USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 42
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DANIEL SMITH lived on the northern border of Tennessee, in Smith county ; but he performed much valuable labor in Ken- tucky, and well deserves a place among her moral heroes. He was born of poor and pious Presbyterian parents, in Chatham county, N. C., August 6, 1792. He was brought up strictly in the faith of his parents, but with a very limited education. In 18II, he emigrated West, and settled in Smith county, Tenn. Three years later, he entered the Army under Jackson, and was in the famous battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. At the close of the War, he returned to his home in Smith county, and pursued the occupation of a farmer. About 1820, he professed religion, and, after a protracted struggle between the education of his youth, and his present conviction of Bible teaching, uni- ted with Peytons Creek Baptist church. He soon began to ex- ercise in public, and, in the fall of 1824, was ordained to the ministry, by John Wiseman and others.
The field of his early labors had been the scene of much re- ligious enthusiasm: The jerks, barking exercise, laughing mania, and the religious dance had prevailed in their wildest forms. There were but few Baptists in the region, and the re- ligious education of the people had greatly vitiated their taste. Mr. Smith seemed called of God, and adapted to this especial field. He presented a fine personal appearance, was a ready wit and humorist, and was remarkably easy, simple and pleasing in conversation. His preaching gifts were much above the mid- dle grade, and he was an animated, fluent and attractive speaker. His manner and thought were original and unique, and he soon became the most popular preacher in his region of country. "I well remember," writes Elder A. L. Smithwick, "what an excitement there would be among the people when it was an- nounced that Daniel Smith would preach in the neighborhood.
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In those days, people of both sexes would walk eight or ten miles to a night meeting, to hear him."
Like other preachers of his generation and locality, he labored without pecuniary compensation, both as pastor and missionary. The following incident will illustrate his adaptation to the latter work. On a cold day, he had meeting at a school house in which there was no fire-place. The people had built a large fire in the yard. When he went into the house, they all fol- lowed him, and filled it up. But he knew the fire in the yard . would be a great temptation : so he rose up and said: "Breth- ren and sisters and friends : It is cold to-day, and we have no fire in the house ; but there is a good fire in the yard. I have on good warm socks, and I think I can stand the cold a half hour ; but if any of you have holes in your socks or stockings, it will not be thought amiss for you to go to the fire."
At that day, it was customary to have at least three sermons in succession, at associations, on Sunday. On one of these oc- casions, when it came to Mr. Smith's time to preach, the con- gregation had become wearied and restless. As he rose up, he cried out in a loud voice : "My friends, I am going to preach to you on a most interesting subject, if I can get your attention. Ist. I am going to tell you something I don't know. 2nd. I am going to tell you something you don't know. 3d. I am going to tell you something nobody knows." This had the desired effect, and he preached to a curious and attentive audience.
Mr. Smith's favorite reading, next to the Bible, was ecclesias- tical history, with which he became very familiar. This, with his great familiarity with the Bible, his superior natural gifts, and his universally acknowledged piety, well qualified him to form the religious opinions of the people among whom he la- bored. His method of directing his labors, was most efficient. He would select a certain point, where it appeared to him a church ought to be built up. He would then preach from house to house and from grove to grove, in this locality, until his pur- pose was accomplished. In this way he gathered many churches, in a field that, at first, appeared sterile and barren, and lived to see the desert blossom as the rose. Among the churches he gathered, were Mt. Tabor, Buck Grove, Cross Roads, Liberty, LaFayette, and Tomb Ridge, in Tennessee, and Tompkinsville, in Kentucky.
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During the last ten years of his life, he labored more in Ken- tucky, than formerly, and was, for some years, pastor of the church at Tompkinsville. Some months before his death, a slight attack of paralysis confined him at his home, a short time. On recovering, he commenced riding and preaching, with great activity, as if to make up for lost time. He preached his last sermon, at Mt. Gilead meeting house, in Allen county, where Barren River Association was in session, in 1857. His text was : "If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above &c." Here he met and parted with, for the last time on earth, his faithful old co-laborer, Thomas Scrivner. On the following day he started to fill an appointment in Simpson county. He reached the neighborhood, in good health, took a hearty supper, and went to bed. During the night, he had a second stroke of paralysis, which ended his life immediately, Oct. I., 1857. His son, D. W. Smith, is said to be a good preacher, and is occupying the field made vacant by the death of his no- ble father.
JOHN WISEMAN was born of Presbyterian parents, in Rowan co., N. C., Jan. 24, 1780. He was taught to read and write, and was brought up according to the custom of his fathers. He professed religion in early life, under the ministry of Thomas Durham, by whom he was baptized, A. D. 1800, for the fellow- ship of a Baptist church, to the great mortification of his par- ents. He was ordained to the ministry, about 1803, and, two years later, settled in Middle Tennessee. Here he labored, principally, in Smith, Sumner and Wilson counties, and the ad- jacent border of Kentucky, more than a half century. He was pastor of Bledsoes Creek church, in Sumner county, more than 20 years, and of Dixons Creek church in Smith county, more than 30 years. In 1829, he moved from the county of Smith to
that of Sumner. Previous to this, he had raised up Second Creek church, in the latter county, to which he ministered many years. In 1832, he took charge of a church, consisting of one male, and four females, in Lebanon. Here his labors were blessed in building up one of the strongest churches in Middle Tennessee. He was not only instrumental in gathering most of the ten churches of which he was pastor, at different periods, but he aided in constituting many others, and may be justly styled the father of Enon Association. Late in life, he married
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a second wife, and moved to Wilson county, where he died in great peace, March 14, 1864, in the 85th year of his age.
Mr. Wiseman was the most distinguished of the pioneer preachers in his region of country. His son, Jonathan Wise- man, was a good and useful minister, and occupied the field vacated by his father.
WILLIAM SEAMANDS was a native of Smith county Tenn., where he was raised up, and began his ministry. He united with Dixons Creek church, in September, 1852, was licensed to preach, in September, 1836, and was ordained, in March, 1838, by John Wiseman, Daniel Smith, Wm. C. Bransford, E. B. Haney, E. W. Hale and Wm. Terrill. Not long after his ordi- nation he moved to Kentucky, and settled in Allen county. Here he took charge of Puncheon Camp church, in 1843. Afterwards he became pastor of Salem and Mt. Gilead, in Allen county. For some years before his death, he was disabled from preaching by a tumor, which grew back of his eye-ball, slowly pushing out his eye. Finally he had the eye and the tumor taken out, and for some years afterwards, was again actively en- gaged in the ministry. But the tumor formed again, and finally put an end to his life, May 3, 1877.
Mr. Seamands was a self made man. He could barely read and write, and cipher a little, when he arrived at manhood, but with a strong native intellect, and close application to study, he became a fair English scholar, and was one of the most chaste speakers in his region of country. He studied the Bible with deep and constant interest, and became a good theologian. He was a strong, sound preacher, and a valuable laborer in the Lord's vineyard.
WILLIAM FERGUSON SPILLMAN * was for some years, one of the most popular and efficient ministers in Barren River Associ- ation. He was born of Baptist parents, in Sumner county, Tenn., about 1821. When he was three years old, his parents moved to Allen county, Ky., where he was raised up on a farm, receiving a limited common school education. He possessed a quick, sprightly, intellect, and early evinced a fondness for pub- lic speaking, frequently avowing his intention to be a preacher, while yet a small boy. In 1838, he professed religion, and
* The author was baptized by this young man, at Hopewell church, in Allen county, on the 21st day of January, 1849.
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united with Bethlehem church. He began to exhort and pray with great fervor, almost immediately, and, on the 12th of Sep- tember, 1840, was licensed to preach. Although but 19 years of age, he at once began to preach from house to house, and from neighborhood to neighborhood, with burning zeal. The people crowded to hear the boy preacher, and many were led to Christ through his efforts. On the 10th of September, 1841, he was ordained to the ministry, by Zechariah Emerson, Younger Witherspoon and Parks Brunson. In 1844, Hopewell church was established of members dismissed from Bethlehem. Mr. Spillman went into the new organization, and became its pastor. For several years the church was very prosperous under his ministry. He was called to other churches, soon his Sabbaths were all occupied, and he became one of the most popular preachers in his part of the State. But his popularity soon reached its zenith, and began to wanc. He was an easy, fluent speaker, and spoke very rapidly. His friends unwisely advised him to be more deliberate. Taking their suggestion, he went to the other extreme, and spoke so slowly as to weary his audience. He was averse to study, and had, from the beginning, depended on his genius, rather than his knowledge, for success in preach- ing. Poverty, a large family of young children, and the failure on the part of the churches to support him, forced him to labor with his hands, and left him little time to read. He preached his old sermons over and over, till his audience became familiar with them. One of his auditors claimed to have heard him forty times, from the same text. His own wants caused him to preach much, and perhaps not always in the best spirit, on the duty of churches to support their pastors. He joined the Sons of Temperance, and became a zealous, and perhaps imprudent advocate of temperance reform. But that in which he was really blameable, was that he took a very active part in current politics. Although his moral and christian character were irre- proachable, the circumstances enumerated, with others of less import, destroyed his popularity, and greatly curtailed his use- fulness. He soon became sensible that his influence was much diminished, and, in 1854, moved to the south-western part of Missouri. Here he labored, principally as a missionary, with a good degree of success, till the breaking out of the Civil War. His oldest son joined the Southern Army. This rendered the
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father obnoxious to the Federal soldiers, and he deemed it pru- dent to flee to the army for protection. At Corinth, Mississippi, he was seized by a virulent fever of which he died, 1862.
KINCHEN D. DOSSEY was a preacher of some sprightliness, in Fountain Run church, Monroe county. His zeal and fervor made him quite popular, and, during these wonderful revivals which occurred so frequently in that region, between 1837, and and 1850, he appeared to be very useful. But after preaching, with general acceptance, for a number of years, he fell into the sin of adultery, and was excluded from his church. After some years of professed repentance, he was restored to the church, and to the ministry. But he could never regain the confidence of the people, and his attempts to preach appeared to be un- profitable. He died, about 1862.
WILLIS M. TURNER was a native of Tennessee. In early life, he professed religion, and united with the Methodist church. He was soon afterwards inducted into the ministry, and labored as a circuit rider, about eleven years. At the end of this period he became doubtful about the scripturalness of his baptism, and, after investigating the subject, united with the Baptists. He was ordained to the ministry, according to Baptist usage, per- haps not far from 1850. His preaching gifts were ordinary, and his reading was quite limited. But he was rather an easy, pleas- ant speaker, presented a pleasing personal appearance in the pulpit, and was very attractive in the social circle. He soon be- came popular among the churches, and usually served four congregations. His membership was at Indian Creek, in Mon- roe county, and most of his labors were performed in Barren River Association. His education had not been sufficient to eradicate the superstitious notions of his childhood, and he is supposed to have believed in witchcraft. Is is certain that one of the churches to which he ministered, a number of years, be- came much infected by that pernicious superstition. He was however, regarded as a good sincere man, and enjoyed an aver- age degree of success in the ministry. He died, about 1869, scarcely beyond the prime of manhood.
WILLIAM K. MORGAN was a good substantial preacher. He was a native of Allen county, Ky., in which he spent most of his life. His parents gave him a good common school education, and he adopted the profession of a teacher. About 1851, he
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was ordained to the ministry, and was pastor of several churches, at different periods. He was a good man, and a good religious teacher ; but there was some deficiency in his manner of delivery that prevented his being popular as a preacher, and he enjoyed only a moderate degree of success in the ministry. He was called away from earth in the strength of his manhood, about 1876.
A number of good, humble, but pious and useful ministers, of whom no particular account has been received, have labored within the bounds of this Association. Richard Ragland was an early preacher in Concord church, and was the first minister the author remembers to have heard preach. Four of the Roarks, William, Levi, Asa, and Henry, have been preachers in Puncheon Camp church. A. Woodward was a preacher in Good Hope church. Drury B. Spillman was a zealous and use- ful member in Hopewell church, and was afterwards a useful minister in Peters Creek church. He died about 1866. His son, Robert H. Spillman, is now one of the leading ministers in the Association. James Berry was an ordained minister in Con- cord church, about ten years. He died in 1866.
FLEMING C. CHILDRESS is one of the oldest of the living minis- ters of this fraternity, and has long been one of the leading spirits of the body. He is a preacher of good gifts and acquirements, and has been a valuable laborer in the Master's vineyard. It is much regretted that more particulars of his eminently useful ministry have not been received. He is still in the active work of the ministry.
L. A. SMITHWICK was born in Washington county, N. C., January 23, 1820. When he was a year old his parents moved to Smith county, Tenn., where he grew up to manhood. By his own energy and perseverance he acquired a good English education, with some knowledge of the Greek language. At the age of II years he professed conversion, and united with the Methodist church. Maturer investigation led him to change his views, especially on the subject of open communion, and, in 1844, he united with the Baptist church at Athens, in Wil- son county. Here he was licensed to preach. But, returning to Smith county, he was ordained at Mt. Tabor church, in 1846, by John Wiseman, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Wiseman and Reuben Payne. During this year he married, and settled in
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Monroe county, Ky., where he has since resided. He has, at different times, filled the positions of county commissioner, clerk of the county court, and county judge. But, for the last ten years, he has been able to give himself wholly to the minis- try of the gospel, and has been successful as a missionary in Enon, Freedom, and Barren River Associations. He has also filled the pastoral office in a number of churches with accep- tance. In May, 1875, he engaged in a public debate with Elder H. Wright, of the Campbellite fraternity, at Tompkins- ville, and proved himself a ready and skillful debater. He is still engaged in his holy calling .*
W. G. W. GILLOCK has been one of the most active, zeal- ous and succesful preachers who have labored in Kentucky. He was born in Barren county, Ky., March 28, 1820. He re- ceived a very limited common school education, and has read but little else besides the Bible. At the age of 17 years, he professed religion, and was baptized by Levi Roark. He was licensed to preach, in 1847, and was ordained to the ministry, by Isaac C.Tracy, John H. Baker, James Brooks, and others, in 1849. He at once commenced preaching as a voluntary and unpaid missionary, in the most destitute portions of the country around him. The Lord blessed his labors abundantly. Meanwhile, he was called to the care of several churches, of which he has usually supplied from four to six, with monthly preaching. In 1880, he wrote to the author substantially as follows: "In 31 years, I have traveled [on horseback] 123,597 miles, and preached 8,587 sermons. The most of my labors have been performed in the counties of Allen, Barren, Cumberland, Met- calf, Monroe and Warren. I have baptized 2,976 persons, gathered 16 churches, and reorganized several that had been scattered during the War." Mr. Gillock has been Moderator of Barren River Association, since 1872, except one year, and is still actively engaged in the ministry.
LAUREL RIVER ASSOCIATION.
This organization eminated from the old South Union Association, and was constituted of five churches, at Provi- dence meeting house, in Laurel county, September 30, 1831.
* He has recently been called to his final reward.
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The churches were Mt. Pleasant, Rockcastle and Providence, in Laurel county, and Indian Creek and Lynn Camp, in Knox county. These five churches aggregated 153 members. The principal preachers of the young fraternity, were David Weaver and William Hopper.
The growth of the Association was slow, but apparently, even and healthful, during the first nine years of its history. In 1840, it numbered nine churches with 247 members. The next two years, it received considerable accessions, and, in 1843, its churches enjoyed a very precious revival; and, during that year, received 242 by experience and baptism. This brought the Association up to ten churches with 615 members. During the next seven years, it gained very little: so that, in 1850, while it numbered 18 churches, they aggregated only 652 members. During the next decade, its growth was still very slow: so that, in 1860, it numbered only 17 churches with 795 members.
During the War, some of the churches made the political views of their members a test of fellowship, and, in 1863, the churches at London and Robinson Creek sent to the Associa- tion the following query : "Do we fellowship the principle of secession and rebellion against the Government? Yea, or nay?" The Association answered directly: "Nay." The General Assembly of the Presbyterian church of the United States failed to agree on the question, as to the legality of seces- sion, and split the church by the disagreement, into Northern and Southern factions; the Supreme Court of the United States evaded the question; but this small Baptist Association resolved the profound problem of constitutional law, with great readi- ness. However, it seems not to have remained satisfied with its decision; for, in 1867, it recorded the following transaction : "This Association believes it committed an error by making politics a test of fellowship; therefore, we rescind said act." This nullified the decision of the Association, and the country is still without an authoritative solution of the great national problem.
Since the War, this Association has made rapid progress, not only in numbers, but also in intelligence and enterprise. In 1867, it printed its first missionary report. Hiram Johnson was its missionary, and reported substantially as follows: "I have been engaged 65 days, delivered 60 sermons, traveled 525 miles, baptized 31, attended five prayer meetings, visited 13
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churches, and collected $38." The body has also fostered Sunday-schools and other benevolent enterprises, and is in gen- ral accord with the older associations in the State. In 1868, it numbered 22 churches, aggregating 1,263 members. But this year, it divided its territory, the small river from which it de- rives its name, forming the division line. The churches south of that stream, ten in number, and aggregating 524 members, were embodied in an association, called Lynn Camp. The . mother fraternity continued to increase rapidly, and soon re- gained the numbers lost by the division. In 1870, it reported 16 churches with 885 members; in 1880, 28 churches with 2,008 members, and, in 1882, 29 churches with 2, 193 members. We have full statistics of this body, for 44 of the first 51 years of its existence. During these 44 years, there were baptized into the fellowship of its churches, 3,064 converts.
WILLIAM HOPPER was one of the most prominent and use- ful preachers among the pioneers of Rockcastle river, Laurel river and Goose creek valleys. He was a relative, if not a son, of Elder Blackgrove Hopper, a pioneer in the old South Union Association, and, after laboring with that worthy old preacher, over a wide expanse of the mountainous region, now comprised in Whitley, Knox, Clay, Laurel and some of the adjoining counties, as a licentiate, several years, he was ordained to the ministry, at Providence church, located on the head of Laurel River, in 1816. From this time till 1831, he was one of the most active and useful preachers in South Union Association. At the latter date, he entered, with Providence church, of which he was a member and the pastor, into the constitution of Laurel River Association. Of this body, he was the first moderator, and continued to serve in that capacity, with the exception of two or three years, till 1861, when the Lord was pleased to call him home. He is said to have been "an elo- quent man, and an earnest pleader for the cause of Christ." Of his long and useful ministry, few particulars have been gath- ered; but he left a deep and lasting impression on society, and is still spoken of with reverence and affection, by the aged peo- ple who sat under his ministry.
DAVID WEAVER, if not so eloquent as his colaborer, Wm. Hopper, appears to have rivaled him in every christian virtue, and in the confidence and affection of the people to whom they
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jointly ministered. Elder J. W. Moran writes of him, to the following purport: "David Weaver was born in Claiborn Co.,. Tenn., April 29, 1791. He united with the Baptist church at Days Creek, in his native county, at the age of 18 years. He moved to Kentucky, and entered into the constitution of Prov- dence church in what is now Laurel county, in 1819. After serving this church as clerk, for some years, he was ordained to the ministry, in 1826. His labors extended over Laurel, Knox, Whitley and Clay counties, and few men have sacrificed more for the cause of Christ than he. He so ordered his life that the most hardened in wickedness could bring no charge against him. His voice was clear and musical, and his manner was very pleasing. He was greatly beloved by the people to whom he preached. In his old age he lost his eye sight; but so fond were the people of hearing him preach, that they would send for him to a distance of ten or fifteen miles, and convey him back and forward with great tenderness and respect. After preach- ing on one of these occasions, he asked if brother James Har- rison, who was also blind, was in the house. On being answer- ed in the affirmative, he asked to be conducted to him. When the two old blind brothers met, the scene was deeply affecting. They wept aloud as they exhorted each other to be "patient a little longer." The good old minister of Christ was called to his reward, Jan. 18, 1854.
GEORGE BROCK was of German extraction, and was born in Claiborn Co., Tenn., Sep. 25, 1809. He moved to Kentucky, in 1827, and settled in Laurel county. Here he was baptized into the fellowship of Providence church, by Wm. Hopper, in 1830. In July, 1837, he was "liberated to exercise a public gift," and was ordained to the ministry, Nov. 14, 1841. He was soon afterwards called to the care of Rough Creek church, in Laurel county, where he ministered, 37 years. He was a preacher of fair gifts, and was much devoted to his sacred call- ing. Elder J. W. Moran writes of him : "He was an humble, earnest minister of the gospel, doing much good, and sacrificing all for Christ. Few men have lived in the mountains, who have left so good a record. He preached extensively in Laurel, Knox, Whitley and Clay counties, and was successful in leading many souls to Christ." He was called to give an account of his stewartship, Feb. 18, 1879.
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