Baldwin County GaArchives History .....History of Baldwin Co. - Churches 1925 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 5, 2004, 11:18 pm CHURCHES CAMP CREEK CHURCH—PRIMITIVE BAPTIST This indenture made this twenty-second day of April in the year of our Lord 1819 between Joseph Collins of Baldwin County of the one part and the Baptist Church of Christ at Camp Creek of the county aforesaid of the other part, wheref orth that the said Joseph Collins for and in consideration of the sum of ten dollars to him paid by the aforesaid church, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, hath bargained, sold, conveyed and confirmed with the aforesaid church a certain lot of land containing two acres, being in the last corner of lot number one hundred and five, in the first district of Baldwin County, to have and to hold the said -lot, two acres of land together with all the rights, encumbrances, appurtenances thereof, being, belonging or in any wise appertaining to the only proper use, benefit and behoof of the aforesaid Baptist Church of Christ forever in fee simple, and the said Joseph Collins do hereby warrant and forever defend the same against himself, his heirs and assigns. In witness whereof the said Joseph Collins hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the date above written. (Seal) JOSEPH COLLINS. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Witness : John Sharp, Z. Chambless. Acknowledged before me the 27th of April, 1819. WILLIAM GREGGS, J. P. ----------------- p. 100 1817 GEORGIA, BALDWIN COUNTY, We, the members comprising the Camp Creek Church of Christ of the Baptist denomination, having voluntarily and freely given ourselves to the Lord and to one another, to live together in a house for God and to watch over one another in love believing it to be right and acceptable with Him. Articles of Faith 1. We belive in one only true and living God. Three persons in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 5. Believe in eternal and particular election. 7. We believe that God's elect shall be called, converted and sanctified by the Holy Spirit 8. We believe that the Saints shall persevere in grace and shall never fall finally away. 9. We believe that baptism and the Lord's supper are ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ and that true believers are the only subjects of these ordinances, and that the true mode of baptism is immersion. There were twelve articles of faith. Foot washing as an ordinance was adopted later by some associations. These articles were unanimously adopted by forty charter members. The records of their church are religiously kept to the present day. A List of Members of Camp Creek Church Male Female Henry Hand Elizabeth Ivey Robert Ivey Susannah Sharp John Sharp Nancy Cooper Benjamin Cooper Gatey Lewis George Lewis Mary Davis Furna Ivey Eleanor Joiner John Rutherford Lucretia Clark ----------------- p. 101 Absalom Black Rachel Cullers Moses West Nancy Worsham Joseph West Sally West William White Charlotte Griff Esley Sharp Nancy West Marmaduke Everedge Frances West James Fuller Winifred West James Ivey Capansa Black Irwin Miller Mary Steward Eli Lester Elizabeth Ivey Cullen Connerly Milly Miller James Woodall Nancy Carter Asa Cook Martha Cooper William Gouldin Caroline Sharp Jessie West Temperance West Elder William M. Cooper Nancy Moore Mary Stephens One of Their Oldest Hymns (Common Meter) "Did Christ the great example lead For all his humble train, In washing the disciples' feet And wiping them again. And did my Lord and Master say, 'If I have washed your feet, Ye ought to watch and pray And wash each other's feet.' 0 blessed Jesus, at Thy board I have Thy children met, The bread I've broke, the wine I've poured, We've washed each other's feet. For this let men reproach, defame, And call me what they will. I still would follow Christ, the Lamb, And be His servant still." ----------------- p. 102 MT. OLIVE CHURCH Nestled among the towering oaks and pines in the Eastern part of Baldwin county can be found the ruins of Mount Olive Church, the oldest, or one of the oldest, in the county. This was a Primitive Baptist church and is known to have existed over one hundred years ago. Some of the early members were the families of Morans, Pullrys, Ennises, Aliens, Leonards, Kings, Oxfords, Whitakers, and Willises. THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION The history of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia is almost coeval with the history of the state itself. Daniel Marshall, one of the founders of the Baptist denomination in Georgia, was born at Windsor, Conn. From the Digest of Marbury and Crawford, we get the act incorporating the Anabaptist Church on the Kiokee, in the county of Richmond. The Speaker of the House was Seaborn Jones; President of the Senate, Nathan Branan; Edward Telfair, Governor, December, 1789. The Incorporators—Abram Marshall, William Willingham, Edmund Cartledge, John Landers, Joseph Ray, Lewis Gardiner. Its meeting-house was built where now stands the town of Appling, Columbia County. When Marshall moved into the State, he was the only ordained minister within its bounds. There were only a few Baptists in the State, and no organized church. He lived to preside at the Georgia Association, 1804, when there were half a dozen churches in the state and a number of Baptist preachers. After Mr. Marshall's death, Kiokee Church, which was founded in 1772 was moved four miles north of Applington, and a new brick house of worship erected. ----------------- p. 103 THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MILLEDGEVILLE By Rev.Walter M. Lee, A. M., Th. D. Pastor First Baptist Church, Cochran, Georgia. The exact date of the constitution of the First Baptist church of Milledgeville is not known to the writer. The church records were perhaps burned in the fire, which consumed the church edifice in 1885. This building, which was located at the north gate of the Capitol Square, was erected about 1835. There was probably a church organization, however, before that date, as the Georgia Baptist Convention met in Milledgeville in 1829. It is perhaps true that there was an organization of some kind as early as the second decade of the century. We may surely say, however, that the Milledgeville church came into being amid times of doctrinal discussion and inter-church and inter-association rivalry and animosity. The antipathy against ministerial education, Sunday Schools, temperance, and missions, had reached its height in Georgia, about this time. The Milledgeville church cast its lot with those churches which espoused the cause of missions, education, and progress, and united with the Central Association in the fall of 1834. A spirit of revival and prayer was manifested in the newly formed association. Dr. J. H. Campbell, the Baptist Historian, states: "For several months the preachers had no rest from their labors. Day and night they were among the people, at the meeting houses, from neighborhood to neighborhood, and frequently from house to house, warning every man and beseeching every man with tears. The Milledgeville church was received at this meeting (1834): delegation, Judge John G. Polhill, G. Leeves, and —Baldwin. Judge John G. Polhill was for esveral years at the head of the Ocmulgee Circuit. He was the son of ----------------- p. 104 Thomas Polhill, a Baptist minister, and a grand-son of a minister in Mr. Whitfield's connection. John G. Polhill had a brother, Joseph, who was also a Baptist minister, and who labored chiefly in Richmond and Burke counties. The minutes of the Central Association in 1834 state that: "Most of our churches are experiencing the reviving influences of the Spirit." Thus, we see that the early years of the Milledgeville church were characterized by mission controversy, revival fervor, and evangelistic power. Rev. J. H. Campbell, then a young man recently under the instruction of the scholarly Adiel Sherwood at Eatonton, no doubt frequently preached in the Milledgeville church, and was, perhaps, for a short while its pastor or its supply pastor. He was for eight years the clerk of the Central Association, and for four years its moderator. In 1835, he and Jesse Travis spent a portion of the year in missionary service. If the writer mistakes not, Rev. A. J. Beck stated in his historical review of the church, published in the Milledgeville papers about 1880, that the Rev. J. H. Campbell had served the church as pastor. The Georgia Baptist Convention met with the Milledgeville church in 1829. Among the number present on that occasion (about 25 in all) was J. H. Campbell, D. D., Rev. Jesse Mercer, the moderator, Thomas Stocks, a liberal Baptist layman, Thomas Cooper, (father of Mark Cooper) then a deacon in the Eaton-ton church, Billington Sanders, Adiel Sherwood, clerk of the body, and Rev. H. O. Wyer, pastor of the Savannah Church. It was at this session that the first steps were taken by Georgia Baptists to foster the cause of ministerial education. Rev. W. O. Wyer bore a communication from the executors of the will of Josiah Penfield, informing the body that he had bequeathed a sum of $2,500 for a permanent fund in the interest ----------------- p. 105 of ministerial education, on condition that a like sum be raised by the convention and its friends. The condition was complied with on the spot, and thus the foundation for Mercer University was laid. We thus see that the church in its early stages of growth came in contact with spiritual and intellectual forces and movements, which had an influence in shaping its future growth along liberal and progressive lines. In addition to the facts above enumerated, we should notice that Milledgeville was then the Capital of the State, and members of the Baptist church enjoyed exceptional advantages, social and political, as well as religious and educational. Rev. Adiel Sherwood, who was at various times pastor of the churches at Penfield, Macon, Greensboro, Griffin, Monticello, and Greenville did much of the early work in the organization and founding of the Milledgeville church. He presented the resolution which led to the formation of the Baptist General Association, later called the Georgia Baptist Convention. He was prominently associated with all interests of Georgia Baptists, and was a pioneer in educational endeavor among Georgia Baptists. Rev. C. D. Mallary was pastor at Milledgeville from 1834 to 1836. The first church building was erected during his pastorate, perhaps in 1835. This inferred from a statement that the building that was burned in 1885 was fifty years old. Rev. C. D. Mallary resigned to accept the position as financial agent for Mercer University, in which position he served from 1837 to 1839. He later served as missionary in Central Association, in which capacity he no doubt preached to the Milledgeville saints. It has been stated that Rev. J. H. Campbell was once pastor of the church at Milledgeville. This cannot be established by the present writer, but it is likely that he did assist Rev. Adiel Sherwood during the first years of the history of the church and it is also ----------------- p. 106 inferred that he assisted Rev. C. D. Mallary in one or more meetings during the early thirties. Among the early converts who came to a saving knowledge of the Savior in the church at Milledgeville was Rev. John S. Polhill, son of Rev. Joseph Polhill, who under the influence of a revival of religion in the Milledgeville church, in 1834, experienced the joy of forgiveness. He later preached in Sumter, Dooly, and Macon counties, and finally located at Milner, Ga. He was a physician in early life, but became deeply impressed with a duty to preach the gospel. He later regretted that he refused to yield to the pleadings of the Spirit in early life. His bitter regrets followed him to his death. Let those who feel it their duty to preach take warning. One of the prominent members of the Milledgeville church in its early days was James Boykin, a deacon, and an uncle of the celebrated Baptist minister, Samuel Boykin, prominent in the development of the Sunday School literature of the South. In 1838, Rev. S. G. Hilyer, a graduate of the University of Georgia, and a teacher and a preacher of note, became pastor at Milledgeville, in which connection he continued until 1844. He was later a professor of rhetoric and theology at Mercer and pastor at Rome, Ga. He was a minister of earnest piety and zeal, and was eminently endowed with the evangelistic gift. It was during the pastorate of the Rev. S. G. Hilyer that John Joyner Brantley, while visiting relatvies near Scottsboro in the summer of 1839, professed conversion during a revival in the Milledgeville church, and was baptized by his own father, the celebrated Dr. William T. Brantley, in the Oconee river, and united with the Milledgeville church. He was licensed to preach by the First Baptist church of Charleston, S. C., and later was elected to the chair of Belles Lettres in Mercer University. He was the master of ----------------- p. 107 several languages and a scholar of note. The Brant-ley family is celebrated in Baptist annals. Rev. John Francis Dagg, son of the noted Rev. J. L. Dagg, was a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he studied under the senior Basil Manley. After taking theology at Mercer University in 1847, he very soon afterward accepted the Milledgeville pastorate. He served the church well until January, 1850, at which time he resigned to become editor of the Christian Index, which position he filled for six years. He was later pastor of the Second Church of Atlanta, president of Bethel College, the pastor of the Cuthbert church, president of the College at Hopkinsville, Ky., and professor of mathematics in Albemarle Female Institute, Charlottesville, Va. As a minister of the gospel he was modest, balanced, sensible, and pure. In the year 1850, Rev. William Clay Wilkes, a prominent, self-made Georgia educator, a graduate of Mercer, and principal of the Eatonton Academy, was called to ordination by the Milledgeville church, and entered upon the performance of his duties as pastor, having also been called to Harmony and Island Creek churches. His tenure of office was exceedingly short, however, as he resigned to accept the presidency of Monroe Female College at Forsyth. He was at times pastor at Forsyth, Barnesville, Marshalville, Gainesville, Thomaston and other churches in Georgia. Among the pastors of the Milledgeville church was an Englishman, Rev. S. G. Daniel, who was born in England in 1819, and came to America in 1836. He was the father of W. B. Daniel, for many years the efficient clerk of the Rehoboth Association. The following facts concerning his life are taken from the author's History of the Rehoboth Association. They were taken by dictation from the lips of Dr. W. P. Daniel, son of the former Milledgeville pastor. "Rev. S. G. Daniel was born in England and came to America ----------------- p. 108 in 1836. Rev. S. B. Daniel was pastor in Milledgeville 1850-55; in Savannah, 1856-59 and in Albany, 1860-66. He later entered the furniture business in Macon with M. P. Callaway and J. W. Fears. He is buried in Milledgeville beside his mother." Among those who attended worship in the Milledgeville church just prior and during the civil War was a young man by the name of James P. Harrison, who served his apprenticeship with the old Southern Recorder, under R. M. Orme and son, and later was connected with the work of the Federal Union, where he was engaged in the newspaper and public printing department. He later became prominent in Atlanta printing circles. He was converted in 1875 and joined the Second Baptist Church in Atlanta. He was a good business man, a consistent Christian and a useful citizen. Rev. Napoleon Alexander Baily, a graduate of Union University, of Tennessee, formerly pastor of Monticello, Fla., and president of the Female College at Perry, Ga., become pastor at Milledgeville about the year 1865. He served for a period of years after which he was called to the church at Albany, Ga. He later became pastor in California. Faithful and zealous, sincere, candid, and firm, he built up the church in doctrine and Christian liberality. Four years in succession he filled creditably the position of assistant Secretary of the Georgia Baptist Convention. Rev. Edward Butler, a student under B. M. Sanders, a volunteer in the Indian War of 1836, a former member of the Georgia Legislature, and for six years president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, was pastor at Milledgeville from 1868 to 1877. He was for many years president of the Board of Trustees of Mercer University. He was a man of ability and eloquence, a most agreeable companion, and a most fearless advocate of the truth. He was esteemed as one of the leaders of the denomination. ----------------- p. 109 Rev. A. J. Beck, born in Hancock county, August 5, 1850, was for a period of seven years pastor at Milledgeville. Having graduated at Mercer with the highest honors of his class, he for a time served as president of the Houston Female College at Perry, Ga. Later he was pastor of the Marietta church until a failure in health came upon him. After spending two years in secular pursuits, he served the Central Church, Atlanta, as pastor in connection with clercial work at the Christian Index office. In 1878, he entered upon a useful pastorate at Milledgeville. While pastor he collected some useful data for a history of the church. He was a grandson of Rev. J. B. Battle, and a son-in-law of Rev. E. W. Warren. On Saturday at noon, December 26, 1885, when Rev. A. J. Beck was pastor, the Milledgeville house of worship, which had stood for fifty years, was accidentally burned; but before night the Deacons had secured $2,000 with which to rebuild it. As a graceful act of Christian courtesy, the Methodists of the city kindly tendered the use of their building for prayer-meeting and Sunday School purposes, and gave alternate Sundays for the purpose of Baptist preaching services. The church later held their services in the Armory of the Baldwin Blues. The pastorium of the church was completed in February, 1886, and at the same time a plan was on foot to build a house of worship on Wayne Street, north of Masonic Hall. During the eighties of the last century the ladies of the church gave suppers as a means of raising funds for church purposes. The suppers frequently netted around a hundred dollars each Sunday. Dec. 12, 1886, Rev. A. J. Beck tendered his resignation of the pastorate with a view to going to Florida, to reside at St. Andrew's Bay. The Union Recorder stated that he was one of the best citizens of Milledgeville, and would be an acquisition to any community. The new house of worship, which was approaching completion ----------------- p. 110 in 1887, was to cost above $12,000, and was the handsomest in the city at that time. Sunday, April 3rd, 1887, the church called Rev. J. D. Chapman, a graduate of Mercer, and at that time a student in the Seminary at Louisville, arrived earlier than he was expected and preached for a time in the Court House and Presbyterian church, awaiting the completion of the Baptist house of worship. Sunday night, November 4, 1887, Cadet Carl Minor preached one of his first sermons at the Court House. Dr. Minor has since held prominent pastorates in Georgia. Soon after the completion of the church the congregation of the city met in a missionary service in the edifice, Rev. D. McQueen, Rev. J. D. Chapman ,and Rev. J. R. King participating in the service. In January 1890, the old indebtedness amounting to $1,500 was raised in full by pastor Chapman and his Deacons, and the church planned thence forward to do more for missions, than it had formerly done. Sunday, April 26th, 1891, four Deacons were added to the list of five already serving the church. The newly ordained deacons were Prof. O. M. Cone, Dr. L. M. Jones, A. J. Carr, and Prof. A. J. Gumming. Prof. Cone was professor of mathematics, in the G. M. A. College. Dr. Jones, who began the practice of medicine in Twiggs county, was later chosen physician at the Asylum, where he has given satisfaction to the people of the state. A. J. Carr was reared in Milledgeville, and held the respect of all as a man of probity and honor. One and fifty members were added to the church during the four years of Bro. Chapman's pastorate, ending in the summer of 1891. The total membership was about 300 in 1891. The Milledgeville church contributed many able and efficient members to the Macon and Atlanta churches. In 1892 the church united with the Washington Association. ----------------- p. 111 Bro. Chapman assisted in meetings at Tennille and South Macon and other points while pastor at Milledgeville. His eloquence, earnestness and pathos, his beautiful portrayals of God's mercy and compassion fitted him for evangelistic labors. Sadness came to his home in Milledgeville in the death of a lovely child. His pastorate lasted seven years, to 1894. Rev. John A. Wray, the next pastor of the church was uniquely gifted as an evangelist, and as such he was characterized by one who knew him well as "earnest, sound, practical, and prudent." For many years Milledgeville was cursed with the presence of a number of bar-rooms, which enjoyed a flourishing trade. The spiritual life of the church and city were hampered and impeded by their presence. The city has grown greatly in wealth since the abolition of the drink traffic. Public morals are better, civic pride is greater, and general conditions are much improved by the removal of the bar-rooms. Bro. Wray was very popular in Milledgeville. During his vacation in 1898, when the pulpit was supplied by Brethern Chapman and Minor, the ladies of the church entered the pastorium during his absence, painted and papered it, and put up fruit and preserves and left it sweet and garnished. Bro. Wray wrote: "What would we do without our noble women?" The contributions of the Sunday School went for missions during his pastorate. Bro. Wray preached to full houses, and additions were received quite frequently. The church was apparently in a continuous state of revival. Rev. W. L. Walker, of Quitman, aided him in a meeting in Milledgeville, in October, 1901. The pastorate of Lamar Sims was very popular with the entire city. It was fruitful of growth both organically and numerically. Mission contributions grew in volume, and the spirituality of the body increased. He made himself much beloved by the students in the city. ----------------- p. 112 Rev. Lamar Sims was aided in a meeting in the spring of 1904 by former pastor, Rev. J. D. Chapman, then pastor of the great church at Anderson, S. C. Bro. Sims delivered a series of lectures on Education before the young ladies of Bessie Tift College, which were highly spoken of by the denominational press. In January 1911, Rev. J. F. Singleton came from a pastorate in Newnan, Ga., to the pastorate of the Milledgeville church. His administration was characterized by growth in missionary and benevolent gifts as well as by an incraese in membership and general efficiency. The Sunday School prospered and the W. M. S. enjoyed excellent growth. Rev. Harold Major was his successor. Bro. Major was held in high esteem by his brethern throughout the state and served the church well as pastor. The First Baptist church of Milledgeville is now approximately a hundred years old. While as before intimated, there may have been an organization of some type among the Baptists of Milledgeville prior to 1829, this writer has been so far unable to discover a trace of it. We may safely state that the Milledgeville church has held a position of prominence for at least ninety years. The present pastorate of Rev. J. C. Wilkinson marks the highest stage of numerical strength, organic efficiency, and benevolent activity in the history of this celebrated body. Extensive additions to the seating capacity of the church have recently been made at a cost of about $15,000. A modern graded Sunday School is now properly housed and equipped for its best work. The chaste eloquence of the literary style of the present pastor, his general magnetism and his doctrinal soundness draw immense congregations. About five hundred students attend church regularly during the school term. The future of this great church is as bright as the promises of God. ----------------- p. 113 SHORT SKETCHES OF PROMINENT BAPTIST PREACHERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH Jesse Brown Battle Jesse Brown Battle was born in Hancock county, Georgia, Sept. 3rd, 1788. His father was William Lamar Battle, a good soldier in the war of the Indedendence. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Whitehead. His paternal grandmother was Sarah Warren of the family of Gen. Warren of Revolutionary fame. Jesse Battle was one of those men who almost seem to have been born to piety and good works. He professed faith in the Savior when only sixteen years of age, and was baptised by Rev. Jesse Mercer into the Powelton Church, of which he was pastor in 1804. From that period until the day of his death, he was one "whose doctrine and whose life, coincident, gave lucid proof that he was honest in the sacred cause." He was married to Miss Martha Rabun, oldest daughter of Gov. Rabun, Feb 23, 1815. He was for many years Moderator of the Washington Association, and presided always with intelligence and dignity. The influence which he exerted in that body, for missions and every benevolent enterprise, will long be felt and gratefully remembered. He died at a very advanced age, at the house of his son, John R. Battle, a planter in Sumter county, Ga. His fellow laborers were Rev. R. Gunn, Wm. H. Stokes, Benjamin Roberts, and Asa Duggan. With these well beloved brethern he toiled arduously, with eminent success. How pleasant the thought that his. mantle has fallen on his grandson, Rev. Andrew J. Beck, of the Baptist church at Milledgeville, Ga. ----------------- p. 114 Governor William Rabun It is to be regretted that we have such meager data from which to construct a sketch of this excellent and distinguished man. We are confined almost entirely to a notice of his life in "Sherwood's Gazetteer of Georgia," and to the sermon commemorative of his death, delivered by Rev. Jesse Mercer, in response to a request of the Georgia Legislature. His father moved to Georgia while he was a young man; but his birth place was Halifax county, North Carolina, where he was born April, 1781. He was an able representative from Hancock a number of years, and long President of the Senate. He was governor ex-officio for an unexpired term, and was elected governor from 1817 to 1819. Mr. Rabun was eminently a pious man. He united with the Powelton church in 1817 or. 1818. His house was the house of prayer. He was especially distinguished for his benevolence, using his influence and his means to advance the various worthy objects connected with his church, his denomination, and the community at large. Though elevated to the highest office in the gift of his state, he was not made giddy, proud, and imperious. He married the sister of Reuben Battle, of Powelton, the father-in-law of the Rev. C. M. Irvin, of the Christian Index staff, of Hon. Eugenius Nesbit, the eminent jurist, and of the late Rev. W. I. Harley. He had seven children, six daughters, all women of the noblest type. Mrs. Jesse B. Battle was remarkable for her piety, and many noble traits, and reared a large and interesting family, who have filled their places in life well. Rev. A. J. Beck is her grandson. Mrs. Wm. Shivers, Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. Cato, and Mrs. Wooten were the daughters. He left one Son, the late Gen. J. Wm. Rabun, a commission merchant of Savannah, who was a most efficient and useful member of the Baptist church there. ----------------- p. 115 Gov. Rabun was a man of wonderful physique, tall and large with no surplus flesh. His features were massive, brown hair, blue eyes, with a countenance full of kindness. In short he was one of nature's noblemen. He died, while governor, at his plantation, October, 1819. (A more detailed account of Rabun family may be found in Family Sketches). Andrew J. Beck Andrew J. Beck was born in Hancock county, Georgia, August 6, 1850, and was educated at Mercer University. A few years after his graduation, he was made President of the Houston Female College at Perry, Georgia. Though distinguished as a teacher, he decided to give himself entirely to the ministry, and relinguishing his presidency became pastor of the Baptist church at Marietta, Georgia. To the Church he endeared himself by his faithful and successful labors. He was at one time employed in the clercial department of the Christian Index. In 1878, he entered upon a useful pastorate over the Baptist Church at Milledgeville. He has been married twice, his first wife being Miss Octavia Warren, daughter of Dr. E. W. Warren. His second wife, Miss Edith M. Ailing, to whom he was married August 5th, 1879. Samuel Boykin Samuel Boykin was descended from Edward Boykin, who imigrated from Caernarvon-shire, Wales, and settled in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. Edward Boykin had a son, William Boykin, who died in 1731, leaving a son, William, who moved to South Carolina in 1755 or 1756, and settled in Kershaw county six miles south of Camden. The third son of the last mentioned, Francis Boykin, was a Lieutenant of cavalry in the army at the outbreak of the Revolutionary ----------------- p. 116 War. He moved to Baldwin county in 1800, and died in 1821. He married Catherine Whitaker and his remains now rest on the plantation of S. E. Whitaker, ten miles from Milledgeville. He left two sons and a daughter. Dr. Samuel Boykin was his eldest son, and James Boykin, a deacon of the Milledgeville church, his youngest. His daughter, Eliza, married the father of Prof. Williams Rutherford of Athens, Georgia. Dr. S. Boykin, the father of Samuel, graduated at the University of Georgia, 1807, and then attended lectures at the Pennsylvania Medical College, Philadelphia. He was an active, popular, and successful practitioner in Milledgeville, and in a few years accumulated quite a large property. Samuel was born in Milledgeville, Nov. 24, 1829. He attended school in Columbus, and also at Westchester, Penn., and at Bridgeport, Conn. He was converted in 1847, at a meeting conducted by Rev. Elbert Williams, the pastor at Columbus, and John E. Dawson, but formed no ecclesiastical relations until two years later while a student at Athens, where he joined the church, and was baptised by Rev. S. Landrum, the pastor. He graduated at the State University in 1851, after which he traveled in Europe for six months. He married on May 10, 1863, Miss Laura Nisbet of Macon, Georgia. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by the State University in 1854, and in 1860, he was elected editor of the Christian Index, then owned by the Georgia Baptist Convention and published at Macon. He was for many years editor of the Sunday School paper "Kind Words." He is also the author of Memoirs of Hon. Howell Cobb, a work of great value, alike creditable to the head and the heart of the author, and worthy of the high character of the subject. He was a man of decided convictions; of firm purpose and resolute in action, while at the same time he ----------------- p. 117 had that true simplicity of character which worldly associations never impair. John Irvin Whitaker John Irvin Whitaker, a grandson of Governor Jared Irvin, was born in Washington county, near Sandersville, Georgia, February 22nd, 1813. His Parents were Simon and Elizabeth Whitaker. He never had the advantages of a collegiate course, but in early life was sent first to a well constructed school in Milledgevillle, Georgia, and afterwards to the institution at Scottsboro, and from studious habits, and a regular course of reading, stored his mind with practical knowledge of matters pertaining to both religion and politics. He united with the Antioch church in Fayette county, and was baptised into its fellowship by Rev. Robert M. Stell, Nov. 1839. Very soon he was elected Clerk of the church, and filled that position up to his death. He usually represented his church in the Flint River Association, and was several times elected moderator of that body, and delegate to the Georgia Baptist Convention. He was married, March, 1840, to Miss Lavicey Gay, daughter of Thomas B. Gay, of Fayette County, Georgia. Of this marriage there were five children, one son and four daughters. He was a man of large heart and was always ready to give of his means to sustain his country, and to advance the cause of Christ at home and among the nations. He died September the 10th, 1872, at his residence in Fayette county, illustrating in his death, as he had illustrated in his life, the power and glory of the religion of Jesus. THE SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH The Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built in 1874 and dedicated by Bishop Gross, at that time Roman Catholic bishop of the diocese of Savannah. ----------------- p. 118 Mrs. Hugh D. Treanor, a devoted member of the congregation, was largely instrumental in the building of the church and gave most generously of her time and means toward its erection. The Rev. Michael Reilly was the first to celebrate Mass in the new church which was then only one of a number of mission churches in the Diocese, and as such was served for a number of years by the Jesuit Fathers .from Saint Stanislaus Novitiate at Macon, Georgia, In 1906, Milledgeville was made a mission parish and made the permanent residence for the priest'attending the Middle Georgia Missions and is served by a secular clergyman of the Savannah Diocese. EPISCOPAL DENOMINATION The Right Reverend Stephen Elliott for more than twenty five years Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, was born in the town of Beaufort, South Carolina, on the 31st of August, 1806. He was the oldest son of Stephen Elliott, of South Carolina. He was known as a scholar and writer. His mother was Esther Habersham, of Georgia. He claimed that he belonged to both states. It was years after the Revolution before the Episcopacy was strong enough to form a separate diocese; but finally, in 1841, Dr. Stephen Elliott of South Carolina was consecrated its Spiritual head. Bishop Elliott was one of the choice spirits of all time. He came of a family illustrious for its scientific attainments and was himself a man of broad scholarship, of ripe culture, and of spiritual vision. The parish of St. Stephens, Milledgeville, was organized in April, 1844, through the efforts of the much esteemed Bishop Elliott. The church numbered only six communicants on the day of its organization, two of whom, J. M. Getting (then State Geologist), and C. J. Paine, were chosen wardens. The first rector ----------------- p. 119 assumed his duties immediately before the consecration of the church edifice, December 10, 1843. The following are the several clergymen who have been connected with the Parish since its organization: Rev. Rufus White, 1843; Mr. Mower ministered for a short while during Mr. White's absence in 1845; Mr. Richard Johnson, Steward of Montpelier Institute, took charge of the church for a few months prior to the call of Rev. William Johnson in 1846; Rev. George McCauly, 1851; Rev. Marion McAllister and Dr. Carmichael, 1857; Rev. J. M. Curtis, 1859; Rev. Messrs. Pinkerton and Charles Thomas served as missionaries from 1861 to 1863; Rev. Messrs. Telfair and Hodgson, gave their services from the summer of 1864 to the spring of 1865; Benjamin Johnson, 1867; John Tuken for about five months in 1870; Rev. H. E. Lucas, 1872; Rev. J. M. Stoney took charge September 1, 1873. The Right Reverand John Watrus Beckwith, D. D., was born February 9, 1831. He was consecrated Second Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, April 2, 1868. He died November 23, 1890. Bishop Cleland Kinloch Nelson, head of the Atlanta Diocese of the Protestant Episcopal Church, died suddenly of. apoplexy at ten thirty o'clock Tuesday night, 1917, at his home, 731 Piedmont avenue. He had been ill for several days with a severe cold, but his condition was not considered serious, and his death came as a shock to his friends and to the entire city. Bishop Nelson, a distinguished figure in church and all affairs for the uplift of the community, was one of the best known prelates in the country, and in his own city one of the most universally admired and loved of men. His services to his church and to his city and to humanity cannot be over estimated. He was born near Cobham, Virginia, May 23, 1852, being in his sixty-fifth year at the time of his ----------------- p. 120 death. His father was Keating L. S. Nelson and his mother, Julia Rogers Nelson. Bishop Nelson received his education in the preparatory schools of Virginia and at St. Johns College at Annapolis, Md. Graduating with an A. B. degree from St. John's College in 1872 the degree of Doctor of Divinity, was later, in 1891, conferred upon him by this institution, and in 1892 by the University of the South at Suwanee, Tennessee. Following his graduation from St. John's College, he attended lectures at the Berkeley Divinity School at Middletown, Conn., and in 1875 was ordained as a minister of the Episcopal church. His first charge was the Church of St. John the Baptist at Germantown, Pa., where he was rector from 1876 to 1882. From there he went to South Bethlehem, Pa., where he was rector of the Church of the Nativity for ten years, until 1892, when he was elected Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, succeeding the late Bishop Beckwith. When the state was divided in December, 1907, Bishop Nelson became Bishop of the northern, or Atlanta diocese. He was also president of the Synod of the province of Sewanee, organized November 18, 1914, and comprising the Episcopal dioceses in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. His very presence ever had been an asset to the Spiritual life of Atlanta, while he never failed to respond to movements which wrought for the welfare of her citizens. Bethel Methodist Church Among the landmarks of Baldwin County is Bethel Church, a small, unpretentious, wooden building situated in a little grove of oak trees, about ten miles north of Milledgeville. Though seemingly insignificant, this old Methodist Church has been one of the strongest forces for good in Baldwin County, and ----------------- p. 121 in times past it was the center of one of the most intelligent, progressive country communities to be found anywhere. Its Sunday School picnics and all day quarterly meetings were famous and were attended by crowds from far and near. The old church building was erected at Bethel about 1813. Later there was a grant of land deeded by Samuel H. Hughes to the trustees of Bethel Church for the sole use of the church, also the right of way to the spring at the foot of the hill back of the church. This was a permanent gift. The present building was completed July 1853, and dedicated the following November. This church was first served by ministers from the Milledgeville Methodist Church and from the Putnam Circuit. Not until 1867, when the Baldwin Circuit was organized did Bethel have a regular pastor. Rev. J. V. M. Morris, that dear old saint in Methodism, now ninety-five years of age, was the first pastor, 1868-69. He served the four churches of the circuit—Bethel, Pleasant Grove, Montpelier, Hopewell. The following names suggest some of the outstanding families who have maintained the church from its beginning to the present day: Barksdale, Booker, Elam, Green, Harper, Humphries, Hughes, Myrick, Minor, Jones, Snead, Stiles. THE METHODIST CHURCH In studying the history of our local church, it is well to go back to the separation of the M. E. Church, South from the M. E. Church before the General Conference of Baltimore, 1844. In 1843, thirty ministers, North, withdrew carrying with them a membership of six thousand. The terms of membership not only forbade holding, buying, or selling slaves, but even the claiming that it was right to do so. The growth of this body was slow and later was reunited to the mother church. In 1844 the Baltimore Conference ----------------- p. 122 had suspended Rev. F. A. Harding from the ministry for not freeing slaves belonging to his wife. The General Conference confirmed the action of the Baltimore Conference in the face of the Maryland law. James Osgood Andrew had become connected with slavery. In 1845 a convention was held at Louisville. Bishops Soule, Andrew, and Morris were present. The Church South was formed and its first General Conference was called for May, 1846, at Petersburgh, Va. Bishops Soule and Andrew were asked to become bishops of the new church. The latter offered his services at once, the former the following year. At the first General Conference, William Capers and Robert Paine were made bishops and all arrangements needful for the working of the church completed. The church had a rich endowment of the true spirit of Methodism. It is outside of the treatment of local church history to relate the difficulties under which the Southern Church labored. In 1845, when Bishop Morris was ordered to organize a conference in Missouri, he declined to do it, saying it was not according to agreement and plan of separation. For many years the Georgia Conference was one body, but growing unwieldly, was divided into North and South Georgia Conferences. We append a list of bishops of the Southern Church from its foundation to present date, 1924. Lack of space forbids even a short biography of each one though a study of their lives might be of great profit. We give sketches of those in any special way connected with the church at Milledgeville. BISHOPS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH (From 1824 to 1924.) Joshua Soule, James O. Andrew, William Capers, Robert Paine, Henry Bascom, John Early, Herbert H. Kavanaugh, Geo. F. Pierce, David Doggett, ----------------- p. 123 William M. Wightman, Enoch M. Marvin, Holland N. McTyiere, John C. Keener, Alpheus Wilson, James E. Evans, Lewis J. Davies, C. B. Galloway, John C. Granberry, Linns Parker, Robert Hargrove, William Wallace Duncan, Eugene B. Hendrix, Joseph S. Key, Atticus G. Haygood, Warren Candler, Henry C. Morrison, E. Embry Hoss, James Atkins, Collins Denny, John C. Kilgo, William B. Murrah, Walter B. Lam-buth, Richard G. Walter House, Edwin D. Mouzon, James H. McCoy, John M. Moore, William F. McMurrey, Urban W. Darlington, Horace M. Du Bose, William N. Ainsworth, James Cannon, Jr., William B. Beauchamp, James E. Dickey, Sam R. Hay, Hoyt M. Dobbs, Hiram A. Boaz. THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH The first Methodist Church in Milledgeville was situated on the site of the new part of the cemetery. When Methodism began her work in Georgia, there were not five hundred church people in the State. The people, many of them, were rude and uncultivated. Judge Longstreet in his "Georgia Scenes," Gov. Gilmer in his "Georgians," and Judge Garnett Andrews did not present exaggerated pictures of those times. It was Bishop Asbury who said, "When Methodism began her work in Georgia, there were not five hundred Christian people in Georgia." Bishop Asbury in 1803 wrote: "The great hindrances to the work of God in Georgia were Sabbath markets, rum, races and revellings." In those days Elisha Ferryman, an old Baptist, said: "Almost everybody was in the habit of drinking, young and old, rich and poor, saint and sinner. All would drink and many would get drunk." Stith Mead was placed in charge of the Georgia district, sending Samuel Cowles to the important Oconee district, a part of which was Baldwin. Samuel Cowles, our first presiding elder, was a Virginian. He ----------------- p. 124 did much work for our church in Georgia. We quote from Smith's history. "He had been a Dragoon with Washington's Light Horse. In the battle of Cowpens he swept down with upraised sabre upon a British trooper whom he disarmed, and was about to cut him down. The trooper gave the Masonic signal of distress, and Cowles spared his life. Years after Cowles met his old foe in Thomas Darley, a brother in arms in South Carolina Conference. Sam C. Cowles was converted by the influence of a book left at his mother's, by Asbury. Later, Milledgeville was made a station and as said before, the church was built on the site of the present new part of the cemetery. Next year, 1804, Conference met in Milledgeville, though the church was unfinished and stumps still in the streets. On the Sparta Circuit with Thomas Sanford was Wm. J. Parks, son of Henry Parks, one of the first converts to Methodism in Georgia. In 1822, Elijah Sinclair, grandfather to our Mrs. Wm. J. Scott, one of our oldest citizens, was on this circuit. In 1824, William Capers was sent to Milledgeville. It was a time of great excitement when George M. Troup and John Clark were opposing each other in the gubernatorial race. Jesse Mercer, Daniel Duffee, Samuel Hodges were Troup men, and avowed participants in the combat. Dr. Capers was from South Carolina and the friend of both men. Allen Turner was presiding Elder of the Oconee District, and his District extended into Florida. During that year there was an addition of two thousand within the bounds of the Georgia work. Miles Green settled in Baldwin County in 1802, and came into the Conference. He was a most excellent man and was the means of keeping Caleb W. Key in the Indian Mission, when he was young and discouraged and was about to leave it. William J. Sasnett, grandson of Philip Turner, came into the work. William Arnold was in charge ----------------- p. 125 of the Milledgeville District, and Samuel K. Hodges, in charge of the station. Conference again met in Milledgeville in 1826, Bishop Soule presiding. Rev. J. W. Knowles married Miss Mary Frances Barnett, daughter of J. C. Barnett. Col. Barnett then had a large boarding-house on the west side of Hancock street, about the middle of the square. It was later kept by Mr. Candler, uncle of Bishop Candler. At the next meeting of the Conference, Augustus B. Longstreet was admitted into traveling connection. His first appointment was Augusta. His wife was a sister of Mrs. Thomas Crowder. He was called to the presidency of Emory College. He spent much time in Milledgeville with his wife's cousin, Mrs. T. F. Green, she acting as his amanuensis. He had two daughters, one married Chief Justice Lamar, the other, Dr. Henry Branham. Milledgeville was now in the Augusta District .and had as its Presiding. Elder, Rev. Samuel C. Anthony. George Smith in his history of Methodism says that Rev. Caleb W. Key was at one time so discouraged by the large circuits that he was about to retire from the work. He spent the night with Myles Green, who had prayer with him, then said, "Go to your work young man." He went, and with his colleague held meeting at Hillsboro. Six or seven joined the church, among them R. A. T. Ridley, afterwards a distinguished physician of La Grange, Georgia. Our Pastors at Milledgeville from 1805 to 1898 Samuel Cowles, P. E., 1805-6; Jeremiah Lumsden, 1805-6; Eph Tucker, Jr., preacher, (no church) 1805; Josiah Randall, 1807-8; Moses Mather and Robert Porter, 1807; Jos. Tarpley and A. Judge, 1808; Lovick Pierce, P. E., 1809; Jas. Jennings and Thos. Mason, 1809; Lane Mills, (church built) 1810; A. M. McEwan, 1810; Jos. Tarpley, P. E., 1810-14; B. Daloney, 1811; A. Pickens, 1811; Lane M. Meek, (S. School begun) 1812; Lovick Pierce, (Con. held here) 1813; Thos. ----------------- p. 126 Mason, 1814; Lewis Myers, P. E., 1814-18; Christopher I. Parsons, 1815; John Wright, 1816; Nicolas Talley, 1817; Joseph Tarpley, P. E., 1818; John B. Glenn, Sr., preacher, 1818; Samuel Johnson, Jr., preacher, 1818; Jas. Bellah, 1819; Jas. Dunwoody, 1819; Jas. Bellah, 1820; Robert Flournoy, 1820; Isaac Smith, 1821; Allen Turner, Bond English, on circuit, 1821; S. K. Hodges, P. E., 1822-26; Jep. Sinclair, John Bigby, on circuit, 1822; Wm. Capers, 1823-24; Bond English, 1825; S. K. Hodges, P. E., 1826; R. Flournoy, 1826; Wm. Arnold, P. E., 1827-30; S. K. Hodges, 1827; S. K. Hodges, Challes and Hardy, 1828; Geo. Hill (died here). (New church built,) 1829; Lovick Pierce and W. P. Arnold, 1830; John Howard, P. E., (1st. Session Ga. Conf.) 1831-32; Elijah Sinclair, 1831; Jesse Boring, Myles Green, (Twenty-there members) 1832; Cassell Harrison, (139) 1833; Jos. Travis, (131) 1834; R. A. Steele, (117) 1835; Calvin Danforth, (Supply) (89 mem.) 1836; Cobb Key, (113 mem.) 1837; Robert S. Wilson, (123 mem.) 1838; Walter R. Branham, (Great revival) (172-151) 1839; Alfred T. Mann, (135) 1842; Isaac Boring, J. R. Danforth, (152) 1843; Edwin H. Myers, (137) 1844; Joshua Knowles, (124) 1845; Frederick D: Lowery, (129) 1846; Richard Lane, (117) 1846; Jackson P. Turner, (146) 1847; Wiley G. Parks, 1849; Robert W. Bingham, 1850; J. Bradford Smith, 1851; J. W. Hinton, 1852; Charles R. Jewett, 1852-53; Charles P. Cooper and C. W. Key (six months) 1854; Thomas H. Steward, 1855-6; Dr. Lovick Pierce, 1857; M. P. Norris, 1857; Walter Knox, 1858; Wm. J. Scott, 1859; H. J. Adams, 1860-61; Chas. A. Fullwood, 1862-63; Geo. W. Yarbrough, 1864-5; Wesley P. Pledge, 1866; W. C. Malloy, 1867; W. P. Almond (died), 1868; W. T. Caldwell, 1868; Peter A. Heard, 1869; A. J. Jarrell, (Mem. 164, 239, 244, 246) 1870-1-2-3; W. W. Wadsworth, (Mem. 312) 1874; H. J. Adams, (Mem. 300) 1875; H. H. Parks, (Mem. 330) 1876; Geo. G. Smith, (Mem. 312) 1877-8; H. H. Parks, 1879-80; G. H. Patillo, 1881-2; R. W. Bigham, 1883-4-5; J. D. ----------------- p. 127 Hammond, 1886; J. R. King, 1886-7-8-9; J. M. White, 1890-1; R. J. Bigham, 1892; J. M. White, 1893-4; J. S. Bryan, 1895-6; J. S. Bryan, and W. R. Branham, Jr. 1896; J. S. Bryan and W. R. Branham, Jr., 1897-8. Bishop James Osgood Andrew In the days of Charles the First and his persecuting archbishops, colonists came over from England and settled in Massachusetts, established the town of Dorchester; from there the church sent out colonists to South Carolina. Two of these colonists, James and Benjamin Andrew, obtaining a large tract of land from the Colonial Governor of Georgia, moved to a place called Midway. The pastor of the church there was a Mr. Osgood. One of these brothers, the father of John Andrew, was a very pious man; had regular family worship and once a week read a sermon to his family. When John was quite a small boy, the father died and he was educated by Mr. Osgood. He became an itenerant Methodist minister. At thirty-two he married Polly Cosby. The rule in early Methodism was for location to follow marriage, so John Andrew located though he did not cease preaching. Wilkes County was one of the best of the early settled counties, and in it James Osgood Andrew was born, May 3rd, 1794. Polly Cosby was a lady born and bred and the best Puritan blood flowed in the veins of John Andrew, so James was brought up as high toned a gentleman as Georgia had in it. In 1812, James Andrew entered conference and was sent to Salt Keltner Creek; in 1815, to Charleston. And in May he married Miss A. A. McFarlane, an unparralled thing for a young minister to do. Alexander, her father, had been a sea captain; her mother, of German origin, a woman of good sense, industry and piety. There were six children. The four daughters married Methodist preachers and also a grand-daughter, who was the wife of Dr. Rush, a Methodist preacher. ----------------- p. 128 In 1842, his wife died. It is impossible to pay tribute to this wonderful woman. Later, Bishop Andrew married Mrs. Lenora Greenwood of Greensborough, Ga. She was by no means wealthy, but possessed a few family slaves. After the marriage he deeded to the wife all the rights in her property, but that did not shield him from the storm that was to break upon his head. This sketch is given because of the fact that he was the occasion, though not the cause of the separation of the Methodist Church South from the M. E. Church, and of the fact that he was an ancestor of our former Regent, Mrs. H. D. Allen. Bishop George F. Pierce George Foster Pierce, firstborn child of Rev. Lovick and Ann Foster Pierce, was born in Greene county, Georgia, February 3, 1811. On the morning of September 3, 1884, at "Sunshine," his home in Hancock county, Georgia, he fell on sleep in perfect peace, and in the full assurance of faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. To borrow a phrase of his good father, he "came of good human stock." He was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. While a student of Franklin college, during a revival of religion, he was deeply convicted and soundly converted. He graduated with distinction from that institution in 1829. Soon after graduation, he began the study of law. In the course of a year, under the call of God, he gave himself unreservedly to the Methodist itineracy. January, 1831, the Georgia Conference was organized, and at that conference he was "admitted on trial." For nearly fifty-four years he did the work of a Methodist pastor, in the fields appointed to him by the Church, with every power of body, mind, and soul. The appointments he filled are recorded in the annals of his church. As circuit preacher, as station preacher, as presiding elder, as college agent, as college president, and from May, 1854, until his death, ----------------- p. 129 as one of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, he made "full proof of his ministry." As a member of the General Conference from 1840 to 1854, and as a member of the convention that organized the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1845, he was faithful and capable beyond most men. As the first president of Wesleyan Female College, and as president of Emory College from 1848 to 1854, he gave an impulse to the work of Christian education in the South that will long survive him. Bishop Pierce was great in many parts that fell to him in the distribution of labors and honors, but he was by pre-eminence, a preacher. The verdict of his contemporaries name him as the foremost man in sacred eloquence in his church. His was the tongue of fire, and to him was given the unction of the Holy Ghost. Our great brother and leader never spared himself, nor did the church that he honored and loved, spare him. Good people often chided him for overworking himself. It is but just to him to give his own estimate of the matter. Two days before he died, a friend said in his hearing: "He has worn himself out." He answered, "I have not overdone it, I have only gone on in the regular drift of duty. I have not made occasions; some of them I have resisted. I went as far as I could and stopped." Men who knew him but slightly admired him; those who knew him well trusted him absolutely, and those who knew him intimately loved him as a brother. Comparing him among Methodists, Fletcher was not more consecrated, Asbury was not more laborious, Wesley was not more loved. To the hour of his death, he retained his consciousness. He died as he lived, a Christian. On Monday before his departure, he gave what he evidently meant to be his dying testimony. Beckoning to a friend to approach his bed, he said, as if giving his last message to us all: "If I could talk, I think we ----------------- p. 130 would have a glorious love feast here; but I am too far spent. You must take it for granted. It is all right. I know that my Heavenly Father is not angry with me about anything at all. He knows that it has been my highest pleasure to serve Him and that it would be still. My heart is full, and all is serene and bright." Rev. William Asbury Parks In the Methodist Church of Milledgeville is a beautiful memorial window in honor of Rev. William A. Parks, who was for fifty-four years a minister, and who was greatly beloved in Milledgeville and throughout the entire State of Georgia, where he had labored for over half a century. For several years previous to his death in 1910, he made annual visits to Milledgeville. He preached frequently in the Methodist Church and in the Churches in Baldwin County. He made extensive acquaintances in the city and county and was held in the greatest respect and reverence. Rev. William Asbury Parks was born September 23, 1834, and died June 24, 1910. He was the son of J. W. Parks, and the great-grandson of Henry Parks, of Revolutionary fame. He was the great-nephew of Rev. William J. Parks, who from 1822 to 1873 was a noted member of the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Early in life he united with the Methodist Church, and for fifty-four years was a minister in the Methodist Conference. As a young minister, he emigrated to Texas, where he filled several important charges. At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, he was appointed as Chaplain in Waul's Texas Legion and served throughout the entire war. His greatest work was done as a preacher of the Gospel. For fifty-four years, he was a messenger of the Cross. He preached in every section in Georgia, and in many parts of the South, serving in circuits, ----------------- p. 131 in sections, and in districts. Some of his most important work was done as Presiding Elder in the Gainesville and Dalton Districts. In 1907, he served as Chaplain of the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia. Tribute of Rev. George G. Smith Rev. George G. Smith, Historian of Georgia Methodism, wrote as follows in the Wesleyan Christian Advocate in September, 1910: "I see by the papers that my friend, Billy Parks, has gone home. He was my friend for fifty years. When I entered the Conference in 1857, he was a year before me. His children grew up and were given the best that the State afforded. They were a fine lot and richly repaid all that parental love could give them. I have known few men that were worthier than Billy Parks. He had a great help-meet in his noble wife, and his children were both an honor and a comfort. "As far as I know, he had no enemies. He was an optimist of the best type. This rolling chair tribute is not a biographical sketch, but is simply the tribute of a loving heart." Tribute of Rev. L. P. Winter Rev. Lovick P. Winter read a biographical sketch at the 1910 session of the North Georgia Conference containing the following words: "He preached as often as he had strength and opportunity, and in the last three years he did most of the useful and enduring work of his life in starting the movement in our Conference to secure homes for the worn-out preachers of the Conference. To this cause he gave his last days with an untiring zeal and never ceasing energy. "In November, 1865, Brother Parks was married to Miss Ann D. Moore of Carroll County, Georgia. This most estimable Christian lady, though reared in another communion, entered at once and most heart- ----------------- p. 132 ily upon the life of an itinerant preacher's wife and all throughout the years of their married life, she has shared his experiences with an unmurmuring faithfulness and fortitude, helping as only a good wife can help. Sister Parks survives her husband, in beautiful, peaceful old age, loved by all who know her. Professor Marvin M. Parks, President of the Georgia State College for Women, at Milledgeville, Mrs. Luke G. Johnson, Mrs. T. C. Betterton, and Miss Mary Parks survive their father." In the words of Rev. Lovick P. Winter, the session of the North Georgia Conference in 1910 was for the "first time in three quarters of a century without the name of Parks on the roster of the North Georgia Conference. There are historic names in Georgia Methodism. For a 100 years and more the name of Parks has had an honored place on the roll of Georgia Methodist preachers, and the name is a household word throughout the State. For several generations the Pierces, the Quillians, the Greenes, and the Cooks, and others have furnished sons who, as preachers in itinerant work in the State,, have given state-wide honor to these families. Such succession is far better than Apostolic succession, and affords enduring evidence of the worth of a Christian heritage and training. "His preaching was notably effective. With a voice that was excellent in its carrying powers, with clear-cut thoughts and with words that were simple and active; with convictions that were never lukewarm; with a purpose in preaching the Gospel that was always definite, and distinct in his sermons, and always endowed with unction, his preaching won many to Christ, and left, life-long impressions on those who heard him. "The passing years weakened his body and left frost upon his head, but his heart was young, fresh, ----------------- p. 133 and sanguine to the last. He was a man, a brother, a Christian, a preacher of the Gospel, true to his fellow-men, true to his loved ones, true to his Church, and true to his Lord. Brother Parks was a man of active hopeful, ardent spirit. Always cheerful, always earnest, always intent upon whatever undertaking he had, and he was never without an undertaking of some sort or other throughout his whole life. He was one of the most useful and helpful of men. His last days were days of peace, assurance, and comfort from the Holy Spirit. The light went out slowly and there were no clouls at the sunset, except the clouds that tell by their glowing tints of a brighter tomorrow." Rev. George Wesley Yarbrough Rev. George Wesley Yarbrough, A. M., D. D., who died in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Oct. 17th., 1922, was a remarkable man, measured by any standard. His rare, native gifts, strengthened by serious study, wide reading and profound meditation, made him a charming writer and a profound preacher. He was the eldest child of Rev. John Wesley Yarbrough and Mrs. Amanda Lane Yarbrough, and was born in Jefferson county, Florida, March 10> 1838, when the Indians were still in the land. When he was ten years of age, in the summer of 1848, he was received into the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, by Rev. James H. Hintori, D. D., at Mt. Gilead Camp Ground, located in what was then De Kalb county, now Fulton. He thus began to live the life of a Christian before most of the counties in Georgio, as they now exist, were organized. Professing a call to preach, he was licensed to exhort first, as the custom then was, his exhorter's license being signed by Eustace W. Speer, D. D., and dated March 30, 1857, when he was a student in Emory College, in the senior class. He graduated the following July. ----------------- p. 134 On September 19, 1857, he was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of the Oxford and Covington Station, and at the following session of "the old Georgia Conference," held at Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, he was admitted on trial into the traveling connection, December 15, 1857. From his admittance on trial in 1857 until his superannuation in November 1908, he served in every class of appointments known to the Methodist itineracy—missions, circuits, and stations—in unbroken activity. In 1862, he was Chaplain of the Thirty-fifth Georgia Regiment, attached at first to French's Brigade (afterwards Pettigrew's) of Smith's Division in the army of Northern Virginia. Life in the army impaired his health, and in 1863, he was missionary to the colored Methodist charge in Athens, Ga. His health having been restored, he returned at the end of the year to army life, serving in 1864 as Chaplain to Wofford's Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was ordained a deacon at Rome, Georgia, by Bishop Kavenaugh, December 18, 1859, and was elected to the order of Elder by the Georgia Conference in 1861, when he was in Virginia. On September 1, 1863, he was married by Rev. Atticus G. Haygood, to Miss Mary Boyce Morris, of Cobb county. In perfect love they walked and worked together through many happy and useful years, serving in every part of the state of Georgia. Few men, if any, in his day rendered more varied and extensive service in the ministry. From the Savannah river on the East to the Chattahoochee on the West, from Isle of Hope in the South, to Dalton in the North; from the mountains of Rabun, to Tybee by the sea, he traveled for fifty years, serving nine years on circuits, two in the Confederate army, one as a missionary to the negroes, twenty-four on stations, and fifteen on Districts, always studying to show himself "approved unto God, a workman needing not to be ----------------- p. 135 ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." To the exposition of the Holy Scriptures he brought deep spiritual insight, as well as the power of a strong and well furnished mind. His sermons, therefore, were always instructive and edifying, and his preaching frequently rose to uncommon heights of pulpit eloquence. He excelled also as a writer in the religious periodicals of his own and other churches. It is to be regretted that he wrote no more, publishing but one book, "Boyhood and other Days in Georgia." But great as was the preacher and gifted as was the writer, the man was best of all. He was himself nobler than anything he did. His whole life was dominated by the controlling purpose to fulfil the will of God. To this end he drew all his care and studies. He was on the list of Superannuates for fourteen years but he continued to preach as opportunity offered, and he brought much fruit in his old age. He labored to the last, preaching three times on Sunday, Oct. 15, before Tuesday, Oct. 17, when he passed into the skies while trying to get back to his loved room in "John's" parsonage home at Dalton. After having served his own generation by the will of God, he fell on sleep on the way, and the weary pilgrim's journey ended in peace. How noble the life he lived! How beautiful its close! And the tired body was laid to rest by the side of his loved wife in the cemetery at Marietta, on the morning of October 19, 1922. In that chamber with its window opening towards the sunrise, his mortal body slumbers for a season, but not forever. Tomorrow he will wake and sing as he was wont: "I come—thy servant, Lord replies— I come to meet thee in the skies And claim my heavenly rest." ----------------- p. 136 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The First Presbyterian Church in Milledgeville, Ga., was organized June llth, 1826, by Rev. Dr. Brown, Rev. Messrs. Gilversleeve, Foote and Stiles being present. Six members entered into the organization, to whom Rev. Joseph C. Stiles occasionally preached, under whose ministration the Church had been formed. The record in the old book of the town council reads: "August 1st., 1826, at 4 o'clock p. m., at the Commissioners Hall in the town of Mliledgeville. Present: William Y. Hansell, Intendant; Charles J. Paine, Commissioner; Samuel Boykin, Commissioner; Thomas W. Baxter, Commissioner and R. B. Washington, Secty., appeared the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, viz.; Orrin Shaw, Joseph Washburn and Hugh Craft, having applied to the Corporation in conformity to the law, for its assent to designate a Lot of Ground on the State House Square, the following order was passed: Be it therefore resolved that Thomas W. Baxter, be and is hereby appointed to see the same carried into effect." In the Acts of Georgia, 1823, page 40, Parsonage lots. 1828, page 51, Presbyterian Church, incorporated, 1849-50, page 76, revival of Charter, Presbyterian Church. Pastors Installed and years of Service Rev. Joseph C. Stiles, June 11, 1826-27; Rev. James C. Patterson, 1827-28; Rev. Lawson C. Clinton, 1829-30; Rev. Willet Preston, 1830-32; Rev. Benjamin Burroughs, 1832-34; Rev. C. W. Howard, 1834-36; Rev. John W. Baker, 1836-54; Rev. William Flinn, 1854-69; Rev. Charles ,W. Lane, 1869-72; Rev. George T. Geotchius, 1872-79; Rev. Donald McQueen, 1879-92; Rev. Denton W. Brannen, 1892-1920; Rev. Thomas Gordon Watts, 1921—. ----------------- p. 137 THE LITTLE CHURCH UNDER THE PINES In 1858, when the main building of the State Lunatic Asylum, as it was then called, was completed there appeared no particular use for the little chapel that stood in the grove in front of the Institution; so it was put up at public sale and bought by Dr. Thomas F. Green. He then presented it to the citizens of Midway for a house of worship. The persident of Oglethorpe University, Dr. Samuel K. Talmadge, and the professors, Mr. Robert C. Smith, Professor Chas. Lane, and the pastors of the different churches in Milledgeville had services for the inmates of the Asylum. At that time there was no church within several miles of the Institution, and as some return for these kindly offices, given without remuneration, Dr. Green desired to present the little church to the citizens, and to remove it on the land of Oglethorpe University, whose trustees, therefore deeded the land to the citizens of Midway. When the Methodist and Baptist Churches were built in the vicinity, and supplied with pastors, there were no regular services held in the chapel. The flourishing Sunday School was removed to the other churches. For twenty-five years there had been no other Sabbath School. Mr. John Orme had made a faithful superintendent. He was succeeded by Mr. Elbert Eamsey, who was superintendent for a number of years. He had a very large and active Sabbath School until he was stricken with paralysis, dying a few days later. He was mourned by the entire community, but especially by the School with which he had labored. The doors were now closed except for an occasional night service. The house was badly in need of repairs but friends rallied, and soon the little church under the pines presented a pleasing picture. The Christian Church having no edifice appealed to the trustees for the use ----------------- p. 138 of the Chapel. This solved the problem for all concerned. At present on Sabbath mornings the doors are open and classes gather as of yore, under the superintendency of Mrs. O. M. Ennis and her assistant. Miss Floride Allen. Additional Comments: From: Part II HISTORY of BALDWIN COUNTY GEORGIA BY MRS. ANNA MARIA GREEN COOK ILLUSTRATED ANDERSON. S. C. Keys-Hearn Printing Co. -1925— File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/baldwin/history/other/gms246historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 71.8 Kb