USA > Georgia > Greene County > History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886 > Part 21
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Pages 2 and 3 tell the story of how these two books were lost to Mer- cer University from 1841 to 1940-ninety-nine years, and how they were re- possessed after long and tedious efforts and an outlay of $200.00 in actual cash.
Plans are now being made to keep them in locked steel cabinets and stored in the fire-proof vault in the Library of Mercer University, in the city of Macon, Georgia.
EXCERPTS AND DEDUCTIONS:
The minutes state that, Bro. Brantly was the first choice of the Trustees to head Mercer Institute. and that "Brother and Sister" B. M. Sanders were jointly appointed Stewards at a yearly salary of $800.00 and room and board for themselves and their three children. Later, it was ordered that "a brick chimney and one glass window be built in Bro. Sanders' room."
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
On Nov. 19, 1833, the minutes read: "After a short consultation Bro. B. M. Sanders was unanimously chosen to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Bro. Brantly, and Bro. Stocks & Thornton were appoint- ed to acquaint him with this choice, and to request an answer from him before the close of this meeting.'
A paragraph from the minutes of the same meeting reads:
"In consideration of the failure of Bro. Brantly, agreed to limit the number of scholars to 70 or 75, unless the Principal shall find that he can manage more, in which case, at his discretion, the number may be increased to 80."
Site Chosen for Mercer Institute:
June 26, 1832
"The committee met according to adjournment; Present J. Mer- cer, Mod. J. Armstrong, J. Davis, T. Stocks & B. M. Sanders, Sec'y.
"Entered into a contract with Bro. William Redd in behalf of J. K. Redd his son, for 450 acres of land for $1400.00, $700 to be paid down the balance at Christmas and took his Bond for Titles when the last payment is made."
"Went into the election of Trustees for the Institution elected Brother O. Porter, John Mercer, Wm. Redd, Dr. Thomas P. Janes & William Greer."
Note: The question might arise as to why the committee did not deal directly with the owner of the land instead of his father? Fortunately, the writer has the key to the answer.
The younger Redd was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, Greene County, as late as 1832 and, like many young men of his day, he turned his face westward. He is said to have moved to Columbus, Ga., and when the war between Texas and Mexico began, he cast his lot with the Texans, and became a Lieutenant in the Texas Army and was in the battle of San Jacinto.
According to Reuben J. Dawson, son of General Thomas Dawson of Greene County, and who was born around the year 1810, was a re- gular contributor to The Greensboro-Herald-Journal.
In February 1888, he wrote a lengthy article telling about Gen- eral William McIntosh's visit to Greensboro and making an address in the Methodist Church. This visit was a few days after General McIntosh signed the Treaty at Indian Springs on Feb. 12, 1825, or, to be exact, General McIntosh visited Greensboro on May 1, 1825.
Mr. Dawson was a lad. at that time, but he wrote of being present and hearing General McIntosh speak. He also told of other boys who were present with him, and young Redd was among them. In refering to Redd, he said:
"When the first War of Independence broke out between Texas and Mexico, he was an officer in a Texas regiment, and after two great battles of San Jacinto and the Alamo was over, he challenged a brother officer for a duel who accepted the challenge and fought at the length of a silk pocket hand- kerchief, at the crack of their pistols, he and his brother of ficer fell dead upon the field. Thus died the boy, the gallant, brave Lt. Redd. He was a son of Capt. Redd, of Columbus, Ga., who was formerly a citizen of our county.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
BROTHER AND SISTER SANDERS EMPLOYED
In the minutes of October 13, 1832, "Bro. Davis, who had been appointed on a committee to confer with Bro. Sanders relative to en- gaging his and Sister Sanders services in our contemplated school, reported that they could be engaged for $800 for the services of both per Annum by furnishing board for them and their three small chil- dren and a nurse."
This report was agreed to by the committee and Brother and Sister Sander's services were engaged for the school to enter on their duties on the 2nd Monday in January next; Bro. Sanders as principal Teacher and Steward and Sister Sanders to superintend the boarding."
Thus was the machinery of Mercer Institute made ready for the day when classes should start on the 2nd Monday in January 1833.
These early records-minutes of the Mission Board and first min- utes of Mercer Institute were loaned to Dr. B. D. Ragsdale, by Miss Bessie Butler, of Madison, Georgia, while he was assembling mater- ials for his "STORY OF GEORGIA BAPTISTS". After Dr. Rags- dale had "sifted" the records he returned them to Miss Butler where they remained until purchased by T. B. Rice on October 24, 1940.
The "meat" of the story that is recorded in these two volumes of records is to be found in Dr. Ragsdall's book, Vol. 1, beginning on p. 23. Three volumes of Dr. Ragsdale's "Story of Georgia Baptists" have been published, and those Baptists who have not bought and read them, have missed a rare treat. Dr. Ragsdale is not only a historian of the first magnitude; but he tells the story in his own unique way,
BACK TO THE MINUTES OF THE OLD MISSION BOARD
When the Mission Board met at the Powellton Church on the second Lord's day in October 1821, Captain Abram Simons, the Jew whose money made Mercer University possible was present and gave $20.00 for Missions. (This is recorded in the minutes).
Four years later, Oct. 7, 1825, the Mission Board met at Green- wood Church, and Captain Simon's widow gave $60.00 for Missions, the largest individual gift recorded, up to that time. Rev. Jesse Mer- cer was there, he was a widower and Mrs. Simons was a rich widow (who knows but that Mr. Mercer set up and took notice and soon, began courting the rich widow Simons)? Be that as it may, but it was not long after that when Mrs. Simons became Mrs. Mercer.
MISSION WORK AMONG THE CREEK INDIANS
In the year 1821, the Ocmulgee Baptist Association sought the co- operation of the Mission Board in the matter of establishing a Mission among the Creek Indians. D. B. Mitchell, Agent for Indian Affairs writes: "I favor such plan, but it is opposed by several Head Men of that Nation, the Creeks." (The Indians were being pushed West- ward, at that time, and they were highly prejudiced against the Whites).
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
DESIGNATED MISSION GIFTS STARTED EARLY
When the Georgia Association and the Mission Board met at Bethesda Church on Oct. 8, 1820, the Augusta Baptist Churches sent gifts of $100.00 and designated that it be given to Foreign Missions. The Mission Board ordered that $100.00 be added to that amount, and that $200.00 be sent to the "General Fund of the United States for Mission purposes.'
(It was found that the amount suffered 21/2% discount in send- ing the money to the North).
BROTHER BRANTLY EAGERLY SOUGHT
At the 1832 June meeting "Bro. Mercer reported that Bro. Brant- ly promises to come in January 1834, at a salary of $1500.00 for all his services as well as for preaching & teaching; whereupon Bro. Mercer pledged one-tenth of his salary, Bro. Armstrong one-tenth, Bro. Lumpkin one-tenth, Bro. Sanders one-tenth, Bro. Davis two- tenths, Bro. Harris one-tenth, Bro. Thornton one-tenth, and learning that Bro. Turpin of Augusta, and Bro. T. Cooper of Eatonton, would do the same, & Bro. Mercer was ordered to close the agreement with Bro. Brantley."
FEARED BRO. SHERWOOD'S PRIVATE SCHOOL
On October 13, 1832, the following resolution appeared in the minutes:
"Resolved that whereas several of the committee have re- quested Bro. Sherwood to give up his private school on the working plan in favor of Mercer Institute we all now unite in said request." (The request was withdrawn, later).
FROM INSTITUTE TO COLLEGE
August 25, 1837, "A Resolution was offered to elevate Mercer Institute to the character of College and that application be made the next Legislature."
A FEMALE INSTITUTE ABORNING:
The contemplated Southern Female College to be located in Washington, Ga., came to naught although, many thousands of dol- lars had been pledged for its establishment. The Mission Board had employed men to solicit funds for the College, and the outlook was propitious. This was in the early part of the year 1837. When the Mission Board met on August 25, 1837, the following Resolution was introduced:
"Resolved that a Female Institute be established (in Penfield), and that lots be sold for that purpose."
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
MERCER UNIVERSITY IS BORN:
On September 19, 1837, the following Resolution was offered:
"Resolved that the title of the institution be changed from Mer- cer Institute to Mercer University, and that the Town contiguous to the Institution be called PENFIELD."
The Act incorporating MERCER UNIVERSITY and PEN- FIELD, excluded all "Dram Shops, Gambling houses and such like nuisances from the premises belonging to the Convention." (This com- prised some fifteen hundred acres of land).
CHOOSING A PRESIDENT FOR THE UNIVERSITY
Quoting from the minutes of the Board of Trustees:
"Took up the subject of appointing a President for Mercer Uni- versity; whereupon Wm. T. Brantly of Philadelphia, was appointed to take charge of the Seminary, as soon as funds can be procured for his support."
ADIEL SHERWOOD COMES TO MERCER
The minutes of Oct. 7, 1837, read as follows:
"Bro. Adiel Sherwood was chosen Professor of Sacred Literature in the Mercer University, and to enter upon his duties as soon as suitable arrangements can be made." (This minute was recorded on Dec. 12, 1837, instead of Oct. 7, as shown above).
At that time, Bro. Sherwood was busily engaged in looking after the second edition of "Sherwood's Gazetteer" and getting it ready for publication. The first edition was written and published while he was pastor of both Greensboro and Eatonton Baptist Churches. He and Jesse Mercer organized the Greensboro Baptist Church on June 9, 1821. Mr. Sherwood became its first pastor and served until January 14, 1832. He had been living in Eatonton for some years and had established a school similar to the one that was being contemplated at Mercer Institute, later to become Mercer University, and the town that sprung up around it was named Penfield.
EARLIER MINUTES OF MERCER TRUSTEES
Among the early minutes of Mercer Institute, the name of William Tryon appears, and in substance, is as follows:
"Bro. William Tryon of New York, aged 23, made application as a beneficiary of Mercer Institute; his credentials were examined and he was admitted.
Later, William Tryon became Agent of Mercer University in soliciting funds for the institution. Still later, Rev. Jesse Mercer sent him to Texas as a missionary and, in collaboration with Dr. Rufus Burleson he became one of the founders of Baylor College, at Inde- pendence, Texas, now Baylor University, at Waco, Texas.
In his book, "Life and Writings of Dr. Rufus Burleson," com-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
piled and published by Mrs. Georgia J. Burleson, in 1901, Dr. Burle- son, in writing of the unselfish life of William M. Tryon, says: re- fering to the school under consideration, "A contest arose between them, not for position, advantage or wealth, but to avoid those allure- ments of honor, so fascinating to ordinary morals, and confer them on another."
"Mr. Tryon proposed that the institution be christened "Baylor." Judge R. E. B. Baylor objected, and suggested "Tryon." Mr. Tryon did not consent to this suggestion, stating that he had been actively advocating the establishment of the school for years, and if were named in his honor, some might think his efforts had been in behalf of his own glory."
"This controversy, involving only the avoidance of honor, was prolonged and remained unsettled, so Judge Baylor afterwards stated, until other members of the Education Society were called in, who instructed the committee to insert the name "Baylor University" in in the blank.
Thus did the unselfish beneficiary of Mercer University, Wil- liam M. Tryon, have a very large part in creating BAYLOR UNIVERSITY, a "child" of old Mercer at Penfield.
Note: The following paragraph appears on p. 70 of Dr. Burle- son's book :
"Whereas, about sundown on Tuesday evening, November 16th, 1847, it pleased Almighty God to take to himself our beloved pastor, William M. Tryon; therefore be it Resolved, etc, etc.
Mr. Tryon was pastor of the First Baptist Church, at Houston, Texas, at the time of his death. The article says: "He fell at his post a victim of yellow fever, just eighteen months after being installed as pastor.
Why should the writer be so interested in William Tryon and Baylor? Simply this: his mother Rebecca Williamson, received her education at Baylor College, at Independence, Texas. She, and three of her brothers entered Baylor in the spring of 1853 and continued through 1856.
We will digress from the original minutes in order to tell of the organization of the Penfield Baptist Church. The original Shiloh Baptist Church was constituted about the year 1795, and was located about one mile south-west of where Penfield now stands. It led in gifts to missions in 1817, and was the church-home of such families as the Redds, Stocks, Porters, Moncriefs, Culbrethsons, and many other early Baptist families.
When Mercer Institute came into being, and up to 1839, the professors and students of Mercer worshipped at old Shiloh and, a number of the preacher-professors served as pastor. About the year 1839, a cyclone destroyed the church and most of the early records.
The Penfield members invited the Shiloh bretheren to unite with them in building a church in Penfield, on the college campus. The overture was rejected and a new Shiloh was built on the Greens- boro-Penfield road, about half way between the two towns, where the present Shiloh now stands.
According to Rev. R. W. Haynie, the present pastor of the Pen- field church, the following tells the story of the organization of the Penfield Baptist Church :
"Following are the names of the Presbytery which organized the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
church (Penfield Church) in a wooden building across the road just east of the chapel. (in 1839) C. D. Mallory, V. R. Thornton, W. M. Tryon, B. M. Sanders. All of them ministers."
"The following presented letters (mostly from Shiloh) and con- stituted the roll of charter members. James Davant, Martha Davant, James H. Low, A. Buckner, Ansel Albrittan, Noah Hill, Edna Wil- liams, Taliatha Hill, Wm. Richards, Ann Richards, Sam'1 Richards, A. E. Reeves, John Attaway, J. G. Polhill, Eliza H. Reeves, A. Sher- wood, Emma Sherwood, B. F. Thorp, A. Wellborn, H. A. Gibson, and Catherine Richards."
"The prayer was offered by V. R. Thornton and W. M. Tryon delivered the charge. C. D. Mallory presided and B. M. Sanders was Sec'y.
Articles of faith were adopted and a church Covenant was en- tered into.'
"Billington M. Sanders was the first clerk of the church and E. Mallory supplied the pulpit alternately until June 8, 1837, Adiel Sher- wood was called to the pastorate. A list of all the pastors who have served the church since its organization is not available now. It in- cludes some of the outstanding men of the denomination in the South. Outstanding among them and having the longest pastorate, was John S. Callaway who served the church 29 years. Of the children born in the present pastorium while Dr. Callaway was pastor there, were John Callaway and Mrs. E. R. Boswell of Greensboro."
EXTRACTS TAKEN FROM THE ORIGINAL MINUTES OF MERCER INSTITUTE AT PENFIELD, GEORGIA, AS THEY WERE RECORDED ON APRIL 15, 1833.
(By T. B. Rice)
Through the courtesy of Miss Bessie Butler of Madison, Ga., this writ- er was permitted to see the first minutes ever recorded by the secretary of Mercer Institute, the fore-runner of Mercer University; and while they were written with a goosequill pen and home-made ink, they are as clear as they were the day they were written.
THE PEOPLE INTERESTED
Page after page was devoted to listing money donated by friends of the institution. The name of the givers together with the articles given were care- fully recorded and valued; and the list included almost everything that was needed for housekeeping. It included tableware of every description, kitchen- ware from spiders to potracks. One good sister donated 130 1bs. of soap, meaning old fashioned lye soap. Many pots and brooms were included in the list. Most of the gifts from the men, consisted of axes, hoes, rakes, plows, plow-gear, nails, white lead, paint brushes, carpenters tools, and nearly every- thing needed to equip a shop and run a farm, it must be remembered that this institution began as an industrial school where the students partly, earned their education, and this equipment was very necessary.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
FREE SCHOOL BOOKS ARE NOTHING NEW
The minutes stated that the Trustees of Mercer Institute had bought from "Richards" school books amounting to $112.45, "Richards" was the ancestor of The S. P. Richards Co. of Atlanta, and for writing paper, slates, Daball's arithmetics-Sanford had not appeared upon the scene, geographies and atlases they had paid $22.65, making a total of $135.20 paid for school books etc. Preachers and prominent laymen donated books containing noted sermons, works on theology and other books that would be helpful for minis- terial students. Thus did Mercer Institute begin its career of teaching young men to become ministers, lawyers, doctors, governors, United States Con- gressmen and Senators, farmers, missionaries and other useful citizens.
WHAT AN ARRAY OF SPONSORS !!
Behind this first Southern Christian School stood such men as Jesse Mercer, Billington M. Sanders, David Butler, Major Oliver Porter, Thomas Redd, Thomas Stocks James M. Porter, Absolom Janes, James K. Daniel, William Greer and many other men of high standing and wealth who stood ever ready to meet the needs of this embryonic-University. It was the pride of all Georgia, and a Baptist baby, to be sure, but all denominations had a part in the Baptism of this infant.
BILLINGTON M. SANDERS, STEWARD
We have always thought of Billington M. Sanders as President only; but the old minutes put him at the mast-head as "Steward." Page after page is devoted to foodstuff that he provided for the students under his care, and as the "Mess-Hall" was presided over by "Ole Miss", Mrs. Cynthia Sanders, we may rest assured that none went hungry. The motherly kindness of "Ole Miss" was never forgotten by the pre-Confederate War students who attend- ed old Mercer, at Penfield.
TUITION PAID FOR IN LABOR
Many, or practically all of the early students at Mercer Institute, the community went by that name long before it took the name Penfield, worked and paid for their tuition and board, just as many now do at Berry in- stitute. Mercer Institute owned and operated a 1000 acre farm, and the stu- dents did much of the work.
Studying was done at night by the light of tallow candles and pine knots, kerosene oil was not used until the late 1840's and the cost was very high, $1.75 per gallon. therefore, was little used, and we fail to find where "Steward Sanders" provided any of this luxury.
MERCER UNIVERSITY
When the school took on the dignity of becoming a UNIVERSITY, it did not discontinue its practice of allowing boys to earn their education, and they continued to eat at the table of "Ole Miss". The village had taken on the name of Penfield, many lots had been sold, streets and sidewalks had been graded, a number of fine homes and boarding houses had been built, the old
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wooden buildings had been torn down and replaced with fine brick struc- tures. Mercer University and Penfield were booming
The Christian Index moved in from Washington, Ga., John Seals and his Temperance Crusader did likewise, and following upon the heels of these two publications came William C. Richards and his classical Magazine, the ORION. Amidst forty-nine verse Sonnets the Orion tells of "Rock Moun- tain" and Tallulah Falls. The ORION acknowledges with thanks, the re- ceipt of the works of the Hon. Richard Henry Wilde "which we have read with great pleasure."
Greensboro played second-fiddle then. All county news and legal ads, were published in Penfield, and the "tradespeople" looked with envy on the rapidly growing town of Penfield.
HOW A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL WAS FINANCED BY A JEW
In 1798 a Mr. Abram Simons, a resident of Wilkes Coun- ty married a Miss Nancy Mills. Mr. Simons was a Jew and a man of considerable means and very active in business circles. He died sometime around 1827. His large estate was inherited by his widow, Mrs. Nancy Simon.
Jesse Mercer a devout and worthy Baptist minister who had lost his wife some time before this, married this Mrs. Simons and came into possession and into control of a large amount of money.
Nancy Simons Mercer who lived about 14 years after her marriage to Jesse Mercer became interested in the work of her husband. He was thrifty and had good business judgment and his wife agreed with him in helping to use her money to establish Mercer University.
It is not generally known that the fortune upon which Mercer University was built came from the coffers of a Colon- ial Jew. Barring the Penfield lagacy most of the funds to es- tablish this school came from Simon's estate.
At Jesse Mercer's death, with the consent of his wife Nancy Simons, the residue of their estate, after his debts were paid went to Mercer University. The amount of money was between $100,000 to $400,000. So we see that Mercer University is largely indebted to the skill and enterprise of a Jewish financier for its founding and continuance.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Captain Simons, as he is referred to by H. R. Bernard was a remarkably kind and faithful husband. His wife Nancy was not a professed religionist of any faith, was fond of going to church and often entertained ministers in her home. He frequently attended religious services with her and they had a very happy life together. Nancy proved to be just as fine a wife to Jesse Mercer and was devoted to her home and the interests of Jesse Mercer.
Mr. Mercer in writing his wife's obituary, said Abram Simons was a man of the world, who loved to surround him- self with men of high standing and 'big names'. In short he was a sporting man, a member of the Augusta Jockey Club, and he entertained lavishly. This was not much to the taste of the refined little woman, whose veins were filled with the aristocratic blood of the Mills. John Mills the father of Nancy was an aristocrat from Virginia.
When Jesse Mercer went to the tailor for a new suit, Nancy, always went with him to select the suit. She had the backs of the waistcoats (vest) made of yellow satin as vellow was her favorite color. She was a beautiful little dark-eyed and dark-haired woman and often wore yellow ribbons on her bonnets and caps. She was refined and cultured and smoothed out the rough spots of Jesse's social manners.
Jesse Mercer had a fortune at his disposal and could re- lax from the hard frontier life that he had known. His pen was employed in writing for the press and his fame went abroad. About this time he published, "Mercer's Cluster", a book of poems which later was published as a book of hymns.
In 1833, the Christian Index which had been published at Philadelphia by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions and before that published in Washington, D. C. was transferred to the management of Jesse Mercer. He bought a new press and type costing $3,000 and removed the Index to Washington, Ga. It was published along with a temperance paper in a two-story dwelling at the corner of Main and Depot Streets. Some years later he moved the paper to Penfield, Ga. The building was sold to Dr. James H. Lane.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
The grave of Abraham Simons is on the Augusta road 8 miles from Washington, Ga., in a rock enclosure, no monument or stone tells who was buried there, though he was a Revolution- ary soldier and a man of wealth. Before he died he had his grave prepared and walled up with solid rock. He left orders that they bury him standing up on his feet with his musket be- side him to fight the devil with. His orders were carried out. His casket was placed on the end, which necessitated the digging of a grave twice the usual depth.
Nancy Simons Mercer died in May 1834 after a year of paralysis, not speaking a word or making a step. Jesse Mer- cer died Sept. 6, 1841 while on a visit near Indian Springs and was buried at Penfield. He tried to get the school named Mer- cer in 1838 located at Washington, Ga. and was greatly dis- appointed when it was voted to locate the school at Penfield.
MERCER UNIVERSITY AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR
(By T. B. Rice)
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