USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
DEACONS: J. G. Hawkins, 1855 ; P. S. Harris, 1855 ; J. M. Wilks, 1890; T. J. Reece, 1890; J. B. Jeffries, 1890; P. F. Burnley, 1901 ; T. A. Bass, 1901 ; J. W. Lewis, 1901, and possibly others.
This church worshiped higher up the creek than where the house now stands, for some years. Perhaps about the latter part of the seventies, they secured the large and beautiful lot (some four acres) where they now worship, built a neat house of worship and con- structed a beautiful cemetery. I know of no church with more beautiful surroundings. In addition to this, Brother J. M. Lewis, of blessed memory, who went to his reward December 8, 1889, bequeathed to this church a beautiful lot and neat cottage house, admir- ably located for a pastor's home. This was to be kept by this church and the rents applied to missions.
This church has never sent out any colonies, except the negroes were constituted into an independent church in 1869, known as Gravel Hill. They still have a prosperous church in the hills some distance north of the white church.
316 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
This church has ordained the following ministers, viz .: Elder S. C. Talley (about A. D. 1860), by El- ders W. H. Haile, Jonathan Wiseman and W. H. Cooper ; Elder E. B. Stinson, September, 1868, by El- ders Jonathan Wiseman, S. C. Talley and W. H. Haile ; Elder Richmond Rankins (colored), August, 1868; Elder John Mitchell (colored), April, 1869, by Elders E. B. Haynie, Giles Harris, S. C. Talley and E. B. Stinson.
The records are so imperfect we cannot determine accurately the number belonging to this church since its organization ; but perhaps not less than 400. They number at present 164.
This church united with Enon Association in 1855, when convened with Second Creek Church. They rep- resented annually in this body until 1891, when they became a constituent member of Wiseman Associa- tion, in which body they continue to represent. This is one of the most efficient country churches to be found anywhere. Many of the pillars of this church have been taken away within the last few years, and others stand gazing across the mystic river. But, blessed be God, he is supplying their places with young men of sterling worth.
MACEDONIA.
This church is situated in Macon County, Tennessee, two miles south of Red Springs, on the road leading to Carthage. This church was constituted by those veterans of the cross, Elders D. W. Smith and W. L. Buie, in the year 1877, at a schoolhouse, some two miles distant from where the church is now located. They were constituted with only ten members, a rather small beginning, but God said, "Fear not, little flock."
317
Church Sketches
PASTORS: The records failed to show who served the first two years after the constitution. Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1879-83; Elder T. W. Matthews, 1883-84 ; Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1884-85; Elder W. L. Buie, 1886-99; Elder M. B. Ramsey, 1899, to the present, IQOI.
CLERKS: B. P. Jenkins, 1877-87; Wiley A. Whit- ley, 1887 to the present.
DEACONS: A. H. Morrow, 1877; Wiley A. Whitley, 1884; J. C. Whitley, 1894; W. C. Canada, 1894: W. N. Crowder, 1894.
Elder Wiley Martin was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by this church in June, 1891, by the following presbytery, viz. : Elders D. W. Smith, W. L. Buie, John Knight, J. L. Talmon and W. S. Drury, with Deacons King Robinson, J. M. Hall, A. J. Gregory, E. S. Russell, A. H. Morrow and Wiley A. Whitley.
We are also informed that Wiley A. Whitley and George Lyons are licensed ministers in this church.
This church has furnished a Christian home for eighty-five persons, since its constitution in 1877. They have at present fifty-one members.
They united with Enon Association in 1877, when convened with Independence Church. They brought with them a constituency of fourteen. They have rep- resented annually in this body from that date to the present.
They have a neat new house of worship, which does credit to the zeal of this noble little band.
GOOD WILL.
This church is situated on the road leading from Dixon's Springs to Hillsdale, Trousdale County, Ten-
318
History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
nessee. It is an offspring of the Dixon's Creek Church. They were gathered under the ministry of Elder J. J. Dyer.
The church was constituted in a schoolhouse, known as the Watson Schoolhouse, on the second Sunday in January, 1891, by the following presbytery, viz .: El- ders J. J. Dyer, and J. L. Talmon. They numbered in the constitution only seven members.
PASTORS : Elder J. J. Dyer was called to the pastoral care of this church at the constitution and has served without intermission to the present; being called an- nually, and never losing a vote in the history of the church. A remarkable history indeed; and the clerk says they expect to keep him till they "wear him out," unless peradventure they should "starve him out first."
CLERKS : Henry Harper, 1891-93; T. M. Kirby, 1893-94; F. P. Duty, 1894-97; Henry Harper, 1897, to the present.
DEACONS : J. W. Harper, 1891 ; ). P. Lee, 1891 ; Hugh Hargis, 1891; George Taylor, 1900; George Scruggs, 1900; A. N. Blackwell, 1900.
This church, young as it is, has been honored in sending forth two heralds of the cross.
Elder W. J. Watson was ordained by this church on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in June, 1893, by the following presbytery, viz .: Elders R. B. Davis, J. L. Talmon, W. L. Buie and J. J. Dyer, with Dea- cons Henry Gammons, S. S. M. Blankenship, J. J. Chambers, Gus Fuqua, T. J. Maxey, James Oldham, J. P. Lee and J. W. Harper.
Elder Benj. Matthews was ordained first Sunday in July, 1899, by Elders W. L. Buie, J. L. Talmon, T. W. Matthews, E. L. Smith and J. J. Dyer, with Deacons J. W. Dillahay, J. W. Massey, J. J. Cham-
319
Church Sketches
bers, W. S. Oldham, F. C. Cornwell, Cicero Gam- mons, Wade Smith and J. W. Harper.
This church, in her brief history, has furnished a Christian home for 114 persons. Her present number is eighty-two.
This church united with Enon Association in 1891, when they met with Friendship Church. That same fall she became a constituent member of Wiseman Association. Brother Henry Harper, clerk of this church, is at present acting as Colporter of Wiseman Association.
OAK GROVE.
This church is the outgrowth of the ministry of Elder W. H. Smith, while he was acting as missionary of Enon Association. The church is situated in Clay County, Tennessee, two miles southeast of Clements- ville, on Lyon Creek. It was constituted April 14, 1883, by the following presbytery, viz .: Elders W. H. Smith and J. L. Talmon, with Deacon George W. Glover. The church was constituted with only six members. They have never grown rapidly, and are now in rather a low state.
PASTORS: I have not the dates of the service of the pastors, but the following have served the church as pastor : Elders W. H. Smith, T. W. Matthews, D. W. Smith, W. S. Drury, J. H. Swann and Don Q. Smith.
CLERKS: Brother S. A. Pitcock is the only clerk this church has ever had.
DEACONS: S. A. Pitcock, E. C. Grisham, J. A. Parker and C. W. Copas.
They united with Enon Association in 1883, when convened with Corum Hill Church. They have repre-
320 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
sented in this body annually until the last two years. It is to be hoped some minister will go to their relief, as this is an important point.
DEFEATED CREEK.
This church has one of the most interesting histories of any church in this section. In the very early part of the nineteenth century, a Baptist Church was planted near Bagdad, on Salt Lick Creek, in the edge of Jackson County, Tennessee. The church was given the name of Salt Lick. It was evidently planted by ministers of Old Green River Association, of Ken- tucky, and they cast their lot with this body, or at least we know, upon good authority, that this church was in the constitution of Stockton's Valley Associa- tion, in the fall of 1805 A. D., which was brought about by a division in old Green River Association. Hence we must look beyond that date for the constitu- tion of this old historic church. This church, at this early date, was, most probably under the pastoral care of Elder Levi Rhoden. About 1806 Elder Miles West moved from Halifax County, Virginia, and settled in this community and cast his membership with this church. He had been ordained in the State of Vir- ginia, and came as an ordained minister, and soon took charge of the church. In 1807, Malcom Smith, from North Carolina, who soon after became a min- ister, filed his membership with this church. Through their influence, doubtless, this church, in 1807 A. D., took a letter of dismission from Stockton's Valley Association, and cast their lot with the Cumberland Association, which included, at that time, most of the churches of Middle Tennessee. They remained a member of that body till 1810, when they became a
321
Church Sketches
constituent member of Concord Association. They represented annually in Concord Association until 1822, when they became a constituent member of Salem Association. They represented annually in this body, passing through all the conflicts with Campbell- ism, standing like a bulwark in defense of the truth. In 1827, Elder Malcom Smith, a member of this church, went to his reward.
During all these years this church was ministered to by Elder Miles West, and everything went well until the mission question began to be agitated. This was the signal for trouble. Elder West was a man of more than ordinary ability and had a strong hold on his people. However, a considerable minority could not see as he did. But, nothing moved, he stubbornly opposed everything which savored of missions. He at last, supported by a majority, determined to rid the church of every vestige of this sentiment. And more, they decided to make a test of it in the Associa- tion, knowing that many more of the churches were opposed to missions or divided in sentiment.
In the summer of 1837 they notified this minority that they must yield or get out of the church. So, when the time for the meeting of the Association was drawing near, the minority of this church sent a memorial address to the Association asking that some steps be taken to adjust the difficulty. The calling up of this memorial letter was the signal for action, and Elder Miles West, followed by Elder Sion Bass and some few others, bolted the Association. (See an account of the Association for this year in another place.) When the minority saw that the last vestige of hope for reconciliation had fled, they asked the As- sociation to send a committee to constitute them into
11
322 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
a church at Williams' X Roads. Hence a com- mittee or "presbytery to consist of Elders John Wise- man, Wm. C. Bransford, William Flowers and Jona- than Wiseman" was appointed to meet at the cross roads on Defeated Creek on Friday before the fifth Lord's Day in October, 1837, to constitute this minority into a church. This marks the present loca- tion of the church. It is some three miles west of old Salt Lick Church, and about ten miles north of Carthage in Smith County, Tennessee, on Defeated Creek. From some cause, the constitution took place one day later than the time appointed. On Saturday before the fifth Sunday in October, 1837, Elders John Wiseman, Wm. C. Bransford and Jonathan Wiseman appointed by Salem Association, with the addition of Elders Daniel Smith, E. B. Haynie and Joseph Payne, met with this minority at the place above named and constituted them into an independent church, taking the name of Defeated Creek. This was to all intents and purposes a continuation of the old organization with the name changed. The reconstruction was necessitated by the fact that they had neither officers nor records and the opposition was so bitter that they were refused access to the original records. This church stands in the same relation to the original con- stitution that Round Lick, Brush Creek, Hickman, New Hope, and others do, where the anti-mission element had the majority. Defeated Creek Church, when reorganized numbered thirty-one members, and by the meeting of Salem Association the next fall, they had grown to forty-six in number, and were received back to the bosom of this staid old body as the legiti- mate representative of old Salt Lick Church. After Elder Miles West bolted Salem Association in 1837,
323
Church Sketches
he led a new movement. With the majority of Salt Lick Church, and factions of four other churches, he constituted a new Association the month following, at Cedar Creek Church, known as Round Lick Asso- ciation. This new movement was given the title of Primitive Baptists. Elder West continued to serve the majority faction as pastor until July 18, 1845, when he went to his reward. He was a good man, though mistaken in many of his views and actions. He had a son and namesake, Elder Miles West, Jr., who soon took his place. But with all this, the majority faction continued to decline until some years ago they were forced to move their place of worship some miles distant from where it was constituted and the name changed to Friendship. Elder Miles West, Jr., is now dead and the anti-mission cause is in a languishing condition in this section.
Return with me to the original Salt Lick Church. Among the events of interest in this old body, before the division, we note the following: In 1812 they most probably sent out a colony, which was constituted into an independent church at Gap of Ridge, some six miles northwest of Lafayette, Macon County, Tennessee, known as Testament Church; in 1810, they ordained to the ministry, Elder Malcom Smith. After this church was reorganized under the name of De- feated Creek in 1837, we find the following record :
PASTORS: Elder E. B. Haynie, 1837-53 ; Elder L. A. Smithwick, 1853-56; Elder D. W. Smith, 1856-61 ; Elder E. B. Haynie, 1861-83; Elder T. A. Hudson, 1883; Elder W. M. Kuykendall, 1883; Elder W. H. Smith, 1883-90; Elder T. A. Hudson, 1890-95 ; Elder W. S. Drury, 1895; Elder T. W. Matthews, 1895-97; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1897-98; Elder W. J. Watson, 1898 to the present, 1901.
324
History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
CLERKS: James Cook, 1837-45; Wm. Glover, 1845- 47; A. Cartwright, 1847; I. W. Stewart, 1847-53; Thos. Jones, 1853-58; W. M. Smith, 1858-64; Jas. H. Williams, 1864-65; L. W. Russell, 1865-69; E. W. Cornwell, 1869-79; J. H. Jones, 1879-91 ; N. J. Kemp, 1891-96; Jno. A. Kemp, 1896-98; G. F. M. Russell, 1898 to present.
DEACONS: Joel L. Worley, 1837; Thos. Shoulders, 1852; John Nixon, 1852; John Parker, 1852; Wiley Jones, 1852; Present Deacons, Jas. H. Williams, D. A. Duke, M. L. Jones, P. T. Kemp, W. C. Kennedy, H. R. Williams and S. S. High.
Elder T. W. Matthews was ordained in 1874, by Elders E. B. Haynie, W. H. Haile, G. C. Harris and M. B. Ramsey.
In November, 1896, they gave letters to thirty-two members to constitute Mt. Vernon Church, near the site of the old original Salt Lick Church. Thus it will be seen that they have sent this daughter back to occupy the old homestead. This is one of the most prosperous churches in all this section. They number at present 272, and are in a very thriving condition. They represented in Salem Association till 1850, when they became a constituent member of Enon Associa- tion, where they still continue to represent. They have a splendid house of worship, and a more conse- crated membership would be hard to find. This old church is now about one hundred years old, and many have been her difficulties, but God has kept her and led her safely through the breakers.
MOUNT VERNON.
This church is an offspring of Defeated Creek Church. It is situated in Smith County, Tennessee,
325
Church Sketches
near the line between Smith and Jackson counties, some twelve miles north of Carthage on the head waters of Salt Lick Creek, and near the site where old Salt Lick Church once stood. They were constituted December 11, 1896, in Oak Grove school- house, with twenty-four members. Following is the presbytery, viz .: Elders T. W. Matthews, T. A. Hud- son, J. H. Swann and T. H. Vantrease, with Deacons King Robinson, W. M. Evans and J. M. Russell.
The Articles of Faith of Enon Association were adopted and church covenant, as found in Pendleton's Church Manual.
PASTORS: Elder T. H. Vantrease, 1896-97 ; Elder G. W. Ramsey, 1897-1900; Elder C. E. Ramsey, 1900, to the present, 1901.
CLERKS: . John Matthews, 1896-98; R. M. West, 1898 to the present.
DEACONS: Robert West, 1897; John McCormac, 1897; Matthew Matthews, 1897.
This church is still in her infancy but she is about the Master's business. She has built a neat frame house of worship which is nearly complete. She united with Enon Association in 1897, when convened with Pleasant Valley Church, and still continues to represent in that body. This church stands where the old mother church once stood. God turns things around and we shall expect great things of this church. They number at present thirty-five members.
SHADY GROVE.
This church, in its constitution, drew its members most probably from Knob Spring, Athens, Second Creek and Dixon's Creek. It most probably should be termed an offspring of Dixon's Creek. It was
326 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
gathered through the ministry of Elder E. W. Haile. The best we can gather, this church was constituted in November, 1846, by Elder E. W. Haile and others. It was at this time that Elder Haile baptized his brother, W. H. Haile, into the fellowship of this church. They did not unite with the Association until 1847, thus showing they were constituted after Sep- tember, 1846, and before the time of this baptizing, November, 1846. It is most probable that he was baptized at the same meeting the constitution took place. They numbered twenty-five members when they united with the Association in 1847.
PASTORS : Elder E. W. Haile was most probably their first pastor, serving until 1850, when he resigned to move to Putnam County, near Cookeville, to en- gage in mission work. At this time, his brother, W. H. Haile, had begun to preach and in the early part of the next year, he was ordained and began his work as pastor of this church. He served the church faithfully, until about 1878. The following is the best we can gather from incomplete records: Elder J. H. Jackson, 1878-80; Elder J. P. Gilliam, 1882-85 ; Elder A. H. Rather, 1885-88; Elder J. L. Talmon, 1888-90; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1890-91 ; Elder T. W. Matthews, 1891-93; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1893-94; Elder J. A. Stone, 1894-97; Elder J. J. Dyer, 1897- 98; Elder J. A. Stone, 1898-99; Elder S. N. Fitz- patrick, 1899 to the present.
CLERKS: Thos. Stalcup is the first clerk we have any account of. Since 1880 we find J. M. Baron, D. S. Reed and W. M. Bundy, but the dates they served we are not informed.
DEACONS : The only deacons we can secure the names of are W. M. Bundy, R. Nolver, John Burford,
327
Church Sketches
Jackson Tilman, Caleb Reed, Alex Reed and E. S. Huffman.
This church is situated some three miles southeast of Hartsville, Trousdale County, Tennessee, in the bend of Cumberland River, on the north side of this historic stream.
They ordained, in 1851, to the full work of the gospel ministry, Elder W. H. Haile, the following acting as presbytery : Elders Jonathan Wiseman, Henry Roark and E. W. Haile, with Deacons John Wilks and John Weathered.
The saddest thing in the history of this church, is when they turned off their tried and faithful old pas- tor, Elder W. H. Haile, for one J. H. Jackson, an impostor, who came near working the ruin of this church. It seemed for some time that they would finally become extinct, but God heard the cry of the faithful and they have again come to the front, and stand among the active churches of the Association. They have at present eighty-four members. This church united with Salem Association in 1847, and in 1850 they became a constituent member of Enon As- sociation. In 1891 they became a constituent member of Wiseman Association, in which they continue to represent. Within the past few years, they have con- structed a neat frame house of worship and they are marching on to victory. The Association is to meet with them in 1902.
DAY'S CROSS ROADS.
This church is located two miles east of Lafayette, on the Red Springs road, Macon County, Tennessee. It is an offspring of Lafayette Church, and was con- stituted November 6, 1885, with nine members. The
328 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
presbytery at the organization consisted of Elders M. B. Ramsey, T. W. Matthews, Stephen Harper and J. L. Talmon.
PASTORS : Elder J. L. Talmon, 1885-93 ; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 1893-96; Elder W. H. Driver, 1896-97 ; Elder J. L. Talmon, 1897-1901 ; Elder G. W. Ramsey, 1901 to the present.
CLERKS: G. P. Day, 1885, to the present, being the only clerk the church has ever had.
DEACONS: G. P. Day, 1888; G. A. Gregory, 1897; H. F. Hargis, 1897.
This church has furnished a Christian home for eighty-one persons since they were constituted. They united with Enon Association in 1886, when convened with Bellewood Church. They continue to represent in this body. The present number of members is fifty- eight. They have a consecrated, zealous membership and the Lord is blessing their labors. We shall expect to hear from this young church as the years go by ..
ZION.
This church is situated some three or four miles southwest of Hartsville, Trousdale County, Tennessee, in Puryear's Bend, on the north side of Cumberland River.
This church is an offspring of Second Creek and Athens churches. The church was gathered under the ministry of Elders Louis Dies and W. H. Haile. They were constituted into an independent church November 9, 1878, by a presbytery consisting of El- ders W. H. Haile, Richard Lyon and Louis Dies, with Deacons P. S. Harris, J. W. White and Z. A. Lyon. They were organized with sixteen members, but they now number, according to last minutes, fifty.
329
Church Sketches
They have had, from the beginning to the present, one hundred members in their fellowship.
PASTORS : Elder Louis Dies, 1878 (he served only six months when he was called to his reward) ; El- der J. S. Rice, 1879-84; Elder A. H. Rather, 1884-87 ; Elder J. F. Lambert, 1887; Elder J. S. Rice, 1888-90; Elder W. M. S. Wilks, 1890, to about 1894; Elder P. W. Carney, 1894; Elder J. J. Carr, 1895-96; Elder J. B. R. Knight, 1896-99; Elder G. W. Sherman, 1900; Elder S. N. Fitzpatrick, 1901 to the present.
CLERKS: P. B. Vaughn, R. B. Hager, W. B. Rober- son and J. D. Roberson. Dates of service not known. DEACONS : Charles Roberson, D. Y. Puryear, W. B. Smith, W. B. Roberson and Daniel Puryear.
Soon after the constitution of this church, Elder W. H. Haile cast his membership with her and was still a member here when he passed under the wave.
This church united with Enon Association in 1879, when convened with the church at Siloam. They had increased at that time to twenty-nine members. They have a good house, and occupy a place which would otherwise be destitute; yet they will always be some- what circumscribed in territory by the river. They were on the decline at one time, but are now taking on new life.
HOPEWELL.
This old historic church is now located two miles east of Castalian Springs on the old Gallatin and La- fayette "dirt road," Sumner County, Tennessee.
Tradition fixes the origin of this church in the latter part of the eighteenth century. United States Senator, Hon. W. B. Bate, who is a member of this church, tells the story thus: The church was organized some
330 History of Middle Tennessee Baptists
time between the dates of 1700 A. D. and 1800, by his great-grandfather, Elder Frank Weathered, and that the said Weathered was the first pastor. He takes great pleasure in pointing out one of the corner-stones of the house in which this early church worshiped. The stone is still intact, situated in the yard of the Senator's summer home one mile north of Castalian Springs.
Owing to the fact that the records of this church prior to 1841 were burned, this has been accepted as the early history of this church. This author does not call in question the above facts and would do all possible honor to this father in Israel. The mistake, however, occurs in connecting this ancient body with the present Hopewell Church. As this was in the time when Indian outbreaks were still disturbing our civilization and matters were unsettled, it is probable this early interest was dissolved.
In A. D. 1835, Salem Association, while in session with Spring Creek Church, some four miles east of Lebanon, requested the clerks of the various churches to write up their history for publication in Allen's ( Baptist ) Register for 1836. The history of this church was written by their clerk, Raymond Head, and can be found on page 228 of this work. This was written before the records were burned, and while many of the constituent members were still living. From this sketch, we gather the following facts :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.