USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 4
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SOUTH FORK church, originally called No=Lynn, was, ac- cording to tradition, constituted in what is now La Rue county, in the summer of 1782, by Benjamin Lynn and James Skaggs. The late venerable Elder John Duncan took much pains to learn the history of the church, and had conversations with at least two men who claimed to have been present when it was consti- tuted. They stated that Lynn had been preaching in the neighborhood for some considerable time, and several persons had professed conversion. The church was constituted under the boughs of a large oak tree, where it continued to meet the remainder of the summer. Immediately after the organization was effected the church sat to hear experiences. Seven persons
[33]
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
were approved for baptism. The times were troublous. It had been only a few weeks since the supposed massacre of Elder John Gerrard, in an adjoining neighborhood, and the Indians were now lurking in the surrounding forests. The candidates for the sacred ordinance were guarded to the water by armed citizens, and baptized by Elder Lynn, in No-Lynn [now spelt Nolin] river. If this account be true, it is probable that these were the first persons baptized in Kentucky.
This church first united with old South Kentucky Associa- tion, but, in 1797, it assumed the style of Regular Baptists, and afterwards became a member of the Green River fraternity. It was one of the few Baptist churches, in which the "jerks" and other extravagances prevailed during the great revival of 1800- 3. It was subsequently divided on the subject of slavery. But a reconciliation being effected, it became very prosperous, under the ministry of William M. Brown. It is at present one of the largest churches in Lynn Association. Among the few preach- ers it has raised up was John Hodgen, a brother of the famous Isaac Hodgen,
FORKS OF DIX RIVER church is located in Garrard county. Its early history is obscure. Asplund dates its constitution in 1786, and is followed by Benedict. In the minutes of South District Association of 1844, the date of its constitution is put down at 1782. Its first book of records has been destroyed, but its second book, which commenced in 1805, states that the church was constituted by Lewis Craig, in 1782. In a manu- script biography of Randolph Hall, its first known pastor, written by his successor, John S. Higgins, it is stated that Mr. Hall "took the care of Forks of Dix River church shortly after its constitution, which was in 1782." In a manuscript biography of Burdett Kemper written during his lifetime, by his son who was clerk of the church, the following passage occurs : "The Forks [of Dix River] church, to which Father Kemper still preaches, was constituted by Lewis Craig, in 1782, and has never had but three pastors, viz: Randolph Hall, John S. Higgins, and Burdett Kemper." The preponderance of evid- ence appears to favor 1782, as the true date of the church's constitution, and if this be correct it must have been consti- tuted a Regular Baptist church. But its first associational connection was with South Kentucky Association, which was
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constituted in 1787. In 1786, a "request for help from a number of Baptists at or near the Forks of Dix river was read" before Elkhorn Association, "and Ambrose Dudley, John Tanner, Benj. Craig and Bartlet Collins were appointed to attend a meeting there the fourth Saturday in August." This indicates that there was no Regular Baptist church there at that period. If one had been constituted there by Lewis Craig, in 1782, it had either dissolved, or. what is more pro- bable, a majority of its members had given their adhesion to the Separate Baptists, and the minority, holding to the Regular Baptists, had petitioned Elkhorn Association for help. How- ever this may be, Forks of Dix River church entered into the constitution of South Kentucky Association, in 1787, and there remained till 1793, when it entered into the constitution of Tate's Creek Association. James Smith was a preacher in the church, in 1790, at which time it numbered 58 members. After the organization of South District Association, in 1802, the church joined that fraternity, of which it is still a member. It has long been one of the largest and most prosperous church- es in its Association.
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The Forks of Dix River was a preaching place for the Presbyterians, as early as 1784, the next year after David Rice, the pioneer minister of that denomination in Kentucky, arrived in the country, and it is believed that they and the Baptists worshipped in the same house for a few years ; after which the Presbyterians abandoned the station. James Smith and Joseph and William Bledsoe, Separate Baptist preachers, located in Garrard county, about 1783, and it is probable that through their influence the .Forks church was converted to the Separate Baptists.
RANDOLPH HALL, probably the first pastor of Forks of Dix River church, was a Virginian, and took an active part in the Revolutionary War, whether as a chaplain, or a soldier, or both, is not known. He came to Kentucky with the flood of emigration which poured into the western country at the close of the War, but at exactly what date, is not known. "He was a good solid, preacher," of a warm impressive address, and exer- cised an extensive influence within the bounds of South District Association, of which he was moderator many years. He was instrumental in gathering Sugar Creek church in Garrard coun-
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
ty, in 1801, to which, and to Stony Point in Mercer county. he preached for a number of years, He was no less distinguish- ed for piety, than for his faithful and successful labors. After a long and useful life, the prime of which was spent, first in battling for the liberties of his country, and afterwards amidst the dangers of savage warfare, he died of an attack of epilepsy, to which he was subject, in the year 1821, aged about 70 years.
JOHN S. HIGGINS was the second pastor of Forks of Dix River church. He was born in New Jersey, Dec. 29, 1789. In 1805 he emigrated with his parents to Ohio, and, five years later, to Woodford county, Kentucky. He was baptized by Edmund Waller, in 1813, and commenced exhorting a few weeks afterwards. Being impressed with a call to preach the gospel, he attended a grammar school in Fayette county, that he might be the better prepared for that work. He moved to Lincoln county, in 1815, and, on December 27th of that year, was ordained to the pastoral care of McCormack's church, by John Rice and David Thurman. About the same time, he was called to the care of Hanging Fork (now New Providence) church, to which he ministered with good success about twenty years. At this place he baptized Strother Cook, who became a useful preacher. In 1820 he was called to succeed the vener- able Randolph Hall in the pastoral care of Forks of Dix River church, to which he ministered about nineteen years. Here he baptized Burdett Kemper, who succeeded him in the pastoral care of that church, and John L. Smith who has attained con- siderable eminence in the gospel ministry.
John S. Higgins was a man of eminent respectability. He was not only successful in his pastoral labors, but preached abundantly in all the surrounding country. Among the churches he gathered was that in Danville, to which he minist. ered until it could secure a pastor. He resided on a farm, and, by industry and economy, acquired a comfortable property. He was twice married, and raised a large and respectable family. At the age of four score years, he died at his home in Lincoln county, surrounded by an affectionate family, in 1872.
BURDETT KEMPER was of German extraction, his grand- father, Frederick Kemper, having been a native of Germany. His parents, Thomas and Judith Kemper, were natives of Vir- ginia, and were among the pioneers of Kentucky. He was
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First Churches Planted.
born in Garrard Co., Ky., Feb. 24, 1788, and was raised up on a farm, receiving the elements of a common school education. Under the teaching of a pious mother, he had an excellent moral and religious training. In his 30th year he married Jemima, daughter of Judge James Thompson, of his native county. He possessed a remarkably strong body, and a strong practical mind, and, in a measure, made up the deficiency of his early education by application to books in his maturer years. Meanwhile, his good business habits enabled him to acquire a fair property. He had reached mid-life when, in March, 1830, he and his wife professed religion, and were baptized for the fellowship of Forks of Dix River church, by John S. Higgins. Within a year after his baptism, he began to exercise in ex- hortation, and was ordained to the ministry, in 1833, by John S. Higgins, John Rice and Edmund Waller. During the same year, he accepted an invitation to preach once a month to Forks of Dix River church, and, upon the resignation of Mr. Higgins, in 1839, became pastor of that congregation, a position he con- tinued to occupy till the close of his earthly career.
During his ministry, Mr. Kemper was, at different periods, pastor of the following churches, besides the one of which he was a member: Sugar Creek, Gilberts Creek, Buckeye, Free- dom, Shawnee Run, Friendship, Hillsboro and Logans Creek. To all these, it is said, he ministered acceptably and success- fully. But his greatest success was in old Forks of Dix River church. When he began to preach to this congregation, Campbellism was in its belligerant state, was devastating the churches in this region of the State as a tornado sweeps away the forest in its track. Nearly all the old churches were weak- ened and disordered, and many of them were utterly destroyed. The "Forks" church received little or no injury, although assailed with persistent vehemence, and with every species of available weapons, however unscrupulous. Mr. Kemper met the heresy with unyielding firmness and much practical wis- dom. At one time a squad of Campbellites came to interrupt public worship. They collected together, and, after Mr. Kem- per commenced his discourse, began to make sport of the ex- ercises. The speaker paused till the attention of the audience was directed to the disturbers, and pointing towards them said : "Look! and behold Campbellism in its full bloom!" The
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
recreants fled from the house, and abandoned the field. Under the firm and wise administration of this excellent pastor, the church continued to prosper till it numbered over 500 members.
Mr. Kemper continued his active labors in the ministry to an extreme old age. Few men in his region of the State have enjoyed a higher reputation for all that is excellent in the christian and useful in the ministry. He was moderator of South District Association twenty five years. When his work was done, the Lord called him to his reward, March 18, 1876. At the time of his death "Forks" church numbered 319 mem- bers. It is still (1885) one of the largest of the century-old churches in the State. It is, at present, under the pastoral care of that excellent minister, Thos. M. Vaughan.
CHAPTER IV.
CHURCHES PLANTED IN 1783.
At the beginning of the year 1783, there were in Ken- tucky only five churches and eight preachers. Gerrard hav- ing been massacred by the Indians, the spring before. The year just closed had been fraught with many dangers, trials and sorrows. One preacher, out of nine, had fallen a victim to savage barbarity, and many other settlers of the country had perished in the same manner. The imigrants had been compelled to remain in forts most of the summer, so that they had raised but little grain, and now set in the winter, always dreary enough to the poor, but doubly gloomy when the snow covers the fresh graves of murdered husbands and fathers. Many poor widows and orphans, hundreds of miles from all their old friends and surrounded by an almost boundless wil- derness, every acre of which teemed with deadly danger, were weeping and shivering in rude log cabins in Kentucky. How much they needed the comforts of a holy religion, to encour- age them amid their deep despondency. But God had not for- gotten his little ones. He sent strong, brave men, with hearts full of love and faith, who were ready to dare every danger, to pray in the rude cabins of weak and timid christians, to cheer and encourage despairing mourners, and to warn reckless sin- ners of their awful danger. Marshall, Craig, Cave, Smith, Barnett, Whitaker and Lynn had been tried in the relentless fires of persecution and purified as silver. Inured to hard- hips and dangers, they had lost the sense of earthly fear, and were prepared to surmount every difficulty, that they might gather into folds Christ's scattered sheep, and feed them with the bread of life. They were traversing the wilderness in search of the straying lambs, and calling them together to partake
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
again of the heavenly feast of love and fellowship, which they had so sweetly enjoyed in the now far away churches of their native land. The efforts of these Godly ministers were blessed, and three more churches were added to the number in Kentucky, during the year.
GILBERTS CREEK church of Separate Baptists was gathered by Joseph Bledsoe, in what is now Garrard county. There has been some confusion in the popular mind concerning the history of this church, caused by confounding it with Gilberts Creek church of Regular Baptists. The latter, as we have already seen, was organized by Lewis Craig and others, in December, 1781 ; the former was gathered by Joseph Bledsoe, as we shall presently see, in 1783. Asplund and Benedict both date its constitution in that year. John Taylor, who was a member of the Regular Baptist church on Gilberts Creek, during the winter of 1783-4, says: "Just before I got to Kentucky (in 1783) Craig, with a number of others, had left Gilberts Creek, and moved to South Elkhorn and set up a church there. The remnant left of Gilberts Creek kept up order ; it was this rem- nant I united with. Among them was George Smith, com- monly called Stokes Smith, a valuable preacher ; Richard Cave, then an ordained minister, William Cave, who afterwards be- came a very good preacher, and many other valuable mem- bers. Soon after, George Stokes Smith and chief of the mem- bers at Gilberts Creek also moved to the north side of Ken- tucky ; and a Separate Baptist church being set up at Gilberts Creek, by Joseph Bledsoe, the old church became dissolved, and the Separate Baptists chiefly took possession of the south side of the Kentucky river." In another place, Mr. Taylor says : "The church I have been writing of, at Gilberts Creek, was swallowed up, partly by Craig's members moving away, and partly by a Separate church settling there under the care of old Mr. Joseph Bledsoe, and, though the old gentleman is dead, it seems the church yet exists."
This testimony is sufficiently conclusive. The present Gilberts Creek church was constituted in 1783, and was one of the churches that formed South Kentucky Association of Sep- arate Baptists, in 1787. It entered into the general union of the Separate and Regular Baptists, in 1801, but soon after- wards went off with a faction headed by John Bailey and
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Churches Planted in 1783.
Thomas J. Chilton, again assuming the name of Separate Bap- tists. It returned to the United Baptists, in 1845. Among the many pastors who have served this church, may be named Joseph Bledsoe, Michael Dillingham, John Bailey, Thomas J. Chilton, Thomas Chilton, Absalom Quinn, Jesse C. Portman, John G. Pond and Burdett Kemper. Quinn and Pond were ordained in this church. During the year 1828, 10I were ad- ded to its membership, and, in 1837, it received 37 additons. It was long a prosperous body, but for a number of years past, it has been declining. It is now without a house of worship, and only has a name to live.
JOSEPH BLEDSOE was the founder and first pastor of this church. As early as 1778, he was associated with Ambrose Dudley and Lewis Craig in gathering Wilderness church in Spottsylvania County, Virginia. Of this congregation he was chosen the first pastor. But "they were not happy under his care," and he resigned his charge to move to Kentucky, where we find him pastor of Gilberts Creek church, in 1783. He was an old man at that time, and probably remained in charge of this congregation until his death. His brother, Aaron Bled- soe, was a Baptist preacher in Virginia, his son William was a Baptist preacher of more talent than piety, in Kentucky, and his son Jesse was a prominent lawyer and a politician of the last named State, and was two years in the United States Sen- ate, and several years judge of the circuit court. Another Bledsoe, named Moses, was a Baptist preacher in Kentucky. Many of the family possessed brilliant talents, but they were generally unstable and erratic.
"SOUTH ELKHORN, not far from Lexington," says John Taylor, "was the fourth church in which I had my membership. This was the first worshiping congregation, of any kind, or- ganized on the north side of the Kentucky river, and early in the fall of 1783." This church was gathered by Lewis Craig, and was constituted principally of members who had belonged to Upper Spottsylvania church in Virginia, had emigrated with Mr. Craig to Kentucky, in 1781, and had again followed him from Gilberts Creek to South Elkhorn in Fayette county. In organizing this church, Mr. Craig doubtless had the assistance of George Stokes Smith and Richard Cave, who were still members of the first Gilberts Creek church. In the summer of 4
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1785, these preachers and most of the other members of Gil- berts Creek church moved to the north side of Kentucky river, and united with the new organization. John Taylor moved to Kentucky, in 1783, just after South Elkhorn church was constituted, and, settling at Lewis Craig's station in Garrard county took membership in Gilberts Creek church. But, in the summer of 1784, he moved to what is now Woodford county, and joined South Elkhorn church. William Hickman, John Dupuy, and James Rucker, having moved to the new country, also united with this church, in 1785. There were now seven preachers within the bounds of the church: viz., Craig, Cave, Dupuy, Hickman, Rucker, Smith and Taylor. Four of them, however, went into the constitution of a new church, on Clear Creek in Woodford county, early in that year.
Down to the period now under consideration, there had been no baptism in Kentucky, so far as our knowledge ex- tends, if we except the traditional account of that performed by Benjamin Lynn, in 1782. But very early in the year 1785, a revival spirit began to be manifested among some members of South Elkhorn church, who had made a settlement on Clear Creek in Woodford county. This work began under the min- istry of John Taylor, and continued to spread over the exten- sive territory of the church till large numbers were baptized. Among them were four of William Hickman's children. At least two preachers, William Hickman, jr. and Warren Cash, were fruits of this revival. The results of this work of grace, together with a large imigration, so increased the membership of the church, that it was deemed expedient to send out a colony. Accordingly Clear Creek church was constituted, while the revival yet prevailed.
Lewis Craig was chosen pastor of South Elkhorn church, at the time of its constitution, and under his ministry, it con- tinued to prosper, till about 1792, when he resigned, and mov- ed to Bracken county, recommending John Shackleford as his successor. Mr. Shackleford was immediately called to fill the position. Under his ministry the church continued to enjoy great prosperity, about thirty years. During this period many extensive revivals occured in the church, in one of which 309 were baptized for its fellowship, during the year 1801. Again
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Churches Planted in 1783.
about the year 1817, near 200 were added to it, during one winter. A few years after this, the buddings of Campbellism began to appear in the church, and soon produced a schism. The majority was ministered to by the two Creaths, who ulti- mately led it off with the Campbellite schism. The minority continued under the care of the old pastor, till his death, in 1829. After this, it gradually diminished, till it became ex- tinct.
From this fruitful nursery, went out many colonies to form other churches which are still large and flourishing bodies. But old South Elkhorn, "in a manner the mother of all the churches north of Kentucky River," and owner of the first house of worship in that extensive territory, was long since dissolved. Yet will she be remembered, and her name will be venerated as long as the Baptists of Kentucky shall preserve their history. Another church has risen near her an- cient site, and taken her venerated name.
JOHN SHACKLEFORD was born in Caroline county, Va. in 1750. He commenced his ministry at about the age of 22 years, and was a zealous laborer in the Vineyard of the Lord, about six years, before he was ordained. During this period he was honored with a term in Essex county jail. Of this af- fair, Mr. Semple gives the following account :
"On March 13, 1774, the day on which Piscataway church was constituted, a warrant was issued to apprehend all the Baptist preachers that were at meeting. Accordingly, John Waller, John Shackleford, Robert Ware and Ivison Lew- is were taken and carried before a magistrate. Ivison Lewis was dismissed, not having preached in the county; the other three were sent to prison. It appears from Mr. Waller's jour- nals, which we have before us, that while in prison, God per- mitted them to pass through divers fiery trials; their minds, for a season, being greatly harrassed by the enemy of souls. They however, from first to last of their imprisonment, preached twice a week, gave much godly advice to such as came to visit them, read a great deal, and prayed almost with- out ceasing. In their stated devotion, morning, noon and night, they were often joined by others. They continued in close confinement from the 13th to the 21st of March, which was court day ; being brought to trial, they were required to
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
give bond and security for their good behavior for twelve months, or go back to prison. Ware and Shackleford gave bond and went home; Waller being always doubtful of the propriety of giving any bond whatever, determined to go back to jail." Mr. Waller remained in jail fourteen days longer, and was then released.
Soon after this imprisonment, Mr. Shackleford was or- dained to the care of a small church which had been gathered by Lewis Craig, under the name of Tuckahoe, in Caroline county. In 1788, this church " had a revival. It was a memorable time indeed," says Mr. Semple, "not only in this church, but almost throughout the state of Virginia. In the course of this divine season, Mr. Shackleford baptized about three hundred." In addition to his pastoral work, he labored much, according to the custom of the time, among the desti- tute, and, like other Baptist preachers at that period, endured much persecution.
In 1792 Mr. Shackleford moved to Kentucky, just at the time Mr. Craig resigned the charge of South Elkhorn church, and was immediately called to succeed his early colaborer and fellow-sufferer. To South Elkorn church he ministered about 37 years, including the most stormy period of the history of Kentucky Baptists. The first trouble he experienced in his pastoral relation at south Elkhorn grew out of a personal diffi- culty between Elijah Craig and Jacob Creath, sr. This conten- sion was long continued, and finally involed the whole of Elkhorn Association and produced a division in that fraternity. A result of this unfortunate quarrel was the formation of Lick- ing Association of Particular Baptists. Mr. Shackleford iden- tified himself with the Craig party, and about one-fourth of his church adhered to him, and entered with him into Licking As- sociation. The majority, under the ministry of the Creaths, ultimately went off with the Campbellites. The minority withered, and was finally dissolved. The evening of Mr. Shackleford's life was rendered uncomfortable by these painful divisions. But the grace of God, that, in his youth, support- ed him in fiery persecutions, also upheld him in his old age ; he died in the triumph of the christian's hope, in 1829, in his 79th year. He was probably the last of that noble band of preachers who were confined in Virginia jails for preaching the gospel.
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Churches Planted in 1783.
PROVIDENCE church was the third and last to occupy a place on Kentucky soil, in 1783. Like the first Gilberts Creek church, it was organized in Virginia, and moved to Kentucky in a church capacity. The following traditionary account of its origin is from the pen of A. G. Bush, a descendant of Capt. Wm. Bush, and, for many years past, clerk of Providence church :
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