USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky Baptists : From 1769 to 1885, including more than 800 biographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
Bethel church, located, at Hebbardsville, in Henderson county, was constituted of members dismissed from Grave Creek, June 4, 1813, by Job Hobbs, John Grantham and John Welden. The following males were in the constitution: Jar- rett, Wm. and John Willingham, Joseph Eads, Hampton Jones, John Welden, James Cross, David Rhodes and John Vanadale. John Welden was its first pastor, and was follow- ed in turn, by Thomas Downs and Wm. Hatchett. The church has belonged to Highland, Little Bethel and Henderson County Associations.
Henderson church was constituted by John L. Burrows and Wm. Hatchett, in the fall of 1839. Mr. Burrows was its first pastor, and was followed, in the order of their names, by H. B. Wigging, George Matthews, Sidney Dyer, A. R. Macey, J, T. Tichenor and John Bryce.
ABRAM HATCHETT, a son of Elder Wm. Hatchett, was born in Lunenburg county, Va., July 25, 1817, and came with his parents to Henderson county, Ky., in 1828. He professed con- version, and was baptized into the fellowship of Grave Creek church, by Richard Jones, in the fall of 1838. After exercising a few months, as a licensed preacher, he was ordained, at the call of Bethlehem church (now extinct), by K. G. Hay, Joseph
624
History of Kentucky Baptists.
Board and Wm. H. Whayne, in October, 1845. He has since, at different periods, served the churches at Grave Creek, Zion, Cherry Hill, Bethel and Cash Creek, all in Henderson county. For a number of years, he rode as missionary within the bounds of Little Bethel Association ; and during his ministry, he has preached much in private houses and school houses. At one time, he visited, and preached to every church in Little Bethel Association without compensation. He has been a member of Bethel church, about 45 years, and has married about 600 couples. Two years ago, he remarked, that he had missed at- tending but three of his church meetings, except when provi- dentially hindered, in 43 years. He has been prominent in the business transactions of both Little Bethel and Henderson County Associations, having been clerk of the former, eleven years, and of the latter, thirteen years.
ANDREW JACKSON MILLER was one of the ablest and most useful preachers that have labored in this region of the State. He was the youngest of four sons of Andrew Miller, a poor but in- telligent, pious farmer, and was born in Hardin (now LaRue) county, Kentucky, Januaty 7, 1839. While he was a small boy, his parents moved to Ohio county, where they brought up their children in the nuture and admonition of the Lord. Of their four sons, William, the oldest, was an efficient deacon, Richard H., the second, was an earnest, faithful preacher in Gasper River Association, Allen B., the third, is the well known Dr. Miller of Little Rock, Ark, and A. J., the fourth, was the earnest, talented and consecrated subject of this sketch.
A. J. Miller was raised upon a small farm in what was then regarded the backwoods of Ohio county, and, at the age of 20 years, was much better skilled in the art of hunting than in the use of books. He was converted under the preaching of his brother, A. B. Miller, then a licentiate, about 1856, and was baptized by Alfred Taylor. In 1858, he was licensed to preach by Mt. Zion church in Ohio county. Immediately after this, his brother, A B. Miller, then pastor of the church at Hickman, Kentucky, assumed the charge of his educatton, and, after keeping him in school for a time, sent him to Madison College in West Tennessee. On his return from College, he was or- dained to the pastoral care of Cool Spring church in Ohio county, in 1861.
625
Associations.
In 1864, he took charge of the church at Henderson, and, the next year, went to Hart county, where he took the care of Three Forks of Bacon Creek church. Having been married to Ella Hix of Hibbardsville, Henderson county, Kentucky, he · located in Nelson county, and took charge of New Hope, Har- dins Creek and Bethlehem churches in Washington county, and Mill Creek in Nelson. In this field he achieved a brilliant suc- cess, and acquired the reputation of an able preacher and an cx- cellent pastor. In 1868, he moved to Henderson county, where he took the pastoral care of Bethel church, and subsequently, and at different periods, that of Grave Creek, Pleasant Valley, Zion and, perhaps others. Here he labored with great zeal and energy about six years, and accomplished a glorious work for the Master. About 1874, he moved to Missouri, and took charge of the church at Carrollton. While in this pastorate, he brought about the celebrated debate between Drs. J. R, Graves and Jacob Ditzler.
In 1877, he returned to Kentucky and resumed the pas- toral charge of Zion church in Henderson county, giving a por- tion of his time to the church at Cloverport, Kentucky, for a brief period, but afterwards devoting all his time to Zion church. About 1879, he was badly crushed by a fall from his buggy. His wounds appeared to be healed, in due time, but he was so weakened and emaciated that he never fully recovered his health. His lungs became diseased, and he gradually declined, until the 7th of December, 1883, when the Master took him home to himself.
Dr. Miller was a man of marked individuality, a bold, original thinker, and a fearless, uncompromising advocate of his opinions. He neither sought nor shunned controversy, but held himself in readiness to teach his doctrines fearlessly, or to de- bate them if they were controverted. His zeal and activity were notable; he kept well up with the times, and was boldly aggres- sive. During a ministry of 25 years, he preached 4, 175 sermons, besides engaging in several public debates, and making ad- dresses on various subjects. He was an easy and remarkably rapid writer, and contributed largely to the periodical literature of his time. His last work was a review of the doctrine and polity of the Episcopal church, in a series of letters addressedto R. S. Barrett, rector of the Episcopal parish of Henderson,
626
History of Kentucky Baptists.
Kentucky, and published in the American Baptist Flag. £
But the great work of his life was the leading of sinners to the Cross, in which he was more than ordinarily successful.
MT. ZION ASSOCIATION.
This small fraternity of Antimissionary United Baptists is located in the central part of the mountainous region of the State, its churches being scattered over portions of Morgan, Lewis, Breathitt and Magoffin counties. It was constituted of six churches, aggregating 205 members, at Low Gap in Ma- goffin county, in 1869. The names of its churches, in 1874, were Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Baptist Union, Low Gap, Samaria, Zion, Poplar Grove and Salem. Joseph H. Spence, Eli Wil- liams and William R. Davis appear to be among its most prom- inent ministers. The Association has enjoyed peace, and a good degree of prosperity. For a time, it attempted to conciliate the neighborfng associations, of different complexions of doc- trine, by styling itself "Regular United Baptists." But the attempt proved abortive, and it dropped the term Regular. It has had a fair increase in numbers. In 1870, it reported 6 churches with 229 members, and, in 1880, 11 churches with 515 members. During 10 of the first II years of its existence, it reported 315 baptisms. No particulars have been received, concerning its churches and ministers.
LYNN CAMP ASSOCIATION.
In October, 1868, Laurel River Association agreed to di- vide into two fraternities : It was ordered that Laurel River be the dividing line; and that the churches on the south side of that stream should form a new confederacy. Accordingly, mes- sengers from 10 churches met at Lynn Camp meeting house in Knox Co., November, 6, 1868, and constituted, in due form, "Lynn Camp Association of United Baptists." The last three articles of its constitution read as follows :
" 14th. We, as an Association, will not receive, nor hold
627
Associations.
in our union, churches that receive members from other de- nominations without baptism.
" 15th. We, as an Association, will not hold it as a bar to fellowship, for our members to give to, or withold from, mis- sionary or benevolent purposes.
" 16th. We will not fellowship ministers nor churches that hold to the doctrine of a free communion."
The names of the churches entering into the constitution, were Friendship, Indian Creek, Robinson Creek, Mt. Olivet, Lynn Camp, New Bethel, London, Mt. Zion, Richland and Bethlehem. The ministers who entered into the organization were Green B. Foley, John M. Jackson, E. H. Revel, E. S. Jones, Lewis Renfro, H. D. Harmon and Wm. K. Davis.
In 1870, S. C. Jackson, F. T. Hodges, C. S. Brown, H. D. Harmon and J. C. Westerfield were appointed a missionary board, and.W. B. Estis was chosen to travel and preach within the bounds of the Association. The body has continued to sup- ply its destitution with preaching, and has generally employed its most efficient preachers in that work.
At the date last named, the following query came up from Meadow Creek and Mt. Zion churches: "Shall we advise the churches to appoint their pastors annually ?" After due con- sideration, the Association answered in the affirmative. This ad- vice was rare, if not unique. Pew intelligent persons, or bodies, that have examined the subject, have failed to see the evils at- tending the annual election of pastors. Such proceedings give rise to electioneering, stir up party spirit among the members, tempt partisans to depreciate, if not to slander, the minister whose election they oppose, and not unfrequently gender irre- concilable quarrels which result in dividing or destroying the church. Besides this, frequent changes of pastors are injuri- ous to the church's welfare. The general rule is, everywhere, that those churches which retain their pastors longest, enjoy the greatest permanent prosperity.
The following resolution, adopted by this body, in 1871, though somewhat crude, in language, involves two principles of much importance :
" Resolved, That this Association advise the churches com- posing the same to take full control of their membership, and hold no member in fellowship, who does not prove his faith by
40
628
History of Kentucky Baptists.
his works; and that we advise our ministers to lay hands on no man for the ministry, who does not possess the qualifications re- quired by the Bible."
In 1872, a Sunday-school in Robinson Creek meeting house reported 102 scholars in attendance, 18, 186 chapters in the Bible read, and 1, 265 verses repeated. This report so interested the Association that it immediately appointed H. D. Harmon su- perintendent of the Sabbath-school interest within its bounds. But no important results seem to have followed.
In 1876, the Association expressed itself on the subject of temperance reform, in language of the following purport : "We advise the churches in our union to hold no person as a member who engages in vending or manufacturing intoxicating liquors, or in furnishing materials for such manufacture ; and we dis- countenance the practice of drinking ardent spirits as a bever- age." At the same session, the following resolution was adop- ted :
" Resolved, That we feel the need of strong men, sound in doctrine, to thoroughly canvass and teach the churches their duty , and we pray for the time when spiritual development may be universal in the mountains of Kentucky."
The Association appears to have been peaceful and pros- perous. In 1870, it reported fifteen churches with 751 mem- bers ; in 1880, seventeen churches with 1, 049 members, and, in 1883, twenty-three churches with 1,260 members. During thir- teen of the first fifteen years of its existence, it reported 739 baptisms.
JOHN M. JACKSON was a faithful minister in South Union, Laurel River and Lynn Camp Associations, about forty years. He was born in Granger Co., Tenn., Sept. 2, 1803, and emi- grated to Kentucky at the age of twenty years. In 1825, he was married to Tany Seals. During the revival of 1828, he em- braced the Savior and was baptized ; and, the same year, was ordained a deacon. Two years later, he commenced preaching. But his gift developed so slowly, that he was not ordained to the ministry till about fifteen years afterwards. Having moved his membership to Robinson Creek church in Laurel county, he was ordained pastor of that congregation, in 1855. In this po- sition he labored acceptably, till the Master bade him come up higher, June 15, 1870.
629
Associations.
E. S. JONES was a native of East Tennessee, and was born Feb. 11, 1799. At the age of three years, he was brought to South-Eastern Kentucky, where he united with Providence church in Laurel county, in 1830. He was licensed to preach, in 1844, and ordained the following year. He was a plain, hum- ble preacher, but a man of earnest zeal and undoubted piety. After laboring in the gospel thirty-two years, he was called to his rest, Dec. 31, 1876.
A. S. HART was born in Whitley Co., Ky., June 7, 1836. At the age of thirty-two years, he obtained hope in Christ, and united with Meadow Creek church in his native county. He was licensed to preach, in 1868, and ordained the next year. Few men have been more zealous and self-sacrificing in the cause of Christ than he. In 1874, he was appointed to labor as an evangelist in Lynn Camp Association, and continued to fill the position with good success until near the time of his death. He rested from his labors, Aug. 13, 1878.
HENRY D. HARMON is one of the most prominent ministers in this fraternity. He has nearly reached his three score and tenth year, and has usually acted as moderator of his Associa- tion, from the time of its constitution, in which capacity he had previously served Laurel River Association.
BLOOD RIVER ASSOCIATION.
This prosperous young fraternity is located in Trigg, Mar- shall and Calloway counties, with two of its churches in Ten- nessee. It was constituted at Elm Grove meeting house in Cal- loway county, Oct. 28, 1870, of the following churches, which had been dismissed from West Union Association for the pur- pose : Crocketts Creek, Blood River, Sinking Spring, Locust Grove, Pleasant Hill, Elm Grove, East Liberty, Benton, Turkey Creek, Tucker Springs and Oak Grove. The first and last named are in Tennessee. The ministers who entered into the constitu- tion were J. C. Spann, J. A. Spencer, M. W. Henry, William Skinner, E. L. McLean; J. Outland, S. R. McLean, J. Paget and Ephraim Owen.
Nothing unusual has occurred to interrupt the harmony of
630
History of Kentucky Baptists.
this body. It has advocated missions, education, Sunday. schools, temperance reform and other benevolent enterprises generally supported by the denomination. From the beginning, it has been unusually prosperous. At its constitution, in 1870, it numbered eleven churches with 873 members; in 1880, it re- ported twenty-four churches with 1, 565 members, and, in 1883, thirty churches with 2,027 members. During the first thirteen years of its existence, it reported 1,412 baptisms.
EPHRAIM OWEN was one of the early preachers of Calloway county. Concerning his early life nothing has been ascertained. He professed religion and was baptized, in 1830, and com- menced preaching two years later. In 1834, he, with Wades- boro church, entered into the constitution of West Union As- sociation, and was an active minister in that fraternity till the formation of the Blood River confederacy. Of the latter, he remained a member from its constitution until his death, which occurred in October, 1877. His principal pastorate was that of Wadesboro church, which he served many years. He was esteemed an excellent disciplinarian, a good solid preacher and was greatly beloved by his congregation.
WILLIAM SKINNER was born in Robertson Co., Tenn., Oct., 1800. In early life he moved to Calloway county, Ky. Here he was converted under the ministry of that humble but devo- ted man of God, Jesse Cox, by whom he was baptized for the fellowship of Blood River church. He was ordained to the ministry, about 1839, and assumed the pastoral care of Blood River church. To this congregation he ministered many years. Elm Grove and perhaps other churches enjoyed his pastoral la- bors. He was a good, plain, practical preacher, of eminent piety and usefulness, and was greatly beloved by the people of his charge. The Lord called him to himself Oct. 19, 1872.
JOHN A. SPENCER was an earnest, faithful preacher, in Cal- loway and the adjoining counties ; first, in West Union, and after- wards, in Blood River Association. He was an humble and comparatively illiterate man, poor in the things of this world, but rich in faith, hope and love. His gifts were not above me- diocrity ; but he used them diligently, after the example of his Master, in preaching the gospel to the poor; and many were led to the Savior through his ministry. The papers bring the
631
Associations.
sad intelligence that he ceased from his labors, at the age of about sixty years, in the fall of 1884.
MOSES T. SPANN was a native of South Carolina, whence he came with his parents to what is now Allen county, Kentucky, in 1799. Here, in his sixteenth year, he obtained hope in Christ and united with Trammels Fork church. He afterwards married and settled in Williamson county, Tennessee. Here, in Henry county of the same State, and in the western part of Kentucky, he preached the gospel about fifty years. He en- tered the ministry, about 1815, was a pioneer in what was known as "Jacksons Purchase," and aided in gathering and building up the first churches in that region. He was called to his re- ward, at a ripe old age, in 1864.
JAMES CARSON SPANN, a son of the above, was born in Williamson Co., Tenn., Dec. 28, 1816. In 1829, he went with his parents to Henry county of the same State, where, in 1840, he united with North Fork church. In 1841, he was licensed to preach, and, during the same year, was ordained to the ministry, by Moses T. Spann, J. H. D. Carlin and P. W. Stark. Soon, after his ordination, he took charge of Knob Creek and Beech Grove churches. In 1849, he moved to Calloway county, Ky., where he still resides (1885). Previous to this removal, he had been serving Providence and Sinking Spring churches. To the former, he preached about twelve years; to the latter, he has continued to minister, except during some brief intervals, to the present time. He has preached to Locust Grove, about twenty- five years, and to Murray, Wadesboro and several other church- es, for different periods. During most of his ministry, he has been pastor of four churches. He served Western District As- sociation as clerk several years, and has been moderator of Blood River Association, from its constitution, except one year. Of his thirteen children, one of whom died in infancy, nine had become members of a Baptist church, in 1882.
JOHN B. FLETCHER is one of the most zealous, active and useful preachers in Blood River Association. He was raised up to the ministry in Tennessee, where he preached several years. About 1855, he moved to Marshall county, Ky., and has since devoted his time to preaching the gospel in that and the sur- rounding counties. He is a man of an amiable and cheerful spirit, is much beloved by his numerous acquaintances, and has
632
History of Kentucky Baptists.
been generally blessed in his ministerial labors. He has proba- bly well nigh reached his three score years and ten ; but is still very active in his holy calling.
DAVID McLIN GREEN was born in what is now Crittenden county, Ky,, Nov. 30, 1819. He was raised up in the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, and professed conversion at the age of sixteen years. After a few years, he was approved as a probationer for the ministry. But after preparing and reading before the Presbytery several papers, he became disgusted with the church of his parents, and left it, intending to join the Meth- odists. But on examining the tenets of the different sects with which he was acquainted, he decided in favor of the Baptists, and was baptized into the fellowship of New Bethel church in Lyon county, by J. W. Mansfield, in 1852. He was immedi- ately licensed to exercise his gift, and commenced laboring in his holy calling with great zeal. Within eleven months after his license, 100 persons professed conversion under his preach- ing, and he gathered materials for a church, which was consti- tuted at Pinkneyvill e. He was ordained to the pastoral care of this congregation, in 1853. by J. W. Mansfield, Willis Cham- pion and James Kinsolving.
In 1854, he moved to Marshall county, where he has now devoted thirty years of his life to the work of the ministry, giving a portion of his time to pastoral duties, especially to weak and destitute churches, but laboring principally as a mis- sionary, sometimes under appointment of West Union Associa- tion, but much of the time without any compensation. He has gathered at least five churches-three in Kentucky, and two in Missouri-and built up a number that were feeble and ready to perish. With a strong healthy body, a cheerful temper, and a burning zeal for the honor of his Master and the salvation of sinners ; he is eminently fitted for the duties of a missionary ; and few ministers have been more laborious, self-sacrificing and useful, in Western Kentucky.
There are, and have been, several other good, useful preachers in this Association ; but no particulars of their lives and labors have been received.
RED BIRD ASSOCIATION NO. 2.
This small confederacy was located in Clay county, in the field vacated by the dissolution of the older fraternity of the
633
Associations.
same name. It was constituted about 1870, by two ministers of the names of Zechariah Sutton and John E. Revis, who had recentiy moved from Tennessee to this region. The Asso- cation, unlike its predecessors, favored missions, and other benevolent enterprises, and, for a time, seemed likely to pros- per. In 1873, it numbered eight churches with 158 members. But the ministers who had been instrumental in its organi- zation, and who, it is believed, were the only preachers that ‘ belonged to it, moved to the West, and it soon dissolved. The churches of which it was composed were unassociated when last heard from.
WEST UNION ASSOCIATION NO. 2.
At the annual meeting of South Union Association, in September, 1870, it was agreed to divide the territory of that confederacy, so as to form two confederacies. The division line was to begin' at the mouth of Jellico creek, and run thence with Jellico Mountain to Elk Fork, and thence East to Pine Mountain. The churches west and south of this line were authorized to form a new association. Accordingly, on the 18th of the following November, messengers from the following churches convened at Jellico meeting house, in Whitley county: Pleasant Hill, Elk Fork, New Salem, Jellico, Zion, Bethel, Otter Creek, Pleasant Grove, Indian Creek, Union, New Zion, March Creek and Zion Hill. Of these churches, an organiza- tion was formed, under the style of West Union Association of United Baptists. Of the thirteen churches, comprising the fraternity, seven were in Kentucky, and the rest in Tennessee. The preachers in the constitution were James Lay, L. J. Steeley and Enos Allen, of Kentucky, and Doswell Trammel, C. C. Jones and John Phillips, of Tennessee.
The Association adopted the articles of faith and rules of government of the mother fraternity, and is nominally a mis- sionary organization. But its churches are generally understood to be strongly tinctured with antimissionary sentiments, and to be decidedly omissionary in practice. The body has enjoyed but a small share of prosperity. Of its Kentucky churches, at
634
History of Kentucky Baptists.
the time of its constitution, the five which have remained in it, viz : Pleasant Hill, New Salem, Bethel, Indian Creek and March Creek, aggregating 334 members. In 1880, it reported, in Kentucky, five churches with 286 members, and, in 1883, six churches with 356 members.
L. J. STEELEY was in the constitution of this Associa- tion, though Jellico church, of which he was a member, soon returned to the mother fraternity. He was a native of Whit- ley county, and was raised up with few literary advantages. At an early age he professed conversion and united with Jellico church, in his native county. He commenced preaching before he was twenty years old, and continued in the good work, about twenty-five years. He was a man, of fine natural gifts and great energy, and, by application to study, he made consider- able progress in literary knowledge. When he was about forty-three years of age, he entered the theological Seminary at Louisville, which he attended one session. He was among the leading preachers in his part of the State, and was exercis- ing an extensive influence for good, when the Lord was pleased to call him from the field of labor. I He died in the midst of a protracted meeting in Laurel county, January 23, 1884. A hap- py result of his sudden death was the speedy conversion of two of his brothers and four of his children.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.