USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 16
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" The venerable partner of his cares, (and I may add, faith- ful assistant in all his labors) sitting bedewed with tears by his side, he proceeded, 'Go on, my dear wife, to serve the Lord. Hold out to the end. Eternal glory is before us !'
"After a silence of some minutes, he called me and said, 'My breath is almost gone. I have been praying that I may go home to-night. I had great happiness in our worship this morning, par- ticularly in singing, which will make a part of my exercise in a blessed eternity.' Now, gently closing his eyes, he cheerfully
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gave up his soul to God, with whom, I doubt not, he walks high in salvation and the climes of bliss. This solemn event took place at the dawn of the 2d day of November, 1784, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. . A suitable discourse to his memory was delivered by Rev. Charles Bussey."
Mr. Marshall, after all his sacrifices for the cause of Christ, was blessed by a bountiful Providence with a sufficiency of the meat that perisheth, and left behind him an estate of consid- erable value. This was not the result of any special efforts of his to acquire property, and still less the benefits of his arduous labors in the ministry. But it was owing chiefly to the advan- tageous settlement he made at a time when the price of land was low, and to the quantity of land he was induced to take up on account of his numerous sons.
WILLIAM DAVIS.
This excellent man and useful minister, was a native of Orange county, Virginia, where he was born January 7th, 1765. His parents were poor, but honest and respectable, and were members of the Episcopal church. He became concerned about his soul at the early age of nine years. Two sermons which he heard about this time, (one by an Episcopalian, the other by a Presbyterian,) made a deep impression upon his mind. The Baptists, then called "New-Lights," commenced preaching in his native county about the same time. Much was said against them, as those who were "turning the world upside down," which raised much anxiety in the mind of young Davis to hear them. The first opportunity of the kind he enjoyed was to hear an exhortation and prayer from one John Bledsoe. This served to deepen his religious impressions, and frequently at that tender age he was known to go forward voluntarily :and ask the ministers to pray for him. He continued serious, by turns, until in his fourteenth year, a conversation he had with a pious negro in his father's employment, (a Baptist,) fully awakened him to a sense of his lost condition as a sinner. For some six months, his mind was in great distress. During those days of darkness, he went far and near, by day and by night, as far as lay in his power, to hear the gospel from the
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Baptist preachers, who were itinerating through the country. One night he went some four miles from his father's residence to attend a meeting held by Elijah Craig. During the services, his feelings became such as to unnerve him; he swooned away, and remained in a helpless state for some time. In this condi- tion, the Lord brought deliverance to his soul. He rose rejoic- ing, and began at once to exhort his fellow-mortals to flee from the wrath to come. At this time his parents resided in Cul- peper county, and were opposers and persecutors of the Bap- tists. William left the parental roof, rather unceremoniously perhaps, walked some fourteen or fifteen miles to a Baptist church in Orange county, called Blue Run, where he was im- mersed in his fifteenth year.
As soon as he had discharged this solemn duty, he returned home and submitted himself to his parents. Soon thereafter, being encouraged by his brethren, he was in the habit of exer- cising publicly in exhortation and prayer. These exercises were sanctified to the conversion of his parents, his two older broth- ers, his youngest brother and several of his sisters. All these became Baptists, and continued in "the comfort of the Holy Ghost " until their death.
At sixteen years of age, though much against the will of his friends, Mr. Davis volunteered as a soldier of the revolution, and was some time under the command of General Lafayette. He was wounded in the head, and suffered greatly from fatigue and hunger. While the army of Lafayette was on a forced march to join Washington in the capture of Cornwallis, young Davis was without a morsel of food two whole days. This having come to the ears of the General, he was sent for to his tent, and with his own hands he furnished the youthful soldier with food. This kindness, on the part of Lafayette, was re- membered with gratitude all his life. He was heard to mention it during his last sickness. He was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, and after the war, returned to his family in Virginia, where he enjoyed the friendship and confidence of the Madisons and Barbours, and other distinguished men of that State.
In 1788, he was licensed to preach the gospel, while yet in his native State, and was ordained in Georgia by Dozier Thorn- ton and Thomas Maxwell in 1793. His education was quite
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limited, yet he was a man of strong mind, excellent memory, and fine imagination. His manner was easy, yet forcible. Ho was an original thinker, and his style of oratory was peculiar to himself-bold and energetic. His character was without spot or blemish, and his piety was of a high order. One fact proves that he lived the religion which he preached : Eleven out of the twelve children, which he had, became worthy members of the church during their father's lifetime; three of them are preachers, Jonathan, James and Jesse; and two others, Jeptha and William, deacons. As a pastor, he must have stood high with the churches which enjoyed his watchcare. The church in the fork of Broad river (Elbert county,) he served twenty- three years ; that at Beaver Dam twelve years; Clark's Station nineteen years, etc. He possessed the faculty of drawing out his brethren, who were called of God to the ministry ; among those who were raised up under him, are the following: E. Shackelford, Isaac Shuttle, Elijah Mosely, Isham Goss, James Hales and Sylvanus Gibson.
In the middle of life, Mr. Davis was a person of fine appear- ance, weighing upwards of two hundred pounds. He suffered much in after life from dropsy in the chest, and was so debili- tated as to make it necessary that he should resign all pastoral charges. Yet, he was in the habit of visiting the churches, whenever he was able to ride, and when unable to stand, he would preach in a sitting posture. While thus standing on the borders of the tomb, his ministry was greatly blessed. His farewell discourse to the people of Elbert county was delivered, while he sat on a table in the open air, and such was the pow- erful effect produced, that it was regarded as the commence- ment of one of the most glorious revivals ever experienced in that county. He was decidedly favorable to ministerial educa- tion, and was one of the Board of Mount Enon Academy. He was opposed to the location, however, and always believed that that was the main cause of its failure. The Temperance cause never had a warmer friend. On this subject, he addressed let- ters to the Sarepta and Georgia Associations, when too infirm to attend their sessions.
For several months previous to his death, he had a presenti- ment that his end was near-often spake of it, and arranged all
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his worldly business with reference to it. All his children were invited to make him a last visit, and on their doing so, he required each of his sons to lay their hand on the scar on his head, (the result of a wound he received in his youth, while a soldier of the revolution,) and solemnly charged them sever- ally to be faithful to their country's interest and glory. He was in attendance on a Methodist camp-meeting some ten days before his death, when he was taken suddenly ill. His wife , (who was absent on a visit,) was sent for, as also his children. When they arrived, he told the day and the hour he expected to depart hence and be with Christ. When that day arrived, he spent a part of it in writing, and to his friends present gave a circumstantial account of his early life. Some two or three hours previous to his exit he was in great pain and frequently called upon God for help. Of his sons, Jonathan and James, who had not yet arrived, he spoke in a most affectionate manner. To his son Isaac (the only one of his children not in the church,) he made a most touching appeal to meet his aged father in heaven. After bidding his wife and children a last farewell, he desired to be raised up in the bed-then, raising his hands to- wards heaven, he shouted aloud, "Victory! victory! victory !" laid down calmly, and instantly expired. This glorious triumph of faith took place on the 31st of October, 1831, in his sixty- seventh year.
His widow survived him eleven years. It is rather remark- able that she did not become a professor of religion until after her husband's death. She was finally baptized by her son, Jonathan, and died full of years and in strong hope of eternal happiness.
ADAM JONES.
Mr. Jones was born in Virginia, in the year 1755, where he continued to reside until after the revolutionary war, during which he served five years as a soldier in defense of his country. It was at this time, whilst in the army, that he became seri- ously concerned about his situation as a poor, undone sinner, and never did he rest until he found peace in believing in the merits of Jesus Christ.
Mr. Jones was of poor parentage, and, as the times were un-
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favorable, he received but an imperfect education, in fact but little except what he acquired by his own exertions. He, like some of his brethren, belonged to the High Church order, as they were then the prevailing order in Virginia, and had their religion, as usual, established by law! But the Methodist peo- ple having spread themselves through the country, and being more spiritual in their exercises, Mr. Jones joined them. Shortly after the war, however, he removed with his family to Georgia, and settled near Long Creek meeting-house, on the Ogeechee river. This was in the year 1785.
At the time of Mr. Jones' settlement on Ogeechee, he was a class-leader in the Methodist connection ; but Providence seems to have cast his lot where he was unable to unite with his Meth- odist brethren, and as the Baptists were numerous in his neigh- borhood, he united with them. It was some time, however, before he could overcome his scruples of conscience so far as to give up the peculiar doctrines of the Methodists and unite with the Baptists. At this time there was a considerable stir amongst the people, and many joined. At length Mr. Jones related his christian experience, and was received into the fellowship of the church, but his prejudices were not yet entirely subdued ; especially he did not like the idea of "going down into the water." Like many others, he appears to have been afflicted with a singular kind of hydrophobia upon this subject. A cold shuddering took hold of the good man's feelings when the thought of being " buried with the Lord," according to Baptist usage, came across his mind. These difficulties he at last over- came, and was regularly baptized.
Shortly after his baptism, Mr. Jones began to exercise in pub- lic ; for we find, under date of October 25th, 1788, the following entry on the minutes of the church at Long creek : "After hear- ing the teachings of brother Adam Jones, and having before had fellowship with the exercise of his gifts, the church unani- mously agree to call him to the ministry." This may be con- sidered his licensure, but he was not ordained till 1792. He took the pastoral oversight of the church of which he was a member in 1807. In this office he continued till the 24th of December, 1825, when, by age and affliction, he became very
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infirm and resigned his charge. He died the 1st October, 1830, being about seventy-five years old.
As a preacher, he was thought sound and orthodox ; was very useful in rearing up churches and ordaining preachers and dea- cons. He labored as a pastoral supply with the church at Horeb during many years, which, with the Long creek church, enjoyed some refreshing seasons under his ministry. He had the care of some other churches for a short time. Having a large fam- ily to support, he did not travel as extensively as some of his brethren, but did what he could.
Mr. Jones, as all others, had his failings. He had prejudices against the benevolent operations of the day in which he lived, but he never went so far as to oppose any that thought it a duty to engage in these things. This he did, in all probability, be- cause he was uninformed as to the nature of the things them- selves, and as to the success which followed the efforts made. Had he possessed this information, no doubt his opposition would have ceased. In short, he lived and died in the affections of the church at Long creek, where he first united with the Baptist denomination.
NICHOLAS BEDGEWOOD
Was probably the first Baptist minister who proclaimed the gospel in Georgia. He was born in England, in 1730, and came to America in 1751, and was employed in the Orphan House below Savannah. He embraced the sentiments of the Baptists, and was baptized in Charleston by Mr. Hart, in 1757. He was a classical scholar and an accomplished speaker, and was instru- mental in the conversion of several persons in and about the Orphan House, whom he baptized, and to whom he adminis- tered the Lord's Supper, probably as an arm of the Charleston church. This was the first Baptist communion ever held in the State. He assisted Mr. Hart for some time, and then removed to Pedee, and was pastor of the Welch Neck church. He was disowned by the Charleston Association for marrying in this country, while, as they alleged, his first wife was living in Eng- land. He justified himself in maintaining that his first wife was dead. It is to be regretted that this meagre account con-
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tains all we have been able to collect of this useful minister of the New Testament.
THOMAS POLHILL.
The preaching of a black man, in 1789, was the means of his awakening, and he was baptized at Black Swamp by Alexander Scott, his step-father. His ordination took place on his own plantation, December 9th, 1805, by John Goldwire and Henry Holcombe. He was born in Chatham county, January 12th, 1760, and died in Burke county, November 24th, 1814. He was the author of a book on baptism, in a controversy with Mr. Russell, a Methodist, in which he displays a sound mind and respectable talents.
His father was a preacher in Mr. Whitfield's connexion, prob- ably at the Orphan House; but having embarked for England for Episcopal ordination, the ship was swallowed up in Charles- ton harbor by a violent whirlwind.
Mr. Polhill married two wives, and by the first had several children; two sons were bred to the law, and both have sus- . tained the office of Judge of our Superior Courts. Judge James Polhill presided over the Southern Circuit, but was suddenly cut off by death. Judge John G. Polhill was for several years at the head of the Ocmulgee Circuit, and died in the Cherokee country, whither he had gone on account of bad health. He was a graduate of R. I. College-studied law in Augusta, but had resided a dozen years or more in the neighborhood of Macon and Milledgeville. For a time he was connected with the "Federal Union " as editor. He was acting deacon of the Baptist church in Milledgeville at the time of his death.
Joseph Polhill, another son of the subject of this notice, was a Baptist minister of high standing and great usefulness. Richmond, Burke and the adjacent counties enjoyed the benefit of his labors.
HENRY HOLCOMBE, D. D.
In sketching the character of the subject of the following memoir, it is not our intention to bestow on him unmerited praise, but simply to bring to view those peculiar traits of char-
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acter which rendered him dear to his friends, terrible to the enemies of truth, and eminently useful to the world at large. Whatever is said, then, is not in the spirit of eulogy, but simply that his principles and practice may be duly made known and appreciated, and that he may yet speak, by these records, though his voice is hushed in the stillness of the tomb. We will give, therefore, partly in our own language, but mostly in the lan- guage of others, a few outlines of his history.
Henry Holcombe was the son of Grimes and Elizabeth Hol- combe, and was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia, Sep- tember 22, 1762. While he was yet a child, his father removed with his family to South Carolina, where, to use his own words, " at eleven years of age, he completed all the education 'he ever received from a living preceptor."
This fact is worthy of particular notice, when considered in connection with his intellectual endowments, and the extent of his acquisitions in after life. Even the poor and indifferent means of instruction within his reach were taken from him at a period too early to admit of a presumption that he could have derived much profit from their employment. Nature must, therefore, have endowed him with a mind rich in its own re- sources, and vigorous, even in its youth, else he could not have extended his researches as successfully as he did into the sub- limest and deepest mysteries that can occupy the attention of a rational man. She was thus bountiful to him : she taught him to think, and led him, even in boyhood, to fix his thoughts on the noblest of her works. At an age when children, less favored by nature, are amused with toys and trinkets, he de- lighted to dwell on the grandeur and magnificence of those countless orbs with which she has gilded the immensity of space. His soul seems to have been placed, almost on the very day of its creation, far onward in that track which leads from truth to truth, from wonder to wonder, and from glory to glory, up to the throne of the great Jehovah.
This period of his youth was one of severe trial to our com- mon country. She was just then emerging from a state of de- pendence on an empire which had lost sight of her own interest and that of humanity, in attempting to fasten chains on free- men, and in daring to require that the noble and the brave
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should bow the knee at her behest. It was a period when the hearts of our fathers were sorely and severely tried. Their homes were deserted for the tented fields, and their wives and daughters left alone at their firesides, hoping and fearing; and at the domestic altar, praying for their triumphant return, yet dreading to hear the dismal tidings of their discomfiture and death. Our cities and villages were filled with hireling hordes, and throughout this portion of our beloved country nothing was heard but the loud alarm of war. It was at this period- so interesting to our fathers, so interesting to us all-that the lofty and independent spirit of Henry Holcombe first exhibited itself. He waited not for the arrival of manhood before he drew his sword, but entered promptly into the service of his country, determined, with every patriot of that day, to live free or die His ardor and intrepidity, tempered as they were by that dis cretion and sound judgment, without which courage is unavail ing and boldness becomes impetuous rashness, soon raised him to command. Here, as well as in every other station in which he was found in after life, he acquitted himself well, and gave the fullest proof that the trust reposed in him by his fellow soldiers was not misplaced.
While an officer in the army he was led to those reflections which inclined him to renounce the pomps and vanities of th world, and to seek for happiness in the calm contemplation o Bible truth. He had tasted of the cup of earthly pleasures and found there was bitterness in it. He had pursued th track to which his natural propensities led him, and he becam convinced that it would end in everlasting pain. He sough for a path which would conduct him to something more chee ing in its aspects, more attractive in its nature, and he foun that which leads up to heaven. He became a christian. In h twenty-second year, his attention was first turned to gosp ordinances. " In conversing with my father," says he, " he il · formed me that I was baptized in my infancy, and said I was Presbyterian. Asking on what passages of Scripture the pec liar tenets of that denomination were founded, he took up tl Bible and kindly endeavored to satisfy me on those point But, to his painful disappointment, we could find nothing th seemed to me in favor of baptizing infants, nor for governing
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gospel church, otherwise than by the suffrages of its members To pass softly over this tender ground, the result of my serious and reiterated inquiries into the materials, ordinances and gov- ernment of the apostolic churches was the full conviction, that to follow the dictates of my conscience I must be a Baptist ; and not conferring with flesh and blood, I rode near twenty miles to propose myself as a candidate for admission into a Baptist church." Immediately after his baptism, he received a license according to its forms to proclaim to others the truths of which he had become so fully convinced himself. He en- tered upon the work of the ministry with zeal, and pursued it with an industrious and persevering earnestness which did not escape the notice of his christian brethren. He was soon in- vited by the church at Pike creek, South Carolina, to become their pastor ; and after having preached to them several months as a licentiate, he was ordained on the 11th of September, 1785, and on the same day was called upon to baptize three young men, who had given evidence of a gracious change under his ministry. His labors at this time appear to have been blessed with almost unparalleled success. Multitudes were brought to inquire what they should do to be saved. Domestic altars sprang up in all directions among families who had hitherto gloried in impiety and infidelity.
Having formed the conjugal relation in April, 1786, in the following June he baptized, among twenty-six professed be- lievers, his wife, her only brother, and their mother. In the following August, his father, having renounced the world, to- gether with his pædo-Baptist prejudices, in the sixty-first year of his age, was one of seventeen baptized by Dr. Holcombe. Such encouragements as these only served to inspire him with increased ardor. Though he had as yet received no pecuniary reward for his clerical services, yet his fellow-citizens mani- in fested their confidence in him by appointing him their repre- ssentative in the Convention of South Carolina which approved eu the Constitution of the United States, and which was held in th Charleston. 1
t! On his return from Charleston, he was invited to take the ha pastoral charge of the Baptist church at Euhaw, which he ac- g cepted, and on the 1st of February, 1791, arrived at the Euhaw.
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He preached statedly at this place, May river and St. Helena. In 1795, on account of the sickliness of his family, he removed to Beaufort, though he still retained his previous pastoral con- nections. The inhabitants of Beaufort were at this time, with very few exceptions, strangers to true religion, and strongly prejudiced against Baptists. Baptism had never been admin- istered anywhere in the vicinity. Yet, despite these prejudices, a neat and commodious Baptist meeting-house was erected, and very many, both men and women, were added to the church by baptism at the hands of Dr. Holcombe. Here he contin- ued until 1799, when he removed to the city of Savannah, where a wider field of usefulness than any in which he had hitherto labored was opened before him.
In 1795, a house of worship was partially erected by a few Baptists in Savannah. The following year, as the house was merely inclosed, and as the Baptists had no minister to occupy it, they rented it to the Presbyterians, who had recently lost their house of worship by fire. A few months before the expi ration of this term, in 1799, Dr. Holcombe received and ac cepted a call from the pew-holders of this building, to impar to them the gospel. The reception he met with was highly respectful, and his annual salary fixed at $2,000. His congre gation was large and respectable, and the interests of religion among the various denominations, appeared to revive by th blessing of God on the Word of His grace. Here we woul remark, it is pleasing to notice the mutual surrender of secta rian feelings, by this christian Baptist pastor and this christia Presbyterian people. However, early in 1800 the Baptists con ceived it their duty to form themselves into a church of thei order. Accordingly Dr. Holcombe, with his wife and ten others signed a pledge, in which they agreed to endeavor to kee house for the Lord, as soon as the necessary arrangements coul be made.
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