USA > Indiana > History of Coffee Creek Baptist Association, (Southern Indiana): an account of present churches, and biographical sketches of its ministers > Part 6
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PASTORS.
Timothy B. Lewis, licentiate-but ordained in August of the same year-was pastor four years. Elder J. B. Swincher was next pastor for two years ; T. B. Lewis again, five years, and W. B. Lewis something more than two years. This was during the first years of the war, and the church, being in a low state and disheartened, had no pastor for about four years, when she
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rallied and had the services of George King, licentiate, one year, and Elder John Chambers one year, after which there was again a destitu- tion of three years. During the latter part of this period, Elder Wm. Gillaspy preached for them a few times, and the church was so much revived that Elder Gillaspy was secured as pas- tor, continuing about five years, with grand success, the membership being raised from twenty-three to ninety-eight during his first year. It was during his pastorate that the present house was erected. Since then the church has had as pastors Elders W. B. Lewis, one year; Allen Hill, three years; G. W. Thompson, two years, and J. N. Spillman now about three years.
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
Woodford Barnes, R. H. Keith, David Smith, Enos Tobias and E. J. Hughes have been the deacons.
Clerks .- Woodford Barnes, Phineas Butler, Daniel Lewis, Caleb Robins, David Smith and E. J. Hughes; Post-office address, Cana, Jen- nings County, Ind.
BUILDINGS AND LOCATION.
A log meeting-house was built in 1850, which in 1873 gave place to the present commodious brick (40x60 feet), neatly finished and furnished. It is the best house in the Association, and is
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located five miles due west from Commiskey Station, O. & M. Branch Road.
TRIALS, LABORS AND REWARDS.
The history of First Marion is full of lessons of instruction. Perhaps no church in the Asso- ciation has had to contend with more trials and difficulties-sometimes being almost ready to give up and cease to hold a name and place in the sisterhood of churches; yet no church has had more cause to bless God for his wonderful good- ness. In her afflictions she has cried unto the Lord, and he has heard and answered and blessed. The feeble band has been revived and comforted, backsliders have been reclaimed, sinners have been converted, and all have been enabled to rejoice in the quickening influences of the Holy Spirit. How truly have been veri- fied the words of Jehovah: "They shall call on my name and I will hear them. I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God." (Zechariah iii. 9.) And now, having been thus tenderly led through seasons of dark- ness and raised to prosperity, it seems that the future of the church must be successful.
Contributions are regularly made to all ad- vance Christian work, a good Sabbath-school is maintained, and the church appears to be in a prosperous condition, with a present member- ship of 105.
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ASSOCIATION.
KIMBERLIN CREEK. Constituted in June, 1849.
Messengers from Coffee Creek, Bethany, Scaf- fold Lick and White River convened at Ply- mouth school-house, Scott County, on Friday, June 1, 1849, and duly constituted, with usual ceremonies, the Kimberlin Creek Church-Elder Wm. B. Lewis being Moderator of the council, and Elder J. B. Swincher, Clerk.
A church covenant was adopted, and the fol- lowing members came forward and enrolled their names, to-wit: Peter Laswell, Louisa Laswell, Richard Lamaster, Jane Lamaster, Wm. Wall- ing, T. O. Deal, Mary Deal, John Deal, Sarah Deal, Morrow Shields, Nancy Shields, Amy Walling, Mary Sutton, Amos Sweet, Mary Sweet, Sarah Gladden, Ursula Somers, Parmela
Ferris, Wm. Smith, J. E. Roe, Ann D. Roe, James Walling, Elizabeth Whitlatch, Elizabeth Salmon, Margaret Ringo, Daniel Kimberlin, Nathan Dismore, Paulina Laswell, Sarah Wor- man, Vinie Pease, Lecta Pease, Ursula Kimber- lin and J. T. Deal.
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PASTORS.
Elder John Chambers commenced as pastor at the first meeting and served until November, 1853, since which the pastors have been: Elders W. Y. Monroe, one year; W. B. Lewis, one year; John Chambers again one year; J. B. Swincher nearly five years; Wm. Bussey nearly eight years; A. J. Robins, three years; J. B. Swincher, seven years; A. J. Robins, two years; Isaac Coker, one year; and the present pastor, N. L. Petty, nearly two years.
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
The deacons have been Peter Laswell, Mor- row Shields, J. Y. McCulloch, A. L. Gladden and J. J. Ringo; and the Clerks: John E. Roe, who served two years; S. C. Baker, three years ; A. L. Gladden, twelve years, and J. J. Ringo from 1876 to the present. Post-office address : Vienna, Scott County, Ind.
LICENSED AND ORDAINED.
George L. Mercer was licensed to preach in June, 1860, and ordained in October, 1861.
BUILDING.
The meeting-house is located on the road lead- ing from Lexington to Vienna, about midway between the two places, in a community of
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church-going people, and the congregations are generally large and orderly.
TRIALS AND REWARDS.
Like most other churches, Kimberlin Creek has had seasons of darkness and seasons of sun- shine; times of mourning and times of rejoicing. Though seldom having the peace of the church disturbed, it has sometimes been necessary to exercise discipline, and withdraw the hand of Christian fellowship from some of its members. Many have been dismissed by letter, and death has claimed loved and honored brethren and sisters; but during these trials it has pleased the Lord to give unto them the "garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;" to comfort those that mourn; to bless the efforts of pastors and people ; to revive a work of grace in their hearts and to turn poor sinners from the power of Satan unto God. And now, with a membership will- ing to engage heartily in Sabbath-school and other church work; with love, and peace, and harmony abounding; with good congregations of attentive listeners, and a pleasant and health- ful location, good success is anticipated. The present membership is 80. ,
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NEW BETHEL. Constituted in October, 1852.
A council of brethren from White River, Lib- erty, Lick Branch, Scaffold Lick, Kimberlin Creek, Saluda and Elizabeth churches, called for the purpose of deciding on the propriety of constituting the New Bethel Church, convened on the 16th of October of the year named, El- der John Chambers presiding, and Elder W. Y. Monroe being Clerk.
After praise and prayer, and an appropriate sermon by Elder Glover, the following persons, with their Articles of Faith and Church Cove- nant, presented themselves, and were duly rec- ognized as a church of Jesus Christ, to-wit: Beecham Davis, Martha Davis, Ellen Davis, Ann Davis, Henry Baker, Ellen Baker, Susan Baker, John Horner, Parthena Horner, Elizabeth Higgins, Wm. Arbuckle, Lucinda Arbuckle, Matthew Rea, Sarah Rea, John .Rea, Thomas Davis, Margaret McNeeley, Elizabeth McNee- ley, Sarah Crawford, Eliza Wasson, Martha Caven, Susan Britton, Siloma Snyder and Ruth E. Snyder.
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ASSOCIATION.
PASTORS.
The church immediately organized for busi- ness, inviting Elder Monroe to become pastor for one year, which he accepted, and commenced duties at once. The pastors since have been John Chambers, two years, and, after an inter- val of a few months, again ten years; Wm. Bus- sey, one year; John Chambers again five years (making seventeen years in all in which Brother Chambers faithfully served as pastor); Jesse Buchanan, one year; A. J. Robins, one year ; Marion Noell, three years; W. T. Carpenter, one year; and N. L. Petty to the present, about one year.
DEACONS, MODERATORS AND CLERKS.
Beecham Davis and Henry Baker have been the deacons from the first. They were also Moderator and Clerk from the first meeting up to 1876, when they were released at their own request; and Elder Marion Noell chosen Mod- erator and H. A. Hardy, Clerk. Post-office address: Lexington, Scott County, Ind.
LOCALITY AND HOUSE.
New Bethel is situated in Jefferson County, on what is known as the London Road, and about five miles east from Lexington. The
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building is a comfortable frame, and the sur- rounding community well-to-do farmers.
GROWTH AND PROSPECTS.
It is worthy of remark that each pastorate, without exception, was blessed to the saving of souls, and the growth has been steady and uni- form. Perhaps no church in the Association can make a more commendable showing. Many precious meetings have been held, when every heart appeared to be filled with the Spirit's pres- ence and every face bathed in tears ; yet those meetings were characterized more by deep sol- emnity and profound reverence than by any strong outward demonstrations of feeling. The progress has been continuous and reliable, and the future is hopeful. But with prosperity has also come adversity. Discords and divisions and deaths have often occurred, and many have also been dismissed by letter-thirty-six to Hebron at one time-thus thinning the ranks; yet, with . God's blessing on the united efforts of a working membership, much has been accomplished, and much is expected of them in the years to come. Sunday-schools are kept up; mission work pat- ronized, and all advance denominational move- ments encouraged. Present number, 66.
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ASSOCIATION.
LANCASTER. Constituted in July, 1859.
The 30th day of July, 1859, agreeably to pre- vious arrangement, messengers from the follow- ing churches, viz: Middle Fork, Hopewell, Harbert's Creek, Dupont, Lick Branch and Coffee Creek, met at Byfield's school-house, and duly constituted the Lancaster Baptist Church. Elder Thomas Hill presided and Elder M. B. Phares acted as Clerk.
The constituent members were: Wm. Con- way, Elizabeth Conway, Cornelia Conway, Phen- uel Steelman, John Peterson, Sarah Peterson, Samuel Peterson, James Peterson, Mary McEl- - roy, Aaron Vancleve, Julia Vancleve, Levi Jen- nings, R. J. Jennings, Susan Wright, Wm. Brazelton, S. G. Graham, Lucy Graham, Daniel Rector and Jane Rector.
PASTORS.
The pastors in succession have been: Elders Thomas Hill about four years; T. D. George, one year; Thomas Hill, one year; Wm. A.
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Chambers from November, 1866, to his death, July, 1867; John Chambers nearly three years; John E. McCoy, one year; John Chambers again one year; W. Y. Monroe about two years, when he resigned in favor of G. W. Thompson, who served about three years and resigned. Elder J. N. Spillman was then pastor up to June, 1882, about three years, when he also resigned, since which U. M. McGuire has been pastor.
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
The deacons, as they were chosen, have been : Wm. Conway, A. Vancleve, Sidney Mckay, F. M. Landon, Daniel Rector and James Spicer. Clerks .- D. Rector, James Spicer, A. C. Guthrie, J. C. Vancleve, I. F. Hammil, Samuel Hammil and H. K. Rector, whose post-office address is Lancaster, Jefferson County, Ind.
BUILDING AND LOCATION.
The present meeting-house is a neat and com- modious frame, 30x40 feet, with fourteen feet ยท story, and is very pleasantly located on the Mad- ison and Brownstown Turnpike road, ten miles northwest from the former place, and one-half mile from Lancaster post-office.
LABORS AND RESULTS.
The regular meetings are monthly, but special
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meetings are often held. A good Sunday-school is usually maintained during each summer sea- son, and contributions are regularly made to the cause of missions-at home and abroad-to min- isterial education, and kindred objects.
In her twenty-four years of church-life, Lan- caster has had seasons of prosperity and seasons of adversity. Deaths and dismissals by letter have reduced her numbers; discords and divi- sions have marred her peace; and these com- bined have produced sadness and gloom. But joy and gladness have succeeded these times of despondency ; worthy members have been gath- ered in to fill up the shattered ranks; unity of purpose and action have been restored; new hopes, and desires, and aspirations have been enkindled; new consecrations to the service of the Master have been made; and it is believed the years to come may witness increased pros- perity. Present number, 73.
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HEBRON.
Constituted in July, 1859.
Hebron Church was constituted the 30th day of July, the council of recognition being com- posed of delegates from Coffee Creek, White River, Lick Branch, Scaffold Lick, New Bethel, Elizabeth, Zoar, Kimberlin Creek and First Ma- rion-over which Elder John Chambers presided as Moderator, and Elder W. Y. Monroe was Clerk.
Thirty-six brethren and sisters, all from New Bethel, presented Articles of Faith and Church Covenant, and were recognized as the Hebron Baptist Church, with the following exercises: . Sermon by Elder W. B. Lewis; charge by Elder W. Y. Monroe; hand of fellowship by council.
The names of the members were: Martin . Pound, Artimacy Pound, Tilford Johnson, Eliza Stark, Eliza Staples, Sena Gray, J. M. Staples, Julia Staples, Melvina Staples, S. O. Staples, Amanda Staples, John Kelly, C. Whitlatch, Sarah Whitlatch, Eliza Stark, Mary Stark, Daniel Pound, Isabella Pound, Stephen Cole, Amy Cole, John Matthews, Martha Matthews, George
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ASSOCIATION.
Noe, Sarah Noe, Sarah Ann Noe, Joseph Cole, Harriet Cole, Nancy Tilford, Rachel Shepherd, Sarah Stark, Mary J. Costner, Nancy Hamlin, Louisa Stark, Mary Hopper, Miriam Robins and Keziah Berry.
PASTORS.
Timothy B. Lewis was pastor up to January, 1860; Wm. Bussey to February, 1866; Jesse Buchanan to March, 1867; W. A. Chambers, four months; Wm. Bussey, two months; Isaac Coker, one year; A. J. Robins, three years, after which they had no pastor for three years. J. B. Swincher then served three years, when there was a destitution of one year; since which Marion Noell has been pastor to the present.
MODERATORS, DEACONS AND CLERKS.
The Moderators have been John Matthews, Thomas Padgett, Richard Seek and Jesse Shep- herd.
Deacons .- Daniel Pound, John Matthews and Martin Pound.
Clerks .- Martin Pound served to May, 1878, and Calvin O. Staples to the present. Post-office address: Lexington, Scott County, Ind.
LOCATION AND BUILDING.
The church is located in Scott County, about
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three miles southeast from Lexington. The building is a comfortable frame, central in posi- tion and easy of access, and in a good farming community.
CHURCH WORK AND RESULTS.
The labors of the various pastors have been very acceptable, and blessed with success. Sev- eral special efforts have been made, in which the church was much revived, and at which many poor sinners found peace in believing, and put on Christ by public profession of faith and bap- tism. Harmony and concert of action have at all times existed between the church and the ministry, and the cause of Sunday-schools, mis- sions and kindred Christian duties are encour- aged and supported.
With these times of refreshings she has also been called to part with many loved ones by death, and has had seasons of sorrow and sad- ness; but is still encouraged to persevere in the Master's service. Present membership, 51.
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ASSOCIATION.
TEA CREEK. Constituted in December, 1872.
During the winter of 1871-72 a protracted meet- ing was held at a school-house on Tea Creek, in what formerly was called the Bailiff neighborhood. The meeting was conducted by Elder A. J. Rob- ins, pastor at Zion; but Methodist and Lutheran brethren, as well as Baptist, took deep interest in the meeting, rendering very efficient service. Every Christian heart seemed united in earnest prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and this prayer was answered to a degree seldom witnessed. The whole community was affected, and many stout-hearted and impenitent, who had long resisted the Spirit's influence, were turned from darkness to light, and enabled to rejoice in the assurance of their acceptance with God. Christian hearts were filled to overflowing with love and gratitude for these wonderful tok- ens of Divine favor, and now, after a lapse of more than ten years, this meeting is looked back to as a time peculiarly blessed of the Lord. Most of those converted united with Zion Church.
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BUILDING AND LOCATION.
There was no church organization in the neigh- borhood, but the people determined to arise and build a house, and the following summer a good, substantial frame was erected, the whole com- munity uniting; many who were not professors taking a very active part. The location is a good one; and is about two miles west from Lovett, a station on the O. & M. branch road.
CONSTITUTION.
In the fall of the same year, letters of dismis- sion were granted by Zion Church to Wm. Rob- ins, Lavina Robins, John Short, Lucinda Short, Basil Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Joseph Vance, Elizabeth Vance, Boyd Vance, Matilda Vance, G. W. Craig, Fergus Blakeley, Martha Blakeley, Charles Walker, Julia Walker, Noah Johnson, George Johnson, James Stoddard, Mariel Hart- well, Sardis Robins, Wm. R. Craig, A. S. Graves, Susan Hartwell, Margaret Blakeley, Eliza Hartwell, Nellie Short, Mary Vance, Se- rena Tribbet, Alpharetta Kinder, Esther Stod- dard, Betsey Earl, Lucinda Vance, Eliza Lay- man, Eliza Robins, Sarah McWhorter, Zilpha Spencer, Margaret Spencer, Emily Spencer, Charlotte Craig and T. J. Bush, who were rec- ognized, with usual ceremonies, by a council of
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delegates from the various churches of the vi- cinity, as the Tea Creek Baptist Church. Elder A. J. Robins was Moderator of the council and John Short Clerk.
PASTORS.
A. J. Robins was pastor until March, 1875; D. M. Lett to August, 1875; W. B. Lewis to March, 1877; Allen Hill to April, 1879; W. W. Smith about four years, since which A. J. Rob- ins is again pastor.
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
Deacons .- Wm. Robins, J. H. Conway, Peter Kinder and G. W. Craig.
Clerks .- John Short, J. M. Morin, Sardis Rob- ins and Charles Ross. Post-office address : Lov- ett, Jennings County, Ind.
CHURCH WORK.
From the first, Tea Creek entered heartily into all advance Christian work of the day, con- tributing regularly for their support. A good Sunday-school is maintained, and the church is in a healthful and prosperous condition, with a good proportion of earnest, working members and a bright prospect of future success. Total membership, 76.
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NEW PROSPECT. Constituted in March, 1879.
In February, 1872, Elizabeth Church estab- lished a "branch" at a meeting-house some four or five miles distant. In December, 1878, Elders W. T. Carpenter and N. L. Petty, of Kentucky, commenced a meeting at this place, which was crowned with great success. Forty-one happy converts were baptized and united at Elizabeth, and on the 29th of March, 1879, these, with others, were duly constituted into a regular church of Christ, called "New Prospect."
The council convened for the occasion was composed of messengers from Harbert's Creek, North Madison, Lancaster, New Bethel and Elizabeth churches, and the ordained ministers present were W. T. Carpenter, N. L. Petty, A. Jackson, W. Y. Monroe, Wm. McCoy, G. W. Thompson and Marion Noell. Elder Wm. Mc- Coy was Moderator and B. R. Montgomery Clerk.
After services appropriate to the occasion, the hand of fellowship was extended to the constitu- ent members, who were as follows: J. B. Scott,
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Mary Scott, Allen Scott, Cora Scott, Lydia Bivens, James Bivens, Christina Bivens, Mary C. Blacker, Ann L. Scull, Nora Scull, Flora Scull, W. A. Baylor, Mary L. Baylor, Nancy E. Baylor, C. H. Artis, Esther Artis, A. C. Craig, Eli Stucker, W. C. Stucker, Sarah E. Stucker, Lizzie J. Stucker, Emma B. Stucker, Parmelia Crawford, Ida W. Harroll, John Bair, Alice Fleming, J. R. Lawson, Anna E. Lawson, H. H. Likins, Augusta Likins, Willis Barnes, Amer- ica Barnes, Lucien Frost, Samuel Smith, D. A. West, W. A. Rossin, Senia Rossin, Wm. Slater, Emma Suddeth, Sallie Law, Mollie Law, F. A. Law, Elizabeth Law, Leonard Suddeth, Wyatt Maxwell, Mary A. Richardson, W. H. Richard- son, J. B. Monroe, Minerva Monroe, Mary Mc- Gary, Phebe Hoagland, Hettie Gaddis, B. F. Scull, S. F. Scull and Mary A. Harroll.
BUILDING AND LOCATION.
The meeting-house where New Prospect Church was constituted, and now worships, was built by Mr. J. Harroll, in 1851, and donated to the Baptist denomination. It is of hewed logs, weather-boarded and ceiled, and will seat 250 persons. The location is about one and one-half miles from the Ohio River, and twelve miles southwest from the city of Madison.
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PASTORS.
Elder W. T. Carpenter served until April, 1881, since which time Elder G. W. Thompson has been pastor.
DEACONS AND CLERKS.
J. J. Marlin, B. F. Scull, J. B. Scott and W. A. Baylor have been the deacons.
Clerks .- D. A. West to September, 1879; J. R. Lawson to January, 1882, and C. H. Artis to the present. Post-office address : Saluda, Jefferson County, Ind.
REMARKS.
New Prospect Church has been a member of the Association about three years (uniting Sep- tember 3, 1879), so there is but little history to record. Being constituted under favorable cir- cumstances, with a good proportion of working members, who maintain prayer-meetings and Sabbath-school, and contribute to all church- work, the outlook is hopeful. Present member- ship, 62.
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COMMISKEY.
Constituted in April, 1882.
Some four or five years ago, mainly through the efforts of Elder W. H. Lawrence, and largely by his means, a neat and comfortable meeting- house was erected in the town of Commiskey, a station on the O. & M. Branch Railroad, and deeded to the Baptist denomination, but there was no church organization in the place until Saturday, April 15, 1882, when the Commiskey Baptist Church was constituted.
Agreeably to arrangements, a council con- vened at the meeting-house the day above named. After the reading of the twelfth chapter of First Corinthians, prayer was offered by Rev. A. Scott, of the M. E. Church, and an appro- priate sermon delivered by Rev. Allen Hill from Neh. ii. 20. Elder Hill was then chosen Mod- erator and J. C. Tibbets Clerk, and recognition services were continued in the following manner : Charge by Elder Allen Hill, prayer by Elder U. M. McGuire, the hand of fellowship by council and congregation.
The constituent members were all from Coffee
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Creek Church and were as follows: W. H. Lawrence, Ellison Arbuckle, Esther Arbuckle, Elizabeth Lowrey, Minerva Spear and Mary Tate.
DEACONS AND CLERK.
Wm. H. Lawrence and Alexander Arbuckle are the deacons, and Ellison Arbuckle Clerk; address, Commiskey, Jennings County, Ind.
CHURCH WORK.
The day the church was constituted, Elder Hill became its pastor and still serves. Arrange- ments were also, made to open Sabbath-school the next day, and for regular church meetings. Commiskey was received into the Association, at its last session, with twelve members.
The statistics of all the foregoing churches are given up to the session of 1882, which is the latest authentic report. Commiskey, I have been told, now numbers thirty, and several other churches have had additions, which will con- siderably swell the aggregate membership of the Association.
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PART III.
Biographies of the Ministers of the Association.
CLASS FIRST -- MINISTERS DECEASED .*
- -
ELDER JESSE VAWTER.
ELDER JESSE VAWTER is believed to be the first resident Baptist minister in this part of Southern Indiana. He was born the Ist day of December, 1755, in the State of Virginia. His parents were Episcopalians, and he was sprinkled in infancy and his name enrolled in the church record, as is the custom in that body.
In the spring of 1774 his work led him about
*In sketching the lives of the ordained ministers of the Association, I have placed them in two classes-those who have been called away by death and those still living. In both cases the names have been arranged, as nearly as possi- ble, in the order in which they commenced pastoral labors in the bounds of the Association, without regard to age or date of ordination.
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twenty miles from his father's, where, for the first time, he attended a Baptist meeting. The preacher was Thomas Ammons, and the text Job x. 15. The truths presented so affected the heart of young Vawter, and his convictions on account of sin were so strong, that they never left him until, a few weeks later, he was recon- ciled to God and had peace in believing. In October of the same year business led him to another locality where there was a Baptist church called Rapadan, in Culpepper County. Here he offered himself for membership, was baptized and received into fellowship, and retained the relation while he remained in the State.
In March, 1781, he married Elizabeth Watts, and the next year moved to North Carolina, and from thence to Scott County, Ky., in 1790. In the great revival of 1800 several neighbors and four of his children were among the converts. Two of the latter (John and William) were sub- sequently ordained. As a result of this meeting, a church called North Fork, of Elkhorn, was constituted, where, in 1804, Bro. Vawter was licensed and, in 1805, ordained.
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