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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02408 0480
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MERCER UNIVERSITY, MACON, GEORGIA.
GEORGIA BAPTISTS:
HISTORICAL
AND
BIOGRAPHICAL.
2
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1
BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.
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MACON, GA. : J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
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PREFACE.
A LARGE EDITION of this work was published in 1847, which was soon disposed of. Various causes have delayed another edition until now. The object of the work, however, has been kept steadily in view, and the intervening years have been improved in accu- mulating materials for the present volume, much of which would have been otherwise lost. Though the author's success has been by no means commensurate with his wishes and efforts, yet he rejoices that his labor has not been entirely in vain. If the christians now on the stage will emulate the examples presented for their imitation in the following pages, it is confidently believed they and the world will be the better for it. His object from the first has been to rescue from oblivion the names and deeds of some, at least, who have glorified God by their works of faith and labors of love, and to stimulate the zeal of the living by the recital of their trials and sufferings. It is matter of profound regret, that the deeds of many others, equally worthy, will never be re- corded in human annals, their very names having perished from among men, though they are written in the Book of Life. The present and future generations of our denomination should never forget that it is, under God, to the wisdom and zeal of the fathers of our Israel in Georgia we owe our strength and prosperity, being stronger in numbers in this State than in any other State in the Union, and, perhaps, in proportion to population, more numerous than in any other country on earth. It is the memory of such men these pages are designed to pre- serve and perpetuate. It is their holy lives the author desires to hold up for the veneration and imitation of posterity.
In preparing this work, the author has found it necessary to make free use of the labors of others, for which, in some cases, he has not given : the usual credit. He hopes it will suffice for him to say in advance, and in general terms, that but for the writings of Mercer, Brantly,
MAX
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Preface.
Mallary, Sherwood, Kilpatrick, Crawford, McIntosh and others, this volume, in its present dimensions, would never have seen the light. The interest of its pages has been greatly enhanced by their productions. It is not pretended that it is either complete or entirely free from error. But it is as complete as patience and perseverance on his part has ena- bled him to make it, with the materials he has been able to command ; and, if there are errors, they are believed to be immaterial. Such as it is, he commends it to the favorable consideration of an indulgent reli- gious public, especially to those for whose entertainment and profit it has been compiled, with the fervent prayer that the Head of the Church will condescend to sanctify it to the accomplishment of some good, and that it may serve as a foundation upon which some future historian may erect a far nobler monument to our worthy dead.
Perry, Georgia, January 2, 1874.
THE AUTHOR.
HISTORICAL.
HISTORICAL.
INTRODUCTION OF BAPTIST SENTIMENTS INTO THE STATE.
T THE first account we have of any Baptists in the province of Georgia was in the year 1757. Mr. Nicholas Bedgewood, who was employed in the capacity of agent to Mr. Whitfield's Or- phan House, near Savannah, had several years previously been convinced of the truth of Baptist sentiments. In that year he went over to Charleston, and was baptized by Rev. Mr. Hart, the pastor of the Baptist church in that city. He was soon licensed to preach, and his ordination to the ministry took place in 1759. In 1763, he baptized several persons in and about the Orphan House, among whom was Mr. Benjamin Stirk, who afterwards became a minister of the gospel. To these persons, who were probably a branch of the Charleston church, Mr. Bedgewood administered the Lord's Supper, the first Bap- tist communion ever held in the province.
Mr. Stirk, having lost his wife while at the Orphan House, married the mother of the late Rev. Thomas Polhill, of New- ington, in the vicinity of Goshen, eighteen miles above Savan- nah, to which place he removed in 1767.
He appears to have been a man of good learning, fine natural parts, and eminent for piety and zeal. As there was no Baptist church in Georgia, he united with the church at Euhaw, S. C. He soon began to preach, and set up places of meeting, at his own house, and at Tuckaseeking, twenty miles higher up the country, where there were a few Baptists, and who constituted a branch of the Euhaw church. But of the useful labors of this faithful servant of Christ, they were soon deprived, as he was called to his reward in the year 1770. This was the second bud of a Baptist church in the State; indeed, it is not certainly known that they ever became a regular church.
In the meantime, Mr. Botsford, a young licentiate of the
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
Charleston church, while on a visit to the Euhaw church, re- ceived an invitation to come over and help this feeble and des- titute branch. Encouraged by the mother church, and accom- panied by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Pelot, he came and preached to them his first sermon, on the 27th of June, 1771. His labors being highly acceptable, he yielded to their solicitations, and remained with them for more than a year. But his anxious spirit would not permit him to remain in one place. He trav- eled extensively, preaching in all the surrounding country ; and towards the close of the next year, he went still higher up the river, and commenced an establishment at what was at first called New Savannah, but now Botsford's Old Meeting-house, about twenty-five or thirty miles below Augusta. Here he had the pleasure of seeing the work of the Lord prosper in his hands.
A little previous to Mr. Botsford's coming over to Tucka- seeking, Rev. Daniel Marshall, with other Baptist emigrants, arrived and settled on the Kiokee creeks, about twenty miles above Augusta. Mr. Marshall began forthwith to preach in the surrounding country. His principal establishment was on the Big Kiokee, and from this circumstance it received the style of the Kiokee Meeting-house. It was located on the site now oc- cupied by the public buildings of Columbia county, called Applington.
Although Mr. Marshall was neither profoundly learned nor very eloquent as a preacher, yet he was fervent in spirit and indefatigable in labors, and the Lord working with him, he soon had the happiness of receiving and baptizing many new converts ; these, together with the emigrant Baptists in that section, were constituted into a regular church in the year 1772. THIS WAS THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH EVER CONSTITUTED IN GEORGIA. At this time, Mr. Daniel Marshall was the only or- dained Baptist minister in the State; but, besides him, there were several zealous licentiates, i. e., Abraham Marshall, San- ders Walker, Solomon Thompson and Alexander Scott. By these the word of the Lord was proclaimed through all the up- country, and the scattered sheep of Christ were gathered into this fold from the remotest frontiers. Thus the word of the Lord ran and was glorified, believers abundantly multiplied, and the church greatly enlarged.
4005.20 400 0100
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Introduction of Baptist Sentiments into the State.
By this time, Mr. Botsford had received ordination by the church in Charleston, that he might be more fully qualified to enter the large and interesting field of usefulness that lay before him. He had already visited Augusta, Kiokee and other places, which at that time lay along the frontiers of Georgia and South Carolina. He became acquainted with Mr. Marshall, and though there were at their first acquaintance cer- tain slight differences between these ministers with respect to ex- ternals, Mr. Botsford being of what was then called the regular, and Mr. Marshall of the separate order, a more intimate ac- quaintance soon destroyed these distinctions, and these devoted servants of the Most High became perfectly united in their efforts to disseminate the truth and to build up the Redeemer's kingdom. Previously to the ordination of Mr. Botsford, Mr. Marshall baptized for him, but subsequently, he baptized him- self many of the happy converts who believed under his minis- trations at New Savannah and in the surrounding country ; and in the year 1773 he had the additional satisfaction to see a church regularly constituted in that place. THIS, BOTSFORD'S CHURCH, WAS THE SECOND CHURCH IN THE STATE. It is still a highly respectable body, and is a member of the Hephzibah Association.
These devoted heralds-missionaries of the cross-may well be considered the founders of the Baptist interest in Georgia. They continued, each in his sphere, aided by licentiates, to labor incessantly for the up-building of the churches, and to publish throughout the widely extended frontier settlements the gospel of the Son of God with a success that furnished un- equivocal evidence that the Lord was with them. Yet it does not certainly appear that any other churches were constituted by them, though materials for several others were prepared.
Mr. Botsford married and settled on Briar creek, in Burke county, in the year 1774. But although he purchased land, stuck down his staff and built for himself a house, and for a time thought that he would enjoy his peaceful home for life, his heart was so fully set upon his work that he could not rest. He suffered not the charms or cares of domestic life to abate his fervent desire for the salvation of his dying fellow-men, nor to diminish aught from his activity in the cause of his blessed
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
Master. For, as his biographer says, "From the tabernacle which he had pitched upon Briar creek, he darted out into many surrounding regions, both in South Carolina and Georgia, and preached the gospel of the kingdom with his accustomed fervor and success." During this time, the church on the Kiokee was multiplying. Mr. Samuel Cartledge, Loveless Savidge and Silas Mercer were added to the number of her li- censed ministers.
But about this period, the Creek and Cherokee Indians be- came very troublesome on the frontiers, and by their frequent incursions greatly harrassed the inhabitants, and at length quite broke them up. Soon after, the deeper horrors of the revolutionary war began to fill all with dismay-Savannah fell-Sunbury surrendered-General Ash was defeated, and at length the whole country was brought to submit to the British arms. Many sought safety in flight. Among these were Mr. Mercer and Mr. Botsford. These gentlemen were refugees in the interior States till the close of the war. But the intrepid Marshall stood his ground, and never deserted his post; like an apostle, having his dear people in his heart, to live and to die with them. Though the din of war was heard, rapine and vio- lence and bloodshed filled the land with consternation, the zeal and perseverance of this brave soldier of the cross were not in the slightest degree abated. Assisted by a few licentiates who remained on the field with him, the good work went on ; the spirit of pure religion was progressive, and even in those times which tried men's souls, very many were converted to God.
During the troubles above mentioned, it does not appear that many churches were constituted, yet the foundations for them were laid. Indeed, it is possible the Red's creek (now Aber- leen) church, was constituted within that period. The Rev. Loveless Savidge, who was pastor of this church, was one of the early licentiates of the Kiokec church, and it is natural to suppose, that he soon succeeded in raising the church ; but of this, we have no certain information. There was also constitu- ted a church on Little Briar creek, in 1777, which still exists, but under whose labors we cannot now ascertain ; probable by the zealous efforts of the Rev. William Franklin and Joseph Bus- son, who were resident in this section at the close of the war.
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Introduction of Baptist Sentiments into the State.
They were useful ministers in their day, abundant in labors and good fruits, and their praise was in all the churches.
Shortly after the termination of hostilities, when peace spread her balmy wings abroad, and prosperity began to bless the country with her genial smile, the refugees returned; and those who had remained, both ministers and common members, who had been very much scattered, depressed, and almost estranged from each other, now became animated, arose in various settle- ments simultaneously, flowed together as by one common im- pulse, and were soon constituted into many churches.
The Rev. Sanders Walker, who by way of distinction has been called the meek, residing at that time on Fishing creek, five miles north of Washington, in Wilkes county, having been ordained to the gospel ministry in the mother church, preached the gospel of the grace of God in the regions round about him. There were in his vicinity a number of Baptists, who either had emigrated thither, or were the fruits of the labors of Mr. Walker, himself and others. Among these brethren was Mr. John Milner, Sr., a most zealous and fervent exhorter, who afterwards became a preacher, and was very successful in his efforts to advance the cause of God and truth amongst his peo- ple. These were soon gathered together, and in 1783, were formed into a regularly constituted church, under the style of the Fishing creek church. .
The following year, 1784, Upton's creek church was consti- tuted. This was situated in the lower part of Wilkes, and went by the name of Upton's creek for some time, but upon building a new and convenient meeting-house some miles below, in a pine wood, surrounded by evergreens, it received the style of Greenwood, by which it is still known. By whom this church was founded we know not, but doubtless it was constituted of members from the Kiokee church, and formed under her aus- pices. Here the Rev. Peter Smith was settled soon after the war closed, and it is altogether probable that he was instru- mental in the formation of the church. He was the first pas- tor. In a short time, however, Mr. Smith removed to the State of Ohio, where he ended his earthly career.
These were the churches in the State when the Georgia
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
Baptist 'Association was organized, and it would seem, were the constituent members of the body.
INCREASE OF THE DENOMINATION.
Soon after the close of the revolutionary war, the Baptist ministers began to extend their labors into the regions around them, which were rapidly settling up. The Lord gave them great success, so that the increase of the denomination has been almost unparalleled. In general, this increase has been gradual. Yet, as in other countries, the people of God in Georgia have experienced seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The first great and general revival of which we have any account remaining, was as early as 1802, during which about seven hun- dred were baptized in the Georgia Association. The heralds of the cross who reaped this harvest were doubtless extraordinary men. They preached because a stern necessity was upon them. . They could not live contentedly without warning sinners to flee from the wrath to come. The idea of gain did not seem to enter their minds-the good of souls impelled them to labor. In most cases, the infant churches (recently sprung up in what was then a wilderness) were unable to do anything to- wards the support of the ministry. These zealous servants of the Lord supported themselves by their own labor-and yet went everywhere preaching the word. They delivered their message in private dwellings, in log meeting-houses, or under the forest trees, as God gave them opportunity. But wherever they went, the Lord went with them, and multitudes were born into Zion.
In 1812-'13, a great work was carried on by the Holy Spirit. Over twelve hundred were baptized in the Sarepta Association. Many dated their awakenings from the shocks of earthquakes felt in 1812. The Lord's ways are not as our ways.
The late war with Great Britain had an unhappy influence on the prosperity of our churches. With this painful subject the public mind was engrossed; and though a blessed work of grace was experienced along the seaboard in 1822-'23, yet no general refreshing was experienced until 1827, when the most remarkable and memorable revival broke out in Eatonton, that has
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Introduction of Baptist Sentiments into the State.
ever blessed the churches in this State. Upwards of fourteen thousand were brought in during its progress. In only three associations, (the Georgia, Ocmulgee and Flint river,) over five thousand were reported in 1828 as having been baptized during the associational year. An impulse was then received by the denomination which has not been, and perhaps will never be, lost. The cause has been onward and upward-not only onward in the increase of its members, but upward in their improve- ment in every good work, in education, missions, etc.
The following estimates, taken from authentic sources, will give some idea of the rapid increase of the denomination. In 1825 there were ten associations, two hundred and sixty churches, one hundred and thirty-three ordained and licensed preachers, and eighteen thousand four hundred and eighty-four members. In 1829, there were three hundred and fifty-six churches, sixty-six of which were constituted in the two latter years, about two hundred ministers, and twenty-eight thou- sand two hundred and sixty-eight communicants. In 1835, there were twenty-one associations, five hundred and eighty- three churches, two hundred and ninety-eight ministers, and forty-one thousand eight hundred and ten members. And now in 1845, there are forty-six associations, four hundred and sixty- four ministers, nine hundred and seventy-one churches, and fifty- eight thousand three hundred and eighty-eight communicants. As will be seen, when we come to notice the associations sepa- rately, there are some churches belonging to several of these bodies in the adjoining States. But it is believed the above estimates give as correct an idea of the real strength of the Baptists in Georgia as could be expected on such a subject. In 1860 there were eighty-six thousand nine hundred and sev- enty-eight members, and in 1873 about one hundred and sixty thousand members .* The denomination is stronger in Georgia by twenty thousand, than in any other State in the Union, and stronger by twenty-five thousand than all other denominations in this State combined.
*In thirty years the denomination has nearly trebled in numbers.
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Georgia Baptists-Historical.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
MISSIONS, EDUCATION, TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES, SUNDAY-SCHOOLS, ETC.
As all these objects are nearly akin, it is thought proper to connect them together in this sketch of the Baptists in Georgia. The first two ministers that ever constituted churches in this State were friends of missions and education, to wit., Daniel Marshall and Edmund Botsford. Both acted as missionaries- one as a foreign, the other as a domestic missionary. Marshall's flaming zeal carried him to the Mohawk Indians-Botsford traversed the wilderness from Ebenezer, near Savannah, to Kiokee, above Augusta, to bear the glad tidings to his neigh- bors, who were "perishing for lack of knowledge." (See their biographies.) Abraham Marshall spent a great portion of his life as a traveling preacher, (a domestic missionary,) and was untiring in his efforts, with his brethren of the General Com- mittee, in favor of missions and education. He educated both his sons at Franklin College, Athens, and in 1815 preached a sermon before the trustees of that institution, in which he dis- tinctly urges the importance of ministerial education. (See his biography.) In 1793, Silas Mercer established a classical school on his own premises, and continued it until his death in 1796. Here his own son, Jesse Mercer, then a married man and an ordained minister, pursued a course of study in the languages, which he had commenced with Rev. Mr. Springer two years before. In 1805, at Bark Camp, A. Marshall reports that they had petitioned the Legislature for a charter of a college, but without success. In 1805 the circular of the Georgia Associa- tion, by Jesse Mercer, notices some of the objections and fears entertained by some in regard to the General Committee. Some feared that one object of the body was to commune with pædo-Baptists-others, that they aimed to establish religion by law-and others, that they intended to have a learned ministry only. These are most triumphantly refuted.
In about 1806 the "Mount Enon Academy" (a literary and theological school,) was opened, and was continued some five or six years. It had funds, supposed to be worth some three or four thousand dollars, and for a short time enjoyed some
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prosperity under Mr. Thomas H. Dixon, and subsequently under Rev. C. O. Screven. But from causes unknown to the writer, it was finally abandoned. No systematic plan for educational purposes was attempted for several years. But even during this period, the cause of education found many warm friends among our people in this State. In proof of this, it need only be mentioned that some $20,000 were drawn hence for the Co- lumbian College, District of Columbia.
In 1813 the Savannah River Association formed a standing committee for domestic missions. In 1814 the Georgia Asso- ciation, after having read the minutes of a mission society in Savannah, recommended those friendly to unite in forming a similar body at Powelton. Accordingly, in May, 1815, a large society was formed, and had the next year in its treasury $483 434. In 1816, the committee raised for the purpose the preceding year, reported rules touching the grand missionary design-twelve trustees were chosen, called "The Mission Board of the Georgia Association." This board had existence till 1825, when the business was turned over to the State Con- vention. In 1816-'17 the Ocmulgee Mission Society was or- ganized, and one in the Sarepta, perhaps a year earlier. Similar movements in favor of this object were made in the Sarepta and Ebenezer Associations about this time.
In 1819, Rev. F. Flournoy was appointed agent to the Creek Nation of Indians to consult in regard to a school, and in 1820 the plan for Indian reform was formed, and was to be under the direction of the Ocmulgee, Georgia and Ebenezer Associations. In 1821, the Ocmulgee appointed delegates to aid in forming the General Association, which was done at Powelton, Hancock county, in June, 1822. In the same year the mission society of said Ocmulgee Association was voted to be incorporated by a unanimous vote. Strange, that now, in 1874, that association is anti-missionary ! But so it is.
The above, though nothing but a brief sketch, would seem to be sufficient to prove as clearly as that the sun produces light, that the Baptists in this State, as a people, have always been friendly to ministerial education, missions, etc. And yet it is doubted by many at home and abroad.
The Temperance Cause is believed to have found its first
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friends and advocates among the Baptists. The first society formed in the State was at Eatonton, and was suggested by Deacon Thomas Cooper and Rev. A. Sherwood, D. D., now. of St. Louis. A State Temperance Society held its anniversary for several years in connection with the sessions of the Georgia Baptist Convention. Afterwards it was located in Milledge- ville, and was held during the sittings of the Legislature.
On the subject of Sabbath-schools, we will treat at large in our notices of the State Convention, Associations, etc.
BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA.
The suggestion for the formation of this body appeared in the minutes of the Sarepta Association, of October, 1820. The resolution was drawn by Rev. A. Sherwood, and presented by Charles J. Jenkins, father of ex-Governor Jenkins : " Resolved, that we suggest for our consideration, and respectfully that of sister associations in this State, the propriety of organizing a general meeting of correspondence." The original resolution was: " Resolved, that we suggest to sister associations in this State," etc. The Ocmulgee, being earliest in session the next year, approved the object of the suggestion, and appointed messengers to meet such as might be sent by other associations. The Georgia, which met in October, also appointed messengers, named Powelton as the place of the first meeting, and June succeeding, 1822, as the time. The Sarepta, however, at her very next session, resolved that she saw no need for any such meeting !
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