USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 69
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 69
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 69
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The original members were: Samuel Eaton, Elizabeth Eaton, Barnabas Woolcott, Sarah Woolcott, George Wilson, Sarah Wilson, John Adair, Rebecca Adair, Lewis Benson, Rebeeea Benson, Alexander Clark, Rutha Clark, Enoch Eaton, Polly Eaton, Isaac Eaton, Sarah Eaton, Elizabeth Eaton, Jr. and Elizabeth Rice, of whom Enoch Eaton, Re- becca Adair and Rebecca Benson are still living.
Elders Peter Hagler and John R. Hutchins were the council of recognition, and Enoch Eaton was chosen deacon and his wife deaconess.
The following is a list of pastors and clerks :
Pastors-Elder P. Hagler, from Aug. 1843 to Jan. 1846 ;
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Eld. D. Huggins, April 1846 to Sept. 1848; Eld. P. W. Jones, Feb. 1849 to Jan. 1850; Eld J. S. Brown, Sept. 1850 to May 1851; Eld. P. W. Jones, May 1851 to April 1855; Eld. H. S. Deppe, May 1855 to May 1856; Eld. P. W. Jones, Aug. 1856 to De :. 1860; Eld. M. J. Wilks, March 1860 to April 1861 ; Eld. J. B. Campbell, June 1861 to June 1865; Eld. W. H. Carner, Feb. 1866 to April 1869 : Eld. J. C. Wilson, Oct. 1870 to Oct. 1874; Eld. D. Shipman, Nov. 1874 to Aug. 1875; Eld. J. C. Harris, Jan. 1877 to the present time.
Clerks-Isaac Eaton, elected August 5, 1843 ; Samuel Eaton, elected, February, 1848 ; William M. Eaton elected October, 1851; Butler Nace, elected April, 1858 : William Eaton, elected April, 1859 ; Abel Campbell, elected June, 1860; H. L. Eaton, elected June, 1866; W. R. Eatou. elected July, 1874; W. F. Treffizs, elected Septem- ber, 1881.
This church entertained the annual meeting of the Saline Association in 1844. The next year it went into the or- ganization of the Nine Mile Association, which body met with this church in 185 .. Bro. J. B. Campbell, now of Sparta, Illinois, was licensed to preach Oct. 2, 1852. Bro. Addison Pressley was licensed July 9, 1881. Eld. Heze- kiah West was in April, 1865, ordained here, by Elders P. Hagler, P. W. Jones and R. C. Keele.
This church has experienced remarkable seasons of re- vival and declension. The question of " Masonry " was a disturbing cause in 1850. Of the numerous revivals pro- bably none effected a more marked change in the church than two protracted meetings in the winter of 1877-78, resulting in seventeen baptisms at each, which with other accessions during the year, raised the membership about two hundred per cent.
In recent years the Sunday-school enterprise has received due attention. Brethren James Knox, W. F. Trefftzs, Ad- dison Pressley, Daniel Benson, W. R Eaton and H. L. Eaton serving as superintendents. The church has always been prompt to meet its financial obligations.
THE SWANWICK BAPTIST CHURCH.
One of the earliest organizations in the county, but now extinct, was the Swanwick church, which came into exist. ence in the year 1843, not long after the Galum church. Its location was in sec. 36, tp. 4 S., range 3 W., near the pre sent residence of John Kellerman, and not far from the Oak Grove church. The original members were : Bryant West, David Huggins and wife, aud sister Roach. Elders Wil- liam Whitchurch and J. H. Mitchell, of St. Clair county, were the ministry composing the Presbytery.
They were distinguished at first as "Emancipating," or "Emancipated Baptists," believing in the freeness of the gospel of salvation. Though averse to the payment of a stated sum to ministers as salary, they were not "anti- effort " or " anti-mission "Baptists. They built a meeting- house, and it was duly dedicated, Elder Atlas Moore, of St Clair county, preaching the sermon. This church was one of the constituent members of the Nine Mile Association.
David Huggins was at that time its clerk, and J. H.
Mitchell, pastor. Next five years, 1840 to 1859, David Huggins was pastor, and William Hutchings clerk. The membership had grown to about fifty. William Davis was then elected clerk, and continued to serve as such during the life of the church. In 1854 P. W. Jones was pastor ; Elder Huggins succeeded him. In 1857 the church be- came extinct.
THE FOUR MILE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized February 19, 1848, at the house of Jeremiah Walker, in sec. 24, tp. 6, S. R. 3 W., un- der the name of "The Baptist Church of Christ at Four Mile Prairie." The constituent members were: Jeremiah Walker, Martha Walker, Rachel Walker, Richard G. Murphy, Mary Ann Murphy, James Thompson, Margaret Thompson, John N. Thompson, Harriet Thompson, Martha Brown, Alexander Brown, Louisa Brown, Lewis S. Thomp- son, Lucinda Thompson, Hester Denny, Mary Van Winkle, Elizabeth Arnold, Cyrene Pyatt and Lucinda N. Bourland, of whom Harriet Thompson, Cyrene Pyatt and Rachel Walker (now Kinzey) are the only ones known to be living.
The presbytery or council was composed of Elders Peter Hagler and David Huggins and Bro. P. W. Jones, a licen- tiate. Elder Hagler was the first pastor. Richard G. Murphy was the first clerk and Jeremiah Walker the first deacon. Samuel Pyatt was the first member received. He was chosen clerk and served until 1855. In October, 1848, the church enjoyed a revival in which fourteeu were bap- tized. The amount collected and paid to the pastor as his salary for 1848 was $6.75.
The church languished, after 1850, for five years, when, in 1855, under the labors of Elder H. S. Deppe, fifteen mem- bers were added. The salary of the pastor in 1855 was fixed at $50, and James G. Brown was chosen clerk. In January, 1867, Elder M. J. Wilks became pastor, and at a protracted meeting held in December 1858, seven members were received. Then followed the pastorate of Elder Wil- liam Thornton for nearly two years. From 1860 to 1868 meetings were suspended. From February to September, 1868, Elder P. Hagler again served the church; 8 were baptized, and with 2 others added to 10 old members re-en- rolled, the record of this church of 20 members closes.
THE PIPE STONE BAPTIST CHURCHI
Was organized in 1848 at the house of E. T. Rees, near Den- mark. Besides E. T. Rees and Elvira R., his wife, the original members were Independence Jinkins, R. S. Hood and Polly Ernest, and perhaps others, all deceased so far as we can learn. It was through the instrumentality of Elder R. G. Davis that this body was organized. They were a small band. He was the first pastor, but, losing his health a year or so after- ward, Elder H. S. Gordon became their pastor.
The church was admitted to membership in the Nine-Mile Association in 1849, with a membership of sixteen. Their pastor, Elder Davis, preached the Associational discourse, and the church was reported to be in a promising condition, but upon the accession of Elder Gordon to the pastorate, the church became "open communion " in faith and practice,
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and was accordingly dropped from the fellowship of the As- sociation at its meeting in 1851.
THE PARADISE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized September 10, 1853, at a meet- ing held in the barn belonging to Deacon Hosea H. Strait, in Sec. 26, Tp. 5, S. R. I W.
The original members, thirty-two, in number, were dis- missed from the Nine-Mile church in a body, for the pur- pose of forming a church in the Paradise Prairie, which, prior to that time, had been au out station or arm of said church.
Miner J. Wilks,* Eliza A. Wilks, II. H. Strait, Nancy M. Strait,* R. C. T. Keller,* Eleanor Keller,* Henry F. Hampleman, Minerva Hampleman,* William Gee,* Malinda Gee,* HI. J. Sulser,* Margaret Sulser, James A. Jones,* Sarah Jones, George Martin, William Thornton, J. T. R. Thornton, L. C. Bramley," Mary J. Bramley,* Samuel T. Etherton, Rebecca Etherton, Daniel Gunn, Nancy Gunn,* Elizabeth Teel,* Charles E. R. Winthrop,* Deliah Win- throp,* B. H. Keller, " Mary J. Keller,* B. D. Kelley. Nancy W. Kelley, Rose A Robinson,* Isabella Galloway. Of these R. C. T. Keller, Eleanor Keller, Naney Strait, now Lowman) Minerva Hampleman, and Elizabeth Teel, still have their membership in the body.
In 1854 a good frame building was erected at the S. W. corner of the S. E. I of S. W. 4, Sec. 14, Tp. 5, S. R. 1 W, of 3d P. M. at a cost of $1,500.
Hozea H. Strait and Benjamin D. Kelley were the first deacons. They were " worthy of double honor," and have gone to their reward. William Gee was the first clerk, and was succeeded by R. C. T. Keller, R. A. Hampleman. A. Zwahlen and James W. Lemmon, the present clerk. El der P. Ilagler was the first pastor, serving two years. Elder P. W. Jones, served one year. The subsequent pastors were Elders M J. Wilks, William Thornton, Wm. II. Carner, A. Rice, P. Hlagler, J. Carroll Harriss, Marion Teague and J. H. Thornton, present incumbent. Fre- quently two of these pastors served together as joint-pastors.
If Nine-Mile church can be called the mother of churches, Paradise is entitled to be called the mother of Baptists, as the number baptized here will average above one each month during the entire period the church has been in existence. Besides the brethren named above as pastors, Elders John M. Billingsley, John A. Rodman and H. S. Deppe have ren- dered valuable aid in protracted meetings.
This church has also sent out a goodly number of minis- ters as thefollowing list will show : Miner J. Wilks and Wil- liam Thornton, licensed October, 1854, ordained November 13, 1856; Wm. H. Carner, licensed June, 1861, ordained December 4, 1864; W. Sanford Gee, licensed February, 1869, ordained May 14, 1871 ; J. Carroll Harriss, licensed February, 1876, ordained July 8, 1876 ; Joseph Il. Thorn- ton, ordained July 8, 1876
This church, early in 1854, extended its influence in the establishment of an out post or station at Horse Prairie, in Franklin county, which was supplied with preaching, and recognized as an "arm" of the church until a separate church
was organized there in 1856. Paradise church became a member of the Nine- Mile Association in 1853, and that body met with this church in the year 1855, 1865, 1871 and 1878.
Of the early members of this church several have finished their course. Deacon II. HI. Strait, died March 15, 1856, aged -13. Ile left a bright example.
Deacon II. F. Hampleman, died October 8, 1876, aged 62 years. Hle filled the otliee of County Judge, of Perry county, as did also HI HI. Strait and C. E. R. Winthrop
Eller William Thornton, after a brief but useful life in the ministry, died April 21, 1866, leaving his mantle to his son, the present pastor.
THE DU QUOIN BAPTIST CHURCH.
On the 30th day of May, 1857, when the present city of Du Quoin was a mere village, fourteen Baptists, seven brethren and seven sisters, were gathered together, and uniting in covenant relations with each other, were recog- nized as the First Baptist Church of Du Quoin. The council of recognition was composed of Rev. S. II Bundy, then editor of the Illinois Baptist, published at Benton, Elders P'. Hag- ler and P. W. Jones. The following are the names of the original members: Rev Hamilton Sampson, Desire Samp- son, Deacon Moses Winters, Aun S. Winters, John A. Wil- liams, Mary Jane Williams, John D. Perry, Mary M. Perry, Edmund Lipe, Moses C. Winters, Asenath A. Winters, Drusilla A. Winters, Christiana (. Winters and Edwin Sampson. By reason of removals and deaths, none of these are now members of this church, it being the only Baptist church in the county that has survived all its constituent members. Rev. H. Sampson was installed as pastor of the church. Moses Winters was recognized as Deacon. and John A. Williams was chosen clerk.
The first person baptized was sister Malinda Burke. In April, 1858, Rev. E. Jaynes was chosen pastor, and the church was enrolled as a member of the Nine Mile Associa- tion. In March, 1859, a council was called. and Bro. W. (. F. Hempstead, a member of the church, was ordained to the ministry. Elders E. Jaynes, Peter Hagler, E. Hempstead and - Martin, with other brethren, composed the council. Elder Hempstead then became the pastor of the church, to serve one half the time, at a salary of 8200. The church, however, was unable to sustain him, and were besides without a house in which to worship, using the vil- lage school house and other places until November, 1861, when they secured the use of the I'resbyterian church for a time, and engaged Rev. H. II. Haff as pastor for six months, one-half the time, for $50. The services of Elder Haff eon- tinued and the church gained some strength, and many con- sultations were had and efforts made to build a house. On May 12, 1860, Bro. John A. Williams was liceused to preach. In November, 1863, Rev. R. S. Johnson became pastor. and the tide of general prosperity enabled the church to undertake and successfully prosecute the enterprise of ereeting the present house of worship, which is a substantial structure of brick, 40x60 feet, located near the southwest corner of the public park, almost in the heart of the city. Its cost was between $5,000 and 86,000. The building, when
ยท (Those marked * are atill livinz )
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
completed, was one of the finest in southern Illinois, and was dedicated March 26, 1865. Rev. J. G. Johnson, now of Philadelphia, preached the dedicatory discourse. On the 1st of April fourteen members were received from the Eben- ezer Baptist Church, among whom were Elder Josiah Lemen, an ordained minister, and W. S. D. Smith, a licentiate. Elder Johnson's pastorate closed in December, 1865, and he was succeeded by Elder Jacob Cole, now of Champaign, Ill., who served one year, when Elder D. P. French became pastor, and served until October, 1866. In December of that year the Rev. F. Hill was called to the care of the church, and served one year. Elder D. P. French then served the church again as pastor for about two years, during which time the indebtedness for church building was discharged.
In March, 1872, Rev. L. M. Whiting was chosen pastor- salary $700. He served nearly two years, during which time the church enjoyed some prosperity, but was also entangled in some difficulties. Feb. 5, 1874, Rev. Demas L. Clonse, now in Iowa, became pastor and served a little more than a year.
Sept. 5, 1874, Elder E. C. H. Willoughby, who had for- merly been a Baptist minister, but had become connected with the "Christian Church," was, by the action of this church, restored to fellowship as a Baptist. He succeeded Elder Clouse, as pastor of the church, and served about two years. August 15, 1878, the venerable Rev. Erastns Ad- kins, D D., now, as formerly, a resident of Ohio, was settled as pastor, the church being aided in his support by the Home Mission Society. From June to October, 1879, the pulpit was supplied by Bro. Thomas S. Bovell, then a student at Shurtleff College. From October, 1880, to October, 1881, Rev. Marion Teagne served as pastor, preaching only a part of the time. In October, 1881, Rev. John Powell, of Belle- ville, began his present pastorate, which so far has been quite successful.
This church has always been weak financially-has had many hindrances - is probably enjoying as much real pros- perity now as at any time in the past. Situated in a town of from 2,000 to 3,000 inhabitants, where every grade of society is to be found, and in the midst of all the "isms" of the present age, the little handful of faithful brethren have held the ground and contended for "the faith." Liberal contributions have from time to time been made by the members of the Du Quoin church to the American Baptist Ilome Mission Society, American Baptist Publication Society, for Foreign Missions and the support of Baptist colleges.
The following are the names of the different clerks of said church : John A. Williams (now an ordained minister), James W. Winters, Samuel E. Evans, T. C. Watkins, H. S. Lemen, J. B. Kelly, Friend Smith and Charles F. Linzee. S. E. Evans is the present clerk.
Deacons D. Harley and George S. Smith, Sister Margaret Winters and her son, James W. Winters, are also worthy of mention as pillars of the church ; the two last named are now the only members who have been with the church throughout its entire history, and they have always been among its chief supporters.
The Pinckneyville Baptist Church .- Appears to have been the name of a short-lived organization which seems to have formed a sort of connecting link between the old "Swanwick" church and the present churches of "Oak Grove " and "Pinckneyville." On the 31st day of Decem- ber, 1857, Elders Peter Hagler and Hamilton Sampson being present at a Presbytery or council of recognition, the following named Baptists of Pinckneyville and vicinity, viz. : William Davis and Sarah Davis his wife, George Baxter, Charles Song, Thomas Thompson, James F. Mason, Lncy Ann Gordon and Sarah Helvey were united together in church relation.
Elder Sampson was chosen pastor and Brother William Davis, clerk. The church was admitted to the Nine-Mile Accociation in 1858.
One or two members were smbsequently received by letter. Elder P. W. Jones appears to have been the pastor from September, 1858 until August, 1859, when the record closed. George Baxter died October, 1867. William Davis and wife went into the organization of the Oak Grove church while James F. Mason, Charles Song (now deceased) and Lucy A. Gordon (now Malone) were constituent members of what is now called the " First Baptist church of Pinckney- ville."
Doubtless this feeble organization served its purpose though no imposing array of statistics can be brought forward to its credit. The record of one of its meetings is in these words : "Saturday before the second Lord's day in April, 1859, three members met and had prayer." It would be interesting to know what petitions went up from that little circle and in what manner the promise was fulfilled to the "two or three" thus gathered together in the name of the Lord.
The Ebenezer Baptist Church .- The Ebenezer Baptist church was organized on the 16th day of June, 1860. At the school house, in district Number 5, Tp. 6, S. R. 1, W., about two miles east of Du Quoin, by the following named brethern and sisters entering into covenant relations, viz. : Elders Josiah Lemen, Martha Lemen, David McCollum, Mary McCollum, Mary Cole, Jesse McCollum and Melissa McCollum, of whom the two last named are still living. Elders Josiah Lemen and W. C. F. Hempstead were the Presbytery and Elder Hempstead was chosen pastor the first year. Elder P. W. Jones then served one year followed by Elder Josiah Lemen, about two years, when Elder P. Hagler was chosen and served one year.
The whole number baptized into the fellowship of the church was thirty. In 1860, it was received into the fellow- ship of the Nine-Mile Association. October 3d, 1863, the church granted to brother W. S. D. Smith a license to preach. The church was considerably diminished by the withdrawal on the 18th day of March, 1865, of a large number of its members who desired to unite with the church in Du Quoin, consequently, at the next meeting the church voted to dissolve its organization. Some of the members going into the Du Quoin church and others to Paradise church.
It would seem that the organization of this body at a point so near a church already established iu the thriving village
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
of Du Quoin was a mistake, but doubtless it served a tem- porary purpose for good. David McCollum died while a member of his church in 1863.
The Tamaroa Baptist Church .- Was constitued January 12, 1859, by the following named brethren and sisters enter- ing into covenant relations with each other as a gospel church. Elder P. Hagler, being the officiating minister, viz. : Nelson Holt, Harriet A. Eaton, E. G. Bell, John B. Kelly, John W. Staton, Alonzo Etherton, Lazarus Eaton, Martha Tyrrel, Elizabeth Bell, Martha Roots, Rhoda A. Barker, Martha A. Bell, Elizabeth Kelley, Eliza A. Staton, Lovisa Etherton, Lydia Eaton, Barthana Bell, Elizabeth Davis, Alfred Turman, Charles Kellogg and Edmond Bar- ker. Only the two first named are members at this time.
Soon after its organization the church received a consider- able number of members by letter and was enrolled a member of the Nine-Mile Asssociation in 1859. Elder P. Flagler was the first pastor and served about two years. Some service was rendered the church from September 1862 to January 1864 by Elder Negus, after which the church was destitute of a pastor until July 1866 when brother A. L. Wilkinson, a young man, a licentiate, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, became their pastor. He served the church for about a year, being ordained at a meeting of the Nine-Mile Association at Du Quoin in October, 1866. He is now pastor of the First Baptist church of Springfield, Ohio.
For the first ten years of its existance the church seems to have made but little progress. Being without a house of worship the meetings were held in the Methodist church until November, 1860, when the school house was secured, the church putting in the seats for the use of the house. In April, 1869 the church again began holding its meetings in the Methodist church, and had the services of Rev. I. S. Mahan for nearly two years and enjoyed some prosperity. Eight were baptized in March, 1870.
At the close of that year a new and commodious house of worship having been erected, Elder 1, C. Carr was chosen pastor. The church was dedicated January 26, 1871. Rev. S. F. Holt, of Decatur, preaching the sermon. The cost of the building was about 83,500, a frame building, size 32x48 feet, with gallery and a good bell. Rev. S. C. Carr was pastor until 1873. Rev. Jonas Woodward served as pastor from June, 1873 until November, 1875, and his labors ap- pear to have been very profitable to the church until deelining health brought them to a close.
In December, 1877, Rev. D P. French began to serve the church, and continued to do so until the summer of 1880; but was not able to preach often, on account of his duties as general missionary calling him elsewhere. His membership is still with the church Elder J. H. Thornton was assistant pastor for three months in 1880. In April 1881, the present pastor Elder Marion Teague entered upon his duties and the work seems to he prospering in his hands.
The Grand Cote Baptist Church .- At a meeting held for that purpose in a grove of timber in the east end of the Grand Cote Prairie, where the church building now stands, the following named brethern and sisters of the Baptist "persuasion " were on Saturday before the fourth Sabbath
in September, 1861, united together as a church, to wit : Joel F. Deason and wife, E. D. Rountree and wife, John W. Rushing and wife, John C. Wilson and wife, Joel Rush- ing, Nancy Rushing, Levina Haile, Sarab Wells, Martha J. Ragland and Francis J. Huggins. Elders M. J. Wilks, William Thornton, P. W. Jones, John A. Williams and W. W. Hutchings composed the council. E. D. Rountree was chosen clerk and J. F. Deason and J. W. Rushing deacons. The next year a house was built costing about $350.
The church has generally been supplied with preaching once a month at a cost of about 840 per year.
Elders M. J Wilks, William Thornton, D. Huggins, W. Sanford Gee, Alex. Rice, J. K. P. Ragland and D. H. Thornton have successively served as pastors. Elders Hag- ler, Billingsley, Wilson Harriss and W. Wright have at various times rendered service in special meetings.
The church has always been small in number of members and only for a short period has it maintained a Sunday school. Some members have been lost by removal, and on the 10th day of July, 1878, Bro. Joel Rushing was removed by the hand of death ; his age was 78 years. Only three male members remain. The church has been a member of the Nine Mile Association since 1861. J. W. Rushing is clerk and Elder J. H. Thornton pastor. Present member- ship twenty-two.
Beaucoup Baptist Church .- On the fourth Saturday in September, 1863, at a meeting held at the Round Prairie school house, a church of twenty-five members was organized. Elders David Huggins, A. Rice, W. W. Hutchings and W. H. McElhanon were present and recognized the organi- zation. Elder W. W. Hutchings was chosen pastor and Thomas J Riee clerk. Afterward Elder A. Rice served as pastor for one year, and in 1865 (or about that date) the church dissolved.
It was admitted to the Nine Mile Association in 1863. After disbanding the members attached themselves to Con- cord Mud Prairie and other churches.
The Oak Grove Baptist Church .- Situated about two miles north of Pinekneyville, this church was constituted princi- pally of those who had survived the Swanwick church and the earlier Pinckneyville church. At a meeting held in the school house in District No. 5, Tp. 5 S. R. 3 W. on the 5th day of March, 1864, the following named persons affixed their names to a church covenant in the usual form in the presence of Elders W. W. Hutchings and P. W. Jones, and agreeing to accept the Bible as their rule of faith and prac- tice as a church, were recognized as an independent ecclesi- astical body with the name of the "Oak Grove Baptist Church," to wit : William Davis and Sarah Davis, his wife Enoch Taylor and Nancy J. Taylor, his wife, William H' Smith and Margaret J. Smith, his wife, John I Richmond Judith K. Preswood, Amy M. Keen, Louisa Mcclurkin and Phebe Hill. The church elected Bro. William H. Smith elerk and Bro. Jolin C. Wilson (then a licentiate) pastor. The next year he was ordained by a Presbytery consisting of Elders D. Huggins and E. M. Brown, and in August, 1865, he was succeeded in the pastorate by Elder William Thorn. ton, who served until May, 1866, when Elder A. Rice be-
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