USA > Kentucky > Golden jubilee of the general association of Colored Baptists in Kentucky : the story of 50 years' work from 1865-1915 including many photos and sketches, compiled from unpublished manuscripts and other sources > Part 9
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Rev. George Washington Dupee, D.D.
Rev. George W. Dupee was born, July 24, 1826, Gallatin County, Kentucky, of slave parents-Cuth- bert and Rachael Dupee. His mother died when he was two weeks old. She asked the people to raise him right, for he was for God's own purpose and that he would be useful and live to an old age. In early days he worked at a bagging and rope factory. In 1841, he worked on the court house in Versailles, and was brought under the preaching of old "Father David Woods" a Baptist preacher. He was convert- ed, August, 1842. He was baptized by Pastor Ken- ny in South Elkhorn Creek. He felt that he was called to preach but refused to answer the call. He learned the alphabet, 1844. The first thing he read was the Third Chapter of John. It was a mystery how he learned to read it, for at that time he could not spell a word. He went to Frankfort, 1848, and in November of the same year he married Mrs. Ma- tilda Green at the Governor's Palace. He accepted a call to the Georgetown Baptist Church, January, 1851. He was assisted in a protracted meeting by Elder James Monroe. The second Sunday in March, 1851, he was ordained by Rev. Reynolds, D.D., presi- dent of Georgetown College, and Rev. J. M. Frost, pastor white Baptist Church. The next Sunday he baptized 28 persons. In 1853, he organized a church at the Old Big Spring, Woodford County. 1855, he organized one at Paris, Ky., and preached at many other places. Being called to the Pleasant Green Church, Lexington, he divided his time between the two churches. He received a second call in De- cember at the same time he was advertised for sale, he therefore reconsidered his call not knowing what
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would be his fate. He was not sold and reconsider- ing his declination he accepted the call to Pleasant Green Church and remained there until 1864. In 1858, he was called to Paducah Washington Street Church, as visiting pastor and baptized 81 persons in 14 minutes. 1867, he organized a church at Cyn- thiana. 1861, organized first Ministers and Deacons meeting ever held by Colored people in the South or Southwestern .states at Versailles, in Elder Armisted Steele's church. 1862, was called to the Versailles church. The same year he baptized Rev. Reuben Lee, who had been a Presbyterian, and, together with others, ordained him. He organized a church in Covington also erecting a building. 1864, he de- clined the eleventh call as pastor of Pleasant Green Church and accepted the call to Paducah in 1865, visiting very often the Covington Church. In Sep- tember, 1867, with the aid of Elder S. Underwood and others, he organized the First District Baptist Association in the Washington Baptist Church and was elected the first Moderator, which position he held for years. He assisted in the organization of the General Association in August, 1865. He was elected Moderator of the General Association in Danville, August 16, 1871, and retained the position until August 17, 1881. He was a member of the American Baptist Consolidated Convention which met first at Nashville, 1867. He was moderator of the General Association 13 years; baptized 10,000 per- sons ; pastored 14 churches; married 15,000 couples ; preached 15,000 funerals; a Baptist preacher 55 years and pastored the Washington Street Baptist Church, Paducah, 38 years. Died, September 5, 1897. A fitting token of esteem and appreciation, a monument 15 feet high, was erected at Paducah by
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the Baptists of Kentucky to mark the last resting place of this great man.
Rev. London Ferrill.
Born in Hanover Co., Va. In "Men of Mark" Rev. Ferrill is mentioned as one of the most won- derful men who ever lived on the soil of Kentucky. He was a slave, and in early life became a Christian and was baptized. He felt that he was called to preach the gospel, but was disobedient to the promptings of his heart. As no slaves were or- dained then the brethren permitted him "To go forth and preach the gospel wherever the Lord might cast his lot, and the door should be opened to him." Fifty persons were soon converts. When his Master died he became free and he and his wife moved to Kentucky. He located at Lexington. At the death of the preacher called "Old Captain" the people called Rev. Ferrill to take charge. He re- fused as the organization was not in fellowship with the Baptist denomination, although they held the faith and general practice of Baptists. The colored people applied to the white church for his services. The church being in doubt as what to do, proposed to the Elkhorn Association in 1821, the following queries : "First-Can persons baptized on a con- fession of faith by an administrator not ordained be received into our churches under any circumstances whatever without being baptized? Second-Is it admissible for the Association to ordain free men of color ministers of the gospel? The queries were taken up by the following men: Jeremiah Varde- man, James Fishback, John Edwards, Edmund Wal-
Chaplain Allen Allensworth, D.D.
Rev. M. M. Bell, Lexington, Ky.
Dr. Wm. J. Simmons, Ex-President State University.
Rev. J. W. Hawkins, D.D. Ex-Moderator General Associatior
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Rev. Cary C. Smothers, D.D. Ex-Moderator.
Rev. C. L. Purce, D.D. Ex-President State University, Louisville, Ky.
Rev. E. P. Marrs, D.D. rincipal of Normal and Theological Institute.
Rev. Jas. Monroe, Lexington, Ky.
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DECEASED.
Deacon. John Gilliss Lexington, Ky.
Q. B. Jones. First Corresponding Secretary Gen- eral Association.
Rev. J. H. Burns,
Rev. Frederick Braxton Pastor First Baptist Church, 1862, Lexington, Ky.
Rev. W. W. Taylor, Pastor York St. Baptist Church, now Calvary Baptist Church. Died, 1882.
Rev. John Johnson Cynthiana, Ky.
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DECEASED.
Rev. Geo. W. Dupee, D.D. Ex-Moderator.
Rev. Henry Adams, First Moderator General Association.
Rev. D. A. Gaddie, D.D.
Rev. Andrew Heath Louisville, Ky.
Peter Smith First Treasurer General Association Frankfort, Ky.
Elder R. Sneethen, Died, 1872. Former Pastor Green St. Church, Louisville, Ky.
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ler and Jacob Creath, who reported as follows: First-That it is not regular to receive such mem- bers. Second-That they knew no reason why free men of color could not be ordained as ministers of the gospel, the gospel qualification being possessed by them. Rev. Ferrill was ordained, being the sec- ond pastor of the First Baptist Church, Lexington, and serving it thirty-two years, during which time the membership was increased from 280 to 1,820 and became the largest church in Kentucky. His wife died in 1833, during the time the cholera was raging in Lexington. It is stated that he baptized 220 per- sons in 85 minutes at one time and at another, 60 in 45 minutes. Rev. Ferrill died, October 12, 1854. He was a remarkable man. His influence was so great that the "Kentucky Gazette" as late as 1878 referred to his life. He left as a legacy for Kentucky a pray- er which will be found in "Men of Mark."
Rev. Andrew Heath.
Born in Henderson Co., Kentucky, February 20, 1832. Died, February 19, 1887, at the age of fifty- five years. Forty years of his life was spent in serv- ice for his Master. 1851, he married Miss Lucy Hamilton, who worked bravely by his side. 1867, he was ordained; 1868 he became assistant pastor of Fifth Street Baptist Church, Louisville. On the death of Rev. Henry Adams, 1872, Rev. Heath be- came the pastor. He was a member of the First Baptist Convention held in the State, 1863. Served the General Association as chairman of executive board 16 years. He baptized about 1,500 persons. No minister in the State held a higher place in the
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estimation of the people. His character was pure; his reputation never received a blur in all the years of his ministry.
Rev. Elijah P. Marrs.
Born in Shelby Co., Kentucky, January, 1840. His mother and father were Virginians by birth. His father was given his freedom when he was thirty years old. When quite young he portrayed such qualities that he was called a "little preacher." Although an education was denied a negro, Mr. Robinson, his owner, being a Christian, secretly taught him so that he could read the Scriptures. At eleven he was converted and baptized at Simpson- ville by Rev. Charles Wells. Sunday night, Septem- ber 25, 1864, he with others, walked a distance of 22 miles to Louisville and enlisted in the United States Army. He was made sergeant of Company L, Twelfth U. S. Heavy Artillery. August 3, 1871, he married Miss Julia Gray, Shelbyville, who died in 1876. He taught successfully in Shelbyville, La- Grange, Louisville, Beargrass and other places. 1873, he was licensed to preach at New Castle Baptist Church and was ordained, August 22, 1875. He has served several times as delegate to both educa- tional and political conventions. He was a member of the Executive Board of the Central District As- sociation, 6 years; a member and secretary of the Executive Board of the Central District Association, and treasurer of the General Association. 1879 to 1880 he was business manager of State University. March 16, 1880, he was called to the pastorate of Beargrass Church which position he held until his death, August 30, 1910. His funeral was preached
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by Dr. D. H. Gaddie, his pastor and friend, at the Green St. Church. The Board of Trustees of State University, the Executive Board of the General As- sociation and other bodies attended the funeral in a body. Hundreds assembled in the church to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory. Dr. Marrs was the first President of State University.
Rev. Daniel Abraham Gaddie, D.D.
Rev. Daniel Abraham Gaddie was born, May 21, 1836. Rising from a blacksmith he became one of the strongest ministers in Kentucky. He was a great temperance advocate. Converted at the age of 23, he commenced in earnest to serve Him who ruleth the hearts of all men. He was ordained, 1865, being then a member of Green St. Church. Revs .. Henry Adams, Richard Sneethen and Charles Ed- wards and Solomon Patterson taking part in his ordination. He pastored several churches in the State, among them may be mentioned Elizabeth- town, Greensburg, Campbellsville, Rude's Creek, Glendale and Green St. Baptist Church, having pas- tored the latter to the time of his death. He has been honored by the Baptists of the State in holding various offices in the General Association. He was assistant Moderator for years. At the meeting in Bowling Green, August II, 1886, he was elected Moderator. He was elected treasurer of the Na- tional American Baptist Convention, August 25, 1886. He was vice-president of what was known as the American Consolidated Baptist Convention. He was a member of the Trustee Board of State University ; member of the Executive Board ; secre-
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tary of the Ministers' and Deacons' meeting, Louis- ville, and Moderator of the Central District Asso- ciations. Each office he held for years and wielding such influence that few men in the State had more earnest supporters and well wishers than he. The title of D.D. was conferred upon him, May 17, 1887, by State University.
Dr. Gaddie died, November, 1911.
Rev. Henry Adams.
Rev. Henry Adams was a native of Franklin Co., Georgia, and was born, December 17, 1802. Being early converted, about the age of eighteen, he was permitted to exercise his gifts as a preacher within the bounds of his church. In 1825, he was ordained. After preaching a few years in Georgia and South Carolina, he came to Kentucky and settled as pas- tor of First Baptist Church in Louisville in 1829. He was very proficient, not only in the English branches, but even in the dead languages. In 1842, the First Church, which was a branch, was set apart with 475 members as a separate organization. Out of this church many churches in Louisville have grown. In the first 20 years of his pastorate he bap- tized over 1,300 people, and through his influence the conversion of over 10,000 souls during his life. After freedom, he was very zealous in educational work in the State. Through his instrumentality the General Association was organized, August 3, 1879, Lexington, in the First Baptist Church. From its organization, August 15, 1865, it was known as the Baptist Convention, Rev. Adams having served from its organization as president and being elected first moderator of the Association. At that time the
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Association numbered fifty-five churches and 12,620 members. To him is largely due the credit for es- tablishing State University. While others may have been instrumental in suggesting the beginning and promoting its progress, yet no one can doubt that Rev. Henry Adams contributed very largely to the ultimate success of the work. He did not live to see his object fully accomplished. He died, November 3, 1873. A tablet to his memory is placed in the Fifth St. Baptist Church. He was a man who was beloved by all who knew him. His name is a con- stant reminder of his faithfulness. A very fitting tribute of respect was paid to Rev. Adams at one of the exercises of State University by Dr. C. H. Par- rish, who was the first college graduate of the Uni- versity. Said he :
Verily he was a lover of his people; deeply im- pressed with the worth of souls; an earnest and humble man. A man of faith and prayer, and above all, a man of pure life. No ministerial defection ever stained his garment; a true leader of his people in practice as well as doctrine, his own bright life il- lumined the path in which he would have the people to walk.
Rev. John Johnson, D.D.
Was born in Clark County, Ky., March 10, 1837. April 12, 1855, he was married, to which union three children were born. April 10, 1867, Rev. Johnson came to take charge of the Cynthiana Baptist Church. To 1903, the record gives Rev. Johnson as having built three churches, baptized 1,415 persons; married 345 couples, and ordained 7 preachers to the work of the Gospel ministry. Rev. Johnson
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pastored the church four years longer, or to the time of his death, which makes him 40 years as the pas- tor of the Baptist Church at Cynthiana.
Rev. Allen Allensworth, A.M.
Born, April 3, 1843, Louisville, Ky., of slave par- ents, Levi and Phyllis Allensworth. He attributes most of his success in life to the training of his mother, who took special pains to send him to Sun- day School. He had a great thirst for knowledge and his advancement was so rapid that his owners became alarmed and thought, in order to quench his thirst he should be sent to work on a tobacco farm in Henderson, Ky. His mother belonging to anoth- er family, knew nothing of this contemplated change until he was sent to bid her good-bye. She was sick at the time, but in her feebleness she arose and asked God's blessing to rest upon him. He parted from his mother in 1853 and they did not meet again until 1861. Finding that the tobacco farm did not quench his thirst he was sold South. In 1861 he was in a negro mart in New Orleans and was sold for $1,000 to ride race-horses. In the summer of 1861 he was brought to Kentucky by his new owner, where he met his mother. In the fall of 1862 he left Louisville with the soldiers and obtained his free- dom in 1863. After the battle of Stone River he went to Ohio. April 3, 1863, he entered the United States Navy and was soon advanced from a seaman to a petty officer, serving till April 3, 1865. He re- turned to Louisville where he was converted and joined Fifth Street Baptist Church, of which Rev. Henry Adams was pastor. When the Ely Normal
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School was established in Louisville, he was its jani- tor and among its first pupils, it being the first regu- lar school he ever entered to study. He was select- ed by the principal to teach under the Freedman Bureau. Finding that the more he taught the less he knew, he entered the Nashville Institute, now known as Roger Williams University. After pur- suing the Normal and preachers' courses he stopped and went to teaching in Georgetown, Ky., and taught there until appointed by the General Associa- tion as its financial agent, from which he was called to the pastorate of the Elizabethtown church. Be- ing very successful as a pastor, his leadership was courted by the churches and he served at Franklin, Louisville and Bowling Green. Being a successful Sunday School worker, he was appointed State Su- perintendent of the Sunday Schools by the State Baptist Sunday School Convention, and field mis- sionary by the American Baptist Missionary So- ciety. He was known every where as the "Great Children's Preacher." After four years' service in this field, he was called to the pastorate of the Union Baptist Church, Cincinnati, where he met with great success. While pastoring here he was appointed by President Grover Cleveland to the chaplaincy of the Twenty-fourth United States infantry. During his service in Kentucky he held the position of State Secretary of the Sunday School Convention for years, Moderator State Ministers' Meeting, secre- tary for several years of the General Association, and, besides, filled many offices of trust and honor. He had some success as a lecturer. Among some of his lecture subjects are, "Masters of the Situation" and "Humbugs." His ability as a speaker was recognized by the Republicans of Kentucky, who
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selected him as an elector for the State-at-large on the Garfield and Arthur ticket. He was the first colored man in Kentucky sent to the Presidential nominating convention. Recognizing his success in life, and appreciating his course as a Christian gen- tleman and a man of scholastic habits Roger Wil- liams University conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. As chaplain of the 24th Infantry he had the highest esteem and respect of both white and colored. He served in the Spanish-American War. He organized first Christian Endeavor So- ciety in the Philippines. Upon advice of Judge Ad- vocate General Davis, Chaplain Allensworth was given the title of major and his name being the first on the list making him senior chaplain. He was re- tired also with the title of Lieutenant-Colonel. After his retirement Colonel Allensworth moved to Cali- fornia, where a settlement was made and named in his honor. There he spent the last days of his life, being highly thought of and esteemed for his ster- ling worth and character. He died, 1914. A life well crowded with usefulness.
REV. MATTHEW CAMPBELL.
Born, September 1, 1823, in Madison Co., Ky. He was converted, September 16, 1841, under Rev. Edmund Martin, the first colored pastor of the Bap- tist church at Richmond. At the time of his con- version he wanted to join the Baptist church, but his Master, being a Methodist, would not permit him to do so. He began preaching in August, 1842. January 21, 1843, he married Polly Woods Ballard. 1844, he was licensed to preach in the Methodist
DECEASED.
President C. S. Dinkins, D.D. Former Pastor Calvary Baptist Church.
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Mr. A. W. Watkins Paducah, Ky.
Rev. S. E. Smith, D.D.
Dow. K. Williams Many years Supt. First Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky.
Rev. Reuben Lee Ex-Moderator General Association
Rev. C. C. Bates, D.D. Ex-Moderator. Louisville. Ky.
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Washington Street Baptist Church, Paducah, Ky.
First Baptist Church, Russellville, Ky.
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Church. His Master died, 1851, and in 1856, he joined the Baptist Church, and was baptized by Rev. Jacob Bush, second pastor of the Richmond Baptist Church. August, 1857, he was ordained in Lincoln County, Ky., in the Tates Creek Association of white Baptists. The council consisted of Rev. G. W. Broadus, and the Rev. Andrew Broadus of Lou -: isville, Rev. John Higgins of Lincoln, and others all of whom were white. In June, 1858, he was called to the pastorate of Richmond Baptist Church hold- ing that charge to the time of his death. He organ- ized the following churches. New Liberty Baptist Church in 1869, and preached there seven years. The Mount Pleasant church, 1875; the Church at Otter Creek and one at Mt. Nebo. When he was con- verted, he knew nothing but his alphabet ; he learned from an elementary speller, getting the white child- ren to teach him. He never attended school until freedom and he was then a man 40 years old. He died in 1903.
REV. CHARLES C. BATES, D.D.
Was born at Midway, Ky., April 11, 1848. Died, June 3, 1914. He became a Christian in 1872, and was baptized into the fellowship of the Pilgrim Bap- tist Church by Rev. James K. Polk, D.D. He was the first person baptized by Rev. Polk into the fel- lowship of Pilgrim Church, having been instrument- al in its organization. He served in every office of the church and in 1873 made known to the church his call to the gospel ministry. In 1874, he was li- censed to preach and in October of the same year was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Green. Short- ly after he was ordained and immediately was called
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to the pastorate of the churches at Watkinsville, Clifton and White Sulphur. He continued to pastor these churches until in September, 1881, when he was called to the pastorate of Lampton St. Baptist Church. He remained pastor of this church until his death, and during his pastorate paid off a debt of $2,800 that was hanging over it when he was call- ed; repaired and rebuilt the old church and in 1904 purchased the present site on Hancock St. at a cost of $9,700. In about two years this building was de- stroyed by a storm and had to be repaired at a cost of more than $8,000. All of which was paid in less than six years.
During his ministry he baptized over 3,000, mar- ried over 600 couples, preached over 2,000 funerals, caused 19 persons to be liberated from state prison, saved four from the gallows and helped as many as came to him for help which was a great number. He was a great man for his race and a true and devoted husband, father, pastor and friend.
REV. ELISHA W. GREEN
Was born in Bourbon County, near Paris, Ky. 1828, he went to Mayslick, Ky., and remained there until 1832. He was converted one morning while plowing : he was baptized by Mr. Walter Warder, the Baptist preacher and husband of his mistress. 1835, he married Miss Susan Young. According to the customs of the times she and children were sold several times. Finally, through contributions made by the white friends, he was enabled to buy his wife and children for $850, thirteen white men standing security for the money with the understanding that if he could not pay them back that they would never
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bother him nor his family. After paying for his family he bought a home paying $500 for it. In 1838, he went to Maysville. Prayer meetings were conducted in the homes of different ones until the congregation grew to such proportions that a house had to be rented which stood for years by the side of the present church building in Maysville. The following form of license was granted Rev. Green May 10, 1845, by the white church of Maysville : Resolved, That Elisha Green, the property of John P. Dobbyns, of this city, has full liberty and per- mission from this day to exercise his gifts in public before the colored population of this city or any oth- ers before whom in the providence of God he may be cast.
E. F. Metcalf, Church Clerk.
Rev. Green was ordained two years after this, 1851; the friendship of Rev. Geo. W. Dupee was formed and lasted during the life of these two men. 1855, begun preaching in Paris. Very interesting are the accounts of Rev. Green's ministerial work during the trying days of slavery. When freedom was declared it was by his business tact that fifty or sixty lots were purchased by colored families at Paris. Rev. Green was very prominent among the denomination. His first associates were: Revs. Charles Threlkeld, Maysville; London Ferrell, Lex- ington ; Henry Adams, Louisville; George W. Du- pee, Paducah; Henry Green, Danville; Matthew Campbell, Richmond; Henry Evans, Lexington ; R. Lee, Georgetown; Isaac Slaughter, Danville; R. Martin, Frankfort; Tobias Smith, Stamping Ground ; Garrett Reid, Paris. September, 1880, his wife died. Rev. Green successfully pastored the churches at Maysville and Paris until his death and
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was held in high esteem by both races. He was hon- ored by the following positions: One of the found- ers of the Kentucky Normal and Theological Insti- tute, now State University ; eleven years Moderator of the Mount Zion Baptist Association; five years Moderator of the Consolidated Baptist Educational Association and over forty years pastor of the Mays- ville and Paris churches. He died, 1889, fully confi- dent that he had lived to realize his youthful aspira- tion of doing something for his Heavenly Master.
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Sketches
REV. R. B. BUTLER.
Rev. R. B. Butler was born in Paris, Bourbon county, Ky., and received his early training in the public school of that place. He was converted un- der the preaching of Rev. Geo. W. Dupee in March, 1881, and united with the High St. Baptist Church, which was under the pastorate of Rev. E. G. Green of Maysville, Ky.
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