USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 30
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In April, 1860, he moved to Grayson county, and settled in his last earthly home, six miles north-east of Litchfield. Al- though now far advanced in life, he still manifested all the zeal and fervor of youth, in the cause of his beloved Master. In Grayson county, he was pastor of Rock Creek church two years. With the assistance of Joshua Armstrong and H. T. Lampton, he constituted Little Flock church, which he served ten years, baptizing 53. He preached six years to Meeting Creek church, where he baptized 23. During a pastorate of two years, at Hanging Rock, he baptized over 20. During his sec- ond pastorate at this church, beginning in 1869, he baptized 70. within 16 months. He preached four years to Hopewell, three years to Lost Run, in Breckinridge county, and one year to each of Franklin Cross Roads and Blue Ball churches, both in
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Hardin county. About 1873, he was disabled by a fall from his horse, after which he did not attempt to preach. On the 15th of January, 1881, the veteran soldier of the Cross answered the summons to come up higher.
There were born to Mr. Dean 21 children, 13 of whom are known to have become Baptists, and one of them -- Abner Hol- ton Dean-is a Baptist minister, at Harrisonville, Mo.
ANCIL HALL was one of the early preachers of Goshen As- sociation. His membership was at Panther Creek church. From the associational and church records, he appears to have been active and useful, during a somewhat extended ministry. He aided in constituting a number of churches. Beyond this, little is known of him, except that he has left behind him a good rep- utation. He closed his earthly labors, not far from 1841.
DAVID W. B. TABOR. This singularly gifted and ill fated man was among the early preachers of Goshen Association. He appears to have been raised up to the ministry, in New Hope church, of which he remained a member, till 1834. He then united with Dorretts Creek church. He was an uneducated man, but possessed a brilliant genius and a vivid imagination and was, for a number of years, one of the most eloquent, popular and effective preachers, in the Association. He labored abund- antly, and with great success, on both sides of the Ohio river. But in the midst of his brilliant and hitherto unsullied career, he conceived, and warmly advocated the idea that all property was, by natural and inalienable right, the common possession of all. Although apparently sane on other subjects, he was insane, doubtless, on this. About 1835, he put his theory into practice. While preaching in Perry county, Ia., he conceived that he needed a better horse than the one he had been using, and, find- ing one suitable to his purpose, took possession of it, and applied it to his use. He was speedily arrested, convicted of theft, and sent to the penitentiary, at Jeffersonville, Ia.
While serving his term, in the prison, he obtained leave to preach to his fellow-convicts, on Sundays. An extensive re- ligious awakening followed, and a large number of the prisoners professed hope in Christ. On being released from prison, at the end of his two years' term of service, he started to return to his family, in Breckinridge county, Ky., on foot. Coming within ten miles of home, he found a horse, not in use, and at once
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took possession of it, and rode it to the end of his journey. He was speedily sent to the Kentucky penitentiary, for a term of two years. After his release, he went to East Tennessee. After a few years, he wrote to Dorretts Creek church, asking a letter of recommendation. This request was, of course, refused, and little or nothing was heard of him afterwards.
ROBERT M. SNIDER was early a member of Blackford church, in Hancock county, but afterwards moved his member- ship to Union, in the same county, where he was licensed to preach, about 1838. In 1839, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, and, three years later, moved to Perry county, Ia. Being near the border, he preached on both sides of the Ohio river, about 20 years. After being much afflicted with sore eyes, for a number of years, he became entirely blind, about 1859. He was a plain, uneducated man ; but he had a very good mind, maintained a good christian character, and was well versed in the scriptures. He was termed a rather dry preacher, but was instructive, and doubtless accomplished good, in the Master's cause.
THOMAS NEWTON was among the early ministers raised up in Breckinridge county. He appears to have been called into the ministry by Pisgah church, and was many years a member, and, at least, a part of the time, pastor of that congregation. About 1841, he moved to Hancock county, and gave his mem- bership to Blackford church. He was a preacher of moderate gifts and acquirements ; but he maintained a good religious char- acter, and his influence was salutary. He was called to his re- ward, about 1851.
HARDIN HAYNES ELLIS was born in Shelby county, Ken- tucky, April, 1813. In 1829, he went with his parents to Daviess county, where he grew up to manhood, and obtained a fair English education. In 1834, he united with Panther Creek church, in Ohio county; and was baptized by Ancil Hall. Af- ter exercising a public gift some years, he was ordained to the ministry, at Bethabara church, in Daviess county, about 1840. He was pastor, at different periods, of Green Brier, Hawes- ville, Union, Blackford and some other churches. He was a preacher of more than ordinary ability, was very active in the 2 ministry, and a good degree of success attended his labors. His earthly course was finished, about 1864. He was a brother of
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the now venerable Elder Joseph P. Ellis of Blackford Associa- tion. His youngest son, F. G. Ellis, is a young preacher of good promise, and is now pastor of Union and Lewisport churches, in Hancock county and that of Grand View, Ia.
JAMES D. PHILIPS was a native of Ohio county, and exer- cised a brief ministry in Goshen Association. He was ordained to the ministry, in early manhood, about the year 1856, and was soon afterwards called to the pastoral care of a small church in the mining village of Bennettsville, in Hancock county. To this congregation he ministered several years with some degree of success. Whether he was pastor of other churches is not known. The Lord called him home, about 1869. He had the reputation of being a good, humble man, of very moderate preaching talents.
WILLIAM HEAD, son of John A. Head, a native of Vir- ginia, was born in Scott county, Kentucky, November 17, 1807. He was raised on a farm, and received a common school educa- tion. In his 22d year he married Sarah Jane, daughter of Joseph S. Norris. She only lived one year after their marriage. In his 24th year, he married Anestasia Teresa, sister of his first wife. Both of his wives were Roman Catholics, as were their parents, but the second Mrs. Head and most of her father's family afterwards became Baptists.
Mr. Head was converted, in 1834, and was baptized by J. D. Black, at Stamping Ground, in his native county. The fol- lowing year, he moved to Owensboro, in Daviess county, where he united with a small church which was constituted soon after he arrived there. After this, he became very cold in religious duties, and when awakened to his condition, was deeply troubled. He found George Mckay and Elijah Griffin in a sim- ilar state of mind. The three held frequent conversations on the subject, and finally agreed to meet at each others houses, and pray together. This being found out, the people began to meet- with them, and regular prayer meetings were held, at which considerable crowds assembled. John G. Howard was finally induced to take part in the prayer meetings, and soon a deep religious interest pervaded the entire community.
About this time, (1839) John L. Burrows, agent for China missions, visited Owensboro. Mr. Head laid the condition of himself and his brethren before Mr. Burrows, who promised to
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return and hold a meeting with them, after filling a series of appointments. The Methodists, learning the arrangement, an- ticipated the Baptists, and got possession of the Court House, the only suitable place for preaching, in the village. When Mr. Burrows returned to redeem his promise, he obtained leave to preach a few sermons in the Court House. The people, hav- ing heard the brilliant young orator, so clamored for his preach- ing, that the Methodists were compelled to give place to him. He continued preaching for some weeks, and God wrought a a glorious work of grace, among the people. The burthened young church members, who had originated the little private prayer meeting, were joyously relieved, and more than 100 converts were baptized. The revival spread to the neighboring churches, and it was estimated that not less than 500 or 600 were baptized, while the spirit of missions was widely diffused.
Mr. Head was very active during the revival, and being li- censed by the church to exercise his gift, he proclaimed to all around him, with burning zeal, the joyous news of salvation. He crossed over the Ohio river, and raised up a church at Booneville, and laid the foundation for several others along the southern boundary of Indiana. In 1841, he was ordained at Owensboro, by Thomas Downs and Reuben Cottrell, for the pas- torship of Booneville and Bakers Creek churches, both in In- diana. The next year, he was called back to Kentucky, and took charge of Rock Spring and Friendly Grove churches, in Daviess county. In 1843, he was called to Rock Spring, for all his time. He preached twice a month at the church house, once a month at the present site of Chesnut Grove meeting house, and once at the present location of South Hampton church. At these mission stations, he gathered the last named two churches.
In 1849, he took charge of the church at Cloverport, where he labored with success, eight years. He then moved to a farm, near Webster, in Breckinridge county, where he still re- sides (1885). He preached to Walnut Grove church, 25 years, to Lost Run, 20 years, and to Clover Creek, 17 years. He has also served the churches at Caseville, Flint Island and Little Bend, at different periods. In addition to his pastoral labors, he has done a great deal of missionary work, during his entire min- istry. He is a plain, strong, practical preacher, rather than a 21
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brilliant one; and it may be confidently said, that few preachers have been more useful to the cause of Christ, in the field in which he has wrought. Although far advanced in years, the old soldier is still able to do good service in the army of the Lord.
JOSHUA ARMSTRONG was born of Irish and German parents, in Nelson county, Ky., March 13, 1821. He was sprinkled by a Presbyterian preacher, in infancy. At the age of about nine years, he was carried by his parents to Shelby county, where he grew to manhood, laboring as a hired farm hand, and re ceiving only education enough to enable him barely to read and write. On the 9th of February, 1840, he was married to Amanda F. Lowell, and, leasing a farm, he commenced house- keeping, with less than $100 worth of property. In 1843, he was brought to a knowledge of his sins, under the preaching of Smith Thomas, and was soon afterwards baptized into the fel- lowship of Chaplin Fork church, in Nelson county, by D. Dow- den. The following spring, he, with H. H. Prather and J. L. Trower, was licensed to preach.
In February, 1845, he moved to Breckinridge county, and united with Dorretts Creek church. Here he labored on a farm, and preached with great zeal, till October, 1847. £
At this date, he was induced to move to Grayson county, where he settled on a tract of land, which he afterwards bought. He at once began to arrange for the constitution of a church, in his neighborhood. In November of the same year, he was ordained to the ministry, at Dorretts Creek, by Simeon Buch- anan, John T. Dean, and N. H. Wood. He immediately en- tered into the constitution of Hanging Rock church, in Gray- son county, of which he was chosen pastor. From this period to the present time, he has been an incessant laborer, both as a missionary and a pastor. In the latter capacity, he has, at different periods, served at least 20 churches, in Goshen and Salem Associations. He was at first very weak, awkward and ignorant, in the ministry, but he has had constant growth and extraordinary success. For years past, he has been a strong preacher, and it is probable that no minister has ever been more beloved, or more useful, within the bounds of Goshen Association. He is still laboring in the cause he so dearly loves, with the zcal and ardor of youth.
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DARNELL DOWDEN was born and raised near Little Mount church, in Spencer county, Ky. He received but a scanty knowledge of letters in his youth ; but by dint of close applica- tion to study, in after years, he became a good English scholar, and acquired some knowledge of the Greek language. He pro- fessed faith in Christ when about 15 years of age, and united with Little Mount church. He was licensed to preach, about 1841, and ordained to the ministry, some two years later. About 1852, he moved to Litchfield, and took charge of the church in that village, accepting also the pastoral care of some country churches. He labored in this field some ten years, and then moved to Breckinridge county, where he took charge of Goshen and other churches. About 1866, he moved to a farm near Brandenburg, in Meade county, where he still re- sides (1885.)
Mr. Dowden is a preacher of excellent acquirements and a high order of talents, and a writer of considerable ability. He was chosen Moderator of Goshen Association, in 1855, and has served in that capacity, except four years during the civil War, to the present time.
JOHN BRIANT was born in Adair Co., Ky., Dec. 10, 1814. He acquired a very limited knowledge of reading and writing. In young manhood, he moved to Perry county, Ind., where he lived a wild, and rather a reckless life, till about 1844. At this time, he was converted to Christ, and, with 129 others, was bap- tized by T. J. Drane. In 1849, he was licensed to preach, and was ordained by D. R. Murry, John F. Christian and others, at Bear Creek church, in his adopted county, in 1850. His preach- ing talent was not great, but he was industrious, zealous, and very fervent in exhortation. He labored much among the des- titute, on both sides of the Ohio river. He was pastor, at dif- ferent periods, of several churches ; first in Perry Co,, Ind., and afterwards, in Breckinridge Co., Ky. He gathered two or three churches in Indiana, and at least one in Kentucky. About 1860, he moved to Breckinridge county, Ky., where he still resides (1885.) For several years past, he has been able to preach but little, on account of his having been partially paralyzed.
HENRY THORNTON LAMPTON was born in Nelson Co., Ky., Jan. 20, 1814. When one year old, he was carried by his parents to Breckinridge county, where he was raised on a farm. He was
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extremely fond of books, and, with few advantages, obtained a fair stock of knowledge. In early life, he joined a Methodist class, but was not fully identified with a church of that order, till about the 25th year of his age. About 1842, he was licensed to exercise his gift, and, in 1847, was ordained a deacon, by Bishop Capers. After laboring as a local deacon, about four years, he began to doubt the correctness of the Methodist doc- trine and polity. After a very tedious investigation of the sub- ject, he was baptized into the Constantine Baptist church, by Elzy T. Hickerson. One month later, that church licensed him to preach, and, at the end of another month, he was ordained, by D. Dowden, J. Armstrong and A. J. Dye. This was about 1856. He immediately became pastor of Constantine church, and was soon afterwards called to the care of Hanging Rock church, in Grayson county. At different periods, he served the churches at Stephensport, Hopeful, Millerstown, Litchfield, Panther Creek, Bethlehem, Union, Pleasant Grove and Mt. Pleasant.
In 1865, he held a four days' debate with a Mr. Tandy, a Campbellite preacher. In 1870, he was called to the care of Yelvington church, in Daviess county. The same year, he was chosen pastor of Chestnut Grove, and also served the churches at Macedonia, Oak Grove, and Blackford.
During the War, he labored as a missionary of Goshen Association. About 1875, he commenced laboring at Bakers Creek, Grandview, Newtonville and Rockport, in Indiana. At the latter place, he gathered a church, and ministered to it about three years. He has since been pastor of the church at Clo- verport, Ky.
Mr. Lampton has been exceedingly laborious, and eminently successful, during his entire ministry among the Baptists, and is justly held in high esteem.
ERNEST PETRI was a native of Prussia, was raised in high life, and was finely educated. On account of having committed some political offense, he deemed it prudent to leave his country. He came to America, and, making his way to Hawesville, Ky., located as a teacher, while quite a young man. He had been raised up in the Lutheran church, but now coming in contact with the Baptists, he was induced to study their doctrine and practice more closely than he had done hitherto. This resulted
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in his conversion, and union with the Baptist church at Hawes- ville. By this church he was licensed to preach, about 1858; and was ordained at Cloverport, the following year. For about ten years, he labored within the bounds of Goshen Association, chiefly, as an evangelist, with extraordinary success. But being a poor economist, he was constantly harrassed about providing for the temporal wants of his household. He finally accepted an insurance agency, which brought him a good income, for sev- eral years. While prosecuting this agency, he frequently held protracted meetings, and usually with good success. He was pastor of the church at Franklin, in Simpson county, for a time, and afterwards had charge of the church at Glasgow. But he did not succeed well in the pastoral office. About 1879, he moved from Glasgow to Nashville, Tenn .; where he shortly afterwards died, being scarcely beyond the prime of life.
NOLYNN ASSOCIATION. [S. B.]
This fraternity originated in a division of South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists, for the sake of convenience. It was constituted at Little Mount, in what is now LaRue county, on the first Saturday in November, 1819. At its first annual meeting, which convened at Lowe's M. H. in Robertson county, Tennessee, its churches, the number of which is not recorded, aggregated 800 members.
For some cause, now unknown, it decreased rapidly during the next two years. In 1822, it re- ported 15 churches, with only 585 members. A further decrease of aggregate membership gave it, in 1826, 21 churches with only 419 members. From this period, it began to increase in num- bers, and continued to enjoy a moderate degree of prosperity, till 1840, when it reported 15 churches with 1, 213 members. This is the largest aggregate membership it has yet attained. From that date, it gradually declined, till 1878, when it num- bered 7 churches with 411 members.
For the faith and practice of this fraternity, and its gradual recession from Baptist principles, the reader is referred to the history of the mother fraternity, whose steps it has closely fol- lowed. Whatever its theory may be, it has been antimissionary
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in practice. It has accomplished almost nothing, except what its preachers have done by their gratuitous labors. In 1848, eight of its preachers signed and published a remonstrance, in which they say: "In future, we will not attend to any church, unless they will, according to their several abilities, sup- port the gospel." The remonstrance appears to have had little effect. The Association had a super-abundance of preachers, who were glad of an opportunity to "attend to " the churches, without pecuniary compensation.
Several preachers of considerable ability have been raised up to the ministry, in the churches of this fraternity. 'But they have generally discarded its practice, and identified themselves with the United Baptists, as soon as they were able to compre- hend the inconsistency of their own denomination. The same may be said of many of their more intelligent private members. Various attempts have been made by the neighboring associa- tions to establish correspondence with this body, and thereby bring it up to the standard of Baptist orthodoxy. But these ef- forts have only resulted in drawing off their best preachers and churches.
This Association, in the days of its greater prosperity, oc- cupied a broad belt of territory extending from the Ohio river across the central part of the State, and far into Tennessee. But at present, its churches are located principally in Green, and some of the neighboring counties. It corresponds only with the mother fraternity and a small organization, recently formed, and known as East Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists.
Thomas J. Chilton was regarded a father in this fraternity, and his son, Hon. Thomas Chilton, was a preacher among its churches a number of years. Of these, something has been said elsewhere. Of other ministers in this Association no particular account has been received.
HIGHLAND ASSOCIATION.
Previous to 1836, this small fraternity represented the en- tire Baptist interests, in an area of country now embraced in five or six counties. It was formed of 13 churches, 12 of which
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had been dismissed from Little River Association. At least 7 of these churches had originally belonged to Red River Association, and some of the others, to Union. These 13 churches aggre- gated 429 members. Their names were as follows: Bethel, Cypress, Canoe Creek, Cane Run, Flat Creek, Grave Creek, Highland, Providence, Salem, Tirza, Unity, New Hope and Little Bethel. The ministers belonging to these churches, as far as known, were William C. Buck, Benjamin Bourland, William . Davis, John Christian and Benjamin Berry. The licensed preachers were Henry Garrard, Timothy Sisk, John Grantham and Reuben Owen.
The Association was constituted at, and derived its name from Highland church, in Union county, September, 1820. Most of the churches and preachers of the fraternity, were tinct- ured with Hypercalvinism and were opposed to missions and benevolent societies. The growth of the body was very slow. This may be accounted for from the divided condition of the churches and ministry, or, rather, the preponderance of the an- ti-missionary sentiment, and the additional fact that a large proportion of the population in its field of operations were Roman Catholics. It was estimated that at least two-thirds of the people of Union county were of that persuasion. During the first ten years of the existence of the Association, it made a gain, in its aggregate membership, of only 57: So that, in 1830, it numbered 15 churches with 486 members. At this date, a Bible society was organized within its bounds, and William C. Buck became its president. This aroused the spirit of opposition to benevolent societies, and, in 1835, the Association took such high grounds against these institutions, that Bethel, Little Bethel, Highland and Grave Creek churches withdrew from its fellowship, and, the following year, formed Little Bethel Association. Previous to this division, the body numbered 14 churches with 609 members. But after this period, it rapidly declined, and soon dwindled into comparative insig- nificance. After the division, it assumed the name of Regular Baptists, and, in 1877, that of Regular Predestinarian Baptists. It is avowedly opposed to missions and all benevolent societies. In 1880, it numbered 10 churches, aggregating 200 members. These churches intermingle with those of Little Bethel Associa- tion, and are located in the counties of Henderson, Webster,
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Hopkins and McLean. Of the pioneer preachers of this body, who remained in its fellowship, little is now known. The most prominent of its early ministers identified themselves with Little Bethel Association.
ESIAS W. EARLE was among the most prominent preachers that adhered to this fraternity. He was born in South Carolina, Feb. 4, 1800. At the early age of 13 he professed conversion to Christ, and united with a Baptist church. He was set apart to the ministry when he was only 17 years old. In early life he migrated to Kentucky, and settled in Hopkins county. He was pastor of Flat Creek church, a long series of years. He died at his home in Hopkins county, March 6, 1877.
BURNALL P. DORRIS was born in 1806. He united with Provi- dence church, in Webster county, in 1844, and was there or- dained to the ministry, in 1846. He was pastor of Providence church a number of years, and was esteemed by his brethren, a good, faithful preacher. The Lord called him to his reward, August 23, 1879.
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