History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 84

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 84

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Stephen P'Pool was a captain in the war of 1812, and at one time represented his county in the State Legislature." He was a farmer and miller and a man of considerable wealth and influence. When his son, Dr. P'Pool, was about fourteen years of age, however, unfortunate security debts took from him the bulk of his property, forcing our young student (who was the youngest, save one, of eight children) to relinquish school and accept a position as salesman in a country store. Here he remained until 1832, when he removed to Montgomery, Ala., where he engaged as salesman for two years. His health failing him, he re- turned to Virginia, where, on April 20, 1836, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Arta Gregory, Esq. After his marriage, Mr. P'Pool engaged in farming, surveying, etc., pursuing at the same time his medical studies. He was naturally of a mechanical turn of mind, quick to compre- hend and grasp anything in that direction, and conducted to success everything of that nature which he under- took. This life he led for several years, when he com- menced merchandising in Halifax, Va., connecting with it a saw- and grist-mill, a foundry, plow-factory, etc., still keeping his farm. He held the positions of magistrate and captain of militia for many years, and was at one time, in early life, deputy-sheriff.

In 1857 he removed to Nashville, and engaged in the publishing business as one of the firm of Graves, Marks & Co. This partnership continued until 1862, when, quitting business, he resumed his medical studies, neglected for years, and received the degree of M.D. at the University of Nashville in 1865. He engaged immediately in a large medical practice, and continued at work in his chosen pro- fession until his death, which occurred May 16, 1880. He rejected every proffer of political advancement, sought

no office, and neglected many things that others would de- sire in order that all of his time might be given to his patients. He was at home in the sick-room, and his gentle, soothing care seemed ofttimes to accomplish as much good as the medicine given. He would not trust a difficult or critical case with any one, but would sit all night, if he deemed it necessary, by the sufferer's bedside to catch the first indications of change. He was truly, as has been often said of him, " the faithful physician."

Of his twelve children attaining maturity, eleven now survive,-seven sons and four daughters. The other, John E., was sergeant in a Virginia battery of artillery in the Confederate service, and fell at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Four of the sons-Elbert S., Emmet J., A. Greg- ory, and Frank E .- are practicing physicians, and all gradu- ates of the University of Nashville. Harvey B. is residing in Virginia, a farmer and miller. Laurence D. is a book- keeper in the employ of the Louisville, Nashville and Great Southern Railroad. Calvin E. resides with his mother in the pleasant home on South Cherry Street, Nashville. Roberta A. (Mrs A. M. Griffin), Addie S. (Mrs. T. A. Knowles), Jennie M. (Mrs. W. O. Griffin), and Ella E. constitute the remainder of the family.

Politically, Dr. P'Pool was conservative,-in early life an old-line Whig, in later years a Democrat.

Both Dr. and Mrs. P'Pool were members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church. He was a deacon for nearly thirty years, and their children, with but three exceptions, belong to the same organization.

Dr. P'Pool was a member of Claiborne Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and Myrtle Lodge of the Order of the Golden Cross, of which he was physician.

Strong in local attachments, home was to him the dearest place on earth, and he was always devising something new to add to its comforts. He was a warm, staunch friend, an unostentatious gentleman, and an earnest Christian. He had a large circle of personal friends, who were attracted to him by his geniality and worth.

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CITY OF NASHVILLE.

the city school-house, on High Street, and at Masonic Hall. Rev. Peter S. Gale became their pastor in July, 1831. At the close of his three years' efficient service the church numbered about fifty members. He was succeeded in the ministry by Robert B. C. Howell, D.D., a graduate of Co- lumbian College, in 1826. Rev. Dr. Howell came to Nash- ville in July, 1834, in response to a call of the American Baptist Home Mission. He became the settled pastor in January, 1835, and soon after began the publication of The Baptist, a weekly religious newspaper.

The announcement from his pulpit that on the first Sunday in April a Sunday-school would be organized created much excitement, and was received by many with suspicion. On the day appointed a large congregation from far and near was assembled, some of them having come twenty miles, and listened with deep interest to an explanatory sermon on that subject. Active opposition was withdrawn, and the school became an important auxiliary to the church, with which it continued uninterruptedly until closed by the disasters of the civil war .*

A beautiful Gothic house of worship was built on Sum- mer Street, between Union and Deaderick Streets, in 1838.

The Baptist State Convention of Tennessee was organ- ized by those styling themselves United Baptists, at the Mill Creek church, Oct. 25, 1833, for the purpose of more effectually supplying preachers of the gospel in destitute places throughout the country. This union was stren- uously opposed in all parts of the State where it claimed jurisdiction, as usurping too much power. On his arrival, Dr. Howell had at once entered into missionary work, which he supported from his pulpit and through his paper, which soon attained a circulation of sixteen hundred copies. Missionary work in the church, as a part of their duty, became a subject of controversy, and after several years

A caused an open rupture, resulting in much opposition. convention was held in which Sunday-schools and various modern innovations were opposed as not Baptist in object or sentiment. Majorities expelled minorities everywhere, seized records and meeting-houses, and declared themselves the " Orthodox and Orderly Church." The annual Asso- ciation, reorganized by each faction, brought order out of chaos, with two churches bearing the same name where there had formerly been but one. The First Church in Nashville was the only one which escaped this division. This church was now attacked by the opposition, and in May, 1838, a minority report was passed in Washington Lowe's place of worship, on Broad Street, in which they declared themselves the First Church, and elected Mr. Lowe pastor. Some twenty persons, members at Mill Creek, McCrory's Creek, Antioch, and the surrounding churches, joined this organization. The two Concord Asso-

ciations, which had lost some of their elements and were once more in harmony, united in 1843. There were four hundred and sixty-three members received into this church in the decade ending with 1845. A part of these left to form two new churches. In 1846 it was one of the first of the Concord connection in numbers and prosperity, and re- ported three hundred and twenty-nine members.

The others numbered : Mill Creek, 225; Bradley's Creek, 231 ; Pleasant Grove, 129; McCrory's Creek, 335.

Rev. Dr. Howell left the First Church to become the pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Richmond, Va., in April, 1850. He was immediately succeeded by Sam- uel Baker, LL.D., an Englishman, and then settled pastor at Hopkinsville, Ky., who remained until December, 1853, when he accepted a call to Williamsburg, N. Y.

William H. Bayless, a graduate of the State University of Georgia, and previously a member of the bar, aban- doned his profession in Memphis to enter the ministry. He became the next pastor, and remained until August, 1856, when his resignation was accepted, and Dr. Howell returned. The church was incorporated by act of the Legislature, Feb. 17, 1858, and a fuction following the sentiments of Dr. Graves were separated from the organi- zation. These held a session in the church and voted the others out, but soon afterwards established themselves in Firemens' Hall and assumed the name of Spring Street Baptist Church, which has ceased to exist.

During the civil war the churches encountered many trials. In June, 1862, the pastor of the First Baptist Church, with several other ministers who declined to take the oath of allegiance presented to them, were arrested by order of the military authorities occupying the city, and confined for two months, the church meanwhile being de- prived of preaching and other pastoral assistance. During this period regular services were held by the members of the church. In January, 1863, the house of worship was taken possession of by military order, stripped of its pulpit, pews, and furniture, and turned into a hospital. On the ensuing Sunday the congregation and Sunday-school met in an upper room over a store on College Street, where they continued to hold services for several months. In the fol- lowing August the church was restored and once more occupied for worship. Two months later it was again dis- mantled and occupied as a hospital. The manager of the new theatre having offered his building from morning until midnight every Sunday, it was gladly accepted. Week-day meetings were held in the Christian church. Dec. 23, 1863, their own house of worship was again re- stored to them, but twenty days later it was converted into a barrack for soldiers passing through the city. In May, 1864, an order was issued directing the house to be put in good condition and restored; but this was countermanded, and the house occupied thirteen months as a hospital. The military authorities finally returned it to the officers of the church, June 26, 1865, with five thousand dollars in cash from the government as compensation. It was then re- fitted at an expense of twelve thousand four hundred dollars.

In April, 1867, twenty members obtained letters of dis- mission, and with others constituted the Edgefield Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Howell resigned his pastorate of the

* Just after the opening of the Sunday-school in connection with the church, it became the subject of conversation between two young men of the city one Sabbath morning, when one suggested to the other that they should go. He was answered in a jesting manner that if he would go, and "stick," he-the speaker-would give one hundred dollars to start a library. The young man, the late honored Alfred H. Hicks, went to the school that morning, stated the proposition, and joined the Sunday-school. The one hundred dollars were paid in, a library bought, and Mr. Hicks was made librarian. He continued to hold this office until his death,-a term of more than forty years.

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First Church in July, 1867, and was succeeded in Novem- ber by Rev. Thomas E. Skinner, of Raleigh, N. C. April 7, 1868, he performed the last earthly rites over the re- mains of the late honored pastor, Rev. Dr. Howell, at which every evangelical minister in the city was present. He died April 5th. He was succeeded in 1871 by the present pastor, Rev. Tiberius Gracchus Jones, D.D., of Norfolk, Va., a writer and speaker of great power. Soon after, Rev. Dr. A. B. Earle, of Newton, Mass., assisted in a revival, adding nearly one hundred members to the church, increasing the membership to above three hundred and seventy. This church has now five hundred members, after granting letters of dismission to over fifty, who were constituted a church in North Nashville, known as the Third Baptist Church of Nashville. The present deacons of the First Church are James Thomas, Sr., James Thomas, Jr., Dr. C. K. Winston, Dr. W. P. Jones, A. C. Beech, W. L. Murfree, Anson Nelson, Capt. M. B. Pilcher, S. L. Demoville, A. E. March, and E. W. Baker.

Peter R. Calvert is clerk, and James Thomas, Jr., is treasurer of the church. There are nine trustees.

The " Baptist Educational Society for Ministerial Im- provement" was organized in the First Church of Nashville, Oct. 8, 1836, for the special improvement of those entering the ministry. Their efforts resulted in opening the univer- sity at Murfreesboro' in 1841.

The Baptist Publication and Sunday-School Society was organized at that church in October, 1841. A Bible So- ciety was organized there in 1836. Oct. 15, 1839, twenty- two years after the first effort in that direction, the West Tennessee Baptist Foreign Missionary Society was organ- ized there. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, of Greenville, S. C., since removed to Louisville, was origi- nated there. The Bible Board was organized in the First Church in 1851. Prominent in these enterprises and many others was Rev. Dr. Howell, who spent the greater part of his useful life as pastor of this church, and by his labors contributed to the support of many others in the surround- ing country. He was the author of several religious works, one of which was republished in England. "Howell on Communion," Howell's " Evils of Infant Baptism," "The Way of Salvation," Howell on the " Deaconship," " The Cross," etc., all met with ready sale. He left more than eighty bound volumes of written sermons ; also a manu- script " History of the First Baptist Church of Nashville"; also a large and strong work, entitled " Christology of the Pentateuch"; also a work in manuscript, entitled "The Family." He was often the moderator of Associations, the president of conventions, etc., and especially of the South- ern Baptist Convention on different occasions.

The colored people of the First Baptist Church, whose tastes were somewhat different from those of the more cul- tured white members, were provided by Dr. Howell with sep- arate semi-weekly instruction, where the general discourse of the Sabbath was more fully explained to them, and instruc- tion given more adapted to their circumstances in life. Two members named " Andrew" and " Brentz" were early licensed to preach. About 1845 the old city school-house was obtained, and Samuel A. Davidson, of Lynchburg, Va., was ordained and placed in charge. A colored mission was

formed, with authority to hold conferences, baptize, dismiss, expel, or do anything usually pertaining to Baptist churches, and to report quarterly to the First Church for approval. Mr. Davidson was succeeded by Rev. Thomas B. Ripley, of Portland, Me., and Nelson G. Merry, a free colored man, under whose successful ministry a brick church was built on Martin Street, west of the Capitol. This was much en- larged previous to the war. (See article headed " Colored Baptist Churches.")

The First Baptist Church of Nashville has always occu- pied a high position in the community in which it is located, as well as in the surrounding country. It has contributed a large amount of money for the cause of domestic, Indian, and foreign missions. Its members have, at different pe- riods, aided largely in the promotion of the cause of educa- tion,-theological, literary, and primary education. They have always kept up mission Sunday-schools, some of which, as already mentioned, have grown into organized churches. Before the war the contributions of this church for mission- ary, Sunday-school, and educational work amounted to several thousands of dollars annually, while since the war these contributions have amounted to no inconsiderable sum. The training of the church in these matters by the Rev. Dr. Howell, who was the pastor for more than a quarter of a century, brought about these gratifying results. This church now has an active mission Sunday-school at work in the western portion of the city.

The Central Baptist Church is in line of regular descent from the First Baptist Church of Nashville, constituted in 1820. Of the nineteen original members, Mrs. Lucinda Garner is the only one still living, and is a member of the First Church.

On the 10th of October, 1830, two years and a half after the general change of sentiment in the majority of the old First Church, five of the minority members reor- ganized by formally adopting the original declaration of faith. A house of worship was erected by them in 1837, after they had increased in numbers and become a pros- perous church.

Those members of the First Church residing south of Broad Street met at the house of John Corbitt, Esq., in 1844, and there organized the Second Baptist Church of Nashville, adopting the covenant and articles of faith of the parent church. Rev. T. W. Haynes was elected pastor. A house of worship was built on Cherry Street, soon after, near the university. A second house of worship was com- menced in 1858, then known as the Cherry Street church.

The corner-stone of the present large and substantial house of worship, on the corner of Cherry and Elm Streets, was laid by the Cherry Street Church in 1858. The house was first occupied in 1859. That church never outgrew the disasters of the war. April 14, 1870, soon after the death of their excellent pastor, Rev. Reuben Ford, the or- ganization was disbanded, and fifty-one members joined the Central Church, to which their meeting-house had already been transferred. Thirty-nine more subsequently joined. The Central reported one hundred and fifteen members that year, which, with the new members, was increased to two hundred and four. There are now three hundred and fifty-four names upon the church rolls.

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The following is the list of pastors since 1858 : Rev. J. R. Graves, LL.D., July 1, 1859, to Feb. 16, 1862; Rev. J. T. Westover, supply, April to June, 1864 ; H. L. Way- land, D.D., 1864 to March, 1865; D. W. Phillips, D.D., to October, 1867; Rev. Wm. G. Inman, April, 1870, to November, 1875; Rev. Marshall H. Lane, 1875 to 1876; O. C. Pope, to 1877; and G. S. Williams until the present time. The first deacons of the Central Church were H. G. Scovel, Aaron Wright, and A. B. Shankland, who was also clerk.

This church has a flourishing Sunday-school numbering about three hundred and forty members.

The Third Baptist Church of Nashville had its origin in the efforts of some young men of the city, who organ- ized a Sunday-school in a stonecutter's building. Ed. Baker, Esq., now a prominent young lawyer, was secretary of the organization. A. I. Wheeler, of Wheeler Bros., was the indefatigable superintendent of the school. Interest was at once awakened, and a large and constant attendance was the result. At a meeting held there in May, 1876, a church of fifty-four members, most of whom had belonged to the First Church, was formed. Harry Dunn was made clerk of the new organization, and T. J. Robertson, John Adler, and A. J. Moulton deacons. Rev. L. B. Fish, an evangelist, then living at Atlanta, Ga., and known as the " sweet singer of Israel," became the first settled pastor, in July ensuing. The corner-stone of the present neat brick church was laid in 1878, by John Frizzell, N. W. G. Master of Cumberland Lodge, No. 8, of Free- masons, assisted by Revs. George L. Blake and L. B. Fish. The lower rooms of this house were finished and occupied for worship in June, 1879. The building has thus far cost two thousand six hundred and twenty dollars, and is en- tirely free from debt. Weekly prayer-meetings, young people's meetings, a Sunday-school, and a mission-school are maintained, besides the regular Sabbath sermons and prayer services. The subsequent deacons have been Z. T. Sweeney, who succeeded Mr. Moulton, William F. Sloane, and John Warren. In compliance with the early practice of the church, four deaconesses have been appointed: Mrs. Fletcher, Mrs. John Richardson, Mrs. Rev. L. B. Fish, and Mrs. George Leascher. The church numbers one hundred and forty-eight members.

The Primitive Baptist Church .- With the first settle- ment of Middle Tennessee the Baptists organized them- selves into a body named in 1791 the "New District Asso- ciation." In 1809 they re-formed into a body named the Concord Baptist Association, and in 1810 amended their name by adding the word Cumberland after Concord. About the next year they divided, with the agreement that the road leading from 'Lexington, Ky., via Nashville, to Huntsville, Ala., should be the dividing-line. The churches along the line of the road were permitted to unite with either body,-the Concord on the east, or the Cum- berland Association on the west, of that road.

In May, 1826, Elder Philip S. Fall entered upon his labors as pastor. In the course of two years he espoused the doctrines introduced by Alexander Campbell, and a majority of the members united with him in the change of belief.

Oct. 10, 1830, Henry Cartmell, Sarah Cartmell, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, Deacon Lipscomb Norvell, and Mrs. Celia Fairfax met in the court-house to reorganize under the original faith and tenets of the Baptist Church. These were joined by others to the number of fifty in the next three or four years. July 11, 1831, Rev. Peter S. Gayle was chosen pastor and entered upon his duties. At the end of three years he removed to the church in Browns- ville, Tenn. The fourth pastor was the Rev. R. B. C. Howell, who entered upon his duties in January, 1835.

At the meeting of the Concord Association at Mc- Crory's Creek meeting-house in August, 1836, after a painful strife of several days upon the maintenance of mod- ern missions upon the plan of a State convention and gen- eral association of all the churches, the Association voted to dissolve the organization by a vote of twenty-two for disso- lution and fifteen against.

The churches favoring the dissolution met on the last Saturday in October, 1836, at Ridge meeting-house in Wilson County, and agreed upon a call to the churches to organize an Association disconnected with a State conven- tion and other modern innovations then creeping into the Baptist churches.

In response to their call a meeting was held at the Ridge meeting-house, commencing on the fourth Saturday in August, 1837. At this meeting the Stone's River Asso- ciation of the Primitive Order of Baptists was formed.

Meanwhile, the discontent growing out of the practice of innovations caused nine of the members of the church at Nashville and five from Mill Creek Church to unite in the formation of a Primitive Baptist Church, May 23, 1838, upon principles and practices formerly held. The Presby- tery consisted of Elders James King and Jesse Cox, Cum- berland Association ; James T. Tompkins and John M. Watson, Stone's River Association ; William Felts and W. Lowe, Red River Association; and James Osbourn, of Baltimore, Md.

A colored church was organized in the city under the auspices of the Primitive Baptists (white), away back in the slavery-days. Austin Williams, a slave of William Wil- liams, Esq , who died at the close of the late war, about eighty years of age, was for many years their preacher. Meetings were long held on Spring Hill under the trees, and at " Old Hinney-Hope School-House" during the war. A small wooden building, on Lewis and Leigh Streets, for- merly occupied by the white Methodists, was purchased by this society in 1874, and has since been their place of wor- ship. Luke Mason succeeded William Cooper as pastor in 1876. This church has one hundred and forty-three mem- bers, and is well sustained.

Broad Street Primitive Non-Resurrection Baptist (colored) Church was organized by Alfred Nichols, a former slave, in 1876, with about one hundred members. Though calling themselves Primitive Baptists, they differ from them in denying the final resurrection of the body. Meetings were first held in an old church on Locust Street, and after- wards in the military barracks, on the site of their present meeting-house, 335 Broad Street, which they bought from the United States government. After meeting in the bar- racks for six years they were torn down, and a large sub-

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stantial stone foundation and basement-walls erected for a house of worship, when, their funds becoming nearly ex- hausted, a low roof was placed over the entire structure, and it was occupied for regular worship. It is still awaiting the brick for the superstructure. In this room, which exter- nally resembles a huge refrigerator, there assemble some three hundred members and crowds of visitors throughout the year to listen to the quaint sermons of Rev. Alfred N. Williams, who has been their pastor since 1866.

Richland Creek Church .- Elder John Dillahunty* was converted in Virginia, his old home, and with his wife united with the church the same day. IIe emigrated to Davidson County, Tenn., about the year 1794, and organ- ized the first church of any denomination west of Nashville about the year 1795 or '96, on the bank of Richland Creek, at Gen. Harding's, and called it Richland Creek Church. He continued to have the care of that church till his death, which occurred in 1812 or 1813. He and his wife were buried in the same grave, he being ninety-six years old. After the death of Elder Dillahunty, Elder Joel Anderson preached to the church for a time, during which it was moved a mile or two farther west, and the name was changed to Providence. Elder John Little was the next pastor, and after his removal to Kentucky, Rev. Jesse Cox was called to the care of the church, and continued to serve it in that capacity forty-two years in succession. Mr. Cox, in writing of it, says, " I am now eighty-five years old, and too feeble to ride a distance of eighteen miles to preach to the church. This church has had three framed houses of worship destroyed by fire, and a brick house destroyed by the soldiers. It now has a comfortable house, and keeps up regular monthly meetings. The land occupied was deeded to the church by Joseph Hopkins in 1812. Six of the present members are descendants of the Dillahunty family. I heard Elder Dillahunty preach regularly once a month for about eight years ; he was a man of small stature, and was, being old, quite feeble. He was not an orator, but sound in the faith, of unblemished character, and com- manded large congregations. Some of his members were among the best citizens of Nashville."

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 84

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013