USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 49
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accepted an invitation to preach, one Saturday and two Sundays in the month, to each of Hopkinsville and Bethel churches. Having moved his membership to the former, he was there or- dained to the ministry, November 2, 1833, by Reuben Ross, Wm. Tandy, Wm. C. Warfield, and Robert Rutherford. He remained at Hopkinsville about four years, preaching and devoting himself to study.
At the beginning of the year 1837, he succeeded William Warder, then recently diseased, in the pastoral charge of the church at Bowling Green. Here he remained 20 years, with the exception of a few months, spent in Russellville, about 1850. On the 13th of March, 1838, he was married to Catherine S. daughter of Richard Garnett of Glasgow. In 1840, he entered with Bowling Green church into the constitution of Liberty As- sociation, and, two years later, succeeded Jacob Lock as Mod- erator of that body. This position he filled during eight suc- cessive years. The church at Bowling Green prospered under his ministry ; and while residing there, he acquired the reputa- tion of a learned and able minister, and a very pure and logical writer.
In 1857, he was elected professor of theology in Union University, located at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was, at the same time, called to the pastoral care of the church at that place. He continued to fill these positions till the War broke · up the school, in 1861. The next year, he accepted the pas- toral care of the church at Hamilton, Ohio. Here he did not succeed to his own satisfaction, and, at the end of a three year's pastorate, resigned his charge. In 1865, he accepted a call to the church at Upland, Penn. To this congregation, he ministered, abont 18 years, with much satisfaction, both to him- self and the church. In the fall of 1883, he resigned this charge, and went to Nashville, Tennessee, to spend the winter.
Dr. Pendleton is a man of extraordinary industry. From 1838, to the present time, he has probably written more for the periodical press than any other man who has regularly filled the pastoral office; and, yet, he has never published an article that did not evince calm thought and mature delibe- ration. He was one of the editors of the Southern Baptist Review during the six years of its publication, at Nashville, Tenn. He was also co-editor of the Tennessee Baptist, a number
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of years, during which time it attained the largest circulation of any Baptist weekly in the world. In addition to his con- tributions to the periodicals of the times, he has published a number of books and pamphlets which have attracted popular attention. His first book was published, in 1853, under the title of " Three Reasons Why I am a Baptist." This was fol- lowed by a volume of sermons, published in 1858. In 1868, he published a " Church Manual." The next year his work on "The Atonement of Christ," issued from the press .. His largest work, titled " A Compendium of Theology," was written, in 1877.
ROBERT W. THOMAS was one of the most attractive and eloquent preachers that have lived in the Green River country. He was raised up to the ministry, and spent about twenty years among the churches of Liberty, and the surrounding associations. Liberty Hill church, in Edmonson county, licensed him to preach, about 1840, and ordained him to the ministry, two years later. In 1850, he succeeded J. M. Pendleton in the moderatorship of Liberty Association, and filled that position five successive years. A number of churches had his pastoral labors, but he did not succeed so well in the pastoral office, as in some other branches of ministerial labor. He was a success- ful financial agent, and a shrewd and ready debater ; but his great oratorical powers were most effective in the work of an evangelist, in which he labored abundantly, especially in the early years of his ministry. In later years, his influence was much curtailed by his irresistible inclination to take an active part in every popular contest of the time. He was among the first ministers, in his part of the State who mounted the rostrum in favor of temperance reform. His eloquence bore down all opposition, for the time ; but the bitterness of his denunciation, and the keenness of his satire and sarcasm often inflamed the opposition, and thereby injured the cause he advocated. He did not hesitate to take the stump, during an exciting political campaign, and to denounce the party he opposed unsparingly. He was not unfrequently engaged in financial speculations of considerable magnitude, which he prosecuted with the same intensity, that he did whatever else he was engaged in. Dur- ing the civil War, he moved to Arkansas, and, afterwards, to Texas, where he was still living, when last heard from.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
HENRY B. WIGGIN was set apart to the ministry, at Glasgow, about the time Liberty Association was constituted, and was in the organization of that body. In 1843, he moved to Logan county, where he preached and taught school, some three or four years. He then moved within the bounds of Gasper River Association, where he spent about fifteen years, following the same occupations. He was pastor of the church at Rochester, on Green river, from 1861 to 1863. About the latter date, it is believed, he returned to New York, his native State. He was a man of fine culture, and was esteemed for his piety and usefulness.
RICHARD G. DOYLE was born in North Carolina, Sep. 4, 1794. He was brought by his parents, to Kentucky, when he was about ten years of age, and grew to manhood, in what is now Edmonson county, He was married to Sally Garrison, April 3, 1817. His parents were Cumberland Presbyterians, and educated him, with the hope that he would be a minister of their church ; but, on his making a profession of religion, under the ministry of Jacob Lock, he united with the Baptist church at Mt. Tabor in Barren county. He taught school a few ses- sions, and afterwards served his county as justice of the peace. In 1838, he was licensed to preach, at Cedar Spring church in Edmonson county, where also he was ordained to the ministry, in June, 1839, by Frederick Meredith and John M, Chaudoin. When the split occurred in Green River Association, Cedar Spring church adhered to the Antimissionaries. Mr. Doyle attempted to obtain a letter of dismission, but was refused, on the charge of having fraternized with Missionary preachers and allowed them to preach in his house. However, he finally suc- ceeded in procuring a letter, with which he entered into the constitution of Little Hope church, which joined Liberty Asso- ciation, in 1842. Of this church, he was pastor the remainder of his life on earth. He was also pastor of New Hope, Little Jordan and Cane Spring churches, at the time of his death, which occurred, about 1864. His last labor was the preaching of a sermon at the funeral of a Mrs. Slemmons. He closed his discourse and turned to sit down, when he suddenly dropped on the floor, and was immediately taken up a corpse. Mr. Doyle was a good, plain, zealous preacher, and his labors were much blessed. He was twice married, and raised eight daugh-
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ters and five sons, all of whom became Baptists.
JAMES B. EVANS was a preacher in this Association, a num- ber of years. He was set apart to the ministry by the church, at Scottsville, in Allen county, not far from 1843. Being a practicing physician, he preached only occasionally. He is a man of good reading, and of an investigating mind; and is an orator of no mean powers. With a peculiarly charming voice, an easy, graceful delivery, a vivid imagination, and a highly , poetical temperament, he never failed to attract and please an audience. About 1854, he moved to Russellville, where he still continues to practice his profession, and preach as opportu· nity is afforded.
AMOS W. RICHARDSON was born of Methodist parents, in Hart county, Ky., Jan. 9, 1839. His parents being poor, his educational advantages, during his minority, were very meager. At the age of nineteen, he obtained a good hope in Christ ; and was baptized into the fellowship of Boiling Spring church, in his native county, by the venerable William M. Brown, in Septem- ber, 1858. Feeling impressed with the duty of preaching the gospel, he determined to procure such an education as would enable him to pursue that holy calling. Accordingly, he left the humble home of his parents, with two suits of home made jeans, the woof of which he had spun with his own hands, and thirty-five cents in his pocket, to accomplish his noble purpose, without assistance. . He worked as a common laborer and went to school, alternately, until he was sufficiently advanced to teach a common school. After this he taught and attended school, alternate sessions, until he obtained a fair academic edu- cation, which he has continued to improve by application and study.
On the 22d of February, 1866, he was licensed to preach, by Pleasant Hill church, formerly called Green River, and now known as Lonoke, where also he was ordained to the ministry, by N. G. Terry and J. G. Hardy, Feb. 2, 1867. He was soon afterwards called to the care of the church that ordained him, and has served it eighteen years. He served Gilead church, in Hart county, fourteen years ; Big Spring, in LaRue county, seven years ; Salem, in Barren county, and several others, for shorter periods. He was married to Idaline T., daughter of deacon John S. Owen, Oct. 18, 1881, and settled near Rowletts,
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in his native county. He is much esteemed as a pastor, and few preachers enjoy more fully the confidence and affection of the people among whom they labor.
There have been a number of other good, faithful preachers in this Association, of whose lives the author has no definite information.
MOUNT PLEASANT ASSOCIATION.
This small Antimissionary body, located in Henry and some of the surrounding counties, originated from a split in Sulphur Fork Association, at its meeting with East Fork church, in 1840. An account of the affair has been given in the history of that organization. Messengers from five churches, aggregating 275 members, drew off from Sulphur Fork Asso- ciation, and organized under the style of that fraternity. But at its first regular meeting, which convened at Mt. Pleasant church in Henry county, in October of the same year, the name of the new organization was changed to "Mt. Pleasant Regular Baptist Association." The names of the churches which en- tered into the constitution, were Mt. Pleasant, Hillsboro and Sulphur Fork, in Henry county, and Providence and Union Spring, in Trimble. R. W. Ricketts was the only ordained preacher in the young fraternity, at the time of its organiza- tion.
This Association has enjoyed but a small share of prosper- ity. In 1843, it numbered seven churches with 351 members. This was the largest aggregate membership it has attained. In 1851 it numbered ten churches, but they aggregated only 273 members. From that time, it gradually declined. In 1879, it numbered 8 churches with 162 members. During 25 of the first 33 years of its existence, there were baptized for the fellow- ship of its churches, 101 persons.
ROBERT WILSON RICKETTS was the most distinguished minister that has been connected with this Association. He
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was born in Maryland, Aug. 23, 1794. His parents emigrated to Jessamine county, Ky., when he was about three years old. Here he was raised up, receiving a limited common school ed- ucation, and learning the trade of a gunsmith, by which he ultimately acquired a handsome property. In 1815, he was married to Sally Williams Thomas, a grand-daughter of the distinguished Elder David Thomas of Virginia. He professed conversion, and was baptized into the fellowship of Friend- ship church in Clark county, by Wm. Rash, about 1823. In 1830, he moved to Henry county, and gave his membership to the church at Newcastle, where he was licensed to preach, in 1833, and ordained to the ministry, the following year. For some years he was active and zealous in exhorting and persuad- ing sinners to repent and turn to the Lord, even leading his daughter forward for prayer, during a protracted meeting at Newcastle. In 1838, he moved his membership to Mt. Pleas- ant church in the same county, and thereby became connected with Sulphur Fork Association, of which he was chosen mod- erator, the same year. He also preached the introductory ser- mon before that body, three successive years. There was much excitement in the Association, on the subject of missions, dur- ing this period ; and Mr. Ricketts, who had spent the first seven years of his christian life in one of the churches of Licking Asso- ciation, took strong grounds against the benevolent institutions of the times. He was a good preacher, for that day, a man of strong convictions, and a bold, persistent executor of his pur- poses. With such fitting qualifications, he naturally became the leader of the Antimissionary party, in his Association. The result was a schism in the body, in 1840, and the organization of Mt. Pleasant Association, of which Mr. Ricketts was gener- ally moderator, from its constitution, to the close of his pilgrim- age. Of course, after his connection with this fraternity, which was Antinomian in doctrine, as well as Antimissionary in polity, his ministerial labors were of little value to the cause of Christ. He was called to give an account of his stewardship, Jan. 1, 1856.
Of his children, the late Dillard Ricketts of Indiana was a prominent rail road man, and a large capitalist, and Luther - Ricketts of Henry county, Ky., is a prominent citizen and a good business man.
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History of Kentucky Baptists.
BAYS FORK ASSOCIATION.
The origin of this body is somewhat singular. Drakes Creek Association, from which it eminated, had become Anti- missionary, and had withheld correspondence from Bethel As- sociation, on account of its missionary sentiments. In 1838, Jesse L. Hickman was pastor of Trammels Fork, Bethel and Rocky Spring churches, all in Drakes Creek Association. Some time during that year, O. H. Morrow, a minister of Beth- el Association, visited Mr. Hickman at Bethel, and, while there, aided him in the administration of the Lord's Supper. This affiliation with a Missionary association, by Mr. Hickman and Bethel church, was soon noised abroad, and caused con- siderable excitement, especially along the Tennessee border, which was the field of the notorious Daniel Parker's early la- bors. At its meeting of this year, Drakes Creek Association adopted a resolution, declaring that she would hold no connec- tion with the Baptist State Convention, either directly or indi- rectly. Under cover of the resolution, a small minority of Trammels Fork church sent to the Association, in 1839, a remonstrance against the conduct of the majority, in retaining Jesse L. Hickman as pastor, after his disorderly proceeding in Bethel church had become known. The Association took up the remonstrance, and advised Bethel and Trammels Fork churches to report to the next Association, as to whether they had abandoned their disorderly course. These churches, together with Rocky Spring, failing to give satisfaction, were dropped from the Association, in 1840. Correspondence with Barren River Association was dropped, and the minority of Trammels Fork was recognized as the true church. Rocky Spring, Bethel and Trammels Fork churches, regarding these proceedings, especially their exclusion, as illegal, united in calling a council from Liberty and Barren River Associations, to investigate the matter. The council decided that the three churches had not acted disorderly, and that they had a right to the original constitution and prerogatives of Drakes Creek As- sociation. Accordingly they met, by their messengers, at
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Rocky Spring meeting house in Warren county, in 1841, and, after a sermon by Zechariah Emerson, organized as "Drakes Creek Association of United Baptists." Younger Witherspoon was chosen Moderator, and J. W. Whitten Clerk. The Asso- ciation numbered three churches with 307 members. The next year, it met at Trammels Fork in Allen county, and reported a gain of five to its aggregate membership. Its third meeting was held at Bethel, in Allen county, in 1843. Three additional churches were received, and the aggregate membership of the body was increased to 543. The fourth meeting was held at Hanging Fork in Barren county. Younger Witherspoon was still moderator. M. F. Ham preached the introductory sermon, for the first time. In 1845, the Association met at Rocky Spring again. It now numbered seven churches with 594 mem- bers. At this meeting, on motion of Stephen Claypool, it changed its name from Drakes Creek, to "Bays Fork Associa- tion."
At the time the Association was constituted, Younger Witherspoon was its only preacher. R. P. Brunson was or- dained soon afterwards; but he lived only obout two years after his ordination. M. F. Ham was ordained in 1843, and he and Mr. Witherspoon were, for a number of years, the only preach- ers in the Association. Isaac McMurry was ordained about 1848, and John G. Durham, not far from the same time. Four preachers, even in no larger a territory than that occupied by this fraternity, could illy cultivate the field. But they were earnest men, and devoted themselves to the work with great zeal and energy, and the Lord wonderfuliy blessed their labors, notwithstanding the strong Antinomian and Antimissionary op- position they had to contend with.
In the year 1848, a revival commenced within the bounds of this Association, and continued about three years, during which time the body increased from seven churches with 667 members, in 1847, to ten churches with 1,088 members in 1851. From that time to the beginning of the civil War, in 1861, the body enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity, and, at the last named date, numbered seventeen churches with 1, 756 members. A consid- erable loss was sustained by the severance of the colored mem- bers from the churches, during and after the War; so that, not- withstanding the churches received 1, 600 by baptism, between 34
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1861 and 1876, the Association wanted twelve members of being as strong, numerically, at the latter date, as at the former. The increase in numbers, since 1876, has been quite rapid. In 1880, the body numbered twenty-one churches, aggregating 2,216 members, and, in 1882, twenty-three churches with 2, 235 mem- bers. From its organization, in 1841, to its meeting in 1882, there were baptized for the fellowship of its churches, 4,040 persons.
OLD CHURCHES. Bethlehem, located three miles north of Scottsville, in Allen county, is the oldest church in this frater-
. nity, and the oldest in Allen county, except a small Antinomian organization called Sulphur Spring, and located in the extreme south-western corner of the county. It was constituted, Jan- uary 27, 1801, of the following persons : James Atwood and his wife, Margaret, William Strait and his wife, Dorcas, William Thomas and his wife, Mary, Thomas Spillman and Polly Rich- ey. It was probably gathered by Joseph Logan and John High- tower. It was, at first, called the Church on the head of Difficult, under which style it united with Green River Association, the same year it was constituted. At that time it numbered forty-eight members. The following year, it dismissed eight members, probably to go into the constitution of either Trammels Fork, or Lower Difficult, both of which churches were constituted that year. In 1802, it was represented in Green River Association by Elder Joseph Logan (probably its pastor), William Strait, and William Thomas, and reported a membership of eighty-eight, thirty-two of whom had been received by experience and bap- tism, and twenty-one by letter, during the year. The church continued to prosper, under the preaching of Joseph Logan, John Hightower, Alex. Devin, Alex. Davidson and Samuel Greathouse, till 1811, when Zachariah Emerson, who had just settled in the country, united with it, and became its pastor. The next year, it reported to the Association, 155 members. Meanwhile, it had assumed its present name. Mr. Emerson served it as pastor until 1845, when he resigned, and was suc- ceeded by M. F. Ham, who has continued to serve it with great acceptance till the present time (1885). It remained a member of Green River Association, till 1830, when it entered into the constitution of Barren River Association. It joined Bays Fork Association, in 1875. Lower Difficult, probably the first off-
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spring of Bethlehem, must have been located in the Stark Set- tlement, on the creek from which it takes its name, some eight or ten miles north of Scottsville. It was constituted, in 1802, and was represented in Green River Association, the same year, by Elder Lawrence Smith, J. McIntosh and Ahimas Spencer. It numbered, at that time, forty-six members. But nothing more is known of it or Elder Smith. It is probable that the latter soon died or moved away, and that the church was dis- solved.
Trammels Fork Church, located some six miles west of Scottsville, was constituted, in 1802, and was represented in Green River Association, the same year, by Elder John High- tower, Nicholas Darnall and John Williams. At that time, it numbered seventy members. Mr. Hightower was probably its first pastor, as well as the chief instrument in gathering it. He was succeeded by John Howard, who served it with much ac- ceptance a number of years, when he moved to Illinois. Jesse L. Hickman was the next pastor, and continued his labors, till about 1840, when he was succeeded by Younger Witherspoon. In 1843; M. F. Ham was ordained to the ministry by this church, and immediately became its pastor, in which capacity he has served till the present time. This is one of the sixteen churches that entered into the constitution of Gasper River As- sociation, in 1812, one of the thirteen that formed Drakes Creek Association, in 1820, and one of the three that organized Bays Fork Association, in 1841.
Bethel Church, at first called New Bethel, is located seven or eight miles north of Scottsville, in Allen county. It was constituted, or, perhaps, reorganized of a portion of the mem- bership that had composed Lower Difficult church, in 1820. With a membership of seventeen, and Samuel Hinton as its messenger, it united with Gasper River Association the same year. In October, 1820, it entered into the organization of Drakes Creek Association. Jesse L. Hickman was probably its first pastor, and served it with good success, till about 1839. Younger Witherspoon succeeded him, and served the church acceptably a number of years, when he was succeeded by M. F. Ham, who has continued to minister to it till the present time. For a number of years previous to the War it was a large and wealthy body, and had a great many colored mem-,
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bers. The Starks and Searses were among its most prominent members.
Rocky Spring church resulted from a split in old Bays Fork church, which dated back to near the beginning of the century. The split was caused by the imprudent conduct of Samuel Greathouse, the pastor. The party that adhered to Mr. Great- house soon became extinct, and its leader fell into disgrace. Rocky Spring church is located in Warren county, about ten miles east of Bowling Green. Jesse L. Hickman was its pas- tor from about the time of its organization, till 1839, when he was succeeded by Younger Witherspoon, who had been raised up to the ministry in its membership. Mr. Witherspoon served it about thirty years, with good acceptance. The Claypools were among the most prominent members of this church, and to the wisdom, zeal and prudence of Stephen Claypool and his son Elijah it owed much of its prosperity.
Hanging Rock church in Barren county was gathered by Zechariah Emerson, and was long served by that zealous and useful man of God, Younger Witherspoon. It was first a mem- ber of Barren River Association, but joined Bays Forks, in 1844. It has generally been a prosperous community. Most of the remaining churches of this fraternity have been raised up by its own ministers, and are comparatively young.
JESSE LEE HICKMAN was an active, zealous and very suc- cessful within the present bounds of Bays Fork Association, about twenty-five years, and was in some sense the originator of that fraternity, although he was not permitted to enter into its constitution. He was of German extraction, and was born of Methodist parents, in Saulsbury, N. C., in 1786. His parents emigrated to Kentucky, the same year, and settled in Bourbon county. Here he was brought up, receiving such an education as enabled him to read, write and cipher a little. In early life he adopted Tom. Paine's system of infidelity, and, in his sev- enteenth year, left his parents, and made his way to Warren county, where he engaged in teaching school. In his nineteenth year, he married Mary Ann Griffin, and afterwards settled in Allen county.
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