The Early History of Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Church, Part 2, Covington, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/covington/church/pilgrimbap2.txt =============================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Robert Taylor and Scott Smith ================================================================================= November 2000 See PART 1 at http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/covington/church/pilgrimbap1.txt The Early History of Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Church, Part 2 Rose Hill, Covington County, AL by Scott R. Smith, Ed. D. March 1866 Received Sis. Molsey Fortune by letter. April 1866 The church "took up the case of Brother James R. Brazill for his long absence and misconduct in camps and the clerk to write and get an answer whether he desires fellowship with us or not." Then took up the case of "Bryant a colored brother and Sally a colored sister for absenting themselves without applying for letters of dismission and tested their fellowship of the church which terminated in their exclusion." Called Eld. Dozier as pastor for ensuing year. May 1866 Continued the case of James R. Brazill until next conference. June 1866 Chose James Parker, J. G. Curenton, W. W. Taylor, J. R. Price and James Jackson (alternate) as delegates to district meeting. Clerk to prepare letter. July 1866 Received Sis. Elizabeth Carter "on confession of faith." Restored Bro. Allen Driskell, Jr. to fellowship. Continued the case of James R. Brazell. Read and received letter to the district meeting. August 1866 Authorized the deacons to make further inquiries as to James R. Brazell's present post office address and report at next conference. Chose J. G. Curenton, W. W. Taylor, and James Parker (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. For printing minutes of association: $2.50. September 1866 Continued case of James R. Brazill. Read and received letter to association. October 1866 Took up case of Brazill "and continued the same and the clerk to write to him concerning the charge." November 1866 Tested the fellowship of James R. Brazill and excluded him. December 1866 Took up the Brazill case again and continued it [?]. Granted letters of dismission for Allen Driskell, Jr. and his wife. January 1867 Continued the case of James R. Brazill. February 1867 Received by letter Nancy Hicks, Rhody Hicks, and Sis. R. A. Dozier. Took up case of James R. Brazill and "disposed of same which terminated in his exclusion." April 1867 Unanimously called Eld. Daniel Dozier as pastor for ensuing year. May 1867 Received Bro. M. M. Hix [Hicks] by experience. Chose delegates to district meeting: J. G. Curenton, James Jackson, Albert Curenton, J. R. Price, and James Rowell (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. Brother Curenton to get lumber "for the accommodation of the district meeting and call on the bretheren to assist him in the same." June 1867 Received Nancy Williamson by experience. Read and adopted letter to district meeting. July 1867 The following minutes (dated July 26, 1867) of the district meeting. Introductory sermon delivered by Eld. T. J. Gardner. Chose Eld. Dozier as moderator and S. E. Williams as clerk. Heard correspondence from third district and extended right hand of fellowship to their visiting delegates, J. Stinson and C Magouirk. Returned correspondence to the third district. Appointed Eld. Dozier to preach introductory sermon at next district meeting and Eld. Long to be his alternate. Granted request of New Providence to host next district meeting. August 1867 Chose delegates to association: J. G. Curenton, W. W. Taylor, J. R. Price (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. Contribution of $3.00 for printing associational minutes. September 1867 Resolved "that our delegates form a committee to inspect our letter to the Association." October 1867 J. M. Jackson served as clerk pro-tem. No business. February 1868 H. Parrish served as clerk pro-tem. No business. March 1868 Margaret Scofield granted letter of dismission. Eld. Dozier called as pastor for ensuing year. April 1868 Took up the case of M. M. Hicks for non-attendance. Appointed J. G. Curenton and J. R. Price to visit him and determine cause of his delinquence. Appointed committee of James Parker, James Rowell, and James M. Jackson to "purchase land for the enlargement of meeting house site." May 1868 Took up the Hicks matter and indicated that Hicks "gave satisfaction;" discharged the committee. Chose J. G. Curenton, James Parker, J. R. Price, W. W. Taylor, and J. M. Jackson (alternate) delegates to district meeting. Clerk to prepare letter. June 1868 Read and received the letter to the district meeting. Heard the report from the committee and agreed to purchase one acre of W. B. Stewart and two acres of Sister Martha Jackson. August 1868 Received Mary B. Stewart by letter. Took up the matter of land purchase and referred it to next conference. Chose James M. Jackson, J. R. Price, and W. W. Taylor (alternate) as delegates to the Association. Charged the clerk to prepare the letter. Changed the regular communion service to the September meeting. Established regular meeting times as 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 10:00 a.m. on Sundays. September 1868 Read and received the letter to the Association. October 1868 Continued the business of the meeting house site until next conference. November 1868 Continued the business of the meeting house site until next conference. January 1869 Continued the business of the meeting house site until next conference. Then, took up the case of Brother [William] Carpenter "for taking the benefit of the insovent oath and that we call on Good Hope and Union churches for help in our counsel at our next conference. Bretheren Rowell and Jackson [appointed] as messengers to Good Hope Church and Bretheren Curenton and Parker [appointed] as messengers to Union Church. [Obviously, in this case, the Pilgrim's Rest Church did not know what to do. Some churches were of the opinion that those who declared bankruptcy were unworthy of membership.--SRS] February 1869 Continued the business of the meeting house site. Then, took up the case of William Carpenter "for the act of bankruptcy and at his request excluded him." March 1869 Took up the matter of the meeting house site and "purchased from Sister Martha Jackson two acres of land at $5.00 per acre; resolved that the committee meet at their own option between now and next conference and take a deed for the land and that next conference to pay the purchase money." April 1869 Received Mary Jane Inglish [English] by experience. Took up the reference concerning the deed for the two acres of land and paid Sis. Martha Jackson the purchase price of $10.00. Called Eld. Dozier to serve the church as pastor for ensuing year. May 1869 Continued the business of the land deed until next conference. Granted Sis. Rhoda Harvill, at request of her mother, a letter of dismission. June 1869 Read the deeds and returned them to the deacon and discharged the committee. Chose J. G. Curenton, J. R. Price, James Parker, J. M. Jackson, and W. W. Taylor (alternate) as delegates to district meeting. Clerk authorized to write letter. July 1869 No conference. August 1869 Received Sisters Luannah and L. V. Curenton by experience. Chose J. G. Curenton, J. R. Price, and James Parker (alternate) as delegates to Association. Clerk to write letter to be inspected at next conference. Authorized $5.00 for associational minutes. September 1869 Contributed $3.25 for minutes, "which left 25 cents in the hands of the treasurer." Read and approved letter to Association. October 1869 Received Lodge Langly, his wife Judia Langly, and Celia McMichael by letter. November 1869 "Brother J. G. Curenton made application for letters of dismission for himself and his wife and mother and sister, which were all granted." January 1870 "Brother James M. Jackson made application for letters of dismission for himself and wife and mother and two sisters which was granted." February 1870 Jacob P. Merrill and his wife Elefare were received by letter. Lodge Langly requested letters of dismission for himself, his wife, and his daughter, which letters were granted. Took up choice of a deacon and referred to next conference. William Carpenter restored to fellowship. April 1870 Matter of deacon referred to next conference. Eld. Daniel Dozier elected unanimously as pastor for ensuing year. May 1870 J. P. Merill appointed clerk pro-tem. Received John A. Taylor and his wife Rebecca by letter. Chose as delegates to district meeting J. A. Taylor, J. R. Price, William Carpenter, James Parker, and J. P. Merill (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. June 1870 Choice of deacon referred to next conference. Letter to district meeting read and approved. July 1870 Received John H. Jones by experience. James R. Price made acknowledgement of a fight and was forgiven. August 1870 Continued the reference of M. H. Hicks from last conference [?]. Chose John A. Taylor, J. P. Merill, and James Parker (alternate) as associational delegates. Clerk to prepare letter. September 1870 M. H. Hicks matter referred to next conference. [Copy is very dim.] It seems that Mrs. Hicks applied for a letter of dismission and that the church also made John A.Taylor treasurer. October 1870 The matter of M. H. Hicks was again taken up and the clerk was asked to write to Hicks. John H. Jones was clerk pro-tem for this meeting. [Copy very dim; this is the writer's best approximation of the minutes.--SRS] November 1870 Received Sis. A. R. Dozier by experience and received two colored sisters under the watchcare of the church. Only the name of Lucy Brooks is legible. The case of Hicks was continued. [Copy very dim; this is the writer's best approximation of the minutes.--SRS] [The materials I examined do not contain minutes for the rest of 1870; nor are there minutes for 1871 and most of 1872. The legible copies resume with the minute for the conference of October 1872.--SRS] October 1872 Reference from last conference of choosing a deacon was continued. November 1872 Reference of choosing a deacon continued. December 1872 No conference. January 1873 The church chose J. P. Merill and James Parker as deacons and asked that the ordination "be postponed until the Saturday before the first Sabbath in March and we respectfully ask for a presbytery of Elders Solomon Long, Allen Driskell, and J. D. Hudson together with Brother Dozier our present pastor and that Brother Rowell be ---- [indecipherable]." February 1873 No conference. March 1873 Miscellaneous business: "Taken up when the church considered the nomination of James Parker to the deacon's office and that he be exonerated by reason of the death of his wife Sister Parker, on motion the Presbytery went into the examination and ordination of Brother J. P. Merrill to the office of Deacon and finding nothing to prevent his ordination, he was brought under the hands of the presbytery and set apart to the office of Deacon, done by order of the church while in conference." April 1873 Eld. Daniel Dozier unanimously called as pastor for the ensuing year. May 1873 Chose district delegates to district meeting: James Parker, W. W. Taylor, J. E. Rowell, J. P. Merill, and J. R. Price (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. June 1873 Read and received letter to the district meeting. August 1873 Chose delegates to the Associational meeting: J. P. Merill, James Parker, and W. W. Taylor (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. Donation for associational minutes [indeciphrable]. September 1873 Read and received letter to association; contributed $3.00 for associational minutes. Committee to examine church book finds the record correct. Charge against Sis. Mary Stewart for joining the Methodist society which "terminated in her exclusion." May 1874 Chose J. P. Merill, J. M. Price, W. W. Taylor, J. E. Rowell, and James Parker (alternate) as delegates to district meeting. Clerk to prepare letter. Daniel Dozier unanimously called to serve church in ensuing year. June 1874 Read and received letter to district meeting. August 1874 Chosen as delegates to Association: J. P. Merrill, W. W. Taylor, and J. E. Rowell (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. Make contribution of $3.00 for minutes of Association. September 1874 Received the letter to the Association and made contribution. Took up the case of Samuel Brooks (colored) and excluded him for theft. November 1874 Received James M. Straughn by experience and baptism. January 1875 Sister [Savannah] Carpenter made application for letter of dismission, which was granted. April 1875 Received A. C. Straughn and Sis. M. E. Straughn by experience and baptism. Called Daniel Dozier as pastor for the ensuing year. Referred the case of choosing a deacon to next conference. May 1875 Continued choice of deacon to next conference. Chose delegates to district meeting: J. M. Straughn, A. C. Straughn, W. W. Taylor, James Parker, and J. R. Price (alternate). Clerk to write letter to be "inspected at next conference." June 1875 Read and received letter to the district meeting with a "petition that the next district to convene with us." August 1875 Received Winneford Feagin and Mary Straughn b letter. Chose A. C. Straughn, W. W. Taylor, and J. R. Price (alternate) as delgates to the Association. Clerk to write letter to be "inspected at our next conference." Church should come "prepared to make contribution of $3.00 for printing of minutes." September 1875 Read and received letter to Association and made contribution for printing of minutes. November 1875 Colored brother George Clark made application for letter of dismission, which was granted. March 1876 Eld. Daniel Dozier called as pastor by unanimous vote. "Resolved to set apart our meeting in May to nominate and choose our deacons." May 1876 Referred choice of deacons to next conference. Eld. Dozier accepted care of the church for coming year. June 1876 Received Samuel Bowers and Mary Ann Stewart by experience. Dropped inquiry into deacons. Delegates to district meeting: W. W. Taylor, J. R. Price, J. M. Straughn, James Parker, and James Rowell (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. July 1876 Received J. A. Stewart by letter, a colored sister by the name of Mariah Brady by experience, and Sarah Bowers by experience. Read and received letter to district meeting. "Resolved that we debar all other denominations from this day forward the use of our pool for baptising." August 1876 Delegates to the Association: W. W. Taylor, A. C. Straughn, and J. A. Stewart (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter and church to make contribution of $2.00 for printing minutes of Association. September 1876 Church collected amount for minutes. November 1876 J. A. Stewart chosen as deacon. Elders Long and Russell to constitute a presbytery for his ordination. December 1876 Ordination of J. A. Stewart to office of deacon. Elders Long and Dozier were the ordaining presyters. February 1877 Application having been made by "S. A. Dauphin, Esquire for a letter of dismission for Sister Molsey Fortune, which was granted, to be placed in the hands of Mr. Dauphin to mail the same." Resolved that members would come prepared to make contribution for half-dozen hymnbooks and a Bible for the church. March 1877 Collected $4.55 for hymnbooks and Bible; asked Eld. Dozier to act as church's agent in their purchase. April 1877 Elder Dozier delivered the books with $1.45 left owing; church resolved to come on Sunday and repay Elder Dozier. Resolved that Bro. A. C. Straughn "take charge of the hymnbooks and make a case for the keeping of the same." Appointed J. A. Stewart and James Rowell to visit Bro. Windol Taylor and report at next conference. May 1877 Took up the case of Windol Taylor for not coming to the conferences, heard the report and discharged the committee. Authorized the clerk to write to Bro. and Sis. Bowers inquiring about their absences. Called Eld. Daniel Dozier as pastor for ensuing year. June 1877 Read a letter of acknowledgment from Bro. And Sis. Bowers and received it. Excluded Windol Taylor for non-attendance. Chose J. A. Stewart, J. M. Straughn, J. R. Price, James Parker, and A. C. Straughn (alternate) as delegates to the district meeting. Clerk to write letter. July 1877 Read and received letter to district meeting. August 1877 Received J. S. Kilpatrick by letter. Chose J. A. Stewart, J. M. Straughn, and A. C. Straughn (alternate) as delegates to Association. Clerk to prepare letter. September 1877 Read and received letter to the Association. Received contributions of $2.95 for printing minutes. May 1878 Chose J. M. Straughn, A. C. Straughn, J. R. Price, James Parker, and James Rowell (alternate) as delegates to the district meeting. Clerk to prepare letter. June 1878 Read and received letter to the district meeting. William Sport moderated the conference; Eld. Dozier was obviously absent. August 1878 Took up the case of Bro. Bowers and wife "for departing from our faith and joining the Methodist church." Appointed Bros. Rowe and James Parker "to visit them and request him to come forward on tomorrow and his reasons for doing so." [This was on Friday; the conference continued on Saturday.] "Took up the case of Bro. Bowers and wife for departing from our faith, heard the report of the committee, and discharged the same, tested the fellowship of Bro. Bowers and his wife and excluded the same from us." Chose A. C. Straughn, James Parker, and J. M. Straughn as delegates to the Association. Clerk to prepare letter. November 1878 [There had been no conferences in September and October.] "In consequence of the departure of our beloved Brother Daniel Dozier from our midst, we went into the choice a supply for the year, which choice resulted in Brother John D. Hudson unanimously." Appointed A. C. Straughn and J. R. Price to acquaint him of the call. William Sport moderated the conference. January 1879 Heard from the committee to acquaint Eld. Hudson with the church's choice of him as pastor and dismissed the committee. [Eld. Hudson evidently accepted the call to the church, but he did not begin his ministry with Pilgrim's Rest until April 1879. This conference was moderated by William Sport; there was no conference in February. The March conference was moderated by Eld. Solomon Long. No business of note.] April 1879 Granted Nancy Hudson a letter of dismission. Eld. J. D. Hudson moderated. May 1879 Received Bro. J. F. [?] Edwards and Sis. L. Edwards by letter. Chose J. Straughn, J. Price, J. H. Edwards, James Rowell, and A. Straughn (alternate) as delegates to district meeting. J. D. Hudson was appointed to write the letter. [James Parker the clerk was absent for several conferences. Eld. Hudson evidently took minutes as well as moderated.] June 1879 Letter for the district meeting was called for but not presented. August 1879 Chose J. F. Edwards, James Price, and James Rowell (alternate) as delegates to the Association. Called on Moderator to write letter. Agreed to send $2.50 for minutes. September 1879 Read and received letter to the Association. November 1879 Restored Bro. S. Bowers and wife to fellowship. [There are no minutes in the record for the next four months.] April 1880 Eld. J. D. Hudson called as pastor (unanimously) for the ensuing year. May 1880 Received Annie C. Dauphin by letter. "The church went into the choice of delegates to the district meeting. On motion, the moderator appointed one, and he appointed the next, and so on. The appointment is as follows: James Straughn, Samuel Bowers, James Price, F. J. Edwards (alternate). Clerk to prepare the letter. [This marked a dramatic departure from the normal practice of electing the delegates.--SRS] June 1880 Read and received the letter to the district meeting. August 1880 Chose James Straughn, Andrew Straughn, and James Price (alternate) as delegates to the Association; set aside $2.50 for minutes. No mention in the record of preparation of a letter to the Association, but one was written. September 1880 Read and received letter to the Association. Isaac Taylor moderated this conference. October 1880 Church went into consideration of a deacon and chose Isaac Taylor. Elders J. D. Hudson and M. L. Dauphin then formed a presbytery, laid hands on him and ordained him deacon. [Again, this matter is unusual. Normally, some time would elapse between selection of a deacon and formation of a presbytery for his ordination.--SRS] March 1881 Offered opportunity for reception of members: "One came forward who did not give satisfaction and was put off until next meeting." Eld. J. D. Hudson and wife presented letters of dismission from Good Hope Church and were received. May 1881 Elected Eld. J. D. Hudson, Samuel Bowers, J. M. Straughn, Isaac Taylor, and A. C. Straughn (alternate) as delegates to the district meeting. June 1881 Letter to the district meeting read and received. Letter from Mary R. Stewart was read; after consultation, received her into fellowship, after which the church granted her a letter of dismission. August 1881 Received Sisters Winney Straughn and M. A. Bowers by experience and baptism. Chose delegates to Association: Eld. J. D. Hudson, J. M. Straughn, and James Price (alternate). "On motion of the church, agreed to write a letter to Elder W. P. Stanley requesting him to serve as assistant pastor to the Pilgrim's Rest Church for the present year. On motion, it was agreed that the moderator appoint a committee of two to notify Bro. Stanley of the call of the church;" J. M. Straughn and James Rowell were appointed. September 1881 Received Sis. E. C. Dauphin on experience and baptism and Sis. M. A. Stewart by letter. Read and received letter to association. Contributed $3.00 for minutes. "Brother J. D. Hudson came forward and gave the church satisfaction for some idle tales which have been reported on him, and the church forgave Brother Elder J. D. Hudson and say they are satisfied." Received report that Eld. Stanley "agreed to attend them as often as possibly could, but did not agree to serve them every meeting. On motion of the church, James Parker was released of his duties as church clerk and Isaac Taylor was appointed to that office. Made up $15.00 as a "church pot." [Following this very eventful meeting, there were no conferences in October, November , and Decemberof 1881] January 1882 Received J. J. Ganus by letter. On motion, "the church relieved Bro. Isaac Taylor of the clerkship and appointed Bro. J. J. Ganus to the office. April 1882 The church conducted no business. Isaac Taylor served as moderator pro-tem. This normally would be the conference for calling a pastor. May 1882 Eld. J. D. Hudson moderated the conference; no business. June 1882 Received Sis. Alice Wetherford by experience and baptism. Chose district delegates: Eld. J. D. Hudson, Isaac Taylor, J. F. Edwards, James Price and A. C. Straugh (alternate). The church charged Samuel Bowers "with refusing to fellowship colored members of the church and asked to be expelled. On motion, the fellowship of the church was tested, and Samuel Bowers expelled from the church." July 1882 On motion, "the church gives Bro. Isaac Taylor the right to exercise in public, according to his feelings." [This was, in effect, a license to preach.] August 1882 Chose Eld. J. D. Hudson, Isaac Taylor, and Andrew Straughn (alternate) as delegates to Association. September 1882 Read, amended, and received letter to the Association. Contributed $3.00 towards printing minutes. December 1882 Received A. H. Nelson and his wife A. L. Nelson by letter. February 1883 Granted letter of dismission to Sis. Mary J. Atwell. March 1883 The case of Caroline Bryan was taken up "for using profane language; her being insane, [the case] was postponed until called for." April 1883 Eld. Joel Helms moderated the conference; no business reported and no indication that the church called a pastor. May 1883 Received brother C. H. Holloway by experience and baptism. Received "at the water Sabbath morning brother Daniel Ganey by experience and baptism. Eld. J. D. Hudson chosen pastor; he agreed to give an answer at next conference. June 1883 Eld. J. D. Hudson agreed to serve as pastor "as long as he stayed with us." Chose delegates to district meeting: Isaac Taylor, Eld. J. D. Hudson, A. H. Nelson, A. C. Straughn, and Daniel Ganey (alternate). July 1883 Read and received letter to the district meeting, along with petition that next meeting be held with Pilgrim's Rest. August 1883 In the minute for the conference dated "Saturday before the fourth Sabbath in August," the church went into the matter of a charge against Bro. A. H. Nelson and read into the record a letter received from Valley Grove Church, Cowpens, AL, dated September 9, 1883: "We the Church of Christ at Valley Grove have received your request from Pilgrim's Rest and have investigated the charges against Bro. A. H. Nelson and by gospel testimony have found them to be false. We know nothing against Bro. Nelson. Done by the church in conference . Yours in gospel bonds." [The date of this letter must have been miscopied by the clerk. It could not have been written in September of 1883 if it was received a month earlier by Pilgrim's Rest.--SRS] J. J. Cleveland moderated this conference and G. W. Sims acted as clerk. September 1883 Read and received the letter to the Association. "Read and received a letter to send to the Hopewell Church in Texas asking them to call in the joint letter that they granted James A. Stewart and Sis. M. A. Stewart his wife, also stating a reason for the same." Heard report from committee appointed to visit Bro. J. F. Edwards for non-attendance; the church was satisfied and the committee discharged. Contributed $2.50 for minutes of Association. Heard letter from Valley Grove Church in Tallapoosa County, AL stating that "the charges that George Y. Jarvis charged . . ." [The remainder of the minute of this conference is missing. I believe the material was miscopied into the minutes for the August conference, as indicated above.--SRS] November 1883 By request of Elder John D. Hudson, the church granted a letter of dismission to him and his wife Sis. Mary A. Hudson and Bro. J. F. Edwards. J. D.Hudson moderated the conference. There was no conference for December. January 1884 Went into the choice of a deacon; chose John J. Ganus. Chose Elders Joel Helms and Marcus L. Dauphin to "assist in the ordination of Bro. John J. Ganus to the office of a deacon and that Brothers Isaac Taylor and James Rowell prepare and bear a letter to Elder Helms stating the request of the church and that Bretheren J. R. Price and A. H. Nelson prepare and bear a letter to Elder Dauphin stating the request of the church to him." The church then went on to call the pastor for the year. Eld. John D. Hudson was called. Isaac Taylor made application on behalf of Sis. Alice Wetherford for a letter of dismission, which was granted. Appointed Isaac Taylor treasurer. February 1884 John J. Ganus was examined by the presbytery and "finding him orthodox, he was brought under the hands of the presbytery and set apart for the office of deacon." On motion, the church appointed Bros. James Rowell and John J. Ganus "to visit Bro. J. A. Stewart in regard to the charges brought against him from Hopewell Church in Texas. March 1884 Reference: "The committee that was appointed to visit Bro. James A. Stewart made their report and the church was satisfied and the committee was discharged." The clerk will prepare a letter for inspection at next conference indicating that Stewart gave satisfaction to the church and that "he desires to live a different life." Note: Isaac Taylor moderated this conference. April 1884 Read, revised, and received letter to Hopewell Church in Texas stating that Bro. James A. Stewart "has made satisfaction to us and we desire the church at Hopewell to forgive and send Bro. James A. Stewart a letter of dismission." Eld. John D. Hudson authorized to buy a church book for one dollar. May 1884 Chose delegates to district meeting: Isaac Taylor, J. J. Ganus, A. C. Straughn, Daniel Ganey, J. R. Price (alternate). On motion, J. J. Ganey relieved of clerkship. Appointed A. H. Nelson as clerk. June 1884 Bro. Ganus was to prepare a letter to the district meeting for the church's inspection. July 1884 Martha Mancill and W. H. Caraway received on experience and baptism. Minutes of the Fourth District Meeting at Pilgrim's Rest. Introductory sermon by Eld. M. L. Dauphin. Eld. J. D. Hudson named moderator and L. T. Wells clerk. Took up matters of correspondence, especially with churches in the third district. Next meeting to be at Ivy Creek Church near Rutledge in Crenshaw Co., Eld. Y. E. Hughes to preach the introductory sermon. Vote of thanks to Pilgrim's Rest "and many kind friends in the vecinity" for their hospitality. August 1884 Received James A. Stewart by letter. Chose delegates to Association: Daniel Ganey, J. J. Ganus, and J. R. Price (alternate). September 1884 Read and received letter to Association. Donates $2.50 for printing associational minutes.. [No copies of minutes for the remainder of 1884.--SRS] January 1885 Excluded James A. Stewart for drunkenness. The new church book received. Committee appointed to look over old book and report back as soon as possible. Committee: Samuel Bowers and Daniel Ganey. [Obviously, Samuel Bowers had been restored to membership in an earlier conference.--SRS] March 1885 Reference: "received the report of the committee on the examination of the church book and the committee discharged." April 1885 Bro. W. H. Caraway applied for a letter of dismission which was granted. The treasurer asked the members to come prepared to make contributions at next conference. Bro. Samuel Bowers made a request for the liberty to talk in the church and the church gave him this liberty. May 1885 Received Martha Robbins by experience and baptism. Donations of $1.50 to church treasury. Chose delegates to district meeting: J. J. Ganus, J. R. Price, A. H. Nelson, Isaac Taylor. Church gave clerk 25 cents for paper and authorized the treasurer to buy a bucket for the church. June 1885 Received Sis. E. M. Hudson by experience and baptism. Read and received letter to district meeting. July 1885 Sis. A. R. Dozier granted letter of dismission. August 1885 Bro. C. E. Nelson and Sis. S. E. Nelson received by letter. Chose delegates to Association: J. J. Ganus, A. C. Straughn, and J. R. Price (alternate). Clerk to prepare letter. Authorized contribution of $2.50 for minutes. [The copies of the minutes for the next several months are illegible.-- SRS] November 1885 Bro. Windol W. Taylor came forward, made acknowledgments, and was restored to fellowship. Choice of supply fell unanimously upon Eld. Harmon Gatlin. The clerk to send a letter informing him of the call and report back at next conference. December 1885 Received Bros. T. B. Williams, W. L. Williams, Isaac Williams, and Sisters E. A. Williams, S. A. Williams, and N. E. Williams--all by letter. Reference: matter of the call to Bro. Gatlin referred to next conference. January 1886 The matter of the call of Bro. Gatlin was taken up and the committee discharged; Gatlin declined the call. Matter of supply then re- opened and John D. Hudson unanimously called. March 1886 Business of fixing the pool for baptisms taken up. Bro. Bowers undertakes the work. A. C. Straughn, J. F. Edwards, and M. D. Jones serve on committee to inspect the work and "report the value thereof." April 1886 Bro. J. F. Edwards was restored to fellowship. Church promises to fix the pool for baptismal purposes. [I believe whoever transcribed the record got the dates of March and April conferences mixed up.--SRS] May 1886 Received N. A. Campbell and W. T. Robbins by baptism and Meleta Jones by letter. Reference: took up the matter of the baptismal pool; committee reported the work worth $10.00, which the church promised to pay. Appointed Isaac Taylor treasurer. Chose delegates for district meeting: A. C. Straughn, J. R. Price, J. G. Ganus, W. W. Taylor, and Isaac Taylor (alternate). Appointed A. H. Nelson, M. D. Jones, and C. E. Nelson to examine church books and report at next conference. June 1886 Committee reported the church books were in good order. August 1886 James A. Stewart came forward and made acknowledgments and was "restored back to the church with his bisopric [deaconship?]." Chose delegates to Association: J. J. Ganus, Isaac Taylor, W. W. Taylor (alternate). Authorizes $3.00 contribution for minutes. Appointed a committee consisting of Bros. Samuel Bowers, A. C. Straughn, and W. W. Taylor to "inspect a place for holding the Association and preparing the place." September 1886 Committee inspecting place for Association meeting reported and was discharged. Letter to Association read and adopted. October 1886 Bros. T. B. and W. S. and J. F. Williams and Sisters E. A. and S. A. and N. E. Williams all granted letters of dismission. November 1886 Matter of paying Bro. Bowers for building pool: $7.20 paid; balance due $2.80. December 1886 Elder J. D. Hudson called unanimously as pastor for ensuing year. Money for pool paid to Bro. Bowers. April 1887 The church authorized Bro. James Stewart to exercise a public gift in our own bounds. [This sounds like Stewart wanted to preach and was allowed to do so only within this church; his previous record certainly failed to commend him as a role model.--SRS] May 1887 Conference convened after "divine service by Bro. James Stewart, and Elder B. F. Stuckey, and Elder J. D. Hudson." Received Sis. H. E. Edwards "on confession of faith, giving her experience in grace." [Bro. Stewart wasted no time in exercising his "public gift."--SRS] June 1887 Chose delegates to the district meeting: John Ganus, A. C. Straughn, J. R. Price, Windol Taylor, and J. A. Stewart (alternate). Isaac Taylor announced that the baptismal pool was "out of order." Committee to repair it: James Stewart, A. C. Straughn, and Samuel Bowers. Isaac Taylor moderated this conference. July 1887 Letter to district meeting read and adopted. Bro. James A. Stewart made acknowledgments of drunkenness and "requested the church to exclude him, as he thought, for the good of the church. The church was unanimous in forgiving Bro. Stewart and retaining him in full fellowship." Resolved to meet before the 4th Sabbath to clean the house and the church yards; neighbors and friends were invited to assist. August 1887 Bro. James A. Stewart was charged with drunkenness. "A motion was made and carried to test the fellowship of the church for Bro. Stewart, which test resulted in his exclusion." Bro. Isaac Taylor acknowledged "hurting the feelings of some of the bretheren, though unintentionally, and asked their forgiveness, which was granted." Representatives to 60th session of the Association: W. W. Taylor, J. J. Ganus, and A. C. Straughn (alternate). The clerk to prepare the letter; the church to come prepared to donate $3.00 for minutes. September 1887 Solomon Long preached and moderated the conference. Letter to the Association was read and adopted. Bro. C. H. Holloway granted a letter of dismission. On motion, to choose a pastor to serve the church the remainder of the year "on account of Bro. Hudson's absence." Church voted unanimously to call Eld. Simeon D. Wiggins to serve until January 1, 1888. Bros. J. J. Ganus and Isaac Taylor were appointed to inform Eld. Wiggins of the church's action. A contribution was made of $3.40--forty cents of which was deposited in the church's treasury. October 1887 Heard report from the committee to inform Eld. Simeon D. Wiggins of the church's desire to call him to serve out remainder of year. Eld. Wiggins agreed to "serve the church to the best of his ability for the remaider of the year." November 1887 Eld. Simeon D. Wiggins moderated. Received Bro. Leroy M. Straughn by letter from the church at Good Hope. Contributed $1.85 to reimburse Bro. Isaac Taylor for expenses of the last communion. [No conference was held in December.] January 1888 Choice of a supply for the present year. The church unanimously chose Eld. John D. Hudson who answered that "he would serve us to the best of his ability to the fourth Sunday in August." Eld. Hudson moderated the conference. February 1888 "No business claiming the attention of the church." Eld. Hudson moderated. There was also no business during the conference in March. April 1888 "Brother Isaac Taylor presented two basins which he had purchased out of money in the church treasury for the use of the church, subject to the church's approval, at a cost of 45 cents each." The church received the basins and approved the purchase. May 1888 Preaching by Eld. Irving Maloy. Received Bro. Jordan Godwin by experience and Bro. Willis Wiggins and Sisters Nancy Wiggins and Ida Wiggins all by letter from Bethel Church in the Claybank Association. Sunday morning at the river (Dozier's Bridge) Eld. Maloy baptized Bro. Godwin and then preached ably. Opened the doors for the reception of members, "when we received Sis. Sarah Price by letter from Pilgrim's Rest Church in Texas." June 1888 Services by Elds. L. T. Wells and J. D. Hudson. Received Sis. Mary M. Godwin by experience and baptism. Chose delegates to district meeting: J. J. Ganus, W. W. Taylor, Isaac Taylor, W. J. Wiggins, and L. M. Straughn (alternate). July 1888 Services by Elds. M. L. Dauphin and J. D. Hudson. Bro. John Ganus appointed to prepare letter to the district meeting. Agreed to meet on Wednesday before the 4th Sabbath in August "to clean up about the church." August 1888 Chose delegates to Association: W. W. Taylor, W. J. Wiggins, J. J. Ganus, and N. A. Campbell (alternate). "The deacons announced the church ready for communion on the morrow." J. D. Hudson moderator. September 1888 The church met and "having no minister went into conference. Elected Bro. Isaac Taylor moderator pro-tem." Received Sis. Mary J. Blair by letter from New Providence, Crenshaw County, AL. "By motion, the lettter to the Association was read and after some discussion the form of the letter (which was the form recommended to the church by the Association at its last session) was objected to and the clerk was ordered to prepare another to be submitted on the morrow." Bro. A. C. Straughn stated that a well had been bored in the church yard without authorization.and that its cost would be $9.50; the church contributed $5.25 and borrowed the balance from Bro. L. M. Straughn and promised to pay him back at the next conference. The church then passed the following resolution: "By reason of our pastor's inability to serve us any longer and our destitution of a supply, be it resolved that the time of choosing our pastor be changed from the December to the September conference." The church then went in to the election of a pastor to serve until the fourth Sunday in September 1889 and chose Eld. Simeon D. Wiggins. Bros. W. J. Wiggins and D. H. Ganey were appointed to inform Eld. Wiggins of his election by way of a letter to be prepared by the clerk; they were to report at next conference. On Sunday, "the letters were examined and approved by the church." October 1888 The church paid L. M. Straughn the money borrowed from him to pay for the well. Eld. Wiggins accepted the call to pastor the church. He moderated the conference. November 1888 Preaching by Eld. Wiggins. No business before the conference. December 1888 Eld. John D. Hudson moderated the conference. Bro. Samuel Bowers acknowledged having drunk "too much" and was forgiven by the church. January 1889 Bro. Isaac Taylor moderated the conference "in the absence of our pastor." Bro. Jordan Godwin called for letters of dismission for himself, his wife Mary M. Godwin, and her mother Mary J. Blair. Letters were granted. February 1889 A motion was made and carried over that the church hold its next conference on Saturday before the fifth Sunday in March. Eld. Simeon D. Wiggins moderated this conference. April 1890 Eld. John D. Hudson moderated the conference. No business taken up. May 1890 Received by experience unto baptism Sis. Nancy Taylor, "wife of Brother Windol Taylor; [she] came forward and related her experience which was taken as satisfactory evidence of her fitness as a member of Christ's church." Bro. Isaac Taylor reported that Sis. Bettie Hudson had joined the Farmers Alliance. By motion, "she was charged with violating our non-fellowship resolution by joining a secret institution." Her fellowship was tested, and she was excluded. The church then went into the choice of a deacon and elected Bro. Willis J. Wiggins, who "submitted to the choice of the church." His ordination was set for the next regular meeting. Requested that Elds. C. I. Maloy, S. D. Wiggins, and D. D. Williams, to form, "together with Eld. John D. Hudson, a presbytery to officiate at the ordination." Chose delegates to the district meeting: W. W. Taylor, W. J. Wiggins, M. D. Jones, N. A. Campbell, and D. H. Ganey (alternate) Sunday morning "met at the river," at which time Sis. Mattie Wells, wife of Bro. T. W. Wells was received by experience and baptism. The ordinance of baptism was administered to Sisters Nancy Taylor and Mattie Wells by Eld. C. I. Maloy. June 1890 Letter to district meeting was read, received, and placed into the hands of the delegates. The ordination of Bro. Willis Wiggins proceeded. Bro. Isaac Taylor was "the mouthpiece for the church" and stated that he believed Bro. Wiggins met all the reqirements for deacon, as set forth in the scriptures. Presbytery was composed of Elders John D. Hudson, B. F. Stuckey, D. D. Williams, and L. T. Wells. After questioning Bro. Wiggins, the presbytery laid hands upon him, ordaining him to the diaconate. Eld. Williams delivered the charge to Bro. Wiggins and delivered the Bible to him as "the man of his counsel." Right hand of fellowship extended to Bro. Wiggins. Resolved: "the church shall meet on Wednesday before the fourth Sunday in August to clean upp the house and grounds preparatory for communion." Eld. John D. Hudson moderated this conference. August 1890 Delegates to the Association: L. M. Straughn, Isaac Taylor, and W. J. Wiggins (alternate). Motion: "that the surplus fund in the hands of the treasurer of the Association be equally divided between Elders S. Long and R. F. Misseldine." Resolved: "that we come prepared to contribute $2.00 for the minutes and $1.00 for Elders Long and Misseldine at our next conference." Elder John D. Hudson moderated. September 1890 Letter to the Association was read, adopted and placed into the hands of the delegates. Church contributed $2.00 for minutes and $1.00 for Elders S. Long and R. F. Misseldine. Elected John D. Hudson pastor for succeeding year unanimously. "Brother Hudson promised to serve the church to the best of his ability." (Eld. Hudson moderated this conference.) October 1890 Eld. M. L. Dauphin moderated the conference. No business conducted. November 1890 Isaac Taylor served as moderator. Brother Andrew C. Straughn "acknowledged to having been drunk and was forgiven by the church." Granted letters of dismission for Bro. T. W. Wells and his wife. December 1890 Isaac Taylor again served as moderator. Bro. J. F. Edwards "called for letters of dismission for himself and his wife which letters were granted." January 1891 Eld. J. D. Hudson held services. Church "agreed to hold no conference as there was no business before the church." March 1891 Eld. J. D. Hudson moderated. "Brother Hudson read a memorial to the life of James Rowell, which was adopted by the church and ordered recorded." April 1891 Eld. J. D. Hudson moderated. Bro. J. R. Price "apologized for his long absence and was forgiven." May 1891 Services by Elds. B. F. Stuckey and J. D. Hudson. Bro. T. W. Wells and Sis. M. J. Wells "returned their letter that was granted by this church, which [letter of dismission] was received." [This statement means that they decided not to move their membership to another congregation, even after asking for a letter of dismission.--SRS] Sis. Annie Dauphin "by representation" called for a letter of dismission, which was granted. Delegates to district meeting: Bros. W. W. Taylor, W. J. Wiggins, and Morgan D. Jones (alternate). June 1891 Services by Elds. E. N. Paulk and D. D. Williams. Eld. J. D. Hudson moderated. Letter to district meeting was read and adopted. July 1891 Eld. C. I. Maloy preached and moderated the conference. James D. Hudson acted as clerk. No business. See PART 1 at http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/covington/church/pilgrimbap1.txt