Columbia County Georgia - Biography - William Lewis Crawford 1802 - 1878 ********************************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation 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. http://www.usgwarchives.net ********************************************************************************************** This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charlene Parker" Sep 2002 >From "History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller WILLIAM LEWIS CRAWFORD 1802-1878 Rev. William Lewis Crawford was born in Columbia County, Georgia on the 22nd day of February, 1802. He had no educational opportunities except such as were afforded by Old-Field Schools. He was baptized by Rev. James Matthews and joined the church at Benevolence, Randolph County, Georgia in July, 1842; and was ordained at the same place in April 1846 at the request of the Rehoboth Church in that County. During his ministerial career he served the Baptist Churches at Cuthbert, Ft. Gaines, Georgetown, Vienna, and many other churches, and generally with great acceptability and usefulness. He helped constitute many churches and ordained a great many ministers. In 1848 he was elected Moderator of the Bethel Association and held this place continuously through 1859, a period of thirteen years in succession. At Associations and Conventions, except when he was presiding, he would take his seat in some remote part of the assembly, and say little or nothing. When remonstrated with on this account, he replied, "There are so many who love to talk, and who can talk so much better than I can, that I think it best to hold my tongue. But if you think I am doing wrong, I will try to do better in the future." While thus a meek and humble Disciple, he was a bold and jealous Christian, while modest and retiring in disposition, he was earnest in spirit, strong in intellect, firm in conviction, wise in counsel, and judicious in action. All this gave him a great influence which he used to good purpose in sustaining and giving character to the noble aims and objects of the Bethel Association and the churches composing it. He was a man of large frame; a sincere and devoted Christian, of deep and strong beliefs. He was hence free from fluctuations in opinion and vacillation in conduct. His Bible was his text-book, its teachings were his law, and their observance became as well his highest privilege as bounden duty. Thus acting, his life as similated the instructions of the Master, and his spirituual nature developed into a vigorous Christianhood. In his moral being, the precepts of religion crystalized; for this was the whole desire of his soul, as "Near, my God, to thee," was his constant prayer. Previous to conversion he was a considerable politician, had encountered the follies and vices of youth, and in early manhood had become aware of all the pit-falls of the pathway of life. To him the snares of satan and the secutions of the world were a conscious recollection, and he had learned and felt that all was vanity; hence he was free from these harmful influences in his ministerial life, and fully capable of warning others against the dangers of worldliness. He began to preach about three years after his baptism, and soon became a strong and zealous preacher, and a powerful exhorter. As a preacher, he was beloved by those to whom he was best known, and universally popular, although to the day of his death an "Old Landmark" man and a high-toned Calvinist. He possessed a fine mind, a good understanding, and a most retentive memory, never forgetting persons, faces or names. Resignation to the will of God, forbearance and Christian patience were marked characteristics of his, while he was, at the same time, truly a peacemaker, often putting himself to much trouble and laboring diligently and earnestly to settle difficulties between his brethren in Christ. His social qualities were unsurpassed. Full of life, cheerful, and sometimes pleasantly mirthful, he was a most conversable man and a most desirable travelling companion. Devout and earnest in spirit warm and confiding in disposition, and zealous of good works, he was an attractive co-laborer, a constant and lovable friend. He married Miss Artemisia L. Zachary, of Columbia County, Georgia, March 30th, 1824; and on the 12th of January, 1878 was transported to the Christian's home in glory. following notes added by Debra Crosby Georgia Marriages Columbia County Crawford, William L. - Zachary, Artemissia 30 Mar 1824 1850 Randolph Co. Ga. Census page 404b 8th District 130- William L. Crawford 48 m baptist minister 4500 Ga Ann 44 f Ga Ellen 20 f Ga William M. 14 m Ga Joel 12 m Ga Gilbert 10 m Ga Lewis 2 m Ga Joseph Sanders 21 m Lee Co. overseer