USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 15
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BIOGRAPHICAL
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
EDMUND BOTSFORD.
T HOUGH this State was not the principal theatre of his labors, yet as he was one of the first gospel ministers that sowed good seed within our borders, it is meet that his name should occupy a prominent position in these sketches. He was an Englishman-was born at Woburn, Bedfordshire, in 1745-was left an orphan at seven years of age, his father and mother having both died. God provided for him, in answer to his mother's prayers, by placing him under the care of a Mrs. Osborn, an aunt of his. By her he was sent to board with Mrs. Barnes, an intimate friend of his mother, with whom he at- tended meeting at a Baptist church. He was frequently the subject of strong religious impressions at this early age, and was fond of reading the Pilgrim's Progress, Holy War, Watts' Hymns for Children, etc. These impressions were deepened by an extraordinary dream which he had in his eighth or ninth year.
After this, however, his habits became irregular ; and he was almost dispaired of by his friends. Indeed, all seem to have forsaken him except "the good Mrs. Barnes." He had great desires for a seafaring life, and as he failed in that, his way- wardness led him to enlist in the army as a common soldier. Here he suffered many hardships, and in several instances narrowly escaped death. The army at length disbands, and he once more finds a home and a friend with the good Mrs. Barnes. At the age of twenty he sails for Charleston, South Carolina, where he arrived in January, 1766.
In the New World, among strangers, he encountered misfor- tunes which had the effect to deepen the religious impressions which he had occasionally experienced during his youth, even
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in the midst of his greatest follies and wickedness, and which were, doubtless, the effects of divine influence. His distress was so great as to attract the notice of the members of the family in which he lived, and also of the boarders. On a certain day one of them told him he was under conviction, and advised him to go and hear a Baptist minister in the place, assuring him he was the only preacher in the city who could be of any service to him. Accordingly, he went to hear Mr. Hart, (whose name is dear to South Carolina Baptists,) whose minis- try was sanctified to his conversion. On this subject he writes : " I do not remember that at that time I had any very distress- ing fears of hell; but it cut me to the heart that I had sinned against such a good God, and that I was such an unholy, de- ceitful creature. The first day of November, the day on which I was twenty-one years of age, was a day never to be forgotten. It was a day of light, a day of peace and joy. That day I had clearer views than formerly of sin, holiness, God and Christ, and different views from all I had ever before experienced. I think I was enabled to devote my whole self to God as a recon- ciled God. I think I then so believed in Christ as to trust in him, and commit my all into his hands. At that time, and from that time, I considered myself as not my own, but his ; his, and not the world's; his and no longer Satan's; his, for time, and his for eternity." His soul was greatly comforted by the following passages : "Call upon me in the day of trouble ; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. . My grace is sufficient for thee." He says : "My guilt was re- moved; my sorrow was turned into joy, and I had peace through believing in the fullness and freeness of this great sal- al It se loc tis in i tion vation. I was indeed like a new man; every thing in me, all around me, appeared new. A new song was put into my mouth, even praises to my God and Saviour. I could not but express my joy to the family where I lived, though they were stran- gers to every thing of the kind, and some of them really thought I was deranged. This unspeakable happiness continued with- out any intermission for two whole weeks ; and I then thought was it would continue forever. But, alas! I soon found I was mis- taken." The *Mr. C m P G
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On the 13th of March he was baptized-soon afterwards was licensed to preach, and entered upon a course of study, pre- paratory to the ministry, under his pastor, Rev. Mr. Hart. Having enumerated many of God's mercies and several inter- esting scenes through which he had passed, he adds: "So I have been groom, footman, painter, carpenter and soldier; and had now commenced preacher." He continued with Mr. Hart until the following June.
He finally concluded to leave Charleston. A gentleman made him a present of a horse, saddle and saddle-bags ; his friends furnished him with clothing. Leaving Charleston, he traveled on to Euhaw, where he remained with Rev. Mr. Pelot to the end of July. Near Tuckaseeking, a settlement about forty miles from Savannah, in Georgia, were a few Baptists, who constituted a branch of the Euhaw church. The death of Rev. Mr. Stirk, a zealous Baptist minister, had left this little band destitute of the gospel. Hearing of Mr. Botsford, they invited him to come over and help them. With Mr. Pelot he visited them and preached his first sermon to them on the 27th of June, 1771. At this time there was not a regularly constituted Baptist church and but one ordained minister* in the whole province of Georgia. His labors here were highly acceptable, and in compliance with their wishes he agreed to remain with them one year. He met with no opposition, was much followed and caressed, and some would travel twenty miles to attend his ministry. He did not confine himself to Tuckaseeking, but preached extensively in many contiguous regions, both in Georgia and South Carolina.
The manner in which he commenced his labors at Ebenezer, a large settlement of Dutch Lutherans, was sufficiently amusing. It is thus related by Mr. Botsford : "At the lower part of this settlement was a Dutch church, which was only occasionally occupied by the Lutherans, and was convenient to a few Bap- tists and others. I was asked if I had any objections to preach in it, if leave could be obtained ? " By no means." Applica- tion was made to the minister, a Mr. Robinhurst, (as the name was pronounced,) and he referred the applicant to the deacon. The deacon's reply was : ' No, no; tese Paptists are a very
*Mr. Daniel Marshall.
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pad people ; they begin shlow at forst-py and py all men fol- low dem. No, no, go the minister, Mr. Robinhurst ; if he says breach, den I kiff you de keys.' 'The minister says, I have no objection, and leaves it with you.' 'Den take de keys ; I will come and hear myself.' The house was opened, and I preached the first time on October 1, 1771, from Matt. ix. 13. When I had preached, the old deacon said : 'Dat peen pad poy, put he breach Jesus Christ ; he come again and welcome.' "
In 1772, he enlarged the sphere of his labors, and traveled and preached almost incessantly. He visited Augusta, Kiokee, and several other places, which at that time stretched along on the frontiers of Georgia and South Carolina. In one of these excursions he became acquainted with the famous Daniel Mar- shall, who a short time before had removed to Georgia and set- tled upon one of the Kiokee creeks. Mr. Botsford gives the following account of their first interview : " By him (a Colonel Barnard,*) I was introduced to Mr. Daniel Marshall, as a gen- tleman originally from Old England, but last from Charleston. ' Well, sir,' said Mr. Marshall, 'are you come to preach for us ?' · Yes, sir, by your leave, but I confess I am at a loss for a text.' ' Well, well, look to the Lord for one.' I trust I did so, and preached from Psalms lxvi. 16. When I had done, the good old gentleman took me by the hand and said, 'I can take thee by the hand and call thee brother, for somehow I never heard convarsion better explained in my life ; but I would not have thee think thou preachest as well as Joe Reese and Philip Mulkey ;; however, I hope you will go home with me.' I did so, and from that time a friendship commenced between the good old gentleman, his son, Abraham Marshall, and myself, which I trust will never be dissolved."
Mr. Marshall was of the Separate and Mr. Botsford of the Regular Order of Baptists. Their friendship no doubt con-
*This was the very individual before whom Daniel Marshall appeared for trial when arrested for preaching in the parish of St. Paul. Soon after this, Colonel Barnard. though he retained his connection with the Church of England, became a decided friend of Mr. Marshall and the Baptists. He spoke of them very favorably to Sil James Wright, the Governor. He invited Mr. Botsford to his house, and was the one who first requested him to preach at Kiokee. Though he was an eccentric character yet Mr. Botsford regarded him as a good man, and observes that he died in a most tri umphant manner.
+Distinguished Baptist preachers of the Separate Order.
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tributed to bring about that lasting and happy union of the Orders, (especially in the Southern States,) which was effected soon after. During the year 1772, Mr. Botsford's labors were blessed in several instances to the conversion of souls. Some of these individuals were baptized by Mr. Marshall, others by Mr. Pelot, of Euhaw. It was during this year that one or two occurrences took place which may be a little amusing to the reader. I give them in the language of Benedict, who probably derived his information from Mr. Botsford himself: " Once, on a journey up to the Kiokee, where Mr. Botsford had appointed to preach, he called on a Mr. Savidge to inquire the way. This Mr. Savidge was then a bigoted churchman, but was hopefully acquainted with the truth. After he had given the stranger proper directions, the following conversation ensued : ' I sup- pose you are the Baptist minister who is to preach to-day at the Kiokee.' 'Yes, sir ; will you go ?' 'No; I am not fond of the Baptists; they think nobody is baptized but themselves.' ' Have you been baptized ?' 'Yes, to be sure.' 'How do you know ?' 'How do I know ! why my parents have told me I was.' ' Then you do not know only by information.' On this Mr. Botsford left him ; but " how do you know ?' haunted him until he became convicted of his duty. He was baptized by Mr. Marshall, and began to preach the same day he was bap- tized, and was a useful minister among Georgia Baptists. ' Botsford's how do you know ?' says Mr. Savidge, 'first set me to thinking about baptism.' "
" In the same journey in which he fell in with Mr. Savidge, he preached at the court-house in Burke county. The assem- bly at first paid a decent attention, but towards the close of the service one of them bawled out with a great oath, 'The rum is come.' Out he rushed ; others followed ; the assembly was left small, and by the time Mr. Botsford got out to his horse, he had the unhappiness to find many of his hearers in- toxicated and fighting. An old gentleman came up to him, took his horse by the bridle, and in his profane dialect most highly extolled both him and his discourse, swore he must drink with him, and come and preach in his neighborhood. It was no time to reason or reprove ; and as preaching was Mr. Bots- ford's business, he accepted the old man's invitation and made
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an appointment. His first sermon was blessed to the awaken- ing of his wife ; one of his sons also became religious, and others in the settlement, to the number of fifteen, were in a short time hopefully brought to a knowledge of the truth; and the old man himself became sober and attentive to religion, although he never made a public profession of it."
At the close of the year 1772, Mr. Botsford concluded to leave Tuckaseeking ; he accordingly preached, as he says, a kind of farewell sermon. He speaks of this as an affecting time. He continued, however, to favor the neighborhood for some time with his occasional services.
The church in Charleston, hearing of the success of the min- istry of Mr. Botsford, concluded to call him to ordination. He was accordingly ordained on the 14th of March, 1773; Oliver Hart and Francis Pelot assisting on the occasion. During this year and the year following, his labors were abundant and his success considerable. Soon after his ordination, he commenced baptizing, and by the middle of the following November, he had baptized forty-five. "In the month of August, 1773," says Mr. Botsford, "I rode six hundred and fifty miles, preached forty-two sermons, baptized twenty-one persons, and adminis- tered the Lord's supper twice. Indeed, I traveled so much this year, that some used to call me the flying preacher."
This year he married his first wife in Augusta. Her maiden name was Susanna Nun. She was a native of Ireland, but had lived in America from her childhood. Previous to her marriage , she had been baptized by Mr. Marshall.
For some time after Mr. Botsford left Tuckaseeking, he does not appear to have had any particular place of residence ; but in May, 1774, the flying preacher perched upon Brier creek, in Burke county. Here he purchased some land, built him a house, and " was settled, as he thought, for life." He received he but little pecuniary aid from the people whom he served ; but frien having obtained, about this time, between three and four hun- dred pounds sterling from the estate of his brother in England, recently deceased, he was enabled, by a prudent disposition of the money, to live comfortably. From this tabernacle which he had pitched on Brier creek, he darted out into many sur
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rounding regions and preached the gospel with his accustomed fervor and success.
His time was thus occupied for several years, till in the spring of 1779, he was compelled to make a precipitate flight from his home and the State, on account of the horrors of the revolu- tionary war. He and his family departed in such haste that they had only time to take off with them two horses and a cart, containing a single bed, one blanket and a sheet. Thus, after having carried the gospel into many benighted neighborhoods, sown much precious seed, baptized one hundred and forty-eight persons, reared up a flourishing church, and prepared materials for future churches, so that he might be justly regarded (if we except the indefatigable Marshall) as the principal founder of the Baptist interest in Georgia, Mr. Botsford hurries from the province, an unprotected fugitive, no more to find a permanent abode in the region of his early labors.
During the remainder of the revolution, he had no very per- manent abode. Was, a part of the time, chaplain in the Amer- ican army-the balance of it, in South and North Carolina, and in Virginia. He finally settled in Georgetown, South Carolina, as pastor of the church.
In 1803, he was seized with that most distressing disease, the ticdouloureux, the painful stroke or twinge, which, with the ex- ception of a few short intervals of temporary relief, continued to rack his frame and prey upon his constitution until it termi- nated in death. This event, which happens alike to all, took place on the 25th December, 1819, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Dr. Furman says : "Rev. Mr. Botsford was of a good personal appearance, and of a vigorous constitution before it was broken by disease. With respect to his talents, if not of the most splendid kind, they were yet highly respectable; and he was a man of the most excellent spirit, candid, humble, friendly, affectionate and faithful."
DANIEL MARSHALL.
It is a matter of sincere and deep regret, that the accounts we have been able to collect of this pioneer of the Cross are so very meagre. We have learned only enough to make us earn-
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estly desire to know more. He was born in 1706, in Windsor, a town in Connecticut. He was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, by respectable and pious parents, and being hopefully converted at about twenty years of age, joined the then standing order of Presbyterians in his native place. The natural ardor of his mind soon kindled into the fire of a holy zeal, which raised him so high in the estimation of his brethren that they called him to the office of a deacon. In the exemplary discharge of his duty in this capacity, he continued near twenty years. He was in easy circumstances of life. During this period, he married his first wife, who soon died, leaving one son. At thirty-eight years of age, he heard that son of thunder, Rev. George Whitfield. With many other wor- thy people in New England, he became firmly fixed in the belief that the "latter-day glory " was just at hand, and that it was his duty to do all he could to hasten it on. Some sold, gave away, or left their possessions, as the powerful impulse of the moment determined, and, without scrip or purse, rushed up to the head of the Susquehanna to convert the heathen. Daniel Marshall was among those who became missionaries to the Mo- hawk Indians. Sustained by faith, and urged on by a burning zeal, without hope of reward on earth, he relinquished his com- fortable home in New England for a hut in the wilderness-the pleasures of refined society for the company of savages-plenty for want. These things he bore cheerfully, with a wife and three children, for eighteen months, during which period sev- eral of the Indians became obedient unto the faith, having been hopefully converted. War among the savage tribes occasioned his reluctant removal from among them. He pitched his tent a short time in Pennsylvania, and removed thence to Winches- ter, Virginia. Here he became acquainted with a Baptist church, adopted their sentiments, and in the forty-eighth year of his life, he and his wife were immersed. This was followed by a license from this church to preach the gospel, wherever, in the providence of God, his lot might be cast. God owned his labors. Many souls were soon awakened and converted.
Once more his zeal impels him to plunge still deeper into the moral wilderness before him. We next find him at Hughwarry, North Carolina, where numbers were converted under his min-
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istry. Thence, he proceeds to Abbott's creek, in the same State, where he was the instrument of planting a flourishing church, of which he was ordained pastor by his brothers-in-law, Rev. Henry Leadbetter and Rev. Shubael Stearns. In one of his excursions into Virginia about this time, he baptized that remarkable man, Colonel SAMUEL HARRIS, who, himself, immedi- ately became a flaming torch amidst the surrounding darkness. Marshall and Harris made several tours together, and planted the gospel as far as James river. Not many years elapsed be- fore he took an affectionate leave of his charge in North Caro- lina, and settled on Beaver creek, South Carolina. Here, also, a large church was soon raised up under his ministry, and which was, for a time, the object of his tender care and solicitude.
His next removal was to Horse creek, about fifteen miles north of Augusta. The fruits of his labors here also appeared in a respectable church, whose sons, raised up under his care, have diffused the light of divine truth through various benighted regions.
. From Horse creek he made his first visit to Georgia, and preached the gospel in St. Paul's parish. This parish extended from Bean's creek on the south to Broad river on the north, and to the Ogeechee on the west. During his first visits he preached in private houses ; but about his second or third visit, he had meeting in the woods, under a grove. While engaged in prayer, in the opening of the service, he was arrested by Con- stable Cartlidge, (afterwards a physician, and baptized by Mr. Marshall, and who continued steadfast in the faith until his death in about 1825,) and security for his appearance at Court was given by Hugh Middleton,* who resided just across the Savannah, on the South Carolina side. Mrs. Marshall, who was present, quoted several texts of Scripture with so much force as to confound the opposers and convict several persons. The services then went on, and after preaching two persons were baptized.
The Monday following, Mr. Marshall and his security went to Augusta and stood his trial before Colonel Barnard (or Bar-
*Mr. Middleton is honorably mentioned in "Mills' Statistics of South Carolina," as an officer of great energy, and whose services against the Indians will never be for- gotten." Those baptized were relatives of Mr. Middleton.
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net) and Parson Ellington, of the Church of England. The latter scemed rather to take the place of the magistrate, and began the trial by commanding the prisoner to read a chapter in the Bible. This done, he abused him considerably, and or- dered him to desist from preaching in the province. In the words of the apostle, when similarly circumstanced, he replied, " Whether it be right to obey God rather than man, judge ye."
Colonel Barnard, the magistrate, was afterwards hopefully converted, and though deterred by the opposition of his wife from being baptized, was a zealous christian, and used to ex- hort his neighbors to flee the wrath to come.
Thus it appears that it was not without stern opposition that Baptist sentiments were introduced into Georgia ; that it was at the cost of much toil, and sacrifice, and insult, that our fathers purchased for us the religious privileges which we now so richly enjoy.
On the first of January, 1771, Mr. Marshall came with his family and took up his final earthly residence at the Kiokee. The following spring the church was constituted, and is fa- mous for having furnished materials for several other churches, and for having produced several eminent ministers of the gos- pel. Among these were Sanders Walker, Samuel Newton, Love- less Savidge, Alexander Scott and Abraham Marshall. This church prospered greatly, until the country became involved in the horrors of the revolutionary war. Even those troubles were not sufficient to drive her faithful pastor from his post Like John, he stood by his master, while all men forsook the province and fled. As a friend to the American cause, he was once made a prisoner and put under a strong guard, but ob taining leave of the officers to have religious service with the guard, he spoke with such power and demonstration of the Spirit that officers and guard were amazed and confounded, and he was safely and honorably discharged. No fear of man coul make him forsake his duty; for such, in his view, was th providence of God, that every bullet had its commission, an every individual person could but accomplish his will. Hence on one occasion, when a party of tories demanded of him wher he had concealed his horses, he sullenly refused to utter a word although repeatedly threatened with death. This scene col
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tinued until his wife could bear the suspense no longer, and undertook herself to make the disclosure.
The testimony on all hands is, that he was not remarkable for native strength of mind, but that he had high moral cour- age, untiring perseverance, flaming zeal, and that he was strictly pure in his manner of life. These qualities were at that time (and indeed are at all times,) more commanding of the respect of the world than the most splendid talents and the richest stores of learning. Such a man was needed in those times to stand up for religious toleration, to introduce the light into vast regions of moral darkness, and through the agitating times of the revolution to be the embodiment, and, as it were, repository of the principles of the gospel. He accomplished the work for which God seems to have protracted his life, and at his departure, having reached a good old age, and seen one descended from his loins, taking up his work, it is no wonder he had a peaceful and happy death.
That event is thus described by his son, Rev. A. Marshall, "In his family he invariably performed his usual round of holy duties, till the morning immediately preceding his happy change. Fully apprised of this as at hand, and perfectly in his senses, he expressed distinctly and emphatically his steady and increasing confidence of future bliss. The following, taken by me, in the presence of a few deeply affected friends and re- lations, were his last words: 'Dear brethren and sisters, I am just gone. This night I shall probable expire ; but I have nothing to fear. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ; and henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. God has shown me that he is my God, that I am his son, and that an eternal weight of glory is mine.'
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