History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907, Part 25

Author: Williams, Carolyn White, 1898-
Publication date: 1957
Publisher: Macon, Ga., J.W. Burke Co.
Number of Pages: 1142


USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 25


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Richard Hutchings, Jr. 17


William N. Stewart 11


George W. Young 18


Robert Catchings 10


Missouri A. Lester


13


William L. Moughon 10


Nancy A. Lester


12


Mark Blanford 11


Joanna Lester 13


James F. Brown


9


Frances M. A. Blanford 12


Henrietta L. Moughon


7


Elizabeth Lester


13 Sarah Lester


7


Robert Hutchings


14


Martha G. Jordan


7


Pleasant I. Tyler


16 Martha G. Catchings


7


Rodolphus D. Lester


13


Larkin Stewart


9


Monroe I. Lester


13


Thomas Manning


9


Oscar P. Brown


12


Camellia Lester


6


Thomas Hutchings


17 Martha Brown


6


Bolling Momss


17


Penelope Wright 8


Thomas Horn


16 Martha Wright


9


Andrew I. Cook


18


Charlotte Lester 6


Thos. J. Stewart


13 Elbert Catchings


5


Nathan Norris


13 Leonidas Jordan


5


Daniel Norris


9


John F. Blow


5


Report to Executive Office Nov. 2, 1835.


CLINTON ACADEMY


Report to the Executive Office of the Clinton Acalemy on Oct. 21, 1833, by James Smith, Chr. Board Trustees.


W. Lowther 17 T. Moon 11


S. Clower


17


A. Rope 14


F. Gibson


16 W. Rope 11


A. Billingslea


17 W. Grigg


12


T. Harris


15 A. Bowen


8


R. Jones 15


J. Tooke 10


295


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


B. Smith


12 W. Flewellyn


10


W. Jones


12 E. Smith


7


T. Bowen


12 A. Flewellyn


6


T. Smith


10 W. Flewellyn


8


T. Spier


12 J. Stephens


8


B. Sharp


17


T. Stephens


7


J. McCleod


17 F. West


7


A. Webb


14 J. Flewellyn


7


F. Pepper


10 J. Williams


4


R. Smith 8 T. Cook


6


Planters Academy near Wayside wrote their report to His Excellency, Gov. Geo. A. Gilmer-1825-1830-1828, James Smith, Trustee, and Henry Gore, Prin. Other Trustees were: Warren Iaurdau, Adam Carson, James Lockett.


Union Hill Academy report was in 1834, Miss Verey A. Ross, Pres. Henry Hunter Sec. John Gantt, Esq.


Standerfer, Prin. reported to Eilson Lumpkin, Gov. Hugh F.


JONES COUNTY SCHOOLS - 1871-1956


From the time the public school system was first organized in 1871 to the present the County Board of Education has on file in its office at the Court House a complete record of all of its proceedings.


The first County Board of Education consisted of sixteen members, one from each militia district. The law was soon changed making the legal number five as at present. Many of the leading citizens of the county, past and present, have served on the Board at some time. The county has had only five Superin- tendents, as stated before.


Sixteen schools were operated in 1874, one in each militia dis- trict There was always a lack of funds, and the teachers had to wait many months for their pay. This practice continued until 1906 when a law was passed allowing the County Boards to bor- row money to pay teachers promptly. The maximum number of schools at one time was reached when in 1902 there were 34 white and 34 colored schools in Jones County. After this the Board began consolidations, in order to give the children better educational advantages. The shift in population left many areas


296


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


without enough pupils to have a school. The Board established Junior High Schools in Haddock in the eastern part of the county, Griswoldville in the southern part, Round Oak in the Northern section and Juliette in the western section. A Senior High School at Gray was established for all of the county and called Jones County High School. This school, as well as the others has grown considerably with added transportation, equip- ment, better buildings, auditoriums, gymnasiums and teachers. (Round Oak's school was moved to Gray in 1946.)


In 1897, the local trustees of the Gray school were, G. C. Smith, M. C. Greene and B. M. Greene. The Principal of the small school was Rev. W. T. Wagner. The building was on the lot where Mrs. Agnes Ezell has a home. The second school house was built on the present school site, which was a two-room wooden building and Prof. Fritz L. Ware was the Principal. The Gray Village Improvement Club, set out trees and shrubbery and erected through their own efforts a Music and Library building on the school grounds in 1909. In 1916 Prof. G. W. Glausier and three teachers asked for a larger building, and the local trustees, S. B. Hungerford, F. M. Stewart, T. S. Bush and J. W. Bonner as a committee got the new building, and in 1917 school started in this new brick building. In Sept. 1917, Supt. U. S. Lancaster in 1918 got the school placed on the Accredited List, Group 2 for three years. In 1919 it was placed on Group 1, Accredited List. In 1918, Supt. Lancaster had as his assistants, Miss May Stewart, Miss Mary Jo Barron, Miss Sarah Smith. The enrollment was 120 and the term was nine months, and a music teacher was added to the faculty. The women teachers received a salary of $40.00 a month.


In 1932, W. E. Knox was elected Superintendent of Jones County Schools, and has expanded the Jones County educational program to the point where the school buildings and program are about second to none in Georgia. Negro schools have been consolidated and three new modern brick buildings were complet- ed in 1955. The school bus transportation in the county is mod- ern anl efficient. The County High School has twelve grades, vo- cational training, a business course, home economics and a va- riety of extra-curricula activities. The Beta Club, the Hi-Y and


297


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


Tri-Hi-Y Clubs, Future Teachers, Future Home Makers Club, Glee Club, Future Farmers and the Band, are all school organ- izations. The Basket-ball and football teams are a part of the school activities and create a fine school spirit.


Principals and Terms of Office Jones County High School :


E. R. Ware, 1907, 1910; S. B. Soward, 1910-1912; G. G. Glawsier, 1912-1917; U. S. Lancaster, 1917-1922; B. H. John- son, 1922-1924; M. B. Pound, 1924-1926; H. F. Bell, 1926- 1928;W. E. Knox, 1928-1932; V. P. Folds, 1932-1934; Perry Westbrook, 1934-1940; J. M. Davis, 1940-1943; T. Hoyt Chambers, 1944-1956.


Board of Education in 1956: Chairman, Nathaniel Roberts, Curtis Bostick, Frank Childs, C. W. Bivins and Carl C. Wil- liams.


The first Board recorded is in 1872 and it mentions Pres. of that Board as E. C. Grier and A. H. S. Mckay on the Board. In 1899 the Board was J. R. Van Buren, Pres. S. A. Hodge, J. W. Barron, J. W. Anderson, R. C. Lester with A. H. S. Mckay as Sec. When David Lester was elected to the Legislature on Oct. 18, 1880, a call meeting named A. H. S. Mckay as Commission- er, and he was elected later.


JONES COUNTY'S FIVE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS


HON. DAVID W. LESTER


The first County School Commissioner was Hon. David W. Lester, son of David and Elizabeth Mullins Lester of Jones County, born Sept. 8, 1832. The father, David Lester was born in Newberry Dis. N. C., April 8, 1796 and died in Jones Co. Ga., May 6, 1874 and is buried in the Lester Cemetery near Blountsville.


David Lester's mother Elizabeth Mullins was born in Han- cock Co., Ga., Dec. 12, 1804 : died Dec. 24, 1862 at the Brown House in Macon, while on her way home from a visit to her brother.


There were six daughters and one son. The son was David W. Lester the subject of this sketch. He attended school at Mercer University, at Military school at Greenwood, S. C., then return-


......


JONES COUNTY'S FIVE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS Alex. H. S. McKay, 1881-1901 U. S. Lancaster, 1925-1932 E. W. Sammons, 1902-1924 David W. Lester, 1871-1880 W. E. Knox, 1933-1960


299


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


ed to Mercer and graduated in 1854 with the highest honors in his literary society and second honor in his class. Some of his classmates were: John H. Seals, Judge George Hillyer, Hon. R. N. Ely and Hon. Jesse Asbury. Lester was a Major in the State Militia, and a First Lieut. in active service. He was Master of Wallace Grange of Patrons of Husbandry, deacon and clerk of the Blountsville Baptist church and Supt. of Fortville Meth- odist Sunday School. He had been a Justice of Peace, a member of the Board of Education and elected County School Co. in 1871. He ran against bitter opposition for the legislature and was elected in 1880 and then resigned his position as County School Supt. David had made a great contribution to Jones County schools at a time of reconstruction when Jones County was so impoverished by the War and roads almost impassable, and there was so much to be done with so little. We shall remem- ber his hard work under terrific handicaps. While running for office for the legislature he was ambushed by carpetbaggers and shot at several times, almost losing his life. He was married to Lou Calhoun, Sept. 11, 1855 near Columbus, Ga. The second marriage was to Mrs. S. M. Patton, Sept. 25, 1866 of Griswold- ville, Ga., and of this marriage were these children: Illda Ger- trude, Maude, Vida, Pierce and Hugh David Lester. He was thin, tall, well-proportioned and had a heavy moustache sprinkled with gray. He was well known for his public speaking and debates.


MCKAY


George W. F. McKay, planter and architect, Plentitude, Jones County, Ga., was the son of Hugh and Sarah Dixon Mc- Kay, and was born July 4, 1828. His father was a native of the Hebrides Island off the west coast of Scotland, where these McKays had lived for generations. The first Hugh Mckay came to America a nine year old orphan boy in 1773. He had relatives in Wilmington, N. C., who reared him to manhood. In 1811 he mar. Isabella McQueen , by whom he had six children. In 1823, having lost his wife, he came with his family to Georgia and settled in Bibb County. There he married Sarah Dixon by whom he had three children : Hugh Dixon Mckay, George W. F. Mc-


300


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


Kay, and an infant who died. About 1826 he settled at Plentitude where he died in May 21, 1839. He was a Whig in politics, and a man of great energy and perseverance. George W. F. McKay, mar. Oct. 16, 1849, Susan Ann Finney, daughter of Henry and Nancy Finney, a native of Jones County by whom he had eight children : Alexander H. S., Henry A., Hugh D., Onnie L. (wife of C. L. McCarty), William Lee, Jeff Davis, Henrietta D. and Sarah both died infants. George W. F. McKay was elected twice to represent Jones County in the General Assembly, 1882-83, and 1892-93. He was the author of the act requiring the signa- tures of three-fifths of the voters to a petition for holding an election on the sale of intoxicants in the county. He gave all of his children a college education. Hugh D. graduated in medicine from Bellevue Hospital in New York in 1883, practiced in Jones County five years and died suddenly in 1888. Alex. H. S. after graduating from Mercer University, taught two years in Jones and then was made County School Commissioner where he serv- ed twenty-two years, and was one of the most efficient in the state. The Mckays owned 3700 acres of land in western Jones Co. had many slaves before 1860. George W. F. Mckay was a Methodist, and a Knight Templar Mason and a Democrat.


Alex H. S. Mckay married Mary Tom Allen of Monroe County and their children were : Mabel (Mrs. A. B. Alexander of Forsyth), who has one daughter Mary Elleanor (Mrs. Alvin Lewis). Alex's son was Hugh Mckay IV., who was Gen. Man- ager of Vick's Chemical Co. in Rye, N. Y. He graduated at Mercer and married Ellen Grace Cotton of Ark., and they have two children, Hugh Dixon Mckay, V. and Wiley Cotton Mckay.


REV. E. W. SAMMONS


Rev. E. W. Sammons, a Baptist preacher as well as an edu- cator served the county as its third County School Superintend- ent for twenty-two years from 1902 until 1924. He was born Sept. 24, 1850 at Hearnsville, in upper Putnam County. He was taught there by Capt. Bob Smith (who later mar. Sallie Barron and lived at Round Oak.) Capt. Smith seeing the makings of a fine man in Ellis Sammons assisted him through the Baptist Seminary in Greenville, S. C. He studied under Dr. John Broad-


301


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


us and was ordained in 1873 when twenty-three years of age. He preached in about every Baptist church in Jones and Jasper Counties, driving over rough roads for long distances. He taught school at Round Oak in the first school built near the present church. He moved his family to Gray in 1901 and was soon elected County School Superintendent. He made many im- provements in the schools by having each school start a library, by raising the standards of teachers, by better sanitary condi- tions, associated activities and better equipment. The small amount of money was used wisely and well. Rev. Sammons married Irene Milner Tufts of Blountsville, whose grandfather was the noted Baptist minister, Benjamin Milner. Their children are : Walker, Tufts, Mary, Nolan, Dick, Lois and Willie. Rev. Ellis Walker Sammons died Mar. 8, 1937 and is buried at West- view Cemetery at Gray, Ga. He was the son of Ellis Walker and Emmeline Sawyer Sammons.


U. S. LANCASTER


U. S. Lancaster was the fourth School Superintendent of Jones County. He served in this capacity from 1925 to 1933. He is the son of William S. Lancaster and Mattie Clark Lancaster of Hall County. The Grandfather, Allen Lancaster was one of the original settlers of Hall County. The maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Clark was also an original settler of Hall County. U. S. Lancaster's brothers and sisters are: Jackson H. (father of Lounette Lancaster), Mrs. Rena L. West, Mrs. Fannie L. Latimer, William E. Lancaster, Hubert O., Joseph W., Mrs. Hattie L. Whitmire, Arthur M., and Mrs. Eunice Waldrip. County Supt. U. S. Lancaster graduated from Mercer Uni- versity in 1915 and then became High School Supt. of Schools in Hall, Bartow, Walton and Jones Counties. While he was Supt. of Jones High School it was placed on the accredited list, build- ings were improved and during his term of office the schools made rapid progress, over the county. He stressed better grounds, equipment, buildings and higher teaching certificates. U. S. Lancaster was born on April 28, 1885. His first wife was Sara Thompson from Barrow County and they had two sons of which only one survives, Howard Lancaster of Gray. U. S.


302


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


Lancaster served as Postmaster of Gray for eighteen years, is Pres. of the Mercer Club, and active in the Baptist Church. His second wife is Miss Nora Morton, daughter of William Morton and granddaughter of an original settler, Oliver Morton.


W. E. KNOX


W. E. Knox, the fifth County School Superintendent of Jones County, is the son of Myrtle Irwin Knox, born March 20, 1871 in Woodbury, Tenn., and Samuel A. Knox, born Dec. 16, 1858 in Porterfield, Tenn. There were seven children and of this number there are three living, namely : Roy W. Knox, Samuel A. Knox and W. E. Knox. The Knox family are long time residents of Tennessee. The family tree shows that this family are direct descendants of John Knox (1505-1572) a Scottish reformer and historian. W. E. Knox came to Jones County from Ready- ville Tenn. At the age of 19 he had been principal of a school in Butts County. At 21 he was Principal of Haddock High School, then he came to Jones County High School where he was Princi- pal for four years. He receivel his A.B. degree from Mercer University. In 1931 he married Miss Elizabeth Hackett of Macon. Their three daughters are: Betty Knox, Allyce Knox (Mrs. Alvin North) and Billy Anne Knox. Supt. Knox has brought the school system up to one of the best in Georgia. Three new Negro brick schools opened up in Jones County last year modern in every respect with modern transportation for all school children. Supt. Knox has been a leader in Kiwanis and was the Chairman and the driving force which carried the Kiwanis project of the Health Center to completion in 1955. As Mayor of Gray he has expanded the water system, improved fire pro- tection, paved streets and made many other imprivements. He has served as Chairman for many drives, such as Red Cross, polio and Cancer. He is very public spirited and was elected for four years without opposition to serve as County School Super- intendent in 1956.


EDUCATIONAL FUNDS IN JONES COUNTY


There are several educational funds in Jones County. The first one is the Gray Fund left by James Madison Gray which is administered by Mercer University. The Gray "will", may be


303


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


read in this book and in it the fund is described. About two hund- red boys from Jones County have directly benefited from this fund.


The second fund was left by Hugh Moss Comer and the Com- er family has preference in using this.


The third educational fund was left by Mrs. Addie White Redding, and only the interest may be used. The fund says it is for "needy and worthy girls", of Jones County, but she states that the descendants of the White family have preference in the loan of this fund. It is to be paid back at low interest after the recipient has graduated, or is working.


The fourth fund is known as, "The Morton Johnson Scholar- ship Fund", to be used for higher education of deserving boys and girls of Jones County, and is a gift, the recipient to be select- ed by the Officers of the Oliver Morton Chapter D. A. R. each year. It is administered by F. M. Stewart, Jr., Gray, Ga.


There is also a "Mae Stewart Scholarship", for use of Jones County boys and girls. This fund named in honor of Miss Mae Stewart, a retired teacher of Jones County High School at Gray.


CHAPTER XIX


History of Churches in Jones County


At first there were no organized churches. Everyone worked so hard for a livelihood they had little time to build churches. People were widely scattered. Some kept their membership in their old home counties. There was a constant threat of Indians only a few miles away. The first meeting houses were built as much to have social gatherings, as to worship God. The loneli- ness of the early pioneers had a great need for young and old to get together. Then came the day of the itinerant preacher. On the day of the declaration of the War of 1812 meetings were held for prayer and there was a dread in every heart.


There were the circuit riders with meager salaries and many hardships. One of the early riders was Rev. James B. Payne as Ocmulgee Circuit Pastor, Methodist. There were others, among them, Edmond Talbot a cousin of Hon. Matthew Talbot, Gov., who preached in Jones County from 1809-1830. He moved to Henry County, Ala. and at the age of eighty-six died in 1853. Henry Hooten was a pioneer preacher here and started the Elam Baptist church. John and Benjamin Milner were outstanding preachers at Blountsville Baptist church. Isham Reese preached near the Joe Day place and is buried there. There are many others of whom there is no record available. Rev. Thomas Bog Slade was a minister as well as an educator, and was known to preach in many churches without any remun- eration for his services. Rev. Joshua S. Calloway preached here in 1810, died in Clayton County 1855.


A history of the white churches will be found in this chapter, and a list of the colored churches, of which no histories were re- corded.


(304)


EARLY CHURCH DEED RECORDS, JONES COUNTY, GA.


Grantee


Grantor


Date of Instrument


Description


Clinton M.E. Church


Sam. Cook and Wm. Wilson ..


4- 7-1817


1 A. Meeting H.


Elam Baptist Church


Henry Hooten


7- 8-1812


334 A.


Jno. McBride, Ch. Trustee.


Jos. Bonner.


4-20-1813


31/2 A.


New Hope Church


Jno. Mullins.


8- 5-1818


1 A.


New Hope Church


Edward Brooks


5-18-1816


1 A.


Flat Shoal Bap. Ch.


Abner Davis.


4- 2-1814


Baptist Ch. Trustees


Greene Wynn


10-28-1815


11/2 A.


Baptist Ch. Trustees


Daniel Hightower


10-28-1815


Baptist Ch. Trustees


Samuel Pool


4- 9-1817


Trustees Meth. Ch


John Cook.


10-25-1812


1 A.


Trustees Baptist Ch


Samuel Pool.


8-26-1820


13/4 A.


Peter Wyce et al. Meth. Ch


Wm. Griggs, et al.


10-28-1812


1 A.


Peter Wyce et al. Meth. Ch


Allen Green, et al


3-23-1819


Lot


Walnut Creek Baptist Ch.


Robt. Carr


9-16-1809


A.


Walnut Creek Baptist Ch


Jacob Lewis


3-12-1821


1 A.


Ocmulgee House, Bap. Ch


Geo. Walker


8- 7-1820


1 A.


Ocmulgee Baptist Church.


.J. L. Patterson


8- 7-1820


1 A.


Baptist Church.


Collin Pope.


8- 7-1820


1 A.


M. E. Church Clinton.


Robt. Cunningham, et al


7-14-1821


Lot in Clinton


Shiloh Baptist Church


Thos. White, et al.


4-15-1823


81/2 A.


Elam Baptist Church


Travis A. D. Weaver


6-19-1831


2 A.


Walnut Creek Church


Samuel Lowther


5- 4-1833


New Hope Church


Giles Driver


1- 2-1830


New Hope Church.


Greene Miller


10- 9-1833


Rehoboth Baptist Church


Geo. Harrison


3-13-1832


3 A.


County Line Baptist Church


Wiley Little


8-23-1836


3 A.


Chapel Hill Baptist Church


Robert Woodall


3-31-1838


6 A.


Sardis M. E. Church.


James Jones ..


5-15-1838


3 A.


Union Hill Baptist Church


Alexander Oden


4- 2-1835


21/2 A.


Friendship Church


Nathaniel Glover


12- 7-1849


3 A.


Mt. Zion M. E. Church


Henry Brown ..


11- 2-1850


2 A.


Mt. Springs Baptist Church


Balkcom Bryant.


9- 7-1854


41/2 A.


Methodist E. Church


Shadrack Slater, et al.


9-27-1860


1 A.


Pitts Chapel M.E. Church.


James Wells


10-13-1860


314 A.


Sunshine Meth., Round Oak, Ga. & Cem.


Robert Smith & Sally Barron Smith 10- 1-1875


43/4 A.


2 8/10 A.


1 A. 3/4 A.


6 A.


1/4 A. 14 A.


306


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


EAST JULIETTE CHURCH


In 1898 an interdenominational church was built in East Juli- ette, then called Glover's Mill. This church was also used as a school until 1915 or 1916. The church has often been used by Free Will Baptists, Holiness, Church of God and regularly by the Missionary Baptists and Primitive Baptists. This church was burned in 1915 and a small new church was built by the Juliette Milling Company. Rev. Minter served the church for 20 years. Elder E. J. Maddox of Chester, Ga., a Primitive Baptist preach- er served the church 18 years. Rev. H. P. McDonald from Well- iston, Fla. preached here for several years.


The first church was called Glover's because he had the build- ing put up. When Glover sold out holdings in Juliette and the old church burned, the new church was called Juliette Baptist Church. The Juliette Milling Co. gave the land and the present building. The Presbytery was, Rev. W. O. Sharp, Rev. C. W. Rowe, Rev. J. C. Aloneson, Rev. J. T. Cooper. Some of the early members were, J. T. Pritchett, Elbert Kent, T. J. Wilson, Nannie Bridges, J. M. Bishop, Claud Laster, Mary Bostic, Bill Smith, Mamie Chambers, L. C. Wilson.


ELAM BAPTIST CHURCH


Henry Hooten, a pioneer settler of Jones County, Georgia was born in Bertie County, N. C. and came from Washington County, Ga. to Jones County in 1807.


Mr. Hooten, early in life was a Methodist and leader in that denomination. Later he became a member of the Baptist Church and through his efforts the Elam Baptist Church was established.


According to early records this Church was established be- tween 1808 and 1810 and was known as Hooten's Meeting House. The deed made July 8, 1812 by Henry Hooten to the church designates Elam as the name of the Church. (Deed Book E, page 219, Clerk Superior Court, Jones County, Ga.) Upon this original tract of 334 acres is located the present church building.


Henry Hooten lived on his farm near the church and was pastor for a number of years. During his leadership three great


Methodist Church at Gray Plentitude Baptist Church


Elam Baptist Church at James Baptist Church at Gray


308


HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY


revivals brought many into the fold, and he was instrumental in bringing into the gospel field six or seven ministers.


Little is known of the early history of the church. As a mem- ber of the Ocmulgee Association for a half century, the church entertained this body in 1817, 1833, and 1852. Elam's messen- gers to the association in 1834 were George Dunken and John French; from 1842 through 1854 the Associational messengers were Joseph Stallworth, Oliver H. Morton, Taylor Morris, Chapman Cox, G. Wright and J. Middlebrooks.


A split occurred in the church previous to the Civil War period, over the question of foreign Missions. Many who ob- jected to the cause of foreign missions withdrew and formed a separate church known as Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist. Those remaining constituted themselves as the Elam Missionary Bap- tist Church.


The number of members in 1854 is given as 86; in 1867 there were 12 white and 12 negro members. There is a gradual in- crease in the past 72 years and today approximately 150 mem- bers are enrolled.


Of those serving as pastors prior to the foreign missionary development, scarcely anything is known. Henry Hooten is be- lieved to be the first pastor and Edmund Talbot, another Jones County pioneer Baptist minister probably served this Church during the first years of its existence. The names of Joshua Callaway and Jno. M. Gray appear in 1821, and it was by Rev. Jesse Campbell that Thomas Slade was baptized at Elam in 1832. Mr. Slade then a noted educator of Georgia was after- wards ordained as a minister of the gospel. The ordination took place in Clinton in 1835.


Those serving the church as missionary Baptist ministers are : A. J. Freeman, 1867-1870; P. W. Edge, 1871-1873; J. W. Butts, 1874-1875; L. W. Smith, 1876-1878; J. H. Allen, 1879; Jno. F. Eden, 1880; R. E. Murrow, 1881; E. W. Sammons, 1882-1884; 1895-1907; W. C. Felts, 1885-1889; 1892-1894; B. H. Summer, 890; A. F. Sellars, 1908-1912; W. B. Under- wood, 1921-1922; C. H. Anderson, Nov. 11, 1928-Mar., 1930; W. M. Burns, 1930; J. Fred Eden, Jr., 1931 -.




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