until 1814, when a mis- 
 sion society was organized in the Association. He 
 was non-committal at first on the matter ; but after one 
 year's observation he decided against it. As there 
 were some of the leading ministers in this movement, 
 the war now began in earnest. It was a battle royal. 
 At^the Association, A. D. 1816, when convened with 
 East Station Camp Church, Elder Parker told them in 
 plain terms if they did not cease their mission opera- 
 tions lie would "burst the Association." They knew 
 his popularity and his power to carry his threat into 
 execution. So they withdrew their missionary cor- 
 respondence. 
 
 At this time he was developing his "Two Seed" 
 theory. About this time, also, he moved on the High 
 Land Rim, in the northern part of Sumner County, 
 near the Kentucky line. He now sowed his Two Seed 
 doctrine down thick and fast, and prepared the way 
 for the establishment of the Two Seed Baptists. His 
 doctrine should not be confounded with that of our Cal- 
 vniistic Baptists, nor should it be confounded with that 
 of our Hardshell brethren. In brief, he taught that God 
 
402 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 had an eternal seed, and the devil an eternal seed ; and 
 that God gave to Adam a seed which we call the body ; 
 that our bodies which we inherit from Adam are sim- 
 ply houses for God's and the devil's children to live 
 in. When we die, if God's eternal seed is in us it 
 returns to him ; but if the devil's seed it returns to 
 him, while the body returns to dust never to be resur- 
 rected. 
 
 On November 22, 1817, he resigned Bledsoe's Creek 
 (now New Hopewell) and moved to the State of Illi- 
 nois. His doctrine remained in the minds of the 
 people and brought forth a harvest. It is but due to 
 say that his objectionable teaching began only a short 
 time before leaving Tennessee, and his ministry as a 
 whole in this State was greatly blessed of God in estab- 
 lishing the Baptist cause. The church at Bledsoe's 
 Creek was greatly prospered under his ministry. On 
 moving to Illinois he published a tract, "Two Seed in 
 Broken Doses." This was followed by others along 
 the same line, and at length by a monthly paper. The 
 Church Advocate. He proved to be not only a power- 
 ful speaker, but a talented writer. His followers are 
 still found scattered over several States, and a few 
 very weak Associations are maintained. This is a 
 monument no one should covet, and yet it attests the 
 genius of the originator. Elder Parker was a man 
 with a wonderful degree of magnetism and drew large 
 crowds wherever he went. He paid no attention to 
 conventionalities. Once, when preaching in the city 
 of Nashville to a crowded house, in warm weather, 
 he laid aside his coat and vest and neck-tie, as he was 
 wont to do in rural districts, and yet the people hung 
 on his words as though nothing unusual had occurred. 
 At the close of liis discourse, one very prominent and 
 
Sketches of Deceased Hfinisters 403 
 
 cultured man pronounced him the greatest preacher in 
 the State. 
 
 ELDER S. L. SUMMAR. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was the eldest son of 
 A. B. and Nancy Sumniar, and was born in Ruther- 
 ford County, Tennessee, seven miles east of Mur- 
 freesboro, I\Iay 15, 1819. He was of German, English 
 
 ELDER S. L. SUM MAR. 
 
 and French extraction. When he was a small boy 
 his father moved near Auburn, in what is now Can- 
 non County. He grew up on a farm, with but little 
 education, until he was nearly grown, when he at- 
 tended McNight Academy. He professed religion in 
 1839 ^'^'^ united with the Separate Baptist wing of 
 Sander's Fork (now Auburn) Church, and was bap- 
 
404 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tized by Elder John Whitlock, a leading minister in 
 that movement. He was ordained by this same branch 
 of the church, May lo, 1840. (See sketch of Auburn 
 Church.) The Presbytery which ordained him con- 
 sisted of Elder John Harris and Deacons Anthony 
 Summar and B. F. Odum. Two years after his ordi- 
 nation the wounds in this church were healed and the 
 two branches came together and gave him access to 
 the entire brotherhood. Having assumed the ministry 
 as his life work, he felt the need of a broader educa- 
 tion. He attended some academic schools, later going 
 to Wirt College (which afterward became Enon Col- 
 lege), and finally to Union University at Murfrees- 
 boro. He became well educated, and this, coupled 
 with his strong native intellect, made him one of the 
 deepest thinkers and best reasoners of his day. 
 
 He married Miss Malvina N. Wood, a young teacher 
 and noble Christian woman, who still remains on the 
 confines of this life, waiting till the shadows are a 
 little longer grown. They never had any children, 
 and she often accompanied her husband on his tours 
 of preaching, and was a great stay to him in his work. 
 He was very active in the ministry and traveled and 
 preached a great deal. He perhaps rendered a greater 
 service to the denomination in meeting the advocates 
 of error than any other way. He met in debate some 
 of the leading polemics of the Methodists, Presbyte- 
 rians, Campbellites and Universalists. He never in- 
 dulged in flings and epithets, but, with the Bible and 
 his convincing logic, he simply overwhelmed his ad- 
 versary. I have often heard those who were present 
 speak of a debate he had at Sparta, Tenn., with a lead- 
 ing Campbellite, in which he carried everything be- 
 fore him. 
 
Shetcheft of Deceased HfiithterK 405 
 
 He was strong: of liuild and retained his full vig-or 
 up to his last sickness. He died of pneumonia. He 
 lived to the ripe old ape of scventy-si.x; years. He 
 passed under the wave October 13, i8y6, at his coun- 
 try residence, in Sumner County, Tennessee. His 
 ashes sleep in the cemetery at Siloam Church, Macon 
 County, Tennessee, He was buried with appropriate 
 services, and a marble monument marks the place 
 where he sleeps. The devotion between him and his 
 wife was touchingly beautiful. 
 
 ELDER S. C. TALLEY. 
 
 Elder Stephen Chastain Talley, the son of r>enja- 
 min and Judith Talley, was born in Smith Countv, 
 Tennessee, December 27, 1831. His parents came 
 from the Old Dominion. His grandfather, Charles 
 Talley, was a Revolutionary soldier. His mother was 
 a Chastain and belonged to the famous Chastain fam- 
 ily of Buckingham County, A'irginia. His great-grand- 
 father, Elder Rone Chastain, was one of the leading 
 ministers of \'irginia and knew the sting of persecu- 
 tion in those colonial (la}'s. We find the name of this 
 veteran of the cross on the credentials of ordination 
 of Elder William I'dowers, who labored so long and 
 faithfully in Concord and Salem yVssociations. Elder 
 Talley, was of English extraction on his father's side 
 and French on his mother's side. 
 
 He was brought up on a farm and, for one of his 
 day, acquired a good education, which was supple- 
 mented by extensive reading. He made profession of 
 religion in July, ICS49, and shortly afterward united 
 with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The 
 winter of 185 1 and 1852 was spent in traveling through 
 Kentucky and Virginia and studying church history. 
 
406 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 He soon became satisfied that he had made a mistake ; 
 that the church of Christ was to be found with the 
 Baptists. So he united with the Baptists at what is 
 now known as New Harmony Church, on the Middle 
 Fork Goose Creek, Macon County, Tennessee, and 
 was baptized by Elder Henry Roark, the pastor, in 
 September, 1852. 
 
 He remained a member of this church until 1855, 
 when he went into the constitution of Friendship 
 Church, four miles north of Hartsville, Trousdale 
 County. He was ordained to the fall work of the 
 gospel ministry by Friendship Church, A. D. ,1860, 
 by Elders W. H. Haile, Jonathan Wiseman and W. H. 
 Cooper. 
 
 He married Miss Sarah E. Grigg, July 19, 1852, to 
 whom were born five children. Soon after his ordi- 
 nation to the ministry he enlisted in the Confederate 
 army. He served through the entire war, never turn- 
 ing his face toward home until his flag went down. 
 He passed through many hardships, being once sent 
 to prison at Fort Delaware. He was made chaplain of 
 the Second Teimessee Cavalry, under Col. C. R. Bar- 
 teau. In this capacity he endeared himself to many 
 of the soldier boys as a Christian leader, as well as 
 a gallant soldier. In this command were quite a num- 
 ber of our best citizens ; among them we note Elder 
 T. J. Eastes and Deacon R. R. Hancock. He arrived 
 home from tliis struggle May 21, 1865. He spent ten 
 years in his native State after the war, farming, teach- 
 ing and preaching. He then moved to the Lone Star 
 State, settling in Ellis County, near Waxahachie. Here 
 he purchased about fifteen hundred acres of land and 
 started into the planter's business. But he soon saw 
 his mistake and turned about and gave himself en- 
 
Sketch e.<! of Deceased Ministers 407 
 
 tirely to the ministry. He was a man of strong- mind 
 and fine ability as a preacher. Having once been pas- 
 tor of the church where he was ordained, I can speak 
 advisedly of the esteem in which he was held. He 
 is now most probably dead. If not he stands in the 
 Piculah land awaiting the summons home. Heroi" in 
 life, victorious in death, glorified in heaven. 
 
 ( The author acknowledges his indebtedness to 
 "Hancock's Diary," by Deacon R. R. Hancock, for 
 much found in this sketch.) 
 
 WILLIAM PHirrs. 
 
 The first account of this wonderful man of God, 
 that wc have, is gi\-en in Burkitt & Reed's History of 
 Kchukee Association, page 299. He was pastor of an 
 arm of Swift Creek Church, known as Coon Creek, 
 located in Craven County, North Carolina. This was 
 as early as the eighties of the eighteenth century. He 
 remained pastor of this arm until December, 1791, 
 when they were constituted into an independent 
 church. In 1792 she united with Neuse Association. 
 Elder Phipps continued pastor of this newly constituted 
 church, and under his watch care she was very pros- 
 ]K'rous. In 1797 he severed his pastoral relation with 
 this church and turned his face toward the wilderness 
 of Tennessee. ( )n landing in Tennessee, he most 
 probablv settled in Sumner County, on Station Camp 
 Creek. He soon became pastor of West Station Camp 
 Church, where he most probably spent the remainder 
 of his life. In 1787 he assisted Elder ^ hn Dilla- 
 haunty in the constitution of Richland CretK Churcli, 
 near Nashville, Tenn., and in 1800 he assisted in the 
 constitution of Dixon's Creek Church. We next find 
 him working up an interest in the community of Cas- 
 
408 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 talian Spring's, where he assisted in the constitution 
 of Hopewell Church in 1806. Here the curtain must 
 fall until we shall meet again pn the other side of the 
 mystic river. 
 
 ELDER JOSHUA WHITE. 
 
 Elder White was first a member of Camden Church, 
 Camden County, North Carolina. He was ordained to 
 the ministry in this church. In the early nine- 
 ties of the eighteenth century he moved into the 
 neighborhood of Fishing Creek Church, Halifax 
 County, North Carolina, and cast his membership 
 with this church and became their pastor. He 
 remained pastor of this church for some time, when 
 he, perhaps as early as 1795, moved to Tennessee, set- 
 tling most probably on Red River, in Robertson 
 County. He was one of the noted figures among the 
 ministry of this section, and did much in gathering 
 the earlv churches of Middle Tennessee. He was one 
 of the Presbytery which constituted Dixon's Creek 
 Church, in 1800. Our hearts long to know more of 
 him and his work. 
 
 ELDER rATRICK MOONEV. 
 
 Elder RIooney is mentioned by all the earlv his- 
 torians as one of the leaders among the pioneer min- 
 istry of Middle Tennessee. Where he came from, we 
 have no means of knowing. He was here perhaps as 
 early as 1790. He assisted in the establishment of the 
 early churches in l^obertson County and West Station 
 Camp, in Sumner County. These were all constituted 
 prior to 1796, when they were formed into Mero Dis- 
 trict Association. He easily ranked among the lead- 
 ers in the denomination at that early day. He assisted 
 in the constitution of Mt. Olivet Church, at Leeville, 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers 409 
 
 Wilson County, Tennessee, in April, 1801. He was 
 invited to assist in the constitution of Round Lick 
 Church in 1803. He assisted in the constitution of 
 Hopewell Church, in Sumner County, near Castalian 
 Spring's, in iSof). Here we must bid this brother 
 good-b^e, until we meet him in the sweet by and by 
 Everythine; indicates that he lived in Sumner County. 
 
 ELPKR 1)ANII£L BURFORn. 
 
 Xothini:: is known of the early life of this pioneer 
 minister. He was one of the constituent members of 
 Dixon's Creek Church. He was ordained by this 
 church on the day she was constituted, March 8, 
 1800, by a presb}'tery consisting' of Elders William 
 rhipps, Joshua White and Clifton Allen. He entered 
 at once upon the pastorate of this church and served 
 thein until 1807. Perhaps, as early as 1805, he be- 
 came Register of Smith County and moved to the 
 town, or near the town, of Carthage. He then estab- 
 lished a preaching point near where Caney Fork River 
 empties into the Cumberland. This work was pros- 
 l)erous, and in June, 1806, Di.xon's Creek Church ex- 
 tended an arm there. That fall they constructed seats, 
 where the town of Carthage now stands, and elected 
 Elder Daniel Piurford as jiastor of this arm. The next 
 )'ear he resigned the care of the mother church and 
 gave his time to building up this new interest and 
 conducting the County Registry office for a sujiport. 
 His work here was considerably blessed and residted 
 in the constitution of Hogan's Creek- Church, in 1810, 
 he making one of the constituting Presbytery. He 
 also assisted in constituting Salem Church in 1809. In 
 1814 he moved into the comnnuiity of Liberty, De- 
 Kalb County, Tennessee, and cast his membership 
 
410 History of Middle Teimeasee Baptists 
 
 with Salem Church in August of that year. Deacon 
 Wilham Martin says he was a preacher of the first 
 order. Such endorsement from such a source is an 
 honor of which anyone might be proud. He has a 
 grandson, Major Burford, wlio is still living at Dixon's 
 Springs, Smith County. Where he sleeps we know 
 not, but God will find him in the resurrection at that 
 day. 
 
 ELDER WILLI.\M SIMMONS. 
 
 This faithful servant of God was a native of Smith 
 County, Tennessee, but the date of his birth is 
 not known. He gave his heart to God and 
 united with Dixon's Creek Church, September, 1832. 
 He was uneducated, but God laid his hand upon him 
 and anointed him for the ministry. His church, hav- 
 ing discovered his gifts, licensed him to preach in 
 September, 1836, and in March, 1838, he was or- 
 dained to the full work of the gospel ministry, by a 
 Presbytery, viz. : Elders John Wiseman, Daniel 
 Smith, W. C. Bransford, E. B. Haynie, E. W. Haile 
 and William Terrill. 
 
 The following is taken from History Kentucky Bap- 
 tists, page 451 : 
 
 "Mr. Simmons was a self-made man. He coul^ 
 barely read and write, and cipher a little, when he ar- 
 rived at manhood, but with a strong native intellect- 
 and close application to study, he ])ecame a fair En- 
 glish scholar and was one of the most chaste speakers 
 in his region of country'. He studied the Bible with 
 deep and constant interest, antl became a good the- 
 ologian. He was a strong, sound preacher, and a val- 
 uable laborer in the Lord's vineyard." 
 
 About 1843 he moved to Allen County, Kentucky, 
 where he became pastor of Puncheon Camp, Salem 
 
tSketcJies of Deceased Ministers 411 
 
 ami Mt. Gileacl Churches. He did a fine work as pas- 
 tor of these churches, but was finally laid aside by a 
 sjrowing tumor behind one of his eyeballs. This 
 finally pushed the eye from his head and at last ended 
 his life, May 3, 1877. He rests in the land of li.a:ht, 
 where tlisease and sufferinj; never come. He was pas- 
 tor at Hillsdale in 1852. 
 
 ELDICR I. M. ASIILOCK. 
 
 This ciinsccrated servant of God, who went to his 
 reward a few }ears a,q;o, was of Ensjlish extraction. 
 He was a son of Phillip .\shlock and Mary (Melton) 
 .\shlock. He was born December 16, 1825. His 
 earl\- life was spent on the farm and nothing unusual 
 is reported concerninp; his \'outh. When he became 
 a man he chancjed his oecupation from farming' to 
 that of a carpenter. 
 
 He was twice married, but the dates are not given. 
 He was first married to Mary Himter, and again to 
 Margaret Lee. These 1)ore to him ten chiUlren. 
 
 He prnfcssed religi()n when he was voung and united 
 with the Metbinlists. He remained a INlethodist until 
 he was more than fiftv years old. but the growing dis- 
 satisfaction with ^lethodist doctrine and practice 
 finallv became overwhelming and his conscience re- 
 belleil. I'iUt he fnund a home that was congenial 
 among "the sect everywhere spoken against" — the 
 "(les])iscd liaptists." It was here he found that God''- 
 ^\■(lrd was hnnured, and the T.iljle, and the Bible alone, 
 was taken as the only rule of faith and practice. It 
 was here he could be a free man and be forced to bow 
 to no superior. He cast his lot with Pleasant Hill Bap- 
 tist Church, Sumner County, Tennessee, in 1877, A. 
 D., and was baptized by Elder A. W. Keen. He was 
 
412 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by 
 Pleasant Hill Church in 1878 A. D., Presbytery not 
 known. Later on he transferred his membership to 
 Rock Bridge Church, an offspring of Pleasant Hill, 
 where he remained a member as long as he lived. 
 
 As to the scope of his pastoral work, we know but 
 little. He was once pastor of Rock Bridge Church 
 and beyond that we cannot tell. He did a great deal 
 of ministerial work in destitute sections, and eternity 
 alone will reveal the good accomplished by his faith- 
 ful service. He passed to his home beyond, June 26, 
 1894, at threescore and ten years. Faithful servant, 
 well done. 
 
 ELDER GROWNER OWEN. 
 
 This faithful soldier of the cross was a member of 
 Bethany Church, Macon County, Tennessee. He was 
 born July 17, 1812, while our young nation was in the 
 throes of war with her mother country, for the sec- 
 ond time. He was not ordained, however, until after 
 the close of the Civil War, June 21, 1868, when he 
 was set apart to the full work of the gospel ministry, 
 by the following Presbytery, viz. : Elders W. ]\I. 
 Turner, D. W. Smith, John Patterson, W. L. Buie, 
 L. A. Minick. 
 
 He was not what tlic world would call a great 
 preacher, and never did any pastoral work, but he was 
 busy going into the highways and hedges, and many 
 destitute sections were blessed by his labors, and many 
 will rise up in "that day" to call him blessed. He was 
 a man of unquestioned piety, and always zealous for 
 the cause of Christ. He was a kind and affectionate 
 husband and fatlicr. He went to his reward April 
 if), 1877, leaving a widow and five children to mourn 
 their loss. 
 
Sketr/ies of Deoedi^ed Ministers 413 
 
 ELDFJ? L. A. MINICK. 
 
 The subject of this sketch first looked out upon the 
 htjht of (Liy iu ^^lacou County, Tennessee, some three 
 miles west of Lafayette. He was born about 1815 
 A. D. His father tiled when he was a small boy and 
 he startctl upon the rug-q-ed journey of orphanhood. 
 He was fortunate to have the trainino- of a pious 
 mother, who is the boy's guardian ang'cl. It is she 
 who plies the shuttle that weaves the destiny of the 
 hoy. God bless the pious mother. He grew up to 
 be a portly, fine-looking man, with raven black hair; 
 he standing more than six feet high and weighing 
 nearly two hundred pounds. 
 
 About A. D. 1840 he linked his destinv for life with 
 Miss Urian West. This union resulted in nine chil- 
 dren, three bo\s and six girls, all of whom lived to be 
 grown, and five of whom are still living. 
 
 He spent nearly forty years of his life out upon the 
 broad waste of sin. He gave his heart to God about 
 1853 or 1854, in a meetins' held in a schoolhouse 
 where Long Creek Church house now stands. It was 
 this meeting \vhich led to the constitution of Long 
 Creek Church, and he cast his membership with this 
 new church on the day of their constitution and was 
 baptized by Elder Andrew Jackson. The Lord at 
 once marked him for the ministry and it was not long 
 until the church saw that lie was the Lord's anointed. 
 He was ordained to the ministry by Long Creek 
 Church, most probably about 1858. Among those 
 who assisted in his ordination we note Elders James 
 Alvis and Josiah J. Wiseman. He at once entered ac- 
 tively into the work of the ministry. He was for many 
 years one of the leading ministers in Enon Associa- 
 
414 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tion, and there most of his work was done. He was 
 a man of unquestioned piety and accomplished great 
 good in the Master's vineyard. Many will rise up in 
 that day to call him blessed. Jesus, the Savior of 
 sinners, was his theme and the burden of his minis- 
 try. Among the points at which he labored we men- 
 tion the following : Long Creek, Harmony, Timber 
 Ridge, Ebenezer, Meadorville, Chestnut Grove, with 
 many others. He was a fine revivalist and numbered 
 his converts by the hundreds. His home, until a short 
 time before his death, was near where he was born. 
 In November, 1884, he moved to Green Hill, Warren 
 County, Kentucky, where he died March 15, 1885. 
 For about threescore and ten years he had fought the 
 battles of life and thirty-one years of this time he had 
 carried the precious seeds of the gospel into the waste 
 places of earth and hundreds are rejoicing to-day as 
 the fruit of his labors. Blessed memory, which re- 
 counts the deeds of such faithful heralds of the cross ! 
 We shall see liim again in the sweet by and by. 
 
 ELDER ANDREW JACKSON. 
 
 Very little is known of this man of God. Enough is 
 known, however, to create a longing to know more. 
 At the time of his ministry in this section he lived 
 in Macon County, Tennessee, on Big Salt Lick Creek, 
 which flows into Barren River. Long Creek Church 
 was first gathered through his ministry, and he be- 
 came the first pastor. A brother writes that he was 
 a power in the pul])it and a great worker in meetings. 
 He was faithful and true to the Bajitist cause. He 
 moved to Missouri about 1857 A. D. He was still a 
 resident of that State in iSr^a, and here the curtain 
 must fall. We can but wish to know more of this 
 
Sl--etcIi€S of Deceased Ministers 415 
 
 servant of God, but we must content ourselves to wait 
 till the curtain is drawn aside and the now hidden 
 things brought to view. And, until then, these few 
 lines are inscribed to his niemor}-. 
 
 ELDF.R JAMF.S MORRIS. 
 
 The object of this sketch was born January 15, 1S17. 
 He was the oldest son of Claiborn Morris, who served 
 with distinction under General Andrew Jackson dur- 
 ing- the war with England, and also the Seminole War, 
 and who lived and died at his old home on Drake's 
 Creek, Warren Countv, Kentuckv. 
 
 He was brought up amid the stirring scenes of the 
 early settling of northern Tennessee and southern 
 Kentucky. He worked with his father at blacksmith- 
 ing till he was of age. He professed faith in Christ 
 when about twenty years old, at one of the camp meet- 
 ings so common in those davs, and became an effi- 
 cient worker in those meetings. Teing an excellent 
 singer, he often spent the whole night in the song 
 service of those meetings after hard work in the shop 
 during the day. 
 
 He joined the IXIethodist Episcopal Church and 
 soon became an active preacher. He went as a mis- 
 sionary to the Indians while they occupied the country 
 now known as Arkansas, .\fter a varied and inter- 
 esting experience while preaching to the "Red Men 
 of the Forest," he was called home, by tlie death of 
 his brother William, to assist in pro\iihng fur a help- 
 less family. 
 
 He joined the Louisville Conference and traveled 
 for years in that connection. Afterward he mo\'ed to 
 Tennessee and joined the Tennessee Conference and 
 traveled as a circuit preacher till some time after the 
 Civil War. 
 
416 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 He was a close student and clear reasoner and be- 
 came proficient in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and ever 
 found delight in Bible study and research of sacred 
 theology. He was a fluent and forcible speaker and 
 impressed his hearers as being fully persuaded of the 
 truth of the gospel of Christ. He was emotional and 
 often gave utterance to the deep feelings of an over- 
 flowing soul. He was a firm believer in "special 
 providence," and through his whole Christian life he 
 carried his wants and woes to God in humble prayer, 
 and always found comfort in "daring thus to trust," 
 not only in his sermons, but also in the varied events 
 of human life. 
 
 After years of patient study of the various forms of 
 church polity, he joined the Missionary Baptist Church 
 at Pleasant Valley, in Jackson County, Tennessee, 
 and was baptized by Elder Wiseman Smith during his 
 pastorate of that church. He was ordained by a pres- 
 bytery of members from that and sister churches, and 
 continued a faithful member of that church till the 
 time of his death. 
 
 He devoted much of his time to tra.veling through 
 various Associations, and preaching ; and he ever 
 found delight in this service of the Master. His last 
 preaching was a series of sermons at Bellwood 
 Church, Macon County, Tennessee, about two weeks 
 before his death ; and in those sermons he exhibited 
 the same earnest thought, and entire consecration to 
 Christ, that had been his characteristic in former 
 years. 
 
 He was married to Miss Nancy McGaughey, of 
 Sumner County, Tennessee, about 1840, by whom he 
 had five children. 
 
 After a brief illness of nine days, he died on the 
 
Skefe/ies of Deceaml^Miuisters 417 
 
 2 1st of September, 1886, being in his seventieth year. 
 He left two daughters and one son to mourn his de- 
 parture, all of whom still survive him. His son is 
 also a member of Enon Association, better known as 
 Professor D. E. Alorris, founder, and, for years, 
 principal of Eellwood .\cademy, JVIacon County, Ten- 
 nessee. 
 
 He died with full assurance of happiness in heaven, 
 giving' the most satisfactory evidence of his readiness 
 to be with Christ. Death seemed to him "but the gate 
 to endless joys," for he said in his last hours, "The 
 everlasting arms are about me, and it -is better for 
 me to go and be with the good people that have gone 
 before." 
 
 ELDER GILES C. HARRIS. 
 
 Elder Giles Claiborn Harris is of English descent 
 and a native of Tennessee. He first saw the light of 
 dav near Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee. He 
 was born December 16, 181 5. When he was five years 
 old his parents moved to ^Marshall County, Tennes- 
 see, where he grew to manhood. During his youthful 
 davs he was remarkable for his morality and religious 
 tendency. At an early period in life he gave his heart 
 to God, who became his polar star through life, and 
 finallv led him to the green fields of paradise. His 
 parents were Primitive Baptists, but, at about the age 
 of twentv, he cast his lot with the Presbyterians. He 
 now began to study Gorl's word, with an honest heart, 
 to know the right way. In the meantime, he had mar- 
 ried and moved to the High Land Rim, near the line 
 between Sumner and Alacon Counties. Having become 
 thoroughly convinced that the Baptists were the peo- 
 ple described in the P.ible as the followers of Christ, 
 14 
 
418 Histm^y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 he united with Siloam Baptist Church, Macon County, 
 Tennessee, in August, 1842. From the very first he 
 became an active worker in the church and in Sep- 
 tember, 1846, he was made deacon and served the 
 church faithfully in this capacity for nineteen years. 
 In December, 1864, he was licensed to preach by 
 Siloam Baptist Church. He was ordained to the min- 
 istry by this same church in July, 1865, by a Presby- 
 tery consisting of Elders Jonathan Wiseman, Wm. H. 
 Cooper, S. C. Talley 
 and J. J. Wiseman. 
 
 This was the begin- 
 ning of a useful minis- 
 terial career. The next 
 year he was called to the 
 care of his home church 
 and served them for eight 
 years, during which time 
 sixty-five persons were 
 added to the church. Be- 
 sides this, he served a 
 number of other churches 
 as pastor. Among them 
 we note the following : 
 Independence, Chestnut 
 Grove, Long Creek, Meadorville and New Harmony. 
 Besides his pastoral work, he preached extensively in 
 the surrounding country. He baptized and married 
 a great many people and was a general favorite among 
 the brethren. Among those whom he baptized we 
 note Elder J. P. Gilliam. 
 
 In doctrine he was a staunch Baptist and a bold 
 defender of the faith. He never failed to preach a full 
 gospel and set forth, in unmistakable terms, the doc- 
 
 ELDER GILES C. HARRIS. 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers 419 
 
 trine of the church. He was a Baptist — the Bible had 
 made him one — and he rejoiced to preach their doc- 
 trines to others. He beheved in "one Lord, one Body, 
 one Faith, and one Baptism." He was a plain, practi- 
 cal preacher that believed something' and said some- 
 thing. 
 
 He was three times married. In his early manhood 
 he made a visit from Marshall County to Sumner 
 County, Tennessee, where he first met that noble 
 Christian young woman. Miss Frances C. Meador. 
 Friendship turned to love, which was consummated 
 in marriage, February 15, 1837. Of this union two 
 sons were born, Thomas G. and William T. Harris. 
 He and his wife had united with the church at the 
 same time and lived most happily together for a short 
 time, when God took her to himself. 
 
 He was again married, to Miss Sarah H. Hawkins, 
 August 14, 1844. She was a devoted, Christian wife, 
 and bore to him one son, Robert W. Harris. Scarcely 
 had thev started on the journey of life together when 
 he was again left in sorrow and his second love was 
 "gathered to the fathers." 
 
 He next won the heart of Mrs. Elizabeth C. Davis. 
 She was the widow of Carrell C. Davis, and a most 
 excellent Christian woman, with one daughter, Mary 
 
 C. Davis. She bore to him seven children, as follows : 
 Martha A., J- Sumpter, James L., G. Rice, Mollie C, 
 
 D. Baxter and Joseph C. Seven of his children are 
 still living. 
 
 He possessed a strong voice and spoke with dis- 
 tinctness and force. He had such unction in prayer 
 that he often moved an audience to tears. In addition 
 to this, he was a fine singer. He loved the old soul- 
 stirring songs of the fathers. "Amazing Grace" and 
 
420 History of Middle Tennessee Barptlsts 
 
 "How Firm a Foundation" were among his favorites 
 and often he would become happy while singing them. 
 This faithful servant of God finished his work upon 
 earth and fell on sleep at his home, near Westmore- 
 land, Tenn., on the morning of March 4, 1889. His 
 last sickness was borne with the courage and patience 
 that becometh the true Christian soldier. 
 
 He had been in the better land but a short time 
 when he was joined by his devoted wife. They are 
 now singing the glad hallelujahs of redeeming grace, 
 while they still live in the hearts of their friends. 
 
 ELDER W. S. DRURY. 
 
 But little is known by this author of this much la- 
 mented young brother. In the early part of the nine- 
 ties he moved to Willette, Macon County, Tennessee, 
 filed his membership with Bellwood Church and be- 
 came her pastor. He was a young man and was re- 
 garded as one of the most brilliant young ministers 
 in all this upper country. He was a young man of 
 culture, brilliant in thought, and chaste in delivery, 
 with a bright future before him. But for some cause 
 known to himself God called him to the bright beyond 
 in the very vigor of youth. 
 
 After a happy stay of two years with the people of 
 Willette, he died October 27, 1895. This is a provi- 
 dence we cannot understand, but God knows best. 
 His life was like the blaze of a meteor, swift, but 
 bright. In oratory and rhetoric he had but few equals. 
 
 ELDER D. W. SMITH. 
 
 At the name of Elder Daniel Wiseman Smith every 
 loyal Baptist heart in Enon Association bounds with 
 delight. His life was a heritage such as few can 
 
Sketdies of Deceased Ministevfi 421 
 
 claim. He first saw the light of day in Robertson 
 County, Tennessee, August 5, 1814. He is the son 
 of Elder Daniel Smith, of blessed memory. Soon 
 after Daniel Wiseman was born, his father settled on 
 the waters of Peyton's Creek, Smith County, Tenn., 
 where he grew to manhood. He gave his heart to God 
 at the age of seventeen, in 1831. He made profession at 
 
 ELDER D. W. SMITH. 
 
 a prayer meeting, held at the home of one old Brother 
 Settle, on one of the branches of Peyton's Creek. He 
 at once united witli Peyton's Creek Church. Thus 
 began a very remarkable Christian career. 
 
 He grew up on the farm and in comparative pov- 
 erty. His father, being a minister, was from home 
 a great deal, and he, being one of the older children, 
 
422 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the burdens of the home lay heavily on his shoulders. 
 Thus he grew up with but little knowledge of books. 
 His, however, was one of the most fruitful brains 
 ever produced in this mountain section — a brain which 
 could not be hedged in by circumstances. He became 
 self-educated and a man of extensive research. 
 
 In 1836 he secured a letter and became one of the 
 constituent members of Mount Tabor Church, some 
 five miles higher up the creek. He was, and had been 
 from the very start, an active church member. He 
 remained here until about 1850, when he purchased 
 a farm on the head waters of Long Fork Creek, Ma- 
 con County, Tennessee, where he spent the remainder 
 of his days. He again became a constituent member 
 of Union Church, in 1852. He now became more ac- 
 tive as a church worker and his brethren discovered 
 that he was the Lord's anointed to bear his message 
 to the perishing of earth. 
 
 On June 30, 1854, he was ordained to the full work 
 of the gospel ministry by Union Church, with the fol- 
 lowing presbytery, viz. : Elders Daniel Smith, An- 
 drew Jackson, Washington Glover and L. A. Smith- 
 wick, with Deacons Alfred Gibbs, Wiley Jones, R. 
 Smith, Alexander Pipkin, M. Wallace, J. Nixon, John 
 Shoulders, R. Williams and G. Owen. 
 
 From this day to the day of his death he stood as 
 a beacon light among the Baptists of his section. It 
 is no disparagement to others when we sav that he 
 was the leader in thought among his brethren. 
 
 He entered at once actively into the pastorate. 
 Among the main points he served as pastor we men- 
 tion the following: Mt. Tabor, Defeated Creek, LTnion, 
 thirty-five years ; Liberty, twenty-four years ; Dixon's 
 Creek, twelve years ; Lafayette, ten years ; Pleasant 
 
Sketdies of Deeeamd Ministers 423 
 
 Valley, Jackson County, a long- while. He also served 
 Bellwood, Peyton's Creek, and others, as the sketches 
 of the churches will show. He was like a father in 
 these churches. Perhaps no pastors were more loved 
 by their charges than he. 
 
 In person, he was small of stature, yet possessing 
 a constitution capable of untold endurance. He was of 
 Scotch-Irish descent, light-complexioned, and a well- 
 developed forehead. He had a strong voice, spoke 
 rapidly and distinctly, often growing eloquent. In man- 
 ner, he was logical, clear and convincing, preaching 
 with great unction, and often closing with an exhorta- 
 tion that touched the hearts of all. 
 
 His sermons were exceedingly doctrinal. In fact, 
 he stood as a great bulwark in defense of the doc- 
 trines of the Bible. Neither did he shun polemics when 
 it was necessary. He had one public debate, in which 
 he carried everything before him. 
 
 He possessed one of the most remarkable memories 
 — a memory which enabled him to recall and use any- 
 thing ne liad once read without the use of notes. 
 Deacon J. M. Williams, who furnishes much of the 
 data for this sketch (though this author was well ac- 
 quainted with him), lias this to say of him on this 
 point : 
 
 "In preaching on the subject of the church, I have 
 often seen him present the whole subject with all the 
 proof texts, and all the prophecies and all the history 
 bearing on that subject, together with all the dates and 
 exact year of the rise of each denomination, the edict 
 of every king and emperor. The decrees of each coun- 
 cil and pope . . . without a single jot or tittle being 
 noted down." Critics often followed him only to find 
 that he was correct. 
 
424 History of Middle Te)ines8ee Baptiats 
 
 From the above, it will be seen that he was a man 
 of wide research and varied knowledge. In doctrine, 
 he was a mild Calvinist and a staunch Landmark 
 Baptist. He also practiced the "Washing Feet" as 
 a duty, but not as a church ordinance. He was a great 
 lover of the book of Revelation, and it was a treat to 
 hear him unfold its teachings. 
 
 He was, perhaps, the last of our ministry in this 
 section, who figured in the "split" on the mission 
 ciuestion in 1837. He gave many interesting inter- 
 views on this "split," but as this history has already 
 been given at another place in this work, it is useless 
 to record them here. 
 
 He was first married to Elizabeth Smith, a daughter 
 of Robert Smith, who was a soldier under General 
 Jackson in the war of 1812. Of this union five chil- 
 dren were born, one son and four daughters. The 
 wife of his youth went home to glory September 11, 
 
 1854. 
 
 In 1861 he was again married to Caroline Williams. 
 Of this union, six children were born, four sons and 
 two daughters, all of wdiom are still living. His wife 
 preceded him to the better land about two years. 
 After this he found a home with his children. Broken 
 hearted over the departure of his life-mate, the rav- 
 ages of old age soon told upon him, and anxious 
 friends saw the end was fast approaching. With anx- 
 ious and burdened hearts they watched the old hero of 
 many battles as he went bending to the tomb. It was 
 on Saturday morning, September 17, 1892, that he 
 died. This was the meetinsr day of his home church 
 (Union) where he had been pastor for thirty-five 
 years. He died of paralysis. On that morning while 
 the members of his old church were preparing to as- 
 
Sketches of Deceased Ministers 425 
 
 semble for worship, God touched his heart ; it stood 
 still and his spirit bounded away to join the assembled 
 hosts on high. For thirty-five years he had met with 
 old Union Church and told the story of Jesus and his 
 love as he viewed his home by faith. But never 
 had he witnessed such a meeting as he had that morn- 
 ing. It was here he met his companions and hundreds 
 of others whom he had baotized and married, and 
 with whom he had labored. Faith and hope had given 
 wa)- and he stood gazirig upon the beauties of the 
 glory-land. He perhaps viewed with amazement the 
 trophies of his humble labors. On Sunday, the next 
 day, his remains were taken from his son's, where 
 he had died, to the churchhouse where his yoke- 
 fellow, Elder W. L. Buie, held appropriate services 
 amid a grief-stricken church and community, after 
 which he was laid beside his second wife in Union 
 Cemetery to await the resurrection. 
 
 At the instance of Union Church, his churches, to 
 which he had preached, erected a beautiful monument 
 over his grave as a token of their esteem. This was 
 unveiled with appropriate services in which quite a 
 number of ministers and others took part. This was 
 certainly a befitting token of love. But when this 
 shaft has crumbled down, his untiring labor will still 
 be yielding its fruit. 
 
 ELDER JAS. B. ALVIS. 
 
 This faithful minister of Christ, who went to glory 
 many years ago, was of German extraction. He was 
 the son of Edmond and Phebe Alvis. He first saw the 
 light of day on the High Land Rim, in Macon County, 
 Tennessee, January 26, 1821. He was brought up on 
 the farm and learned the pursuits of a farmer's life. 
 
426 Histoi^y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 This fitted him for the hardships he must afterwards 
 endure for the sake of the Master. 
 
 He gave his heart and Hfe to God, and united with 
 Siloam Baptist Church in 1853. It was soon discov- 
 ered that he was a chosen vessel to bear His name to 
 the lost of earth. So he was ordained at the instance 
 of the above church by the following presbytery, viz. : 
 Elders Jonathan Wiseman and W. H. Haile. He 
 had only a limited education — what he could secure at 
 the common schools, but he had that which was far 
 better — a God given zeal. His ministry was short, but 
 full of service. He was called to his home church 
 (Siloam) in 1857, and served them until God called 
 him home. During his short ministry he did a great 
 deal of preaching in destitute sections. 
 
 He was married to E. J.' Kerley December 5, 1850, 
 by whom he had two children. 
 
 He died in the prime of life and in the very morning 
 of his ministry. It was on April 22, 1861, just ten 
 days after the first guns of the Civil War were fired, 
 that his spirit went sweeoing through the gates into 
 the city of God. While the conflicts of brothers and 
 friends were raging here below, his spirit loosed its 
 moorings and sped away to dwell in peace with God 
 forever and ever, where perennial flowers bloom, and 
 His glory never departs. 
 
 ELDER E. G. CARTWRIGHT. 
 
 The above name will frequently be seen in these 
 pages. That those who come after may know who 
 he was, we append the following bit of history. He 
 was first a Methodist, afterward uniting with Mt. 
 Tabor Church, where he was ordained to the ministry, 
 most probably some time in the forties. He moved 
 
Sketc/ies of Deceased Ministers 427 
 
 to Lafayette and united with that church in 1854. 
 He was pastor one year of this church. He remained 
 a member of the Baptist Church at Lafayette until 
 1870, when he abandoned the faith and joined the 
 Campbellites. He was, at this time, an old man. He 
 seems to have been a good and honorable citizen. He 
 died about 1885. 
 
 ELDER TIIOS. D. JOHNSON. 
 
 This faithful and much lamented servant of God 
 was born on the waters of the East Fork of Goose 
 Creek, in Macon (then Smith) County, Tennessee, 
 Xovember 23, 181 5. He was the son of John and 
 Gracy (Ellis) Johnson, who came to this section from 
 the Carolinas in the early settlements of this country. 
 He was also an older brother of that noble family of 
 Johnsons, one of whom still remains on the confines 
 of life in the person of that noble man of God, Deacon 
 W'm. C. Johnson. 
 
 He made profession of faith in Christ and united 
 with East Fork Goose Creek (now Hillsdale) Baptist 
 Church, about the year 1836. It was not long until 
 his church saw that he was a chosen vessel of the 
 Lord to bear the message of salvation to the lost. In 
 1840 he was licensed to preach, and in December, 
 1842, he was ordained to the full work of the gospel 
 ministry by East Fork Goose Creek Church, by the 
 following presbytery, viz. : Elders William C. Brans- 
 ford, Daniel Smith and William Simmons. 
 
 Few young men started with more flattering pros- 
 pects. He was a close student, a sound reasoner, a 
 fine orator, and, best of all, devoutly pious and thor- 
 oughly consecrated. Few men of his age had so thor- 
 oughly won their way to the hearts of the people. But 
 
428 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 just as his life began to shine out with a brilHancy 
 that attracted all, the candle was blown out and his 
 church and brethren were left in mourning. 
 
 The following was published in the minutes of 
 Salem Association for 1844, and also in The Baptist, 
 published by R. B. C. Howell and Wm. Cary Crane 
 for November 23, 1844: 
 
 "Resolved, That we sympathize with the church at 
 East Fork Goose Creek, in consequence of the death 
 of our worthy and promising young brother, Thomas 
 D. Johnson, who in the morning of life, and amidst 
 prosperity and promise of great usefulness, both as a 
 citizen of the world and minister of the gospel, was 
 summoned on the ninth day of June, 1844, to leave the 
 church militant, and join the church triumphant. In 
 the death of this young minister, the church has doubt- 
 less sustained a great loss, having had their minds 
 placed upon him as one destined for much usefulness. 
 How mysterious to short-sighted man are the ways 
 of providence! May the good Lord be a husband to 
 protect his surviving companion, and a father to pro- 
 vide for his dear children." 
 
 The above extract gives us an idea of the esteem in 
 which he was held by those with whom he labored, 
 wept and rejoiced. He died in the very morning of 
 life and especially so of his ministry. He died from 
 a relapse of the mumps. He left this world happy 
 and no doubt his shouts were soon blended with those 
 of the angels on the other side of the mystic river. 
 
 His course was brief upon earth, 
 Yet his work was well done. 
 
 His body returned to mother earth, • 
 His spirit to heaven, its home. 
 
Sketches of Deceased Mi n inters 429 
 
 DEACON JOHN WEATHERED. 
 
 This remarkable man of God first saw the lipht in 
 Albemarle County, Virginia, February 13, 1773. When 
 he was about eighteen years of age, he gave his heart 
 to God and united with a Baptist Church. In April, 
 1796, he was married to Aliss Elizabeth Gilmore, and 
 the next year — 1797 — he left the Old Dominion, came 
 
 :: -^ 
 
 DEAC(JX JOHN WEATHERED. 
 
 to the newly constituted State of Tennessee and settled 
 in Sumner County, near Castalian Springs. He most 
 probably cast his membership with Station Camp 
 Church, where he remained until iSofi, when he be- 
 came a constituent member of T.ledsoe's Creek (now 
 Hopewell) Church. He was their first clerk, and, in 
 1807, he was made deacon, which office he filled with 
 honor to himself and the cause till God called him 
 home. He was a deacon in the Lord's house for fifty 
 years. He and his yoke-fellow, Deacon John Wilks, 
 
430 Ilidory of Middle Tennessee Baptistn 
 
 were perhaps called on oftener, and did more g'eneral 
 church work than any two deacons of their day, and 
 one rarelv ever went without the other as long as 
 Father Weathered lived. I have been struck with the 
 frequency with which their names occurred in the 
 various church records over the country. He was not 
 a man of many words, but was remarkable for his 
 sound judgment and correct conclusions which caused 
 his counsel to be sought far and near. He was able 
 in prayer, and powerful in exhortation. Religion was 
 his theme and he was never known to speak evil of 
 anyone. He peacefully breathed his last, without a 
 struggle, and went up to God December 5, 1857, in 
 the eighty-fifth year of his age. He was ripe for the 
 harvest, and on his couch at night, without sickness, 
 his spirit shook ofif its house of clay and leaped across 
 the mystic river into the glory land. His funeral was 
 preached by Elder E. B. Haynie with a touching talk 
 by the aged Elder John Wiseman, to whose ministry 
 he had listened for half a century. He was then laid 
 away to await the resurrection of the just. 
 
 DEACON JOHN WILKS. 
 
 Perhaps the mention of no name touches a tenderer 
 chord in the hearts of those who knew him than the 
 one which heads this sketch. He was born in Lunen- 
 burg County, Virginia, June 2"], 1792. He left that 
 state and came to Tennessee, settling in Sumner Coun- 
 ty, while he was yet a voung man. Soon after his 
 arrival in Tennessee, he gave his heart to God and 
 united with Bledsoe's Creek Church (now Hopewell), 
 near Castalian Springs. He was soon chosen as dea- 
 con and served this church in that capacity till God 
 said it was enough, and took him home. 
 
S/cefc/ie-r of Deceased Ministers 
 
 431 
 
 He was a man of sterling: worth every way. As a 
 citizen, he stood in the foremost ranl<. He was a man 
 of sound judgment, and kept abreast of the times on 
 all questions, which made his counsel indispensable. 
 In the church, it could truly be said that he was a 
 pillar, and he often rode many miles to assist churches 
 
 DEACON JOHN WILKS. 
 
 \\'ith difficult (|uestions. He was a yoke-fellow of 
 Deacon John Weathered and one can hardly think 
 of one without thinking of the other. 
 
 God blessed the labors of him and his faithful wife 
 with an abundance of this world's goods, for all their 
 needs. These he used to the glory of God, and was 
 noted for his charity wherever he was known. He 
 was the father of Elder W. M. S. Wilks. The son is 
 honored by having such a father and the father is cer- 
 
432 History of Middle Tennessee Ba/ptists 
 
 tainly honored by having such a son. Among his de- 
 scendants are some of the noblest Baptists of the State. 
 He Hved to a ripe old age, being permitted to live until 
 he stood within the threshhold of fourscore years. 
 Full of faith and good works, he was gathered by the 
 reapers to the home of the blessed. He fell on sleep 
 October 24, 1871. For more than half a century, he 
 had been a deacon and a leader in his church. He 
 loved his church with an undying devotion, and was 
 never so happy as when he was talking of Jesus and 
 his love. Noble servant of God ! 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ministilKial directory. 
 
 It will be the purpose of this chapter to cjive a brief 
 directory of all the livinfj; preachers who have, at any 
 time, been connected with Salem Association or her 
 ofifspring-s. It is not intended to write Biog'raphies, 
 but simply to g'ive an outline which will furnish data 
 for future historians. Some of the brethren have kept 
 accurate records of their ministerial work, while with 
 others it is simply ap]iroximated. I have made a dili- 
 g'ent effort to have all the brethren represented here, 
 and if any are left out the fault lies at their own door. 
 
 Eldkr Louis L,\\\ri-:nce Allf.n, Brush Creek, 
 Smith County, Tennessee. He is of Eng-lish descent, 
 the son of Elder Moses and Lucinda Allen, and was 
 born in Smith County, Tennessee. He was brought 
 up on a farm and received only a common school edu- 
 cation. Professed religion in September, 1867, and 
 was baptized by Elder Nathaniel Hays into the fellow- 
 ship of Brush Creek Church, Smith County, Tennes- 
 see. He was ordained by said church in 1894, by El- 
 ders ^l. W. Russell, John \\'ashburn, T. J. Eastes and 
 A. B. Cabaniss. He has done but little pastoral work, 
 but has been emjiloyed about the Master's business, 
 often supplving for other ministers. He was married 
 to Miss Nancy J. Pruiet, March 7, 1872, by whom he 
 has six children. He is tall and strong of build and 
 of light complexion. 
 
 433 
 
434 History of Middle TeanesKee Baptists 
 
 Elder Samuel T. Alsup^ now residing- at Wilford, 
 \\'ilson County, Tennessee, is of medium height, slen- 
 der of build, and dark complexion. He is of Irish 
 descent and the son of Asaph and Mary (Hill) Alsup. 
 He was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, January 
 31, 1835. He was a farmer boy and taught school 
 when old enough. He professed religion at Cedar 
 Grove Church in Wilson County, and joined Salem 
 Church, in the same county, in 1854. He was baptized 
 by Elder N. M. Green. He was ordained to the full 
 work of the ministry, in said church, in June, i860, 
 by Elders N. M. Green, John r)Ond, E. J. T. Fields, 
 W. H. Grimmet and John Phillips. He has served as 
 pastor the following churches in Middle Tennessee: 
 Fellowship, 1861-62; Rutland, 1861-62; also at Salem, 
 Rocky Valley, Smith's Fork, Republican Grove and 
 Ramah, times not given. He has a good education, 
 completed in Union University ; he also took a theo- 
 logical course in that institution under Elder J. M. 
 Pendleton. He has constituted two churches, has bap- 
 tized and married a great many people. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Virginia W. Huddleston, January 16, 1868, 
 by whom he had eight children ; two girls and four 
 boys are still living, but the two oldest are dead. He 
 is in very poor health and almost deaf, so has had to 
 retire from the pastorate. 
 
 Elder Gen'ekal H.vkdicI': Atnip, the son of James 
 and Xancy ( >. (Trap) Atnip, now resides at Blend, 
 DeKalb County, Tennessee. He is of Dutch and 
 English extraction. He was born near Citadel, De- 
 Kalb County, Tennessee, November 16, 1862. He was 
 brought up on a farm. He nrofessed religion in 1885, 
 at Salem Church (Liberty), DeKalb County, Tennes- 
 
Mhi istvr'nd Directory 
 
 435 
 
 see, and was baptized into the fellowship of Cooper's 
 Chapel Church in 1887, by Elder J. H. Vickers. He 
 was ordained by said church January 4, 1902, by El- 
 ders Stephen Robinson and W. E. Wauford. He be- 
 gan preaching in igoi, and has no pastorate yet. His 
 education is very limited, only such as he could secure 
 through his own efiorts. He was married in 1882 to 
 ^liss Callie Sandlin by whom he has five children. He 
 is tall, slender and of dark complexion. 
 
 Elder J. H. Agee, who now resides at Lancaster, 
 Smith County, Tennessee, is of English descent. He 
 
 ELDER J. H. .VGEE. 
 
 is tall, slender and of fair complexion, and a little in- 
 chned to be bald. He is a son of William M. and Sarah 
 
436 Iliatofij of Middle Tennessee BiqMsts 
 
 (Jackson) Agee. He was born near Flynn's Lick, 
 Jackson Count)^, Tennessee, February I, 1870. He 
 was brought up on a farm: He professed religion 
 and united with Liberty Cliurch, Jackson County, Ten- 
 nessee, near Granville, July, 1883, and was baptized 
 by Elder M. W. Russell. He was mainly educated in 
 Southwestern Baptist University, at Jackson, Tenn. 
 While in school there, he was ordained to the ministry 
 June 6, 1895, by Elders L N. Penick, W. F. Dorris, 
 W. E. Wooten,' N. B. Williams, L. W. Russell and 
 W. xA.. Jordan. He has been pastor as follows : Hope- 
 well (West Tennessee), 1896-97; Little Cedar Lick 
 (Middle Tennessee), 1897; Smith Springs, 1898-1900; 
 Fellowship, 1899-1900; Lancaster, 1899 to the present. 
 He assisted in the organization of one church. He 
 has baptized twenty-five persons and married three 
 couples. Brother Agee has traveled a great deal as 
 colporteur. He was never married. 
 
 Elder J. H. Anderson, who now resides at \\'ater- 
 town, Tenn., is of Scotch-Irish extraction. He is of 
 medium height, rather heavy of build, and light com- 
 plexion. He is the son of J. M. and Martha Ann 
 (Crawford) Anderson. He was born in Logan Coun- 
 ty, Kentucky, January 9, 1849, ^'^d was brought up 
 on a farm. He made profession at Wartrace Church, 
 Robertson County, Tennessee, September 25, 1865, 
 joined the church at Springfield, Tenn., in June, 1867, 
 and was baptized by Elder E. C. Plaster. He was 
 ordained in Springfield Church, 1874, by Elders Wil- 
 liam Shelton, Sr., W. D. Phillips, W. A. Nelson, G. 
 W. Featherston, W. B. Adams, J. H. Butler, W. C. 
 Shannon and W. P. D. Clark. He has served the fol- 
 lowing churches as pastor, and probably in the follow- 
 
Mill isteriiil Director!/ 
 
 4:57 
 
 ing order : Spring-field, New Bethel, Rutlands, Bell 
 Buckle, Laguardo, Leeville, Rocky \'alley, Hartsville, 
 Third Church, Nashville, Tenn., Owcnton, Ky., 
 Round Lick, Shop Spring- and Woodbury. The three 
 latter he serves now. He was secretary of state mis- 
 sions in Tennessee for six vears. He is a busy man 
 
 ELDER J. H. ANDERSON. 
 
 and has baptized and married a great many, but kept 
 no record. He was educated in Liberty Academy, 
 Springfield, Tenn., and Union University, Murfrees- 
 boro, Tenn., with one year in S. B. Theological Sem- 
 inary. He was editor for some time of The Missionary 
 Baptist, published at Nashville, Tenn. He was mar- 
 
438 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ried to Mrs. E, V. Mason in July, 1883, by whom he 
 has five children, four boys and one girl. 
 
 Elder A. J. Brien, who resides at Luckey, Warren 
 County, Tennessee, is of Irish descent. He is of mod- 
 erate height and moderate size and rather dark com- 
 plexion. He is the son of Elder J. C. and Nancy A. 
 (Horn) Brien. The name was formerly O'Brien and 
 was contracted into Brien. He was born near the 
 mouth of Sink Creek, in DeKalb County, Tennessee, 
 A. D. 1856. He was brought up on a farm. He made 
 profession at Beech Grove Church, near mouth of 
 Holmes' Creek, Delxalb County, Tennessee, in 1872. 
 He immediatelv united with 'his same church and was 
 baptized by Elder William Simpson. He was ordained 
 by Wharton's Spring Church, DcKalb County, Ten- 
 Ticssee, in October, 1890. by Elders William Simpson, 
 A. C. Webb and S. B. Whitlock. His pastorates have 
 been as follows: Indian Creek, 1891-92; Riddleton, 
 1892-93; Providence, 1892-93; Beech Grove, 1900 to 
 the present ; Wolf Creek, 1900-01 ; Providence, 1900, 
 to the present. In October, 1901, he constituted a 
 church at Cherry Springs, Warren County, Tennessee, 
 with twenty-two members, to which he is now preach- 
 ing. Besides his pastoral work, he has done consider- 
 able evangelistic work, which has been especially 
 blessed in Warren County, has baptized and married 
 quite a number, but has made no record. He has at- 
 tended only common schools and his education is lim- 
 ited. He married Miss Sallie Dodd, March 28, 1878, 
 by whom he has eight children, two of whom are dead. 
 
 Elder J. W. B.mley, Punch, Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee, is of English descent. He is the son of 
 
3Iin ivte)'ial Directory 
 
 439 
 
 Andrew Jackson and Tabitha (Feag-ins) Bailey. He 
 was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, July 4, 1855, 
 and was raised on a farm. He professed faith in 
 Christ, November 11, 1871, and joined the Mill Creek. 
 Church, Monroe County, Kentucky, the same night 
 and was baptized by Elder John Garrett on Sunday, 
 
 ICl.DEK J. W. B.MLICY. 
 
 the twentieth of same month. He was ordained by 
 this same church May 19, 1879, by Elders John Gar- 
 rett and Allen Deatherage. He has served as pastor 
 the following churches: Mill Creek, Ky., 1880-87; 
 Alacedonia, Tenn., 1881-83, 1888-89; I'^eedom, Ky., 
 1880-88; Cornwell's Chapel, 1889-91; Hogan's Creek, 
 1891-95; INlaccdonia (Xew Middleton), 1891-92; 
 
440 Ilhtory of Middle Tennessee Baptixts 
 
 Knob Spring, 1892-94; Plunkett's Creek, 1893-94; 
 New Macedonia, 1898-1900. Besides his pastoral 
 work, he has traveled as colporteur, taught school, 
 penmanship, and vocal music. Has also written con- 
 siderable for the press. He was educated at Tomp- 
 kinsville High School and Willette Academy. He was 
 for some time Associate Editor of Baptist Helper. He 
 has constituted one church, baptized about 400 people 
 and married about 100 couples. He was married to 
 Miss Malissa H. Steen, of Monroe County, Kentucky, 
 October 20, 1878, by whom he has five living children, 
 one boy and four girls. He is rather low and heavy 
 built, is neither very dark nor very fair of complexion. 
 
 Elder W. L. Buie. This veteran of the cross re- 
 sides at Galen, Macon County, Tennessee. He is of 
 Scotch descent, is low, heavy set and rather dark com- 
 plexion. He is the son of John and Candace Buie. 
 He was born in Robertson County, Kentucky, February 
 14, 1825. He was brought up on a farm. He made 
 profession at Mt. Tabor Church, Smith County, Tenn., 
 in 1842, and united with said church and was baptized 
 by Elder Daniel Smith. He transferred his membership 
 to Liberty Church, A-Iacon County, Tenn., where he was 
 ordained to the ministry on Saturday before the second 
 Sunday in May, i860, by Elders E. B. Haynie, D. W. 
 Smith, Washington Glover and Growner Owen, with a 
 number of deacons. He served the following churches, 
 some of them for many years : Long Creek, New 
 Salem, Zion, Spring Creek, Puncheon Camp, Antioch, 
 Rocky Hill, Lafayette, Liberty and Macedonia. His 
 education is limited, only such as he could secure at 
 common country schools. He has baptized about 700 
 people and married about 300 couples. He married 
 
If in inter Idl Directoi'ij 
 
 441 
 
 Miss Emily Smith, daughter of Elder Daniel Smith, 
 July 29, 1847. -H^ h^* "*•' ^-'hildren. He is nearing his 
 fourscore years, and is in very feeble health and 
 nearly deaf. He has long been known in his com- 
 munity as Uncle Buie. He is not now pastor of any 
 church and soon his voice will be heard no more in 
 the councils of Enon Association. 
 
 ELDER \V. L. BUIE. 
 
 Elder E\'erett S. Bky,\n, who now resides at Las- 
 cassas, Rutherford County, Tennessee, is of Scotch- 
 Irish and Welsh descent. He is medium height, slen- 
 der of build and rather dark complexion. He has had 
 spinal afifection for a number of years, which renders 
 his walking difficult. He is the son of xA.ljernon and 
 
442 Hiatory of Middle Tennetisee Baptists 
 
 Elizabeth C. (Phillips) Bryan. He was born near 
 Shop Spring, Wilson County, Tennessee, October 13, 
 1856. He was raised on a farm. He gave his heart 
 to God when quite young, but would not confess him 
 till he was eighteen years of age, when he made public 
 profession during a series of meetings at Lebanon, 
 Wilson County, Tennessee. He united with Lebanon 
 Church in March, 1875, and was baptized by Elder 
 W. B. Jones. He was ordained by the order of Shop 
 Spring Church, Wilson County, Tennessee, on Octo- 
 ber 3, 1890, by Elders J. H. Grime, E. E. Folk, T. J. 
 Eastes and J. W. Bowen. He has been pastor of the 
 following churches, viz.: Cedar Creek, Ky., 1893-94; 
 Winchester, Tenn., 1895-96; Petersburg, 1896-97; 
 Hannah's Gap, 1896-97; Pleasant Hill, Marshall Coun- 
 ty, 1896-97; Boonville, 1896-97; Rutland, Wilson 
 County, 1898-1900; LTna, Davidson County, 1899- 
 1901 ; Antioch, 1899-1902; Lascassas, 1901 to the 
 present time. He attended schools : Shop Spring, 
 Big Spring, Cumberland LTniversity, completing his 
 course in Santa Fe College. He also attended a busi- 
 ness college at Nashville, Tenn., and the Theological 
 Seminary at Louisville, Ky. He taught school ten 
 years and followed bookkeeping for some time. He 
 assisted in the constitution of the church at Holt's 
 Corner, in Marshall County, Tennessee. He has had 
 150 conversions under his administration and married 
 eleven couples. He married Miss Mary Bates, of 
 Kentucky, March 27, 1894, to whom four children 
 have been born, two boys and two girls. One of the 
 boys has gone to be with God. 
 
 Elder Rutherford Brett, who now resides at 
 Huntsville, Ala., is of Welsh-Irish extraction, with a 
 
Miitisterial Directory 443 
 
 strain of English, He is rather low of stature, medium 
 size, and dark complexion. He is the son of Alex- 
 ander and C. Sophia Brett. Was born near Mt. Jnliet, 
 Wilson County, Tennessee, March 21, 1867. He was 
 brought up on a farm. He made profession at home, 
 September i, 1882, during a meeting at Rutland 
 Church, \\'ilson County, Tennessee, and united with 
 said church the same evening and was baptized bv 
 Elder J. H. Anderson. He was ordained in June, 
 1880, by Elders J- H. Anderson, G. M. Savage, J. P. 
 Gilliam, J. S. Rice and E. Stilwell. He has been pas- 
 tor of the following churches: Tullahoma, Tenn., 
 1890-92; Columbia. Tenn., 1892-93 (broken health in- 
 terfered) : Clifton Forge, Va., 1893-95; Carthage, 
 Tenn., 1895-99; during his stay at Carthage he also 
 preached to the following churches, for a short time 
 each ; Hartsville, Hogan's Creek, Hickman, Rutland, 
 Alexandria, New Salem and Cookeville ; First Church, 
 Huntsville, Ala., 1899, to the present. He was edu- 
 cated at Cumberland University, Doyle College and 
 Carson and Xewman College. He also attended the 
 Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky. He con- 
 stituted three churches. He has baptized about 500 
 persons and married about 250 couples. He married 
 Mrs. Gertrude Crumpton, daughter of H. C. Whitaker, 
 June 6, 1893, by whom he has four children, one 
 dead and three living, two boys and one girl. 
 
 Ei.niCR W. P. D. Ct.,\RK, Tucker's Gap, Wilson 
 Countv, Tennessee. He is of Scotch descent. He is 
 low and heavy built and of fair complexion. He is 
 the son of Donald and Barbara Clark. He was born 
 near Nashville, Tenn., November 11, 1846. He was 
 brought up on a farm. He professed faith in Christ 
 
444 Hiatory of Middle Te)ineii>iee BaptUtt* 
 
 in 1866, and joined a Baptist Church in Nashville, 
 Tenn., the same year and was baptized by Elder Joel 
 J. James. He was also ordained the same year by 
 Elders R. C. Dorris and Joel J. James. He has served 
 the following churches as pastor in Middle Tennessee : 
 Brownsville, Concord, Pleasant Valley, Sumner Coun- 
 ty ; Station Camp, Battle Creek, Bethany, Robertson 
 County ; Mt. Hermon, Montgomery County ; Eighth 
 Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn. ; Barton's Creek, 
 Wilson County. He was educated in common country 
 schools with a course in Union University. He has 
 constituted four churches. He has been twice married, 
 first to the daughter of Elder J. J. James, and second 
 to Major Utlcy's daughter. He has four children. 
 In addition to his other work, he has traveled consid- 
 erably as misisonary, and spent nnich time in building 
 up run down churches. 
 
 Elder P. W. Carney, Mount Juliet, Wilson Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee. He is of Scotch-Irish descent He is 
 low and slender with rather dark complexion. He is 
 the son of Elder F. W. and Annie Lou Ella (Weather- 
 ford) Carney. He was born at Hurstburgh, Humph- 
 reys County, Tennessee, May 23. 1871. He was reared 
 on a farm. He made profession at Little Cedar Lick 
 Church, Wilson County, Tennessee, in 1883 /\. D., 
 and the same fall he united with said church and was 
 baptized by Elder J. V. (iilliam. He was ordained 
 December 25, 1892, by Elders W. C. McPhcrson, A. 
 Sperrv, J. P. Gilliam and J. W. Self. He has been 
 pastor of the following churches: Athens, 1893-94; 
 Baker's Grove, 1893-98, then 1899-1902; Little Cedar 
 Lick, 1893-94, then 1898-1902: Lhia, 1898-99; Zion, 
 Trousdale County, 1894; Fellowship, 1895-98; Rut- 
 
Jfiiu'-sftn^/l I) /'/■(■< ■/(>/■ 1/ 44,") 
 
 land, 1897-98; Gladcvillc, 1897-1900; Falling Creek, 
 1899, to present. He was educated at Leeville and 
 Mt. Juliet high schools. He has constituted one 
 church — Green Hill, Septemher, 1900; also one at Mt, 
 Juliet, December, 1900. He has baptized about 200 
 persons and married thirty-five couples. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Carrie Sullivan, July 3, 1892, by whom 
 he has one child. 
 
 ELDER P. W. CARNEY. 
 
 Elder J. J. Carr, Moxie, Wilson County, Tennes- 
 see, is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is medium height, 
 slender of build and red complexion. He is the 
 son of John O. and Sarah J. Carr. He was born 
 in Wilson County, Tennessee, October 6, 1857. He 
 was brought up on a farm. He made profession at 
 Rocky Grove schoolhouse, Wilson County, Tennessee, 
 in the fall of 1878, and, soon afterward, united with 
 
446 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Cedar Grove Church in same county and was bap- 
 tized by Elder J. C. Brien. He was ordained second 
 Sunday night in November, 1893, by Cedar Grove 
 Church, presbytery consisting of Elders J. F. McNabb, 
 y. H. Grime and M. J. Osborn. He has been pastor as 
 follows: Cedar Grove, 1893-1902; Corum Hill, 1893- 
 1900: Gladeville, 1894-97; Zion, 1895-97; Cedar Creek, 
 1897-1901 ; Mt. Hermon, 1897-99; Buena Vista, 1899- 
 1901 ; Salem, 1901-02; Mt. Olivet, 1901-02; Rutland, 
 1901-02; Athens, 1898-1900. He was educated at 
 Rocky Grove school. He has baptized 117 persons 
 and married twenty-nine couples. He was married 
 to Miss Meddie Wilks, November I, 1900. He has no 
 children. He taught school for several )fears. 
 
 Elder S. F. Bingii.\m, Greenwood, Wilson County, 
 Tennessee. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is tall, 
 slender and of red complexion. His grandfather was 
 born in Ireland and came to this country in a sail 
 vessel. His parents' names are not known. He pro- 
 fessed religion about i860, and united with Spring 
 Creek Church soon after. He was ordained deacon 
 and licensed to oreach by this church. About forty 
 years ago, he was married to Miss Rebecca Whitehead 
 by whom he has nine children. He is about sixty 
 years old. He has done considerable preaching, but 
 has never been pastor. 
 
 Elder R. B. Da\-is, Monoville, Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee. His descent not known beyond America. He 
 is tall and slender and of rather fair complexion. He 
 is the son of William J. and Mary B. Davis. He was 
 born in Smith County, Tennessee, in 1843 A. D. He 
 was brought up on a farm. He made profession at a 
 Methodist meeting and joined Peyton's Creek Baptist 
 
Mill isterial Directory 
 
 447 
 
 Church in 1859, and was baptized by Elder E. B. 
 Haynie. He was ordained by this church August 20, 
 1887, by the following- presbytery, viz. : Elders D. W. 
 Smith, J. C. Brien, W. H. Smith, T. A. Hudson, E. L. 
 Smith, M. B. Ramsey and O. M. Hunt. He has been 
 pastor of the following churches, viz. : Peyton's 
 
 ELDER R. B. DAMS. 
 
 Creek, 1889-1900, with short intermission; Liberty, 
 189(1-97; Cornwcll's Chapel, 1898; Sycamore Valley, 
 1900-01 ; Ebenczer, 1901 ; Riddlcton, 1901. He is still 
 pastor of the three latter. His education is limited, 
 such as he acquired in common schools. He has con- 
 stituted one church. He lias no record «i baptisms 
 and marriages, but has been very active in both lines. 
 He married Miss Mary J. Taylor by whom he has 
 five children. 
 
448 History of Middle Tennessee Ba/ptists 
 
 Elder James Davenport, Whaley, DeKalb County, 
 Tennessee. He is of Scotch-English extraction, the son 
 of John and Sarah (Winnett) Davenport. He was 
 born near Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee, July 
 20, 1873. He was reared on a farm. He made pro- 
 fession at Bethel Church, near Temperance Hall, De- 
 Kalb County, Tennessee, in September, 1893, united 
 with Helton's Creek Church in October, 1897, and 
 was baptized by Elder E. H. Marcum. He was or- 
 dained (date not known) by Elders E. H. Marcum, 
 Samuel Luney and W. E. Wauford, with deacons of 
 Helton's Creek Church. He has done considerable 
 preaching, but has never been pastor of any church. 
 He was educated mainly at Auburn and Temperance 
 Hall, Tenn. Has good English education. He has 
 married eleven couples. He was married to Geneva 
 Washer, June i, 1897. She passed to her reward 
 December 19, i8g8. He was again married to Bertha 
 Trawick, September 19, 1900. He has no children. 
 
 Elder J. J. Dyer, at present, resides at Hillsdale, 
 near the line between Macon and Trousdale counties, 
 Tennessee. He is of Irish extraction. He is low and 
 heavy built. He is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
 Dyer. He was born in Smith County, Tennessee. 
 September 30, 1855. He was reared a farmer boy, 
 and made profession at Dixon's Creek November 20, 
 1871. He joined the church at Hillsdale, Macon 
 County, Tennessee, October, 1872, and was baptized 
 by Elder W. H. Haile. He was ordained at Meador- 
 ville Church, December 17, 1886, by Elders D. W. 
 Smith, E. L. Smith, M. B. Ramsey and J. L. Talmon, 
 with a number of deacons. He has been pastor of the 
 following churches, viz.: Meadorville, 1890-93; 
 
Ministerial Directory 449 
 
 Spring Creek, 1891-93 ; Good Will, 1891, to the present 
 time; Spring Creek, 1898; Providence, 1897-1901 ; 
 New Harmony, 1900, to the present; Shady Grove, 
 1897-98. He has a common school education. He 
 has constituted one church, baptized 200 persons and 
 married sixty-six couples. He was married to Miss 
 Susan A. Ellis, December 26, 1875, by whom he has 
 eleven children, one of whom is dead. 
 
 Elder John H. Davis, Altoga, Texas. He is of 
 Irish-English descent. He is medium height and size 
 and of very light complexion. He is the son of Elias 
 M. and E. J- Davis. He was born near Smithville, 
 DeKalb County, Tennessee, June 27, 1854. He was 
 principally brought up on a farm. He made profes- 
 sion at home in DeKalb County, Tennessee, and united 
 with Round Hill Church on Dry Creek, in same county 
 in 1885, and was baptized by Elder William Simpson. 
 He was ordained first Saturday in August, 1892, by 
 Elders William Simpson and J. A. McClusky, with 
 deacons of Dry Creek Church. He has served the fol- 
 lowing churches as pastor : Dry Creek, four years ; 
 Wharton's Spring, four years ; Barren Fork, two years ; 
 Beech Grove, two years ; Providence, one year. He 
 now has charge of a church in Texas. He attended 
 common schools. Has constituted one church. He 
 has baptized near 200 persons and married twenty or 
 more couples. He was married to Miss Belle Bras- 
 well November 27, 1876, by whom he has four chil- 
 dren, one boy and three girls. 
 
 Elder T. J. Eastes, Grant, Smith County, Tennes- 
 see. He is of Welsh-Irish extraction, he belonging to 
 the sixth generation since his ancestry landed on 
 IS 
 
450 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 American shores. He is tall artd large, weighing more 
 than two hundred pounds, inclined to dark complexion. 
 He is the son of John W. and Mary S. (Walker) 
 Eastes. He was born on Hogan's Creek, two and a 
 half miles south of Carthage, Smith County, Tennes- 
 see, December 17, 1842. He was reared by a widowed 
 mother on a farm. He made profession September, 
 1857, and united with Hogan's Creek Church, and 
 
 ELDER T. J. EASTES. 
 
 was baptized by Elder A. J. Brandon, on the second 
 Sunday in November, 1857. This was the twenty-fifth 
 anniversary of his mother's baptism. She is still liv- 
 ing and has been a Baptist seventy years at this date. 
 He commenced preaching May, 1867, and was or- 
 dained in Hogan's Creek Church, September, 1869, 
 by Elders James Barrett, W. N. Suite, D. N. Jarrard 
 
Minisiferial Directory 451 
 
 and Henry Bass. He has been pastor of the following- 
 churches, viz.: New Hope, 1869-75; Hickman's 
 Creek, 1870-82 ; Grant or Buena Vista, 1882-98; Salem, 
 1876-1902, with only a short intermission; Bethel, 
 1873-75: Afount Zion, 1875-77; Round Lick, 1878-86; 
 Shop Spring-, 1883-86; Smithville, 1874-78; Hogan's 
 Creek, about 1888-92; Mt. Olivet, Trousdale County, 
 1877; Rome, 1888-96, with short intermission; Plun- 
 kett's Creek, 1895-97; Brush Creek, 1896 to the pres- 
 ent; Macedonia, 1875-88; Alexandria, 1899, to the 
 present. Some of the above dates are approximate. 
 He was educated at Union University and New Mid- 
 dleton, taking the degree of A.B. at the latter place in 
 June, 1870. He has constituted four churches. He 
 has baptized about 2,000 people and married about 
 400 couples. He was first married to Miss R. F. 
 Measle, June i, 1871, and the second time to Miss 
 Martha A. Moore, December 14, 1878. By his first 
 marriage, he has three daughters ; by his second mar- 
 riage he has two sons and a daughter, the oldest of 
 whom (Howard Moore Kastes) is a licensed niinistcr, 
 in school preparing for tlie work. 
 
 Er,ni:R Howard M. E.\sti:s, Grant, Smith County, 
 Tennessee, is of Welsh-Irish descent. He is of 
 medium height and heavy build and fair complexion. 
 He is the son of Elder Thomas J. Eastes and Martha 
 A. (Moore) Eastes. He was born in Smith County, 
 Tennessee, May 24, 1880. He was raised on the farm. 
 He made profession and united with Buena Vista 
 Church, Grant, Tenn., in 1892, and was baptized by 
 Elder T. J. Eastes. He was licensed by said church 
 January, 1901. He has never been ordained, but is in 
 school preparing for the work. He preached his first 
 
452 Histoi'y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 sermon in Commerce Baptist Church, on Saturday, 
 February 9, 1901. He is not married. 
 
 Elder J. Y. Freeman, Sherman, Texas. He is of 
 EngHsh descent, and is the son of R. B. and Martha 
 E. Freeman. He was born in Macon County, Ten- 
 nessee, May 30, 1872, and was brought up on the farm. 
 He made profession in August, 1887, at Rocky Mound 
 Church, Macon County, Tennessee, and immediately 
 
 ELDER J. Y. FREEMAN. 
 
 united with said church and was baptized by Elder 
 J. S. Meador. He was ordained by the above church, 
 December 8, 1895, by Elders J. S. Meador, G. A. Rob- 
 erts, J. E. Overton, J. P. Durham and J. H. Meador 
 with a number of deacons. He has served as pastor 
 the following churches, viz. : Liberty Hill, Clay 
 County, Tennessee, 1896-97. In September, 1897, he 
 
Ministerial Directory 453 
 
 moved to Daugherty, I. T., and served as missionary 
 pastor for twenty-one months, the followinc:;- churches : 
 Daug^herty, Oil Springs, Burvin S]irings. During his 
 work with tliese churches he baptized a number of full 
 blood Indians. He moved from Indian Territory to 
 Texas and became pastor of Gordonville and Cedar 
 Mill churches in August, 1899, and served them till 
 ujoo, when he became missionary of Grayson County 
 Association of Texas. Since August, 1901. he has 
 been pastor of Carpenter Chapel Church, Sherman, 
 Texas, with Dripping Springs, Bethlehem, and Cham- 
 bersville. He was educated at Lafayette Academy, 
 and Tuckahoma College, of Tennessee. He has baptized 
 about 500 and married about thirty couples. He mar- 
 ried Miss Anna Overton, daughter of Elder J. E. 
 Overton. He has two children, both in heaven. 
 
 Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, Lebanon, Wilson Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction. He 
 is tall, medium size and inclined to dark complexion. 
 He is the son of Joel and Eliza T. (Cross) Fitzpatrick. 
 He was born at Pelham, Shelby County, Alabama, 
 February 13, 1859. He was brought up on a farm. 
 He made profession at Hale's Seminary, Smith Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee, July 15, 1879. He joined the church at 
 Xew Salem on Snow Creek, Smith Count)-, Tennessee, 
 in September, 1879, and was baptized by Elder T. A. 
 Hudson. He was r.rdained by the authority of New 
 Salem Church in ( )ctober, 1884, by Elders J. W. 
 Bowen, M. W. Russell and T. A. Hudson. He taught 
 school for ten years after his ordination, preaching 
 some in coimection with his teaching. He began 
 preaching regularly in 1889, doing a great deal of 
 evangelistic work. He has served as pastor as fol- 
 
454 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 lows: Riddleton, 1897-1900; Knob Spring, 1896- 
 1900; Big Spring, 1897-1901 ; Hogan's Creek, 1896- 
 1900; Leeville, 1900; Cookeville, 1900; Shady Grove, 
 1900 to the present; Barton's Creek, 1901 to the 
 present; Zion, 1901 to the present; Cedar Grove, 1901 
 to the present. He was educated at Elmwood and 
 Knoxville, taking A.B. degree at Doyle College. He 
 also took course in the Theological Seminary at Louis- 
 
 elder S. N. FITZPATRICK. 
 
 ville, Ky. He is preparing manuscript for a work on 
 the Holy Spirit and Ordinances. He has constituted 
 two churches. He has witnessed about 2,000 conver- 
 sions and baptized about 1,000. Number married not 
 known. He was married to Miss Arlina Bettie AU- 
 gier, December 17, 1881, by whom he has had seven 
 children, one of whom is dead. 
 
Muiisterial Directory 
 
 455 
 
 Elder J. B. Fletcher, Tyler, Texas. He is of 
 Irish descent. He is medium height, slender of build 
 and rather dark complexion. He is the son of James 
 A. and Emma P. (Asker) Fletcher. He was born in 
 the town of Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky, 
 September 25, 1844. He was brought up on a farm. 
 He was converted in McKenzie, Tenn., on February 
 
 ELDER J. B. FLETCHER. 
 
 II, 1887, joined the McKenzie Baptist Church imme- 
 diately, and was baptized by Elder J. F. Allen. He 
 was ordained by McKenzie Baptist Church, October 
 8, 1891, presbytery: Elders W. C. Gilbert, W. T. 
 Dorris and W. H. Milburn. He has been pastor as 
 follows: Bethlehem, Henry Station, Spring Creek, 
 all of Henry County, Tennessee; Bethel and Atwood 
 
456 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 of Carroll County, Tennessee ; Alexandria, DeKalb 
 County ; Greenwood, White County ; Linwood, Rut- 
 land, Little Cedar Lick, all of Wilson County, Ten- 
 nessee ; Dufan, Selden and Stephenville, all of Texas, 
 four and a' half years. He is now pastor of North 
 Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. He was educated at 
 Cumberland College, Princeton, Ky. He has baptized 
 about 500 people and married eighty-five couples. He 
 first married Martha T. Shelton in Rutherford County, 
 Tennessee, on February 14, 1869. She died Septem- 
 ber, 1886. He married the second time Miss Jennie 
 Steele, at Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky, July 5, 
 1887. He has two living children — both sons. 
 
 Elder J. P. Gilliam, Hico, Texas. He is of Eng- 
 lish-Irish descent. He is low and small of stature and 
 inclined to dark complexion. He is the son of L. W. 
 and Martha E. (Meador) Gilliam. He was born at 
 Bethpage, Sumner County, Tennessee, September 21, 
 1854. He was reared on a farm — taught some in early 
 manhood. He made profession at Friendship Church, 
 Trousdale County, Tennessee, December, 1874. He 
 joined the church at Independence, Sumner County, 
 Tennessee, in March, 1875, and was baptized by Elder 
 Giles C. Harris. He was ordained by the authority of 
 Independence Church, August 14, 1878, by Elders E. 
 B. Haynie, J. K. Tinsley and J. S. Pardue. He has 
 been pastor of churches as follows : Shady Grove, 
 1878-81 ; Independence, 1879-82 ; Bracken's Chapel, 
 1879-81; Little Cedar Lick, 1882-92; Baker's Grove, 
 1884-88; Hillsdale,' 1881-84; Fellowship, 1884-86; Mt. 
 OH vet, 1888-92; New Hope, 1884-88; Shop Spring, 
 1892-99, half time; Round Lick, 1892-99, half time; 
 Springfield, Tenn., full time, 1899-1901. He is now 
 
Ministerial Directoi'ij 
 
 457 
 
 pastor at Hico, Texas, for full time. He attended 
 common schools and completed the English course in 
 the Gallatin High School, Gallatin, Tenn., 1874. He 
 has constituted three churches. He has baptized 1,640 
 persons, and married 575 couples. In meetings in 
 which he assisted there have been 2,313 baptisms. He 
 
 ELDER J. p. GILLIAM. 
 
 was married to Miss Belle Pardue, in Sumner County, 
 Tennessee, January 10, 1878, by whom he has four 
 children living on earth, one in heaven. 
 
 Elder J. H. Grime, Cave City, Barren County, Ken- 
 tucky. He is of German-English extraction. He is 
 six feet tall, medium size and rather fair complexion. 
 He is the son of John and Lois (Smith) Grime. He 
 
458 History of Middle Temiessee Baptists 
 
 was born near Ccwkeville, Putnam County, Tennessee, 
 July 29, 1 85 1. He was brought up on the farm. He 
 made profession of faith in Christ in BoiUng Spring 
 Church, in December, 1868, united with said church 
 the same night, and was baptized in Cane Creek, on 
 the second Sunday in January, 1869, by Elder J. R. 
 Bowman. This church is located in the southern part 
 of Putnam County. He was ordained in Pistole's 
 Church, White County, Tennessee, on Monday, March 
 27, 1876, by Elders T. R. Cooper and J. W. Cunning- 
 ham. He has served as pastor the following churches, 
 viz.: Mud Spring, 1876; Liberty, White County, 
 1876-77 ; Macedonia, 1878-81 ; Hogan's Creek, 1880- 
 83 ; Cooper's Chapel, 1880-83 ; Pistole's, 1881 ; Pros- 
 perity, 1884-89; Laguardo, 1884-86; Smith's Fork, 
 1885; Knob Spring, 1884; Greenvale, 1885-86; Syca- 
 more Fork, 1887-1901, with short intermission; Cedar 
 Creek, 1888-95; Hartsville, 1887-88; Friendship, 1887- 
 91 ; Mt. Hermon, 1889-91 ; Shop Spring, 1890-91 ; 
 Cedar Grove, 1891 ; Smithville, 1893-94; Mt. Olivet 
 (Leeville), 1893-95; Ramah, 1894-1901 ; Commerce, 
 1895-1901 ; Dry Creek, 1896-1900; Dowelltown, 1898- 
 99; Milton, 1900-01 ; Cave City, Ky., 1901, half time; 
 Lipton, 1902; Glasgow Junction, 1902. He was edu- 
 cated in Round Lick High School and at home. He 
 has wricten the following books and tracts, viz. : 
 "Hereditary Depravity," "Close Communion and Bap- 
 tists," "History of Middle Tennessee Baptists," "His- 
 tory Round Lick Church," in manuscript. He edited 
 the Baptist Freeman. He was associate editor of the 
 Baptist Helper. He was field editor of the Baptist 
 and Reflector, two years. He has been special con- 
 tributor to the Baptist Gleaner, The Baptist, Liberty 
 Baptist, American Baptist Flag, etc. He has con- 
 
Ministerial I>irectory 459 
 
 stituted four churches, rie has preached about 4,000 
 sermons, witnessed 2.000 conversions, baptized about 
 1,200 persons and married 100 couples. These are 
 approximate. He has had four oral discussions and 
 quite a number of written ones. He was first married 
 to Miss Eliza A. Vickers, February 8, 1872. She 
 crossed to her reward December 17, 1892. He was 
 again married to Miss Lassie Young, September 27, 
 1893. To him have been born two children, a daughter 
 by first marriage, and a son by second marriage. 
 
 Elder J. D. Howell, Baker's X Roads, White 
 County, Tennessee. His national descent is not known 
 beyond our own shores. He is rather tall and slender 
 with dark complexion. He is the son of Elder Lewis 
 and Jerusha (Duncan) Howell. He was born in 
 White County, Tennessee, April 26, 1852. He was 
 brought up on the farm. He made profession at his 
 home in White County, about 1870, in the month of 
 August. He united with the Christian Baptists and 
 was baptized by his father. On October 18, 1880, he 
 was ordained to the ministry in this denomination. He 
 severed his connection with the Christian Baptists and 
 united with Boiling Spring Baptist Church on Novem- 
 ber 23, 1888, and was baptized by Elder J. H. Grime. 
 He was ordained November 23, 1888, by the order of 
 Boiling Spring Church by Elders A. J. Waller and 
 J. H. Grime. He has served as pastor of churches as 
 follows : Boiling Spring, Mud Spring and Hopewell, 
 of Putnam County, Tennessee ; Macedonia, of Smith 
 County; Caney Fork and Rock Castle, of DeKalb 
 County ; Pistole's and Pleasant Hill, of White County. 
 He has done a considerable amount of evangelistic 
 work, and is now missionary and colporteur for 
 
460 Histm'y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Union Association. He was educated in common 
 schools. He has constituted three churches, has bap- 
 tized quite a number and married about lOO couples. 
 He was first married to Miss Mary E. Nash, July 14, 
 1878. She died and he was again married to Miss 
 Unicey Eller, April 2, 1891. He had six children by 
 first marriage and two by second. Only four in all 
 are living. 
 
 Elder Samuel Howell, Baker's X Roads, White 
 County, Tennessee. His descent is not known. He is 
 of medium height and size, with dark complexion. He 
 is a son of Elder Lewis and Jerusha Howell. He was 
 born in White County, Tennessee, April 16, 1858. He 
 was brought up on a farm. He was converted at 
 home in White County, Tennessee, in September, 1873. 
 He joined the Christian Baptists immediately where 
 he remained fifteen years, being ordained by them in 
 October, 1880. He severed his connection with them 
 and united with Boiling Spring Baptist Church, Put- 
 nam County, Tennessee, November 23, 1888, and was 
 baptized by Elder T- H. Grime. He was ordained at 
 Boiling Spring Church, November 23, 1888, by El- 
 ders A. J. Waller and J. H. Grime. He has been pas- 
 tor as follows: Hopewell, 1890-92, again 1894-98; 
 Pistole's, White County, 1889-95, again 1897-1902; 
 Sand Springs, Putnam County, 1892-93 ; Boiling 
 Spring, 1 897- 1 902; Liberty, White County, 1889, 
 again 1891-95, again 1897-1902. He was educated at 
 Alexandria, DeKalb County, Tennessee. He has con- 
 stituted one church. He has baptized and married a 
 good many, but has no record. He was first married 
 to Eliza Waterson, September 28, 1884, by whom he 
 has one child. He was again married to Mary E. 
 Elrod, July 21, 1889, by whom he has five children. 
 
Ministerial Directory 461 
 
 Elder S. F. Hallum, Stonewall, Smith County, 
 Tennessee. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is the 
 son of Richard and Mary Hallum. He was born in 
 DeKalb County, Tennessee, June 6, 1849. He was 
 reared on the farm. He made profession at Cedar 
 Point in 1859 or i860 and joined the Methodists. He 
 remained with them until 1894, when he left and 
 united with Caney Fork Seminary Baptist Church and 
 was baptized by Elder T. A. Hudson. He was or- 
 dained by the order of Caney Fork Seminary Church 
 in 1895, by Elders M. W. Russell, S. N. Fitzpatrick 
 and Louis Allen. He was pastor of Caney Fork Sem- 
 inary Church from 1897 to 1898. He attended com- 
 mon country schools. He baptized four persons. He 
 married Margaret F. Hubbard, December 8, 1875, by 
 whom he has seven children. 
 
 Elder T. A. Hudson, Kempville, Smith County, 
 Tennessee. His national descent is not known. 
 He is medium height and medium size, with rather 
 red complexion. He is the son of John and Nancy 
 Hudson. He was born in Smith County, Tennessee, 
 Julv 2},, 1828. He was brought up on the farm. He 
 professed faith in Christ at Round Lick Church, Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee, in 1849, ^'^^^ united with the 
 above church in the same date and was baptized by 
 Elder E. B. Haynie. He was ordained by the order 
 of Round Lick Church, November 24, 1871, by El- 
 ders J. W. D. Cates, A. J. McNabb, J. W. Hunt, T. 
 T. Eastes. James Barrett, R. A. Dillard and H. Bass. 
 He has been pastor of nine churches. Among them 
 we note. New [Macedonia, New Salem, Caney Fork 
 Seminary, Cornwell's Chapel, etc. He attended school 
 very little, getting most of what education he has at 
 
462 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 home. He has baptized and married a great many 
 people. Few have been more successful in their meet- 
 ings. He was married to Miss Nancy Prichett, De- 
 cember 12, 1849, by whom he has seven children. 
 
 Elder S. S. Hale, Jefferson City, Tenn. His 
 national descent is not known. He is tall and slender. 
 
 ELDER S. S. HALE. 
 
 with light complexion. He is the son of Thomas and 
 Zerisha Hale. He was born in Bledsoe County, Ten- 
 nessee, in the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, December 
 23, 1847. He was brought up on the farm. He pro- 
 fessed religion October 5, 1865, at Laurel Creek 
 Church, Van Buren County, Tennessee. He joined 
 
Ministerial Directory 463 
 
 the church at Cold Springs, Bledsoe County, Ten- 
 nessee, August, 1866, and was baptized by Elder Jacob 
 Stipe. He was ordained in July, 1868, by Elders 
 Patrick Moore, James Moore and Jacob Stipe. He 
 has been pastor as follows : New Macedonia, Smith 
 County, Tennessee, 1873-76; New Salem, 1876; 
 Hogan's Creek, two years ; Mt. Zion, DeKalb County, 
 two years. He established Hale's Seminary, near 
 Chestnut Mound, and taught there four years. He 
 also taught at Carthage one year, 1876-77. He re- 
 turned to Bledsoe County and served as Circuit Court 
 Clerk in that county for eight years. He has served 
 the following churches in East Tennessee: Little 
 Hopewell, one year ; Dunlap, two years ; Pikeville, 
 three years ; Yellow Creek, five years ; Spring City, 
 four years; Sequatchie, two years. In 1890 he moved 
 to Jefferson County and became pastor of Mossy 
 Creek Church, now Jefferson City, 1891-94, half time; 
 Dandridge, 1891-97; Concord, 1892-98; Rutledge, 
 1895-1900; Talbott's, 1896-1901 ; Oakland, 1900-02; 
 Concord, Knox County, 1901 ; Cumberland Gap, 1897- 
 1901. He was educated at McMinnville and Burritt 
 College. He has no record of his baptisms, marriages, 
 etc., but has been diligent in the Master's business. 
 He married Miss Abbie E. Breeding, February 4, 
 1873, by whom he has four children — three living, one 
 dead. On account of feeble health, he has resigned 
 all of his charges and, at present, is confined to his 
 room. His work may be over, but he has a confiding 
 hope to sustain him. 
 
 Elder J. L. Hawkins, Westmoreland, Macon 
 County, Tennessee. He is of EngHsh extraction. He 
 is the son of Stephen and Amanda Hawkins. He 
 
464 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 was born in Macon County, Tennessee, June 28, 1865. 
 He was reared on the farm. He professed faith in 
 Christ at Siloam Church, Macon County, Tennessee, 
 in September, 1882, and joined Independence Church, 
 on the head waters of Bledsoe's Creek, in the same 
 year and was baptized by Elder J. P. Gilliam. He 
 was ordained by the order of Independence (now 
 Bledsoe Creek) Church, June 12, 1892, by Elders I. 
 M. Ashlock, J. R. Stinson and J. S. Pardue, with 
 Deacons J. G. Pardue, J. W. Dorris, Jos. Woodward 
 and Jos. Pardue. He has served as pastor as fol- 
 lows: Siloam, 1894-02; Cedar Bluff, 1895-99; Provi- 
 dence, 1897; New Middle Fork (Kentucky), 1900. 
 He was educated at Beech Grove public school. He 
 has kept no account of number baptized. He has 
 married twenty-two couples. He was married to Miss 
 Julia Wallace, December 16, 1886, by whom he has 
 four children. 
 
 Elder R. K. Keaton, resides at Dibrell, Warren 
 County, Tennessee. He is of Irish descent. He is of 
 medium height and medium size and rather inclined 
 to dark complexion. He is the son of William and 
 Susan Keaton. He was born in Wilson County, Ten- 
 nessee, January 25, 1833. He was brought up on 
 the farm. He made profession on Sycamore Creek, 
 Cannon County, Tennessee, united with Prosperity 
 Church in 1846, and was baptized by Elder Henry 
 Fite. He was ordained September, 1870, by Elders 
 L. Brown and J. C. Brien. He has been pastor as 
 follows : Providence, Blufif Springs, and New Union 
 — the last named for thirty years. He has assisted 
 in the constitution of several churches. He has bap- 
 tized about 100 people and married about fifty couples. 
 
Ministerial Divectory 465 
 
 He has been twice married, first to Miss Louise Keff, 
 in 1852, and ag'ain to Locky M. Wilson, in i860. He 
 has five children by the first marriage and four by the 
 last. 
 
 Elder J. M. Knight, resides at Henderson's X 
 Roads, Wilson County, Tennessee. He is of English- 
 Irish descent. He is of medium height and size 
 with rather fair complexion. He is the son of Jafhes 
 and Nancy Knight. He was born in Cannon County, 
 Tennessee, in 1829. He was brought up on a farm. 
 He made profession at a Cumberland Presbyterian 
 Church, when sixteen years of age, and joined said 
 church. In 1853 he left the Cumberland Presbyte- 
 rians and united with old Union Baptist Church, and 
 was baptized by Elder John Bond. He has had the 
 care of some churches, but particulars not known. 
 He has baptized and married quite a number. He has 
 been twice married, first to Jincy Bennett, in 1849, 
 and again to Susan V. Bond, in iSfio. He reared five 
 children to be grown, but three of them have since 
 died. 
 
 Elder Edwin Kelly, Baker's X Roads, White 
 County, Tennessee. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. 
 He is medium height, rather heavy of build, and fair 
 complexion. He is the son of E. George and Susan 
 C. (Shaw) Kelley. They were natives of Virginia. 
 He was bom in the Sixth Civil District of White 
 County, Tennessee, August 23, 1847. He was brought 
 up on the farm. He made profession at the Liberty 
 Hill meeting house, in the southeast part of Wilson 
 Countv, Tennessee, October 19, 1864. Cumberland 
 Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal, South, min- 
 isters were holding the meeting. He united with the 
 
466 History of Middle Tennessee Bcvptists 
 
 Liberty Baptist Church, White County, Tennessee, in 
 July, 1868, and was baptized by Elder Newel Crane 
 on the first Sunday in August, 1868. He was ordained 
 by the order of Mud Spring Church, Putnam County, 
 Tennessee, June 26, 1881, by Elders Elijah Hickey 
 and Jacob M. Stewart. He has served as pastor the 
 following churches : Mud Spring, 1881-93 ; Antioch, 
 1881-85 '' Hopewell, 1883 to the present, with some inter- 
 missions ; Liberty, 1888 ; Pistole's, 1893-97 ; New Mace- 
 donia, some four years ; Philadelphia, 1900 to present. 
 He has spent much time in destitute sections and in 
 building up broken-down churches. He has assisted 
 in the ordination of ten ministers and the constitution 
 of two churches. Taking White County, Tennessee, 
 as the center, he has labored for a considerable radius 
 in adjoining counties. He was educated in common 
 schools, with one term in Fulton Academy. He has 
 baptized eighty persons and married twenty couples. 
 He was first married to Mary Tennie Saylors, Sep- 
 tember 14, 1871. She fell on sleep October 21, 1895. 
 He was married the second time to Ava Tennie Med- 
 ley, September 13, 1896. 
 
 Elder Willard M. Kuykend.\ll, Bowling Green, 
 Warren County, Ky. He is of Irish-Erench descent. 
 He is tall and slender of build and inclined to dark 
 complexion. He is the son of J. C. and Mary Ann 
 Kuykendall. He was reared by a stepfather in the per- 
 son of Governor P. H. Leslie, of Kentucky. He was 
 born in Columbia, Boone County, Mo., June 5, 1852. 
 He was brought up on the farm. He was converted 
 at Glasgow, Barren County, Kentucky, in 1868 ; united 
 with the Baptist Church in Glasgow at tlie same date, 
 and was baptized by Elder N. G. Terry. He was or- 
 
Minitifeyial Directory 467 
 
 dained in 1877, by the order of Waco Church, Madi- 
 son County, Ky., by Elders E. H. Brookshire, A. F. 
 Baker and John Ray. He has been pastor in Ken- 
 tucky as follows : Waco, one year ; Greensburg, four 
 years ; Mt. Gilead, two years ; Mt. Washington, seven 
 years : Fork of Dix River, full time, six years ; Kings, 
 one year; Plum Creek, six years. He is now preaching 
 for Drake's Creek, Goshen and Rocky Spring, in War- 
 ren and Allen Counties, and Dover, in Barren County. 
 He has served in Tennessee as follows : Hartsville. 
 two years : Friendship, six years ; Carthage, five years ; 
 Defeated Creek, four years ; Bellwood, two years ; 
 Lebanon, two years. He was prominent in Enon As- 
 sociation while in Tennessee. He has constituted two 
 churches, baptized about 800 people and married about 
 400 couples. He was educated at Glasgow and George- 
 town Colleges, taking a course in the Theological 
 Seminary at Louisville, Ky. He was married to Miss 
 Jennie S. Brookshire, daughter of Elder E. H. Brook- 
 shire, March 28, 1879, by whom he has four children. 
 
 Elder John A. Knight, Salt Lick, Macon County, 
 Tennessee. Descent is not known. He is the son of 
 Thomas L. and Sarah (Dillahay) Knight. He was 
 born in Tennessee A. D. 1837. He professed faith in 
 Christ in 1863, in Smith County, Tennessee, and 
 united with the Hardshell, or Primitive, Baptists. In 
 October, 1884, he united with Bethany Baptist Church 
 and in November following he was licensed to preach. 
 The church soon divided -(see sketch of church), and 
 he was not ordained until November ii, 1900. He 
 was left an orphan by the death of his mother when 
 he was five years old and secured but very limited 
 education. He was brought up on the farm. He has 
 
468 IIiHtory of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 labored in the ministry, but has never been pastor. 
 He has married one couple. He has been married 
 three times. He was married to Joanah Matthews in 
 1856, to Eliza Matthews in i860, and to Fanny Crag- 
 head, his present wife. He has had sixteen children 
 born to him as a result of these marriages. 
 
 Elder J. F. L.\mdert, Eulia, Macon County, Ten- 
 nessee. He is of English descent. He is medium 
 height and size and light complexion. He is the son 
 of Price and Anna L. (Dickerson) Lambert. He 
 was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, seven miles 
 north of Lebanon, April I, 1833. He was brought up 
 on the farm. (He says he was a mean, idle boy.) 
 He made profession in the State of Illinois, Marion 
 County, in August, 1838. He united with the church 
 in July, 1877, in Sumner County, Tennessee, and was 
 baptized by Elder Wiley Henderson. He was ordained 
 in July, 1880, by Elders A. H. Rather and F. P. Dod- 
 son, with a number of deacons. He has been pastor 
 of the following churches : New Mt. Gilead, Ken- 
 tucky, 1880-82; Siloam, Tennessee, 1881-86, then 1888- 
 90; Meadorville, 1884-89; Pleasant Grove, 1884-87, 
 then 1889-92; Corum Hill, 1885-88; Zion, 1887; 
 Shady Grove, 1887-91 ; Mt. Olivet, 1889-91 ; Rock 
 Bridge, 1890-91 ; Ebenezer, 1892-1900; Rocky Mound, 
 1895-96; Madison, Kentucky, 1897; Chestnut Grove, 
 1900-1901. He is now nearly threescore and ten years 
 old and has retired from the pastorate.. He has a 
 common school education. He has constituted three 
 churches, has baptized about 300 people, and married 
 about 150 couples. He was married to Miss Mary 
 M. Myers, September 28, 1853, by whom he has seven 
 children. 
 
Ifinisterial Directory 469 
 
 Elder B. T. Lannom, Carthage, Smith County, 
 Tennessee. Descent not known beyond America. He 
 is rather low of stature, mediutn size and rather dark 
 complexion. He is the son of J- T. and Sallie M. 
 (Barber) Lannom. He was born in Rutherford 
 County (near Lamar), Tennessee, December i8, 1871. 
 He was brought up on the farm. He was converted 
 while at work in his father's field in the summer of 
 1889, and joined Mill Creek Church, near Nashville, 
 five days later and was baptized bv Elder L. N. 
 Brock. He was ordained at Lebanon, Tennessee, 
 June 21, 1898. By request of the church he was ex- 
 amined before the Pastor's Conference at Nashville. 
 Presbytery: Elders J. B. Hawthorne, A. J. Holt, J. 
 O. Rust, A. J. Ramsey and W. L. Howse. He has 
 served as pastor the following churches, viz. : Leba- 
 non, 1898-00; Seventh Baptist Church, Nashville, 
 Tenn., 1900-02, and he is now pastor at Carthage, 
 Tenn. He graduated in Bethel College, Russellville, 
 Ky., in June, 1897, and spent one year at the Theo- 
 logical Seminary at Louisville, Ky. He has baptized 
 seventy-six people and married twenty-two couples. 
 He was married to liliss Maggie Coleman, September 
 23, 1897, by whom he has two children. 
 
 Elder C. B. Massey, Long Creek, Macon County, 
 Tenn., is of English descent. He is the son of Leonard 
 W. and Millie (Jent) Massey. He was born in Fifth 
 Civil District of Macon County, Tennessee, June 16, 
 1867. He was reared on the farm. He made pro- 
 fession January 11, 1888, at Rocky Mound Church, 
 Macon County, Tennessee. He united with said 
 church fourth Sunday in November, 1896, and was 
 baptized by Elder J. S. Meador. He was ordained by 
 
470 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the order of Rocky Mound Church, June lo, i^ 
 by Elders C. N. Simmons, H. W. Jent, J. L. Hawkins, 
 J. S. Meador, G. H. Roberts and J. W. Meador, with 
 quite a number of deacons. He has been pastor of 
 Sweet Home Church, in Sumner County, Tennessee, 
 since 1901. He has only attended common schools. 
 He has married two couples. He was married to Miss 
 Effie C. Hanes, October 26, 1890, by whom he has 
 five children. 
 
 Elder John F. McNabb, Alexandria, DeKalb 
 County, Tennessee, is of Scotch-Irish extraction. He 
 is rather low and heavy built, medium size, with dark 
 complexion. He is the son of Elder Andrew Jack- 
 son and Frances (Owen) McNabb. He was born 
 in Coffee County, Middle Tennessee, August 11, 1845. 
 He was brought up on the farm. He made profes- 
 sion in September, 1859, and in October following he 
 united with New Hope Baptist Church, Rutherford 
 County, Tennessee, and was baptized by Elder A. J. 
 Hollis. He was licensed by Marion Church in 1878, 
 and ordained by Pleasant Grove Church, Warren 
 County, Tennessee, soon after, by Elders J. W. Saul- 
 man and L. Brown. He was immediately appointed 
 missionary of Salem Association. For three years he 
 labored in this service in Cannon, Coflfee, Warren and 
 DeKalb Counties. He occupied the following points : 
 Pleasant Grove, Bluft' Springs, Oak Grove, Lee's 
 School House, Rocky Point, Mud Creek Seminary, 
 Viola, Pocahontas, Short Mountain and Head of 
 Mountain Creek, and received $263.50. He has been 
 pastor as follows : Providence, 1881 ; Shiloh, 1881- 
 86; Marion, 1882; Mt. Pleasant, 1882; New Hope, 
 Rutherford County, 1882-85; New Salem, Smith 
 
Ministerial Directory 471 
 
 County, 1883-85 ; Poplar Hill and Linwood, 
 1885-88; Riddleton, 1887-91; Knob Springs, 1888-91; 
 Greenvale, 1888-92; Mt. Olivet, Trousdale County, 
 1886-88; Cedar Grove, 1891-92; Commerce, 1891-93; 
 Cooper's Chapel, 1892-96; New Hope, DeKalb County, 
 1893-97; Mt. Zion, 1893-95. He has done quite a deal 
 of evangeUstic work. He has constituted five churches, 
 baptized about 2,000 persons and married about 250 
 couples. He was educated in common schools and 
 Brick Academy, Carlocksville, Rutherford County, 
 Tenn. He was married to Miss Louisa J- Todd, Jan- 
 uary 31, 1866, by whom he has four children — three 
 boys and one girl. 
 
 Elder M. P. Martin, Blufif Creek, Smith County, 
 Tenn., is of English descent. He is medium height 
 and size, with dark complexion. He is the son of 
 Jesse and Harriet Martin. He was born in Second 
 District, on Defeated Creek, in Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee, February 25, 1845. He was brought up on a 
 farm. He made profession in 1884, at his home in 
 Smith County, during a meeting held near by. Some 
 three years after he joined the Methodists and was 
 licensed to preach by them. But a careful study of 
 the Bible convinced him that the Baptists were right, 
 and, upon application, he was received into the fel- 
 lowship of Caney Fork Seminary Baptist Church, Sep- 
 tember ID, 1898, and was baptized by Elder S. F. 
 Hallum. At the instance of this church, he was or- 
 dained, September 10, 1899, by Elders M. W. Russell, 
 J. W. Bailey and S. F. Hallum, He has preached as 
 an evangelist, but has no pastoral charge. He at- 
 tended the common schools. He has married five 
 couples. He has been twice married, first to Polina 
 
472 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Shelton, in December 1870, again to Lucy Williams, 
 September 25, 1891. He has five children, one by 
 first and four by last marriage. 
 
 Elder W. C. McPherson, Holt's Corner, Marshall 
 County, Tenn., is of Scotch-Enghsh descent. He is 
 tall and large (weighs 239 pounds), with light com- 
 plexion. He is the son of Rhesa R. and Mary A. 
 (Blockley) McPherson. He was born in Posey 
 County, near Mt. Vernon, Ind., May 18, 1868. He 
 was brought up on a farm until he was fifteen years 
 old. He made profession in the fall of 1885, while at 
 work in a box factory in the City of Nashville. He 
 joined the Central Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn., 
 soon after his conversion and was baptized by Elder 
 Granville S. Williams. He was ordained on the last 
 Wednesday night in August, 1890, by Elders Geo. 
 A. Lofton, I. J. Van Ness, T. T. Thompson, G. L. 
 Ellis and W. C. Cleveland. He has been pastor of 
 the following churches, viz. : Bolivar, 1891 ; Middles- 
 burg, 1891 ; Rutland, 1892; Little Cedar Lick, 1892; 
 Lebanon, 1893; New Port, East Tennessee, 1894; 
 Third Church, Knoxville, 1895-97 • Bell Avenue, Knox- 
 ville, 1897-99; Pulaski and Culleoka, 1899; Inman 
 Street Church, Cleveland, Tennessee, 1899-1901 ; First 
 Baptist Church, Pratt City, Ala., 1901. Present work: 
 Eagleville, Mt. Hermon and Milton. He was for 
 some time colporteur of Salem and New Salem As- 
 sociations. He graduated in Carson & Newman Col- 
 lege in 1899. He has baptized about 230 persons and 
 married about twenty couples. He was married to 
 Miss Nora Johnson, January 28, 1892, by whom he 
 has three children — all girls. 
 
Ministerial Directory 
 
 473 
 
 Elder J. B. Moody, Hot Springs, Ark., is of Scotch- 
 French extraction. He is tall, medium size, with 
 dark complexion. He is the son of William A. and 
 Emily (Royster) Moody. He was born in Clarks- 
 ville, Va., June 24, 1838. He was brought up on a 
 farm, teaching and merchandising in young man- 
 
 ELDER J. B. MOODY. 
 
 hood. He professed faith in Christ at Bethel Church, 
 in Christian County, Kentucky, July, 1855, immedi- 
 ately joined the church and was baptized by Elder J. 
 M. Bennett. He was ordained to the ministry by the 
 order of Pewee Valley Church, Oldham County, Ken- 
 
474 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tucky, September ii, 1876, by Elders D. N. Porter, 
 A. B. Knight, A. S. Pettie, W. E. Powers, William 
 Waller, A. F. Jordan, R. M. Hunter, J. J. Stamps, 
 W. M. Smith and W. C. Jones. He has been pastor 
 of the following churches: Pewee Valley, Ky., 1876- 
 80; Lagrange, Ky., 1877-80; Harrod's Creek, Ky., 
 1879-80; Paducah, Ky., 1880-82; Trezevant, Martin 
 and Round Lick, Tenn., 1883-86; Gilead and Bagdad, 
 Ky., 1889; Overton, Ky., 1890-92; Hot Springs, Ark,, 
 1893-94; Sunset Church, San Antonio, Texas, 1895- 
 96; Tampa, Fla., 1897-98; Hot Springs, Ark., 1899- 
 1902. He was educated in Bethel College, Ky. He is 
 author of the following books and tracts: "Nashville 
 Debate," "Distinguishing Doctrines of Baptists," "The 
 Name Christian," "Culpability of Ignorance," "Vindi- 
 cation Concerning and Containing the Anderson Let- 
 ters," "The Two Covenants," "The Great Salvation," 
 "Baptist Authors Vindicated," "Church Government," 
 etc. He was editor of the following papers : Baptist 
 Gleaner, 1882-86; The Baptist, 1886-89; The Baptist 
 and Reflector, 1889. He has lost his records of bap- 
 tisms and marriages. He was married to Miss Jen- 
 nie L. Jones, December 22, 1859, by whom he has one 
 child living and three dead. His devoted wife went 
 home to glory March 28, 1901. 
 
 Elder T. W. Matthews, Riddleton, Smith County, 
 Tenn. Descent not known beyond America. He is 
 tall and slender, and inclined to dark complexion. He 
 is the son of Benjamin and Martha Matthews. He 
 was born in Smith County, Tennessee, August 4, 
 1852. He was brought up on a farm. He made pro- 
 fession at Mont Rose, in 1868, and joined the church 
 at Mount Tabor, Smith County, Tenn., on the same 
 
Ministerial Directory 475 
 
 dute and was baptized by Elder E. L. Smith. He was 
 ordained by Defeated Creek Church, in 1874, by El- 
 ders E. B. Haynie, W. H. Haile, G. C. Harris and 
 M. B. Ramsey. He has been pastor of the following 
 churches, viz. : Mount Hope, Bethany, Shady Grove, 
 Enon, Antioch, Defeated Creek, Pleasant Valley, 
 Peyton's Creek, Rome, Russell Hill, Macedonia, New 
 Harmony and Mount Olivet. He was educated at 
 Bellwood Academy, Macon County, Tennessee. He 
 was once Field Editor of the Baf'tist Helper. He has 
 constituted one church. He has baptized a great many 
 (number not known) and married about 100 couples. 
 He was married to Miss Mattie Kent, in 1876, and 
 again to Ava Cage, in i88g. He has nine children 
 living and two dead. 
 
 Elder J. W. IMcQueen, Alton Hill, Macon County, 
 Tenn. He is Scotch on his father's side ; descent on 
 his mother's side not known. He is tall and slender, 
 with fair complexion. He is the son of Alexander 
 and Susan E. (Stevens) McQueen. He was born 
 near Nashville, Davidson County, Tenn., May 13, 
 1875. He was reared on a farm. He made a pro- 
 fession at a Methodist meeting near Nashville, in 
 August, 1884, and at once united with the Methodists. 
 He severed his connection with the Methodists and 
 united with the Baptists, October, 1892, and was bap- 
 tized by Elder J. S. Pardue. He was ordained by 
 Hopewell Church, Sumner County, Tennessee, De- 
 cember 17, 1897, by Elders W. M. S. Wilks, J. S. 
 Pardue, with Deacons T. J. Thompson, T. J. Mc- 
 Clard, J. M. Wilks, J. W. Jones, T., D. Johnson and 
 y. W. Wiseman. He has been pastor as follows : In- 
 dependence, 1898-1900; Cedar Bluflf, 1899-1900. He 
 was educated in common schools, Southwestern Bap- 
 
476 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 list University, Jackson, Tenn., and Tallatuskee Nor- 
 mal, Bethpage, Tenn. He has baptized twenty-four 
 persons and married six couples. He was married to 
 Miss Florence Simmons, by whom he has one child. 
 
 Elder D. E. Morris, Cave City, Barren County, 
 Kv., is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is medium height 
 and size, with red complexion. He is the son of Elder 
 James and Nancy Morris (both born in North Caro- 
 lina). He was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, 
 on Bledsoe's Creek, December lo, 1843. He was 
 brought up on a farm in Simpson County, Kentucky, 
 till he was fifteen. He made profession at Wartrace 
 Camp Ground, Jackson County, Tennessee, and joined 
 the Methodist Episcopal Chufch, South, in i860. He 
 lived with the Methodists till January 13, 1900 (taking 
 ministerial orders among them), when he united with 
 Liberty Baptist Church, Macon County, Tennessee, 
 and was baptized by Elder J. B. R. Knight. He was 
 ordained at the instance of said church on second 
 Saturday in February, 1900, by a presbytery of this 
 and other churches. He was pastor of little Hope 
 Church, near Mammoth Cave, Ky., in 1900. He was 
 educated at New Middleton, Smith Countv, Tennes- 
 see, under Professor Hamilton, graduating in 1872. 
 He has done a great deal of teaching, written exten- 
 sively for newspapers, and lectured on scientific sub- 
 jects. He was first married to Miss Lizzie Beimett, 
 of Red Boiling Springs, December 30, 1873. She 
 died October 18, 1893. He was again married to 
 Mary Lambert, of Ohio, December 28, 1892. She 
 died October 18, 1893. He was again married, to 
 Mrs. Lizzie Montgomery, daughter of J. R. Hibbit, 
 of Rome, Tenn., by whom he has three children — two 
 boys and one girl. 
 
Ministerial Directory 477 
 
 Elder A. Malone, Franklin, Simpson County, Ky., 
 is of Irish-English descent. He is medium height, 
 rather heavily built, and has light complexion. He 
 is the son of Moses Ingram and Rebecca (Randolph) 
 Malone. He traces his Imeage also (through his 
 mother) to Pocahontas and the renowned John Ran- 
 dolph. He was born in Trigg County, Kentucky, 
 March 2, 1843. He was brought up on a farm. He 
 was converted in January, i860, at Blue Spring 
 Church, Trigg County, Kentucky, and joined the 
 Methodists August 14, 1864. He united with the 
 Baptist Church at Liberty, Todd County, Ky., October 
 8, 1 87 1, and was baptized by Elder C. M. Lowery 
 October 14, 1871. He was ordained by said church 
 October 15, 1871, by Elders C. M. Lowery and J. N. 
 Crutcher. It might be well enough to say that he 
 had been a preacher with the Methodists for four 
 years, but could no longer tolerate their doctrine and 
 practice. He has been pastor of the following 
 churches : Liberty, New Hope and Antioch, Todd 
 County, Ky. : Greenville, Muhlenburg County, Ky. ; 
 Green Ridge and Cave Spring, Logan County, Ky. ; 
 Piano, Warren County, Ky. ; Franklin, Ky. ; Black 
 Jack, Ky. ; Shady Grove, New Salem, Hillsdale, Mt. 
 Vernon, Simpson County, Ky. : New Hope, Baker's 
 Grove and New Bethel Churches, Davidson County, 
 Tenn. ; Lafayette and Hillsdale, Macon County, Tenn. ; 
 Hartsville and Friendship, Trousdale County, Tenn. ; 
 Pleasant Grove, Sumner County, and Mt. Vernon, 
 Montgomery County, Tenn. He was educated in a 
 select school, in Trigg County, Kentucky, where he 
 took a collegiate course. He taught thirteen years 
 and has been a close student all his life. He is writ- 
 ing a book which will bear the title, "The Issue." He 
 
478 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 hai5' written profusely for the press. He has constituted 
 one church. He has baptized a great many and mar- 
 '•ied 163 couples. He was married to Bettie Adella 
 Glenn, in Todd County, Kentucky, February 24, 1870, 
 by whom he has eight living children and one dead. 
 
 Elder Frank Neville, Auburn, Cannon County, 
 Tenn. Descent not known. He is rather low and 
 heavy of build, with light complexion. He is the 
 
 son of and Malina (Sneed) Neville. He was 
 
 born in Wilson County, Tennessee, January I, 1876. 
 He was brought up on a farm. He made profession at 
 Auburn, Cannon County, Tenn., September 25, 1890. 
 He united with Auburn Church four days later and 
 was baptized by Elder J. T. Oakley. He was licensed 
 to preach by said church September 26, 1900 — has 
 not yet been ordained. He has been at work for some 
 time as colporteur of Salem Association. He has 
 taken a common scliool course, and has taught some. 
 He is not married. 
 
 Elder M. J. O.sborn, Hunter's Point, Wilson 
 County, Tenn., is of Irish descent. He is medium 
 height and size, with light complexion. He is the 
 son of John and Melissa (Edgen) Osborn. He was 
 born near Bridgeport, Ala., November 17, 1854. He 
 was left an orphan by the death of his jjarents during 
 the Civil War and he and his brothers and sisters were 
 scattered and it was more than twenty years before 
 he learned where any of them were. They were in 
 several different States. He dropped into the home 
 of a wealthy farmer, in the northern ])art of Wilson 
 County, Tennessee, by the name of W. H. Carter. He 
 \A'as ten years old at this time. He spent twelve years 
 here, working on the farm and in a distillery by day 
 
Ministerial Directory 479 
 
 and much of the night, receiving httle or no wages 
 and no schooling, gathering the knowledge to read 
 and write the best he could. He made profession at 
 Big Spring, Wilson County, Tenn., in a Cumberland 
 Presbyterian Church, in September, 1869, and joined 
 said Cumberland Presbyterian Church. After one 
 year he saw his mistake and united with Athens Bap- 
 tist Church in November, 1870, and was baptized sec- 
 ond Sunday by Elder Louis Dies. He was or- 
 dained January 25, 1885, by Cedar Creek Church, by 
 Elders T. J- Eastes, Z. A. Lyon and H. Y. Tomlynson. 
 He began as pastor of Cedar Creek Church in 1901 
 and still continues. He has done quite a deal of 
 preaching and work in meetings. He has baptized 
 twenty-five people, and married about forty couples. 
 He was married to Mary Elizabeth Petway, October 
 10, 1878, bv whom he has eight children. His devoted 
 wife went home to glory March 9, 1900. 
 
 Elder George A. Ogle, Milton, Rutherford County, 
 Tenn., is of Irish descent. He is tall and rather 
 slender, with dark complexion. He is the son of 
 James and Mary Ogle. He was born in Coffee 
 County, Tennessee, March 22, 1854. He was brought 
 up on the farm. He made profession and joined Hick- 
 ory Grove Baptist Church, Coffee County, Tennessee, 
 in 1868, and was baptized by Elder Elisha Taylor. He 
 was ordained by Brush Creek Baptist Church, Smith 
 County, Tennessee, October 10, 1876, by Elders T. J. 
 Eastes, J. W. Saulman and L. D. Smith. He has been 
 pastor as follows : Bluff Spring, Warren County, 
 Tenn., 1876; Barton's Creek, 1877-80; Gladeville, 
 1878-93; Cedar Grove, 1878-84; Knob Spring, 1879- 
 81 ; Salem, Wilson County, 1880-91 ; Baker's Grove, 
 1888-90; Fellowship, Rutherford County, 1882-90, 
 
480 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 then 1898-1900; Sycamore Fork, 1890-93, again 1902; 
 Christiana, Rutherford County, 1893-99 ; Auburn, 
 1892-1902; Antioch, Davidson County, 1888-92 ; Brad- 
 ley's Creek, 1880-1902; MiUon, 1898-99; Mars Hill, 
 Rutherford County, 1885-87; Smith's Fork, 1891-1902; 
 Eagleville, 1898-1901. He was educated in common 
 schools. He has constituted three churches. He has 
 
 ELDER GEORGE A. OGLE. 
 
 baptized about 1,000 and also married a great many 
 people. He has written considerable for the press. 
 He was married to Martha A. Oakley, May 25, 1873, 
 by whom he has ten children. His oldest son is a 
 licensed preacher now in Carson & Newman College. 
 
Ministerial Directory 481 
 
 Elder Seicle B. Ogle, Milton, Rutherford County, 
 Tenn. He is of Dutch-Irish and Enghsh extraction. 
 He is medium height and slender, with dark complex- 
 ion. He is the son of Elder G. A. and Martha A. 
 (Oakley) Ogle. He was reared on the farm. He was 
 born in Smith County, Tennessee, January 20, 1881. 
 He made profession at Bradley's Creek in 1895, and 
 united with said church and was baptized by Elder 
 G. A. Ogle. He was licensed to preach by said church, 
 August 8, 1901, and preached his first sermon at Brad- 
 ley's Creek, on fourth Sunday in August, 1901, from 
 these words, "My God, my God, why hast thou for- 
 saken me?" He is now in Carson & Newman College 
 preparing for the work. He is not married. 
 
 Elder John T. Oakley, Henderson's X Roads, 
 Wilson County, Tenn., is of Dutch-Irish and English 
 descent. He is medium height, rather slender, with 
 light complexion and bald head. He is the son of 
 William and Louisa Jane (Gill) Oakley. He was 
 bom in the Eighteenth District of Smith County, 
 Tennessee, some two miles south of the town of Grant, 
 on March 30, 185 1. He says in his growing up he 
 followed laziness on the farm in day time and coon 
 hunting at night. He made profession in a log school- 
 house, near Commerce, Wilson County, Tenn., in Sep- 
 tember, 1868. He united with Buena Vista Church 
 at Grant, Smith County, Tenn., in November, 1868, 
 and was baptized by Elder David N. Jarrard. He was 
 ordained by said church, April 5, 1872, by Elders 
 Louis Dies, Henry Bass, T. A. Hudson, D. N. Jar- 
 rard and William Suite. He has served as pastor the 
 following churches: Buena Vista, 1872; Rome, 1873; 
 Athens, 1874-77; Hartsville, 1875; Spring Creek, 
 
 16 
 
482 History of Middie Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1875-78; Mount Olivet (Leeville), 1877-80, again 
 1885-87, again 1895 ; Woodbury, 1877-79 5 Brush 
 Creek, 1878; Falling Creek, 1878-97; New Hope, Dav- 
 idson County, 1879-81 ; Rocky Valley, 1880, again 
 1887-89, again 1893-98; Smith's Fork, 1882-84; Smith- 
 ville, 1882, again 1896-1902 ; Plunkett's Creek, 1882-84; 
 Hogan's Creek, 1883-85; Auburn, 1884-92; Cedar 
 
 ELDER JOHN T. OAKLEY, AT 20. 
 
 Grove, 1889-90 ; Prosperity, 1 889- 1 902 ; Linwood, 1890- 
 93 ; Ramah, 1892 ; Santa Fe, 1893 ; Antioch, David- 
 son County, 1894; Baker's Grove, 1898; Mt. Hermon, 
 1899-1900; Christiana, 1899-1900; Wharton's Spring, 
 1900-01 ; Macedonia, 1900-02 ; Lebanon, 1900-02. He 
 was educated at Union University and at home. He is 
 joint author of Hall's Campbellite Catechism. He 
 has served as associate editor of The Baptist Mcssen- 
 
Ministerial Directory 
 
 483 
 
 gcr, also of The Tennessee Baptist, and asjain of the 
 Missionary Baptist, all Baptist weeklies. He has been 
 special contributor to a number of other Baptist pa- 
 pers, and has done a great deal of writing-. He has 
 assisted in the constitution of a number of churches. 
 He has baptized between 1,000 and 2,000 persons, and 
 married nearly 200 couples. He was married to Miss 
 Mary Asstella Smith, daughter of Elder L. D. Smith 
 
 ELDER JOHN T. OAKLEY^ AT 50. 
 
 and granddaughter of Elder Henry Bass, November 
 26, 1873, by whom he has eight children — six sons and 
 two daughters. His second son is a licensed preacher 
 how in Carson & Newman College preparing for the 
 work. 
 
 Elder James Henry Oakley, Henderson's X 
 Roads, Wilson County, Tenn. In his ancestry he com- 
 
484 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 bines English, Irish and German blood. He is medi- 
 um height, slender of build, with light complexion. 
 He is the son of Elder John T. and Mary Asstella 
 (Smith) Oakley. He was born at Commerce, Wilson 
 County, Tenn., February 26, 1883. He was brought 
 up on a farm. He made profession at Falling Creek 
 Church, September, 1899, and united with said church 
 
 ELDER JAMES HENRY OAKLEY. 
 
 and was baptized by Elder P. W. Carney, September, 
 1899. He was licensed to preach by Falling Creek 
 Church, Saturday before first Sunday in October, 1901, 
 and preached his first sermon at that place the fifth 
 Sunday in June, 1901. Text, James i : 27. He has not 
 been ordained. He is now in Carson and Newman 
 College preparing for the work. He is not married. 
 His first text was the same as his father's first text. 
 
Ministerial Directory 
 
 485 
 
 Elder J. M. Phillips, Jefferson City, East Ten- 
 nessee. He is of Welsh extraction. He is a descend- 
 ant of Joseph and Mary Philhps, who emigrated to 
 this country from Wales in the seventeenth century 
 and helped to constitute Vincent Baptist Church, which 
 still exists as a monument to their Baptist loyalty. He 
 is tall, slender, with dark complexion. He is the son 
 
 ELDER J. M, PHILLIPS. 
 
486 History of Middle Tennessee Bcvptists 
 
 of William and Nancy Phillips. He was born in Wil- 
 son County, Tennessee, near Baird's Mills, February 
 28, 1840. He was brought uo on the farm. He made 
 profession at Poplar Grove Methodist Church, near 
 Watertown, Tenn., in his twelfth year. He united 
 with Round Lick Baptist Church in fall of 1857, and 
 was baptized by Elder E. B. Haynie. He was or- 
 dained by Smith's Fork Church, Saturday before the 
 third Sunday in November, 1865, by Elders L. H. 
 Bethel, J. J. Martin, H. Bass, J. M. D. Cates and 
 H. W. Pickett. He has been pastor as follows : 
 Rome, 1867-68: Smithville, 1867; Falling Creek, 1869; 
 Eagleville, 1869-70: Hartsville, 1870-73; Hopewell, 
 Sumner County, 1870: Lebanon, 1874-76; Chatta- 
 nooga, 1876-80: Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1880-84; Hender- 
 son, Ky., 1884-00; Eminence, Ky., 18Q0-91 ; Pem- 
 broke, Ky., 1891-95 : Tefferson City, Tenn., 1895-1902. 
 He completed his education at Union University, 
 Murfreesboro, Tenn. He has conducted a number of 
 successful schools in connection with his ministry. 
 He was once editor of the Ciiristian Herald. He has 
 kept no record of those baptized or married. He was 
 first married to Miss Laura Augusta Smith, of Mur- 
 freesboro, Tenn., December 28, 1868. She lived only 
 five months after marriage. He was again married 
 to Miss Lucy Dayton, by whom he has four children, 
 two sons and two daughters. 
 
 Elder J. W. Patton, Santa Fe, Maury County, 
 Tenn. He is of Scotch-Irish and Welsh descent. His 
 mother (Mary Phillips) is descended from the Welsh 
 family mentioned in the preceding sketch. It is a 
 Baptist family with few exceptions, and has produced 
 a large number of preachers. He is medium height 
 
Ministerial Directory 487 
 
 and a little inclined to be fleshy, with rather dark 
 complexion. He is the son of James T. and Mary 
 (Phillips) Patton. He was born in Wilson County, 
 Tennessee, June 2, 1840. He was broug:ht up on the 
 farm. He was early put to feeding sheep. He made 
 profession at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church (Old 
 School), one mile north of Statesville, Wilson County, 
 August, 1854. He united with said church in Sep- 
 tember following and remained there until December, 
 1873, when he united with Round Lick Baptist Church 
 and was baptized by Elder R. A. Dillard. He was 
 ordained by Round Lick Church in July, 1875, by El- 
 ders H. Bass, R. A. Dillard, L. D. Smith, J. M. 
 Phillips and J. H. Richardson. He has been pastor 
 as follows: Rutland, 1877-78: Carthage, 1878-79; 
 Hickman Creek, 1881-82; Rock Spring, 1881-82; 
 Shop Sprmg. 1882; Santa Fe, 1883-91: Carter's 
 Creek. 1884-87 ; Knob Creek, 1887 : Union ( Hurricane ) , 
 1892-95 ; New Liberty, 1893-95 » Mission Chapel, 
 Maury County, 1897-99; Shop Spring, 1888-89; 
 Santa Fe, 1901 to present: Knob Creek, 1901 to 
 present; Theta, 1901 to present; Holt's Corner, 1897. 
 He has taught extensively in graded schools, but is 
 now giving all his time to the ministry. He is a 
 graduate of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., 
 and also the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 
 Greenville, S. C. He assisted in the constitution of 
 two churches. He has baptized about 100 persons and 
 married forty-five couples. He was married to Miss 
 Laura Bryan, January 8, 1874, by whom he has six 
 children, three of whom are dead. 
 
 Elder Jno. S. Pardue, Bethpage, Sumner County, 
 Tenn. He is of English descent. He is rather tall 
 
488 Histoi^y of Middle TenmnHee Baptistn 
 
 and slender, with dark complexion. He is the son of 
 J. G. and Amanda (Flowers) Pardue. He was born 
 in Monroe County, Kentucky, July 6, 1847. He was 
 brought up on a farm. He made profession at old 
 Hopewell in Sumner County, Tennessee, and united 
 with said church in 1861, when he was onlv fifteen 
 
 ELDER J. S. PARDUE. 
 
 years of age, and was baptized by Elder Jonathan 
 Wiseman. He was ordained by said Hopewell Church 
 in July, 1877, by Elders J. H. Jackson and R. S. 
 Blankenship, with Deacons W. M. S. Wilks, J. W. 
 Wiseman and J. G. Pardue. He was thirty years old 
 when ordained and had fought the impressions for 
 fifteen years. He has served as pastor the following 
 
Ministerial Directory 489 
 
 churches : Independence, Hopewell, Pleasant Hill, 
 Rock Bridge, New Harmony, Pleasant Grove, Corn- 
 well's Chapel and Bellwood. Besides this, he has 
 operated a good deal as missionary of his Association 
 and done quite a deal of independent evangelistic 
 work. In one meeting he had eighty-four conversions. 
 He has been a very active man in his Association along 
 all lines. He attended the common schools with an 
 additional course in Gallatin under tuition of Elder 
 G. W. Griffin. He assisted in the constitution of 
 three churches. The number baptized and married is 
 not known. Among those he baptized, were Elders 
 I. M. Ashlock, Jas. Ashlock and J- W. McQueen, all 
 faithful ministers (one dead) and all coming from 
 the Methodists. He was married to Miss M. E. West 
 in 1872 A. D., by whom he has ten children. 
 
 Elder John Patterson, Salt Lick, Macon County, 
 Tennessee. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is the 
 son of Alexander and Elizabeth Patterson. He was 
 born in Smith County, Tennessee, February 28, 183 1. 
 He was brought up on a farm. He professed faith in 
 Christ in 1850, at Defeated Creek Church, Smith 
 County, Tennessee, and united with Mt. Tabor Church 
 in October of the same date, and was baptized by 
 Elder Daniel Smith. He was ordained by Mt. Tabor 
 Church in 1861, by Elders E. B. Haynie and D. W. 
 Smith. He at once became pastor of Mt. Tabor 
 Church. During his ministerial life, he has been pas- 
 tor of ten churches. His last pastorate was with Enon 
 Church, Macon County, Tennessee. In regard to his 
 education he says: "What I have learned, the best 
 was, and is, in Christ. I had gone to school just 
 enough to read in the Testament when I entered the 
 
490 Histai^y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 school of Christ for life. I am still a learner and 
 learn something good of him every day. Thank God 
 for such a teacher." He has assisted in the constitu- 
 tion of two churches. He has no record of those bap- 
 tized and married, but- has been busy. He was mar- 
 ried to Elizabeth Kemp, June 2, 1853, by whom he 
 has seven children, five living and two dead. He 
 
 ELDER JOHN PATTERSON. 
 
 has passed his threescore and ten years and is stand- 
 ing in the evening of life. He says: "My part on 
 earth is nearly done. My days are but few. But 
 thank God, in heaven there will be no limit of time 
 for the redeemed ; but on and on forever more." 
 
 Elder M. W. Russell, Hickman, Smith County, 
 Tennessee. He is of English descent. He is tall and 
 
Min isterial Directory 
 
 491 
 
 slender with light complexion. He is the son of 
 Hardee and Sarah A. (Solomon) Russell. His 
 mother was the daughter of Elder B. S. Solomon. 
 They were married in North Carolina. He was born 
 in Warren County, Tennessee, February 6, 1845. He 
 was brought up on the farm and received a common 
 school education. He made profession and joined 
 Providence Baptist Church, Warren County, Ten- 
 
 ELDER M. W. RUSSELL. 
 
 nessee, in 1861, and was baptized by Elder J. C. Brien. 
 He was ordained by Bethel Baptist Church, near Tem- 
 perance Hall, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in 1875, 
 by Elders T. J. Eastes, R. A. Dillard and Henrv Bass. 
 He has been pastor as follows: Indian Creek, 1875- 
 yy \ Bethel, 1875-78; New Salem, 187Q-81 ; Hickman 
 Creek, 1881-82, again 1888. He resigned his pastoral 
 
492 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 work in 1882 and moved to Jackson County to engage 
 in mission work under the control of Salem Associa- 
 tion. He remained there until 1886; Brush Creek, 
 1888-93; Macedonia (New Middleton), 1894-1900; 
 Caney Fork Seminary, 1894-1902; New Macedonia, 
 1900-02, He has constituted two churches, baptized 
 about 400, and married about fifty couples. He was 
 married to Miss Barthany Isabella Boran in 1864, by 
 whom he has nine children, three of whom have 
 passed on to the spirit land. 
 
 Elder Stephen Robinson, Round Top, Wilson 
 County, Tennessee. He is of Dutch-Irish and English 
 descent. He is tall, medium size, with fair com- 
 plexion. He is the son 
 of James W. and Sophia 
 (Burks) Robinson. He 
 was born on the head 
 waters of Turtle's Creek, 
 Wi'son County, Ten- 
 nessee, August I, 1861. 
 He was left an orphan 
 by the death of his 
 father when only two 
 years old. He was 
 brought up on the farm 
 under the tuition of his 
 grandfather and wid- 
 owed mother. He made 
 profession at Prosperity 
 Baptist Church, Wilson 
 County, Tennessee, in 1884. He first united with the 
 Christian Baptists and then the Methodists, but, see- 
 ing his mistake, he joined Cooper's Chapel Baptist 
 
 ELDER STEPHEN ROBINSON. 
 
Ministerial Directory 493 
 
 Church in 1897, and was baptized by Elder J. A. 
 McClusky. He was ordained by Cooper's Chapel 
 Church on second Sunday in September, 1897, by 
 Elders J. M. Stewart, J. A. McClusky and J. H. 
 Davis, with Deacons Isaac Cooper, T. M. Givan, 
 Horace Evans, James Malone, Natty Grandstafif, 
 Thomas Malone, William Robinson and Jno. Akin. 
 He has served as pastor the following churches : 
 Cooper's Chapel, 1897-1902; Mt. Pleasant, 1897-1900; 
 New Hope, 1897-1901 ; Sycamore Fork, 1898; Snow 
 Hill, 1900-02; Dry Creek, 1901-02. On October 15, 
 1901, he, with Elder A. J- Waller and Deacons T. J. 
 Hale, William Hendrixson, John Tramel, Wiley Hen- 
 drixson, Enoch Atnip, J. A. Love, G. H. Atnip and 
 J. L. Fisher formed a council in a log schoolhouse, 
 on the farm of William Taylor, on Holmes' Creek, 
 near Citadel, DeKalb County, Tennessee, and consti- 
 tuted a church of eighteen members, giving the church 
 the name of Elizabeth Chapel. This was the result 
 of a meeting conducted by himself with some other 
 assistance. Their number has increased rapidly, 
 with a good sum subscribed to build a house of wor- 
 ship. He at once became their pastor and still re- 
 mains so. In less than two months, they had grown 
 to thirty-five in number. Two days later, October 
 17, 1901, he, with Deacons G. H. Atnip, Harrison 
 Craddock and W. R. King, met in council on Adam- 
 son Branch, DeKalb County, Tennessee, and consti- 
 tuted a church with twenty-three members, of which 
 he at once became pastor. This church was mainly 
 from Sycamore Fork Church. This church was given 
 the name of Cave Spring. They have a very good 
 house of worship. These churches will presumably 
 both attach themselves to Salem Association. He has 
 
494 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 baptized about 150 persons. In the fall of 1901, he 
 had 186 conversions under his ministry, baptized 
 ninety-eight, and constituted two new churches. He 
 was married to Miss Laura Fuson August 16, 1883, 
 by whom he has eleven children, six boys and five 
 girls. Four of the boys are dead. 
 
 ELDER W. E. RAIKES. 
 
 Elder W. E. Raikes, Watertown, Wilson County, 
 Tennessee. He is of English descent. He is medium 
 height and size, with rather light complexion. He is 
 the son of James and Balsie (Coleman) Raikes. He 
 was born m Wilson County, Tennessee, July 23, 1838. 
 He was brought up on a farm. He made profession 
 at Smith's Fork Church, Statesville, Wilson County, 
 Tennessee, at the age of fourteen and at once united 
 with said church and was baptized by Elder H. W. 
 
Ministerial Directory 495 
 
 Pickett. He was ordained by said church in 1872, by 
 Elders J. J. Martin, L, H. Bethel and J. M. D. Gates. 
 He has been pastor of the following churches in Ten- 
 nessee, viz. : Marion, Cooper's Chapel, Mt. Pleas- 
 ant, Ramah, Commerce; New Hope, in Webster 
 County, Kentucky ; New Hope and Highland, Hen- 
 derson County, Kentucky. He says he was educated 
 "at home by a light in fireplace." He has constituted 
 four churches. He has baptized about 125 persons; 
 does not ]?:now the number married. He has done a 
 great deal of evangelistic work, and has witnessed 
 some 2,000 conversions. He was first married to a 
 Miss Owen, February, 1866, and again to Mrs. Jennie 
 (Hearn) Phillips in 1896. He has had six children 
 born unto him, four still living. 
 
 Elder J. S. Rice, Una, Davidson County, Tennes- 
 see. His descent is not known beyond America. He 
 is medium height and size, with dark complexion. He 
 is a son of David and Nancy (Bruce) Rice. He was 
 born in Smith (now Trousdale) County, Tennessee, 
 three miles north of Hartsville. He was brought up 
 on the farm. He made profession at a log school- 
 house in Sumner County, Tennessee (known as Hick- 
 ory Grove), on July 24, 1850. He united with Hope- 
 well Baptist Church, the fourth Sunday in August, 
 1850, and was baptized by Elder Jonathan Wiseman. 
 He was ordained by the above church on Novem'>er 
 23, 1856, by Elders Jonathan Wiseman and W. H. 
 Haile, with Deacons John Weathered and John Wilks. 
 He has been pastor as follows; Gorum Hill, 1857-73 ; 
 New Hope, 1859-61; Cedar Grove, 1860-80; Athens, 
 two years; Zion, three years; Rice's Chapel, 1866-71 ; 
 Barton's Greek, ten years ; Sinking Creek, three years ; 
 
496 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Spencer's Creek, five years ; Baker's Grove, two years ; 
 Smith's Spring, thirteen years ; Concord, nine years ; 
 Union Hill, five years ; Mt. View, three years. He 
 was educated in common country schools and Enon 
 College. He has constituted five churches. He has 
 baptized about 1,500 people and married about 400 
 couples. He was married to Miss Celia Ann Cloar, 
 June 18, 1857, by whom he has seven children, one 
 of whom is dead. 
 
 Elder C. E. Ramsey, Kempville, Smith County, 
 Tennessee. He is of English descent, and is the son 
 of William and Nancy Ramsey. He was born Novem- 
 ber 5, 1876. He was brought up on a farm, and at- 
 tended the common schools of the neighborhood. He 
 made profession of faith in Christ at Knight's Chapel, 
 on Fun's Branch, Smith County, Tennessee, Novem- 
 ber, 1890. He united with the Mt. Vernon Church, 
 Smith County, Tennessee, December, 1896. He was 
 baptized by Elder T. H. Vantrease. He was ordained 
 by Mt. Vernon Church in Seotember, 1900, by Elders 
 M. B. Ramsey, T. W. Matthews, J. H. Swann, T. H. 
 Vantrease, W. L. Buie and Don Q. Smith, with ten 
 deacons. He has been pastor as follows : Beginning 
 with Mt. Vernon in October, 1900, he is now pastor 
 of Mt. Vernon, Russell Hill and Bethany. He has 
 baptized four persons and married one couple. He 
 was married to Arretha West, December 15, 1895, by 
 whom he has three children, two living and one dead. 
 
 Elder M. B. Ramsey, Gibbs' X Roads, Macon 
 County, Tennessee. He is of Irish-English descent. 
 He is rather tall and slender, with light complexion. 
 He is the son of William L. and Lucinda (Case) 
 Ramsey. He was born in Jackson County, Tennessee, 
 
Ministerial Directory 497 
 
 November 12, 1849. He was brought up on a farm. 
 He came near being drowned twice in youth. He 
 made profession m September, 1870, at a Methodist 
 Church known as Liberty, on Martin's Creek, Jack- 
 son County, Tennessee. He joined the Baptist Church 
 on Salt Lick, Jackson County, Tennessee, in the fall 
 of 1872, and went into the organization of Mt. Hope 
 Church- in 1873. He was baptized by Elder E. L. 
 Smith. He was ordained by order of Mt. Hope 
 Church in June, 1874, by Elders J. B. Fox and E. L. 
 Smith, with deacons. He has been pastor as follows : 
 Chestnut Grove, four years : Pleasant Ridge, Jackson 
 County, four years; Mt. Hope, 1878-79; Macedonia, 
 Macon Cotmty, 1879-84; New Harmony, 1882-87; 
 Spring Creek, 1882-87; IMeadorville, 1885-87; Mace- 
 donia, one year; Pleasant, 1887; Russell Hill, Macon 
 County, five years ; Rellwood, one year ; Peyton's 
 Creek, 1889-92; l\It. Tabor, 1890-1902; Dixon's Creek, 
 1892-1902; Mt. Zion, Ivy., two years; New Salem, 
 Ky., five years; Riddleton Church, Tenn., two years; 
 Plunkett's Creek, two years; ATeadorville, two years; 
 New Harmony, two years; Bethany, one year; Mace- 
 donia, Macon County, 1900-02. His nresent work is 
 Dixon's Creek, Mt. Tabor, Russell Hill and RTace- 
 donia. He has constituted two churches, has wit- 
 nessed 2,500 conversions, baptized about 2,000 per- 
 sons, and married about 100 couoles. He was first 
 married to Mary Jane Stout. By her he had three 
 children, one of whom was ordained to the ministry 
 in May, 1901, and now resides in White Countv, Ten- 
 nessee. He was again married to C. H. Barbee. by 
 whom he has eieht children, four boys and four girls. 
 He never attended school but about ten or eleven 
 monthg, but has been a close student at home. 
 
498 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Elder G. W. Ramsey, Massada, Macon County, 
 Tennessee. He is of English extraction. He is the 
 son of WiUiam and Nancy Ramsey, and was born in 
 Smith County, Tennessee, January 29, 1867, and was 
 brought up on the farm. He made profession in Jack- 
 son County, Tennessee, October, 1886, and united with 
 Russell Hill Church, Macon County, Tennessee, in 
 1893, being baptized by Elder M. B. Ramsey. He 
 
 ELDER C. N. SIMMONS. 
 
 was ordained by Russell Hill Church, x'Vugust, 1897. 
 He has been pastor of the following churches : Mt. 
 Vernon, Bethel, Russell Hill, Bethany, Mt. Hope, 
 Cornwell's Chapel and Day's X Roads. He was edu- 
 cated in common schools. He constituted one church, 
 has baptized 177 persons, and married thirty-five 
 couples. He was married to Mary Eveline Evins, 
 October 17, 1890, by whom he has one child. 
 
2Iiiuxttri(il Direcforij 499 
 
 Eijii-;r C. N. Simmons, ^VestmorclaIl(I, Sumner 
 County, Tennessee. He is of English descent, 
 rather tall and slender and inclined to dark com- 
 l)lexion. He is the son of Chas, and Jane Simmons. 
 He was horn in Macon County, Tennessee, February 
 2"/, 1842. He was brought up on a farm in the same 
 county. He made profession and united with Siloam 
 Baptist Church, October, 1864, and was bafitized by 
 Elder Josiah J. Wiseman. He was. ordained h\ order 
 of Pleasant Grove Church, in June, 18S4, by Elders 
 \athan Skaggs, W. L. Buie, L M. Ashlock, J. E. 
 Lambert, J. S. Pardue, J. L. Talmon and J. R. Stin- 
 son, with ten deacons. He has been i^astfT as follows: 
 New Canev Eork, 1884-85; SUoam, 1886-91; Hills- 
 dale, 1886-87; Cedar BlufT, 1887-94, again iijOi-02 ; 
 Xew Harmony, one \ear ; Pleasant Grove, 181)7-1902. 
 He has baptized 100 persons and married thirt\'-four 
 couples. He was married to Sarah E. Hawkins Alarch 
 19, 1865, by whom he has two children living and 
 one dead. 
 
 Elder Lenu Durii.xm Smith, Commerce, ^^'ilson 
 County, Tennessee. He is of English and German 
 e.xtraction. He is medium height and size with dark 
 complexion, and a little inclined to be bald. He is the 
 son of Jacob and Mary ( Compton ) Smith. He was 
 born May 4, 1834. A remarkal)le coincidence oc- 
 curred in the death of his parents. His father died 
 September 28, 1841 : his mother died Eebruary 7, 
 1843. The coincidence is, that at the time of their 
 deaths there was only one day's difference in their 
 ages. The father lived to be thirty-seven years, seven 
 months, and two days ; the mother lived one day less. 
 This left him an orphan indeed, but he found a Chris- 
 
500 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tian home with an uncle and aunt (Deacon James 
 Hohnes and his devoted wife). He grew up on the 
 farm. After three years of seeking, he was happily 
 converted at Round Lick Church in the fall of 1849, 
 and, in October of that same date, he united with 
 Round Lick Church and was baptized by Elder E. B. 
 Haynie. He was both clerk and deacon of said church 
 for manv years. He was ordained bv order of this 
 
 ELDER L. D. SMITH. 
 
 church, November, 1871, by Elders J. M. D. Cates, 
 A. J. McNabb, J. W. Hunt, T. J. Eastes, James Bar- 
 rett, R. A. Dillard and H. Bass. He has been pastor 
 as follows: New Salem, two years, about 1872-74; 
 Knob Spring, two years ; Brush Creek, two years ; 
 Commerce, one and a half years. In addition to this, 
 he did much preaching in meetings with good success, 
 also traveling as missionary. He has witnessed many 
 
Ministerial Directory 501 
 
 conversions, baptized quite a number, and perhaps 
 married as many as any one in this section. He was 
 for sixteen years clerk of Salem Association, and for 
 several sessions clerk of New Salem Association. He 
 was educated in Union University, Murfreesboro, 
 Tenn. He was married to Miss Nancy Bass, daughter 
 of Elder Henry Bass, October 27, 1852, by whom he 
 has thirteen children, twelve of whom are still living 
 and all married. He has near one hundred children, 
 grandchildren and great-grandchildren ; and if you 
 count sons and daughters-in-law, they surpass one 
 hundred. I cannot refrain from appending the fol- 
 lowing written by Brother J. B. Oakley, an elder 
 brother of Elder Jno. T. Oakley : 
 
 "In a smoky little village in Wilson County, 
 There lives a man deserving quite a bounty, 
 I make his sketch ; please scan ; you'll agree 
 That a strange and complex creature is he. 
 
 For I know no man "mong Adam's relations 
 Can boast so many and hard occupations ; 
 They are so numerous, it seems useless to try 
 To set them in rhyme, much less classify. 
 
 The number is twelve, which I'll now relate, 
 And you'll wonder he's yet in the carnal state. 
 He is administrator to settle affairs 
 'Twixt widows and orphans and wrangling heirs, 
 
 Executor, too, for Brother John Organ 
 
 Who had papers official, more than John Morgan. 
 
 He sells dry goods, hardware and leathers, 
 
 And takes in exchange, rags, eggs and feathers. 
 
 He is Justice of the Peace, acquainted with law, 
 In his judgments, few may complain of a flaw. 
 Another of trades, is driving shoe pegs, 
 When not weighing butter, or taking in eggs. 
 
502 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 He finds time to oversee his hands, 
 That plow and mow his well fenced lands, 
 Keeping up supplies of work stock and tools, 
 Salting his cattle, sheep, hogs and mules. 
 
 His orchards he visits ere the breakfast bell rings. 
 Or walks in his garden, 'mong "taters" and things. 
 He's private and uublic and Sunday school teacher, 
 And besides all this a whole souled preacher. 
 
 He's prompt in the pulpit 'mong the lambs in his care 
 If the rain and cold admit anyone to be there. 
 As agent, he serves for those drawing pensions, 
 Writes deeds and contracts all lengths and'dimensions. 
 
 He has many calls like this, and indeed 
 He yearly makes minutes of the Baptist creed. 
 He's school commissioner, yea, clerk of the board. 
 And no kind of writing by him is ignored. 
 
 He's postmaster assistant, and daily the news, 
 
 The letters and papers for his friends does peruse. 
 
 He does all this, and daily takes physic 
 
 To cure bronchitis, the lumbago and phthisic, 
 
 Sits down and smokes his "mershum" quite clean 
 And governs his family, in number, fifteen. 
 If you've not found who this wonder can be 
 It's Smith, of Commerce, our friend L. D." 
 
 The statements in these verses ait. literally true. 
 He is now no longer able to preach. He is a great 
 sufferer from asthma, and is standing in the Beulah 
 Land awaiting the summons home. 
 
 Elder V. A. Sanders, Lafayette, Macon County, 
 Tennessee. He is of English descent. He is the son 
 of William L. and Polly (JMinick) Sanders. He was 
 born in Smith (now Macon) County, Tennessee, near 
 the town of Lafayette, September 2.2, 1835. He was 
 
Ministerial Directory 503 
 
 brought up on a farm within two miles of where he 
 now lives. He was converted at Spring Creek Church, 
 Macon County, Tennessee. December 3, 1852. He 
 united with said church and was baptized two days 
 later by Elder Isaac Tracy. He was ordained Satur- 
 day before the second Sunday in January, 1870, by 
 order of Spring Creek Church, by Elders W. L. Buie 
 and L. A. Minick. He has been pastor as follows : 
 Harmony, Macon County, 1870-73 ; Salt Lick, Jackson 
 County, 1873-74: Long Creek, 1873-74; Corinth, 
 Macon County. 1881-85; Long Creek, 1885-86; Rocky 
 Hill, Ky., 1878; Spring Creek, 1878. He has assisted 
 in the constitution of five churches. He has no record 
 of baptisms or marriages. He has been twice mar- 
 lied, first to Emily N. Slone, February 10, i85''i. by 
 whom he had three children. She passed to her re- 
 ward, December 14, 1870. He was again married to 
 L. P. A'ance, May 5, 1874, by whom he has five chil- 
 dren, three of whom are still living. 
 
 Elder W . H. Smith, Horse Cave, Hart County, 
 Kentucky. His descent is English, Irish, Scotch and 
 German. He is low, heavy of build with red com- 
 plexion. He is the son of Don Dixon Carlos and 
 Sarah Jane (Meador) Smith. He was born in Macon 
 County, Tennessee, July 9, 1852. He was brought up 
 on the farm. He made profession at Enon Church 
 under the ministry of Elder John Patterson in Sep- 
 tember, 1866. He united with Liberty Church, Macon 
 County, Tennessee, the second Saturday in October, 
 1866, and was baptized by Elder W. L. Buie. He 
 was ordained November 12, 1881, by Elders Crisley 
 Miller and M. B. Ramsey with a number of deacons. 
 He has been pastor as follows in Tennessee : Corinth, 
 
504 Histoi'y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 1881-84; he was missionary, 1882-85; Hillsdale, 1882- 
 85; Bellwood, 1883-91, again 1894-96; Liberty, 1889- 
 90; Defeated Creek, 1887-89; Carthage, 1887-89; 
 New Salem, 1888-91 ; Rome, 1887-92 ; Knob Spring, 
 1887-88; Lin wood, 1891-92; Smith ville, 1891-92; 
 Alexandria. 1891-93; Cedar Creek, 1891-93, again 
 1895-96; Macedonia, 1891-92; Hening, 1893-94; in 
 Kentucky as follows : Tompkins ville, 1892-93 ; Gama- 
 
 ELDER W. H. SMITH. 
 
 lael, 1893-98; Rocky Hill, 1897-98; Hanging Fork, 
 1896-97; Salem, 1896-99; Cave City, 1897-99; Little 
 Bethel, 1897-99; Hiseville, 1897-99; Rowletts, 1901. 
 He was educated principally at Willette Academy. He 
 is the author of two tracts : "What Baptism is For," 
 and "Are Missionary Baptist .Churches, Churches of 
 Christ?" He has edited and published the Baptist 
 Helper and Liberty Baptist. He was associate editor 
 
Ministerial Directory 
 
 505 
 
 of The Baptist Gleaner, and has been contributor to 
 quite a number of other papers. He has constituted 
 three churches. He has perhaps baptized 800 people 
 and also married a great many. He was first married 
 to Louisa Catherine Woodcock, July 27, 1869, by 
 whom he has five children, three boys and two girls. 
 His oldest son, Don Q., is a minister. He was again 
 married to Mattie Sampson, August 5, 1896. He has 
 held a large number of debates with leading men. 
 
 ELDER DON Q. .SMITH. 
 
 Elder Don Q. Smith, Horse Cave, Hart County, 
 Kentucky. He is of Scotch-Irish, English and Ger- 
 man extraction. He is tall, medium size with light 
 complexion. He is the son of Elder William Henry 
 and Louisa Catherine (Woodcock) Smith. He was 
 born near Mammoth Cave, Edmonson County, Ken- 
 
506 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 tucky, December 15, 1877. In growing up, he worked 
 both at farming and the printer's trade. He made 
 profession at Bellwood Church, Willette, Macon 
 County, Tennessee, in September, 1887. He united 
 with said church in the same month and was baptized 
 by Elder W. H. Smith. He was ordained by Bell- 
 wood Church, February 2, 1898, by Elders J. H. 
 Swann, 1. W. Matthews, G. W. Ramsey, M. H. 
 Drury, with a number of deacons. He has been pas- 
 tor as follows : Bethany, Tenn., 1899 ; Cave City, 
 Ky., 1899-1901 ; Little Bethel, J<Cy., 1899-1901 ; Wal- 
 nut Hill, Ky., 1900-1901 ; Rowletts, Ky., 1902: Rock 
 Springs, Ky., 1902 ; Beaver Creek, Ky., 1902. He was 
 educated at Willette Academy. He has assisted in edit- 
 ing and publishing the Baptist Helper andLiberty Bap- 
 tist. He has baptized about sixty persons and married 
 ten couples. He was married to Miss Ruth Mont- 
 gomery, of Macon County, Tennessee, by whom he has 
 one child — a girl. 
 
 Elder E. L. Smith, Pleasant Shade, Smith County, 
 Tennessee. He is of Scotch descent. He is rather 
 low, medium size, with light complexion and slightly 
 bald. He is the son of Abel and Martha P. Smith. 
 He was born in third district of Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee, October 31, 1836. He was brought up on the 
 farm. He made profession at Mt. Tabor Church, 
 Smith County, Tennessee, October 31, 1851. He 
 united with said church and was baptized by Elder 
 John Hickman. He was ordained in October, 1864, 
 by Elders E. B. Haynie and W. H. Haile. He has 
 been pastor as follows (dates approximated) : Mt. 
 Tabor, twenty-three years ; Mt. Hope, five years ; 
 Salt Lick, five years ; Union, two years ; Ebenezer, 
 
Ministerial Directory 507 
 
 five years ; Sycamore Valley, eight years. All the 
 education he has he acquired at home. He has con- 
 stituted three churches. He has baptized and married 
 a great many, but has no record. He was married 
 to Miss Mary M. Granad, August 20, 1854, by whom 
 he has three children. He is in very feeble health and 
 has retired from the pastorate, waiting for the sum- 
 mons home. God bless his declining days. 
 
 ELDER E. L. SMITH. 
 
 Elder J. R. Stinson, Westmoreland, Sumner 
 County, Tennessee. His descent is not known beyond 
 America. He is the son of Alsey and Rhody (Smoth- 
 ers) Stmson. He is a Tennessean by birth, was born 
 August 18, 1834. He was brought up on the farm. 
 He professed faith in Christ at Siloam Church, Macon 
 County, Tennessee, united with said church in 1855, 
 
508 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 and was baptized by Elder Jonathan Wiseman. He 
 was ordained in 1875 by Siloam, Long Creek and 
 Chestnut Grove churches. His first pastorate was 
 with Chestnut Grove Church and his last with Inde- 
 pendence Church. He was educated in common 
 schools. He has baptized about forty persons and 
 married about fifty couples. He was married in 1854, 
 as a result of which he has nine living children. 
 
 Elder J. A. Stone, Belote, Sumner County, Ten- 
 nessee. His descent is not known beyond America. 
 He is the son of Peter W. and Letitia Stone. He 
 was born near Hunter's Point, in Sumner (now 
 Trousdale) County, Tennessee, November 28, 1854. 
 He was brought up on a farm. He professed faith in 
 Christ alone in the woods in October, 1877. He united 
 with Corum Hill Church, Sumner County, Tennessee, 
 on second Sunday in October, 1877, and was baptized 
 by Elder J. S. Rice on the following Thursday ; his 
 wife being baptized at the same time. He was or- 
 dained in October, 1887, by Elders W. M. S. Wilks 
 and J. E.' Lambert, with Deacons William Corum, H. 
 C. Corum and G. W. Mitchiner. He has been pastor 
 as follows : Corum Hill, 1892-94 ; Shady Grove, 
 Trousdale County, seven years; Knob Spring, 1895; 
 Bledsoe Creek, 1901-02. He has a common school 
 education. He has baptized 137 persons and married 
 twenty-three couples. He was married to Nancy S. 
 Robertson. April 11, 1875, by whom he has nine chil- 
 dren, all Baptists, who are old enough. 
 
 Elder G. W. Sherman, Nashville, Tenn. He is of 
 English and Irish descent. He is rather low, a little in- 
 clined to be fleshy, with light complexion. He is the 
 son of Charles Wesley and Caroline Elizabeth (Bruce) 
 
MiniHterial Directory 509 
 
 Sherman. He was born in Greensburgh, Ind., Febru- 
 ary 4, 1867. He was brought up on the farm. He 
 was converted at the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 South, at Brighton, Mo., September 13, 1883. He 
 joined the Brighton Baptist Church, of Brighton, Mo., 
 March 12, 1884, being the first to unite with this 
 church after the organization. He was baptized by 
 Elder John W. Hanes, of Bolivar, Mo. He was or- 
 dained by the order of Brighton Baptist Church, Sep- 
 tember 15, 1888, by EldeVs W. T. Baucom, J. W. 
 Hanes, W. J. Hunter, M. Slaughter and W. C. Arm- 
 strong. He has been pastor as follows : Bethel and 
 Salem churches, Dallas County, Missouri, 1890. We 
 might state that he had been missionary two years in 
 this section following his ordination. In 1891 he 
 came to Tennessee, where he operated for a time in 
 Marshall, Giles and Maury counties : Pleasant Hill, 
 1891-93; Dodson's Gap, 1801-93: Mt. Zion, 1891-92; 
 Lewisburg, 1891-92; Friendship, 1892-96 (in the 
 meantime, attending and completing the course in the 
 Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky.) ; Santa Fe, 
 1894-96; North Edgefield Church, Nashville, Tenn., 
 1896-1900; Carthag-e, Tenn., 1900-01; Hartsville, 
 1900-02; Gallatin, 1901 ; North Edgefield, 1902. He 
 was educated at the Southwest Baptist College, Boh- 
 var. Mo., and S. B. T. S., Louisville, Ky. He has 
 constituted seven churches. He has witnessed 757 
 conversions and baptized 685 persons and married 
 fifty-five couples. He was married to Miss Sallie 
 Brownlow, of Buffalo, Mo., December 20, 1888, by 
 whom he has four children, three here, one in heaven. 
 
 Elder J. H. Swann, Willette, Macon County, Ten- 
 nessee. He was born in Jackson County, Tennessee, 
 
510 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 November 12, 1872. He was brought up on a farm, 
 teaching some in young manhood. He made profes- 
 sion very early in hfe and joined the Methodists. But 
 when he became a man he put away childish things 
 and united with Cornwell's Chapel Baptist Church, 
 in 1895, being baptized by Elder W. J. Watson. He 
 was ordained first Sunday in June, 1896, by Elders 
 T. A. Hudson, E. L. Smith, T. W. Matthews, R. B. 
 Davis and W. H. Driver, with a number of deacons. 
 He has been pastor as follows : Russell Hill, 1896-99 ; 
 Enon, 1896-99; Pleasant Valley, 1896-1900; La- 
 fayette, 1900-02; Meadorville, 1900-02; Enon, 1901- 
 02; Liberty, 1901-02. He was educated at Oak Wood, 
 Smith County, and Willette, Macon County. He was 
 married to Miss Bassie May Wakefield, March 9, 
 1898, by whom he has one child, a son. While he 
 gives no data of amount of work done yet will say 
 he has been quite successful in his work. 
 
 Elder J. M. Stewart, Boma, Putnam County, 
 Tennessee. He is of Dutch-Irish descent. He is tall, 
 medium size, with dark complexion. He is the son 
 of Harrison and Sarah (Brown) Stewart. He was 
 born five miles west of Cookeville, Putnam County, 
 Tennessee, November 11, 1847. He was brought up 
 on the farm. He made profession at his home in 
 Putnam County, Tennessee, April 12, 1865, and was 
 baptized into the fellowship of Mine Lick Baptist 
 Church, April 5, 1866, by Elder Jesse Brown. He 
 was ordained by the order of Mine Lick Church, 
 August 7, 1870, by Elders Jesse Brown and Elijah 
 Hickey, and was at the same time called to the care 
 of said church. He has served as pastor the follow- 
 ing churches: Mine Lick, 1870-74; Mud Spring, 
 
Ministerial Directory 511 
 
 1870-71 ; Bear Creek, Overton County, 1871-72; Caney 
 Fork, DeKalb County, 1871-73; Wolf Creek, 1872-74; 
 again 1876-81 ; Indian Creek, Putnam County, 1872- 
 7J; Beech Grove, 1876-82, again 1897-98; Hopewell, 
 1874-83; Mt. Zion, 1880-91, again 1894-1900; Dry 
 Creek, 1884-90 (two years of this time was before 
 the church was organized) ; Hickman's Creek, 1883- 
 85; Salem, 1883-87; New Hope, 1883-85; Bethel, 
 1887-89; Lancaster, 1888-90; Indian Creek, DeKalb 
 County, 1888-90, again 1896-98. In 1891 he moved 
 to Texas, remaining two years ; while there, he or- 
 ganized two churches and was pastor of six churches 
 in that State. He returned in October, 1893 ; Dowell- 
 town, 1894-97; Wharton's Spring, 1896-98; Boma, 
 1898-1902; Wolf Creek, 1901-02. He was educated 
 in common schools and at home. He has done a con- 
 siderable amount of missionary work. He has worked 
 up and organized six churches, and assisted in four 
 others, making ten in all. He has baptized several 
 hundred converts and married between one and two 
 hundred couples. He was married to Miss Mary E. 
 Lee, September 10, 1868, by whom he has four chil- 
 dren, one son and three daughters. 
 
 Elder D. C. Taylor, Hicks, DeKalb County, Ten- 
 nessee. This brother is medium height, rather slender, 
 with light complexion. He gave his heart to God and 
 united with Indian Creek Church, DeKalb County, 
 Tennessee, when only about fifteen years of age. He 
 served the church as clerk fourteen years ; then was 
 ordained deacon about 1879. He was ordained to the 
 ministry in 1892, by Elders Wm. Simpson, S. B. 
 Whitlock and A. J. Brien. He has served the church 
 as pastor three years and has baptized fifty-five per- 
 
512 History of Middle Temiessee Baptists 
 
 sons and married forty-two couples. His wife has 
 been sick for the past six years which has confined 
 him very closely at home. 
 
 Elder J. B. Tedder, Gassaway, Cannon County, 
 Tennessee. He is of Dutch-Irish descent. He is 
 rather low, medium size, with dark complexion. He 
 is the son of Parker Franklin and Sarah Annie (Kea- 
 ton) Tedder. He was born in Cannon County, Ten- 
 nessee, on the waters of Sycamore Fork, September 
 15, 1864. He was brought up on a farm. He made 
 profession at Auburn Baptist Church, Cannon County, 
 Tennessee, in September, 1885, united with said 
 church, and was baptized by Elder Jno. T. Oakley. 
 The next year he moved his membership to Mt. Pleas- 
 ant Church in the same county where he was ordained 
 October 8, 1893, by Elders A. J. Brien, A. C. Webb 
 and W. F. Osborn. He served as pastor of Mt. 
 Pleasant Church from 1896 to 1897. He attended 
 school at Auburn, Cannon County. H( has a tract 
 on "Drunkenness" in manuscript. He has baptized 
 seventeen persons and married ten couples. He was 
 married to Miss Mary T. Williams, daughter of 
 Joseph O. Williams, December 11, 1887, by whom he 
 has five children, two boys and three girls. 
 
 Elder T. T. Thompson, Memphis, Tenn. He is 
 of Scotch descent. He is of medium height, size and 
 complexion. He is the son of David T. and Susan 
 E. Thompson. He was born in Williamson County, 
 Tennessee, October 4, 1850. He worked on the farm 
 and in country repair shops in his youth. He made 
 profession in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennes- 
 see, November 27, 1877, united with the Baptist 
 Church at Franklin two days later, and was baptized 
 
Ministerial Directory 513 
 
 by Elder George E. Truett, December I, 1877. He 
 was ordained by Central Baptist Church, Nashville, 
 Tenn., February 24, 1886. He has been pastor as 
 follows: North Edgefield, Nashville, Tenn., 1886-88; 
 Inimanuel, Nashville, 1888-90; he was Financial 
 Agent for Tennessee Baptist Orphan's Home, 1891- 
 95; pastor at Pulaski, Tenn., 1895-98; Friendship, 
 Maury County, 1895-98; Carthage and Hartsville, 
 1899-1900; Johnson Avenue, Memphis, 1900, to pres- 
 ent, 1902. This church has been moved and name 
 changed to Seventh Street Church. He was educated 
 in Thompson Station High School. He has consti- 
 tuted five churches. He has baptized 700 people and 
 married 102 couples. He was married to Miss Mary 
 E. Snipes, December 29, 1870, by whom he has four 
 children, two of whom have crossed the mystic river. 
 He adds : "You may write me a Landmark Baptist, 
 elected and saved wholly by grace." 
 
 Elder T. FI. Vantrease, Granville, Jackson Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee. He is of Dutch-Irish descent. He is 
 medium height, rather slender, with dark complexion. 
 He is the son of A. J. and Caroline (Malone) Van- 
 trease. He was born near Hickman, Smith County, 
 Tennessee, January 11, 1850. He was brought up on 
 the farm. He made profession at Liberty, in Jackson 
 County, Tennessee, in 187 1, united with Martin's 
 Creek Church, Putnam Cownty, Tennessee, in same 
 date, and was baptized by Elder J. B. Fox. He was 
 ordained by Smith's Chapel Church, Jackson County, 
 Tennessee, April 7, 1895, by Elders S. N. Fitzpatrick 
 and R. B. Davis, with a number of deacons. He has 
 been pastor as follows: Smith's Chapel, 1895-97; Mt. 
 Vernon, Smith County, 1896; Mt. Hope, Jackson 
 17 
 
514 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 County, — 1901. He has a common school education. 
 He has constituted one church. He has baptized 
 twenty-six persons and married fifteen couples. He 
 was married to Sarah McMillen, by whom he has ten 
 children, four sons and six daughters. 
 
 Elder D. B. Vance, Chattanooga, Tenn. He is of 
 Irish and French descent. He is tall and above an 
 average in size with light complexion. He is the son 
 of Daniel and Nancy Eliza (Brevard) Vance. He 
 was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, near Lebanon, 
 February 20, 1845. He was brought up on the farm. 
 He made profession while soldiering in the Civil War 
 in 1864. He united with the Baptist Church at Wood- 
 bury, Cannon County, Tennessee, in June, 1865, and 
 was baptized by Elder L. H. Bethel. He was licensed 
 to preach by Woodbury Baptist Church in August, 
 1874, and ordained in 1875, by Elders J. J. Martin, 
 L. H. Bethel and A. J. McNabb. He has been pastor 
 as follows: Auburn, 1878; Marion, 1888-90; Barren 
 Fork, 1887-89; Round Lick, 1890-91 ; Shiloh, 1889- 
 91; Mt. Hermon, 1890-94; Beech Grove, 1891-92; 
 Green Vale, 1892-1900; Salem, Wilson County, 1893- 
 1900; Woodbury, 1893-igoo; Powell's Chapel, 1894- 
 1900 ; Beech Street Church and Highland Park, Chat- 
 tanooga, 1901. He has done a great deal of voluntary 
 missionary work. He was educated in Woodbury 
 Academy and S. B. T. Seminary, Louisville, Ky. He 
 has kept no record of either his baptisms or marriages. 
 He, however, has been a busy man and done quite an 
 amount of work of this kind. He was married to 
 Miss Bettie Brewer, November 23, 1868, by whom he 
 has eight children. From 1875, when he was or- 
 dained, he declined pastoral work, going into destitute 
 
Minifiterliil Direcfory 515 
 
 fields and laboring as volunteer missionary, until i8<S8, 
 when he entered the pastorate. He refused any pay 
 for his service during this period. 
 
 Elder W. E. Waufokd, Alexaiulria, DeKalb Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee. His descent is not known beyond 
 America. He is tall and slender, with rather dark- 
 complexion. He is the son of Samuel and Rachel 
 
 ELDER W. E. WAUFORD. 
 
 Wauford. He was born near yMexandria, DcKalb 
 County, Tennessee, March iT), 1873. He was hr(wght 
 up on the farm. To use his words, he "worked on 
 farm and rode calves." He made profession at Helton 
 Creek Baptist Church, DeKalb County, Tennessee, in 
 October, 1887, joined saifl church December, 1887, 
 and was baptized by Elder S. H. Weight. He was 
 
516 History of Middle Tennessee Ba/ptists 
 
 ordained November 5, 1893, by Elders J. H. Whitlock 
 and W. S. Payne, with Deacons Jas. Foutch and Jas. 
 Johnson. He has been pastor as follows : Beech 
 Grove, Coffee County, 1895-96; Caney Branch, War- 
 ren County, 1895-96; Walker's Chapel, 1899-1900; 
 Dowelltown, 1900, to present, 1902; Mt. Zion, DeKalb 
 County, 1900-02; Buena Vista (Grant), Smith Coun- 
 ty, 1901-02; Commerce, 1901-02; Salem, DeKalb 
 County, 1902. He was educated at Alexandria and 
 Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee. He has baptized 
 twelve persons and married seven couples. He was 
 married to Miss Lillie S. Brown, daughter of Elder 
 L. Brown, December 3, 1893, by whom he has one 
 child, a daughter (Westa Brown Wauford). 
 
 Elder A. J. Waller, Blend, DeKalb County, Ten- 
 nessee. He is of Irish descent. He is rather low, 
 medium size, with light complexion. He is the son 
 of Andrew Jackson Waller. He was born in McMinn 
 County, Tennessee. He was brought up on a farm. 
 He made profession and united with Roger's Church 
 in i860. He was ordained in 1875 by Elders Jacob 
 Stipe and Hiram Little. Among the points of which 
 he was pastor we note Boiling Spring, Philadelphia 
 and Indian Creek. He has been pastor of many more 
 churches but we have no data. He has done quite 
 a deal of evangelistic work, and has baptized and mar- 
 ried a great many people. He was married to Eliza 
 Whitaker in 1878. He has four children. 
 
 Elder W. B. Wooten, Oliver, Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee. He is of English descent. He is rather tall, 
 medium size, with light complexion. He is the son 
 of Thomas Wilkerson and Adeline Rundels (Doug- 
 lass) Wooten. He was born in Smith County, Ten- 
 
21 in i ate rial Directory 517 
 
 nessee, August i6, 1831. He was brought up on the 
 farm. He made profession at Wooten's Schoolhouse 
 in Smith County, Tennessee, third Sunday in Sep- 
 tember, 1866. He united with Phuikett's Creek 
 Church, Saturday before second Sunday in October, 
 1866, and was baptized by Elder David N. Jarrard. 
 He was ordained by Plunkett's Creek Church, April 
 23, 1869, by Elders James Barrett, Henry Bass, 
 D. N, Jarrard and W. N. Suite. He has been 
 pastor as follows : Hogan's Creek, one year ; Plun- 
 kett's Creek, five years ; Buena Vista, two years ; 
 Caney Fork Seminary, one year. Beside this, he has 
 done a great deal of preaching at other points, where 
 he witnessed a great many conversions. He was 
 county supply at the county poor house for a long 
 while. He was educated in common schools and at 
 home. He has baptized quite a number, but has no 
 record. He has married about 400 coudIcs. He was 
 first married to Frances Carter, September 21, 1853, 
 bv whom he has ten children, two bovs and eight 
 girls. He was again married to Lucinda Carver, 
 December 11, 1891. Has no children by last mar- 
 riage. 
 
 Ei.DKR W. J. W.\T.soN, Enoch, Smith County, Ten- 
 nessee. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. He is tall and 
 slender with rather light comy>le.xion. He is the son 
 of William and Catherine Watson. He was born 
 near Short Mountain, Middle Tennessee, April 13, 
 1864. He was brought up on the farm. He was 
 converted at Sycamore Fork Church, Cannon County, 
 Tennessee, August 17, 1879. On Monday, the twenty- 
 sixth of same month, he united with said church and 
 was baptized by Elder William Simpson. He was 
 
518 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ordained by Good Will Church, Trousdale County, 
 Tennessee, June 19, 1893, by Elders R. B. Davis, W. 
 L. Buie, J. J. Dyer, J. F. Lambert and others. He 
 has been pastor as follows : Cornwell's Chapel, 1894- 
 95; Plunkett's Creek, 1896-1902; Sycamore Fork, 
 1898-1900; Dowelltown, 1899; Bellvvood (Willette), 
 1898-99; Defeated Creek, 1898-1902; Hickman's 
 Creek, 1899-1902; Hogan's Creek, 1900-02. He was 
 educated in common schools. He has baptized 336 
 persons and married seventy-nine couples. He was 
 married to Mrs. Sallie J. Beasley (nee Dilldine), June 
 4, 1893, by whom he has two children living and one 
 dead. He taught school for some time after grow- 
 ing up. 
 
 Elder James Waters, Bowling Green, Warren 
 County, Kentucky. He is of Welsh descent. He is 
 tall, and above an average in size, with light com- 
 plexion. He is the son of Wilson Turner and Polly 
 (Lawrence) Waters. He was born at Watertown, 
 \\'ilson County, Tennessee, April i, 1836. He was 
 brought up on the farm. He made profession at Mur- 
 freesboro, Tenn., and was baptized by Elder J. M. 
 Pendleton in the waters of Stone's River. He was 
 ordained by Round Lick Church in December, 1858, 
 by Elders J. M. Pendleton, J. R. Graves, J. H. Cason, 
 John Wiseman, H. Fitc, N. Hays, W. H. Grimmet, 
 H. Bass and J. W. Bowen. He has been pastor as 
 follows: Round Lick, 1859-61; Manayunk (Phila- 
 delphia, Pa.), 1866-68; Mt. Holly, N. J., 1868-72; 
 Wilmington, Del, 1872-73; Secretary American Bible 
 Publishing Society for New York, 1873-77; Passaic, 
 N. J., 1877-79: Edgefield, Nashville, Tenn., 1879-84; 
 for some time missionary secretary of Tennessee ; Den- 
 
Minuterial Directory 519 
 
 ver, Colo., 1889-94; Lebanon and Dickson, Tenn., 
 1894-95 ; Drake's Creek, Ky., 1899-1901. He was edu- 
 cated in Farmer's Academy, Watertown, Tenn., 
 Union Universit}-, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Colum- 
 bia College, New York City. He also took a course 
 in law. He has been at the head of some very fine 
 institutions of learning-. He is the author of several 
 tracts and assisted William Cathcart in editing the 
 Baptist Encyclopaedia. He has constituted one 
 church. He has no record of either baptisms or mar- 
 riages. He was married to Miss Letitia Pendleton, 
 daughter of Elder J. M. Pendleton, February i, i860. 
 He has no children, but cares for some orphans. 
 
 Elder \Y. M. S. W'ilks. Enon College, Sumner 
 County, Tenn. He is of English and Irish descent. 
 He is above an average in height and size. He is in- 
 clined to be fleshy, with fair complexion. He is the 
 son of John and Nancy T. ( Horseley ) Wilks. He 
 was born ten miles east of Gallatin, in Sumner County, 
 Tenn., July 12, 1850. He was brought up on a farm. 
 He made profession at old Hopewell Church, in Sum- 
 ner County, Tenn., on Wednesday, after the fourth 
 Sunday in October, 1864, and two days later he united 
 with said church and was baptized by Elder Jonathan 
 Wiseman. He was ordained by Hopewell Church in 
 May, 1 88 1, by Elders A. H. Rather, J. F. Lambert, 
 J. P. Gilliam and J. S. Pardue, with Deacons J. G. 
 Pardue, P. S. Harris, J. G. Hawkins and J. W. Jones. 
 He has been pastor as follows (dates approximated) : 
 Corinth, Macon County, 1884; Pleasant Grove, 1884- 
 87; Hopewell, 1887 to the present, 1902; Pleasant 
 Valley, 1888-91 ; Corum Hill, 1888-91 ; Mt. Olivet, 
 Trousdale County, 1888-91; Siloam, 1889-92; Harts- 
 
520 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 ville, 1889; Hillsdale, 1891-1901 ; Friendship, 1893- 
 99 ; Defeated Creek, 1896-99 ; Rocky Valley, Wilson 
 County, 1899-1901 ; Galla- 
 tin, 1901 ; Knob Spring, 
 1901 to the present, 1902. 
 He was educated in com- 
 mon country schools. He 
 has assisted in the consti- 
 tution of two churches. 
 He has no record of bap- 
 tisms and marriages, but 
 has been very active along 
 these lines. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Nettie Gib- 
 son, October 25, 1868, by 
 whom he has eleven chil- 
 dren — nine living and two 
 dead. 
 
 Elder J. W. Cunning- elder vv. m. s. wilks. 
 HAM, Marcelena, Wilson 
 
 County, Texas. He is of Scotch descent. He is 
 rather tall and slender, with dark complexion. He 
 is the son of James M. and Elizie E. Cunningham. 
 Hr was born in Rhea County, Tennessee, February 
 18, 1847. He was brought up on the farm and in a 
 tan yard. He professed faith in Christ at Dayton, 
 Tenn., August 23, i860, and united with Union 
 Church, Sequatchie County, Tennessee, fourth Sat- 
 urday in July, 1865, and was baptized by Elder T. 
 King, in Sequatchie River, on the next day. He was 
 ordained by Union Church January 22, 1870, by 
 Elders T. King, James Hale, J. H. Alexander and 
 T. L. Rodgers. He has been pastor as follows : Rob- 
 inson Springs, Tenn., 1870-71 ; Shell's Ford, Warren 
 
Ministerial Directory 
 
 521 
 
 County, Tenn., 1871-75; Hebron, 1872-75; McMinn- 
 ville, 1875-76; Spring Hill, 1876-77; A'lacedonia, 1876- 
 "JT, Liberty, 1876-78; Pleasant Hill, White County, 
 1877-88; Pistole's 1877-78; Cookeville, Putnam 
 County, 1878-79; Evangelist, 1879; Yellow Creek, 
 Washington, Mt. Zion and Rody Station, East Ten- 
 nessee, 1879-80 ; General Evangelist, 1882-83 ; Deca- 
 tur and Kingston, East Tennessee, 1883-84, when he 
 
 ELDER J. \V. CUNNINGHAM. 
 
 moved to Texas; Cedar Creek, Texas, 1884-86; Mof- 
 fat, 1884-85; Mountain Springs, 1884-85; Oennaville, 
 1885-87; Postoak Grove, 1885-88; Bartlett, 1886-88; 
 Devilla, 1886-88; Com Hill, 1886-88; State mission- 
 ary, 1888-96; Devine, 1896-1900; Francisco, 1896- 
 1900; Elm Creek, 1896-98; Benton City, 1896-1901 ; 
 Gate's Valley, 1899-1901 ; Bexar, 1899-1901 ; Mar- 
 
522 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 celena, 1901 to the present. He was educated at Ma- 
 sonic M. and F. Institute, in Sequatchie County, 
 Tennessee. He was associate editor for three years 
 of the Missionary Messenger, Lampassas, Texas. He 
 has constituted seventeen churches. He has baptized 
 1,432 persons and married about 200 couples. He was 
 married to Miss S. M. ElHott, at Dunlap, Tenn., Sep- 
 tember 24, 1865, by whom he has eight children — 
 three sons and five daughters. She passed to her 
 reward August 7, 1888. He was again married, to 
 Miss L. R. Epperson, at Pendletonville, Texas, January, 
 22, 1890, bv whom he has six children, equally divided. 
 He has fourteen children in all, twelve of whom are 
 still living. 
 
 Elder Stephen R. G. Hawkins, Westmoreland, 
 Tenn. He is of English descent. He is the son of 
 Robert and Sarah F. Hawkins. He was born in 
 Macon County, Tennessee, October 30, 1826. He was 
 brought up on a farm. He made profession at Siloam 
 Baptist Church, Macon County, October 12, 1842; 
 united with said church in November of the same date, 
 and was baptized by Elder Jonathan Wiseman in De- 
 cember, 1842. He was ordained by Independence 
 Church, Sumner County, Tenn., in Xovember, 1883, by 
 Elders A. H. Rather, W. R. Minick and R. H. Piland, 
 with Deacon J. A. Hanner. He has been pastor of 
 Chestnut Crove one year. He has married twenty-two 
 couples. He was married to M. A. Roberson in 
 1853. She died March 11, 1885. He was again mar- 
 ried, to Rebecca Stinson, h^hruary 18, 1886. Nine 
 children have been born unto him. 
 
 Elder T. J. H.\m, Scottsville, .\llen County, Ky. 
 He is of English descent. He is tall, medium size. 
 
Ministerial Directory 523 
 
 with fair complexion. He is the son of Elder 
 Mordecai Fowler and Elizabeth (Bearing) Ham. 
 He was born four miles north of Scottsville, Allen 
 County, Ky., August i6, 1847. He was brought up 
 on the farm. He made profession at Harrison School- 
 house, Allen County, Ky., in 1866, united with Tram- 
 mel's Fork Church in 1870, and was baptized by Elder 
 Mordecai F. Ham, Sr. He was ordained February 
 4, 1876, by Elders M. F. Ham, Sr., Younger Wither- 
 spoon and W. W. Durham. He has been pastor as 
 follows: Drake's Creek, Warren County, Ky., New 
 Bethel, Mt. Gilead. Big Spring and Liberty, Allen 
 County (he has served the latter eighteen years) ; 
 Hillsdale and Pleasant Hill, Tenn. ; Salem, Simpson 
 County, Ky. ; Oak Forest, White Stone Quarry, Green 
 Wood, Barren River, Bay's Fork and Old Union, 
 Warren County, Ky. He was educated in district 
 schools and Bethel College, Russellville, Ky. He has 
 constituted five churches. He has baptized 1,500 and 
 married about 800 couples. He was married to Ollie 
 L. McElroy, December, 1869, by whom he has five 
 children. One is the noted young minister. Elder 
 Mordecai F. Ham, Jr., who has been ordained only 
 five months and has had about 700 conversions in 
 this time and baptized 500 converts into Baptist 
 churches. 
 
 Elder John Harper, Jr., Gallatin, Sumner County, 
 Tenn. He is of Scotch descent. He is low and heavy 
 of build, with dark complexion. He is the son of 
 Elder John Harper, Sr. He was born about 18,^3, 
 in Smith County, Tennessee. He was brought up 
 on the farm. He made profession and united with 
 Plunkett's Creek Church, i860 A. D., and was bap- 
 
524 Eistoi^y of Middle Teimessee Baptists 
 
 tized by Elder J. C. Brien. He was ordained by said 
 church, but date not known. We have no data of his 
 pastoral work. Among the places he was pastor we 
 note Plunkett's Creek, Hogan's Creek and Rome. He 
 has raised a large family of children. 
 
 Elder A. E. Johnson, Lebanon, Wilson County, 
 Tenn. He is a Swede in descent. He is medium 
 height and size, a little inclined to dark complexion. 
 He is the son of Matthias and Sarah (Hickman) 
 Johnson. He was born near Lebanon, Wilson County, 
 Tenn,, December 3, 1849. He was brought up on the 
 farm. He made profession at Barton's Creek Church 
 in the fall of 1868. He united with said church and 
 was baptized by Elder William Barton. He was or- 
 dained by Barton's Creek Church the third Sunday in 
 January, 1876, by Elders Lewis Lindsley and William 
 Barton. Among the points he has served as pastor 
 we note the following : Barton's Creek, Athens, Glade- 
 ville and Knob Spring. He also spent a time in the 
 State of Illinois. He was principally educated in the 
 State of Illinois, taking the Theological course in 
 Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn. He has 
 baptized and married quite a number, but has kept 
 no record. He was first married to Melissa N. Lain, 
 April 12, 1877. This union was blessed with three 
 children, all boys. She went to her reward August 
 13, 1885. He was married a second time, to Miss 
 Sue Smith Oldham, January 11, 1886. This is blessed 
 with a son and a daughter. She died October 31, 
 1890. He was again married, to Miss Orlena Owen, 
 May 31, 1891. He has no children by this last mar- 
 riage. 
 
Ministerial Directory 525 
 
 Deacon J. M. Williams, Union Camp, Macon 
 County, Tenn. This brother is what might be termed 
 a kind of lay-preacher. Few men, even among the 
 ministers, travel more, attend more pubhc meetings, 
 and do more denominational work than he. He is 
 of Welsh, Irish and English descent. He is medium 
 height and size, with dark complexion. He is the 
 son of Richard and Sarah (Owen) Williams. He 
 was born in Macon County, Tennessee, November 
 24, 1845. He was raised on the farm, and at the 
 age of eleven years, November, 1856, he gave his 
 heart to God under the ministry of Elder L. A. Smith- 
 wick. He was at once baptized into the fellowship 
 of Union Church. His public career did not begin 
 until after the Civil War. He was elected clerk of 
 the second section of Enon Association in 1867, which 
 position he filled for twenty-one years. He was made 
 a member of the Executive Board of Enon Associa- 
 tion in 1872, and still serves in that capacity. He 
 was secretary of the board for twenty-five years and 
 is now chairman of the board. He has written, taken 
 and given thousands of receipts for mission money, 
 visited destitute sections, and wept and prayed with 
 missionaries. He is also clerk of Enon Association, 
 He completed a good English education in Lafayette 
 Academy, and, for about twenty years, taught school 
 five months in the year. He was married to Miss 
 Sarah L. Tuck, in 1869, by whom he has thirteen chil- 
 dren, eleven of whom are still living. He has brought 
 this author under many obligations by leaving his 
 home and collecting material for this work. He is 
 never too busy to serve the Lord and his brethren. He 
 was made deacon of Union Church in 1870. He is 
 one of those deacons who sees to it that good discip- 
 
526 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 line is maintained in his church. He has written a 
 great deal for the press. 
 
 Deacon Gus Fuqua, Pryor, Macon County, Tenn. 
 He is the son of Caleb Fuqua and was born near Lib- 
 erty, Bedford County, Va., March 4, 18/^4. His father 
 emigrated from Virginia to Macon County, Tennes- 
 see, in November, 1845, when the subject of this sketch 
 was yet an infant. He grew up among the hills of 
 Goose Creek, where he still resides. He gave his 
 heart to God and was baptized into the fellowship of 
 New Harmony Church the second Sunday in Novem- 
 ber, 1869. Few men do more denominational work 
 in their section. The public meetings of his Asso- 
 ciation never seem complete without him. While not 
 a preacher, yet he is always counted among the 
 preachers. He was made deacon of his church in 
 May, 1880. He was made clerk in February, 1870, 
 serving until 1882, when he resigned. He was called 
 back to this position in 1897 and still serves. He has 
 missed very few Associations for the last thirty years. 
 He has assisted in the ordination of a number of min- 
 isters and deacons, and also in the constitution of 
 two new churches. He was one of the leading fac- 
 tors in the constitution of Wiseman Association, in 
 1 89 1. He was at once made a member of the Execu- 
 tive Board of Wiseman Association and is still serv- 
 ing in that capacity. He is a close reader of our de- 
 nominational papers and keeps abreast with what is 
 going on. He is a strong Landmark Baptist and 
 never hesitates to measure swords with the advocates 
 of error. He is a great lover of the fifth Sunday meet- 
 ings and delights in the discussions. He put him- 
 self to a great deal of trouble to assist this author in 
 
Jl/iiiisferial Biredory 527 
 
 collecting material for this work. He was first mar- 
 ried to Elizabeth A. Adams, May 28, 1865, by whom 
 he had six sons born. She fell on sleep July 23, 1889. 
 He was again married, to Sarah E. Norman, a widow 
 with three children. He has done considerable writ- 
 ing for the press. 
 
 Elder A. J. Brandon, Christiana, Rutherford 
 County, Tenn. He is of English-Dutch descent. He 
 is tall, medium size, with dark complexion. He is the 
 son of Tames Armstrong and Sarah (Tenpenny) 
 Brandon. He was born two and one-half miles north 
 of Woodbury, Cannon Count)', Tenn., September 5, 
 1829. He was brought up on the farm. He made 
 profession at Brawley's Fork (now Marion) Church, 
 at Cateston, Cannon County, Tenn. He united with 
 said church in May, 1847, ^"d was baptized by Elder 
 J. M. D. Cates. He was ordained by the order of the 
 same church in November 3, 1852, by Elders Jos. H. 
 Eaton and J. M. D, Cates. He was educated at Ma- 
 rion Collegiate Institute, at Cateston, Cannon County, 
 Tenn. He has been pastor as follows : Marion, two 
 years; Hogan's Creek, three years; Prosperity, six 
 years; Auburn, four years; Mt. Olivet (Leeville), 
 eleven years ; Rutland, five years ; Little Cedar Lick, 
 two years ; Laguardo, one year ; Eagleville, three 
 years ; Ilover, seven years ; Bethany, two years ; New 
 Hope, at different times; Palestine, ten years; Anti- 
 och, two years; Liberty Gap, two years; Powell's 
 Chapel, two years ; Salem, Wilson County, two years ; 
 Winchester, one year; Tullahoma, three years; Fair- 
 field, two years; El Bethel, one year; Mt. Hermon, 
 two years ; Mars Hill, one year ; Rocky Valley, fif- 
 teen years; Fellowship, five years; Barren Fork, one 
 
528 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 year ; Hale's Chapel, three years. He has organize 
 six churches, baptized about 2,000 people and ma: 
 ried about 200 couples. He was married to Melis; 
 Palestine Lowe, January 25, 1866, by whom he has or 
 son, Professor Alfred Joseph Brandon, President c 
 Tullahoma College. He has reared a number of 01 
 phan children. He has baptized six who becarr 
 preachers. Among them is Elder T. J. Eastes. He : 
 now seventy-two years old. For forty-two years h 
 was continuously in the pastorate, never being withoi 
 a charge during the time. He now preaches occj 
 sionally, but never fails to attend services at his hom 
 church. Notwithstanding his advanced age, he add; 
 "I am now strong in body and faith." 
 
 Elder J. J. Porter, Mexico, Mo. He is of Scotc 
 descent. He is tall (stands erect six feet and fou 
 inches), medium size and of fair complexion. He i 
 the son of Elder William Lee and Henrietta Rabor 
 Porter. He is one of ten children and has two brother 
 who are Baptist preachers. He was born at Cai 
 Town, Pulaski County, Ky., December 4, 1855. ^ 
 was reared on a 500-acre farm. He made professio 
 at Hopewell Church at the age of fourteen. He unite 
 with Fall Branch Church and was baptized by Elde 
 J. A. Lay. He later united with Mt. Pisgah Churcl 
 where he was ordained at the age of nineteen, b 
 Elders J. J. Cooper, C. J. Harris and William Rex 
 road. At this time his education was limited, bavin; 
 only attended public schools. He now entered schoo 
 attending High Schools at Mill Springs, Bramlel 
 Semmary, Albany, and finally Bethel College, wher 
 he took the degree of A.M. During this time he di^ 
 considerable evangelistic work and supplied som 
 
MiniHteriiil Directonj 529 
 
 country churches. He also took a two-years' course 
 of study in Hebrew and Syriac under Professor Bal- 
 lard. He has been pastor as follows : Albany, Kv., 
 two years; Green Wood, White County, Tenn., two 
 years ; Smithville, DeKalb County, two years ; Leba- 
 non, Wilson County, two years ; Shop Spring, one 
 year ; general missionary for Tennessee, three years ; 
 Owen ton, Ky., five years ; Jersey ville, 111,, eight years. 
 His present pastorate is Mexico, l\Io. He has been in 
 this field two and one-half years. In addition to this, 
 he has done a great deal of evangelistic work, and is 
 perhaps one of the most successful evangelists in the 
 country. He has held meetings extensively in Ken- 
 tucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, ]\Iississip[)i, In- 
 diana, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri. He has wit- 
 nessed in these meetings 17,046 conversions. Fifty- 
 four young men who are known to have been con- 
 verted in meetings which he conducted are now 
 preaching the gospel. He has baptized 5,638 persons 
 and constituted twenty-three churches. (A wonder- 
 ful record.) He does not shrink to defend the faith, 
 thus demonstrating that one does not have to sacrifice 
 the doctrines to be an evangelist. He has held de- 
 bates with such men as J. S. Sweeney, Jacob Ditzler 
 and J. R. Charlsworth. The latter is a leading infidel. 
 The debate was published in book form and is one of 
 the best works on that point to be had. He is author 
 of the following books : "Christianity Against Infi- 
 delity," "The Book of Books," "The Founding of the 
 Church," "Scriptural Doctrines of the Lord's Sup- 
 per," and a work on "Higher Criticism," in manu- 
 script. He has also been editor of the following pa- 
 pers : Missionary Baptist, at Lebanon and Nashville, 
 Tenn., four years; Baptist Helper, Jersey City, 111., 
 
530 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 seven years ; associate editor of Baptist News, five 
 years. He has married 521 couples. He was first 
 married to Miss Alice Long,' Albany, Ky., by whom 
 he has one daughter living. She was called away 
 and he was again married, to Miss Dollie Carpenter, 
 Mt. Vernon, 111., by whom he has six daughters and 
 one son. His son's name is Porter Porter. 
 
 ELDER JOHN WASHBURN. 
 
 Elder John Washburn, Ewing, 111. He is of 
 English, Irish, German and Welsh extraction. He is 
 of medium height and size, with light complexion. 
 He is the son of Lewis and Nancy (Moore) Wash- 
 burn. He was born three miles north of Alexandria, 
 
Ministerial Directonj 531 
 
 between Brush Creek and Hickman Creek, Smith 
 County, Tennessee, on November 5, 1830. lie was 
 brought up on the farm, and worked in the tobacco 
 patch and hunted rabbits. He embraced Christ by 
 faith on June 13, 1853, in a forest near Burritt Col- 
 lege, Spencer, \'an Buren County, Tenn. He made 
 public profession anil united with Brush Creek Primi- 
 tive Baptist Church, October 15, 1853, and was bap- 
 tized the next day by Elder Sion Bass. It was soon 
 discovered that he was the Lord's anointed and in 
 the spring of 1857 he was licensed to preach by this 
 church, and ordained by the same church to the full 
 work of the gospel ministry in the summer of 1858, 
 by the following presbytery, viz. : Elders Sion Bass, 
 P. G. Magness, Thos. Spain and William Kellcv. He 
 was educated in Burritt College, Spencer, \"aii Buren 
 County, Tennessee, and is one of the most scholarly 
 men in our ranks. After his ordination he moved 
 to Illinois, settling at Benton. He was called to the 
 care of East Fork Church, Hardshell Baptists, in 
 Franklin County, in 1864. In December, 1865, he 
 naturally withdrew from the Hardshell brethren. In 
 June, 1866, he united with the Baptist Church in Ben- 
 ton, 111. From this time forward he has preached 
 and taught jointly. In \^(^^] he moved to Ewing, 111., 
 and founded Ewing College, a leading Baptist in- 
 stitution of learning. This is a monument of which 
 any one might be proud. This has really been his 
 life's work. However, he has gone away temporarily 
 to other points in Illinois and even other States, but 
 has again returned to the idol of his heart "Ewing 
 College." He is there now, doing some of the best 
 work of his life, notwithstanding he has i)asscd his 
 threescore and ten years. He has served as pastor, 
 
532 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 First Baptist Church, Ewing, III, at various times, 
 incessantly from 1868-75 ; Spring Garden, III, 1871- 
 75; Sugar Camp, two years; Antioch, one year; Car- 
 bondale, 111., one year; Benton, one year. In 1877 he 
 moved to Texas where he taught and preached for 
 three years. He traveled as missionary in 1878. He 
 organized the Floresville Baptist Church and Flores- 
 ville Academy. He was pastor at Floresville, Stock- 
 dale and Marcelena. In 1880 he returned to Illinois, 
 and resumed the presidency of Ewing College, where 
 he remained till 1890. During this time he served the 
 following churches : Ewing and Sugar Camp Creek. In 
 1890 he came to Willette, Tenn., and took charge of 
 ^^'illette Academy; also serving Bellwood Church. In 
 1892 he moved to Gordonsville and assumed charge 
 of Gordonsville High School, serving as pastor Mace- 
 donia Church at New Middleton, 1892-93. In 1894 
 he returned to Illinois, where he has since served 
 McLeansboro, 1894-98 ; Hickory Hill, Creal Springs. 
 He also had charge of Creal Springs College. He 
 has constituted two churches. Number baptized and 
 married not known, but a great many. He was mar- 
 ried to Miss Irene S. Ely, in Putnam County, Ten- 
 nessee, July 7, 1856, by whom he has five children 
 living and two dead. He is enjoying good health, 
 having daily five recitations in Latin and four in 
 Greek. 
 
 Elder R. A. Rushing, Lawton, Okla. He is of 
 English-Irish descent. He is medium height, rather 
 slender of build, with dark complexion. He is the 
 son of Deacon W. A. Rushing; and Nannie J. (Landis) 
 Rushing. He was born at Woodburv, Cannon Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee, January 4, 18O8. He was brought up 
 
Ministerial Directory 533 
 
 on the farm. He professed f-aith in Christ in Bed- 
 ford County, Tennessee, in the fall of 1884; and 
 united with Powell's Chapel Church, Rutherford 
 County, Tennessee, in the spring of 1885, and was 
 baptized by Elder S. G. Shepard. He was ordained to 
 the ministry at the instance of Shop Spring Church 
 on August 5. 1894, by Elders J. P. Gilliam, J. M. 
 Knight, E, S. Bryan, J. W. Patton, G. H. Butler and 
 A. J. Holt, with Deacon J. S. Womack. He was pas- 
 tor at Cookeville, Putnam County, Tennessee, 1897-98. 
 Besides this he has done considerable work as col- 
 porteur and evangelist. He has been teaching for two 
 years and preaching in connection with it. He finished 
 his literary course in Cumberland University, Leba- 
 non, Tenn., and has since taken a course in the Theo- 
 logical Seminary at Louisville, Ky. He has assisted 
 in the constitution of two churches. He has baptized 
 one, and married one couple. He was married to 
 Miss Mattie AL Williams, December, 1897. She was 
 called home in April, 1899, leaving a young babe 
 which was caught up to dwell with her in September 
 following. 
 
 Elper Forrest Smith, Louisburg, N. C. He is of 
 English and Scotch-Irish descent. He is tall, rather 
 slender, with light complexion. He is the son of 
 George L. and America Ann Smith. He was born in 
 Wilson County, Tennessee, between Statesville and 
 Auburn, in the year of 1867. He was brought up on 
 the farm where he was born. He made profession of 
 religion at Statesville, Tenn., in October, 1887, and 
 one week later he united with Prosperity r>aptist 
 Church and was baptized in the waters rif .Smith's 
 Fork, near Cottage Home, by Elder J. H. Grime, the 
 
534 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 pastor. In the summer of 1892 he became supply at 
 Columbia, Tenn., and was ordained at the instance of 
 that church by Elders John T. Oakley, W. T. Ussery 
 and S. C. Evins. He has been pastor as follows : 
 Providence and Poplar Grove, West Tennessee, 1893 ; 
 Tullahoma, Middle Tennessee, 1893-94 ; New Colum- 
 bus, Ky., 1895-97; Bramlette, Ky., 1895-97; Irving- 
 ton, Ky., 1895-97; Louisburg, N. C, 1897, to the pres- 
 
 DEACON M. H. GRIMMET. 
 
 ent, 1902. He was educated in the Southwestern 
 Baptist University, Jackson, Tenn., taking the degree 
 of A.M. in 1893. He has since taken a three years' 
 course in the Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky. 
 He has baptized between three and four hundred and 
 married forty couples. He was married to Miss Jessie 
 Thomas, of West Tennessee, in 1897, by whom he 
 has two children, one living and one dead. 
 
Ministerial Directory 535 
 
 Deacon M. H. Grimmet, Greenvale, Wilson Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee. He was the moderator of the last ses- 
 sion { 1901 ) of Salem Association. He is the son of 
 Elder W. H. and Elizabeth (Bryan) Grimmet. He 
 is perhaps now fifty _\ears of age and is one of the 
 standards in Greenvale Baptist Church. He was made 
 deacon of this church in 1897. ^^ h^s twice been 
 moderator of Salem .Association. He is a pliysician 
 by profession. He has been twice married and has a 
 family of children. 
 
 DE.\CON W.XDF, H. GUA\'ES. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Smith Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee, November 10, 1832. He is the son of 
 Beman and Susan (Pate) Graves, who came to Ten- 
 nessee from \'irginia before thev were married. He 
 has been a very successful farmer. He was married 
 to Elvira E. Tell in 1857, who proved an excellent 
 helpmeet. He served through the Civil War in the 
 Confederate Army and came home, broken in health, 
 to find his property all sweot away, but industry soon 
 brought an abundance of this world's goods. He gave 
 his heart to God and united with the Methodists, 
 where he remained until 1875: then he joined the 
 newlv organized Pleasant X'alley Baptist Church in 
 Jackson County, Tennessee. The young church was 
 without a house of worship, and to build one was 
 his first undertaking as a Ilaptist. There was very 
 little resource except his own private means. Not- 
 withstanding the fact that he was buikling on his own 
 soil and with his own means, the Campbellites waged 
 an unrelenting war of opposition. It was like "fight- 
 ing with beasts at Ephesus." 
 
536 Histoi^y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 Soon after uniting with the Baptists he was made 
 deacon, which office he filled with distinction till God 
 called him home, August 28, 1901. His kindness 
 won the hearts of all, and his death was mourned by 
 all who knew him. 
 
 ELDER WASHINGTON GLOVER. 
 
 The first that is known of this man of God is that 
 he was an orphan in Smith County, Tennessee. He 
 was married to Miss Frances Parker on Defeated 
 Creek. He was probably ordained by Defeated Creek 
 Church, some time in the forties. In regard to his 
 work in Smith County, but little is known. He re- 
 moved to Macon County, Tennessee, in 1852, where 
 the remainder of his days were spent. He was a 
 very useful man in his day and generation. His life 
 was a very busy one. Among the churches he served 
 as pastor we note the following : Union, Timber 
 Ridge, Liberty and Bethany, with perhaps others both 
 in Tennessee and Kentucky. He had a strong voice 
 and spoke with deliberation. He was the father of 
 four sons and four daughters. One of each are still 
 living and are stalwart Baptists. He was gathered to 
 the fathers during the Civil War. He passed under 
 the wave July 28, 1861. He fell asleep in Jesus, 
 loved and respected by all who knew him. He entered 
 the glory land with a triumphant shout. 
 
 [The last two sketches were received too late to be 
 inserted at the proper place.] 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Stockton's valley association. 
 
 On the third Saturday in June, 1800, at Mt. Tabor 
 Church, Barren County, Kentucky, the Green River 
 Association was organized with nine churches. By 
 the time of their regular meeting, in 1804, A. D., they 
 had increased to thirty-eight churches, covering a 
 vast territory. It was deemed advisable to divide. 
 The territory was divided into three parts : One re- 
 taining the old constitution ; one of the other divisions 
 constituting Russell's Creek Association the same fall ; 
 the other division, which lay partly in Kentucky and 
 partly in Tennessee, meeting in 1805, and constituting 
 Stockton's Valley Association with fourteen churches, 
 eight of which were in Kentucky, and six in Tennes- 
 see. So it will be seen that this is one among the 
 oldest Associations to cover any part of Middle Ten- 
 nessee ; there being perhaps but one in existence to- 
 day which is older. They did not long have peace. 
 About 1808 they had to exclude several of their 
 churches and some of their most influential preachers 
 for adopting the "New Light" and heretical views of 
 Barton W. Stone. They were blessed and their 
 borders were so enlarged that, in 1813, the churches 
 on their southern border formed themselves into the 
 Caney Fork Association. Some of these churches 
 extended as far south as Warren County. They also 
 had their share of the disturbances brought about by 
 Alexander Campbell. They had hardly survived this 
 
 537 
 
538 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 shock until the mission question arose which brought 
 to them more trouble than any former disturbance. 
 Churches were rent asunder, friends alienated, preach- 
 ers excluded, meetings disturbed, and the devil turned 
 loose in general. Matters had become so strained 
 that in 1843, six churches withdrew and formed Free- 
 dom Association. This Association was constituted 
 at Beech Grove, in Monroe Countv, Kentucky, the 
 first Saturday in November, 1843. Those favorable 
 to missions soon found a home in Freedom Associa- 
 tion and matters became quiet. They still retain the 
 name of United Baptists and stand aloof from conven- 
 tions. They have had some very able preachers 
 among their ministry. They still occupy parts of 
 Clinton, Cumberland and Wayne counties, Kentuckv, 
 with adjoining counties in Tennessee. In many respects 
 this is a grand old body of stalwart Baptists. Her 
 oldest church, one mile south of Albany, Ky., orig- 
 inally known as Stockton's Valley, but now known as 
 Clear Fork, celebrated their one hundredth anniver- 
 sary on April I, 1902. Would it be pardonable to 
 say that this author's maternal great-grandfather was 
 in the constitution of this church, his grandparents 
 belonged to it, and, above all, this was his mother's 
 church ? 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE sr-:rARATE baptists. 
 
 In the lang-uac^e of Elder James Wliitsitt, "all the 
 P>a])tists of this section at the hec^inninsx of the nine- 
 teenth century were Calvinists." However, early in 
 this century (1810 A. D.), Alexander Campbell came 
 upon the stasjc of action and soon (in a way) con- 
 nected himself with the Baotists. He at once bep^an 
 his campaig"n of Arminianism amonp the P>aptists and 
 soon ])oisoned the minds of many in their ranks. 
 Even where he did not pfo himself his publications 
 and converts did, till the whole Paiitist brotherhood 
 of this country was stirred, some in advocacy of his 
 views, others in o|)position to them. Soon those who 
 fell in with his views befjan an opposition to the doc- 
 trines of the Baptists. They first bcpan a fi^ht against 
 the "doctrine of limited atonement," and declared that 
 Christ died tor all mankind, "f(5r ever\' individual of 
 the human race, for I-'haraoh and ludas as much as 
 for .Abraham and Paul." (Bond's Histor\' of Concord 
 Association, page 38.) They also stated that the doc- 
 trine held by the Baotists of "personal, particular and 
 unconditional election was the doctrine of men and 
 devils." (History of Concorrl Association, page 39.) 
 Thus the war went on, none ever dreaming of the 
 purpose of A. Campbell. Finally, in 1826, this senti- 
 ment had grown in Elk River Association (which 
 covered the territory embraced by the counties lying 
 in the southern part of Middle Tennessee and reach- 
 Sag 
 
540 History of Middle Tennessee BaiJtists 
 
 ing as far north as Rutherford County), till it resulted 
 in a division led by Elder Wm. Keele. Elder Keele 
 was a member of Liberty Church in Rutherford Coun- 
 ty and the first breach is spoken of by his biographer 
 in these words : "The disagreement between the two 
 parties was first made public at a meeting at Liberty 
 Church in Rutherford County. The Rev. William 
 Keele was sitting in the old-fashioned stand, which 
 was found in all the houses of worship in those days ; 
 and when he saw that the difficulty was not likely 
 to be adjusted with honor to the free grace (Armin- 
 ian) party, he leaped over the top of the stand, and 
 rushed from the house, calling all to follow who be- 
 lieved as he did. Thereupon a great rushing was 
 made from the house, until by far the greater part of 
 the congregation was rapidly following the Rev. Wil- 
 liam Keele. He preached to them under the shade of 
 some trees that stood near and made other appoint- 
 ments for the future. This was the origin of the 
 Separate Baptist Church." (Life of Rev. William 
 Keele, pages 54, 55.) This was the first formal action 
 toward the formation of what is now known as Sepa- 
 rate Baptists in Middle Tennessee. This was most 
 probably in the spring of 1826, and was the signal for 
 action with other churches. By the meeting of Elk- 
 River Association in 1826, things were ripe for action 
 and a formal division was the result, the following on 
 either side being very nearly equal in strength. The 
 party withdrawing, led by the said Elder William 
 Keele, formed the Duck River Association of Sepa- 
 rate Baptists. This incited action at other points. The 
 next year, 1827, the matter took shape in Concord 
 Association. Realizing the situation, and knowing 
 that the Arminian element had gained ascendency. 
 
Tlie Separate Baptists 541 
 
 the Calvinistic party held a call meeting- in April at 
 Little Cedar Lick, and out of forty-nine churches, 
 twenty-four ministers, and 3,399 members, they were 
 able to muster only eleven churches, five ordained min- 
 isters and 805 members. By this time Campbellism 
 was assuming- shape, and Elder Peyton Smith, who 
 had secretly, if not openly, espoused Campbellism, was 
 leading this Arminian branch. The Calvinistic minor- 
 ity held their regular session this year at Drake's 
 Creek in Sumner County, which was of necessity a 
 called session. At the regular session at Rutland's, 
 the Arminian majority took up the constitution for 
 amendment and excluded therefrom the last vestige 
 of Calvinism, and retained the same old name. Others 
 gave them the name of Separates, and Concord No. 2, 
 while the Calvinistic party were styled No. i. (His- 
 tory of Concord Association, page 40.) At this meet- 
 ing Elder Peyton Smith was made moderator, and he, 
 with Elders Calvin Curlee and Phillip S. Fall, filled 
 the stand on Sunday. These were all deeply dyed in 
 Campbellism, and soon plunged headlong into it. 
 This of itself shows that these unsuspecting brethren 
 were being entrapped by the wiles of Campbellism, 
 though taking the name of Se])aratc Baptists. They 
 soon discovered the arts of their wily adversary and 
 came from under his yoke. The following will ex- 
 plain itself: 
 
 "About this time all the churches (more or less) of 
 the Concord Association, and indeed, of nearly all the 
 Associations throughout the length and breadth of the 
 land, were in a perfect ferment by the leaven of Camp- 
 bellism. But though mixed as they were. Separates 
 and Campbellites, they moved on togetlier for four or 
 five years, when they met at Fellowship Meeting 
 
542 Bistoi'y of Middle Tennemee Baptists 
 
 House, Rutherford County. By this time Campbelhsm 
 had become so odious and offensive to the Separates, 
 they being in the majority, pushed the Campbellites 
 off to the woods. Smith and Curlee had become quite 
 conspicuous, and the principal leaders in the Camp- 
 belilte host." (History of Concord Association, pages 
 41, 42.) 
 
 This same Elder Calvin Curlee with five others, to 
 wit : Elders James Barry, Wm. Bomer, John Whit- 
 lock, Elisha Bell and Clark Hubbard, who were mem- 
 bers of Salem Association, tried to effect a rupture in 
 that Association also, but failed to elicit sufficient 
 strength. They, however, withdrew with a few fol- 
 lowers, and fell in with the Separate Baptists and 
 made of them a passport to Campbelhsm, where they 
 soon landed, all except Elders John Whitlock and 
 Elisha Bell, who remained with the Separate Baptists. 
 The Separate Baptists, having sloughed off the Camp- 
 belhsm which had developed among them, now 
 dropped back into a normal Baptist position. A num- 
 ber of efforts were now made to unite the two parties. 
 As was expressed by some of the ablest brethren, all 
 the ground of division had ceased to exist. In the 
 case of Duck River Association, Elder William Keele, 
 the prime mover, would never yield. Presumablv he 
 prided in being a leader, and would not submit. How- 
 ever, a large per cent being convinced that thev could 
 better serve the Master by falling in with the great 
 body of Baptists, they mutually divided and formed 
 two Duck River Associations. These both exist to- 
 day and virtually cover the same territory. This divi- 
 sion occurred in 1843, ^^d they both claim the old or- 
 ganization of 1826. If any one wil; put himself to 
 the trouble to secure a minute from both these bodies 
 
The Separate Jjaj)fi.'<fs 543 
 
 he will see that they both date their beginning at that 
 time. For authorities upon these points the reader is 
 referred to the life of Elder William Kcele and R. B. 
 C. Howell in The Baptist. \'ol. i, Xo. 7, dated Octo- 
 ber 5, 1844: also R. R. C. Howell and A. W. Meacham 
 in The Baptist, Vol. i, Xo. 10, for October 26, 1844; 
 also Tin- Baptist, \'ol. 3, X^o. 16, for December 12, 
 1846. 
 
 Thev were more successful in Concord, Xo. i, of 
 United Baptists, as the Piaptists were then called, and 
 Concord, X^o. 2, of Separate Baptists, met in council 
 at Rutland's fleeting House, Xovember 18, 1842, and 
 on the second day (Xovember 19, 1842) they formed 
 a union and Concord, Xo. 2, of Separate P)aptists 
 ceased to exist. Elder R. W. January presided over 
 this meeting. Thus it will be seen that after a sepa- 
 ration of fifteen years, the two Concord Associations 
 were reunited. (See Historv of Concord Association, 
 page Cx).) 
 
 In the meantime a third .Association (i\lt. Zion ) of 
 Separate Baptists had been formed. This, with Duck 
 River, continued and continues to-day as Separate 
 Baptists. A few other Associations have been formed 
 and they number perhaps all told some Ti.ooo. 
 
 Some times we are asked who the Separate Baptists 
 are and where they came from? They are of us, and 
 from us. All the churches of Duck River Association 
 which were constituted prior to 1843 were once Sepa- 
 rate Baptist churches with the same constitution and 
 make up which they have at present. Also many of 
 the older churches of Concord Association were once 
 Separate Baptists. Among them I mention Rutland's, 
 Fellowship, one division of Bradley's Creek, etc., etc. 
 Some times the question is raised, by those who do 
 
544 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 not know their history and doctrine, as to the vaHdity 
 of their baptism, "Is their baptism legal?" In answer 
 to this I prefer to let those old Landmark Baptists, 
 who were contemporary with them pass upon it. 
 
 In 1840 the following; preamble and resolution were 
 introduced by Elder John Bond and passed by Con- 
 cord Association : 
 
 "VVhekey\s, Certain causes operated to influence 
 this Association several years ago to adopt an order 
 recommending the churches composing it, to reject 
 members of the churches then denominated Separates, 
 who might apply for membership with us ; and, where- 
 as, these causes have now ceased to exist ; therefore. 
 
 Resolved, I, That we do hereby rescind said order, 
 and recommend to the churches to exercise their dis- 
 cretion in the premises as occasion may require. . . . 
 
 Resolved, further. That we are desirous of cultivat- 
 ing fraternal intercourse with these Baptist Associa- 
 tions, and that we would be happy to receive from 
 them any evidence of a disposition on their part to 
 reciprocate a friendly correspondence." 
 
 Also in the minutes of Salem Association for the 
 year 1841 we find the following: 
 
 "WhereaSj That union so desirable among breth- 
 ren of the same Christian family, does not exist be- 
 tween the United Baptists (Salem Association) and 
 those denominated the Separate Baptists, and as this 
 Association thinks there is no good reason why all 
 the relations of Christian fellowship should not exist 
 Ijctwcen them and us ; therefore, 
 
 "Rcsok'ed, That wc open a correspondence with 
 Mount Zion Association of Separate Baptists, with 
 the view of effecting a union of the two parties, which 
 have so long stood aloof from each other ; and for this 
 
Tl\e Separate BapUsts 545 
 
 purpose have appointed our brethren, Elders Ehjah 
 W. Haile, James Bond and brother Wilham Martin 
 to attend their next Association and confer with them 
 on this subject, and report the resuU to our next As- 
 sociation, and that twenty copies of our minutes be 
 sent for their use. 
 
 "The reason why a communication as above was 
 not made to the Duck River Association (of Separate 
 Baptists) was because our brethren of Concord, in 
 union with us, are in correspondence with them and 
 Concord, No. 2, on the same subject." 
 
 Many other extracts might be added to the same 
 effect, but wc deem the above sufficient. The "causes" 
 referred to above were the heresies introduced in the 
 beginning by the dominating element of Campbellism. 
 When they rid themselves of this element, these 
 causes ceased to exist, and they assumed a normal 
 Baptist position. From then to the present they have 
 been regarded as sound Baptists, and we have ex- 
 changed letters with them. Salem and New Salem 
 Associations both have churches within their bounds 
 who were once Separate Baptists. Some of our lead- 
 ing ministers have come from the Separate Baptists. 
 They are very strict in preserving pure the ordinances. 
 In no instance could they be induced to receive alien 
 immersion. They have now dropped the prefix "Sepa- 
 rate" and call themselves "Thf. Baptists" with double 
 emphasis on the "The." They differ from the main 
 body of Baptists in that they reject the common mis- 
 sion methods. However, they are zealous workers, 
 pushing the work and makmg many converts, and 
 planting churches in many destitute sections. They 
 have never become a numerous people from the fact 
 that their churches and ministers, and in three in- 
 18 
 
546 History of Middle Tennessee Ba/ptists 
 
 stances whole Associations, have come over to the 
 main body of Baptists. They have some educated 
 ministers, but in the main they are unlettered, but 
 many of them are faithful and efficient heralds of the 
 cross. They receive very little for their ministerial 
 work, but with a blood-bought zeal they "go into the 
 highways and hedges" scattering precious seed for 
 the reaping by and by. They have some four or five 
 weak Associations lying along the Cumberland range 
 of mountains from northern Alabama to Southern 
 Kentucky, mostly on the western slope, some, how- 
 ever, crossing into East Tennessee. May the good 
 Lord soon lead them all back to the main fold. Per- 
 haps in some unseen way the Lord has directed all 
 this for his glory. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 PHIMITIVE, OR HARDSHELL, BAPTISTS. 
 
 In the early part of the nineteenth century, all Bap- 
 tists were missionaries. Such a thing as an anti-mis- 
 sionary was not known. In Kentucky and Tennessee 
 the anti-mission movement had its beginning about 
 1816. In the History of Kentucky Baptists, by J. H. 
 Spencer, Vol. I, page 570, we find the following: 
 
 "Previous to 1816, there was not an Anti-mission 
 Baptist in Kentucky, so far as known. In every As- 
 sociation wliere a missionary enterprise was proposed 
 it met with universal favor. In the early period of 
 the first churches, planted on the soil of Kentucky, 
 missionaries were sent to the surrounding country. 
 The oldest church in what was then called West (now 
 Middle) Tennessee, was constituted bv Ambrose Dud- 
 ley and John Taylor. These ministers, in 1791, trav- 
 eled through a wilderness, on horseback, nearly two 
 hundred miles, where they were constantly exoosed 
 to destruction by the Indians, to establish the Re- 
 deemer's cause in this remote settlement. John Sutton 
 and James Sutton were afterward sent, in turn, by 
 Elkhorn Association, to minister to this church, and 
 the moderator was directed to pay them £13, 12s, 8d 
 for this service." Numbers of other instances might 
 be given where the early Baptists of this country were 
 actively engaged in mission work. Opposition to mis- 
 sions was born in Virginia and grew out of prejudice, 
 created by the persecutions of the Baptists at the 
 
 547 
 
548 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 hands of the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches. 
 When the hand of persecution was stayed by the 
 American Revolution, and Baptists, as a free people, 
 went forth to build schools and inaugfurate mission 
 movements, a few good, but mistaken, brethren, who 
 were still smarting from the hand of persecution, said : 
 "This will never do. When once our ministry becomes 
 educated, and our systems of mission work estab- 
 lished, we will become an ecclesiasticism like our per- 
 secutors, and lose the simplicity vouchsafed to the 
 churches of Jesus Christ." The scenes of Culpeper 
 and Fredericksburg jails, and the impassioned notes 
 of Patrick Henry's eloquence in defense of their per- 
 secuted brethren, loomed ud before them and they 
 said, "down with anything which would tend to make 
 us like our persecutors." Tnis touched a tender place 
 in many hearts and their misguided zeal swept them 
 off their feet. When the news of this anti-mission 
 movement reached Tennessee, it found a responsive 
 chord in the heart of Elder Miles West, late from 
 Virginia, and a man of unquestioned piet)^ He found 
 a strong ally in the person of Elder Daniel Parker and 
 later on in Elder Sion Bass and others. No true heart 
 can think of the impulses which moved those men of 
 God, without a feeling of compassion. They had 
 an excuse which was calculated to mislead good, hon- 
 est men, but that excuse has long since been removed, 
 and I see nothing now which would cause them to 
 hold out, except prejudice and, peradventure, the at- 
 titude of some of our brethren who have gone to the 
 other extreme. I close by restating that ancient Bap- 
 tists were all missionaries, and the anti-mission move- 
 ment began about 1816, and took shape in the thirties, 
 as will be seen in other parts of this book. This was 
 
Frimitive, or Hardshell, Baptists 549 
 
 the first Primitive, or Hardshell, Baptist the world 
 ever saw, and they who speak of the Hardshell Bap- 
 tists before that time simply betray their ignorance. 
 It would be well to state that this division was not 
 caused by any doctrmal diiTerence. They were one in 
 doctrine. Since the division Two-seedism and fatal- 
 ism have been advocated by some in the ranks of the 
 Hardshell brethren. May God speed the day when 
 all our Baptist Zion shall be united. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 "christian baptists." 
 
 It is not the purpose of this chapter to give a de- 
 tailed account of this body of Christians. But as 
 reference to them will frequently be found in this 
 work, it was deemed proper to g"ive a concise state- 
 ment of their origin and practice. In the year 1813, 
 churches were taken from Stockton's Valley Associa- 
 tion and an Association was formed, known as Caney 
 Fork Association. It covered parts of Jackson, Smith 
 and what is now DeKalb, Putnam, White and Warren 
 counties and perhaos others. To one of these churches 
 Elder Chorder Stone belonged. In the controversy of 
 which Campbellism was born, there was a faction of 
 the followers of Piarton W. Stone, which never did 
 attach themselves to Campbellism, being known by 
 many as Schismatics, but on their part adopting the 
 name Christian, the name adopted by the said B. W. 
 Stone. Caney Fork Association was a very strong 
 Calvinistic body, and Elder Chorder Stone, being Ar- 
 minian in his views, withdrew from this body and 
 formed an alliance with the Schismatics or Christians 
 as they called themselves. He coming from the Bap- 
 tists, they agreed to blend the two names and call 
 themselves "Christian Baptists." The date of this 
 alliance is not known, but it was perhaps about 1850. 
 Such was the origin of this body. 
 
 In doctrine and practice they are a mongrel between 
 the Methodists and Campbellites, holding a little in 
 
 550 
 
''Christian Baptists'''' 551 
 
 common with Baptists. They preach repentance, faith 
 and conversion as the Methodists. They hold to apos- 
 tacy, baptize by immersion, but receive immersion 
 from the hands of any one, just so the person himself 
 is satisfied with it. They hold to open communion. 
 They have Associations like Baptists except that they 
 are legislative and assign to the churches their pastors 
 the same as a Methodist Conference. The preacher 
 receives the members and does not require a relation 
 of experience on the part of the convert. They once 
 had a bishop, who ruled in their Association, but this 
 has been abandoned. Their Association ordains their 
 preachers and settles disputes which arise with the 
 churches. They have some two or three small associa- 
 tions. Their ministry, for the most part, are illiterate 
 and possess but limited abilitv, though they have many 
 pious, devout men among them. They will be found 
 principally in Tennessee, along the western slope of 
 the Cumberland range of mountains. 
 
 The above applies to this people as they were 
 twenty-five years ago, as I have known but little of 
 them since. They are a vacillating people and may 
 hold something different now. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 FEET WASHING. 
 
 It is not the purpose of this chapter to discuss 
 the merits or demerits of this question ; but merely to 
 speak of the history of the practice, as it relates to the 
 Baptists, and especially of this section. 
 
 The washing of the saints' feet has been a matter 
 of interest to Baptists ever since that memorable night, 
 when our Lord, assembled with his disciples, in an 
 upper room in the city of Jerusalem, laid aside his gar- 
 ments and washed his disciples' feet; and closed by 
 saying: "I have given you an example that ye should 
 do as I have done unto you." A Baptist is one who 
 takes God at his word and at every point strives to 
 do his biddings. They have some times differed as 
 to the exact purport of this example, and among Bap- 
 tists, on this question, the greatest liberty has always 
 been allowed. It has never been made a test of fel- 
 lowship, but left optional with both churches and in- 
 dividuals. History reveals the fact that through the 
 centuries past. Baptists have occasionally, both as 
 churches and individuals, engaged in this custom. 
 
 There is one fact, it seems clearly established, that 
 the Baptists have never regarded it as a church ordi- 
 nance. There is not a Confession of Faith extant to- 
 day, that is recognized by the denomination as an ex- 
 pression of their belief, that makes mention of feet 
 washing. You may take all the London confessions, 
 beginning with 1643 to 1689, then the Philadelphia 
 confession, put forth by the oldest Association in 
 America in 1742, also that put forth by the Kehukcc 
 
 SS2 
 
Feet Witiihing 553 
 
 Association of North Carolina in 1777, and, lastly, the 
 New Hampshire confession, put forth during the 
 present century, and there is not one of them which 
 mentions the washing of feet. They describe the ordi- 
 nances of the church as being two in number, viz. : 
 Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Yet through all 
 these years perfect liberty has been accorded in the 
 matter and both churches and individuals have in- 
 dulged in it at pleasure. 
 
 Some have made a mistake in supposing that the 
 practice was confined to the Primitive or Hardshell 
 Baptists, while the Regular or Missionary Baptists 
 were free from it. It is a fact, that the Primitive or 
 Hardshell Baptists are divided on this question and 
 many of them practice it while many do not. Elder 
 C. B. Hassel, a man of learning and the most noted 
 historian in the Primitive Baptist ranks, in a work en- 
 titled "History of the Church of God," page 327, lias 
 this to sav concerning the Baptists of the seventeenth 
 century : 
 
 "A very few churches observed the washing of 
 feet ; but this was placed among the things indifferent, 
 and was never made a bar to fellowshi])." 
 
 Again on pages 845, 847, he savs : 
 
 "As TO Feet W.vsiiing: — This a])pears to be an 
 open question among Baptists, some approving and 
 others disapprovine. • • . Some of the Kchukee 
 churches have never observed it at all ; others have 
 occasionally observed it upon motion of sime one in 
 conference. . . . Otliers observe it annually and con- 
 nect it with the Lord's Supper." 
 
 "Tt would be a sad day for the church, were the 
 observance or non-observance of this rite ever to be 
 set up as a bar to fellowship. So far, from this to 
 
554 Histoi-y of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 the present time, it has been customary with the 
 churches in the Kehukee Association to excuse any 
 or all who did not feel disposed to unite with them 
 on such occasions." 
 
 Elder Hassel is a member of Kehukee Association 
 and can speak advisedly. This Association is the 
 fourth oldest Association in the United States, being- 
 constituted 1765. They are at present reckoned 
 among- the Primitive Baptists. The above statements 
 apply to them both before and since the mission con- 
 troversy. 
 
 What is true of Kehukee, is also true of Concord 
 and Salem Associations with their offsprings. In 
 1812 Concord Association met with Hopewell Church, 
 Sumner County, and during the session the query 
 from Bethel Church was presented: "How and in 
 what manner shall the brethren attend to washing one- 
 another's feet?" 
 
 To this question the Association replied : 
 
 "We do not view it as a public ordinance, neverthe- 
 less, we leave brethren to act at discretion." 
 
 By reference to church records we find that the 
 churches of Salem Association, both before and since 
 the division on missions, have occasionally engaged in 
 it. There was a time when all the churches of John- 
 son Association, an offspring of Salem Association, 
 followed washing feet in church capacity. Some of 
 the churches of Enon Association, another offspring 
 of Salem, have always, and do yet follow the custom. 
 Other churches are divided on the question, and some 
 of the members engage in it while the others retire, 
 or sit as silent spectators. Allow me to say again 
 that this is a matter about which Baptists have never 
 quarreled, leaving each one free to do as he or she 
 may choose. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 In the study of the early history of the Baptists of 
 this section, we have observed many thinsjs that would 
 be of interest to the reader. In the first place, these 
 early Baptists of this section were indeed a peculiar 
 people. They never affiliated with other denomina- 
 tions. Their coming' was contemporaneous with the 
 beginning of the great revival which swept the entire 
 country, yet these sturdy old Baptists faltered not. 
 They preached their doctrines unflinchingly. In the 
 main, the ministry was limited in point of education, 
 but for a stock of Bible knowledge and preaching 
 power they ^vere a tower of strength. It could truly 
 be said that "there were giants in those days." In 
 doctrine they were deep water Landmark Baptists. 
 They were all Calvinists — some hyper, others mild 
 Calvinists. 
 
 In the main, they rejected all secret societies and 
 would discipline their members for affiliating with 
 them. They were decidedly more strict in their dis- 
 cipline, according to their rules of good behavior, than 
 the churches of to-day. They would not tolerate 
 drunkenness among their members, but they would 
 tolerate the manufacture, sale and moderate use of 
 spirituous liquors. Even the ministry, many of them, 
 indulged in dram drinking. 
 
 When a church came together in a business meet- 
 ing the first thing in order was to inquire after the 
 
 sss 
 
556 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists 
 
 fellowship or peace of the church. If the peace of the 
 church had been disturbed or the fellowship of the 
 church broken, by the conduct of any of the members, 
 this was first set right and then they were ready to 
 transact business for the Lord. They required all 
 their members to attend their services or give a justi- 
 fiable cause for their absence. They would frequently 
 walk for many miles to attend meeting. It was noth- 
 ing uncommon for women and men to walk from 
 three to eight miles to an evening service and return 
 the same night, and this after a hard day's work. In 
 warm weather, the women would carry their shoes, or 
 perchance, their husbands, or "sweethearts" would 
 carry them for them until they were near the church 
 house, when they would sit down and brush the dust 
 from their broad, brown feet and don their shoes and 
 stockings and go into the assemblv to worship. You 
 ask what the men did ? Some of them wore their 
 "brogans" for they had no other sort, some carried 
 them like the women, while others had none at all, 
 and worshiped with their feet bare. This author once 
 baptized a sweet little girl in her bare feet. She was 
 the daughter of a brother minister, whose churches 
 paid him but very little, and he was too p(X)r to fur- 
 nish her a pair of stocl<ings. There were few dry 
 eyes when I led her ashore and the man of God took 
 his scantilv clothed child in his arms and pointing 
 heavenward said: "Home, sweet home." The father 
 has since gone home. 
 
 Churches in the carlv (lart fif the century did not 
 hold protracted meetings after the order that they are 
 held now. Their revivals would sometimes continue 
 for a wliole ^'car with conversions at everv monthly 
 service. In such times as this they would continue 
 
General (>J>servations 557 
 
 three or four days at a time preaching the word and 
 hokHng midweek prayer meetings between the serv- 
 ices. In this way a whole community would be swept 
 by a revival spirit. 
 
 The next phase of church life was the introduction 
 of the "camp meeting." In this the Baptists were not 
 the leaders, but fell in with it in a measure. This de- 
 veloped some remarkable phenomena. The most re- 
 markable was the "jerks" in its various forms. This 
 did not materially affect the Baptists of Middle Ten- 
 nessee, but was confined mainly to Methodists and 
 Presbyterians and what were called "New Lights " 
 In East Tennessee and Kentucky the Baptists were 
 common victims, with others, of this peculiar mal- 
 ady. It was a nervous affection and the victims in 
 times of religious excitement "would be instantane- 
 ously seized with spasms or convulsions in every 
 muscle, nerve and tendon. His head was jerked or 
 thrown from side to side with such rapidity that it 
 was impossible to distinguish his visage, and the 
 most lively fears were entertained lest he should dislo- 
 cate his neck, or dash out his brains. His body par- 
 took of the same impulse and was hurried on by like 
 jerks over every obstacle, fallen trunks of trees, or, 
 in a church, over pews and benches, apparently to the 
 most imminent danger of being bruised and mangled. 
 It was useless to attempt to restrain or hold him, and 
 the paroxvsm was permitted gradually to exhaust it- 
 self." 
 
 This strange affection- was circumscribed by neither 
 sex or age, but perhaps was more common among 
 young women. I have often heard an eye-witness de- 
 scribe these exercises. Young ladies with long hair 
 would be seized with the "jerks" and their old-fash- 
 
558 History of Middle Tennessee Bwptists 
 
 ioned tucking combs, which were common in those 
 days, would hit the ceiHng overhead, or perchance the 
 roofing, in the absence of a loft, and in their contor- 
 tions and nervous gymnastics their hair would strike 
 the floor before and behind and sometimes would 
 crack like a wagoner's whip. 
 
 This strange exercise was involuntary and irresisti- 
 ble, and was often communicated from one to an- 
 other. When one in an audience would be seized with 
 it, others who were accustomed to it would flee, but 
 would often be taken before they could get away. 
 
 Often those who stood high in society and opposed 
 it most bitterly would be forced to show themselves 
 in this extra gymnastic performance. Neither was it 
 confined altogether to professed Christians, though it 
 had its origin there. When it first reached Middle 
 Tennessee, it is related that the news reached a cer- 
 tain town that a congregation in the rural districts 
 were affected with the "jerks." Forthwith a com- 
 pany of fashionable young people, of both sexes, ar- 
 ranged to visit the place and witness the performance, 
 anticipating a time of great sport. But to their utter 
 consternation, while looking on the strange contor- 
 tions of the unfortunates, one by one they were seized 
 with the spasm until the whole of their crowd had 
 unwillingly become a spectacle for others and returned 
 to town to make known their unpleasant experience. 
 J. H. Spencer, in his History Kentucky Baptists, Vol. 
 I, page 517, relates the following: 
 
 "A Presbyterian minister heard that a congrega- 
 tion of his brethren, which he highly esteemed, had 
 got to jerking. He went to persuade them out of 
 the frantic exercise, but in conversing with them he 
 got the jerks himself. On his return home, his people 
 
General Observations 559 
 
 assembled to hear the result of his visit. Whil. he 
 was describing how people appeared with the jerks, 
 he was suddenly taken with them and the whole as- 
 sembly soon caught the distemper." 
 
 From the "jerks" came the "rolling exercise," the 
 "running exercise," the "dancing exercise," the "bark- 
 ing exercise" and the "laughing exercise." "Visions 
 and trances" were also common in "camp meeting" 
 days. And even in this author's time visible traces 
 of these peculiar phenomena could be distinguished. 
 Especially was this true in his early boyhood days in 
 the great revival which sweot over the mountain 
 counties. If he should record all his experiences in 
 these pages they would be called in question. 
 
 At last we have reached the end. For two years 
 this author has lived among the dead. He has held 
 constant communion with those gone before. Often 
 in his dreams he has been permitted to assemble with 
 the fathers in their simple and soul-stirring service. 
 He feels that the study of these Baptist heroes has 
 made him both a stronger Baptist and a better man, 
 and he looks forward with a buoyant hope when he 
 shall meet them in the sweet bv and by. 
 
 And now to my brethren and sisters in the Lord : 
 I can but pray that the same God which upheld our 
 fathers may support you along your pilgrim way, till 
 we, too, shall be gathered with the fathers. So I 
 bid you an affectionate farewell. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Associations. 
 
 Page 
 
 Canej' Fork 537 
 
 Charleston 2 
 
 Concord 6 
 
 Concord No. 2 10 
 
 Cumberland 6 
 
 Duck River 540, 542 
 
 Elk River 539, 540 
 
 Enon 297 
 
 Freedom 538 
 
 Green River 537 
 
 Johnson 20, 183 
 
 Page 
 
 Kehukee 3 
 
 Mero District 6 
 
 Nevr Salem 31 
 
 Philadelphia ■ ■ ■ ■ 3 
 
 Round Lick 18 
 
 Salem 13 
 
 Stockton's Valley 537 
 
 Stone's River 11 
 
 Union 93, 94 
 
 Wiseman 303 
 
 Biographies of Deceasbd Ministers and Deacons. 
 
 Ashlock, J. M 411 
 
 Alvis, J. B 425 
 
 Bond, John 158 
 
 Bond, James 160 
 
 Borum, John 161 
 
 Borum, William 163 
 
 Brien, J. C 164 
 
 Bethel, Cantrel 166 
 
 Bransford, W. C 169 
 
 Bass, Archamac 176 
 
 Barrett, James 197 
 
 Bethel, L. H 214 
 
 Bowen, J. W 222 
 
 Bass, Henry 234 
 
 Bennett, Lou 269 
 
 Brown, Leaden 272 
 
 Burford, Daniel 409 
 
 Cates, J. M. D 217 
 
 Cathcart, M. A 260 
 
 Cooper, T. R 278 
 
 Casey, Hiram .388 
 
 Cartwright, E. G 426 
 
 Durham, Thomas 184 
 
 Durham, Levi A 185 
 
 Dale, William 186 
 
 Dies, Louis 238 
 
 Drury, W. S 420 
 
 19 561 
 
 Evans, James 265 
 
 Eastes. J. J 295 
 
 Fite, John 177 
 
 Flowers, William 209 
 
 Fite, Henry 264 
 
 Fo.x, J. B 285 
 
 Graves, W. H 535 
 
 Glover, Washington .... 536 
 
 Grimmet, W. H 253 
 
 Green, N. M 273 
 
 Grime, John 282 
 
 Haynie, E. B 195 
 
 High, J. H 210 
 
 Haile, E. W 212 
 
 Henderson, P. T 255 
 
 Hunt, J. W 257 
 
 Hearn, J. R 259 
 
 Hays, N 262 
 
 Hancock, J. T 266 
 
 Hickey, Elijah 267 
 
 Harper, John 269 
 
 Hooker, Thomas 290 
 
 Haile, W. H 390 
 
 Harris, G. C 417 
 
 Johnson, Jesse 181 
 
 Jones, John 228 
 
 January, R. W 229 
 
562 
 
 Index 
 
 Biographies of Deceased Ministers and 
 Deacons — Continued. 
 
 Page 
 
 Jarrard, D.N 279 
 
 James, Susan 293 
 
 Jackson, Andrew 414 
 
 Johnson, Thomas D. . . . 427 
 
 Lester, Joshua 173 
 
 Lyon, Richard 189 
 
 Luck, W. F 200 
 
 Lester, Presley 204 
 
 Lyon, Z. A 2S1 
 
 Maddox, Elijah 227 
 
 Martin, J. J 231 
 
 McNabb, A. J 245 
 
 Meacham, A. W 271 
 
 Martin, William 396 
 
 Moony, Patrick 408 
 
 Minick, L. A 413 
 
 Morris, James 415 
 
 Owen, Growner 412 
 
 Odum, S. C 267 
 
 Pickett, H. W 206 
 
 Phillips, John 249 
 
 Parker, Daniel 400 
 
 Phipps, William 407 
 
 Rucks, Josiah 179 
 
 Robinson, William 288 
 
 Page 
 
 Stevenson, Moore 170 
 
 Suite, W. N 241 
 
 Stewart, Jesse 275 
 
 Smith, Nicholas 291 
 
 Smith, Daniel 382 
 
 Smithwick, L. A 385 
 
 Smith, Malcom 387 
 
 Summar, S. L 403 
 
 Simmons, William 410 
 
 Smith, D. W 420 
 
 Tomlynson, H. Y 190 
 
 Talley, S. C 405 
 
 Wiseman, John 191 
 
 Whitlock, John 208 
 
 Whitlock, J. H 242 
 
 Williams, Williamson.. 250 
 
 Whitlock, S. B 252 
 
 Webb, A. C 277 
 
 Wiseman, Jonathan .... 392 
 
 Wiseman, J. J 394 
 
 White, Joshua 408 
 
 Weathered, John 429 
 
 Wilks, John 430 
 
 Young, Thomas 286 
 
 Church Sketches. 
 
 Athens 47 
 
 Alexandria 83 
 
 Auburn 114 
 
 Antioch 368 
 
 Boston 1 
 
 Bradley's Creek 38 
 
 Brush Creek 51 
 
 Big Spring 95 
 
 Buena Vista 97 
 
 Barren Fork 121 
 
 Barton's Creek 129 
 
 Bethel 133 
 
 Boiling Spring 137 
 
 Beech Grove 142 
 
 Bledsoe Creek 350 
 
 Betheny 358 
 
 Bellwood 369 
 
 Cedar Creek 43 
 
 Cooper's Chapel 69 
 
 Commerce 81 
 
 Cedar Grove 127 
 
 Cookeville 135 
 
 Carthage 151 
 
 Caney Fork Seminary. . 154 
 
 Coruin Hill 335 
 
 Cedar Bluff 366 
 
 Corinth 377 
 
 Cornwell's Chapel 378 
 
 Dowelltown 89 
 
 Dry Creek 125 
 
 Defeated Creek 320 
 
 Day's X Roads 327 
 
 Dixon's Creek 354 
 
 Enon 365 
 
 Ebenezer 372 
 
 Falling Creek 148 
 
 Friendship 314 
 
 Green Vale 117 
 
Index 
 
 563 
 
 Church Sketches — Continued. 
 
 Good Will 317 
 
 Hogan's Creek 105 
 
 Hopewell, No. 2 153 
 
 Hopewell, No. 1 329 
 
 Hillsdale 374 
 
 Hartsville 380 
 
 Hickman's Creek 56 
 
 Indian Creek 145 
 
 Knob Spring- 45 
 
 Ivinwood 100 
 
 Lebanon 102 
 
 Lancaster 132 
 
 Liberty 338 
 
 Long Creek 343 
 
 Lafayette 362 
 
 Liberty Hill 378 
 
 Mt. Olivet, No, 1 35 
 
 Mt. Zion 112 
 
 Marion 118 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 146 
 
 Macedonia, No. 1 110 
 
 Macedonia, No. 2 316 
 
 Mt. Vernon 324 
 
 Mt. Tabor 336 
 
 Mt. Olivet, No. 2 346 
 
 Meadorville 379 
 
 Mt. Hope 381 
 
 New Hope 63 
 
 New Macedonia 93 
 
 New Union, No. 1 147 
 
 New Home 152 
 
 New Salem 155 
 
 New Union, No. 2 157 
 
 New Harmony 312 
 
 Oak Grove 319 
 
 Prosperity 66 
 
 Providence 85 
 
 Poplar Hill 101 
 
 Page 
 
 Plunkett's 108 
 
 Pistole's 137 
 
 Patmos 147 
 
 Philadelphia 153 
 
 Pleasant Valley 349 
 
 Peyton's Creek 360 
 
 Pleasant Grove 367 
 
 Round Lick 40 
 
 Rome 50 
 
 Ramah 78 
 
 Riddleton 131 
 
 Rock Bridge 340 
 
 Rocky Mound 352 
 
 Russell Hill 371 
 
 Salem 60 
 
 Smith's Fork 71 
 
 ShopSpring 80 
 
 Snow's Hill 88 
 
 Spring Creek, No. 1 100 
 
 Shiloh 116 
 
 Smithville 122 
 
 Siloam 309 
 
 Shady Grove 325 
 
 Second Creek 345 
 
 Spring Creek, No. 2.,.. 347 
 
 Sweet Home 353 
 
 Smith's Chapel 364 
 
 Sycamore Valley 373 
 
 Sycamore Fork 67 
 
 Union, No. 1 76 
 
 Union, No. 2 341 
 
 Wharton Spring 87 
 
 Woodbury 90 
 
 Wolf Creek 144 
 
 Welsh Tract 2 
 
 Welsh Neck 2 
 
 Zion 328 
 
 Directory of Living Ministers. 
 
 Allen, L. L 433 
 
 Alsup, S. T 434 
 
 Atnip, G. H 434 
 
 Agee, J. H 435 
 
 Anderson, J. H 436 
 
 Brien, A. J 438 
 
 Bailey, J. W 438 
 
 Buie, W. L 440 
 
 Bryan, E. S 441 
 
 Brett, Rutherford 442 
 
 Brandon, A. J 527 
 
 Bingham, S. F 446 
 
 Clark, W. P. D 443 
 
 Carney, P. W 444 
 
564 
 
 Index 
 
 Directory of Living Ministers— Continued. 
 
 Page 
 
 Phillips, J. M 485 
 
 Patton, J. W 486 
 
 Pardue, J. S 487 
 
 Patterson, John '. . 489 
 
 Porter, J. J 528 
 
 Russell, M. W 490 
 
 Robinson, S 492 
 
 Raikes, W. E 494 
 
 Rice, J. S 495 
 
 Ramsey, C. E 496 
 
 Ramsey, M. B 496 
 
 Ramsey, G. W 498 
 
 Rushing, R. A 532 
 
 Simmons, C. N 499 
 
 Smith, L. D 499 
 
 Sanders, V. A 502 
 
 Smith, W. H 503 
 
 Smith, Don Q 505 
 
 Smith, E. L 506 
 
 Stinson, J. R 507 
 
 Stone, J. A , 508 
 
 Sherman, G. W 508 
 
 Swann, J. H 509 
 
 Stewart, J. M 510 
 
 Smith, Forrest 533 
 
 Taylor, D. C 511 
 
 Tedder, J. B 512 
 
 Thompson, T. T 512 
 
 Vantrease, T. H 513 
 
 Vance, D. B 514 
 
 Wauford, W. E 515 
 
 Waller, A. J 516 
 
 Wooten, M. B 516 
 
 Watson, W. J 517 
 
 Waters, James 518 
 
 Wilks, W. M. S 519 
 
 Williams, J. M 525 
 
 Washburn, John 530 
 
 Christian Baptists. . . , 550 
 
 Feet Washing 552 
 
 General Observations 555 
 Primitive Baptists . . . 547 
 
 Separate Baptists 539 
 
 Jerks 557 
 
 Two-Seedism 401 
 
 Carr, J. J ^ 445 
 
 Cunningham, J. W 520 
 
 Davis, R. B 446 
 
 Davenport, Jas 448 
 
 Dyer, J. J 448 
 
 Davis, J. H 449 
 
 Eastes, T. J 449 
 
 Eastes, H. M 451 
 
 Fuqua, Gus 526 
 
 Freeman, J. Y 452 
 
 Fitzpatrick, S. N 453 
 
 Fletcher, J. B 455 
 
 Gilliam, J. P 456 
 
 Grime, J. H 457 
 
 Grimmet, M. H 534 
 
 Howell, J. D 459 
 
 Howell, Samuel 460 
 
 Hallum, S. F 461 
 
 Hudson, T. A 461 
 
 Hale, S.S 462 
 
 Hawkins, J. L 463 
 
 Ham, T. J 523 
 
 Haioer, Jr., John 522 
 
 Hawkins, S. R. G... 522 
 
 Johnson, A. E 524 
 
 Keaton, R. K 464 
 
 Knight, J. M 465 
 
 Kelley, Edwin 465 
 
 Kuykendall, W. M 466 
 
 Knight, J. A 467 
 
 Lambert, J. F 468 
 
 Lannom, B. T 469 
 
 Massey, C. B 469 
 
 McNabb, J. F 470 
 
 Martin, M. P 471 
 
 McPherson, W. C 472 
 
 Moody, J. B 473 
 
 Matthews, T. W 474 
 
 McQueen, J. W 475 
 
 Morris, D. E 476 
 
 Malone, A 477 
 
 Neville, Frank 478 
 
 Osborn, M. J 478 
 
 Ogle, G. A 479 
 
 Ogle, Seigle B 481 
 
 Oakley, J. T 481 
 
 Oakley, J. H..., 483 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Agee.J. H 435 
 
 Alexandria Church 84 
 
 Anderson, J. H 437 
 
 Bailey, J. W 439 
 
 Baird, Jesse 57 
 
 Baptismal Scene 124 
 
 Barrett, James 198 
 
 Bass, Henry 235 
 
 Bethel, L. H 215 
 
 Bowen, J. W 223 
 
 Brien, J. C 165 
 
 Buie, W. L 441 
 
 Carney, P. W 445 
 
 Cates, J. M. D 218 
 
 Cathcart, M. A 261 
 
 Cunningham, J. W . . . . 521 
 
 Davis, R. B 447 
 
 Dies, Louis 239 
 
 Eastes, J. J 295 
 
 Eastes, T. J 450 
 
 Fitzpatrick, S. N 454 
 
 Fletcher, J. B 455 
 
 Freeman, J. Y 452 
 
 Gilliam, J. P 457 
 
 Green, N. M 274 
 
 Grime, John 282 
 
 Grime, J. H. . (Frontispiece) 
 
 Grimuiet, M. H 535 
 
 Grimmet, W. H 253 
 
 Haile, E. W 213 
 
 Hale, S. S 462 
 
 Harris, Giles C 418 
 
 Haynie, E. B 196 
 
 Hearn, J. R 259 
 
 Henderson, P. T 256 
 
 Hunt, J. W 257 
 
 James, Mary Susan .... 294 
 
 Jarrard, D. N 279 
 
 Page 
 
 Lyon, Richard 189 
 
 McNabb, A. J 246 
 
 Martin, J. J 231 
 
 Martin, William 397 
 
 Moody, J. B 473 
 
 Oakley, J. H 484 
 
 Oakley, J. T 482, 483 
 
 Ogle, G. A 480 
 
 Pardue, J. S 488 
 
 Patterson, John 490 
 
 Phillips, John 249 
 
 Phillips, J. M 485 
 
 Pickett, H. W 206 
 
 Raikes, W. E 494 
 
 Robinson, Stephen 492 
 
 Robinson, William . ... 289 
 
 Russell, M. W 491 
 
 Simmons, C. JSl 498 
 
 Smith, Daniel 383 
 
 Smith, David B 72 
 
 Smith, D. W 421 
 
 Smith, Don Q SOS 
 
 Smith, E. L 507 
 
 Smith, L. D 500 
 
 Smith, Nicholas 291 
 
 Smith, W. H 504 
 
 Suite, W. N 241 
 
 Summar, S. L 403 
 
 Washburn, John 530 
 
 Wauford, W. E 515 
 
 Weathered, John 429 
 
 Whitlock, J. H 243 
 
 Wilks, John 431 
 
 Wilks, W. M. S 520 
 
 Wiseman, J. J 395 
 
 Wiseman, Jonathan . . 393 
 Young, Thomas 287 
 
 565 
 
11