Georgia: Baldwin County: GENEALOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM MINUTES OF THE SESSION, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA 1826-1900 Volume 10 Number 4 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Central Georgia Genealogical Society http://www.cggs.org/ ==================================================================== GENEALOGICAL GLEANINGS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE SESSION, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA 1826-1900 Contributed by: Mr. James W. Turnipseed, Jr, 311 Sparta Street, Warner Robins, GA 31088 Volume 10 Number 4 1898 6 Apr 1898 Narrative Report approved: Elders 4; Deacons 6; Communicants added on Exam. 17; Comm. Added on Cert. 2; Adult Baptisms 5; Statistical Report as follows approved: Infnat Baptisms 10; baptized on-com’s 50; Off’s & Tchrs in S.S. 19; Scholars 160; Total of Communicants 293 – Examined and Approved by Augusta Presbytery at Penfield 6 Apr 1898 /s/ Wm. C. Sibley, Moderator 17 Apr 1898 Rev Brannen, Mod., Elders: W.G. Hawkins, G.C. McKinley, L.C. Hall and Wm. E. Reynolds. George Royal Bethune received by profession of faith. Miss Mattie Alexander Saunders was received. 9 Sep 1898 Letter of dismission granted to G.S. Carpenter and wife, but it was, on motion, ordered that a letter be addressed to this brother and sister urging them to return this letter, thus retaining membership in this church, though working in the church near his house, at Stevens Pottery, GA. Mrs. R.L. Holloway rec’d by letter from M.E. Church, South. Pastor instructed to write to Rev. T.P. Burgess to the effect that Session declined to appoint a lady to represent the Woman’s Missionary Society of this church in the meeting proposed to be held in Greensboro during Presbyter. 1899 Jan 1899 At meetings of Session held on first and second Sundays of January 1899 following members were received on profession of faith: Millicent DeSaussure, Ruth DeSaussure, Pauline McKinley, Mary Reynolds, Mabel Crawford, Annie Case, Louise Ferrell. (Written in margin of page 86 of Minute book) 7 Mar 1899 Mr/Mrs. Hollingsworth and Misses Lula and Lily Hollingsworth were received by letter from the M.E. Church. South (After morning service) Letters of dismission granted to Eli, Edward and Donn(sic) Harrell to join Tatnall Square Presb. Church, Macon, GA 31 Mar 1899 Letter from clerk of Session expressing sympathy of fellow elders to Mr. L.C. Hall upon the death of his wife, Statistical Report approved. 23 Apr 1899 James McArthur Butts, Mrs. Carrie Eugene Butts, and Katie Belle Butts received upon profession of faith. 30 Apr 1899 Anna Belle Robinson, Bessie Love McRee and Ruth Margaret Atwood presented themselves before Session and after examination were duly received into full membership with the church. 7 May 1899 John F. Smith, Benjamin Flint Goodyear and William Edward Johnson were received upon profession of faith. 21 May 1899 Pastor reported baptism of following infants on 15 May: Frances Smith Hall, child of Dr. and Mrs. T.M. Hall; Rebecca Harris Hall, child of Mr. And Mrs. W.H. Hall; Mary Jean Hall, child of Mrs. I.H. Hall. Mrs. I.H. Hall, in the absence of a letter, which was satisfactorily accounted for, was received from M.E. Church, South, Milledgeville. 12 Jun 1899 On motion of the clerk was ordered to issue certificates of dismission to Misses Hallie G. and Mary A. Shiver. 3 Jul 1899 Session met in Dr. Hall’s office at 4 pm and was opened with prayer. Present: Rev. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r; Elders G.C. McKinley and L.C. Hall. The resignation of Mrs. C.P. Crawford as Superintendent of the Juvenile Society, “Loving Service,” was received and accepted and the clerk was instructed to write her to this effect, expressing the appreciation of the church for her fidelity. Miss Emma Hollingsworth and Essie Edwards assistants. The matter of establishing a Sunday School at Midway was brought to the attention of the Session and after some discussion, a committee was appointed to carefully inquire into the practicability of establishing the School. The committee consists of Mrs. L.C. Hall, W.M. Hunter, G.C. McKinley and Rev. D.W. Brannen. 2 Oct 1899 Session met and opened with prayer. Present: Rev. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r; Elders W.G. Hawkins, L.C. Hall and Wm. E. Reynolds. Moderator reported that the way seemed not to be open for the establishment of a Sunday School at Midway. After some consideration of the lack of interest shown in the Sunday School the pastor was instructed to see the officers of the church in person and request each one to attend a meeting in the interest of the school. Elder Reynolds was appointed principal and Elder Hall alternate commissioners to the fall meeting of Presbytery. Closed with prayer. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clerk 9 Oct 1899 Session meeting in Dr. Hall’s office. Narrative report to Presbytery meeting to be in Bethany church was adopted. There has not been any special outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our church and congregation since the spring meeting of the Presbytery. The pastor and members of the church have joined with other churches of the city in revival services at different times, and many have thus been blessed. Ten persons have been received since the last report, nine on profession of faith and one by letter from the M.E. Church, South. Our people attend upon the stated services of the sanctuary with commendable regularity, and we believe these services are blessed of God to the spiritual upbuilding of his people. A few of our people neglect the ordnance of the Lord’s Supper. The pastor is faithful and zealous in meeting his official obligations, and the elders and deacons regard with concern their duties, meeting most of them with fidelity. The Sunday School seems not to be doing the best work, owing to lack of interest on the part of the adult membership. One elder is a teacher in the school and two attend it with some degree of regularity. All of the Assembly’s causes are regularly presented from the pulpit and the collections taken. As far as we know our people give liberally to the support of the Gospel. The pledge and envelope system is in use. The plan works smoothly and yields good results. Nothing is due on the pastor’s salary. The church is =not troubled with intemperance. It is likew3ise in large measure free from doubtful worldly amusements. A few of our young people are inclined to dance. No effort is made toward the religious teaching of the colored people. Wm. E. Reynolds, Cler. On motion of Elders W.G. Hawkins and Wm. E. Reynolds were appointed to notify Mr. A.F. Skinner that the Session has taken official cognizance of his failure to attend upon any of the religious services, and in a kindly Christian spirit to remonstrate with him for this long-continued neglect of a plain and positive Christian duty. The committee was instructed to ascertain the brother’s mind and his intentions on the premises and report the result of their finding at the next meeting. The pastor was also appointed on this committee, to act with the two elders or not as he might think best. Closed with the benediction. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clerk. 22 Oct 1899 Session met at call of Moderator. The Moderator announced the death of James Lamar, a member of this church, in New Orleans. A letter of dismission was granted to Mrs. John W. Supple to connect herself with the Eatonton Pres. Church. Miss Anna L. Ritchie was examined and received in the communion upon a profession of faith. John Harris was received by letter from the Tatnall Square Presbyterian Church, Macon. Mrs. George Edwards appeared before the Session and after examination was received into full fellowship of the church upon a profession of her faith in Christ. 29 Oct 1899 Miss Virginia Lee Patton was examined and received upon profession of faith. 6 Nov 1899 Mr. Dudley Roberts Hawkins was received on Prof. Of faith. 17 Nov 1899 Session meeting; Mrs. F. R. Stedman was granted a certificate of dismission to join the Pres. Church at Eastman, GA. The pastor reported the committee appointed to wait on Mr. A.F. Skinner with regard to his non-attendance upon any of the church services had by note requested an interview with Mr. Skinner, and that he had declined to meet the committee. The pastor was requested to see Mr. Skinner, final action being postponed until that could be done. The pastor by request tendered the resignation of Mr. Geo. C. Smith as Superintendent of the Sunday School. On motion of elder Reynolds action was postponed until next Wednesday afternoon. 22 Nov 1899 Session meeting; On again taking up the matter of Mr. G.C. Smith’s resignation from the Superintendency of the Sunday School. Elder Hall reported that Mr. Smith had requested him to act as Supt. During his (Mr. Smith’s) sickness and that he had consented to do so. Upon this statement from Mr. Hall the matter was dropped. Closed with benediction. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clk. 7 Dec 1899 Mr. Clayton Woods Robinson presented himself before Session and after examination was received into full communion and fellowship of this church. Adjourned with prayer. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clerk 21 Dec 1899 Mr. Henry R. Thomas was received into full communion and fellowship upon profession of faith. Addendum: Mrs. D. N. Baldwin was dismissed to join the Pres. Church at Valdosta, GA and Miss Evelyn Johnston to join the Central Pres. Church, Atlanta. 1900 6 Jan 1900 Session set at call of Moderator. Present: Rev. D. W. Brannen, Mod’r; Elders W.G. Hawkins, G.C. McKinley and Wm. E. Reynolds. Opened with prayer. Elders McKinley and Hall and Deacons Case and Lane were appointed a committee to prepare resolutions on the death of J. Wilson late a Deacon in this church. Mrs. Mamie Hundel Mobley was rec’d upon certificate from the First Pres. Church, Augusta, GA. Mrs. Lilian Lamar, former Miss Lilian Bush, was received from the Greene Street Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA upon a statement of the Clerk of Conference in that church. Closed with benediction. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clerk 13 Feb 1900 Session met at Dr. Hall’s office. Present: Rev. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r. Elders L.C. Hall and Wm. E. Reynolds. Opened with prayer. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Ansell B. Cook was received on Certificate from the Milledgeville Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Pastor reported the following infant baptisms on Jan 19 isn’t: Lee Carrington McKinley, James Shinholser Carrington, and Helen L. Lamar. A congregational meeting was ordered for Sunday, for the purpose of electing one additional elder and two additional deacons. 19 Mar 1900 Present Rev. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r; Elders G.C. McKinley, L.C. Hall, and Wm. E. Reynolds. Pastor reported that D.S. Carrington had declined to serve as Deacon, and K.T. Alfriend was as yet undecided what he would do. It was moved and carried that the clerk request each of these gentlemen to notify the Session in writing before the next regular meeting of his final decision. Elders G.C. McKinley and L.C. Hall, with the Pastor, were appointed a committee to advise with and kindly admonish Eben Reynolds with regard to his conduct as a member of this church. Elders W.G. Hawkins, E.P. Lane, and Wm. E. Reynolds were appointed a similar comm.. to confer with Mr. H.E. Hendricks with the like purpose. 2 Apr 1900 Session met in Dr. Hall’s office. Present: Rev. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r; Elders W.G. Hawkins, E.P. Lane, G. C. McKinley, L.C. Hall, Wm. E. Reynolds. Opened with prayer. The reports to Presbytery were read and adopted; also the narrative. The clerk was instructed to write a letter to Presbytery explaining the failure of the commissioner from this church to attend last meeting. Elder E.P. Lane was chosen principal and Elder L.C. Hall alternate commissioner to Presbytery which convenes at Eatonton Wednesday evening 4 Apr. The Committee appointed to prepare a memorial on the life and character of J.F. Wilson, deceased, late a Deacon in this church submitted a report. The report was adopted and the Memorial ordered spread on the Minutes of Session and published in the Union-Recorder of Milledgeville. Statistical Report: Elders 5; Deacons 4; Communicants added on Exam. 16; Total of Communicants 195; Adult Baptisms 6; Infant Baptisms 6; Baptized Non-Communicants 50; Off and Teachers in Sabbath Schools and Bible Classes 13; Scholars in S.S. & B.C. 138; Foreign Missions $216.53; Assembly’s Home Missions $25.37; Local Home Missions $50.00; Colored Evangelistic Fund $1.22; Relief Fund (heretofore invalid) $11.70; Education $15.82; Publication $1.43; Bible Society $5.22; Presbyterial $16.00; Pastor’s Salary Actually Paid $830.00; Congregational $350.00 Miscellaneous $17.00 – Systematic Beneficence – To Foreign Missions $216.53; To Assembly’s Home Missions $25.37; To Local Home Missions $40.00; To Colored Evangelistic Fund $1.22; To Relief Fund (Invalid) $11.70; To Education $15.82; To Publication $1.43; To Bible Society $5.22 with a total of $327.29 Report on Young People’s Societies – Name of Society “Loving Service;” Number of Members 25 Narrative to the Presbytery – Attendance upon the services of the sanctuary has shown an improvement over the preceeding Presbyterial year. This is especially true of the night and prayer meeting services. The family altar is raised in some houses. In others, it is sadly neglected. The Lord’s Day is observed with the average fidelity, but the spirit of consecrated service is not universal, or even general. The children of the church are systematically trained in the Scriptures and Catechisms, but this training is largely left to the Sabbath School. In very few homes is the study of either a requirement. Our people are liberal in giving to the support and extension of the gospel. All of the Assembly’s causes are regularly presented and the collections taken with the majority of our members giving to the Lord in an act of worship. Nothing is due on the pastor’s salary – the same being paid promptly, regularly and fully. The presence of God’s Spirit is more or less felt in nearly every service. Conversions throughout the year, without any special protracted services or organized effort, furnish conclusive proof that the preaching of the Word is in the power and demonstration of the spirit. Worldly conformity does not prevail among our members. In rare instances the Session has noted a low standard of Christian living. Until recently our pastor preached regularly in the country some eight miles south of Milledgeville, having been forced by work in the Sabbath School to give up the appointment. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clerk 6 Apr 1900 Examined and Approved, Eatonton, GA. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r. 29 Apr 1900 Miss Mamie Riley presented herself before the Session as a candidate for church membership. After a satisfactory examination she was received into full fellowship. Memorial of J. Frank Wilson J.F. Wilson was born in Atlanta, GA on 25 Feb 1852. At an early age, he removed with his parents to Baldwin, The county where most of his entire life, subsequently, was spent. We know but little of his childhood. He was at the period of life where the boy merges into the man, that some members of your committee became acquainted with him. Truth impels us to say that he was an unusual young man, in the strength of his moral nature. Genial, companionable, entering with hearty zest into the recreation and engagements of young men, and welcomed by them, yet to a marked degree far from the indiscretions and frivolities sometimes too common to that age. Late in life, as in his youth, he was an unassuming man, and by reason of this natural modesty, may have failed to impress the mind of the casual acquaintance with his unquestioned capability, and power to grasp, in an eminent degree, the details of affairs. To his intimate friends this was well known and later publicly recognized. No man of his generation probably, gave as great promise of a useful development of the material resources of the section in which he lived. One of the marked characteristics of his nature was his entire unselfishness. His heart was ever filled with sympathy and tenderness for those bowed under the burden of misfortune and sorrow. To such he was always the friend. It is natural in a man like this that the greatest manifestation of his character should be called out by responsibility resting upon him, as a husband and father. His life in this relation was ideal. No cares of business, or other duties of life diverted his thoughts from the greater, and more sacred trust, of wife and children. Regarding his life retrospectively, his early trials, and the many difficulties that he had to surmount his final triumph over all, and the honorable place that he made for himself in the hearts and memories of his friends, is the best evidence of his great worth. Subsequent to his connecting himself with the Milledgeville Presbyterian Church in 1887 (23 Oct 1887) he was made Deacon, which official position, he zealously and ably filled, without reproach, until his death on 22 Dec 1899. As a Christian, humility, veneration for matters sacred, purity of mind, and on all comprehensive charity for the short comings of his fellow man, distinguished him. Should we disregard this truth that, “God doesth all things well, “his death would appear to us untimely, cut off in the high noon of his powers and usefulness. It is impossible for us not to lament the removal, from our midst, of such a man, although we believe he has entered upon that better life, which is the ultimate expectation and hope of us all. G.C. McKinley, Chmn. 5 May 1900 Miss Martha Robson appeared before Session, and upon satisfactory examination was received into full communion with the church. Miss Mattie Sibley presented herself before Session as a candidate for membership. After a satisfactory examination she was received into full fellowship. Miss Virginia Lee Patton was given a certificate of Dismission to Join the Presbyterian Church at Calhoun, GA 12 May 1900 The Clerk’s action is sending certificate of dismission to Mrs. Charles W. Bowen to unite with 1st Pres. Church, Augusta, GA was approved. Mrs. K.P. Hawkins was received by letter from the Milledgeville M.E. Church, South. Elder W.G. Hawkins, chairman of committee appointed to advise with Mr. W.E. Hendricks about his spiritual condition submitted an oral report that he had performed the duty. The report was adopted and the committee continued. 10 Jun 1900 Mr. Jas. L. Sibley and wife, Mrs. Mattie Irwin Sibley, were, upon satisfactory evidence presented to the Session, received from the Christian Church. The pastor was on action, requested to write to Rev. W.G. Woodworth, at Tampa City, FL with reference to the reception into the Pres. Church there of Mr. Ed. Wynn, who has not been dismissed from this church. Session joined in a free conversation on the subject of missionary work in Wilkinson county during the summer. The clerk was instructed to make application to the church literature for use in prosecuting this work. 23 Oct 1900 Session met at call of the Moderator: opened with prayer. Elder G. E. McKinley was appointed principal and Elder W.G. Hawkins alternate commissioner to the Synod. On motion the clerk was instructed to order from the Committee on Publications seventy-five (75) copies of “Robison’s Hymnal”- fifty copies without notes and twenty-five copies with notes. Closed with benediction. 10 Sep 1900 Session met at call of Moderator. Present Rev. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r; Elders W.G. Hawkins, G.C. McKinley, L.C. Hall and Wm. E. Reynolds. Opened with prayer. Pastor reported that he had communicated by letter with Rev. W>G> Woodworth, Pastor Presbyterian Church, Tampa, FL in reference to this church. Pastor reported on the Missionary work he had done in Wilkinson County during the past summer, as follows: Established three Sunday Schools; distributed twenty-five (25) Bibles and testaments, together with twenty-five dollars worth of church literature. Elder Reynolds was appointed to prepare an article for Union & Recorder, giving notice to the community of the approaching meeting of Synod. Pastor was instructed to appoint a committee on homes for commissioners to Synod and to announce the same from the pulpit next Sunday. Closed with Benediction. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clerk of Session. 2 Dec 1900 Session met at call of Moderator; present Rev. D.W. Brannen, Mod’r. Elders W.G. Hawkins, E.P. Lane, and Wm. E. Reynolds. Opened with prayer. On motion the Clerk was instructed to write the Committee on Publication at Richmond and propose to exchange (16) sixteen copies of “Robinson’s Hymnal” with notes for thirty-two (32) copies of same book without notes. Mrs. M.R. Harris and Mr. N.A> Harris were received upon certificate from Tatnall Square Pres. Church, Macon, GA. Closed with Benediction. Wm. E. Reynolds, Clerk of Session