USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 27
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WILLIAM CAVE, who with John Taylor and Joseph Red- ding, was instrumental in gathering Bullittsburg church, was a native of Orange county, Va. His father, Benjamin Cave, was a prominent citizen, and frequently represented Orange county in the General Assembly of Virginia.
William Cave was born about the year 1740. He was
J. A. Kirtley has published a history of Bullittsburg church, to which I am indebted for valuable information.
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raised an Episcopalian, and received a better education than most boys of that period. Not far from the year 1768, he was converted to God under the ministry of Samuel Harris and James Reed, by one of whom he was baptized. When Lewis Craig moved to Kentucky, in the fall of 1781, bringing Spottsylvania church with him, William Cave was one of the company and was consequently a member of the first Gilbert's Creek church in Garrard county. Of this church Mr. Cave remained a member several years. In May, 1785, having moved to Scott county, he went into the constitution of Great Crossing church. About 1795, he moved to Boone county, and united with Bullittsburg church. The next year he was ordained an el- der. This was an office distinct from that of a preacher, in some of the Baptist churches of that period. In June, 1800, Mr. Cave was encouraged to exercise his gift in preaching, and, the next year was ordained to the ministry. He was now more than sixty years old, but he entered into the labors of his holy calling with much zeal. He preached principally on the borders of the settlement, and baptized a number of persons. He had been a val- uable church member for more than thirty years. He had been a justice of the peace both in Virginia and Kentucky, and so prudent was his course of life that John Taylor says: " I never saw any man, I had rather imitate than William Cave." But his ministry was short. He died of a protracted fever and the improper use of medicine, in 1806.
GEORGE EVE was an early preacher in Bullittsburg church. He was born in Culpeper county, Va., 1748, and was raised an Episcopalian, but under the preaching of the renowned David Thomas, he was converted, and joined the Baptists in 1772. He soon began to exhort, and, in 1778, was ordained to the min- istry. He took charge of F. T. church, and, after Elijah Craig's removal to Kentucky, Blue Run in Orange county. For a num- ber of years he preached with "astonishing success " in his native State, and large numbers were led to the Savior under his ministry.
In 1797, he moved to Kentucky and settled in Boone county. Here he joined Bullittsburg church, and was a preacher in it about three years. He then moved to what is now Frank- lin county, and joined Great Crossing church. About this time "the great revival" commenced. Mr. Eve was very ac-
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tive, giving almost his entire time to preaching. A great many were added to the churches under his ministry. May 2, 1801, he and William Hickman constituted North Fork church, of nineteen members, near Mr. Eve's residence. Of this church he became a member.
Up to this period, and for some years afterward, Mr. Eve's life was most exemplary. His piety, meekness, amiability and great usefulness, rendered him popular and beloved, to a de- gree seldom surpassed. He had the care of several churches, and his popularity seemed to be greater than ever before. He was connected with some of the most distinguished families in the State. His wife was a sister of Col. Robert Johnson, and, consequently, an aunt of Col. R. M. Johnson, James Johnson, and John T. Johnson, the first of whom was Vice President of the United States, and all of whom served in the United States Congress. But with all his exalted connections and great pop- ularity, he was still the same meek, amiable and beloved minister of Jesus. But alas for the frailty of human nature. "Let no man count himself happy until he is dead," said an ancient philosopher. In his old age, and contrary to the expectation of all who knew him, this most lovely man fell by the use of strong drink, and was excluded from North Fork church. He was restored, and again went on preaching for a time. But the tempter overcame him, and he was expelled a second time, after which he returned to the church no more, but soon went the way of all the earth.
As a preacher Mr. Eve was below mediocrity. As an ex- horter he greatly excelled, and his gift of song was marvel- ous.
LEWIS DEWEESE was a licensed preacher, and a man advanced in life, when he went into the constitution of Bullitts- burg church. In September, 1797, he was ordained by John Taylor and George Eve. He entered earnestly into the work of the Lord, and made such rapid improvement that "he soon became one of the most acceptable preachers in Boone county."
In 1809, he moved to the White Water settlement in In- diana, where he was a useful preacher, and was frequently Mod- erator of White Water Association.
JAMES LEE was "born again" at old Clear Creek, in Wood- ford county, and was baptized for membership in that chucrh,
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by John Taylor in the summer of 1786. After two or three years, he moved to the south side of Kentucky river, where he was instrumental in raising up a small church on Silver creek in Madison county. In 1796, he moved to Campbell county, and took membership in Bullittsburg church. Here in Sep., 1797, he was ordained to the ministry by John Taylor and George Eve. "This heavenly minded man" says John Taylor, "was soon called forward to ordination. I call him a heavenly minded man because in his deportment there was a greater image of the Savior in him than was commonly seen. With his great power of self-government, he never seemed caught off his guard. He was often in tears, and his smiles seemed to have something of heaven in them." After laboring a short time about Bullittsburg, he moved to Ohio, where he preached many years with great success, and died not far from 1824, before the infirmities of old age came upon him.
CHICHESTER MATTHEWS was born and raised in Fauquier county, Virginia. In 1780, at the age of twenty-four, he was married to Agnes Walters, in his native county. In 1784, he moved to South Carolina. Here, in June, 1786, he obtained hope in the Savior of sinners, and was baptized by Joseph Red- ding, into the fellowship of Turkey Creek church. A few years after this, he moved to Kentucky, and settled in Scott county, where he united with Great Crossing church. After a short stay here he moved to what is now Boone county, and in June, 1794, with six others, went into the constitution of Bullittsburg church. Just a year from this time he was or- dained the first deacon of this church. He "used the office of a deacon well," and in June, 1800, was licensed to preach the gospel.
For several years he made but few attempts to preach, and it was not until the great revival in Bullittsburg church, in 1811, that he became active in the exercise of his gift. His improve- ment in speaking was such that, in October, 1812, he was or- dained to the full work of the ministry. From the time of his ordination, till 1819, he was associated with Absalom Graves, in ministering to the church of which he was a member, and was esteemed for his practical wisdom and faithfulness.
On the 20th of March, 1819, Mr. Matthews went into the constitution of Sand Run church, in Boone county. Here he
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ministered with other preachers to the close of his earthly pil- grimage, which occurred September 7, 1828.
ABSALOM GRAVES was among the most distinguished preachers that was raised up in old Bullittsburg, or that has labored within the bounds of North District Association. He was born in what is now Madison county, Va., November 28, 1868. He received a liberal English education, for that period. He was made sensible of his lost condition under the ministry of George Eve, by whom he was baptized in August, 1788, when he became a member of the church at Rapidan meeting- house. Some time after his conversion, he was married to Fe- licia White, who made him a good wife.
Early in 1797 he moved to Kentucky, and settled in Boone county, where he and his wife united with Bullittsburg church, of which he was soon afterward chosen clerk. He was also ap- pointed clerk of the Circuit Court of Boone county. In 1803, at the formation of North Bend Association, he was chosen clerk of that body, and continued to fill the position twenty years. In March, 1801, he was ordained to the deaconship. In this office he was prompt and faithful. Meanwhile he had strong impressions of duty to preach the gospel, but his ex- treme timidity, for a long time kept him from assuming the sol- emn responsibility. But his agony of mind became so great that he at last yielded to a conviction of duty, and was licensed to preach in 1810. Of him John Taylor says, "There is no thanks due this man for preaching, for though a man of good information, he, through native modesty and timidity of mind, kept back so long that it seemed as if agony of soul would kill him, and it was preach or die."
Soon after he was licensed, an extensive revival pervaded the churches of North Bend Association, and continued about a year. During this blessed work of grace, Mr. Graves, though too timid to be a leader, was a very active and efficient laborer. His improvement in speaking was such that he was ordained in April, 1812. For the next seven years, he and Chichester Mat- thews, who was ordained to the ministry in October of the same year, were co-laborers in the pastoral work of Bullittsburg church. After this he was associated with James Dicken and Robert Kirtley, in the same work. In this relation, he was suc- cessful in an eminent degree. In three revivals, each of which
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continued about a year, during the period of Mr. Graves' min- istry at Bullittsburg, 453 members were added to that church.
But his labors were by no means confined to the church of which he was a member. He was a man of enlarged public spirit, and fully recognized the great truth that "the field is the world."
His labors were extensive throughout North Bend Associa- tion, and even beyond its bounds. He was among the first preachers in Kentucky to warmly espouse the cause of Foreign Missions. "Receiving a missionary spirit in its warmest glow," says Taylor, "from the time of his first acquaintance with Luth- er Rice, has given him a growth that he never would have had only for that circumstance." Among other services he ren- dered the cause of Christ, and among the last was the compil- ing and publishing of a hymn book, titled Graves' Hymns, which was held in high esteem. After a most valuable ministry of about sixteen years, he fell asleep in Jesus, August 17, 1826.
As a preacher Mr. Graves "was not above the middle grade." "Perhaps," continues Taylor, "the gospel of the Sa- vior never came better recommended by human character." He was a preacher of intense application, both to study and labor, and was a growing man in the ministry to the last.
JAMES DICKEN was a preacher i Bullittsburg church, con- temporary with Graves and Matthews. He was born in Madi- son county, Va., in 1785, and moved with his parents to Boone county, Ky., about the year 1800. At the age of twenty-three he married Peggy Ann Cloud, a young lady of his immediate neighborhood. He, with his wife, joined Bullittsburg church by experience and baptism during the great revival of 1811. He was licensed to preach July 3, 1819, and ordained June 3, 1820. He was now about thirty-five years of age, anda young man of excellent promise. But his ministry was destined to be short. Six years of zealous and useful labor closed his earthly toils and sufferings. He died of a violent fever, June 10, 1826. He was a good man, a good preacher, a faithful servant of his Master, and was deserving of remembrance by the people of God.
LANDON ROBINSON was converted to God and added to Bul- littsburg church in 1811. Two years afterward the church en- couraged him to exercise his gift. In 1820 he was licensed to
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preach, and the same year, took a letter and united with Sand Run church. Here his gift appeared so profitable that on April 25, 1823, he was ordained to the ministry by Chichester Mat- thews, Christopher Wilson and James Dicken. Being unmar- ried, Mr. Robinson traveled and preached extensively, and, although possessing but medium ability, his purity of life, meekness and agreeable manners, enabled him to exercise a good influence. But his ministry was very short. He died in 1826.
JEREMIAH KIRTLEY deserves to be held in remembrance, not only because of his own intrinsic excellence, but because he was the ancestor of many valuable men, living and dead. May he never lack for a son to fill the pastorate of Bullittsburg church as worthily as his son Robert and his grandson James A. have filled it.
Jeremiah Kirtley was probably a native of what now is Mad- ison county, Va. He was brought up an Episcopalian, but in 1788, under the ministry of George Eve, he was "born of the Spirit." He, and his wife, Mary, united with the Baptist church at Rapidan meeting-house. In 1796, he emigrated to Kentucky, and settled at North Bend in Boone county. Here, he, with his wife, united with Bullittsburg church, and was soon after- wards ordained an Elder in that body, a nominal officer in some Baptist churches of that day, which, as the government of those churches then, as now, was purely democratic, seems to have been an officer without an office. It was practically a mere title of respect.
William Cave shared the honor with Mr. Kirtley, at Bullitts- burg. They were the only elders that church ever had. In June, 1800, Elders Kirtley and'Cave were licensed to exercise their preaching gifts. Mr. Cave was afterward ordained and was esteemed a good preacher. Mr. Kirtley exercised his gift in exhortation acceptably, a few years, when he and Mr. Cave died about the same time in 1806, the former in the prime of manhood.
ROBERT KIRTLEY was a preacher of eminent usefulness, and was greatly beloved during the whole of his long and faithful ministry. He was devoted to his sacred calling, kept his gar- ments unspotted from the world, was very practical in his min- istration and was progressive in his preaching, even to old
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age. He was, many years, the leading preacher of North Bend Association, of which he was Moderator thirty-two years.
Robert Kirtley was born in what is now Madison county, Va., May 30, 1786. He was brought by his parents, Jeremiah and Mary Kirtley, to Boone county, Ky., in 1796. Here he grew up, having for a period of only eighteen months the ad- vantages of some of the best schools in the country. At the age of twenty, he married Mary, daughter of Asa Thompson, who was long a deacon of Bryant's church in Fayette county. The fruits of this marriage were nine sons and one daughter. Four of these survived their father. Mr. Kirtley was an ener- getic and industrious man, and prospered in the vocation of a farmer, from his youth. He ultimately acquired a considerable fortune.
From his youth he was the subject of strong religious im- pression, but put off seeking a personal interest in the Savior, till he was about twenty-five years of age. In January, 1811, his wife was converted, and immediately joined Bullittsburg church. This had a strong effect on the mind of her husband. For a time he struggled to conceal or stifle his convictions. But the spirit of God overcame, and he finally yielded to his (the Holy Spirit's) overpowering influence. He obtained the blessed hope of salvation, and, on the second Sunday in February, 1811, was baptized by Christopher Wilson into the fellowship of Bul- littsburg church. The next year, war breaking out between the United States and Great Britain, Mr. Kirtley entered the service as Lieutenant in a Kentucky regiment, and was under General Harrison during the Northwestern campaign. His fellow sol- diers testified that he maintained a Christian character while in the army. On his return home he resumed the duties of a church member, and the close study of the Bible. On the 8th of June, 1817, he was ordained a deacon of his church, and faithfully served in that capacity, about two years. During this period a glorious revival prevailed not only in Bullittsburg church, and North Bend Association, but all over the State. During the prevalency of this revival, Mr. Kirtley showed much interest in the salvation of sinners, and was greatly enlarged in his spirituality. He exercised his gift in persuading and exhort- ing sinners to repent and come to the Savior. On the first Sat- urday in July, 1819, the church licensed him to preach the gos-
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pel, wherever his lot might be cast. During the next three years he preached in his own and the neighboring churches, and, in com- pany with other preachers, extended his labors to the adjoining counties. He declined ordination until the church urged it upon him, as a duty, the second time. Finally, he gave his consent and was ordained to the full work of the ministry, on the second Sunday in August, 1822, by Absalom Graves, Chichester Mat- thews, and James Dicken. Jointly with Graves and Dicken he served Bullittsburg as a preacher the next four years. In 1826 Graves and Dicken were both called to their reward above. Mr. Kirtley was now the only preacher in this large church.
Up to this period, although of thirty-two years standing, Bullittsburg church had never had a pastor, at least in the mod- ern sense of that term. John Taylor was its first preacher. After a short experience in the pastoral office of Clear Creek church, in Woodford county, he resigned that position, and could never be induced to accept the pastorate of any church afterward, nor would he preach statedly to any church of which he was not a member, except in cases of extreme necessity, on the part of a destitute church. He formed Bullittsburg church in this mould. Hence, all the preachers of her membership were equal co-la- borers in the pastoral work and responsibilities, and no one of them had any preeminence over another, except in so far as age, experience, or superior abilities conferred superior influence. Hence, when Graves and Dicken died, Mr. Taylor wrote as follows :
"Bullittsburg church is now in a lower condition as to the gospel ministry than any time for more than thirty years past. She has but one preacher in this very large church, Robert Kirtley, who was baptized among them; a respectable man, and respectable preaching talents. There are a num- ber ot men in the church capable to go forward and assist Broth- er Kirtley. May the Lord stir them up."
But none of those men came forward to help, and Mr. Kirtley had to bear the burden alone for the time. He was, in reality, the first pastor of Bullittsburg church, though not formally so recognized by the church. He saw but sparse fruits of his labor, in his own church, for a period of thirteen years. In 1839, a revival pervaded Bullittsburg and the neighboring churches, and, among others, Mr. Kirtley baptized two of his
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sons. One of these sons now occupies most worthily the pulpit, made vacant by the death of his venerable father. The other is also a preacher in North Bend Association. About this time, the scheming of some anti-missionary preachers from Licking Association was culminating in widespread disaffection in North Bend Association. In the latter part of the year 1840, six churches, with their ministers, drew off from this Association, and formed "Salem Association of Predestinarian Baptists." Mr. Kirtley called an extra session of North Bend Association, and, in due time, proper means were used for refuting the vul- gar misrepresentations of these fanatical schismatics. The ex- citement among the churches was soon measurably calmed. The severe trial through which Mr. Kirtley passed during this gloomy period, only refined and elevated him, and developed all his latent powers. The Divine blessing attended his labors,
and, in 1842, a revival commenced at Bullittsburg, and spread over the Association, during the continuance of which larger numbers of members were added to the churches than had been lost by the schism.
In 1851, Mr. Kirtley lost his wife. He was now sixty-five years old, but he enjoyed extraordinary physical strength and excellent health, and his labors were not diminished. In 1853, his labors were blessed with another precious revival at Bullitts- burg, and fifty members were added to the church. About this time, his son, James A. Kirtley, was associated with him in his pastoral labors. In 1858, his second wife died. The feebleness of old age was now creeping over him. He gradually withdrew from the responsibilities of the pastorate, but con- tinued to preach according to the measure of his strength, till Christmas day of 1871, when he preached his last sermon. He spent the remainder of the winter in reading the word of God, and in speaking to his visiting brethren concerning the King- dom of God. On the 9th of April, 1872, the good and great man went to his eternal reward.
JAMES A. KIRTLEY, son of Robert Kirtley, and present pastor of Old Bullittsburg church, was born in Boone county, Kentucky, May 26, 1822. In his boyhood, he attended the common schools of his neighborhood. He made a profession of religion, and, with his brother Robert E., was baptized by his father, the first Sunday in November, 1839, and united with
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the church of which he is now pastor. He was licensed to preach in 1842, having, for a year previous, exercised in public prayer and exhortation, and entered Georgetown College the same year. He was compelled to leave college, in the spring of 1844, on account of a temporary failure of his eyes. During his col- lege days, he devoted his vacations to active labor in preaching the gospel.
He was ordained at Bullittsburg, the first Sunday in . October, 1844, by Robert Kirtley, Asa Drury, and William Whitaker. He was associated with his father in pastoral work, about three years, at the same time preaching once a month at Warsaw, Kentucky. In 1849, he accepted a call to Fast Church in Louisville, where he remained two years, and baptized 60 or 70 persons. He had preached the two years previous to this, in Madison, Indiana. In 1851, having partly recovered from feeble- ness of health, he commenced laboring partly as a missionary in the bounds of North Bend Association, and partly as a pas- toral co-laborer with his father. As his father advanced in age, the responsibility gradually fell on the son. He has now preached to Bullittsburg and Big Bone churches, more than thirty years. He has also supplied some other churches, at different times. He has written a respectable volume on "The Design of Baptism," and some smaller works of history and biography. He has served as Moderator of the State Ministers' meeting, and has been sixteen years Moderator of North Bend Association. He is filling well the place left vacant by his venerable father. He heartily co-operates in the benevolent enterprises of his de- nomination ; and the country can boast few more valuable ministers than James A. Kirtley.
Robert E. Kirtley, another son of Robert Kirtley, is also a preacher among the churches of North Bend Association.
ALFRED C. GRAVES, a great grandson of Absalom Graves, was born in Boone county, Kentucky, January 5, 1838. He was educated at Georgetown College. At fifteen years of age he professed conversion, and united with Bullitts- burg church, in September, 1853. At the age of seventeen, he was encouraged by the church to exercise a public gift, and, in 1859, was fully licensed to preach the gospel. He completed his theological studies at the Western Baptist Theological Sem- inary, in 1860, and, in September of the same year, was or-
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dained to the ministry, at Bullittsburg, by Robert Kirtley, James A. Kirtley, Wm. Whitaker, and others. He immediately took charge of the church at Harrodsburg. After two years, he was called to Jefferson (now Chestnut) Street church, Louis- ville. After serving this church about one year, he took editorial charge of the Western Recorder. While in Louisville, he pub- lished a biography of A. W. LaRue, under the title of "LaRue's Ministry of Faith," and preached one year to Portland Avenue church of that city. In 1867, he was called to Stamping Ground church in Scott county, where he remained four years. There he was married to Miss Annie D. Smith, who has made him an excellent wife.
In January, 1871, Mr. Graves was called to the First Baptist Church in Manchester, New Hampshire. There he remained six years, during which the church received 171 members, 92 by baptism, and built an elegant house of worship. His health becoming enfeebled from over work in a city pastorate, he ac- cepted a call to the Baptist church at Lebanon, Kentucky, in 1877, where he still remains (1885).
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