USA > Indiana > Randolph County > History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185
Preachers have been Messrs. Stout, Hollinsworth, Wright, Hull, Black, etc. (see Spartansburg).
The class still exists, though it is small.
Mr. Chenoweth, during his life-time, prepared a grove upon his land for the holding of meetings, and in the summer time, religious services are often held there.
He died a few years ago, and Lis decease has been a great loss to the community and to the society.
William Locke, who, for many years, was a warm-hearted member of the Bartonia Class, also removed not long ago, and no one remains who can fill the gap his absence has created.
Bloomingsport .-- The class was first held at Jeremiah Tharpe's,
south of Bloomingsport. A log house was built, perhaps about 1828. The trustees of the society were John Stevens, Nathan Frazier and Thomas Phillips. The present house was built in 1849.
Other members have been Laban Tharpe, William Chamness, William Webb, Caswell Bachelder, Alfred York, Daniel Hiatt, Harbor Pierce.
The class numbers about forty at the present time.
Deerfield .-- The class was formed about 1837. The meetings were held at first in a log schoolhouse east of town, then at Perry Fields' for some years, then in a log schoolhouse half a mile south of Perry Fields', and in other places also. The church at Deerfield has been built about thirty years.
Some of the early members were Anthony Ritenour, Perry Fields, Caleb Odle, William Odle, Ephraim Collins (exhorter), William B. Fields (exhorter).
Some of the preachers for Ritenour's, Prospect and Deerfield have been Revs. Burns, Bartlett, Hall, Bradshaw, Bradbury, Kent, Campbell, Newton, Herrick, Ramsey, Blake, Kerwood, Madden. The present incumbent is Rev. Harrison.
Among the present members are Fletcher Barrett, David Har- ker, John Garwin, Perry Fields, Willis Whipple, Isaac Thomson. Fairview .- The Methodists began to hold services at the first settlement of the region.
Rev. Elijah Harbour moved in very early, and he was a local preacher, and did much toward planting religion in that part of the county. Preaching was held at Nathan Godwin's, near Fair- view; at Mr. Pendry's, in Delaware County; and at John Booth's, in Jay County. A log church was built in Fairview about 1839, and a frame house in 1849, which is standing yet, having been remodeled in 1874.
Some of the early members were Nathan Godwin, Bennet King, John King, James McProud, John Life, Elijah Harbour (Rev.), Caleb Manor (Jay County), John Booth (Jay County), William Richardson, with their wives.
Names of preachers: Messrs. Harbour, Ackerman, Bradbury, Brandshaw, Bowers, Leech, Sales, Smith, Hull, Bruce, Barrett, Phillips, Strite, Sells, Woolpert, Parrot, Donald, Robinson.
They have a Sunday school numbering sixty to seventy pupils.
Thomas Godwin says that he came of age while Rev. Brad- shaw was circuit-rider, and that the preacher was at Thomas' father's house on the day that he (Thomas) was twenty-one. The young man, wishing to play a joke, said to his father, " Put your thumb on my head." The old man did so. Thomas, slipping quickly from under his father's hand, said, "There, father, I have slipped from under your thumb." The clergyman was sur- prised and pleased to boot, at the freshness and oddity of the jest, insomuch that he spoke of it many years afterward.
Farmland. - A class was formed some time before 1866. The Christians were more numerous. Both meetings were held in the schoolhouse at first, but, in 1868 or 1869, the Methodists built a church, and gradually increased in numbers and influ- ence, eventually gaining a prominent standing.
Among the members in 1866 were John S. McIntyre, Samuel McIntyre, William R. Oliver, Charles Wall, Mr. Kelley (preacher -returned to Virginia).
Members since that time: John A. Moorman (Rev.), Elias Holliday, John H. Denton, Lewis A. Gable, James S. Davis, M. W. Diggs, S. C. Grimes, K. L. Mull, etc.
Preachers-Moses Marks, W. R. Jordan, McMahan, J. H Peyton, Roberts, MeKegg, J. W. Lowry, Jackson, Spellman, A. J. Lewellen, Charles Bacon.
The society numbers about eighty members. Sunday school has eighty to one hundred pupils, and is sustained all the year, being a live, wide awake, prosperous school.
Hunt's Schoolhouse (one mile south of Pleasant View) .- A class has existed there twenty years or more. Some of the leading members have been John A. Hunt, George Howell, Elizabeth Hunt and sons.
At Pleasant View there is Methodist preaching, but no class. .preaching being held once in three weeks, and Sunday schoo every Sabbath. The preacher now is Rev. Peck.
Lebanon (between Huntsville and Winchester). - This church.
154
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.
was built in 1867. Its members are Edward Butler and wife, William Butler and wife, Jonathan Butler and wife, Ackerell Lamb and wife, Joshua Campbell and wife, John T. Harrison and wife.
The preachers have been Rhodes, Wones, Harvey, Wolverton, Bowen, Peck.
Meetings have been held also at Beech Grove Schoolhouse, near Woods' Station.
Lynn .- The Methodists began at Hopewell, in Wayne County, very early, one mile south of Mr. Curtis Clenny's. Mrs. Shoe- maker (daughter of Curtis Clenny, who came to near Lynn about 1815), who is our informant, joinsd the Hopewell Class in 1831.
In 1844, preaching was established at Mr. John Moody's, southeast of Lynn, and a class was formed, and the meetings were held in dwellings for many years. About 1850, or possibly sooner, the Methodists had preaching in a log house on the Free- stone farm.
The Methodist Church at Lynn was built about 1855.
Some of the members of the class at Mr. Moody's were John Peale and wife, John Moody and wife, Elijah Benson and wife, Elizabeth Shoemaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Benson.
Some of the members at Lynn were Pierce Hollingsworth (local preacher), John Peale and wife, John Clenny and wife, and others not now recollected.
Preachers-Messrs. Burns, Cooper, Stout, Smith, Bradford, Wright and many others.
There have been great revivals in connection with the Lynn work. At ons meeting, 150 members joined.
In 1861, a powerful awakening occurred, the meeting lasting a month.
Of late years, the work has much declined. A few years ago, the place was abandoned as a preaching point. At length it was resumed, along with others that had been dropped, four or five being thrown into a missionary circuit. The work revived, and the circuit became self-supporting. However, the society has dwindled, and at present (1881), no regular meetings are held. and there is no Sunday school.
Maxville .-- Meetings were held at John Sumwalt's, and a class was organized about 1821 or 1822. Several other preaching points were established not far from the same time -- George Ritenour's, on the Mississinowa; William Kennedy's (Mt. Zion, southeast of Winchester), etc. Mr. Kennedy belonged first to the class at Ritenour's, and attended class there, he and his wife going on horseback through the woods eight miles though preach- ing was held also at Kennedy's cabin.
Another nucleus of Methodism was among the Hunts, in West River, "Old Billy Hunt " being a preacher for fifty years or more.
Some of the early preachers were Richard Brandreth, sixty years ago, then a lad in his teens, still living, an old man, at Piqua, Ohio, a physician and a clergyman: Messrs. Wood, John S. Smith, living; John H. Hull, 1837; Ansel Beach, 1838; Fran- cis Carey, William Dickerson, Colbreth Hall (married " Old Billy Haut's" daughter), William Hunt, etc., etc.
Membership-There were but few members of the class at Sumwalt's For ten or fifteen years-John Sumwalt, one and a half miles south o: Maxville; Godfrey Sumwalt, at Sampletown Cross Rends; Jr .. . 'nmwalt, who lived in the vicinity; Walter Ruble ar Thisv. ; f-1 5 Odle, Mrs. Tarlton Moorman and others.
Tige with at slaxville was first built in 1838, near the mill, a frair 3.
Tel. i was burned, supposed to have been done by an in- cendiary, in 3547. The present house was built about 1856.
Early members at Maxville, besides the ones named: Rob- ison Mcintyre, who had been a Presbyterian, but who became an active Methodist; Henry D. Huffman, also a Presbyterian, but an efficient worker; Alexander McIntyre, John McIntyre.
Present members: Mrs. McIntyre (widow of John McIntyre), Charles Schultz (local preacher), Charles W. Paris, Stephen Moorman, Rudolph Good, David Addington, Stephen Brickley, etc.
Mt. Pleasant (West River, on boundary) .- Methodist meet- ings were held at Mr. Freeman's, then at Shoemaker's, and after- ward at Brother John Grubbs.' A log church was built perhaps in 1838, two miles west of Mt. Pleasant, and Salem Church, two
and a half miles north of the boundary, at about the same time. The present Mt. Pleasant was built about 1865. The one west of Mt. Pleasant was Asbury Chapel.
The members have been Barrett Barnett, John Retz, Mr. Mc- Gunnigal, John Jordan, Mr. Freeman, John Shoemaker, John Grubbs, George Jordan's sons and others.
Preachers have been (some of them) Messrs. Hall, McMahan, Fish, Metz, Spellman, Roberts, Strite, Rhodes, Freeman, Mann, Shackelford.
A Sunday school is held every Sabbath. There are about fifty members, and a good congregation attend the services of the church.
Mt. Zion (southeast of Winchester, near William Kennedy's). -Preaching began in this vicinity very early, when only paths and trails traced their winding way among the forest trees. Mr. Kennedy was an ardent Methodist, and the preachers soon found him out, and his cabin was the circuit-rider's home for many years. His wife and himself used to go on horseback through the woods to near Richmond, and to Ritenour's Church, between Ridgeville and Deerfield, in those ancient days. Probably a pole cabin answered the purposes of worship, after having met in the dwellings of Brethren Kennedy, Lucas, etc.
A log church was built in about 1836, which answered the desired end till 1868, at which time the present neat and tasteful edifice was erected.
The first interment in the cemetery is supposed to have been Mrs. Wheeler, which took place in (we do not know the date).
Some of the pioneer members of the Methodist Class in those times, when men and women gathered among the forests for wor- ship, and not for show, were as follows:
William Kennedy and wife, John M. Lucas and wife, David North and wife (he is still living and resides in Kentucky), Tyn- dall and wife, Pierce Hollingsworth and wife (local preacher), William Hollingsworth and wife (local preacher), Stephen Will- iams and wife (local preacher).
The early preachers canuot now be given. Some of the later ones have been Revs. Stout, Cooper, Jenkins, Newman, Newton, Thomas, Butts, Cain.
Chief members now: Nathan Butts, John R. Phillips, Henry Fisor, Anna Holiingsworth, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Gard, Mrs. Kep- linger, etc.
Mt. Zion has been an important station from the beginning. Much of the time, a Sunday school has been in operation, though there is none at the present time. It is true, also, that this class has seen times of depression and discouragement, such a season existing at the present time.
New Dayton .- There was preaching as early as 1837, at the very first settlement of the region. The first Sunday school in the region was organized by Rev. J. G. Brice.
The meetings were held at a schoolhouse near Isaiah Milner's, on the present pike from Olive Branch to Stone Station. A class was organized at an early day and the services were held at va- rious places-at Mrs. Helms' and elsewhere.
It has been, on the whole, a good, substantial class, dwindling sometimes, and given up two or three times by the conference; but it would not stay "dropped." and still struggled on, deter- mined to live. In 1877, a tasteful and convenient church was erected near the cemetery, and the class feel well repaid for the conflict they have endured for nearly forty years.
Some of the members are, or have been, James Addington (exhorter) and wife, Isaiah Milner and wife, Simon Lighty (ex- horter) and wife, Eli Hiatt and wife, Jesse Addington and wife, L. W. Sherman and wife, Mrs. Pardon Sherman, Hannah Rose, etc.
Preachers-Messrs. Barrett, Lank, Heustis, Harbour, Brad- shaw; Brice (Congregational), Pierce, Newton, Spellman, Ocker- man, Elijah Harbour, etc.
A good Sunday school is sustained, with from sixty to eighty pupils.
Pittsburg .- The Methodists began here about 1853. Preach- ing was held at James Porter's. Afterward, a log church was built at Walnut Corner, south of Pittsburg. A frame church was built at Pittsburg about 1860, but the society went down not very long after.
155
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.
Some of the chief members have been Robert Kemp, Lansford Fields, James Porter, Mrs. Puterbaugh, William Fields, the Keys, the Iliffs, etc.
Parker .- This society has been in operation ever since the town started, but they had no church till 1872.
Some of the chief members have been Messrs. Daugherty, Friddle, James Cecil, Ezra Ceeil, Knapp, Ephraim Cecil, Peter Deal, John Morris, J. L. Miller.
There are sixty or seventy members. They have a Sunday school. Rev. Holdstock is their pastor now.
The class belongs to the Selma Circuit, though it formerly was attached to the Windsor Circuit.
Pleasant Grove (near Granger Hall, two miles north of Spartanburg) .- The church there was built about 1847, and re- mained till about 1860. Some of the same members who after- ward formed the Bartonia Class were prominent in building Pleasant Grove Church and sustaining religious services there. Being so near both Spartanburg and Bartonia, the class could not very long maintain a separate existence.
Pleasant Hill (one and three-fourths miles north of Farm- land) .-- The class was formed in 1858, by Rev. John B. Burt. The house was built in 1860.
Some of the early members were Leven Cox and wife, William Broderick, - Van Ormond and others.
Preachers have been Messrs. Burt, Lacey, Phillips, Jackson, Roberts, Redkey, Boydon, Jordan, Spellman, Lewellen, McKegg, Bacon.
The number of members now is between thirty and forty. Some of them are William Sumwalt, James Fryer and wife, Ellen Cox, James Roberts and wife, William James and wife, Rebecca Shaw and wife, William J. Macy and wife, Jesse Cox and wife, Simon Heffer and wife, William Broderick and wife, Benjamin Sumwalt.
Prospect (east of Deerfield, Ward Township). - There was an early preaching place near this house. The circuit-rider used to make Riley Marshall's one of his points away back at the begin- ning of things. Mr. Marshall came about 1821, and the time of the commencement of preaching dates back nearly to that day. The meeting-house was built about 1845. It has been used until within a few years, and this neighborhood has been, since the first settlement, an important point to the Methodists. But the house had become so out of repair that it was scarcely fit for use, and, Saratoga having grown up as an active center of business, the new church was built there; and "Prospect Meeting-House " stands, neglected and forsaken, beside the ancient cemetery, one of the oldest in the county, "where the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep," a sad memorial of the melancholy changes that come over the face of human affairs as the ages roll. The ceme- tery ia still in use, and will probably continue so.
Judge Daniel B. Miller, a venerable pioneer of this region who had removed from his early haunts to spend his declining years at Winchester, directed his mortal remains to be borne, nevertheless, to old Prospect Cemetery, to sleep amongst those of his pioneer neighbors and associates.
The new church at Saratoga has been standing only a short time, being, however, a commodious, substantial structure of brick, erected thus in hope that the coming generations may find therein a place to worship God, and that time's rude, destructive hand may not again, in either the near or the not too distant fut- ure, force those who shall dwell in the land in the coming ages to build anew the walls of their temple, or find, mayhan, still other seats of piety and devotion.
:
In the ancient cemetery at Prospect Meeting-House lie very many old men and women, pioneers of the region. Some of them, as may be seen in the record of cemeteries, have tomb- stones erected above them to preserve to coming generations for their memory a name among the living. But for many-alas, how many !- this burial in the cold, cold ground has been a cut- ting-off from memory, as well as from sight; and the day is soon to come, perhaps has already dawned, when no man knoweth their sepulcher, and no man will know till the blast of the Arch- angel's trumpet in the midst of the rending sky shall reveal the final resting-place of each of the myriads of earth's departed ones.
Besides Riley Marshall's, meetings were held at D. B. Mil. ler's and at Samnel Helms.' Mr. Miller had a vacant building, which was used, and afterward Mr. Helms erected a large brick dwelling, and the upper part, being all in one room, was occupied as a meeting place, and they say it made a first-rate assembly room.
Some of the early members were Samuel Helms, Daniel B. Miller, Riley Marshall, Ezekiel Cooper, Samuel Milligan-also Ephraim Collins, Perry Fields, Lansford Fields, William Fields, Sr., Martin Fields, Robert Pogue, Bennet Evans, Edward Evans, Andrew Key, etc., etc. (For preachers, see Deerfield.)
Rehoboth (west of Shiloh, northwest of Farmland) was built about 1853. The frame is now being torn away to be replaced by a new one the present summer (1881).
The members have been Abram Hammer, John Craig, Alfred McCamy, Jacob Windermaker, John Windermaker, Joseph Ham- mer, Jacob Simmons, George Morris, Stephen Willey, Cooper Morris, Richard Horner, etc., etc.
The society would seem to sustain an active and vigorous ex istence, and to maintain its hold upon the community.
Ridgeville .- The Methodists began to hold services about 1856, first at Mr. Renbarger's, afterward at a schoolhouse in Ridgeville, as also on the Dilly farm, two miles northwest of Ridgeville, and at Robert Collier's, northeast of the town. Class was held and services were established fifty or sixty years ago at Ritenour's, as elsewhere related.
Members in the region have been George E. Thomson and wife, Benjamin Lewallyn and wife, Abram Renbarger and wife, George Ritenour and wife, William Munden and wife, Obadiah Hall and wife, James Odle and wife, Caleb Odle and wife, Rob- ert Starbuck and wife, William J. Shoemaker and wife, Mr. Wy- song and wife, Arthur McKew and wife, Hannah Ward, Mrs. Ann Addington, George Gagner and wife.
Preachers-Messrs. Sell, Pierce, Herrick, McDaniel, Way- mon, Metz, Harrison, etc.
Sunday school is kept up, and a commendable activity pre- vails in church affairs.
Ritenour's .- A class was formed at this point very early. Mr. George Ritenour joined the Methodists when a boy, in Vir- ginia, and he settled on the Missiesinewa before 1820. Preach- ing began probably shortly after 1820. Class was held at his house, and perhaps elsewhere in the neighborhood, for fifteen years possibly. The log meeting-house, standing yet (1881) was built about 1836. It has stood vacant many years, ever since Deerfield Meeting-House was built.
Some of the members were George Ritenour (exhorter), Will- iam Odle, Caleb Odle.
When the Deerfield Class was formed, that absorbed the older class and service, and Ritenour's became a thing of the past.
Ritenour's Class and Graveyard and Church were probably the first of the kind on the Mississinewa River. William Kennedy and his wife used to ride on horseback through the forest by blazed trails to Ritenour's to meeting.
Camp-meetings were held in that neighborhood, and John Key, now residing east of Deerfield, says his father used to move down to the camp-ground for the meeting upon truck wheels. In fact, that log church, now for a quarter of a century desolate, and still standing, grim and black, like some Old- World ruin, was, in those old times, a famous place; and to hear the sermons delivered in the power of the Spirit, to the eager, apell- bound assemblies thronging within and around that once sacred shrine, scores and hundreds of fervent worshipers flocked, for miles and miles through the grand old woods, along the dim blind trails, or with no track at all, on horseback or on foot, to reach the sanctuary and join in the shouts of praise and the sacred hallelujahs that made the echoea ring.
Salem (on boundary line, near Swain's Hill). - John Grubbs, an early pioneer, coming to Nettle Creek among the first, was in olden days an enthusiastic Methodist and a wide-awake local preacher, and he has done a great work in building up religions society through this region.
A church was built for the Methodists at the Salem Burying- Ground many years ago (1838). It was used a long time, but
156
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY.
went down about 1855, and Concord Meeting-House was built not far from that time, and the new church became the place of worship for the Methodists of that region, and for others as well.
The cemetery is still used for purposes of interment, but the meeting-house is a thing of the past, and not the slightest mark or memento of its existence is to be found.
Some of the ancient members have been John Grubbs, still living, eighty-eight years old, and sick and helpless, but strong in spirit and rejoicing in Christian hope; Antony Johnson, very old; Hicks K. Wright, died a few years ago. (John Grubbs died triumphant a few days after our visit to his dwelling.)
Spartansburg .-- Methodist preaching began in Greensfork Township the earliest in the county. The first preaching was by Rev. William Holman, of Louisville, Ky., at the house of Ephraim Bowen, probably in 1815, and a meeting for worship and exhortation was held at the same place by Stephen Williams, local preacher, not very far from the same time. A class was formed soon after, and preaching was held and class conducted at Ephraim Bowen's, and at Squire Bowen's and James C. Bow- en's for thirty years or more. About 1830, William Mckim set- tled at Spartanburg, and preachers from the Ohio Conference established meetings at Mr. McKim's. Some years later, about 1837, a meeting-house was built at Spartanburg, on a lot given for the purpose by Mr. McKim, who laid out the town. This house stood until 1857, when a new church was erected by the Methodists, which is occupied by them at the present time.
Some of the early preachers were Revs. Holman, Williams, Lawrence, Beck, Hull, Bruce, John L. Smith, Richmond, Brad- bury, Burns, Swazy, Hollingsworth, Cooper, Wright, Sublett. Some of the later preachers have been Newton, Thomas, Curtiss, Bicknell, Cain.
Spartanburg and the region used to be famous for religions activity. At one time, the class was so large that the house would be filled and two leaders would conduct class at the same time on opposite sides of the room. Camp meetings were held, and extensive revivals took place, bringing great numbers to a profession of Christ.
Some of the early members were William McKim, William Borders, Christopher Borders, William Locke, James Fiers, Ephraim Bowen, James C. Bowen, Squire Bowen, William Dukes, Stephen Dukes, Thomas Middleton, William A. Macy, John Bates, - Chenoweth, etc., etc.
Some of the present members are Squire Bowen and wife, James C. Bowen, Harlan Hunt and wife. Julius Moore and wife, Richard Bunch and wife, William Jackson and wife, and others.
A Sunday school is held, consisting of from forty to sixty pupils.
Steubenville .--. The Methodists built a church at Steubenville about 1845, but it was not finished, and was never dedicated to religious purposes. The cemetery laid out with it is still used to some extent.
Thornburg Chapel (Stony Creek, north of Neff Post Office). -Preaching began in the neighborhood in 1840, by Rev. Will. jam Bradbury. Meetings were held at Abram Clevinger's and elsewhere -sometimes in the woods, again in an old store build- ing put up by Jonathan Clevinger, then in an old log house on the western part of William Hewitt's farm, etc. The church was built in 1857, and it is standing yet.
About 1850 and onward, camp-meetings were held yearly for several years, and great power was manifested, and also great results achieved, through the divine mercy. Rev. Morrisou was ore of those on the work in those days. The meetings were or- derly and impressive and convincing. They were continued many days. People moved to the grounds and dwelt in the tents erected for the purpose during the continuance of the meeting, and gave up their souls to the power of the truth and to the en- joyment of religion.
Some of the early preachers were Messrs. Bradbury, Leech, Smith, Stout, Morrison, etc.
Among the first members were Joseph Hewitt and wife, Ran- dolph Smullen and wife, George A. Carmian and wife, etc.
John A. Grubbs, Isaiah Rogers, Kerwood and William How- ell often came and exercised their gifts of exhortation among the
people. The church used to have grand and gracious seasons in former days. The work has declined in later years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.