USA > Virginia > Virginia Baptist ministers. 5th series, 1902-1914, with supplement > Part 6
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
*This sketch (since it belongs to a former period) should have been in the "Supplement," rather than in the body of the book.
80
81
WILLIAM HARRISON WILLIAMS
Theological Seminary, then at Greenville, S. C., he was useful in the army as chaplain, in the field, and at Camp Winder, Richmond. His first pastorate was at Freder- icksburg, where he remained, from July, 1865, some fourteen months. He now resumed his studies at Green- ville, and after two sessions, in May, 1868, received his diploma as "full graduate." In October, 1868, he became pastor of the First Baptist Church, Charleston, S. C., and after eleven months left Charleston to take charge of the Baptist Church in Staunton, Va. During the two years of his pastorate in Staunton there was established in that town, under the presidency of Prof. John Hart, a dis- tinguished educator, a school for young women. In Tuscaloosa, also, where Dr. Williams became pastor in January, 1872, there was a school for young women, known as the Alabama Central Female College. During the larger part of his residence in Tuscaloosa, besides his church work he was instructor at the college in Moral Philosophy and English Literature. In November, 1877, he took charge of the church at Charlottesville, Va. From Charlottesville he moved to Missouri, becoming an editor.
The list of churches of which Dr. Williams was pastor gives evidence of his high rank as a preacher, and makes an estimate of his pulpit work unnecessary. His bearing was courteous and gracious, his manner winsome. At associational and Sunday-school gatherings he was always a welcome speaker, and his addresses to children gave them much delight. The zeal and earnestness of the man is put into clear light by an incident which came to the knowledge of Rev. N. O. Sowers. Young Wil- liams, at the age of eighteen, undertook colporteur work in Frederick County, Virginia. In his first visit he encountered an infidel, who told him that two-thirds of the preachers were going to hell. This rebuff led the
82
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
young colporteur to return to the home of Mrs. S. S. Gore, his headquarters, with the conviction that he needed more grace for his work. This good woman found him on his knees wrestling in prayer for the needed strength. When he started out again he came to a home where the parents were away at work; here he taught the children about God and Jesus in so excellent a way that the parents were led to conversion and church mem- bership. A conversation with a man in the field at his work made such an impression for good that ten years afterward when the man presented himself for church membership he said that the words of the young col- porteur had led him to Christ.
Dr. Williams was survived by his wife and six chil- dren, one of whom is now a minister of the gospel, namely, Rev. Wm. Harrison Williams, and another, Mrs. Everette Gill, missionary to Italy.
JAMES ALLISON DAVIS 1827-1903
James Allison Davis was born in Washington County, Virginia, February 22, 1827. While his early educa- tional opportunities were not good, he made excellent use of the chances he had, and at the age of twenty-two was himself a school-teacher. It was in Caldwell County, Kentucky, that he wielded the pedagogue's rod, and it was at this period and place that he was born again. Although he had been reared under Presbyterian influ- ences, his own study of the Scriptures led him to adopt Baptist views, and he was baptized by Rev. J. W. Mans- field (who was a native of Albemarle County, Virginia) into the fellowship of the Little River Church. In 1850, at Blountville, Tenn., he was licensed and ordained, Rev. Noah Cate being the moderator of the presbytery. His first pastorate was of the Blountville and Holston Churches. In connection with this pastorate he did some evangelistic work.
In 1857 he settled at Marion, Va., organizing, or reorganizing, the church there, with 19 members. A meeting-house was erected and the work firmly estab- lished. In March, 1861, he became pastor of Enon Bap- tist Church, Hollins, where he remained until November, 1864. His next pastorate was at what is now known as Bedford City; then it was called Liberty. His going to the county-seat of Bedford was an epoch for him, for in this county the rest of his life, some thirty years, was to be spent, and here he died and was buried. He was pastor of the Liberty Church some eight years, and then began his work as a country pastor. The churches which
83
84
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
he served were Mt. Olivet, Flint Hill, Diamond Hill, Beaver Dam, Shady Grove, Mt. Zion, Walnut Grove, New Prospect, Suck Spring, Mt. Hermon, Hunting Creek, Pleasant View, Beulah, Flat Creek, and Quakers. The reader, remembering that usually the Virginia Bap- tist country pastor has four churches, will understand the better this long list of names; he will also see with the mind's eye this man of God going long distances to his appointments over the red Bedford roads, which are often muddy in winter and dusty in summer.
Mr. Davis was fond of a horse, aimed to have a good one, and then believed in going at a good speed. When he and J. R. Harrison were associated as fellow-pastors they named their horses respectively "John Bunyan" and "John the Baptist." During a part of his life in Bed- ford, when he was missionary of the State Mission Board, his field was wide and his labors abundant. The State Mission Report for 1872 shows that he had that year more conversions in meetings held with pastors than any other missionary. The report says: "Brother Jas. A. Davis has been laboriously and successfully employed in the Strawberry Association. He baptized 80 converts and held meetings with pastors in which there were over 200 conversions." The following year the State Mission Report showed that he baptized 42 converts and aided pastors in meetings in which there were 97 conversions. On one occasion he was urged to hold a meeting in a union Sunday school which was rather out of his terri- tory. He consented to go provided that the two brethren urging him to come should make three lists of the uncon- verted people in the neighborhood and covenant with him to pray three times every day, until the meeting began, for each of these persons. This was done, and a great meeting followed, resulting in the organization of a church and finally the formation of a new field and the building of a parsonage.
85
JAMES ALLISON DAVIS
Mr. Davis exerted a strong influence for good in the Strawberry Association. He was a man of piety and great missionary zeal. Once he was driving along not far from the towering Flat Top Mountain. His com- panion was the young pastor he was helping in a meeting. The meeting had not been successful. He proposed that they should tie the horse and enter the woods for a season of secret prayer for the meeting, each one going in a different direction. He brought the new leaven of mis- sions and benevolence into practical effect in the Straw- berry. Prof. H. H. Harris attributed mainly to him the transformation in those vital matters that came to pass at this period in this Association. Dr. C. A. Board, for years the clerk of the body, gave the same testimony. "His great personality, gentleness, zeal, and persistent effort, with tact and power of organization, qualified him to lead."
Rev. W. S. Royall, who was for many years pastor of the Bedford City Church, says: "Brother Davis was an efficient leader. In the pulpit he was strong, and his sermons were thoroughly studied and well pre- pared. His handsome face, commanding figure, incor- ruptible life, and earnest delivery added great influence and force to his words. As pastor he loved his people, visited them faithfully, and manifested deepest sympathy and gentleness. The people believed in him, followed him, and loved him." Not only was he successful in evangelistic preaching himself, but he called to his aid for protracted-meeting work in his own churches, strong and zealous men. In a letter written to the Herald, November 8, 1888, he tells how R. D. Hay- more helped him in a meeting at Mt. Olivet, C. G. Jones in one at Mt. Zion, and that meetings were planned for Walnut Grove and New Prospect, J. R. Harrison being the preacher at the former and J. M. Luck at the latter church.
86
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
During the years after the War he was called on very often to marry colored couples. They did not hesitate to make him ride long distances for these functions, yet never paid him anything for his services. It became an imposition and a nuisance, from which he finally secured relief by demanding pay before he started. He was twice married, first, on March 4, 1861, to Miss Martha E. Hamilton, and, after having been a widower several years, the second time to Miss Susan A. Jeffries, of Cul- peper. His wife, four sons, and five daughters survived him. Two of his daughters married Baptist preachers, namely, Rev. J. W. Wildman, of Yancey Mills, Va., and Rev. J. M. Street, of Cumberland, Va. Robert Hamilton, Mary Alice (Mrs. Wildman), William Cute, and Laura A. were the children of the first wife. James Ambrose, Nannie Moore, Richard Tyree, and Sarah Judson (Mrs. Street ) were the children of the second wife. During his last illness, which was a lingering one, his children came from long distances to bestow upon him the love and care of which he was so worthy. He faced death, which came to him in Bedford City, October 8, 1903, "with tranquil faith and the courage of a conqueror." His body rests in the Longwood Cemetery, Bedford City, not far from the grave of "Father" Wm. Harris.
WYCLIFFE YANCEY ABRAHAM 1850-1903
About a mile from Goshen Bridge, Va., where a furnace village now stands, there was for many years a home whose hospitable doors swung open to scores, perhaps hundreds, of guests. This was the home of Mr. John W. Abraham. With his wife, he moved from Buckingham County to Rockbridge when his only child, Wycliffe, who was born June 8, 1850, was very young. So the boy grew up in the Goshen neighborhood, and when still quite a youth accepted Christ and was baptized by the pastor, Rev. J. Wm. Jones, into the fellowship of the Goshen Bridge Baptist Church. The sunny enthusi- asm of his mother and the sterling worth of his father were indeed precious assets for the son. From such gracious home influences he passed on his way toward his life work. His academy work was done in Staunton, where he boarded for a season in the home of Rev. Geo. Boardman Taylor. He was at Richmond College during the sessions of 1869-70 and 1870-71, and then at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His ordination took place at the Goshen Bridge Church, March 30, 1879. He served, until a severe throat trouble and deafness made further public ministerial work impossible, these churches : Deerfield, Craigsville, Fincastle, New Bethel, Pleasant Hill, and Greenville. Upon retiring from the active ministry, he lived first in Columbia, S. C., and then in Richmond, Va. In both of these cities he was an earnest and effective Christian worker. In the former city he organized a Sunday school which grew into the Second Church; he preached regularly for this flock,
87
88
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
doing also pastoral work, until they were strong to call an undershepherd. In Richmond his membership was first at Grace Street and then at Immanuel. He was married twice. His first wife, who was Miss Annie H. Broadus, the daughter of Rev. Dr. John A. Broadus, died while he was living in Columbia, leaving a son and a daughter. His second wife, who was Miss Lelia Christian, daughter of Charles Christian, Esq., of Buck- ingham County, survived him.
His death was sudden. He attended the session of the General Association of 1903 in Staunton, and on Mon- day, November 16th, before the body had adjourned, returned to Richmond. On the street car, as he was going from the station to his home, he was taken ill. The car was stopped and he was carried to a neighboring drug store, but in a few moments he was dead. Two days later, on November 18, 1903, his body was laid to rest in the cemetery in Staunton. Many will long remember his kindly spirit and great zeal for God's work. This sketch is based mainly on the obituary, in the Minutes of the General Association, prepared by Rev. Dr. W. J. Shipman.
NATHAN M. MUNDEN
1833-1903
In Princess Anne County, Virginia, and the adjoining counties, the career of Nathan M. Munden was run. He was a prophet not without honor in his own country. In Princess Anne County, that lies beside the sounding sea, on August 13, 1833, he first saw the light, and at Oak Grove Baptist Church, in the same county, he was bap- tized in 1855, while two years later he became the clerk of this body. That those who were nearest to him, and so, doubtless, knew him best, had a high regard for his character and ability, is plain, since this same church, in May, 1859, licensed him to preach, and the following year, in November, had secured his services as their pastor. His ordination having taken place in January, 1861, the presbytery consisting of Elders J. P. Ewell, H. J. Chandler, H. S. Banks, and M. R. Watkinson, he was pastor, though on account of the War not without interruptions, of Oak Grove until 1866. Again in 1872 he became the shepherd of this flock, ministering to them regularly until 1884, when he resigned and moved to Norfolk County. Here he labored faithfully until fail- ing health made it necessary for him to give up preach- ing. More than one long pastorate is evidence of his sterling character and worth. He was pastor of Black Water for twenty-two and of Pleasant Grove for twenty- nine years. Lake Drummond was under his care for five years, and the First Church (Norfolk), St. John's, and Deep Creek for a shorter time. "His special fondness for souls, bright intellect, tenacious memory, gift of speech, genuine godliness, and genial disposition won for
89
90
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
him at once a place in the hearts of all he met." He was never a strong man physically, and finally a long but patient sufferer. He grew old gracefully, becoming more tender as the end drew near. The night of Novem- ber 19, 1903, he fell on sleep, having reached his three- score years and ten. His wife, who, for forty-five years, had been his faithful companion and helpmeet, still sur- vives him. His pastor, whose obituary has furnished the facts for this sketch, conducted the funeral service, assisted by Rev. N. B. Foushee, of the Methodist Church. The body was laid to rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
ROBERT RHODAM LUNSFORD
1828-1903
Rhodam Lunsford, who was of English descent, and whose ancestors settled in the Northern Neck of Vir- ginia, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His son, Merriman Lunsford, was a Baptist preacher and one of the pioneer Baptist preachers in Piedmont Virginia, to which section of the State he moved when he was a young man, settling in Bedford County. Here he was pastor, for forty years, of the Blue Ridge Church, and for many years of the Glade Creek Church. He married Miss Susan Mills, and of this union three children were born, the youngest child and the only son being Robert Rhodam Lunsford, who was born February 29, 1828. Since both the Mills and Lunsford families were remarkable for their strong piety and religious convictions, it is not surprising that young Lunsford's early training was under the best religious influences. His family was probably connected with that of Elder Lewis Lunsford, who was such a power in the early history of Virginia Baptists. When the boy was about four years old his father moved to the southern part of Botetourt County, where he purchased a farm on Goose Creek. Here father and son spent the remainder of their days. Since his father's means were limited and the opportunities for a college education rarer than to-day, the young man never saw the halls of a college, but he was a great student, having the faculty of master- ing whatever he undertook. So his education was by no means limited to the training of the common schools of his day. In after years he taught school, with many grown men as pupils; thus his income and his influence
91
92
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
were enlarged. On December 17, 1849, he was married to Sarah Ann Lemon, and soon afterwards both husband and wife united with Glade Creek Baptist Church and were buried with Christ in baptism, the ceremony being performed by Elder A. B. Brown. For this distin- guished preacher Mr. Lunsford always had the highest esteem and affection, treasuring in his library the "Life and Writings of Dr. A. B. Brown," written by Dr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Hatcher.
Soon after his union with the church he began to exercise his gifts, and, being encouraged by his brethren, was licensed to preach. Upon the death of his father, on June 17, 1862, the Glade Creek Church turned to him to be their pastor, and, on August 1, sent a request to the Strawberry Association, then in session at the Beaver Dam Church, Bedford County, asking for a pres- bytery to consider the propriety of ordaining him whom they had already licensed. The request was granted, and Elders William Harris, J. R. Harrison, G. W. Leftwich, D. Staley, Pleasant Brown, N. Leslie, Alexander Eubank, and F. N. Sanderson were appointed as the presbytery, with instructions to "visit the church, examine into the propriety of ordaining Brother Lunsford, and to ordain him to the gospel ministry if deemed expedient." A few weeks later the ordination took place, and in the fall of 1862 he became pastor of Glade Creek, in which relation- ship he continued until his death. During this long period he served various other churches in that general section of the country, Blue Ridge and Mountain View (in the Strawberry) and Cove Alum and Cave Rock (in the Valley) being among the number. £ Though he accepted such salaries as the churches gave him, such compensation was with him a secondary matter, and he depended upon his farm, which he worked with his own hands, for his livelihood. He was most hospitable in his
93
ROBERT RHODAM LUNSFORD
nature, and the guest was always welcome in his home. Since his house was on one of the leading highways of the State, many a passing preacher of his own and of other denominations found rest and comfort beneath his roof. He believed in foot-washing as a church ordi- nance, and his Glade Creek Church kept up this practice to the end of his life, though every other church in his Association had given it up. He wrote a pamphlet on this subject which was widely circulated.
About a year before his death his health failed, but, securing brethren as supplies, he continued as pastor of his Glade Creek flock to the end. Two weeks after a stroke of paralysis, on August 6, 1903, while the Straw- berry Association that he loved so well and had attended so regularly was in session and praying for him, he passed to his reward. His wife survived him, and, on July 12, 1907, followed him to rest. His children are Paulina Frances (Mrs. Mark A. Calhoun), Marshall Taylor Lunsford, Mary Alice (Mrs. Jacob A. Zimmer- man), Christley Merriman Lunsford, and Griffin Gabriel Lunsford.
JAMES FRANKLIN MAIDEN 1823-1903
The story of a man, who, in one year, delivered 322 sermons, baptized 47 persons, had 3 meeting-houses in process of erection, and preached at 20 points, could but be of interest if fully known. Unfortunately, the life of James Franklin Maiden, who, in 1880, had the fore- going figures in his report to the State Mission Board, is not before us in detail. Evidently he was a man of energy and force. Augusta County, the county that gave Woodrow Wilson to the world, was, on February 21, 1823, Mr. Maiden's birthplace. The family moved (in just what year is not known) to Botetourt County, settling near Fincastle, the county-seat. It was at this time and place that he had his early religious impressions. "He determined to pray that he might become better, and to be a secret Christian. He grew worse instead of better." The conversion of his brothers, John and Samuel, and their baptism, and his mother's, into the fellowship of the Zion's Hill Baptist Church, brought to him deep conviction, and he was certain that he was born to be lost. A conference between his mother and Pastor L. P. Fellers, which led to their making a covenant to pray for the youth's conversion, was overheard by him. He was persuaded that their prayers would be in vain, being sure that he was doomed. A certain summer day he went to a thicket of pines to pray and to die, but "he that loseth his life shall find it" -- he came out of the woods rejoicing in the Lord. At the time of his union with Zion's Hill Church he felt that it was his duty to preach, but his limited education was an obstacle, so
94
95
JAMES FRANKLIN MAIDEN
years elapsed before he finally entered the ministry. When his parents made a second move, this time to Washington County, he went with them, and soon after this, in 1845, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Dutton, of Cedarville. At the time of their marriage she was a Lutheran, but before long she became a Baptist. She was the mother of ten children, of whom six survived their parents. This home became a home for preachers, and their influence may have led their host to begin hold- ing, in his own home and elsewhere in the community, cottage prayer-meetings. He was no little disturbed that the other brethren had more freedom in prayer than he did, but he persevered until he was counted very able in prayer. In 1852 he moved to Smyth County, where, in 1855, he bought the house in which he afterwards died. He was evidently increasingly interested in religious work, for he was one of the constituent members of the South Fork Church (Lebanon Association), and on April 15, 1871, was licensed to preach. Just a week later, at Blankenbeckler's Schoolhouse, the people heard his first sermon, and, having supplied the following winter at Maiden's Spring (now Mountain View), in Washington County, at the request of this church he was ordained at South Fork, June 16, 1872. During the winter of 1873, in meetings that he held at Friendship, Middle Fork, Gollehon's Schoolhouse, and South Fork, 154 persons were converted, of whom 131 were baptized into the fellowship of churches. More than once he was a missionary of the State Mission Board, and when he filled this position in 1877 his salary was, from the Board, $75, and from the Association, $100. As a result of his work at Long Hollow (Smyth County), Beaver Creek (now Oak Grove) Church soon came into being. He bore an important part in the organization of four other churches, namely, Cedar Bluff and Riverside,
96
VIRGINIA BAPTIST MINISTERS
both in the Lebanon, and State Line and Laurel in the New River Association. In the course of his ministry he was pastor of the following churches, besides those already named: Sugar Grove, Vision, South Side, Gren- field, in the Lebanon, and Liberty Hill, Galena, and Baptist Union, in the New River. He was married a second time, on October 8, 1888, the bride on this occa- sion being Miss Sarah Etta Slemp, who, with five sons and a daughter, survived him. His death, caused by pneumonia, occurred on South Fork, Smyth County, Virginia, November 24, 1903. His body was committed to the earth in the graveyard of Blankenbeckler's School- house, where his first sermon was preached. This sketch is based, in the main, on the obituary, in the Minutes of the General Association, by Rev. C. T. Taylor.
THERON WALLACE NEWMAN 1832-1903
While his father was a Methodist minister, Theron Wallace Newman, who was born July 25, 1832, became a Baptist and a Baptist minister. He was converted about the year 1853 and baptized by the Rev. Thaddeus Herndon into the fellowship of Antioch Church. Three years before this he had been married to Miss Eugenia E. Newman; this union was followed by fifty-three years of happy wedded life. After his ordination, in 1858, for some years he preached and traveled as an evangelist, his field of labor being mainly the Potomac Association. His life as pastor and preacher, for some forty-five years, was given to the Association. During this period he served the following churches for longer or shorter seasons : Liberty, Grove, Oakland, Zoar, Rock Hill, Falmouth, New Hope, Richland, Antioch, Mt. Carmel, Stafford's Store, Bealeton. His pastorate at the Grove extended from April, 1875, to 1891. During this time he baptized into the fellowship of this church 157 persons, and large congregations attended upon his preaching. This church, the Grove, has an interesting history. It was organized in 1811. Back in the eighteenth century there was a rich old bachelor, named Thomas Skinner, who turned his house into a meeting- house and built near it a smaller dwelling, where he lived; he planted a row of sycamore trees and a grove of apple trees, and, at his death, though not a Baptist, willed this property to the Baptist Church that was yet to be born; this is where the Grove Church now stands. Mr. Skinner's interest in the Baptists was from what he
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.