USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 18
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His ability as a minister was ordinary. It was through his ministry that Mount Zion Church was constituted and for several years he was their pastor. His ministry also had much to do with the early history of Indian Creek Church. He was once pastor of Salem Church, and was clerk of Salem Association
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from 1842 to 1849. His name is often found in or- daining councils. He died February 22, 1861, just as our nation was being convulsed by that cruel Civil War, and when he was only threescore years of age. In the minutes of Salem Association for 1861, we find the following concerning this man of God :
"He lived the life of the Christian and was beloved and greatly esteemed by his brethren. He died in the triumphs of a living faith, and has gone to reap the reward of the faithful."
He was twice married and has a large progeny, among whom may be found many of the best citizens of this section. His body sleeps in the old Salem Cemetery at Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee, while his spirit dwells with the blest.
ELDER JAMES EVANS.
We are sorry that a life which seemed to be so useful should be so obscured as the one we have under consideration. We know nothing of his family relations, except that he belonged to the large family of Evans, some of whom still reside about Liberty, De- Kalb County, Tenn.
In the early part of the century he identified him- self with Salem Baptist Church, located at Liberty, DeKalb County. He was ordained deacon of said church in April, 1818. He was licensed to preach March, 1818, and was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by this church in August, 1825. The Presbytery consisted of Elders Clark Hubbard, Pres- ley Lester, John Fite and Cantrel Bethel.
His remains lie buried in the Salem Cemetery, and a marble slab marks his last resting place, but time has done his work and no dates can be ascertained.
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There is one living monument yet to his ministry. Sister Susan James, the mother of Elder T. J. Eastes, was baptized by his hands. She has been a Baptist about seventy years. She is approaching ninety years of age and bids fair to reach one hundred. If this was the only trophy of his ministry, we could not cease to thank God that Elder James Evans had lived.
ELDER J. T. HANCOCK.
This lamented young brother was born on the waters of Clear Fork, in the northern part of Can- non County, Tennessee, October 28, 1859. He was the son of Monroe and Cynthia Hancock, both of whom died when he was small, leaving him, with a number of smaller children, orphans. From the time he was twelve years old, he assumed the care of his brothers and sisters, and raised them all to be honorable men and women. All of them became worthy members of Sycamore Fork Baptist Church. The date of his pro- fe ;sion and baptism we do not know. He was licensed to preach by Sycamore Fork Baptist Church. He sup- plied Marion Church, then was called to the care of his home church, and arrangements were being made for his ordination when he was called home. He was also ordained deacon of his church in January, 1887.
He was married to Miss Ida Hale, an estimable Christian woman, on March 2, 1886. This union was blessed with three children-two daughters and a son-who were early left orphans. He died rather suddenly on January 9, 1895. His death was a shock to all his acquaintances. To know him was to love him. If he had an enemy, this author has no knowl- edge of it. He was a young man of fine promise. He published a tract of deserved merit.
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His funeral services were held by this author, when his body was laid to rest in Sycamore Cemetery. Peace to his ashes.
ELDER S. C. ODUM.
The subject of this sketch belonged to the extensive family of his name, still found in Middle Tennessee. He was an uncle of Deacon C. B. Odum, of Auburn Baptist Church. He was the son of James W. Odum, and was born about 1808 A. D., near where the town of Auburn now stands, in Cannon County, but was at that time Wilson County, Tennessee.
He was brought up a farmer boy and learned much of the earlier settlements of his country. He gave his heart to God when quite young and united with Sander's Fork (now Auburn) Baptist Church, prob- ably in the twenties. He was ordained to the ministry by this church, but the date when this took place we have no means of knowing ; probably about 1840. He became pastor of said church in 1844, which position he held for some time.
He moved to Gibson County, West Tennessee, about 1852, and remained there until his death, about 1866.
He was a useful minister in his day and did a great deal of good, and it is to be regretted that we know so little of him and his work. We know but little of his family, except that he was married to Miss Eliza- beth, daughter of Josiah Owen.
ELDER ELIJAH HICKEY.
This noted minister was born on the tablelands of Cumberland Mountain, most probably in White County, Tennessee. He belonged to a family who gave but little concern to religion. He was brought
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up on a farm and spent all his leisure time, and much more which should have been spent in labor on the farm, in dissipation. He was regarded as a dissolute character. He married a Miss Saylors, and purchased and moved to a farm on the waters of Cane Creek, in the extreme southern part of Putnam County, Ten- nessee. He gathered about him the means for a good living and reared a large family of children. About 1851-2 A. D., when he was some thirty-six years of age, while attending a protracted meeting at Pistole's Church, in White County, he gave his heart to God and united with the church. The Lord called him into the ministry, but he did not know even the English alphabet. Notwithstanding all this, God's call was upon him and he must obey. He purchased a New Testament and in this he learned the alphabet, and learned to spell and read. I suppose it would be safe to say that he scarcely ever read a page in any book apart from the Bible. He almost knew the Bible from memory, and was withal a good preacher and a staunch Baptist. His eccentricities, due mainly to the lack of an education, hindered him much in his ministry, and drove from him many of his hearers. His friends, who were numerous, were of the strongest type. He was tall in stature, and uncouth in manners, but a man of God. He lived to be more than eighty years of age, preaching as long as he lived. He was born about 1815 and died about 1809. During his ministerial life of a half century he traveled and preached almost in- cessantly. He was instrumental in the establishment of quite a number of churches. For a short while after uniting with the church he was connected with Salem Association. The remainder of his life was given to Johnson Association, an offspring of Salem.
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He had many faults, yet, everything considered, few men deserved more honor or did more good.
He fell on sleep in the full triumphs of a living faith and went home to God and to glory.
ELDER LON BENNETT.
Nothing is known of the early life of this man of God. He gave his heart to God and united with Pistole's Baptist Church about 1851, and soon entered the ministry.
His education was limited, but his natural endow- ments largely supplied this defect. He was a preacher of power and was fast forging his way to the front when the cruel war between the States drew the cur- tain and hid him from view. During this awful strug- gle he took pneumonia, and God released his spirit and he went home to glory. He passed over our de- nominational horizon like a meteor. Why he should be called so early in life we will never know till we shall go hence.
"God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform."
ELDER JOHN HARPER.
The subject of this sketch is of Irish descent. He was born in the State of Virginia in 1788. He came of one of the leading families of the Old Dominion. His father and uncles purchased of Gen. George Washington what is now known as Harper's Ferry, from which family the place took its name. They also purchased all the lands where Charleston now stands.
He came to Tennessee while he was yet a single man, but at what date we are not advised.
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When he was converted we have no means of know- ing, but he was received into the fellowship of Hogan's Creek Church in July, 1827, and was no doubt bap- tized by that godly man, Elder William Flowers.
He soon entered the ministry, for we find him estab- lishing an arm of Hogan's Creek Church at New Middleton as early as 1830. This interest was sup- plied by him until they were constituted into an in- dependent church, April 13, 1839, known as Mace- donia, and became the first pastor. He later began an interest on Plunkett's Creek, which resulted in the constitution of Plunkett's Creek Church as early as August 26, 1837. Having moved into this commu- nity, he cast his membership with this new organiza- tion and became the first pastor.
He was first married to a Miss Hodges, who shortly afterward died, leaving no children. He was again married, to Miss Jane Fleming Skelton, who bore to him twelve children-seven boys and five girls-only five of whom are now living. One of these, Elder John Harper, Jr., is also a Baptist minister. His daughter, the wife of Dr. C. S. Sampson, is still a member of Plunkett's Creek Church.
He was a useful man in his day and generation, and made many sacrifices. He went into the "high- ways and hedges," gathering churches and building up the waste places in Zion, with but little remunera- tion for his services. We cannot bestow too much honor upon those pioneer ministers who cleared the forests and gave to us the heritage we enjoy. He passed to his reward in 1848, at the age of sixty years. He left a wife and children to mourn their loss. His wife and most of his children have joined him in the better land. "He rests from his labors, while his works follow him."
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ELDER A. W. MEACHAM.
This father in Israel first saw the light of day in Christian County, Kentucky. He was born February 13, 1818. He was brought up on a farm and received a fair English education. He was rather small of stature, and feeble constitution. He was baptized into the fellowship of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, in his native county, by Elder Robert Williams, on Decem- ber 10, 1838. He was licensed to preach May II, 1839, and ordained by this same church, December IO, 1839, by a Presbytery, viz. : Elders O. H. Morrow, W. S. Baldry and Robert Williams. He might be characterized as a bundle of energy. He entered at once into evangelistic work, after which he became pastor at Paducah, Ky., where he remained one year. He then (this was November, 1843) moved to Mid- dle Tennessee and became missionary for the General Association of Middle Tennessee and North Alaba- ma. He operated in this capacity about one year, when he entered the pastorate in Middle Tennessee. He served the following churches: Shelbyville, Cor- nersville, Mt. Lebanon, Marshall County ; Antioch, Davidson County ; Lebanon, Wilson County. This work continued from 1843 to 1852, when his health gave way, having severe hemorrhage of the lungs, and he resigned his work at Lebanon and returned to his home in Kentucky, to die. Perhaps no man ever did more active ministerial labor in nine years than he did during the years spent in Tennessee. He baptized 183 persons into the fellowship of Lebanon Church in one year. He was moderator of Salem Association in 1850, when convened with Brawley's Fork (now Marion) Church. To the surprise of everyone, he
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regained his health and still lingers on the confines of time at his home at Gracie, Christian County, Ken- tucky. The remainder of his ministerial life has been spent in that section where he now lives. He has baptized more than 4,000 persons and aided in the con- stitution of more than twenty-five churches, and per- haps twenty-five of those whom he baptized have be- come preachers. He was moderator of Little River Association for twenty years. He has been a bulwark of strength when in the strength of his manhood. But his work is over and has been well done. He now stands in the gathering shade of the evening of life, waiting the summons home. His sun is setting in a cloudless sky, while a halo of glory wreathes his brow as he treads the shore of the mystic river.
"Rise, glorious conqueror, arise Into thy native skies- Assume thy right ; And when in many a fold The clouds are backward rolled, Pass through the gates of gold, And reign in light."
ELDER LEADEN BROWN.
We have but little data concerning this very dear brother. He was born in the year 1826. Of his early life nothing is known. He professed religion and was baptized into the fellowship of Philadelphia Baptist Church, but the date is not known. He was pastor at Philadelphia and Providence and was for many years an efficient worker in the vineyard of the Lord. He helped to constitute several churches, and laid hands on a number of young ministers in their ordination.
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He was first married to Louisa Crossland, by whom he had six children, when she was called home. He was again married to Mrs. Susan Jane Eskew, April 8, 1866, who bore him three children. His widow still survives him.
He was a model Christian gentleman. In piety and uprightness, he ever stood an ensample to those around him, and, as a minister of the word, ranked well. Would that we knew more of his life.
He fell on sleep at his home, in Warren County, Tennessee, where most of his life had been spent, May 1, 1890. Well done, good and faithful servant, you rest from your labors, while your works follow you.
ELDER N. M. GREEN.
The subject of this sketch, Elder Nathaniel Morgan Green, was for many years a very noted landmark among Baptists in this section. He was born in Wil- son County, Tennessee, March 7, 1813. His parents were poor and could give him but little of the advan- tages of early training. He was brought up on the farm and used to hard labor, with but little knowl- edge of books. Acting the part of wisdom, however, early in life he gave his heart to God, and in Septem- ber, 1839, he cast his lot with the Baptist Church at Union (Hurricane), in Wilson County, near where he lived. He was probably baptized by Elder John Bond, the pastor.
The Lord soon laid his hand on him for the work of the ministry, and he was ordained by this same church to the full work of the gospel ministry in July, 1843, by a Presbytery, viz .: Elders John Bond, James Bond, H. W. Pickett and John Selvidge. He now entered actively into the work, and became one of the most
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active pastors of his day. Among the places he served as pastor we note the following: Union, Rocky Val- ley, Barton's Creek, Mt. Olivet, Rutland, Fellowship, Shady Grove, Powell's Chapel, Republican Grove, Bradley's Creek, Falling Creek and Salem. He was pastor of his home church for about thirty years. His pastorates were very successful and his converts were numbered by the hundreds and possibly by the thou- sands. He married a great many couples, and hun- dreds of young people regarded him as they would a father. He could scarcely read when he entered into life for himself, but he collected a fine library and became self-edu- cated, and one of the best posted ministers of his day. Few men wielded a more exten- sive influence among the brotherhood.
He was first married to Miss Jane Robinson, ELDER N. M. GREEN. July 21, 1834, and started the battles of life even with the world. He made his own furniture and, with their own hands, he and his faithful wife earned a livelihood. God blessed their labors and he gathered about him good property for his day. To them were born three sons to bless their home, all of whom still live; one in Ar- kansas, one in West Tennessee and the youngest, Brother T. M. Green, occupies the old home-
.
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stead, on Fall Creek, Wilson County, Tennessee.
On February 16, 1854, the wife of his youth went home to glory, leaving him and three small children heartbroken. It would be hard to describe the strug- gles in this home. He faltered not, giving his time and talent to the Master's cause, and receiving in re- turn but little of the good things of this world. But the Lord continued to prosper him, not only in spir- itual things, but also in carnal things. The Civil War swept away a large amount of his possessions, leaving him with a stripped home. He married a second time, to Mrs. L. S. Simmons, July 18, 1865. Two years later, while away on a preaching tour, his house burned with its contents, including his valuable library. Undaunted by these misfortunes, he moved forward in his work.
The latter part of his life he was in feeble health, but never ceased to preach as long as he was able. He passed to his reward August 20, 1889, in his sev- enty-seventh year. The name of "Uncle Morgan Green" will be cherished for years to come, and it can truly be said of him that, though he is dead, he still lives-lives in the hearts of the brethren, lives in heaven.
ELDER JESSE STEWART.
This father in Israel is a grandfather of Elder J. M. Stewart, of Boma, Tenn. But little can be gath- ered concerning him. The first authentic informa- tion we have concerning him, he was a member of Roaring River Church, in Overton County, Tennes- see. This is one of the oldest churches in Middle Tennessee and was in the constitution of Stockton's Valley Association in 1805. Elder Stewart was prob- ably ordained by this church. At least he was an
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ordained minister in this Association when the mis- sion controversy arose. He took the side of missions, and the majority of his church took the other side. The war waged, and finally the church excluded him for his mission views. His exclusion was publicly an- nounced in the Association, A. D. 1843. The con- troversy in this (Stockton's Valley) Association on the mission question assumed a serious aspect as early as 1836, and this meeting in 1843 was the culmination of the long-strained condition of the body. And those parts of the churches which had been dropped from the Association, including those who had been ex- cluded for their principles, with other sympathizers, met at Beech Grove, Monroe County, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in November, 1843, and constituted Freedom Association. This Association had six churches, aggregating 216 members. (See History of Kentucky Baptists, by J. H. Spencer, Vol. 2, p. 217).
Elder Stewart most probably remained a member of Freedom Association until some time in the fifties. Then he became identified with the great mission movement of Salem Association which swept over the mountain counties, taking Putnam County as a cen- ter. Later, he became identified with Johnson As- sociation.
When this author was a small child Elder Stewart was wont to visit his father's home, in the southern part of Putnam County, Tenn. This was in the fifties ; and I remember him as a feeble old man and very badly palsied. He is perhaps the first minister I re- member to have seen, though I have no recollection of hearing him preach. It seems that I can now feel his trembling hand on my head and hear his faltering voice as he pronounces his blessings upon a white-
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haired boy. It is said he was a good, old-fashioned preacher. I am told that he moved to the State of Kentucky and went from there to glory. This oc- curred about the time of the Civil War.
Where he sleeps is unknown to this author, but God will keep watch over his dust and bring it forth in that DAY.
ELDER A. C. WEBB.
The subject of this sketch was born about 1850- the exact date not known. His early life was spent in wickedness and bold defiance of the cause of Christ. In 1879 Elder W. E. Raikes was holding a meeting with Mt. Pleasant Church, in the northern part of Cannon County, Tennessee, when he was powerfully convicted of sin. He soon made a profession and united with this church, and was baptized by Elder W. F. Raikes in August, 1879. On March 12, 1881, he was ordained deacon of his church; and in June, 1882, he was licensed to preach. He was ordained by this same church soon after, but date and name of Presbytery not known. In the early nineties he moved his membership to Sycamore Fork Church.
He served as pastor the following churches, viz. : Mt. Pleasant, Dry Creek, Mt. Zion, Cooper's Chapel, New Hope and Barren Fork.
He was low of stature and exceedingly strong of build. He was a daring, fearless man. He lived in a rough community, where whiskey was constantly sold and drunk. This he opposed with might and main, which made him many bitter enemies among the whiskey element. While assisting a sister-in-law to collect a damage judgment for the murder of her husband, one of these whiskey men shot and killed
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him. This occurred in 1899, if I remember correctly. As a preacher, he was not systematic, but zealous and original in his statements.
He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Sycamore Fork Church, at the expense of the public, mainly those of his church. He left a wife and large family of children to mourn his loss.
ELDER T. R. COOPER.
This consecrated man of God was born about 1840. Of his early life little is known. He professed religion and united with old Mine Liek Church some time in the fifties. He was also made deacon of this church. He most likely transferred his membership to Mud Spring Church, in the northern part of Putnam County, and was most probably ordained by this church. He was tall and slender, with a feeble con- stitution. His preaching was cool and deliberate, yet well arranged and pointedly put. His sermons were not profound, yet they were full of the meat of the gospel. At the close of the war, he cast his lot with the Macedonia Church of Separate Baptists, in the Union Association. He remained with this church until the division of Union Association on the mis- sion question, when he attached himself to Pistole's Church. He was a blacksmith by trade and worked hard for a support for himself and family, while he preached the gospel for the people with but little re- muneration. He married Miss Eliza Stewart, by whom he raised a number of children.
He moved to Smith County, Tennessee, where he died about 1890. He was indeed a man of God.
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ELDER DAVID N. JARRARD.
This consecrated man of God first saw the light of day amid the mountains of Northeast Georgia. He was born in Habersham County, in that State, June 3, 1832. He was the son of Elder James C. and Mary Jarrard. He also had a brother, Elder William W. Jarrard, who was an ordained Baptist preacher. Per- haps it would be well to make a brief ref- erence to his ancestry. He was of English ex- traction. His great grandfather emigrated from England to this country and settled in the middle colonies. He was killed by the Tory element during the struggle for in- dependence. He left only one son (David Jarrard), the grand- father of the subject of this sketch, and the one for whom the ELDER P. N. JARRARD. subject of this sketch was named. From this one son have sprung the Jarrard family of America. His father, Elder James C. Jarrard, was also a Baptist preacher of note and influence. Most, if not all, of his ministerial life was spent in north- east Georgia, making his home in Habersham County. He was an active minister for more than half a cen- tury. A writer speaks of him as "nature's nobleman."
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In person, he was tall and erect, with a dignified bear- ing. In manner, he was affable and as gentle as a maiden. As a minister, he was devout and earnest, wielding an influence such as few ministers do. He was familiarly known as "Uncle Jimmy" and his name was a household word in all northeast Georgia. He lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four years, passing to his reward from his old home in Haber- sham County, Georgia, December 27, 1894. It was this home, and this noble sire, which gave to us Elder David N. Jarrard. He was brought up a tiller of the soil. The romantic scenes with which his country home was surrounded gave to his young mind con- stant glimpses of the beauties of the unseen, and opened to him avenues for a vivid imagination. He secured a fair primary education in the common country schools. But by assiduous study and close applica- tion, coupled with a strong native intellect, he soon became a fine English scholar, and a good part of his after life was spent as school teacher.
On December 1, 1852, he was married to Miss Mar- garet J. Fincannon, by whom he had fourteen chil- dren born, eleven of whom are still living.
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