USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 29
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sider those answers, by sending them back to the sovereign churches, for their approval or rejection." The Association did not deem it advisable to reconsider the matter.
A very precious revival prevailed among the churches of the Association, during the year 1834, under the able and zeal- ous ministry of the two missionaries alluded to above ; and 349 baptisms were reported to the Association, that fall. But the success of missionary labor, in their midst, did not stop the ‘ clamor of the anti-missionaries. They were in a small minority, but they had some respectable preachers on their side, and they continued to embarrass the Association, and to prevent the co-operation of several of the churches, in any missionary enterprise. In 1835, Hopeful church sent up the following query : "Is the Association in favor of the Mission System, or not?" The timid reply was as follows : "Agreed, That the Association do not think that they are prepared to give an answer, at this time, further than to say, that the churches should be left to their own choice upon the subject of missions ; but would advise the churches not to make the joining, or not joining, of the missionary society, a bar to communion, or a matter of dealing." This action proves that the Anti-missionary.
party exercised considerable influence in the body, at that period. This year, the Association answered a query, from Rock Creek church, in the following words: " First, We believe that it is wrong to commune with unbaptized Christians of any denomination. Secondly, The general tenor of the New Testa- ment throughout forbids it. Thiraly, The universal usage of all orderly Baptist churches forbids it."
Notwithstanding the violent opposition, the Missionary party, who had already witnessed the happy effects of domestic missions, continued to devise such means as they could, to sup- ply the destitution wtihin the bounds of the Association. In 1838, the church at Owensboro sent up the following: "Dear Brethren, would it not be well for the Association to request the churches to delegate their members to meet at such time and place as the Association may think best, to take into consider- ation the propriety of having more preaching among the churches, generally." Answer: "The Association do not think it their duty to appoint a day for the churches to do any thing with the proposition named ; but we feel it our duty to
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leave the matter with the churches, for their own consideration, to act as they think right upon the subject. The Association further renew the request for the ministers to visit, and preach to the churches in this Association, two and two." Some of the churches acted upon the suggestion of Owensboro church. A convention was called, and, although we have not the partic- · ulars of its proceedings, we are assured that it resulted in much good. A general revival pervaded the churches, and it is esti- mated that not less than 500 were converted, and the mission- ary spirit was widely diffused.
The following year, the Association opened correspondence with the General Association of Kentucky Baptists, and became auxiliary to that organization. This fully committed it to the " mission-system," and was more than the weak consciences of the Antinomians could bear. Several churches and factions of churches withdrew from Goshen, Salem and Long Run Asso- ciations, and constituted what they styled "Otter Creek Asso- ciation of Regular Baptists." By this schism, Goshen Associ- ation lost two preachers-J. A. Kelley and Charles H. Stute- ville. They were both men of good reputation, and the latter was a preacher of considerable influence and ability. The As- sociation was now less embarrassed by opposition to its benev- olent enterprises. There was, however, a small Anti-mission- ary party among the churches, who were not Antinomian in sentiment. When, therefore, the Association, in 1840, "cor- dially approved" the American and Foreign Bible Society, and, the next year, appointed an executive committee, and put two missionaries into the field, and, further, in 1842, indorsed the Western Baptist Publication Society, and commended the American Baptist Home Mission Society, this faction withdrew, and formed what they styled "Panther Creek Association of United Baptists." At first, it numbered three churches, aggre- gating 96 members. This schism freed Goshen Association from all open opposition to missions and benevolent societies. From that period, its history has been similar to those of the older fraternities, and, therefore, need be but very briefly sketched. It has kept constantly in view the supply of the des- titution within its bounds, both with the Bible and the preach- ing of the gospel, as well as the contributing to other benevo- lent enterprises.
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This Association has been generally prosperous. In 1840, it numbered 35 churches, aggregating 2,369 members, 681 of whom had been baptized during the year. In 1844, it dis- missed 9 churches, with 1, 145 members-nearly half its aggre- gate membership-to go into the constitution of Daviess County Association. In 1850, it had increased to 27 churches, with 1,769 members, and, in 1860, it had reached a membership of 30 churches, aggregating 2,346 communicants. Its losses by the severance of the colored people from its churches, and its gains, during the next decade, were nearly equal; so that in 1870, it numbered 31 churches, with 2,272 members. From this time, till 1877, it enjoyed a rapid increase, and, at the lat- ter date, numbered 36 churches, with 3,058 members-the largest membership it has ever attained. But this year, it dis- missed 14 churches, with 1,320 members, to go into the con- stitution of Blackford Association. In 1880, it numbered 21 churches, with 1,728 members. During 56 of the first 64 years of its existence, there were baptized for the fellowship of its churches, 8,286 converts.
For the following brief sketches of the older churches of this Association, we are indebted principally to the resarches of John L. Waller, LL. D., who labored within its bounds, under the auspices of the General Association, in 1841.
Goshen church, in Breckinridge county, is the oldest, as well as one of the most influential in the Association. It was consti- tuted of II members, by Walter Stallard, Alex. McDougal and Warren Cash, November 23, 1808. J. H. L. Moorman was its first pastor. He was followed, in succession, by Christopher Wilson, Samuel Anderson and Simeon Buchanan. D. Dow- den served the church many years, and was succeeded by S. L. Helm,* the present pastor. The next oldest church was Con- cord, in Grayson county. It was received into Salem Associa- tion, in 1813. It was almost destroyed by the Antinomian schism in 1838.
New Hope, in Breckinridge county, was constituted of 10 members, in 1813. It was successively served by J. H. L. Moorman, Christopher Wilson, Samuel Anderson and Simeon Buchanan. Mt. Pleasant, in Ohio county, was constituted,
*Dr. Helm departed this life, Oct. 26, 1885.
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about 1815, and was probably gathered by Benjamin Kelley, who appears to have been its first pastor. D. J. Kelley, son of the above, was the second pastor. His son, C. J. Kelley, also served the church a short time. Rock Spring, in Daviess county, was constituted of II members, June 30, 1813. It first took the name of Panther Creek, but changed it, in 1817, to Rock Spring, and, more ecently, to Yelvington. Panther Creek, in Ohio county was constituted of 18 members. by Benjamin Kelley and Ancil Hall, Sep. 23, 1815. It divided on the subject of missions, in 1842. At its house of worship, Panther Creek' Association held its first an- nual meeting, in 1843. Green Brier, in Daviess county, was constituted of 25 members, by Benjamin Talbot and Thomas Downs. Mr. Downs held his membership with this church, and served it as pastor many years. Walnut Grove, in Breckinridge county, was constituted in 1818. Who were its early pastors, is not known. William Head served it about 25 years, and was succeeded by D. Dowden, its present pastor. Pisgalı, in Breck- inridge county, was constituted, in 1813, and was served by the Kelleys and Thomas Newton. Blackford, in Hancock county, was constituted of 21 members, by Thomas Downs, D. J. Kel- ley, Wm. Moorman and Ancil Hall, in 1825. Thomas New- ton was long a member, and a preacher in this church. Rock Creck, in Grayson county, was one of the early churches of Goshen Association. It was under the care of Charles H. Stute- ville, who led it into the ranks of the Antinomians. Bacon Creek, was located in Hart county. Little is known of its history. Mt. Zion was in Hancock county. It flourished for some years, un- der the pastoral care of Thomas Willian, but was finally dis- solved. It was located on the Ohio River, opposite to Troy, Ia. Indian Camp was in Butler county, nine miles north of Mor- gantown. J. Emery was its preacher. The history of Rough Creek church is unknown. It was located in Ohio county, and was received into Salem Association in 1813. It was in the con- stitution of Goshen Association; but early disappeared from her records. Bells Run was constituted, December 24, 1820, under the style of Barnetts Creek, but afterwards took the name of Little Flock, and was gathered by Thomas Downs, who was some years its preacher. It continued a small weak body, till J. S. Coleman took the care of it, about 1881. It has since
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enjoyed two wonderful revivals, and is now (1885) a strong flourishing church. Beaver Dam was a small church located near Litchfield, in Grayson county, which was probably de- stroyed by its anti-missionary proclivities. The church at Clover- port, which is the largest town in Breckinridge county, was constituted of 8 members, by J. H. L. Moorman, Wm. Moor- man and Charles Polk, in 1829. Among its pastors have been J. H. L. Moorman, J. H. Brown, William Head, A. J. Dye, J. H. Spencer, D. Dowden, William M. Burr, A. J. Miller and H. T. Lampton.
JAMES H. L. MOORMAN was the most prominent preacher in Goshen Association, in his generation. He was a native of Virginia, and was raised up to the ministry, in Little Otter church, in Bedford county. He commenced exercising in pub- lic during a great revival which prevailed in that church, in 1801-3, and was soon afterwards ordained to its pastoral care. About 1810, he moved to Kentucky, and settled in Har- din county, where he united with Bethel church. But having been called to the care of Goshen church, he moved to its vicini- ty, in Breckinridge county. The country was thinly settled, at that time, and Goshen was the only church in the county, as Mr. Moorman was probably the only preacher. As he was a man of better education than most of the settlers, he was called to fill the office of justice of the peace, and, afterwards, that of sheriff of his county. However, he was active and zealous in the ministry, and aided in laying the foundation of a number of churches. In 1829, he gathered a small church in the village of Cloverport, and became its pastor. He was a warm advocate of missions, and was one of the first collecting agents of the Ex- ecutive Board of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. He assumed the duties of this office, the first of March, 1834. His labors were prosecuted with much zeal and efficiency, for more than three months, when he was suddenly called, by the messenger death, to his final reward, June 17, 1834.
Mr. Moorman was a preacher of superior ability, and it is much regretted that more particulars of his useful life have not been preserved. He was of an extensive family, many of whom | have been prominent citizens and valuable church members, in Breckinridge and the surrounding counties.
WILLIAM MOORMAN was a brother of the above, and was
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set apart to the ministery, by the same church, and about the same time. He emigrated to Kentucky in 1880, and settled in what is now Hancock county. He aided in disseminating the gospel among the early settlers, and in gathering several churches, within the bounds of Goshen Association. Among these was Blackford, in Hancock county, which was constituted in 1825. Of this congregation, he was immediately chosen pastor, and continued to serve it in that capacity, till the Lord took him to himself, in 1834-the same year that his brother went to his final reward. At his death, he was about 62 years of age, and had been in the ministry 32 years. Although not so gifted as his brother, he was an interesting preacher, and the Lord wrought a good work by him. An exceedingly sad circum- stance in the life of this good man, was, that he accidently shot his wife through the head, producing instant death.
BENJAMIN KELLEY was of Irish extraction, and the name was originally written O'Kelley. His grand father was the only child of Irish parents, and was born on the Ocean, as his parents were emigrating to America. The parents settled in Virginia, and the child grew to manhood, married, and raised a large family. His father returning to Ireland to see after his estate, was supposed to have been lost at sea, as his family never heard from him afterwards.
Benjamin Kelley was born in Bedford county, Virginia, not far from 1763. At about the age of fifteen years, he came to Kentucky, and sheltered himself from Indian fury, with the first settlers of the country, at Boonesboro. In January 1778, while with a party of 27, headed by Daniel Boone, engaged in making salt at Blue Lick, he, with the whole party, was taken prisoner, by the Indians. He fell into the hands of the tribe of which the notorious white renegade, Simon Girty, was the Chief. An old squaw adopted him as her son, and he remained with the Indians about six years. At the expiration of this time, aided by his foster mother and an old Indian, he made his escape, and returned to his parents, in Virginia. Here he mar- ried the daughter of David Jerrell, and afterwards emigrated with his father-in-law, to Kentucky. The next information we have of him, he was pastor of Mt. Pleasant church, in Ohio county. He probably gathered this church, which was consti- tuted in 1814, and ministered to it about ten years. His labors
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were greatly blessed in bringing sinners to Christ. His last sermon was preached in the midst of a great revival, during the continuance of which, about 100 had been added to the church. After baptizing some converts, he went home, and was taken down with a violent fever. He finally recovered from the fever, but he was bereft of reason, and so remained till about two hours before his death, which occurred, about 1824. After his reason returned, he talked freely of his hope in Christ, and de- parted in joyous triumph.
DAVID JERRELL KELLEY, oldest son of Elder Benjamin Kelley, was born in Amherst county, Va., Mar. 22, 1791. He was raised by his maternal grandfather, after whom he was named. His grandfather being wealthy, young Kelley was raised up in idleness and self-indulgence, and became a wayward, self-willed boy. At the age of fifteen, he left his grandfather's home, in Mercer county, Ky., to visit his father in Ohio county. Arriving at Louisville, then a small village, he engaged as a la- borer, in well digging. After a while, he engaged to go as a hand, on a perogue, loaded with whisky. This vessel de- scended the Ohio river to its mouth, and then ascended the Mississippi, to Cape Girardeau. From this point, he traveled on foot, through the territories of Illinois and Indiana, to Louis- ville, and thence to his grandfather's, without having visited his father. He remained with his grandfather, till his marriage to Fannie, daughter of William Carter of Ohio county, Feb. 10, 1810. After living in Ohio county a short time, he moved to Mercer county. Here he and his wife professed hope in Christ, and were baptized by Richard Shackleford, in 1812. Soon after this, he moved back to Ohio county, where he united with Mt. Pleasant church. Some years later, he became dissatisfied with the practice of " close communion," and was excluded from the church. After a time, becoming convinced of his error, he was restored to the fellowship of the church.
He was ordained to the ministry, by Thomas Downs, Ancil Hall and Simeon Buchanan, Jan. 25, 1825, and almost immedi- ately called to the care of Mt. Pleasant church. To this con- gregation he administered, the remainder of his earthly life. He was also pastor of Beaver Dam, Waltons Creek, and Cane Run churches, all in Ohio county. In 1834, he and J. H. L. Moor- man were appointed collecting agents for the Executive Board
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of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. They assumed the duties of that office, about the first of March, and sometimes together, and sometimes apart, prosecuted their labors, till the 17th of June, when Mr. Moorman suddenly died. Mr. Kelley continued his labors, till about the 20th of July, when he was attacked with fever. This was followed by a fatal flux, of which he and six of his family died, between the 13th of August and the 5th of September, 1834.
Mr. Kelley's early education was very limited ; but he had a good intellect, and was fond of books, and, after his marriage, applied himself to study and to teaching, until he became a fair English scholar. He was an eloquent speaker, a good pastor, and a man of active enterprise. He and his neighbor, Josiah Haynes-a man worthy to be remembered, organized a Sunday- school, and a temperance society of 100 members, as early as 1830, and kept them alive as long as Mr. Kelley lived.
CARTER JERRELL KELLEY, oldest' son of Elder David J. Kelley, was born in Ohio Co., Ky., Dec. 18, 1810. He was raised on his father's farm, and received a fair English education. On the 11th of January, 1832, he was married to Paulina, daughter of Josiah Haynes. He studied medicine, after his marriage, and commenced the practice of physic, in 1839. After practicing medicine about ten years, he was ordained to the ministry, at Mt. Pleasant church, by Simeon Buchanan, Joseph P. Ellis and J. R. Gillaspy, in July, 1849. After laboring a few years in his native county, he moved to Illinois, and set- tled in White county, where the Lord abundantly blessed his labors, till the Master called him home, about the beginning of the year 1883.
THOMAS WILLIAN moved from Green county, Ky., and set- tled a few miles below the present town of Hawesville, in Han- cock county, about the ycar 1817. He, with some dozen other Baptists, entered into the constitution of a church, which they called Mt. Zion, about the year 1820. This church was thirteen miles from any other similar organization. The church was served a few years by Thomas Downs, John Hall, and Samuel Anderson, in succession. It then called Thomas Willian to be its pastor, and he was ordained to that office. Mr. Willian was a very moderate preacher, but he was a good man, and full of zeal, and served the church faithfully. He lived only a few
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years after his ordination. He died, about 1842; and other churches being raised up within its territory, Mt. Zion was dis- solved, in 1845.
JOHN THOMPSON DEAN was the tenth child of Michael Dean, a native of Scotland, and a pious Baptist, as was also his wife. He was born in St. Mary's county, Md. Oct. 16, 1793, and ar- rived at Maysville, in Mason county, Ky., with his parents, on the first anniversary of his birth. He was raised up almost without education, having attended school only 16 days during his minority, and one month, after he attained his majority. He was deeply impressed with the importance of religion, at the early age of nine years. These impressions were produced by the private prayers of his mother, which he sometimes over- heard. In his 17th year, he was married to a Miss Vanhorn, who lived only seven months after her marriage. In 1814, he went into the army, and was in the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 1815. In the fall of the latter year, he professed religion, and was baptized by David Scott, for the fellowship of Kingston church, in Bourbon county. This church was afterwards moved to Carlisle. David Scott preached to it several years, and then moved West. Mr. Dean moved to Washington county, where he married the second time. He afterwards moved to Bowling Green, where he spent three years ; after which he moved back to Washington county. During these years of wandering, he had neglected his religious duties, and had been excluded from the church. He now became awakened to his condition, and obtained admission into Bethlehem church, in Washington county. About this time he became deeply impressed with a desire to warn sinners to repent. Elijah Jeffries, his neighbor, and a member of the same church, was laboring under a simi- lar impression. The two often conversed with each other, on the subject. They finally agreed to meet once a week at each other's houses, and pray together. The neighbors, finding out this arrangement, began to meet with them; and their houses were soon filled with people. They sang and prayed, and some- times exhorted the people to repent. A precious revival fol-
lowed, and many souls were added to the Lord. Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Dean were licensed to exercise their gifts, in 1827. About this time Mr. Dean moved to Bracken county; for the purpose of taking care of his parents, who had unwisely con-
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veyed their small estate to their youngest son, and had, by him, been turned out of doors in their extreme old age.
Mr. Dean gave his membership to Ridge Willow church. Here his license was renewed, and Abner Holton and a Mr. Walker were licensed to preach, at the same time. Walker soon moved away. Dean and Holton began to preach at Ohio Willow church. A revival soon followed, a number were bap- tized. The church called the two brethren to their joint pas- torate, and they were ordained to that office, at Ridge Willow, by Thomas Williams and B. L. Abernathy, in 1828. Mr. Hol- ton soon fell into Parker's Two-Seeds doctrine, and afterwards joined the Campbellites. Mr. Dean continued his labors with Ohio Willow church, two years, and, among others, baptized Oliver C. Toliver, who was afterwards a missionary in Burmah.
In 1830, Mr. Dean moved to Pendleton county, and set- tled on South Licking. Before moving, he had visited a small church in that neighborhood, called Point Pleasant. This church, which consisted of only seven members, was dissolved, and a new one, called New Point Pleasant, was constituted of 9 members. Fiye were baptized for its fellowship, the same day it was constituted. Mr. Dean became its pastor, and severed it four years, during which time he baptized cver 100 for its fel- lowship. Among these was William Myers, who afterwards became a useful preacher in one of the Western States. Dur- ing his residence in Pendleton county, Mr. Dean preached two years to the church at Cross Plains (now Athens,) in Fayette county, and baptized several.
In 1833, he moved to Madison county, and took charge of White Oak Pond church, in that county, Buckeye, in Garrard and Mt. Freedom, in Jessamine. He enjoyed but a moderate degree of success, in these churches, and, in October, 1835, moved to Mercer county. On the 17th of the following March, he lost his second wife. He was married to Miss Matilda Ann Jenkins, on the 9th of September, of the same year. He lived in Mercer county nine years, during which time he served, for longer or shorter periods, Bethel, Brush Creek, Unity and Per- ryville churches, in Mercer county ; Goshen, in Anderson ; Clear Creek and Clover Bottom, in Woodford county, and Chaplin, in Nelson county. At Clear Creek he preached four years, and baptized over 100. He preached the same length of
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time at Chaplin Fork, and baptized 141. He enjoyed a mode- rate degree of success, in his other charges. In addition to his pastoral labors, he preached much to the destitute around him, and gathered a church called New Salem, near his home.
In March, 1845, he moved to Breckinridge county, and settled two miles from Hardinsburg. He took charge of Dor- retts Creek and Clover Creek churches. At the former, he bap- tized 50, and about the same number at the latter. He served Walnut Grove church four years, and baptized 60 or 70. During a two year's pastorate at Pisgah, he baptized about 27. He gath- ered a small church, called Hillsboro, six miles north of the Falls of Rough Creek. Here he baptized 23. This church was afterwards dissolved. All these churches were in Breckinridge county. Mr. Dean also gathered Sand Hill church, in Mead county, to which he preached two years, and baptized 23. He preached two years to Bear Creek, in Perry county, Ia., where he baptized something less than 20.
In October, 1851, he moved to Hardin county, and settled on Middle Creek, where he lived about eight years. Here he gathered Sycamore Grove (now East Roods Creek) church, and brought it up to 36 members. He gathered Barren church, and brought it up to something over 30 members. He was pastor of Pleasant Grove church, in LaRue county, two years; was joint pastor (with W. L. Morris) of Big Spring church, in the same county, three years, and labored as missionary of Salem Association, portions of three years.
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