USA > Tennessee > History of middle Tennessee Baptists : with special reference to Salem, New Salem, Enon and Wiseman associations > Part 26
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He inherited a strong physique and enduring con- stitution from his father. He was capable of great labor, and few men made more sacrifices for the cause. His ministry lasted for a period of nearly forty years, and he numbered his converts by the hundreds and probably by the thousands.
He passed to his reward February 18, 1869, at the age of sixty-five years. He died of stomach trouble. He preached his last sermon at Hopewell, his home church, .on the fourth Sunday in January, 1869, and went home to die. It was here he gave his heart to God; it was here he had served as pastor almost through his entire ministerial life; it was here he closed his work and went home to God; it is here his body sleeps.
ELDER JOSIAH J. WISEMAN.
This brother was a son of Isaac and Peachy Wise- man, and a grandson of Elder John Wiseman. He was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, in the year 1833. He was left an orphan when quite young, and found shelter and protection in the home of his uncle, Elder Jonathan Wiseman. His relations in this home were those of parents and son. His uncle, feeling the need of an education so much himself, strove to give his nephew better advantages. Through his influence and means together, this young man was kept in Enon College some time, and in Union Uni- versity one year, from which he acquired a good edu- cation.
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In the early fifties, while with friends in Smith County, he gave his heart to God and united with the Shady Grove Baptist Church. He soon returned to Sumner County to live, and was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Rice in 1856. He was already feel- ing "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." He and his wife cast their membership with old Hopewell Church and he was soon ordained by this church to
ELDER JOSIAH J. WISEMAN.
the full work of the gospel ministry. He began to teach, in connection with his ministry, and grew rapidly in favor as a minister. Among the points he labored at as pastor we mention the following: Hope- well, Sylvan, Corum Hill, Independence, Siloam, New Harmony, etc.
He did not have that robust constitution which had characterized his uncle and grandfather, and the reader must prepare to see this useful life cut short.
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It was in the spring of 1871 that a long standing throat trouble developed into a fatal lung trouble, and his friends, day by day, saw this useful life fade away like a flower before the withering touch of the frosts of autumn. The decline was rapid, and on June 30, 1871, the house of clay yielded up the spirit and it flew away to be with God. So this useful life closed when it had numbered but thirty-eight summers. The ever recurring question looms up again : "Why should such a life be taken from the earth?" His remains were laid to rest in the old Hopewell cemetery. Sleep on, dear saint of God, you shall live again some day in a land where weak lungs are not known.
DEACON WILLIAM MARTIN.
No history of the Baptists of this section would be complete without some special notice of this godly man. His life is so interwoven with the history of the Baptists of this section that they stand inseparable.
Colonel Martin, as he was familiarly called, was the eldest son of General Joseph Martin. He was born in Orange County, Virginia, November 26, 1765. His father was one of the first to explore Powell's Valley, in southwest Virginia and East Tennessee. As a hunter and adventurer, he was the precursor of Boone, Robertson, Sevier, Henderson, and others whom we are wont to praise as leaders through the wilderness. "He was the youthful companion of Sumpter and Cleavland, two daring spirits of the Revolution." He was put in charge of the United States army in East Tennessee, during the Indian wars, and distinguished himself as a gallant leader.
His son, William, the subject of this sketch, was brought up amid these struggles of pioneer life and they became a part of his nature. Being brought up
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amid the scenes of pioneer life, his education was necessarily very limited, but his intellect was broad and deep, and with his observation and reading, he was indeed self-educated in the highest degree. His first campaign in the Indian wars occurred when he was but fifteen years of age. He was under the leader-
DEACON WILLIAM MARTIN.
ship of General William Campbell, one of the heroes of King's Mountain. In 1787 he was placed in com- mand of a company of rangers and sent to the "Cum- berland country" now known as Middle Tennessee. He remained in this section for two years, protecting the infant settlements against the onslaughts of Indian
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barbarism. It was during this time that he guarded and assisted in cutting out the first direct road from Knoxville to Nashville. This road has been known in subsequent years as the Walton Road. It runs near Cookeville, down the dividing ridge between Cumber- land and Caney Fork rivers, crossing the latter at Trousdale's Ferry, then passing on by Grant, and Lebanon to Nashville. It was at this time, that some incident caused a tributary, emptying into the Cum- berland at Granville, Jackson County, Tennessee, to be named in honor of him, and it still bears the name of Martin's Creek. After a sojourn of two years in the wilds of Tennessee, he returned home, married and moved to South Carolina, settling on the Tugalo River. He was chosen and served in the Legislature of South Carolina for several years. But the enchant- ment of the vine-clad hills and fertile valleys, traversed by sparkling brooks, in the Cumberland country haunted him by day and by night. So in 1798 he took his family and started for this section, made dear to him by former experiences. We should state just here that he professed faith in Christ and united with a Baptist church in South Carolina in 1791, and came to Tennessee a Baptist. On reaching the Cumberland Valley, he settled on Dixon's Creek, a short distance above Dixon's Springs, one of the most fertile sec- tions of Smith County. This marks the beginning of one of the most remarkable careers the County of Smith has the honor to claim. He was for many years a member of the Legislature from his county, and was twice made presidential elector. In fact, there was nothing of public interest which came up in his county or community, and, in fact, little in the State, but his advice was sought. In fact, he was an associate and
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companion of General James Robertson, the first real settler of Nashville, Colonel Donelson, General Jack- son and all others of that day conspicuous in the af- fairs of the State.
While he was great in the affairs of State, which meant so much to the infant settlements of that day, it was not this which added the greatest luster to his superb character. He was a Christian hero and a stalwart Baptist. His great brain, his time and his means, were given to the pushing forward of the cause of Christ. It was he who made a line across the center of both his corncrib and smokehouse, turning half the contents of each over to Elder John Wiseman for his support. It was not uncommon for him to give fifty to one hundred dollars at a time to some benevolent cause. After coming to Tennes- see, he was connected with the following Associations, viz .: Mero District, Cumberland, Concord and Sa- lem; and in all these, as well as the General Associa- tion, he was a leading figure. To him the constitution and early prosperity of Dixon's Creek Church are large- ly due. He was to the northern side of the river what Nicholas Smith was to the southern side. He was a soldier, statesman and Christian, but above all a Chris- tian. In his own language, "The Bible is the Alpha and Omega." He could repeat whole chapters from memory. He loved his church and the cause of Christ as he loved nothing else. On his arrival in Tennessee, he soon succeeded in bringing about the constitution of Dixon's Creek Church, near his home, where he became one of the constituent members and in which he died.
He was taken sick on October 8, 1846, with some- thing like pleurisy. He lingered until November 4, when his spirit cut loose from the house of clay and
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went to God. He talked but little during his sickness of anything but religion. His death was indeed the death of the righteous. In body, he was strong and agile. When he was fourscore he could mount a horse like a youth, and he stood with the erectness of one half his age. In disposition, he was lively and pleasant and delighted to entertain company with the incidents of pioneer life. He lacked but few days of living eighty-one years, and these were full of service to God and man. He gave a large and beautiful lot for the use of Dixon's Creek Baptist Church ; and on this lot stands a neat brick house of worship, a fit monu- ment to one who had given so much to this cause for a period of fifty-five years. He has a number of de- scendents still in this country. Noble servant, well done.
ELDER DANIEL PARKER.
This remarkable man was born in the Old Do- minion, Culpeper County. The date of his birth is not known. He was the son of John Parker, who moved from Virginia to Georgia when Daniel was but a small child. Here he was brought up in the depth of poverty, acquiring barely enough education to read. But God had endowed him with an intellect which neither poverty nor illiteracy could chain. He must be heard from. He gave his heart to God under the preaching of Elder Moses Sanders. He was bap- tized into the fellowship of Nail's Creek Baptist Church, in Franklin County, Georgia, in January, 1802. He was licensed to preach by this same church and soon began to exercise in public. In 1803 he moved to what is now Dickson County, Tennessee. He filed his membership with Tumbull Church and con- tinued to exercise his gifts. He was set apart to the
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full work of the gospel ministry by this church, May 20, 1806, by a presbytery, to wit: Elders Garner Mc- Conico, John Record and John Turner. Very soon after his ordination he moved to Sumner County, Ten- nessee, and settled near Castalian Springs and united with Bledsoe's Creek (now New Hopewell) Church. He was called to the care of this church July 25, 1807, and began his pastoral work. He rose rapidly and soon began to be recognized among the leading minis- ters of his day, and few men could preach the "old, old story" with more unction than he. He was at one time, perhaps, the most popular man in Concord Asso- ciation. All things went well until 1814, when a mis- sion society was organized in the Association. He was non-committal at first on the matter ; but after one year's observation he decided against it. As there were some of the leading ministers in this movement, the war now began in earnest. It was a battle royal. At the Association, A. D. 1816, when convened with East Station Camp Church, Elder Parker told them in plain terms if they did not cease their mission opera- tions he would "burst the Association." They knew his popularity and his power to carry his threat into execution. So they withdrew their missionary cor- respondence.
At this time he was developing his "Two Seed" theory. About this time, also, he moved on the High Land Rim, in the northern part of Sumner County, near the Kentucky line. He now sowed his Two Seed doctrine down thick and fast, and prepared the way for the establishment of the Two Seed Baptists. His doctrine should not be confounded with that of our Cal- vinistic Baptists, nor should it be confounded with that of our Hardshell brethren. In brief, he taught that God
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had an eternal seed, and the devil an eternal seed; and that God gave to Adam a seed which we call the body ; that our bodies which we inherit from Adam are sim- ply houses for God's and the devil's children to live in. When we die, if God's eternal seed is in us it returns to him; but if the devil's seed it returns to him, while the body returns to dust never to be resur- rected.
On November 22, 1817, he resigned Bledsoe's Creek (now New Hopewell) and moved to the State of Illi- nois. His doctrine remained in the minds of the people and brought forth a harvest. It is but due to say that his objectionable teaching began only a short time before leaving Tennessee, and his ministry as a whole in this State was greatly blessed of God in estab- lishing the Baptist cause. The church at Bledsoe's Creek was greatly prospered under his ministry. On moving to Illinois he published a tract, "Two Seed in Broken Doses." This was followed by others along the same line, and at length by a monthly paper, The Church Advocate. He proved to be not only a power- ful speaker, but a talented writer. His followers are still found scattered over several States, and a few very weak Associations are maintained. This is a monument no one should covet, and yet it attests the genius of the originator. Elder Parker was a man with a wonderful degree of magnetism and drew large crowds wherever he went. He paid no attention to conventionalities. Once, when preaching in the city of Nashville to a crowded house, in warm weather, he laid aside his coat and vest and neck-tie, as he was wont to do in rural districts, and yet the people hung on his words as though nothing unusual had occurred. At the close of his discourse, one very prominent and
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cultured man pronounced him the greatest preacher in the State.
ELDER S. L. SUMMAR.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest son of A. B. and Nancy Summar, and was born in Ruther- ford County, Tennessee, seven miles east of Mur- freesboro, May 15, 1819. He was of German, English
ELDER S. L. SUMMAR.
and French extraction. When he was a small boy his father moved near Auburn, in what is now Can- non County. He grew up on a farm, with but little education, until he was nearly grown, when he at- tended McNight Academy. He professed religion in 1839 and united with the Separate Baptist wing of Sander's Fork (now Auburn) Church, and was bap-
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tized by Elder John Whitlock, a leading minister in that movement. He was ordained by this same branch of the church, May 10, 1840. (See sketch of Auburn Church.) The Presbytery which ordained him con- sisted of Elder John Harris and Deacons Anthony Summar and B. F. Odum. Two years after his ordi- nation the wounds in this church were healed and the two branches came together and gave him access to the entire brotherhood. Having assumed the ministry as his life work, he felt the need of a broader educa- tion. He attended some academic schools, later going to Wirt College (which afterward became Enon Col- lege), and finally to Union University at Murfrees- boro. He became well educated, and this, coupled with his strong native intellect, made him one of the deepest thinkers and best reasoners of his day.
He married Miss Malvina N. Wood, a young teacher and noble Christian woman, who still remains on the confines of this life, waiting till the shadows are a little longer grown. They never had any children, and she often accompanied her husband on his tours of preaching, and was a great stay to him in his work. He was very active in the ministry and traveled and preached a great deal. He perhaps rendered a greater service to the denomination in meeting the advocates of error than any other way. He met in debate some of the leading polemics of the Methodists, Presbyte- rians, Campbellites and Universalists. He never in- dulged in flings and epithets, but, with the Bible and his convincing logic, he simply overwhelmed his ad- versary. I have often heard those who were present speak of a debate he had at Sparta, Tenn., with a lead- ing Campbellite, in which he carried everything be- fore him.
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He was strong of build and retained his full vigor up to his last sickness. He died of pneumonia. He lived to the ripe old age of seventy-six years. He passed under the wave October 13, 1896, at his coun- try residence, in Sumner County, Tennessee. His ashes sleep in the cemetery at Siloam Church, Macon County, Tennessee. He was buried with appropriate services, and a marble monument marks the place where he sleeps. The devotion between him and his wife was touchingly beautiful.
ELDER S. C. TALLEY.
Elder Stephen Chastain Talley, the son of Benja- min and Judith Talley, was born in Smith County, Tennessee, December 27, 1831. His parents came from the Old Dominion. His grandfather, Charles Talley, was a Revolutionary soldier. His mother was a Chastain and belonged to the famous Chastain fam- ily of Buckingham County, Virginia. His great-grand- father, Elder Rone Chastain, was one of the leading ministers of Virginia and knew the sting of persecu- tion in those colonial days. We find the name of this veteran of the cross on the credentials of ordination of Elder William Flowers, who labored so long and faithfully in Concord and Salem Associations. Elder Talley, was of English extraction on his father's side and French on his mother's side.
He was brought up on a farm and, for one of his day, acquired a good education, which was supple- mented by extensive reading. He made profession of religion in July, 1849, and shortly afterward united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The winter of 1851 and 1852 was spent in traveling through Kentucky and Virginia and studying church history.
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He soon became satisfied that he had made a mistake ; that the church of Christ was to be found with the Baptists. So he united with the Baptists at what is now known as New Harmony Church, on the Middle Fork Goose Creek, Macon County, Tennessee, and was baptized by Elder Henry Roark, the pastor, in September, 1852.
He remained a member of this church until 1855, when he went into the constitution of Friendship Church, four miles north of Hartsville, Trousdale County. He was ordained to the fall work of the gospel ministry by Friendship Church, A. D. 1860, by Elders W. H. Haile, Jonathan Wiseman and W. H. Cooper.
He married Miss Sarah E. Grigg, July 19, 1852, to whom were born five children. Soon after his ordi- nation to the ministry he enlisted in the Confederate army. He served through the entire war, never turn- ing his face toward home until his flag went down. He passed through many hardships, being once sent to prison at Fort Delaware. He was made chaplain of the Second Tennessee Cavalry, under Col. C. R. Bar- teau. In this capacity he endeared himself to many of the soldier boys as a Christian leader, as well as a gallant soldier. In this command were quite a num- ber of our best citizens ; among them we note Elder T. J. Eastes and Deacon R. R. Hancock. He arrived home from this struggle May 21, 1865. He spent ten years in his native State after the war, farming, teach- ing and preaching. He then moved to the Lone Star State, settling in Ellis County, near Waxahachie. Here he purchased about fifteen hundred acres of land and started into the planter's business. But he soon saw his mistake and turned about and gave himself en-
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tirely to the ministry. He was a man of strong mind and fine ability as a preacher. Having once been pas- tor of the church where he was ordained, I can speak advisedly of the esteem in which he was held. He is now most probably dead. If not he stands in the Beulah land awaiting the summons home. Heroi- in life, victorious in death, glorified in heaven.
(The author acknowledges his indebtedness to "Hancock's Diary," by Deacon R. R. Hancock, for much found in this sketch.)
WILLIAM PHIPPS.
The first account of this wonderful man of God, that we have, is given in Burkitt & Reed's History of Kehukee Association, page 299. He was pastor of an arm of Swift Creek Church, known as Coon Creek, located in Craven County, North Carolina. This was as early as the eighties of the eighteenth century. He remained pastor of this arm until December, 1791, when they were constituted into an independent church. In 1792 she united with Neuse Association. Elder Phipps continued pastor of this newly constituted church, and under his watch care she was very pros- perous. In 1797 he severed his pastoral relation with this church and turned his face toward the wilderness of Tennessee. On landing in Tennessee, he most probably settled in Sumner County, on Station Camp Creek. He soon became pastor of West Station Camp Church, where he most probably spent the remainder of his life. In 1787 he assisted Elder " hn Dilla- haunty in the constitution of Richland Creek Church, near Nashville, Tenn., and in 1800 he assisted in the constitution of Dixon's Creek Church. We next find him working up an interest in the community of Cas-
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talian Springs, where he assisted in the constitution of Hopewell Church in 1806. Here the curtain must fall until we shall meet again on the other side of the mystic river.
ELDER JOSHUA WHITE.
Elder White was first a member of Camden Church, Camden County, North Carolina. He was ordained to the ministry in this church. In the early nine- ties of the eighteenth century he moved into the neighborhood of Fishing Creek Church, Halifax County, North Carolina, and cast his membership with this church and became their pastor. He remained pastor of this church for some time, when he, perhaps as early as 1795, moved to Tennessee, set- tling most probably on Red River, in Robertson County. He was one of the noted figures among the ministry of this section, and did much in gathering the early churches of Middle Tennessee. He was one of the Presbytery which constituted Dixon's Creek Church, in 1800. Our hearts long to know more of him and his work.
ELDER PATRICK MOONEY.
Elder Mooney is mentioned by all the early his- torians as one of the leader's among the pioneer min- istry of Middle Tennessee. Where he came from, we have no means of knowing. He was here perhaps as early as 1790. He assisted in the establishment of the early churches in Robertson County and West Station Camp, in Sumner County. These were all constituted prior to 1796, when they were formed into Mero Dis- trict Association. He easily ranked among the lead- ers in the denomination at that early day. He assisted in the constitution of Mt. Olivet Church, at Leeville,
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Wilson County, Tennessee, in April, 1801. He was invited to assist in the constitution of Round Lick Church in 1803. He assisted in the constitution of Hopewell Church, in Sumner County, near Castalian Springs, in 1806. Here we must bid this brother good-bye, until we meet him in the sweet by and by Everything indicates that he lived in Sumner County.
ELDER DANIEL BURFORD.
Nothing is known of the early life of this pioneer minister. He was one of the constituent members of Dixon's Creek Church. He was ordained by this church on the day she was constituted, March 8, 1800, by a presbytery consisting of Elders William Phipps, Joshua White and Clifton Allen. He entered at once upon the pastorate of this church and served them until 1807. Perhaps, as early as 1805, he be- came Register of Smith County and moved to the town, or near the town, of Carthage. He then estab- lished a preaching point near where Caney Fork River empties into the Cumberland. This work was pros- perous, and in June, 1806, Dixon's Creek Church ex- tended an arın there. That fall they constructed seats, where the town of Carthage now stands, and elected Elder Daniel Burford as pastor of this arm. The next year he resigned the care of the mother church and gave his time to building up this new interest and conducting the County Registry office for a support. His work here was considerably blessed and resulted in the constitution of Hogan's Creek Church, in 1810, he making one of the constituting Presbytery. He also assisted in constituting Salem Church in 1809. In 1814 he moved into the community of Liberty, De- Kalb County, Tennessee, and cast his membership
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with Salem Church in August of that year. Deacon William Martin says he was a preacher of the first order. Such endorsement from such a source is an honor of which anyone might be proud. He has a grandson, Major Burford, who is still living at Dixon's Springs, Smith County. Where he sleeps we know not, but God will find him in the resurrection at that day.
ELDER WILLIAM SIMMONS.
This faithful servant of God was a native of Smith County, Tennessee, but the date of his birth is not known. He gave his heart to God and united with Dixon's Creek Church, September, 1832. He was uneducated, but God laid his hand upon him and anointed him for the ministry. His church, hav- ing discovered his gifts, licensed him to preach in September, 1836, and in March, 1838, he was or- dained to the full work of the gospel ministry, by a Presbytery, viz .: Elders John Wiseman, Daniel Smith, W. C. Bransford, E. B. Haynie, E. W. Haile and William Terrill.
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