USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 38
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
[414]
415
Flat Lick Church.
consideration the propriety of having a catechism selected or prepared for the use of children, but this year the churches hav- ing expressed diverse opinions about the propriety of it, the subject was dropped. An inquiry as to whether persons who had been excluded from the churches for embracing Universal- ism, might be restored without an utter renunciation of that heresy, was answered in the negative. The churches were ad- vised to be cautious about encouraging strange preachers who could not exhibit credentials and a fair character. Salem advised "the churches to be very cautious about restoring excommuni- cated ministers to their former standing." These cautions were probably provoked by South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists having recommended the churches in her body to re- store such persons to membership as had been excluded for hold- ing the doctrine of universal restoration.
Bracken Association was constituted of eight churches, ag- gregating a membership of 539, on Saturday, the 28th of May, of this year (1799). Among these churches were Washington, Stone Lick, Mayslick, Bracken and Lees Creek. There was still some fruits of the recent revival being gathered into the churches of this little new fraternity.
A few churches were constituted during the year in various new settlements in the State.
FLAT LICK church is the oldest in Pulaski county. It is located ten miles north-east from Somerset, the county seat. It was constituted of nine members, on the fourth Saturday in January, 1799. Among its early members were Thomas Hans- ford, James Fears, Elijah Barnes, John James and Charles Wes. terman. The first three of these were preachers. The church united with Tates Creek Association, the same year it was constituted, at which time it numbered eighteen members. James Fears was chosen pastor. This was just at the beginning of the great revival. In one year, Flat Lick rose from twenty- one to 106 members, in 1801. But in consequence of its sending out colonies to form other churches in the surrounding country, it was reduced to forty-seven members, in 1806. In 1812, it numbered seventy-four, but, in 1825, it had been again re- duced to fifty. From this time it had a healthful growth, un- der the pastoral care of Stephen Collier. At the time of his resignation, in 1843, the church numbered 173 members. It
-
416
History of Kentucky Baptists.
has since had some reverses, but has continued to be a leading church in Cumberland River Association, from the time it en- tered into the constitution of that fraternity, in 1809, to the present time.
Of James Fears little else is now known than that he was in the constitution of Flat Lick church, and that he was its pastor a few years. Of Stephen Collier, the second pastor, something has already been said.
JOSEPH MARTIN JAMES, the third pastor of Flat Lick church was the son of Baptist parents. His father, John James, was in the constitution of Flat Lick church. He was a valuable church member, and lived to a good old age. He raised four sons and four daughters. Of the latter, Elizabeth was the first wife of the distinguished Jeremiah Vardeman. Of the sons, J. M. and Daniel became Baptist preachers.
Joseph M. James was born in Culpeper county, Va., about 1784. He came with his parents to Kentucky, about 1794, who first settled near Crab Orchard, in Lincoln county, but in 1798, moved to Pulaski county. Here their son Joseph, grew up to manhood. He was illiterate in his youth, but having a strong, active mind, and great energy of character, he made con- siderable attainments in general knowledge. He professed faith in Christ about 1820, and was baptized into the fellowship of Flat Lick church by Elijah Barnes. He commenced exer- cising in public prayer and exhortation, soon after he joined the church. He improved rapidly in speaking, and was soon or- dained to the ministry. He became pastor of Somerset (formerly Sinking Creek), New Hope, Rock Lick, Mt. Olivet, and, at a later period, Flat Lick churches. For a number of years he was probably the ablest preacher in Cumberland River Association. But alas for the frailty of human nature! In his old age he yielded to the seductions of strong drink, and was disgraced. This led on further to the heinous crime of adultery. The poor old man became an outcast, and his sun went down in a dark cloud, about 1849.
DANIEL F. JAMES, son of John James, was born in Lin- coln county, Ky, in 1795. He was carried by his parents to Pulaski county, where he joined Flat Lick church, in his youth. He was in the battle at New Orleans, January 8, 1815. Some years after this, he was ordained to the ministry. He was pastor of
417
Robert Mc Alister.
Double Springs church in Lincoln county, and some others. He was probably never the regular pastor of Flat Lick church, yet his labors for its prosperity, his constant, cheerful and devoted piety did much to build it up, and perhaps no member or pastor of this old fraternity, was ever more warmly loved or highly respected by the whole community, than was this eminently godly man. He died, at his home in Pulaski county, Dec. I, 1871. His oldest son, A. J. James, was many years a promi- nent lawyer in Frankfort, Ky.
ROBERT MCALISTER succeeded J. M. James in the pastoral care of Flat Lick church. He was born in Rockbridge county, Va., March 5th, 1782. His father, Joseph McAlister, was a tailor by trade, and was of Irish extraction. He moved with his family to Lincoln county, Kentucky, about 1790. There the old revolutionary soldier-for such he was-added farming to the occupation of a tailor. He ploughed his little field in spring and summer, and made clothing of buckskin for the set- tlers in the fall and winter, occasionally varying his occupation by engaging in Indian fighting. After living a few years in Lincoln, he moved to Pulaski county. He was a Presbyterian, and lived to a good old age. He raised six sons and one daugh- ter. The latter became the wife of the talented, but erratic Joseph Martin James, and mother of that eminently Godly min- ister John James, so well known among the Baptists of . Kentucky.
Robert McAlister was raised up in the wilds of the new country, with very little education. However, he learned to read and write, and made good use of these acquirements in after years, more especially in reading the word of God. At the age of twenty-four years he married Rachel Mckenzie, the daughter of a widow. He, with his wife, was baptized into the fellowship of Rock Lick church in Pulaski county, by J. M. James, about the year 1823. Soon after this he moved his membership to Flat Lick, where he presently began to preach with great zeal. He was ordained by Joseph M. James and Stephen Collier, and was called to the care of New Hope, and afterwards to that of Flat Lick church. To these he preached till the Master called him up higher. He was a preacher of moderate ability, but he used his talent well, and the Lord greatly blessed his labors. About 1850, he had a light attack
418
History of Kentucky Baptists.
of flux, but riding to Somerset and back on a very warm day before he had fully recovered, he took a relapse and died in a few days. Mr. McAlister raised six daughters and five sons, all of whom became Baptists, except his son Martin G., who became a Campbellite preacher and died young of cholera.
JOHN JAMES was the son of J. M. James, and was probably brought into the ministry at Flat Lick church. Of this church of his fathers, he was pastor after the death of Robert McAlister. Afterwards, he moved to Columbia, in Adair county, and was many years pastor of the church in that village. About 1872, he moved into the bounds of Liberty Association, and preached several years to some country churches in Hart and Barren counties. From there he moved to Paris, Texas, where he remained, preaching to the church in that village two or three years. At present (1885) he is in the State of Missouri. Mr. James was educated, it is believed, at Georgetown College. He is well versed in the sacred scriptures, and is familiar with New Testament Greek. He is peculiarly devoted to his holy cal- ling ; all his powers seem to be perpetually absorbed in the great work of preaching the gospel. He is an excellent preacher and a man of spotless purity of character.
SOMERSET church, (originally called Sinking Creek) is located in the town from which it derives its present name, in Pulaski county. It was the second church organized in that large county, and was constituted of twenty-one members by Isaac Newland, Peter Woods, Henry Brooks and John Turner, June 8th, 1798. It united with Tates Creek Association the following October, when it reported twenty-eight members. During the revival of 1801, it enjoyed a precious season, and its membership increased to one hundred. Thomas Hansford was its first pastor, and under his ministry it enjoyed peace and prosperity. In 1812 it numbered one hundred and nine mem- bers, and in 1823, one hundred and sixty-five. It entered into the constitution of Cumberland River Association in 1809, and remained a member of that body till after the formation of South Kentucky Association of United Baptists. It united with that body some years past. About 1850 this church divided on the subject of benevolent societies. Those opposing such organi- zations formed Pitman's Creek church, in the same county. The affair finally got into the Cumberland River Association, and
.
419
Thomas Hansford.
divided that old fraternity. From this resulted Cumberland River Association, No. 2, of Antimissionary baptists in 1861.
In 1879, Somerset church numbered one hundred mem- bers. It now has nearly completed a good brick house of wor- ship. Green Clay Smith was its pastor in 1882.
THOMAS HANSFORD, the first pastor of this church, was an early settler in Pulaski county. He went into the constitution of Flat Lick church the 4th Saturday in January, 1799. On the 8th of June of the same year he went into the constitution of Sinking Creek, and became its pastor. After remaining in this position a number of years, he moved to Wayne county, and became pastor of the church of Monticello. In his old age he imagined himself slighted and neglected by some of the younger brethren in this church. Earnest efforts were made to remove his grievances, but all in vain. He still insisted that he was illy treated, and, as a dernier resort to obtain satisfaction, joined the Campbellites. He was a plain, illiterate old preacher of excellent character. Among the early settlers of Pulaski and the southern part of Lincoln county he was held in high esteem, and accomplished much good in laying the foundation of the early churches of that region. Under his preaching, the famous Jeremiah Vardeman was reclaimed from his backsliding, and brought into the ministry. He was the first moderator of Cum- berland River Association, and filled that position several years at a later period.
DANIEL BUCKNER was the most distinguished pastor of Somerset church during its early history. He was the son of Henry Buckner, and was born in Lawrence district, S. C., September 30th, 1801. In 1807, he was brought by his parents to Cocke county, East Tennessee. Here he grew up on a farm. He professed conversion in his fifteenth year, and walked twelve miles to join Lick Creek Baptist church, when he was baptized by Caleb Witt. Soon afterwards, he joined Big Pigeon church in the same county. In 1818, he married Mary Hampton. He was licensed to exercise a gift in 1823, and was ordained to the ministry, at Chestua church, in Monroe county, by George Sni- der and James D. Sewell in 1827. While laboring with Chestua church that year, there was a continual revival, and a large number was baptized. He was the first Baptist that preached in Madisonville, the county seat of Monroe. Here he, with the
€
d d id 0- to nd th at he ni- he und
1
1 e
420
History of Kentucky Baptists.
help of George Snider, constituted a church, to which he min- istered seven years. The first protracted meeting he held there, twenty-five were added to the church by baptism. Of these, five became preachers, among whom were Bradley Kim- brough, Samuel Henderson, since editor of the South-western Baptist in Alabama, and Henry F. Buckner, long missionary to the Creek Indians.
Mr. Buckner also gathered Ebenezer church soon after that of Madisonville, and in the same county, and was pastor of it seven years. He preached to the church at Jellico Plain, in Monroe county, several years. About 1831, he accepted a call to Zion Hill church, in McMinn county. This church bought him a fine horse and a small farm. For the latter they paid $400. At Zion Hill he baptized about one hundred the first year. From this place he went to Big Spring church on Mouse creek. D. D. Cate says, in Borum's Sketches: "About this time he received an appointment by the State Baptist Conven- tion to travel in East Tennessee as missionary and agent at $15 per month. His first appointment kept him from home two and a half months. Such was the opposition to the enterprise at that time, that some would not allow him to preach in the church, and he was compelled to preach in the grove, school house or family room. But seldom could he get a brother to take the hat around for collection. In that event, he did it himself. He was the first to introduce the missionary leaven in seventeen counties in East Tennessee."
Soon after his return from his first trip, the church at Big Spring preferred a charge against him for joining the State Baptist Convention, and [on his] refusing to withdraw, excluded him. The Sweetwater (anti-missionary) Association, at the request of this church, published him in their minutes for with- holding his credentials. He applied to the church for a copy of the charge, presented it to Conesauga church, and was received on it as if a letter of dismission.
After this, he moved to Washington county, and preached with excellent success about eighteen months. From here he moved to Cleveland in Bradley county. He and his brother, Burrow Buckner, constituted the church at this place.
In 1839, he accepted a call to the Somerset church in Pu- laski county, Kentucky. To this point he moved and served
M pr in F th un lo
421
Daniel Buckner.
this church fifteen years, during which he baptized into its fel- lowship two hundred and fifty persons. He was, during the same time, pastor of other churches in the country. About 1855, he moved near Perryville in Boyle county, when he took charge of the church in that village and some country churches. He was well sustained here for about six years, which he regarded the happiest period of his life. But his youngest son, Robert C. Buckner, had moved to Texas, and the parents could not feel happy in his absence. Having resigned his charges, he started to join his son in the far West. In the summer of 1861, in the 60th year of his age, he put his family in a wagon, which he himself drove and started on a journey of 900 miles. When within 36 miles of his destination, his wife became too sick to travel. On the ninth day of her illness, and on the 60th anni- versary of his birth, she passed away from earth. Soon after his arrival in Texas, he accepted a call to the church at Boston in Bowie county. Here he remained about four years, and baptized about one hundred persons. In 1865, he married a second wife and moved to Paris, in Lamar county, where he re- sided till a short time before his recent death, at the house of his son, Rev. R. C. Buckner, in Dallas, Texas.
Mr. Buckner was a successful revivalist. During his min- istry, he baptized more than two thousand five hundred persons, twenty-five of whom became preachers. Two of his sons, Henry F. Buckner, missionary to the Creek Indians, and Rob- ert C. Buckner, editor of the Baptist Herald, Texas, are distin- guished ministers. A. J. Holt, missionary to the wild tribes of Indians, is a grandson of his.
FOUR MILE church is located in Campbell county. Its his- tory is confused, like that of many others of the early churches, by the changing of its name, failing to have its location specified in the early associational record, and by there being a number of churches of the same name, in various parts of the State. In Manley's Annals, (a most valuable record), the name of a church printed "Russell's Creek" in one place, and "Ruperts Creek" in another, appears to have applied to the church since called Four Mile. It united with Elkhorn Association in 1799. At this period, it numbered fifteen members. It appears to have united with Bracken Association the same fall, or the year fol- lowing. In 1812, according to Benedict, it was a member of
422
History of Kentucky Baptists.
North Bend Association, had John Stephens for its preacher, and numbered fifty members. In 1827, it united with other churches in forming Campbell County Association. In 1843, it numbered ninety-two. In 1876, it was not represented in its association, but appeared to still have an existence.
ELK LICK church is located in Scott county. It was con- stituted in 1799, and united with Elkhorn Association the same year. At this time it numbered six members. In 1801, it received twenty-nine by baptism, which brought its membership up to forty. In 1809, it entered into the constitution of Licking Association, at which time it numbered about thirty-three mem- bers. In 1818, it enjoyed a refreshing from the Lord, when twenty-seven were baptized into its fellowship. This gave it a total membership of fifty-nine. This was its maximum. At two subsequent periods it reached the same number, the last in 1843. Since that time it has gradually declined. In 1876, it numbered thirty-nine members. That it belongs to Licking Association is sufficient evidence of its opposition to all benevolent societies.
FOURTEEN MILE, (now Charleston) church, was received into Salem Association in 1799. It was, at first, located on a small stream called Fourteen Mile creek, in what was then Knox county in the Illinois grant, but now Clark county, Indiana. Although this church is not in Kentucky, it was planted and nurtured by Kentucky preachers, was a number of years con- nected with associations in that State, and may, therefore, have brief mention in the history of Kentucky Baptists. Besides, it was the first organization of the kind, established on the soil of the present great State of Indiana.
It was constituted of two men and their wives, John and Sophia Fislar, and John and Cattern Pettit-by Isaac Edwards, November 22, 1798. William Kellar attended the first meeting of the church. In 1802, James Abbot was chosen its first pas- tor. Feet washing and communion were appointed for a sub- sequent meeting. But the brethren receiving " considerable light on the 13th chapter of John," feet washing was deferred, and perhaps never attended to in that church. Mr. Abbot served the church, as pastor, from March till December, 1802, when he was excluded from its fellowship for "the heinous and abominable crime of falsehood." In August, 1799, Henson Hobbs was received by letter, and, in the following September,
423
Henson Hobbs.
was chosen Elder. In 1803, the church moved its location, and changed its name to " Silver Creek." The same year, it entered into the constitution of Long Run Association (Ken- tucky), at which time it numbered 47 members. In July 1803, the church petitioned Plum Creek (now Buck Creek) church in Kentucky, to supply them with preaching, whereupon that church agreed to send William McCoy and George Waller to preach to them. In 1812, Silver Creek church, with eight others, entered into the constitution of Silver Creek Associa- tion in its own State, after which it had no direct connection with Kentucky Baptists. Since that period, it has had various fortunes and misfortunes. For about thirty years, it was the largest and most flourishing church, of any kind, in Clark county. But, in 1829, a majority of the church was carried off by the Campbellite schism, and, in 1834, the remnant of the church was divided by Parkerism, the missionary party consist- ing only of five members. These persevered, and succeeded in building up again. The church is, at present, located in Char- leston, the county seat of Clark, and bears the name of that vil- lage. W. T. Gordon, late of Kentucky, was its pastor in 1881.
HENSON HOBBS began his ministry, as a licentiate, in Four- teen-Mile church. He was of a family of Hobbses that settled very early in Nelson county, Kentucky, and was born about 1772. The place of his birth, or at what time he moved west,
is not known. In 1799, he moved from Kentucky (as is sup- posed) to what is now Clark county, Indiana, and united with the church described above. Of this church he was appointed an Elder, in September of that year. He was there licensed to preach, August 30, 1800. For a time, he supplied this little church with preaching, then moved back to Kentucky, and settled near Long Run church, in Jefferson county. Of this church he became a member, and here he was ordained to the ministry, in 1802. During this year, South Long Run church was constituted, and Mr. Hobbs became its pastor, and served it about 19 years. He was also pastor of Cane and Back Run,
and probably some other churches. He was the first Baptist preacher who filled regular appointments in Louisville. In this village he preached a considerable time, and constituted, of 22 members, in 1815, the first Baptist church planted there. Of this church he was pastor seven years. In 1815, Long Run
424
History of Kentucky Baptists.
Association organized a missionary board for the purpose of sending missionaries to preach "on our frontiers." Under an appointment of this board, Mr. Hobbs went to Missouri Terri- tory, and spent some months in preaching. He took with him a lad named John Holland, then a young professor, who after- wards became an able preacher.
Henson Hobbs was one of the most active and useful preachers of his generation, in Long Run Association. The following extract from the Minutes of that body for 1821, shows the esteem in which he was held: "With sensations of sorrow, yet, we hope, with Chrstian resignation, we record the death of Brother Henson Hobbs, who departed this life on the 14th day of August last, in the 49th year of his age. He was 23 years a zealous and successful preacher, lived beloved and died lamented by an extensive circle of pious brethren and ac- quaintances."
EDDY GROVE church was the oldest body of the kind in that portion of the State lying west of the Henderson and Nash. ville Rail Road. It was located in Caldwell county, and was constituted in 1799. Like the other early churches in southern Kentucky, it was probably a member successively of Mero District, Cumberland, and Red River Associations. In 1812, it was a member of the latter, had Daniel Brown for its preacher, and numbered 137 members. Of the 36 churches (about half of which were in Tennessee) which composed Red River Associa- tion, at that period, and which aggregated a membership of 2,382, only two were larger than Eddy Grove. There was an extensive revival in the Cumberland Valley this year. About 900 were added to the churches of Red River Association, and a number of new churches were formed. It was thought ex- pedient to divide the Association. Accordingly the more western churches were embodied in a new fraternity, styled Little River Association. Eddy Grove became a member of this body. In 1825, the Association met with this church. At that time it numbered only 39 members, and had the Venerable James Rucker for its preacher. In 1827-8, it enjoyed a revival under the ministry of William Buckley, and its membership was increased to 51. But it again declined gradually, and, about 1833, its name disappears from all available records. *
*For other particulars of this church, see history of Little River Association.
pr
th
Gr
to
425
James Rucker.
JAMES RUCKER was quite an old man when he moved to Caldwell county, and became a member of Eddy Grove church. He was a preacher in Virginia during the period in which Bap- tists suffered much for conscience' sake. What share he had in those persecutions is now unknown. After filling the pastoral office for a time in his native State, he moved to Woodford county, Kentucky, about the year 1785, and united with South Elkhorn, the first church organized on the north side of Ken- tucky river, and, at that time, under the pastoral care of Lewis Craig. In the winter and spring of that year, he labored with John Taylor, Lewis Craig, George Stokes Smith, and John Dupuy in the first religious revival that is known to have oc- curred in Kentucky. About 40 persons were converted. In April, according to John Taylor, Clear Creek church was con- stituted in Woodford county. This was the second church or- ganized on the north side of Kentucky river. This church, except for a short time near its beginning, had no pastor for many years. Mr. Rucker, who was in the constitution, served it as a preacher, in conjunction with John Taylor, John Dupuy, Richard Cave and John Tanner, until about 1796. About this date, he and John Tanner, who had married his daughter, came to the conclusion that the Baptists in Kentucky had become corrupt in doctrine and discipline. Accordingly they withdrew from Clear Creek, and constituted, of ten members, a " Re- formed Baptist church," on Salt river, in what is now Ander- son county. In about two years, this particularly pure and sound church was rent to fragments by internal dissensions, and, like Jonah's gourd, came to naught. Mr. Rucker returned to Clear Creek church. But, being mortified by his failure, or having ost his influence in the church by inveighing against its doc- rine and practice, he moved to Caldwell county, and became a nember of Eddy Grove church, not far from the beginning of he present century. Here the good and respectable old man ived to a great age. He probably died about the year 1828.
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.