USA > North Carolina > Gates County > Reynoldson > Pride of the past, hope for the future, 1827-1977 : a history of Reynoldson Baptist Church written in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the church > Part 5
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When the elected delegates, E.J. Freeman, M.C. Lawrence, and R.B. Evans, attended the annual session in May, 1900, they had been instructed to invite the next association to hold its meeting at Reynoldson.17 The invitation was accepted, and Reynoldson soon began making plans for the association. The Hospitality Committee, whose duty it was to find homes for the delegates during their stay in the community, consisted of the five following members: E.J. Freeman, I.A. Hines, E.L. Smith, W.B. Parker, and W.M. Mathews. Members of the Grounds and Table Committee, whose duty it was to build the tables and prepare the grounds for the event, were: G.R. Eure, J.T. Holland, J.W. Russell, E.S.A. Ellenor, and T.T. Pittman. The Entertainment Committee, whose duty it was to arrange the tables and food, were: Sisters Francis Eure, Ella Hines, S.M. Pittman, Bettie Edwards, Mrs. John W. Parker, J.B. Holland and W.B. Waff.18
At the conclusion of the annual session, the following resolution was offered by Brother Munford to the Reynoldson members.
"Resolved: That the heartfelt thanks of this body be tendered to Reynoldson Baptist Church and the surrounding community for the kind and hospitable welcome with which we have been received into their homes and hearts; also that we thank the Norfolk and Southern Railroad Company, and such other railroads and steamboats that have given reduced rates to our delegates and visitors."19
Between the time the association met with Reynoldson in 1901 and when it met again twenty-nine years later in 1930, the following were the most often selected Reynoldson delegates: I.A. Hines, W.M. Matthews, G.R. Eure, E.J. Freeman, J.B. Holland, E.S.A. Ellenor, E.L. Smith, W.B. Parker, J.F. Lawrence, T.T. Pittman, J.E. Hayes and J.C. Holland.
When delegates J.E. Hayes, L.C. Powell and J.C. Holland attended the
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associational meeting in 1929, they petitioned the association to meet with Reynoldson. This invitation was accepted and in September, 1930, Reynoldson hosted the association for the fourth time. The following committees were appointed: Water Committee: E.S.A. Ellenor, A.M. Eure, and T.B. Parker; Table Committee: M.P. Ellis, L.G. Parker, and A.C. Matthews; Parking Committee: A.M. Eure, M.H. Harrell, Bob Savage, John Hayes, Ernest Parker, and James Eure; Ushers: L.C. Powell, Arthur Parker, John C. Ellis, and T.B. Parker; Entertainment Committee: J.C. Holland, E.S.A. Ellenor and J.E. Hayes. Church members met Wednesday after the fifth Sunday in August to clean the church and grounds. All were reminded to bring food for the occasion.20 At the September Conference, Reynoldson members voted to extend thanks to all the neighbors for their help during the associational meeting.21
Until 1940 all of the associational delegates had been men; however, World War II brought about a change. Many men were away in service, while others were filling necessary wartime jobs. Thus, it became necessary for the women to become more active in the business of the association. Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Powell, Mrs. Gretchen Ellis, Mrs. J.R. Freeman, Mr. & Mrs. Ben Goodman, Mr. & Mrs. A.M. Riddick, Mr. & Mrs. T. Beaurie Parker, Mr. & Mrs. J.S. Smith, John Lee Smith and W.T.J. Ellenor were messengers during this era.
There were now 58 churches and 15,334 members in the Chowan Baptist Association. In 1950 the annual session decided to visit a different church each day of the meeting. The second day of the session met with Reynoldson in 1954 with Rev. W.W. Finlator as the moderator. Mr. T.B. Parker, L.C. Powell and T. Beaurie Parker were the messengers from Reynoldson. The next two decades oftimes saw Mr. & Mrs. T. J. Jessup, Mrs. J.R. Freeman, Sr., Mrs. J.N. Eure, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Bracy, C.N. Winslow, Mr. & Mrs. C.T. White, Jr., and W.T.J. Ellenor, with the various pastors representing Reynoldson Church.
During the 1960's special emphasis was placed on the development of a church camp for the Chowan Association. On January 31, 1967, consideration was given to the development of the camp, construction, and the equipment needed for the dining hall, kitchen and craft center. The specific purpose of this meeting was to authorize the trustees to borrow the necessary money and to proceed with the building. Mr. & Mrs. Billy Presley, Mrs. J.N. Eure, and Mrs. Cora Wiggins were appointed to represent Reynoldson at this meeting.23
The last time the association met at Reynoldson was the second day of the two day session in 1970. Therefore, to date the association has met with Reynoldson six times since 1827. With travel being faster and easier today than it was in the nineteenth and earlier part of the twentieth
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centuries, churches have been relieved of the duty of housing the delegates for several days.
A swift glance into the past allows us to take note of the progress of God's Master Plan and to count our many blessings as we endeavor to continue to carry out the Great Commission.
Baptist State Convention
The old Chowan Association was the breeding ground for the idea of a Baptist State Convention. In 1826, it was resolved that "Brethren Ross, Jordon, Meredith, Newborn and Hall be appointed as a committee to correspond with the associations of the state with the view of forming a State Convention".1 The Baptist State Convention officially came into being at a meeting held in Greenville in Pitt County in 1829.
Although Piney Grove Church was a struggling infant itself, it endeavored to keep up with the progress and mission of the Baptist Church. In September, 1846 conference voted to send their Elder Edward (Ned) Howell to the State Baptist Convention to be held in Raleigh in October. Elder Howell was to represent Piney Grove's Missionary Society and to personally be the bearer of their funds to the convention in Raleigh.2 Elder Howell was greatly inspired by the meeting. Upon his return to Piney Grove, Elder Howell's report enlightened, inspired and impressed members to the extent that he was chosen to represent them again in 1850.3 In 1851 the church voted to collect enough money to constitute Elder Howell a life member of the Baptist State Convention.4
In 1851 the Chowan Missionary Committee, which consisted of eight members, three of whom would constitute a quorum, was formed. This committee was to meet quarterly to select and employ ministers for destitute places, to pay all missionaries who were employed, to keep the State Convention Board informed and to pay all moneys not used for missionary expense to the convention.5
The Piney Grove members believed their pastors should attend the state convention, if possible. In October, 1864 T.W. Babb was appointed their delegate to the convention.6 Later in 1875, conference decided the Church would pay $6.00 toward the expenses of the pastor when he represented Piney Grove Church as their delegate to the convention.
During the early ninteen hundreds, the state convention met several times in the following towns east of Raleigh: Wilson, Elizabeth City and Goldsboro. When this occurred the pastor, W.B. Waff or H.F. Brinson and
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several delegates usually attended the convention. I.A. Hines, G.R. Eure, E.J. Freeman, T.T. Pittman, J.C. Holland and William Matthews were some of the church members who went. During the period between 1900- 1912, members of Reynoldson were more actively involved in the state convention than any other time in the history of the church.8
After 1912 no delegates represented the church until in 1951, when Pastor James Conoly and Brother T.B. Parker attended the convention in Ashville as messengers. The church donated $25.00 toward Mr. Conoly's expenses.9 This donation for expense began a trend which now is a regular budgeted item.
When the convention met in Winston-Salem in 1952, Reynoldson was represented by Pastor Oscar Edmonds.10 The following April Mr. Edmonds was given $100.00 to help with his expenses when he attended the Southern Baptist Convention in Houston, Texas.11 This was the first time Reynoldson Church had a delegate to attend the Southern Baptist Convention.
In a few short years the church became more knowledgeable about both the State and Southern Baptist Conventions. Since Mr. Billy Presley became the pastor in 1963, he has attended many State and Southern Baptist Conventions and The Baptist World Alliance.12 This has enabled Reynoldson Church members to establish a more vital contact with the larger Baptist fellowship and to offer greater support and cooperation to the objectives of both the Baptist State Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.13
Thomas Meredith was a member of the Committee appointed in 1826 to organize a State Baptist Convention.
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Revival
An early Chowan Baptist Association received the following report from the committee on protracted meetings:
"In the opinion of the committee such meetings are desirable and important good has resulted and will continue to result from them.
Your committee, therefore, urges their adoption and the time and place be appointed by the respective union meetings."1
Sometimes several years passed before a revival would be held. In 1858 conference decided as early as June to hold a "Meeting of Days" in October.2 However, the church decided at the 4th Saturday Conference in September, 1870 to have a "Meeting of Days" commencing tomorrow.3
Thus, one can conclude that in the early development of the church, these meetings were not held at any special time or with any regular frequency. Whenever the church felt the need of revival, they held these "Meetings of Days".
During the later part of the nineteenth century, the week after the third Sunday in September became the established time for the protracted meeting, These meetings usually began on Monday afternoon and ended the following Sunday. Except for the Monday afternoon service, these were all day meetings, with services conducted both in the morning and in the afternoon. Oftimes there must have been activity outside on the church ground as well as inside the church, for it became necessary to appoint a committee " to superintend the church ground".4
Church members were accustomed to carrying enough food to feed all who came to worship with them during these protracted meetings. However, in July, 1902 Reynoldson Conference heard the following resolution which had been previously adopted by the union meeting read: that "Our church, with other churches adopt the plan of everybody carrying their own dinner to protracted meetings, and do away with general feeding heretofore."5 This motion was tabled until the next conference, at which time the new plan of feeding was rejected and the old plan of general feeding adopted.6
The pastor was given the privilege of inviting a pastor to aid him with the revival, if he so desired. The church did not decide to help pay an assistant until 1897. At this time they voted to pay "$10 and as much more as possible".7 A few years later in 1903, the church was endeavoring to raise $25 to pay the pastor, Rev. Cowan, for his services.8
By 1917 members were beginning to desire a change in the revival schedule and a motion was made to establish a definite time to hold a
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series of meetings. The week after the third Sunday in August was chosen as the time. It was also decided not to hold meetings on Mondays and Tuesdays, but to have all day meetings with dinner on the ground the remainder of the week.9 This arrangement evidently proved unsatisfactory, since the next year found the church members deciding to have afternoon and evening services, meeting in September and paying the assisting pastor $40 for services rendered.10
This ever changing schedule resulted in conference once again voting to establish a permanent time for revival. In 1934, they voted to begin revival the third Sunday in August and to hold an afternoon service at 3 p.m. and an evening one at 8 p.m. However, this schedule was interrupted in 1944 due to a statewide quarantine caused by an ourbreak of infantile paralysis.12
Revival was held in September this year. However, parents of young children were happy to have revival in August because they liked not having to arouse their sleepy-headed children early the following morning in order to get them off to school. Thus, they voted to keep the date for revival in August.
Today the revival series usually occurs in early September soon after Labor Day with night services only. These begin on Sunday night and usually continue through Friday evening. On several occasions there have been spring revivals occurring near youth week and placing emphasis on youth.
On occasions many conversions have resulted from these meetings. One revival resulted in the conversion of thirty persons who were baptized at Crossville on the Chowan River. Hopefully, all who attend the services each year are revived in spirit. Do many of us feel as a young lady wrote her friend Aug. 30, 1861, stating, "Our protracted meeting will commence Saturday after the picnic. I certainly am glad it will be before I go to school, for I'd certainly rather go to a protracted meeting than any where else in the world."13
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EDUCATION
Classical
The marriage of Henry and Elizabeth Pipkin Lee had been blessed by the birth of twelve children. These parents were very interested in the training the minds of their children would receive. Thus, they no doubt were instrumental in obtaining a tutor to teach their own and other children in the community. From old receipts and family papers one learns this education was not free, but had to be paid for by the parents. Joseph Freeman was one parent to take advantage of this opportunity for his children. On March 23, 1809, he settled his account in full for the schooling of his children in English money in the amount of 4 lbs., six shillings and three pence.1 Also, Luke Teeling, tutor, collected $6.34 for William Goodman from Joseph Freeman for three months tuition for two scholars on July 3, 1813.2
Included here are examples of the arithmetic work done at this school by a student in 1826.
Example 1. If from the schoolhouse to Suffolk equals 24 miles, from Suffolk to Shoulders Hill 14, from Shoulders Hill to Norfolk 16 and from Norfolk to the Bay Shore 20. How far is it from us to the Bay Shore?
Example 2. The Declaration of Independence was made in 1776. How many years ago was it?
1826 1776
0050 Answer
Example 3. Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. How long ago was that?
1826 1492
0334 Answer3
When her father's estate was divided in 1806, Charity Lee inherited the land at Piney Grove. On this land was situated the schoolhouse where twenty years later a Baptist church was to find its beginning. Even though Piney Grove Baptist Church was begun here on December 14, 1827, the building continued to be used as a school. Past records substantiate this duel purpose for the building. For example, on December 16, 1829, Mr. Freeman paid to D. McDowell $3.00 for teaching his two daughters vocal music one quarter at Piney Grove Meeting House.4
Thus, closely allied were religious and educational instructions. Only a few years after Piney Grove had been organized, she was making financial contributions to institutions of higher learning for both men and women.
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Received three Dollars of South Freeman infull for teaching of his two Daughters Vocal Music one quarter at Sina grove Mitinghouse December the 16 --- 1829
Receipt for Music lessons at Piney Grove Meeting House, Dated December 16, 1829.
In 1834, Wake Forest was begun as a male institution. James Delke wrote the following about the important role the Chowan Association played in the establishment of Wake Forest: "Wake Forest may be justly claimed as a foster child of the Chowan Association. Though not located within her limits, this institution, from its earliest existence to the present, has received liberal contributions in pupils and funds from Chowan Association."5
By 1836 the committee on Wake Forest constituted a regular item on the agenda of the association. "Until 1880 nearly all of the agents who had helped make Wake Forest what it is had been selected from the Chowan Association."6 One of these zealous agents was Elder W.M. Wingate who visited Piney Grove Church on February 26, 1853. Elder Wingate presented to conference the subject of endowing Wake Forest College with donations and scholarships. This idea was readily accepted by the congregation.7
A month later the following resolution was adopted and entered upon the church book:
"Resolved: Whereas Elder Wingate has raised by subscription from the church and congregation at this place the sum of $500.00 (five hundred dollars) thereby entitling them to a scholarship in the Wake Forest College. The following names of brothers and friends have become subscribers:
Edward Howell
$40
E.D.B. Howell $40
Henry Lee
40
Peter Eure
10
Washington Weatherby
40
D.L. Sumner
40
James E. Howell
20
J.D. Goodman
80
William Gatling
40
Nathaniel Eure
10
R. Gatling
10
James Sears 40
Belver Sears
20
William Lee
20
I.M.H. Lee
15
W.H. Cross
25
Isaac P. Lee
10
F.D. Rogers +
25
$235
+5.20
$290
Having established a male institute of higher learning, the Baptists then turned their attention to establishing an institution for females. In 1848
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Chowan Institute established in 1848.
the Chowan Association was in session with Romoth Gilead Church when they received a communication from the Bertie Union Meeting regarding the establishment of a female school to be located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. The association approved this move and "recommended it to the liberal support of their brethern and friends."9
These two schools remotely affected the members of Piney Grove Baptist Church. However, a resolution passed by the 1851 association was to have a profound impact on both the church and community. The resolution "resolved that the Chowan Association establish a male academy within her bounds and that this proposed institution be an auxiliary to Wake Forest College."10
A committee composed of S.F. Bond, Q.H. Pritchard, J.W. Powell and J.F. Freeman was appointed to nominate a Board of Trustees for the male academy, to mature a plan of operation and to receive proposals for locating the seminary."11 In 1853 after the Chowan Male Seminary report, the association sanctioned the acts of the trustees and eleced the following Piney Grove members to the board: John Willey, Dr. W.H. Lee, J.D. Goodman, Edward Howell, R.H. Land, and E.D.B. Howell.12
"When the project was motivated for a classical school of high grade, Mr. J.D. Goodman (known as "Uncle Jet")13 gave as his share 10 acres of land, the summit of the rising ground in front of Piney Grove Church."14 The money to build the school was raised by subscription. The following Piney Grove members contributed: Riddick Gatling, Sr. $150.00, John Willey, Sr. $150.00, Dr. William H. Lee $150.00, William Gatling and others $100.00 each.15
Mr. Willie Parker and four sons, Tom, Ike, Jack and Charles, from
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Somerton took the contract for $1,300.00 to build the house. The timber was cut and sawed by hand. Mr. Parker owned the Bear Garden Pocosin situated about a mile from the John J. Gatling home. "This land was full of enormous pines of virgin growth, fine grained and of best heart. All of which was cut by a pit sawyer and hauled from the Bear Garden with yokes of oxen and a mule wagon by Charlie and Isaac Parker."16
"The building, containing four large rooms, was completed in 1855. The two rooms upstairs being separated by rolling partitions, made a convenient auditorium, only hindered by the two staircases, one above the other, in the middle of the room which obstructed the view and were very dangerous to those coming and going over them. Its thirty windows were all hand made. No three fit the same opening. They were put up for the strong arms of men to raise and lower, surely not for weakly women folk, for the heavy part is below and light above. The six foot blinds are made in one part, thus being so heavy they wrung the hinges off swinging to and fro. Then came the old country problem of heating the building. First steam heat being tried, but on account of water rising in the furnace, this was a failure. Then a costly ditch was dug to drain off the water, but with no better success. Heaters were then placed in one of the lower rooms and pipes run through the old registers. This process set the building on fire; afterwards the present chimmeys were built."17
"The furniture was heavy, being hand made desks."18 It was "furnished with more than usual academic outfit. A small but choice selection of chemical and philosophical apparatus was secured at a cost of $600.00"19
Reynoldson Seminary completed in 1855.
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During the same era the school was being erected, on June 10, 1854, E.D.B. Howell and Fred Cobb purchased 25 acres of farm land from William H. Goodman for $500.00.20 Here they erected and furnished a large, convenient, comfortable hotel or school boarding house. The building contained forty-five windows, 13 doors, 3 wide halls and 12 rooms.20 There was a long dining area which extended all across the back of the dormitory with a fireplace in each end. All four large bedrooms on third floor had two tall poster beds in each room and two of the bedrooms on second floor had these beds."21 This hotel was built for the accommodation of the teachers and pupils. A store was opened and a post office established, also.
--
-
P
-
Reynoldson Hotel built in 1855 as a boarding house for students and teachers.
J.E. Hayes family seated on the porch of their home, the former Reynoldson Hotel. The building burned Oct. 16, 1938.
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NO
N
MAY
/
in
12
D
A.M
1
7
1906
CIN
Miss Edith Freman,
Somerton,
Va.
Reynoldson Postmark dated May 12, 1906.
Soon the added attraction, a good spring of mineral water, was discovered about three hundred yards behind the church.22 "The spring became a popular resort for the surrounding people. Some few envisoned this community becoming a large and thriving city and land prices soared, but there were no purchasers."23
Spring shelter over the spring of mineral water which was discovered in 1857 was located 300 yards behind the church. Picture was taken in 1916.
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Well curb from a tree trunk around the spring still stands in the woods behind the church. Faint 1858 can be seen on the curb.
The location for the school "in many respects was a fortunate one, combining healthfulness, good water, a community of citizens of moral and industrious habits, hospitable and generous, a Baptist church of which many adjacent residents were members, a skilled and successful physician within a mile, and the absence of the usual temptations to idleness."24
"In September, 1855, the school was opened under the auspices of James A. Delke, a graduate of the University of North Carolina."25 Before long circumstances required the employment of an additional teacher, and Mr. Charles Rawls of Nansemond County was employed. After the first year, Mr. George Morgan of Gates County became an instructor here.
Delke had visions of this institution becoming Chowan College for men. The Chowan Association needed it as a feeder school for Wake Forest College. Lifting the name "Chowan" from the association which was responsible for its being and combining it with the last name of Reverend John Smith Reynoldson, "an eloquent and devoted servant of our Lord,"26 who had made his appearance in the association in 1850, the school became known as Chowan Reynoldson Seminary.
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RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR
CHOWAN REYNOLDSON SEMINARY.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
The Executive Comunittee, with therad- vice and consent of the Principals, shall employ Teachers, fiz salaries, establish rates of tuition, try all cases of misde- meanor referred, and shall alone possess
the power to suspend, dismiss or expel.
Tuey :nay, by a majority vote, alter or amend the rules and regulations hereunto appended.
BOARD OF INSTRUCTORS.
The Principals and their Colleagues lecturing on the several subjects pertaining shall devoy themselves er school hours to their appropriate duties, They shall strictly enforce the stipulated preserving order, rendering needful assis- ules, and shall make such other regulations (for the internal government of the school as may be expedient. Lance t the classes, attending regularly to the recitationa, and at suitable times
GOVERNMENT.
The Government is vested in the Prin- cipals and their Colleagues.
The Discipline will be mild and paren- tal, yet ffrin ; and it will be attempted to control rather by suasion than coercive medoures, No Student wul be retained mu tue Semmary who continues incorngi- bly idle or wutuliy insubordinate.
Any Student wending, conveying or so- copting a challenge to mortal combat, shall forthwith expelled.
Any Student detected in gambling or drinking ardent spirita as a beverage, will be expelled.
No Student will be allowed to keep or carry about his person any dirk, bowie knife, sword-cane, pistol or other deadly weapon, .
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