WEST FLORIDA BAPTIST CHURCHES (1840-1849), Escambia, Santa Rosa & Walton Counties, FL File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nancy S. Bell, (nb7020@hotmail.com) USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or publication by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ****************************************************************************************** Source: "Bethlehem Baptist Association Minutes 1827-1967 and Beckbe Association Minutes 1826" on microfilm at Samford University, Birmingham, AL. Microfilm can be ordered through interlibrary loan. Note: The Bethlehem Association was known as The Beckbe Association until 1827. "Ministers, Licensed Preachers, and Messengers (delegates)": * =Ordained ministers **=Licensed preachers (a)=Absent 1840: Yellow River (Walton, Co.) applied for admission. 1. Yellow River: David Garthman, Reuben N. Barrow 1841: Escambia River Church (West Florida) applied for admission. 1. Yellow River: D. Garthman, Daniel Hart; 48 members 2. Escambia River: Jesse Mims, A.S. Cobb; 38 members 1842: 1. Yellow River: D. Garthman, Daniel Hart; 59 members 2. Escambia River: Jesse Mims, Nathan Cobb; 62 members 1843: "Elder L.W. Lindsey was appointed Traveling Minister of the Association". (page 7) 1. Yellow River: Daniel Garthman, Stephan Centrefit; 59 members "This is another Church within the range of Elder M.L. McWilliams Missionary operations, and is represented to be in a good state". 2. Escambia River: N.C. Cobb, James Cobb; 72 members "Another Church planted by the Missionaries, and watered the last year by Elder M.L. McWilliams, has enjoyed a constant revival and God has given her considerable increase". 1844: "Resolved, That the Salary of out Missionary, be reduced to Five hundred dollars per annum, to take effect from the first of January nest. The Association re-elected Elder Larkin W. Lindsey, her Missionary for the next year." (page 6) 1. Yellow River: Stephen Centerfit, Robert Steele; 53 members 2. Escambia River: Stark H. Mims, Jeremiah Saville; 74 members 1845: Milton Church (West Florida) applied for admission. 1. Yellow River: David Gartman, David Hart; 47 white members; 8 colored members 2.Escambia River: No representation. 3.Milton: J. Savel, A.S. Cobb; 32 white members; 16 colored members 1846: "Elder N. Goodwin, the Association's Missionary, reported, ---, which was received and approved." "Brother Joseph Mitchell, a licentiate and member of the Siloam Church, Marion, Perry County, was elected Missionary for the next year. On motion, Elder Goodwin obtained leave to withdraw from the field of his Missionary labors, at the end of October next." (page 4) Church: Yellow River Minister(s): ----- Clerk: D. Gartman County: Walton Post Office: Almarant Messengers: David Gartman, Daniel Hart (a) Baptised: 8 Received by letter: 5 Restored: 0 Church: Milton Minister(s): ----- Clerk: R. Vaughn County: Walton Post Office: Milton Messengers: Jeremiah Savill, Richard Vangham (a) Baptised: 18 Received by letter: 23 Restored: 0 Church: Escambia River Minister(s): ----- Clerk: ----- Post Office: Milton County: Walton Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger for two years. Baptised: ----- Received by letter: ----- Restored: ----- 1847: Pensacola Church (Escambia County) applied for admission. "Reelected Eldor Joseph Mitchell, Missionary for the ensuing year. It was agreed that he should spend, three fourths of each month, in active service in the field of his appointment and the remaining fourth, in preparation for more extensive usefulness; and that his salary be at the rate of Four hundred Dollars, per annum". (page 3) Church: Yellow River Post Office: Almarant County: Walton Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: ----- By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: D. Gartman Messengers: David Gartman, Daniel Hart White Members: 49 Colored Members: 7 Church: Milton Post Office: Milton County: Santa Rosa Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jesse. Flowers By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: E. Whitmire Messengers: E. Whitmire, J. Savill (a) White Members: 42 Colored Members: 27 Church: Escambia River Post Office: Milton County: Santa Rosa Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: ----- By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: ----- Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger. White Members: ----- Colored Members: ----- Church: Pensacola Post Office: Pensacola County: Escambia Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: ----- By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: W.L. Jemieson Messengers: Aron Hendrix, W.L. Jemieson White Members: 18 Colored Members: 59 1848: "Report of the Domestic Missionary", from Appendix A of the minutes: "It again becomes my duty as your Missionary, to submit the following report: I am rejoiced to say that there is an increased amount of interest in the missionary field. The Lord has blessed his word to the conversion of many souls. A commendable spirit has been shewn in providing houses of worship. At Pensacola a house has been purchased at eight hundred dollars. At Milton there is a large good frame building not yet completed. At Yellow River there is a large log house not yet completed." ----J. Mitchell Church: Yellow River Post Office: Almarant County: Walton Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: ----- By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: D. Gartman Messengers: D. Gartman, R. Steele White Members: 43 Colored Members: 10 Church: Milton Post Office: Milton County: Santa Rosa Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jesse Flowers By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: N.C. Cobb Messengers: Edmund Whitmire, B. Beeden, J. Saville White Members: 75 Colored Members: 31 Church: Escambia River Post Office: Milton County: Santa Rosa Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: ----- By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: ----- Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger. White Members: 74 (last number reported in 1844) Colored Members: ----- Church: Pensacola Post Office: Pensacola County: Escambia Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jos. Mitchell By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: Aaron Hendrix Messengers: Jos. Mitchell, Aaron Hendrix White Members: 21 Colored Members: 18 1849: "Elder Joseph Mitchell, Missionary of the Association tendered his resignation for the unexpired portion of his engagement say to the 1st December next, which was accepted." (page 5) "Resolved, Elders Morrow, Parker, and Travis be a committee to visit Shilo and Escambia River Churches...to enquire into their condition and the cause of their failing to represent themselves in the Association, according to the provisions of the Constitution, and report to the Association at her next session." (page 6) Church: Yellow River Post Office: Almarant County: Walton Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: ----- By Whom Supplied: Missionary Clerk: D. Gartman Messengers: Daniel Hart, David Gartman White Members: 42 Colored Members: 10 Church: Milton Post Office: Milton County: Santa Rosa Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jesse Flowers By Whom Supplied: ----- Clerk: R.S. Otis Messengers: Jeremiah Savill, Daniel Cobb, J.R. Lee White Members: 83 Colored Members: 38 Church: Escambia River Post Office: Milton County: Santa Rosa Resident Pastor: ----- Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: ----- By Whom Supplied: ----- Clerk: ----- Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger. White Members: 74 (last number reported in 1844) Colored Members: ----- Church: Pensacola Post Office: Pensacola County: Escambia Resident Pastor: William C. Morrow Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: James Langley By Whom Supplied: ----- Clerk: A. Hendrix Messengers: W.C. Morrow, Aaron Hendrix White Members: 26 Colored Members: 84 Note: All attempts were made to accurately transcribe this material. If you find a mistake, please contact me at (nb7020@hotmail.com). --- Nancy S. Bell 5