USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 36
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William Singleton was born at or near Northampton, Eng- land, in the year 1830. His father was a mechanic, but by his skill, industry and economy, amassed sufficient property to leave his widow in comfortable circumstances. William was brought up to the trade of cabinet making, and soon became skillful in his business. His education was limited to the ordi- nary branches of English-reading, writing, arithmetic and geography. When he reached the age of twenty, he emigrated with his chest of tools to America, and, after spending some time in New York and other cities, at length located in Au- gusta, Georgia.
His life for several years was a mixture of business and pleas- ure. His wages were good, but he spent them freely and saved but little. He married and had two children. During the pas- torship of Mr. Ryerson he was brought under the power of the gospel and professed a change of heart. That the change was real and radical, was manifest to all who knew him. The death of his wife and children successively deepened the impressions of his call to the ministry, and removed the earthly obstacles to his consecration to the work.
Having been licensed by the Greene Street Baptist church in Augusta, he entered Mercer University to study for the min- istry in June, 1862, and continued there, diligently and suc- cessfully pursuing his studies, until his death in November, 1864.
In the meantime, his life was not that of a mere student. Many of the settled ministers having gone to the army as chap- lains or missionaries, the churches at home called for the ser- vices of the younger men. Singleton was first called to serve the church at Friendship, then Macedonia, and afterwards at Shiloh, all in Greene county. To these churches he preached with acceptance and success, having been ordained in Augusta in January, 1863.
Rev. N. M. Crawford says: "My first acquaintance with brother Singleton was at a prayer meeting in Augusta, where I was favorably struck by his carnestness in prayer, and by the , remark of brother Frank Swanson, at that time temporarily
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supplying the church, 'He is the most spiritual member of the church.' His mind was good, rather solid than showy. His feelings were tender, his sympathies easily flowing, and, at the same time, deep, his faith strong, his hope firm, and his conse- cration unaffected and unfaltering. He was remarkable for what was called 'a gift in prayer,' of which an explanation may be found in a statement he once made to me, in the unre- serve which marked our intercourse as instructor and pupil. Said he, 'I read from Paul, covet the best gifts, but I show unto you a more excellent way; and I thought there was nothing better for a child of God than to have nearness of ap- proach to the mercy seat in prayer ; and so I thought I would covet that, and ask God to give me the grace of prayer.'"
His death was caused by a violent attack of malignant bilious fever, which event occurred at the house of the venerable Thomas Stocks, from whom and his wife he received every at- tention, as, indeed, their house had been his home from his first coming to Penfield.
JONATHAN DAVIS.
In attempting to perpetuate the memory of the worthy dead, the author of this work has frequently been reminded of that scripture : "For what is your life ? It is even a vapor that ap- peareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." The ma- terial for a history of even the great and gifted-of men who occupy a large space in the public eye, and who exert a power- ful influence while living-are often found to be exceedingly meager when they have passed away. Such is the case with reference to Jonathan Davis-one of the most gifted men the State has ever produced, and, for many years, one of the most popular and successful preachers. Though so little can be said of him now, it is deemed proper to record his name at least, on that roll of worthies, whose labors and sacrifices have done so much for the cause of truth and righteousness in the land.
He was born in Wilkes county, Georgia, in 1798, near the church called Clark's Station, and was a son of Rev. William Davis, whose name also appears in these pages. At what age he was converted we are not informed, though it is believed to
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have been while he was yet young. He was baptized by his father, and soon thereafter commenced preaching. Soon after his ordination, he took charge of a small church in ,Elbert county, which had barely a nominal existence, and which had been on the eve of dissolution for years. A gracious revival was soon experienced, and the membership was increased to upwards of a hundred. About the year 1829, he became pas- tor of the church at Crawfordville, where he resided for years, and where the greatest success crowned his labors. The church enjoyed a succession of revivals, during which hun- dreds were converted and baptized. The blessed influence ex- tended to the neighboring churches, which also experienced great prosperity. It is related of him, that he baptized sixty on a certain Sabbath morning at Bethesda church, Greene coun- ty. A Presbyterian lawyer took note of the time which was occupied in the ceremony, which was only fifteen minutes. He declared that, at that rate, the apostles could have baptized the three thousand on the day of Pentecost in one hour- "And he went on his way," still a Presbyterian. During a por- tion of the time of his residence at Crawfordville, he also served the Antioch and Sugar creek churches in Morgan county, in both of which his ministry was eminently successful. A gentleman informed the writer that he saw him baptize, on a certain Sabbath, at the latter church, upwards of seventy can- didates, and the writer himself was present in a revival at the former church when he baptized more than eighty. There was no duty in which he delighted more than in administering baptism. Long before his ministry ceased, it was claimed that he had baptized upwards of three thousand souls, which was no doubt true.
The temperance cause, which, for a series of years, occupied much of public attention, and excited much interest, found in Mr. Davis an ardent friend, and an eloquent advocate. In fact, there was no cause involving the interests of his fellowmen, to the support of which he did not bring all the ardor of his na- ture and all the gifts of oratory, with which he was so highly endowed. He threw his whole soul into the support of the objects of our State Convention, especially the improvement of the rising ministry. His own educational opportunities hav-
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ing been quite limited, he left nothing undone that would con- tribute to the advantage of the young ministers rising up around him. He accordingly made provision for the board and tuition of several young brethren at Crawfordville, where he resided, as will be seen by reference to the records of the State Convention. This arrangement was continued for some years. Among those who reaped the benefits of it was Jesse Moon, father of the Misses Moon, now missionaries in China, him- self a man of no mean ability. While Mercer University was yet in its obscure and peurile infancy, struggling to maintain a mere existence, he traveled extensively to raise funds for its endowment, and to secure pupils for its halls.
He was of an exceedingly kind and catholic spirit. He was hot a man of strife, but a man of peace. He delighted in being peace-maker. The writer remembers several instances in which he labored for days, and labored successfully, to reconcile brethren who had been long estranged from each other; and hen, how tears of gratitude would stream down his cheeks when he would see them once more united in the love of Christ.
About the year 1842, and before fanaticism had blinded the yes and subverted the reason of our Northern neighbors, he isited that section, lectured, and had several public discussions n the subject of slavery. In Boston he had a debate with Na- haniel Colver, the chosen leader of the Abolitionists, lasting wo days, at the close of which he took the vote on Colver, ho was defeated on his own field, and that, too, by a large majority. At Hamilton, New York, the seat of their Theologi- ul Seminary, he had a similar discussion, in which he was also iumphant. Wherever he went, he received marked atten- ons from the most distinguished men of the country, and was boken of in the highest terms by their leading journals. . He was a man of strong faith. "Have faith in God." A iend relates the following : "On one occasion I was at Mr. avis' house when he returned from visiting a friend who was. ick nigh unto death.' The attending physician and friends. ad lost all hope, and were standing about his bed, expecting at every moment would be his last. Under these circum- ances Mr. Davis entered the sick chamber, asked a few ques- ons and knelt in prayer, soon after which he left. Upon his
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return home, I inquired about the sick man, and he replied in substance, 'He is very sick indeed, and I believe he would have died if I had not entreated the Lord that he might live. But I have faith that he has graciously heard my prayer, and feel assured that he will recover.' In a few days his expectation was verified, and he who was considered sick beyond recovery was restored to health. 'The prayer of faith shall' save the sick.' He had other similar experiences in the course of his ministry."
In the year 1835, while yet in the zenith of his popularity and usefulness, he removed from Crawfordville, with several prominent families from the same region, and settled in the vil- lage of Palmyra, on Kinchafoonee creek, in Lee county. Here he spent many years in active ministerial labors, which were crowned with abundant success in founding and building up churches, and in giving the Baptists a prestige in that section which they have never lost. He received active sympathy and liberal support from the intelligent and pious men who emigra- ted with him to that region -- the Janes', Mercers, and others of the same class-and from those who were brought into the kingdom through his instrumentality. Here, also, he raised a large family, many of whom, or their children, reside in South- western Georgia, and all of whom occupy respectable positions in society, and are faithful adherents of the faith so ably advo- cated by their worthy sire.
It would be pleasant to close this narrative here, but the truth of history demands that we go further. For several years, rumors, unfavorable to the moral character of Mr. Davis, obtained currency, and cast a dark shadow over his hitherto brilliant career. Under this state of things, he left Georgia and located in lower Alabama, but did not escape the troubles which had well nigh already crushed him. In his new home, other and similar rumors arose, upon which he was arraigned before his church, tried, and, upon what was believed by many entirely insufficient testimony, was excluded from the church and deposed from the ministry. He did not resist the authority of the church, nor attempt to produce a schism, nor draw off a party in his own support, as many other preachers have done, and as he, no doubt, could have done. He submitted, trusting
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that a faithful God would one day wipe out the reproach thus brought upon his own cause, and vindicate the character of his servant. (The then pastor of the church, Rev. Sanders Den- nard, afterwards missionary to Africa, was. understood to be decidedly opposed to their action in his exclusion, and to have used all his influence to prevent it.)
Mr. Davis did not remain long a citizen of Alabama, but re- turned to Georgia and settled in his old neighborhood in Lee county. Years passed away-sad years to him-when the church in Alabama by which he had been excluded, of its own accord (and without any request from him or his friends,) re- considered his case, rescinded their action in his exclusion, re- stored him to fellowship and to the ministry, and sent him written. testimonials of these facts ; upon which he was received into a church in the Bethel Association, (perhaps the church at Albany,) resumed the work of the ministry, lived several years in good repute, and was gathered, in his old age, as a shock of corn fully ripe into the garner of the Lord. He died in 1869.
It is not pretended that Mr. Davis was free from faults and foibles. Not many faultless characters are found on earth. But it is believed that the testimony of his life proved him to be good man. If he had faults, let them be buried with him in the grave, and let his virtues only be remembered. If the Bap- ists were as careful of the reputation of their ministers as are ther denominations, it may be that the dark cloud which over- shadowed him for a time would have been dispersed before it vas formed.
JESSE M. DAVIS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Wilkes county, Geor- ia, about the year 1808. He was the son of Rev. William Davis, whose history is also found in these records, and who ad two other sons who were Baptist ministers. Jonathan and ames, who were older than Jesse M. His father was a most nteresting character, as may be seen by reference to his biog- aphy, as were also his brothers.
During his boyhood, Jesse M. Davis labored with his brothers In their father's farm, and the entire time he attended school
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could not have exceeded twelve months. Possessed of a supe- rior mind, and being of studious habits, in this brief period he acquired the rudiments of a good English education, which he continued to improve as long as he lived. He was endowed with a portly person, a commanding presence, a musical voice and ready delivery, and was altogether a most fascinating speaker. He had few equals as a conversationalist.
At what age Mr. Davis made a public profession of religion, the writer is not informed, but it is believed to have been in his early manhood. Upon leaving the parental roof, he engaged in the practice of law at Elberton, Elbert county. But he seems to have pursued this calling with but little ardor, and in a few years to have entirely abandoned it. It is probable this step was taken that he might devote himself to the ministry, as we find him, at the age of twenty-four, (and soon after his marriage to Miss Burton,) fully engaged in the sacred calling. By whom he was ordained, we have not been able to learn, but soon after his ordination he removed to Lee county, where he resided the greater part of his life, and where he accumulated considerable property by farming. He was considered as be- longing to the class of " respectable planters." He was mar- ried three times. Of the fruit of his first marriage, Mrs. Wes- ton, of Dawson, and Mrs. Swann, of Blakely, are yet living. By his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Gilbert, he had only one child, R. W. Davis, a highly respectable lawyer, of Blakely. By his last wife, Mrs. McGooldrick, he had no children.
His home in Lee county was known as Pleasant Level, and is remembered by many as a most delightful retreat, not only on account of its ample appointments, but especially for the noble christian hospitality with which its visitors were ever enter- tained. Though often urged by his friends to allow his name to be used for worldly offices, he invariably declined, feeling that he already occupied the highest position to which a mor- tal can attain-that of an Ambassador for Christ.
In 1858, he removed from Lee to Decatur county, where he resided during the war, and by the results of which he was rendered very poor. He bore this reverse of fortune in such a spirit as might have been expected in a man so eminent for piety.
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Soon after the close of the war, under an invitation from the church at Blakely, Georgia, he become its pastor, where he died and is buried. Among other things that were true of him, the following are deemed worthy of special mention as being characteristic : That he never received remuneration for min- isterial services until his private means were swept away by the war and he was left almost penniless; that he never had a personal falling out with any one, in the church or out of it ; that he never indulged in bitter sectarian controversy, and was beloved by christians of all denominations; that though he de- nounced sin, he never denounced sinners. He was ever persua- sive in manner, kind in spirit, and was eminently successful in winning souls to Christ.
After a long and painful illness, borne with the greatest chris- tian fortitude, he died August 14th, 1868. Some hours before his departure he blessed and bade adieu to his family, and an- nounced his readiness for the summons to the other shore. The following brief extracts from a letter by his daughter, Mrs. Swann, to her sister, Mrs. Weston, will give a faint idea of the manner of his death : " For a month preceding his de- parture, he suffered more than tongue can tell or pen describe. His body was much swollen from dropsy, his breathing painful and difficult, and his back and hips terribly ulcerated. Thus he lay for many long and dreary weeks, suffering more, as it seemed to me, than it was possible for human nature to endure. Yet his hope of speedy deliverance never failed to give him comfort, and his faith in the Lord Jesus grew firmer and stronger to the end. Often, when his extreme sufferings would cause his face and body to be covered with great drops of cold, clammy sweat, he would call upon me to read the scriptures to him, which he would repeat after me, adding exclamations of praise and joy. He would frequently repeat stanzas of hymns, and only the day preceding his death he repeated over and over several times, with apparent pleasure-
'Farewell, vain world, I'm going home, My Saviour calls, and bids me come.'
"One night he lay for hours in the most awful agony of pain. I sat by him, holding his clammy hands in mine, and watched
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his torture until I felt my heart would break. Yet there came from his pale, trembling lips these words, 'My Lord, and my God !' 'My Lord, and my God !' as if his poor soul was strug- gling through the billows to get nearer to his Saviour. When somewhat relieved, he said, ' Thus much, and ten-fold more, am I willing to suffer for His dear name's sake. I would not ex- change the peace of mind which I have, to be at ease and dwell in all the splendors of earth.' Though sometimes delirious, he never lost sight of the Saviour, whose name was almost constantly on his lips." He often prayed, and requested his friends to pray that he might pass away without pain or strug- gling. His desire in this respect was granted, for his death was instantaneous, and without the slightest spasm or contor- tion.
Thus passed away a good man, who was greatly beloved by all who knew him, leaving behind a character, of which his posterity will never have cause to be ashamed, and an example worthy of being followed by all men.
JOSEPH POLHILL.
Rev. Thomas Polhill, the father of the subject of this notice, was born in Chatham county, Georgia, January 12th, 1760, and 'died in Burke county, in 1814. His mother was a native of Savannah, whose maiden name was Mary Anderson, and who died in Effingham county, in 1804. Joseph Polhill was born at Newington, Effingham county, April 2d, 1798. Though some- what wild and dissipated in early life, he was a chosen vessel of the Lord, and, having obtained a good hope through grace, he was baptized into Hopeful church, Burke county, in Novem- ber, 1829, by Rev. Joseph Huff. Very soon after his baptism, he began to proclaim the glad tidings, to the astonishment of many who had known his previous manner of life, and even of some of his own kindred, who it seems could not have faith in the great change which had been so suddenly wrought in him. Yet so mightily did the Word prevail in his hands, that his ordi- nation was soon called for, and he was set apart to this work by a presbytery, consisting of Revs. Joseph Key and Joseph Huff, at Friendship church, Richmond county, in November,
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1832. He was married to Miss Julia J. Guion, at New Rochelle, New York, in 1819.
His labors were confined, in the main, to the bounds of the Hephzibah Association, of which body he was clerk for nine- teen years in succession, and was its moderator at the time of his death. From a book of memoranda, kept by himself, the following facts are gathered : That he performed nine hundred and twenty-seven baptisms, assisted in the constitution of five churches, and in the ordination of six ministers, and of nine- teen deacons ; that he pronounced the marriage ceremony fifty- three times; that the first person he baptized was his wife, and that he subsequently baptized four of his children, one brother, one sister, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and several nephews and nieces. He drove his favorite old horse, Buck, twelve years, and his estimate of the number of miles traveled was eighty thousand.
He had two sons and four daughters, all of whom are living, and are consistent members of the Baptist church. Both his own sons are deacons. His wife, a most excellent and intelli- gent lady, died in Burke county, in 1863. The following letten from her to her son, Dr. John G. Polhill,* will give some insight into her character, and is an affecting description of the man- ner of his death :
" BURKE COUNTY, December, 4th, 1858.
"My Dear Son :
" What can I say to you? My heart is full almost to burst- ing. Your father-your precious father, is gone! and if I did not feel the blessed assurance that he is now reaping the re- ward of his labors, I should sink under the weight of this bitter stroke. Oh, how blind I was that I did not see that he had a premonition of this! He told me on Monday night that he felt as if he had preached his last sermon, and when I asked why, he said that when he was preaching on Sunday night he had such an overwhelming sense of the goodness of God, he was completely lost in the immensity of his fullness. 'Oh, mother, said he, it was all God, nothing but God !' On Tuesday morning about five o'clock, he asked me if I was awake, I told
*Now a preacher.
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him that I had been for some time, but, supposing him asleep, I had kept quiet. He requested me to arise, and we kneeled on the bed, when he prayed for me that I might be sustained in every trial; then for each of our children by name; then prayed for his churches and friends, and offered a most fervent petition for sinners. He staid in the house most of the morn- ing, but, when he was out (about the premises,) the negroes say he was singing all the time, which was an unusual thing for him. At dinner I mentioned a sermon I had been reading, which, at his request, I handed to him. He read it, making com- ments on it as he proceeded. He had promised to preach for the Baptists in your brother's neighborhood on the 26th of Novem- ber, which made it necessary he should leave home on the day previous. 'I remarked I regreted his having to travel on thanks- giving day. He answered, 'never mind, mother, I can keep thanksgiving in my heart on the road.' Your brother told me the congregation was so large they had to repair to the camp- ground for accommodation. And they were so much pleased they made him promise to preach for them again on Christmas day. Saturday he preached twice in Louisville, and was again unanimously called to the care of the church for next year. Sunday forenoon a licentiate preached for him, and he followed in an exhortation which sister Batty (who came ' hoping to see his dear face once more,') told me was the best she ever heard. In the afternoon he lectured the colored congregation, and at night he preached to a crowded house, from II. Corinthians, v. 20: 'Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ,' etc.
" The foregoing circumstances cause me to think that he had a premonition that his course was about to end. When he had finished reading the sermon above alluded to, he took up a re- ligious paper, when I left the room. He soon went to the gin- house where the negroes were at work, and in fifteen minutes I heard them screaming, 'Master is killed !' (He had fallen from the scaffold, causing a laceration of the spinal marrow, which resulted in death.) When I reached him he said, 'I know you, my darling; be composed, my back is broken, and my intestines are loose.' We placed him on a couch and brought him to the house. After he was laid on the bed, he said he did not suffer any pain except in his left arm. We rubbed it sev-
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