USA > Georgia > Dodge County > History of Dodge County > Part 17
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Presiding Elder
1898-W. J. Robertson .
Pastor E. H. McGehee
Presiding Elder
Mr. Robertson died during August of this year and was succeeded by Rev. E. E. Clements, who served this charge until the following Conference in December.
1899-James T. Ryder . . . Pastor H. Stubbs Presiding Elder
Mr. Stubbs died in August of this year and was succeeded by Rev. M. A. Morgan who served in his place until the following Con- ference in December.
1900-J. T. Ryder
Pastor M. A. Morgan
Presiding Elder
1901-J. T. Ryder
Pastor M. A. Morgan
Presiding Elder 1902-J. T. Ryder Pastor M. A. Morgan
Presiding Elder 1903-J. J. Ansley Pastor E. H. McGehee
Presiding Elder 1904-J. J. Ansley
Pastor E. H. McGehee Presiding Elder 1905-J. J. Ansley
Pastor J. B. McGehee . Presiding Elder
179
EASTMAN METHODIST CHURCH
1906-B. S. Sentell
Pastor J. B. McGehee .
Presiding Elder
1907-B. S. Sentell
Pastor E. F. Morgan
Presiding Elder
1908-Walter Anthony
Pastor E. F. Morgan
Presiding Elder
1909-Walter Anthony
Pastor E. F. Morgan
Presiding Elder
1910-J. C. Flanders
Pastor C. R. Jenkins
Presiding Elder
..
THE EASTMAN METHODIST CHURCH.
C. R. Jenkins was appointed President of Wesleyan College, and Rev. L. A. Hill served out the balance of the year till Conference in November.
1911-J. C. Flanders Pastor L. A. Hill
Presiding Elder
1912-K. Reid
Pastor L. A. Hill
Presiding Elder
1913-W. E. Arnold
Pastor L. A. Hill
Presiding Elder 1914-W. E. Towson
Pastor L. A. Hill Presiding Elder Presiding Elder
1915-W. E. Towson Pastor L. A. Hill
1916-W. E. Towson Pastor W. F. Smith Presiding Elder
Pastor L. W. Colson
Presiding Elder
1917-W. E. Towson 1918-W. M. Blitch
Pastor L. W. Colson
Presiding Elder
1919-W. M. Blitch
Pastor L. W. Colson
Presiding Elder
1920-W. M. Blitch .
Pastor
L. W. Colson
Presiding Elder
1921-J. H. Mather 1922 -.. .. Wardlaw
Pastor
Presiding Elder
Pastor
Presiding Elder
1923-G. H. Acree
Pastor
Presiding Elder
1924-G. H. Acree
Pastor
Presiding Elder
1925-G. H. Acree
Pastor
Presiding Elder
180
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
1926-Robert Kerr Pastor .. Wainright
Presiding Elder
Pastor W. H. Budd Presiding Elder 1928-W. H. Wright
1927-Robert Kerr
Pastor J. G. C. Brooks Presiding Elder
1929-J. Lytle Jones
Pastor J. G. C. Brooks
Presiding Elder
1930-J. H. Allen
Pastor J. G. C. Brooks
Presiding Elder
1931-J. H. Allen
Pastor J. G. C. Brooks
Presiding Elder
1932-C. A. Jackson
Pastor J. N. Peacock
Presiding Elder
EASTMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
IN RESPONSE to a petition of certain members of the Presbyterian Church residing in the town of Eastman, the Presbytery of Macon, in session at Columbus, Ga., appointed Rev. Wm. Mckay a com- mittee to visit the field and if the way was clear organize the peti- tioners into a church to be known as The First Presbyterian Church of Eastman, Georgia.
Thus empowered, Rev. Wni. Mckay visited Eastman on Sunday, June 23, 1877, held service in the court house and organized the church with the following members:
Mrs. Fannie P. Chandler, by letter from Statesville, N. C.
Miss Lillie E. Chandler. by letter from Statesville, N. C.
Mrs. Mary DeGroat. by letter from Methodist Episcopal Church in New York.
Wm. Pitt Eastman, by letter from Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
Miss Carro C. Eastman, by letter from Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
Mrs. John Gardiner, by letter from First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, III.
Mrs. Ursula Roberts, by letter from Flemington, Ga.
Joseph W. Sheldon, by letter from Methodist Episcopal Church in New York. Mrs. Nancy Sheldon. by letter from Methodist Episcopal Church in New York.
George W. Sheldon, by profession of faith.
John D. Sheldon, by profession of faith.
Mrs. Mary Russell. by letter from First Presbyterian Church in Macon, Ga.
Messrs. W. P. Eastman and J. W. Sheldon were elected Ruling Elders, and, Mr. Sheldon declaring his acceptance of the office, was ordained and installed in the duties of the office. Mr. Eastman was not present and seems to have declined the office, as there is no record of his acceptance.
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then administered and at the close of the service a meeting of Session was held, Rev. W. Mckay acting as Moderator, at which Ruling Elder Sheldon was elected Clerk of Session.
181
EASTMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. W. Mckay became the Supply of the Church, a part of his salary being paid by the Home Mission Committee of Macon Pres- bytery.
The church continued to use the court house as their place of worship till their house of worship was erected in 1892.
The records are incomplete, and it is, therefore, hard to determine the time during which various ministers have served the congrega- tion, but as best as can be determined the following list seems to have been the ministers:
Rev. Wm. McKay, 1877 to
Rev. J. B. Mack, . . . to . .
Rev. H. G. Griswold, 1896 to 1897.
Rev. W. F. Strickland, 1898 to 1900.
Rev. R. W. Alexander, 1901 to 1904.
Rev. W. O. Stephens, 1906 to 1909.
Rev. C. M. Chumbley, 1911 to 1918.
Rev. E. E. Phillips, 1918.
Rev. J. S. Davis was pastor for several years.
The following have served the church as Elders:
J. W. Sheldon. Judge D. M. Roberts, W. A. Burks. C. F. Coleman, W. C. Drummond, L. M. Woodward, Jr., and C F. Coleman.
The following Deacons have served the church:
J. B. Cameron, Dr. W. E. Miller, J. M. Edwards, H. M. O'Callaghan, T. T. Coleman, H. E. Dickens, Dr. J. C. Wall, H. M. Leggett, and J. Z. Hargrove.
THE EASTMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
182
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
The roll shows the following names in addition to those given in the organization :
Mrs. Clara Sheldon. now Mrs. S. T. Lee; Leonard Bellingrath, Mrs. Catherine Bellingrath, Mr. Edwin C. Bellingrath, Miss Mary E. Bellingrath. W. B. Pen- dleton, Miss Gertrude Holsendorf, Frank Armstrong, Charles F. Garrett, Miss Callie Garrett, J. A. Williams, R. P. Williams, G. R. Williams. Mrs. May Curry, Lewis M. Curry, Mrs. Harriet A. Mugridge, Mrs. J. E. Gignilliat. Miss Catherine C. Orland, Mrs. Frank W. Armstrong, John Colville, Mrs. Mary Colville, J. B. Cameron, E. L. Stephens, Miss Irma Sheldon, Judge D. M. Roberts, Mrs. W. F. Strickland, Mrs. .... Thompson, Miss C. B. Latimer, W. A. Burks. Mrs. W. A. Burks. Mrs. F. R. Steadman, J. C. Gowver, Mrs. J. C. Gowver, Dr. W. E. Miller, Mrs. W. E. Miller, Miss Sarah Miller, J. H. Roberts, Mrs. J. H. Roberts, C. F. Coleman, Mrs. C. F. Coleman, H. M. O'Callaghan. Mrs. Mary Woolley, Mrs. J. Cox Wall, W. C. Drummond, Mrs. Mary B. Druni- mond, Miss Allee W. Drummond, Miss Cammie P. Drummond, J. M. Edwards, Mrs. Mattie M. Edwards, Miss Fannie Kate Persons. T. T. Coleman, Miss Mona Coleman, Miss Emily Dell Persons, L. M. Woodward, Mrs. L. M. Wood- ward, J. Z. Hargrove, Mrs. J. Z. Hargrove, Mrs. H. M. O'Callaghan, Dan O'Cal- laghan, Lennon Woodward, Mrs. T. T. Coleman, Thornton Coleman, Beverly Coleman, Dr. J. C. Wall, Mary Wall, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Wall, Jr .: J. Z. Hargrove, Jr .; Ellis Hargrove, Mrs. E. Jiles, Ethel Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Leggett, Mrs. B. Bradford, Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Norris, E. T. Methvin. Mrs. Helen Methvin Ursery, R. J. Cater, Jack Roberts. Bessie Ball Roberts.
PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH.
PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH, one of the oldest churches in Dodge County, was organized on June 13, 1831, by Jordan Baker. John Marshall, and Absolom Paine, in what was then Pulaski County. The first pastor was Rev. Bud Lee.
This historic old church is situated about seven miles southeast of Eastman, and is within one-half mile of Parkerson's Bridge which spans Gum Swamp Creek. The first church, built one hundred years ago, was a log house, but this old log meeting house was replaced several years ago with a modern frame structure which compares favorably with any of the country churches in the county. It has been an active church ever since its organization, and stands today as a monument to the pious men who organized it.
Among the membership of the church we find the names of many of our most prominent early settlers, also many of their descendants. The membership at present is composed of some of our sturdiest citizens.
183
PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH
This church, founded during slavery time, like most churches of the "Old South," included among its membership the negro slaves who wished to worship with their masters, therefore mingled with the names of the first members of this church may be found the names of some negroes.
It was within a half mile of this church, on the banks of Gum Swamp, that Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, camped on the night of April 8, 1865, when he was trying to make his way into Alabama after the surrender at Appomattox. Two days later he was captured near Irwinville, Georgia, by a detachment of the Federal Army.
The earliest available records of this church begin with July, 1855. and on the first page the following is written, though it is so yellowed and crumbling with age that we may make some mistakes in the reading of it:
"The Baptist Church of Christ at Parkerson Meeting House in Pulaski County, Georgia, was constituted the 13th day of June, 1831, by Brethren Jor- dan Baker. John Marshall and Absolom Paine, on the following principles:
ARTICLES OF FAITH
"Ist. We believe in one only true God who is self-existent from all eternity, in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning, and in the Godhead are three persons. the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, which are the same in essence but distinct in office.
"2nd. We believe in the fall of Adam and the imputation of his sin to his posterity and the utter inability of man to recover himself.
"3rd. We believe in the gift of the Father to the Son of his people and that He undertook and did fulfill the law in their behalf, and that they in par- ticular are redeemed.
"4th. We believe that all those that were given by the Father to the Son in covenant shall be effectually called unto the knowledge of the truth, and shall finally persevere in Grace unto the end.
"5th. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and that the happiness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal.
"6th. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are institutions of Christ and are ordinances that ought to be kept up by His churches until His second coming.
"7th. We believe baptism by immersion is the true apostolic mode and that true believers are the fit subjects and they that practice any other, change the ordinances of God to the tradition of men.
184
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
CHURCH DECORUM:
"Ist. Conference shall be opened by praise or prayer.
"2nd. It is the duty of every ma'e member to attend Conference, and if any brother fails to attend for the first and second time he shall render in his excuse for non-attendance; for the third time he shall be cited to the church to give satisfaction.
"3rd. When sitting in conference no brother shall go out nor absent himself from his seat without leave from the Moderator.
"4th. When any brother aims to speak to any matter in debate before the church he shall rise and address the Moderator.
"5th. When a brother is standing and speaking to any matter in debate he shall not be interrupted unless he departs from the subject.
"6th. If any brother or sister shall fail to partake of the Lord's supper when administered they shall name it at the next conference whether the fault was in themselves or others.
"7th. If one brother shall interrupt another while standing and speaking he shall be immediately reproved by the Moderator.
"8th. Any member dealing or trafficking in ardent spirits shall be con- sidered in disorder.
"9th. Any member violating any of the rules of the church it shall be the duty of any member knowing the same to see the member violating and talk to him before bringing the matter before the church, and any member failing to comply with this item shall be considered in disorder.
"10th. That this Decorum may be amended by the vote of two-thirds of the male members of the church.
"11th. That these rules be read at the opening of every general conference that none may plead ignorance in the knowledge of the same."
On July 1, 1855, is found the following:
"After sermon by Brother Wm. I. Baker, doors were opened for the recep- tion of members by experience. Came forward Nancy Hargrove, Nancy Dowdy and Thomas Cadwell and were received by experience of Grace and were baptized."
July 2, 1855.
"After sermon by Brother Baker doors were opened for reception of mem- bers. Came Willis Harrell and was received by experience of Grace and was baptized."
July 3, 1855.
"After sermon by Brother Lee, Brother Lee and Brother Baker ordained Brother Cadwell a deacon of the church. At the conclusion of these services doors were opened for reception of members. Came Sarah Right and John A. Harrell and were received by experience of Grace and were baptized."
185
PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH
August 11, 1855.
"After sermon by Brother Baker doors were opened for reception of mem- bers by experience. Came Sister Rebeccah Wright and Sabra Cadwell, and were received; also came Abel T. Wright and was received by experience."
October 6, 1855.
"A call was made for a minister to supply us for 1856. Called Brother William I. Baker. Brother Baker accepted."
In September, 1855, Mr. Matthew Clark united with this church.
Mr. A. J. Hargrove was clerk during 1855 and until 1857 when Mr. John A. Harrell was elected to succeed him. Rev. William I. Baker served as pastor from 1855 until 1858 when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Mills.
The membership in 1855 consisted of the following:
Cordial Parkerson, A. J. Hargrove, William Taylor, Martin Cadwell, Thomas Cadwell, Willis Harrell, John A. Harrell, Abel T. Wright, Matthew Clark, William Yawn, Charles Burch, Benjamin Clark, Matthew Walker, William R. Pitts, Jordan B. Pitts, Ben, a servant of H. Hendley, James Cadwell, James Watson, W. H. B. Weeks, Elizabeth Parkerson Mary Hendley Elener Hutto, Nancy Pitts, Katherine Hutto, Jane Harrell, Charloty' Cadwell, Sophia Harrell, Maryan Hendley, Maryan I. Maddox, Roxeyan Wright, Elizabeth Cadwell, Nancy Hargrove, Nancy Dowdy, Sarah Right, Rebeccah Wright, Sabra Cad- well, Rebeccah Burch, Alis Hutto, Faisen Moles, Jane Wright, Delila Cadwell, Margaret Pitts, Manthy Young (or Yawn), Mary Wright, Liza Taylor, Maryan Harrell, Mary Boutwell, Kissey Brown, Sinthy Clark, Elizabeth Brown, Kisey Watson, Sarah Watson, Lusinda Harrell, Caroline Hamilton, Annie Evans, Catherine Watson, Ruthy Hall, Margaret May, Sophroney Corn (or Carnes or Carmichael), Coraline Livingston, Maryan Harrell.
In 1859 Brother Windham became pastor, John A. Harrell con- tinuing as clerk. In 1860 Brother Windham continued as pastor, with Mr. Harrell as clerk.
In 1861 William I. Baker and R. E. Mills served at intervals.
During the War Between the States from 1861 until its close in 1865 this remarkable church functioned right on, not missing a service.
On June 7, 1862, Mr. A. J. Hargrove acted as moderator and Mr. S. C. Nicholson as clerk pro tem.
August 21, 1863, Rev. James Thomas Hughes was called as pastor and accepted. Charles Burch acted as clerk.
January, 1864, A. J. Hargrove acted as moderator as he had done
186
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
on many occasions heretofore, and Charles Burch as clerk. Rev. J. T. Hughes continued as pastor.
On the second Sunday in June, 1864, Mr. A. J. Hargrove was ordained to preach. He preached the sermon on June 10th. S. C. Nicholson was clerk.
November 12, 1864, Rev. R. E. Mills preached, and A. J. Har- grove acted as clerk pro tem.
January 8, 1865, the sermon was preached by Rev. R. E. Mills.
February 12, 1865, Brother Mills preached, and Brother A. J. Hargrove acted as clerk pro tem. Brother Mills served as pastor until August, when on the second of that month Rev. A. J. Hargrove began preaching for the congregation, with J. A. Harrell as clerk. Richard Smith preached at the October, 1865, meeting.
The following ministers and clerks served from 1866 until 1917: Feb. 1866, D. N. Fann minister with H. Clark as clerk.
1867, 1868 and 1869 D. N. Fann served as minister and John A. Harrell as clerk.
1870-B. C. Green was pastor, John A. Harrell clerk.
1871-W. M. Baker was pastor, D. Sigler as clerk pro tem.
1872-Wm. J. Baker pastor, William Yawn clerk pro tem.
Dec. 16, 1872-Rev. John S. Thompson preached and Dempsey Sigler acted as moderator.
Nov. 13, 1873-Tolbert Kinchen preached and J. A. Harrell was clerk.
Dec. 20, 1873-D. Sigler acted as moderator and W. H. Wise clerk pro tem. Jan. and Feb., 1874-W. M. Miles acted as moderator and J. A. Harrell clerk.
In 1873 the membership had increased and following are the names on roll :
J. A. Harrell, James Cadwell. R. W. Cadwell. W. H. Wise, Levi Evans, Wade Wright, Andy Cadwell, Hamilton Clark, A. T. Weeks, John W. Hargrove, J. B. Weeks, Isaac Horne, B. B. Hamilton, William Norris. John W. Flanders. M. M. McCranie, R. F. Jackson, W. D. Harrell, James Register. James A. Burch, Henry Hutto, A. J. Skinner, J. S. Burch, J. W. White, M. McCranie, W. N. Hutto, C. T. Hutto, Geo. Martin, Robert C. Kirklin. Martin Taylor. Noah Smith, L. L. Hargrove, J. D. Harrell, M. C. Fulghum, M. S. Kirklin, G. M. Harrell, J. J. Harrell, Willis Harrell, D. T. Powell, J. F. Mills. W. T. Tay- lor, D. C. Williams, J. S. Stuckey, Gillis Wright, W. D. Hargrove, T. L. Kirk- lin, P. S. Hargrove, G. M. Brown, James Johns, J. M. Parkerson, Enoch Johns. Richard Wrye, Dalton Powell, A. B. Young, Hendley Hargrove, James Cad- well, Wright Sheffield, A. Y. Cadwell, Chap Boutwell, Wright Weeks.
Sophia Harrell, Elizabethi Hutto, Nancy Hargrove, Caroline Hamilton, Har- riet Cadwell, Christian Yawn, Jane Brown, Elizabeth Hargrove. Millie Ann
187
PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH
Burch, Elizabeth Harrell. Elizabeth Parkerson, Mary E. Cadwell, Nancy Par- kerson, Mary Smith, Victoria Weeks, I. P. Horne, R. C. Bailey, M. L. Wise, Laura Evers. Rebecca Cadwell, Jane Sheffield, Nancy Stone, Matilda J. Mar- tin. Feraby L. Harrell, Elizabeth Roberson, Alice Jackson, Amelia Harrell, Mary Sapp, Nettie White, Martha McGlohorn, Helen Skinner, Maryan Yawn, S. A. Harrell, Secreesy Fulghum, Caroline Yawn, Joe Ann Wishart, Nellie Evans. W. D. Weeks, M. M. Horne, D. L. Powell, P. A. Miller, Lois Smith, Sinthy Kirktin, S. E. Wrye, N. S. Burch, M. R. May, Mary C. Powell, S. M. Hargrove. Elizabeth Smith, Susan Flanders, Mahaley Kirklin, Lydia M. Har- grove, M. A. J. Moon. Nancy E. Wright, Charloty Coffee, Eliza Forres, Cath- erine Ashley. Diana Ashley, Feraby Johns, Nancy Graham, Roxie A. Weeks. Ida Stuckey, Sarah T. Wise, Anna L. Clayton, Fannie Brown, Mary A. Young, Sarah F. Kirkley, Catherine Sheffield, Lovda Young, Ella Boutwell. Mary Teal, Catherine Burch, Wylanta Cadwell, Anna Boutwell, Roza Harrell, D. L. Taylor, Nancy Miller, Mindy Boutwell, Elizabeth Pitts, Mollie Cadwell, Nannie Will- iams, S. E. Wrye, Dorcas Weeks, Annie Norris.
1875-J. S. Thompson, pastor; J. A. Harrell, clerk.
1876-J. S. Thompson, pastor; W. H. Wise, clerk.
1877. 1878. and 1879-C. B. Smith was pastor and W. H. Wise was clerk.
1880. 1881. and 1882-J. T. Kinchen was pastor and W. H. Wise was clerk.
1883-W. W. Toler was pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk.
1884-D. E. Green was pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk.
1885-D. E. Green continued as pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk.
From 1886 through 1891-J. T. Rogers served as pastor, and J. M. Parkerson was clerk.
1892 and 1893-J. T. Rogers was pastor and T. H. Hargrove was clerk.
1894-Jerry Kinchen was pastor with T. H. Hargrove as clerk.
1895 and 1896-W. J. Baker was pastor and T. H. Hargrove was clerk. From 1896 to 1901-R. G. P. Mckinnon was pastor and T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1902 and 1903-S. B. Cole served as pastor with T. H. Hargrove, clerk.
1904-R. G. P. Mckinnon again served as pastor with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1905-T. E. Elgin served as pastor, and T. H. Hargrove continued as clerk. 1906. 1907 and 1908-J. W. Jones was pastor, with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1909-E. J. Thompson was pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk.
1910-S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk.
1911-E. J. Thompson, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk.
1912-S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk.
1913-J. W. Roberts was pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk.
1914 and 1915-S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove clerk.
1916 and 1917-W. H. Pitts was pastor with C. K. Brown, clerk.
1918-1919-1920-1921-1922-W. H. Pitts served as pastor with C. K. Brown, clerk.
1923-1924-1925-1926-1927-1928-R. G. P. Mckinnon was pastor with C. K. Brown, clerk.
1929 until Oct. 1930-W. H. Pitts again served as pastor, C. K. Brown as clerk. L. B. Strickland, the present pastor, has served since Oct. 1930, and C. K. Brown continues as clerk.
188
HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY
Truly our good deeds live after us. The three godly men who organized this church a century ago threw the lighted torch into willing hands, who in turn have handed it down to the present gen- eration for the glory of God and the salvation of man. Mr. A. J. Hargrove, who served this church as clerk at intervals from 1855 until he was ordained to preach in June, 1864, left a heritage of which any family might well be proud. In 1892 his son, T. H. Har- grove, became clerk and served in this capacity for 21 years, and then, in 1918, this duty was taken over by Mr. C. K. Brown, a grandson of Mr. A. J. Hargrove. Mr. Brown has faithfully and efficiently held this office for the past sixteen years, and is now en- tering upon the seventeenth year. Thus it will be seen that this church has been served by three generations of one family.
It is interesting to read the proceedings of the conferences held at this church in the bygone years. Their rules were strict and they rigidly enforced them. On one occasion we read that Brother . was expelled for "dancing at a frolic." On other occasions brethren were expelled for partaking of "ardent spirits," and using profanity. Sister ...... was expelled for "dancing, quitting her husband and telling falsehoods." At almost every meeting some member was tried for non-attendance at Conference, and unless he gave a satisfactory excuse for same, he, too, was expelled. So we see that the members of old Parkerson Church had to walk the straight and narrow path, and perhaps that is why this church has prospered and flour- ished like the green bay tree.
It is said that the first church, which was a log house, was built and presented to the congregation by Mr. Jacob Parkerson. Mr. Parkerson was a Revolutionary soldier and drew a pension from the United States Government for his services as a soldier. He was seventy years of age when he built the church, having been only sixteen years of age when he joined the Revolutionary Army. There have been three churches built where the first one was erected, two having been log houses and the last two frame buildings. Mr. Parkerson resided near the church, having settled on the place now known as the Wise Place. He was the great-grandfather of our present Tax Collector, I. N. Parkerson; also of W. L. Parkerson, for many years one of the Tax Assessors of the county, and Frank T. Parkerson, a prominent banker and farmer of Dodge County.
189
OLD BETHEL CHURCH
OLD BETHEL CHURCH.
OLD BETHEL CHURCH, located about twelve miles from Eastman on the road to Chester, is one of the oldest, if not the oldest church in the county. It was built when this section was Wilkinson County. It is on the banks of Gum Swamp Creek, which presents a picturesque setting for the little white church.
This church is historical, in that a battle was fought here in 1865. It was not a battle between the Federals and Confederates, however, but a battle between a portion of Wheeler's Cavalry of the Confederate Army and a band of deserters from the Confederate Army. The deserters were men who, feeling that they were fighting a lost cause, and being tired of war, hungry and ragged, deserted the ranks and concealed themselves in Gum Swamp. The Company of Cavalry was rounding up deserters, and these men took refuge in the church. The Cavalry surrounded the church and shot into it, the deserters on the inside returning the fire. There were no casual- ties except one horse that was shot from beneath his rider.
This church was used as a school house also in the earlier days, as were many of the country churches. The first school taught there was by James W. Rozar, an ancestor of the present County School Superintendent, W. C. Rozar.
OLD DANIELS BAPTIST CHURCH.
OLD DANIELS CHURCH, another old landmark of the county, is located about ten miles from Eastman, and about two miles from Phelps Bluff on the Ocmulgee River. This was one of the first churches built, but as there are no records we are unable to learn in just what year this old church was founded. Some of the oldest residents claim it to be the oldest church in the county, however, we are unable to verify this fact.
The land where this old church was built was owned by a Mr. Phelps, and the church grounds were purchased from him by Mr. Jackie Daniel. The church was built by Joshua Coffee. The first and original church was built down in the river swamp, perhaps a mile across the road from where this one now stands, but the grave of William Phelps in the church graveyard shows that the church has been on this spot for at least a hundred years. Among the earliest
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