Coweta County GaArchives Church Records.....Bethel Methodist Church Copyright Date 1838 - 1900 ************************************************ 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: Phil Tidwell ptidwell2@mail.newnanutilities.org February 7, 2004, 5:39 pm HISTORY OF BETHEL M. E. CHURCH OF TURIN CIRCUIT, LAGRANGE DISTRICT IN COWETA COUNTY, GEORGIA (ABRIDGED) CHURCH REGISTER OF THE BETHEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH, 1894 to 1939 AND BETHEL METHODIST CHURCH, 1939 to 1968 AND BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1968 to 1972 THE MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM TATUM NEILL AS TOLD TO HIM BY GREENBERRY NEILL. August the 12-1893 Acting under suggestions of Rev. W. J. Cotter, B. F. Cock, Senior and others; I make this effort to write a brief account of our Church in the past. Our lot of two and one half acres was given by Guilford R. Otwell and Susan E. Otwell to L. C. Stewart, Josiah Neill, A. Thompson, Peter B. Terel and Samuel Neill as Trustees of the M. E. Church the 14th day of June 1839 and recorded in book H or K by B. H. Mitchel. Page 219 June 28, 1839. From recollections of uncle G. B. Neill, our church was organized in October 1838 by Rev. John Simmons, P. C. He was followed by Rev. Neice and Rev. Tignor. Rev. Celhorne Trussel, Rev. Wm. A. Smith and Rev. W. B. Smith came next followed by Rev. John Yarbro., Rev. Abraham Pennington, and Rev. Daniel Belsez, in 1861. Rev. John Marshal, Rev. M. A. Clonte, and Rev. T. B. Harbin served next. Rev. Robert F. Jones came on the work in 1865 and I think in 1866-7 and again in 1874 and died on the work. He was followed by Rev. Warren F. Baggarly. Rev. Leonard Rush serves in 1876-7-8, assisted in 1877 by Rev. J. T. Curtis. I think there were seven Churches in the work at that time (1877). Rev. T. S. L. Harwell came in 1879. Followed in 1881 by Rev. M. L. Underwood. Followed by Rev. W. J. Cottor in 1884, Rev. B. Sanders in 1887, Rev. J. H. Little in 1889, Rev. R. P. Martin in 1890 and Rev. W. J. Cottor in 1892. Our present House of worship was built in 1844. The first interment in our cemetery was a little child in March 1839. Josiah Neill was buried August the 8th 1839 and Josiah Stewart was buried the same year. Ely Baley was buried on the 7th day of August 1840. Brother G. B. Neill has an old Class Book which we find revised by Rev. W. H. Evans, P. C. in 1855 and again in 1857 by Rev. James Harris, P. C. The last revision being June 14, 1865. These old Registers are headed with the name of Rev. J. C. Wright whose labors continued in this church until his death March 4, 1867. His name is followed by Rev. J. G. Vicary, another local brother removed by death August 5, 1888. J. G. Neill, William Stewart, R. B. Bridges, and Samuel Leak remembered as a Sunday School worker; and one to make a lasting impression on the minds of small children, according to our own experience, Tom Bella, Samuel Neill, Senior, J. T. Cruse and others whose lives and labors were spent here. The females are headed by Susan E.Otwell, Nancy Bella, Essena Neill, Resiah Vicary, Jane Adcock, Dicy Higgins and so on. The roll of 1857 shows 89 male and 93 female members. The roll of 1864 shows 93 male and 108 female members. The oldest Minute we can find is not dated except Fourth Quarterly Meeting of Coweta circuit. R. B. Bridges, John D. Thurmond, Alston Bailey and Z. F. Turnupseed were appointed Trustees and the Church appointed Z. T. Turnupseed secretary. The first Church Conference of which we find a dated Minute was held June 16, 1877 with J. T. Curtis in chair and W. T. Neill secretary. An older Minute than the above has been found, it says Wm. T. Neste was elected secretary March 14,1874 and does not state who was in the Chair. Forgive us for such a beginning. It seems that I was secretary nine years and that brother J. Clem Thurmond was elected in 1883 and served six years. That I was elected again in 1889 and the two years following. Brother Ottel Morgan was elected in 1893 and again January 13,1894. One Minute says that in 1878 Bethel paid for the support of the ministry 65.50 dollars, the assessment was 75 dollars. Since that time I think we have usually paid the assessment but perhaps the books or recollections of the stewards will tell us more than the minutes do. In 1882, the minutes tell us that the Church paid $90.50 and by whom it was paid. There have been no records kept of money raised for any other purpose that I know of. Rev. John Renolds was the first man to preach at Bethel so far as I have been able to find. He preached here before the Church was organized. Rev. Stafford, Rev. Haram Camp, Rev. George E. Smith and Rev. W. N. Fambro are among the local Brethren who have labored here. W. N. Fambro's monthly appointment continued about 16 years and he seldom missed an appointment during that time. He was our recording stewart for many years. It was G. E. Smith who received my hand when I joined the church in this House in September 1859. Rev. Levi Bedenbaugh of the Lutheran Church, said the first funeral he attended; when he moved into this community from South Carolina, was that of Josiah Stewart and that he officiated. From that day until the day of his death, he often worshipped with this church and often preached here. He died not many years ago. Rev. Eliza Elmore of the same Church was so constantly with us for about the same number of years that he seemed one of us. April 18, 1894 How came there to be A Bethel [Church] here? About the year 1836 Josiah Neill and wife settled in the wild woods not three hundred yards from where the Church now stands. They were Methodists from South Carolina. There was no preaching or religious service held within a reasonable distance; they invited Rev. John Renolds, a local Brother and blacksmith at Freeman's crossroads to preach at their house. Preparing such convenience as they could for the occasion. Service was held there through the fall of 1837. In 1838 the neighbors assembled and built a brush arbor and Rev. John Bigly another local Brother came to help. It was decided to organize a Church and the first one to present himself for membership was Josiah Neill and his wife was the third. She remained in this Church until July 18, 1878, when she was removed by death. The second person was Martha Steward; she remained in this Church until her death, November 28, 1859. Next was Permeily Nixon, she died in this community 12 or 15 years later. Number five was granny Shaw; she died in Alabama some years later. Number six was Jery Garman and number seven his wife; they afterward moved to Cobb County or somewhere else. Number eight and nine were A. Thompson and his Mother; they moved to Alabama. Number 10 and 11, were Gilford R. and Susan E. Otwell. They moved to Washington County Arkansaw in the fall of 1857. Number 12, Ely Bailey and number 13 his wife and number 14 Sarah and number 15 Thomas; their children from South Carolina by certificate. Number 16, Jane C. Bailey. The Church being organized, it was decided to build a house of worship. The collection for this purpose amounted to 65 dollars and a log house was built in the year 1839. [Note: This log building was used until 1844 when a much larger structure was built of hewn timber and dressed lumber. The building now in use was erected between 1895 and 1900.] Number 17, Edie Nixon moved to south Georgia. Number 18, Martha A. Neill, now Vicary. Number 19, James G. Neill and number 20, G. B. Neill. 21. John V. Neill - died in Richmond, Virginia on April 29, 1863. 22. Isriel Demsey - moved to Texas. 23. his wife - she died in this county. 24. Thomas Waters - died in Griffin. 25. his wife 26. Sarah Mitlhel - relatives of Waters 27. Lexoy Mitchel 28. Caleb Garison - moved to Alabama. 29. his wife 30. his son Thomas 31. his son Jud 32. L. C. Stewart - moved west. 33. his wife 34. Alsy Fulilove 35. Nancy A. Thurmond - died August 5,1888. 36. T. G. Vicary 37. his wife - died April 8,1863. 38. Molez Himbro 39. Polly Entrekin 40. Cassina Martin - moved to Spalding County. 41. Alsy Odom 42. Thom Entrekin - moved to Carroll County. 43. and wife - moved to Carroll County. 44. Davis Entrekin 45. and wife 46. William Blackstock - died 1847. 47. Tinson Adcock - died July 27,1857. 48. his wife - died. 49. Samuel Neill, Senior - marked as Class Leader on the old Book and as Trustee on the deed. He used to come to Church on the old style, he and his wife riding the same grey mule. He would come early and spend the before service singing the old songs he loved so well. He was dismissed by certificate, October 4, 1859, and a large family with him. He lived to a ripe old age and died in Columbia County Arkansaw. 50. Esseneh Neill - his wife lived to old age and died (blank). Wish I could date their births and deaths. 51. J. P. Crise - dismissed by certificate, but not dated. He lived to old age in the west. He carried a large and interesting family with him. He died in the early part of 1900. All of those preceding were members prior to the building of the present House of worship in 1844. After which we find: 52. Benjamin Glover 53. Robert White 54. his wife - the names of these three above do not appear on any of the Registers that we now have. 55. Peter G. Terel's name appears only on the deed. 56. J. C. Wright 57. William Stewart - Class Leader, still lives in Texas where he moved by certificate October 10,1858. 58. R. B. Bridges - also marked Class Leader. He was Trustee and the first Steward that I can remember. He died in 1875. 59. Samuel Leak - marked Class Leader and removed by Letter. 60. David Entrekin 61. Henry Freeman - died 1858. 62. William Entrekin, Senior 63. John Bellah - died September 22,1871, a very old man. Rev. Noah Smith was at some time a Pastor; and W. B. Toot was supplied to finish the unexpired term of R. F. Jones. He was but a boy in appearance, but by zeal, earnestness and rare gifts he endeared himself greatly to the people. John McKnight was P. C., about the year 1859 or 1860. I guess but few people ever forgot him, not even the little children. But his fame has already gone to history. He prayed for the destruction of a whiskey business in Haralson, in the most impressive and earnest language I ever heard. And that prayer was not long in being answered. David Stripling was Pastor in perhaps 1867 or 1868. After which we find. 64. William Entrekin, Senior [listed twice - see 62] 65. J. D. Thurmond - Trustee. Died December 17,1881 of cancer, aged 64 years, 6 months and 14 days. He was born in Morgan County, Georgia. 66. Edward Adcock - removed without certificate. 67. J. M. Stewart - removed without certificate, October 5, 1859. 68. William Entrekin, Junior 69. Charles Huckens - removed. 70. William Bailey - Uncle Bily [Billy] lived to good old age and died December 27, 1893. Aged 84 years, 7 months and 4 days and was buried here. 71. Alston Bailey 72. W. S. Otwull - removed by certificate. 73. J. A. Wright - removed. 74. Jacob Odom - removed without certificate. 75. Joseph Entrekin 76. J. B. Stewart - died or killed in battle at Knoxville, Tennessee on November 29, 1863. Age 33 years, 13 days. 77. Josiah Otwull - removed by certificate. 78. S. C. Cruce - killed in the Battle of Sharpsburg in Maryland on September 17, 1862. 79. Thomas Cruce - removed by certificate to Arkansaw. 80. Harison H. Nixon 81. John Neill - removed by certificate, October 4, 1859 to Arkansaw. 82. James A. Neill 83. James E. Neill - removed by certificate, October 4, 1859 to Arkansaw. 84. George Bailey 85. William C. Wright - Class Leader. Now living in Meriwether County, Georgia. 86. John T. Wright - died. 87. James C. Vicary - Drafted. Moved to south Alabama. 88. E. Chappell 89. Samuel C. Neill - died May 18, 1874. 90. James Spivey - removed by certificate, 1855. 91. W. Otwull - removed by certificate to Arkansaw. Died in Yankee Prison. 92. John Chappell 93. Thomas Entrekin 94. George Adcock 95. Ely Bailey, Senior - How well I remember his faithfulness in bringing the water, opening the doors and windows, lighting the candles and such other things as needed attention. His place has perhaps never been filled since he died. 96. Judge Suggs - died August 3, 1862. Age 30 years, 6 months, 20 days. 97. Robert Higgins - Class Leader. Died May 18, 1875. Age 44 years, 6 months and 7 days. 98. Balys Suggs - discontinued. 99. L. N. Fulilove - died. 100. N. Kimbro - died in the war. 101. Davis W. Vicary - expelled. Died. 102. William Wilson - died in the war. 103. J. Beverly Byrum - died in the army on his birthday, April 16, 1862, 22 years of age. 104. D. Byrum 105. Johy. Moses 106. James Washington - died in time of the war. 107. Henry Pennington - dismissed by certificate. 108. John Entrekin - died in the war. 109. Moses House - drafted. 110. John Washington - drafted. 111. Mans. Mote - drafted. 112. Duncan L. Wright - dismissed by certificate. He was Sunday School superintendant for a few years before his removal. He was licensed to exhort while a member here. 113. Leuelin Crook - drafted. 114. Riley Bailey 115. Jackson Otwull - dismissed by certificate. 116. William Pennington - died June 1875. 117. Mathey Pennington - died in the war. 118. Franklin Logan - dismissed by certificate. Prefixed to his name and in the same handwriting is the date August 1856. From that I would suppose that all those mentioned were members prior to that date. 119. Newton Bailey - died in the war. 120. John Adcock - died in the war. 121. William Suggs - died near Charleston, South Carolina in war. I think in spring of 1865. 122. Ransom Shin - removed without certificate. 123. David Odom - died. 124. Samuel Entrekin 125. F. M. Cannon - dismissed by certificate. 126. G. W. Cannon - died in war. 127. William Silman - removed. 128. V. M. Mosley 129. Apleton Elmore - died in war. 130. William T. Neill 131. Elizsa Entrekin 132. William Bevis - The last name on the first Male list, 90 in number, 58 of them are found on the next list. [List continues with females] 133. Nancy Bella - died February 14,1877. 134. Keziah Vicary - died. 135. Dicie Higgins - died. 136. M. F. A. Leak - removed by certificate. 137. E. Odom - removed without certificate. 138. S. E. Stewart - removed by certificate, October 10, 1859. 139. Nancy Wright - removed. 140. Lucinda Entrerkin - died August 30, 1858. 141. Nancy Bevis 142. Keziah Adcock - removed without certificate. 143. Martha J. Bridges 144. E. Blackstock - removed without certificate. 145. H. C. Cruce - removed by certificate. 146. Sarah Wilson 147. Doly Ann Suggs 148. Priscilla Neill Slaughter 149. Rebecca Chappell 150. Lucy A. Thurmond (Nixon) (Thompson) 151. Mary Neill Byrum - died. 152. Virgil Otwell - removed by certificate. 153. Lety An Hutchins - removed. 154. M. A. S. Stewart - removed by certificate, October 10, 1859. 155. Mary Bailey 156. Eady Bayley Slaughter - died. 157. Mary E. Neill - removed by certificate, Oct 10, 1859. 158. Rebeca Thompson - removed by certificate. 159. M. F. Addy - removed by certificate. 160. Virginia L. Wright - died February 1854 in Winston County, Alabama and buried at a Church named Bethel. This good woman was many years a member of this Church. She was greatly devoted to her Church and community and her grief was great at having to leave the people she loved and the Church and cemetery where her dead were buried. 161. M. C. G. Wright 162. M. M. Wright 163. M. E. Nixon 164. M. F. Fulilove Bennet 165. L. C. Vicary Moses - removed by certificate. 166. Frances Stewart (Pennington) (Odom) - died. 167. Sarah Entrekin - dropped. 168. Susan Spivy - died. 169. Mary Brooks - gone to the Baptist. 170. M. Entrekin 171. J. A. Entrekin 172. P. Otwell - removed by certificate. 173. Matilda Jobeth Morgan 174. M. G. Huckins - removed. 175. Melisa Huchins - removed. 176. Manda Huckins - removed. 177. Fanny Bailey 178. Martha Vicary Cannon - died. 179. Linny Couch - died. 180. E. W. Neill 181. Margret Chappell Bailey - died. 182. Sarah E. Higgins Nixon 183. Frances Entrekin Byrum 184. T. A. Kimbro 185. Susan Kilgo Neill - removed by certificate. 186. Angeline Thurmond McCullough 187. L. Pennington -died. 188. BerNetia Cannon - removed by certificate, July 1853. 189. Harriet Cannon Entrekin 190. Caroline Cannon 191. R. L. Neill - died. 192. Nancy Vicary - died December 25, 1853. 193. Sarah Crook 194. Elisebeth Entrekin 195. Winny Bailey - died. 196. Matilda J. Entrekin Logan 197. Mary Entrekin 198. Permelia Odom 199. Martha A. M. Neill - removed by certificate, October 4, 1859. 200. Mary Moses Logan - removed by certificate. 201. Frances Bailey Moses (Davenport) 202. Emily Pennington - dismissed by certificate. 203. Sophronie House - removed without certificate. 204. Missoury Odom Bonner - removed without certificate. 205. Nancy J. Chappell 206. Elisebeth Ship 207. Nancy Pennington Vicary 208. Mary Ann Pennington 209. Matilda Otwull - removed by certificate. 210. Martha Higgins 211. Malissa Adcock 212. L. F. Skin - removed without certificate. 213. Harriet M. Elmore - Beginning about 1865 she was one of the most faithful Sunday school workers we have ever had. She was dismissed by certificate, May 17, 1879; and returned March 9, 1895. 214. Ann Ship This finishes the first roll. [215. Keziah Adcock - This entry struck through by Mr. Neill] 215. Mary Harris 216. Cornelia Dennis 217. Margret Higgins Bailey 218. Mary Adcock 219. Frances Blackstock Tidwell - removed without certificate. 220. Lucy A. D. Neill Bowers 221. Parinet Odom 222. Martha Odom Hill 223. Eliva T. Entrekin - removed by certificate. 224. S. E. Hodges - July 28 by transfer. 225. M. A. Roberts - transfered. 226. Nancy Entrekin 227. Rutha An Entrekin 228. Elisebeth Stallings - transfered. 229. Mary Ship 230. Levina Roberts - transfered. 231. Catherine Roberts Neill - transfered. 232. Elvirah Nixon - received April 17, 1864. From this we Judge that this book was in use up to this time and that females mentioned were received before this date. 233. Mary Harper - died. 234. Keziah Stewart - died April 29, 1895. 235. L. A. E. Perdew - removed. 236. S. M. Bradbury 237. Nancy Wetherton 238. Jane Bailey Odom 239. Dicie Bailey 240. Elisebeth Baley - died January 13, 1885. 241. Martha J. Neill 242. Rispa C. Neill - died February 27,1879. Aged 30 years, 5 months and 19 Days. 243. Dicie E. Neill Chappell 244. Elisebeth Waldrop 245. M. Liles 246. Jane Liles 247. Z. F. Turnupseed 248. Eliva Moon 249. Martha Brownning - received May 17, 1865. Dismissed by certificate. 250. Elmirah M. Browning - received May 17, 1865. Dismissed by certificate. 251. Sarah A. V. Wright These names are found on the second list of females. 252. Emily Entrekin 253. Elisebeth Thurmond Bedenbaugh 254. Elisebeth Brownning - dismissed by certificate. 255. Dicie E. Bailey 256. Caroline Bailey Slaughter - died. 257. America Cannon - removed by certificate. Died in Alabama, May 3, 1862. The last of the females on the old book. [We continue the male members] 258. D. F. Blackstock - drowned in Dog River in Douglas County, June 7, 1867. Aged 13 years, 6 months and [blank]. 259. J. A. Hodges - transfered. 260. Pleasant Roberts - transfered. 261. T. T. Entrekin 262. Rabun Ship 263. Daniel Logan 264. J. B. Perdew - removed. 265. Wiley Bradbury 266. John Spraggan 267. Thomas Wetherton 268. Jessey Ship 269. John Entrekin - removed. 270. D. W. Vicary 271. Z. F. Turnupseed - He was Trustee and secretary. He died. 272. D. P. Vicary 273. J. C. Thurmond this completes roll number 2 274. W. L. Bowers - received, July 29, 1864. 275. William Douglas 276. Josiah Neill - died May 18, 1903. 277. Samuel D. Thurmond 278. F. Powel - He was a local Preacher, taught school in this community about 1863, 1864 or 1865; where he came from or where he went I do not know. The date of the roll in which his name is found is 1864. We have now gone through Uncle G. B. Neill's old class book. The next roll seems to be about 1868. 279. Elik Bailey, Junior. - died after 1892. 280. William T. Entrekin 281. Thomas Bailey 282. Levi Odom - by baptism, February 24, 1867. 283. John W. Vicary 284. Charles Thurmond 285. T. L. Mcolough 286. M. Texas Neill 287. G. R. Dennis 288. Mathew Turnipseed 289. T. N. Mcollough - removed. 290. John P. Odom 291. Ira G. Mcolough - joined Baptist. 292. John H. Mcolough 293. Thomas Hatton - died. 294. James P. Slaughter - moved to north Alabama. 295. James Chappell 296. Caleb D. Odom - Texas 297. James P. Shipp 298. M. S. Morgan 299. Robbert Williams 300. David D. Thompson 301. Chesly Cranford 302. James Spence - dismissed by certificate. 303. J. G. Nixon 304. William Shipp - transfered to Tranquil [Methodist Church], June 16, 1877. 305. John Entrekin - died November 1872. 306. John W. Chappell - dismissed by certificate. 307. Henry C. Chappell - expelled. 308. W. T. Chappell - removed. 309. Robbert Chappell - removed. 310. William Wilson 311. Jefferson Chappell - removed. 312. Wesley Chappell - gone 313. Joseph Neill 314. [blank] Mcmikel - removed September 1879. 315. Alfred Friday 316. Mangram Entrekin 317. M. J. Stewart 318. Jessey Wootten 319. Emmit C. Turnupseed - dismissed by certificate, November 1881. 320. John A. Couch 321. James Farrow - withdrawn to baptist, 1893. 322. C. B. Nixon 323. Drewry Nixon 324. John Adcock 325. William Tacket - dismissed by certificate, March 24, 1878. 326. Charls Mcnight 327. Willis Mcnight 328. Robert Turnupseed 329. Josepp Vicary 330. Rily W. Hubbard 331. Oswell Crook 332. B. L. Brooks [Mr. Neill skipped number 333] 334. William Cannon This is the last name of males on the Turnupseed book. 335. B. F. Thornton - received by certificate, July 18,1880. 336. L. B. Belile - by certificate, October 3, 1880. 337. Luther C. Bailey - by baptism, October 19, 1880. 338. Robert W. Nations - by baptism, September 1880. 339. John N. Neill - by baptism, September 1880. 340. J. H. Massengal - by baptism, October 3, 1880. 341. Joseph H. Farrow - by baptism, October 3, 1880. 342. Henry Farrow - by baptism, September 18, 1880. Females of 1868 343. Elisebeth Thurmond Bedenbough 344. Nancy A. Thurmond Liles 345. Martha T. Bedenbough 346. Adlade Thurman Urquehart 347. Mary Cannon 348. Sarah Cannon Parker 349. Mary Hammond 350. Rebeca J. Suggs Slaughter 351. Eliza Bailey Higgins 352. Mary Bowers 353. Matilda J. Bailey 354. Lucinda P. Bowers 355. Julia A. Bailey 356. Martha Perkins 357. Martha Cranford 358. E. Cranford 359. Lucretia Prince 360. Susan C. Haynes - by baptism, September 19, 1881. 361. F. T. Adcock Higgins 362. Clara Belile 363. Lula Belile 364. E. M. Cochran 365. Nancy T. Dogget 366. B. N. Dogget 367. Permelia Elmore 368. M. J. Entrekin - by certificate, September 18, 1881. 369. Adie Russell 370. Gussie Jonsey 371. Lula Jonsey 372. M. R. McNight 373. Lula Mcnight 374. Carrie Nixon 375. Lucy Nixon Moody 376. J. E. Nixon 377. M. E. Nixon 378. Emma Stewart 379. Mary E. Neill - by certificate, July 18, 1880. 380. Ann Elisey Perkins 381. Idella B. Stewart 382. Eretha Ward 383. Susan Williams 384. Essena Night 385. N. E. Turnupseed 386. Martha Brooks 387. Alice Crook Hutton 388. Lizzie Brooks 389. Sarah Chappell - dismissed by certificate, November 1880. 390. Bebesa Penington 391. Corintha Kimbo - died March 16, 1881. 392. Caroline Farrow 393. Palistine Adcock 394. Savanah Chappell - dismissed by certificate, 1881. 395. Georgia A. Cannon - dismissed by certificate, 1878. 396. Susan Adcock Nations 397. Elisebeth Tacket - dismissed by certificate. 398. Elisebeth Entrekin 399. Martha Chappell 400. Jeffa Chappell - dismissed by certificate, 1880. 401. Marinda Byrum 402. Flora A. Turnupseed - died March 29, 1879. 403. M. F. Wright 404. J. B. Night 405. Cissena Knight 406. Carrie Dennis 407. Mary Suggs - died December 9, 1881. 408. Mary S. Couch - by baptism, September 18, 1879. 409. Rebeca Massengale - received September 11, 1881. 410. Sarah J. Jonsey - by baptism, September 18, 1881. 411. Mary G. Neill - by baptism, September 18, 1881. Mr. Neill miss numbered the roll at this point, using number 411 again. Later he omitted number 449. Numbers have been corrected in this manuscript. 412. Carrie Byrum - received September 18, 1881. 413. Martha Smith - by certificate, October 15, 1881. 414. Esna Delk - September 8, 1889. 415. Eva L, Nixon - April 10, 1892. 416. Mary E. Nixon - April 10, 1892. 417. Orvey J. Turner - August 14, 1892. 418. Salza Thompson - September 10, 1892. 419. Laura Thompson - September 10, 1892. 420. Sarah E. Brooks - September 10, 1892. 421. Savanah Thurmond - September 10, 1892. 422. Minerva Turner - by certificate, August 14, 1892. 423. Elsy M. Odom Wood - September 10, 1893. 424. Cadielia Odom 425. Florence Helms 426. Mary L. Handcock 427. Teseani J. Shell - April 7, 1884. 428. Martha F. Vicary 429. Vida Nixon 430. Nannie Nixon 431. Mattie C. Bailey 432. Annie L. Bailey 433. Maud M. Entrekin 434. Claudie McCollough 435. Carry M. Dennis 436. Onie L. Dennis - July 19, 1895. 437. Katie S. Dennis 438. Levie M. Neill 439. Idella Wilson 440. Maggie M. Wilson 441. Hattie F. Wilson 442. Katie M. Adcock 443. Ala. B. Mcnight 444. Alma Crook 445. Mollie Elmore 446. Ema E. Huckaby 447. Mary E. Huckaby 448. Msyrtiel Huckaby 449. Salz Davis - August 16, 1894. 450. Montetier Davis 451. Amandy Brooks 452. Lucy Brooks 453. Annie Owens 454. Mamie Brooks Elmore - [Strikethrough by Mr. Neill.] 455. Pearl E. Brooks 456. Mary S. Neill List of male members continued at this point. 457. Job Nixon 458. James H. Dennis 459. William R. Brooks 460. Charles T. Huckaby 461. David E. Huckaby 462. Doctor C. Huckaby 463. Willie Huckaby 464. John L. Thomaston - April 12, 1896. 465. Harison Nixon 466. Edwin E. Cook 467. William G. Neill 468. James Cook 469. J. W. Davis 470. Thomas Cook 471. Walter Neill 472. Willie Brooks 473. Walker Neill 474. Otis Cook 475. Orin Jones 476. Jessy L. Mccollough 477. William Wilson 478. Leonard Neill 479. Walter Byrum 480. George Keller 481. Charles Huckaby 482. John O. Hall 483. Marvin B. Neill 484. James O. Crook 485. John S. Brooks 486. Arthur Crook 487. Raymond McNight 488. Alvin Adcock - August 18, 1895. 489. Drewry Adcock 490. John W. Wilson 491. John T. Wilson 492. Wilber Neill 493. James W. N. Wilson 494. H. Robert Shell 495. Clifton A. Neill 496. Thomas E. Mccollough 497. John C. Mccollough - died August 5, 1896. 498. Robert J. Nixon 499. James Addy Additional Comments: April 17, 1999 These records were made by William Tatum NEILL from recollections of his Uncle Greenberry NEILL. William Tatum NEILL was the son of James Garrison NEILL and Martha (STEWART) NEILL. James Garrison NEILL was scalded to death by molten iron while making cannon balls in Rome, Georgia during the Civil War. He was the oldest child of William and Elener (ENDSLEY) NEILL. The records fell into the hands of "Katye" Grace NEILL who married James Oscar BANKS. Then were passed to her niece Mary Lily JOHNSON who married Fred M. OXFORD. The records eventually came to Frances (BANKS) STOREY through Katye and Lily. Frances Banks STOREY, a descendant of William and Elener Endsley NEILL though their daughter Sarah Ellener NEILL, submitted this Bethel Church material to the Coweta County Genealogical Society on October 30, 1992. Mrs. Norma GUNBY and Mrs. Ruby JOHNSTON gave copies of the Bethel Church material to Phil and Pat (COLLINS) TIDWELL in the hope that it would be prepared for publication. Phil TIDWELL is a life long member of Bethel United Methodist Church. Special thanks is given to the efforts of others who have under taken labors of love to preserve Bethel history for past, present and future members of the Church. Material compiled by Marguerite (BYRAM) HICKS and Bonnie (BYRAM) AMIS was very useful in filling gaps in the material we used. Both ladies are great, great, granddaughters of Josiah and Respah NEILL. It is our hope that these Bethel Methodist Church Records made and kept by the NEILL family and other descendants of Josiah and Respah NEILL who helped found the original Church will help keep the history of Bethel's early days alive. And keep the names of over 500 of Bethel's first members and pastors fresh in our hearts and memories. These records cover nearly sixty years of Bethel's history, from 1836 to the 1890's. It is our hope that in the future we have the privilege to transcribe additional records covering Bethel's last 100 years, from 1900 to the year 2000. Additional material on many of the families associated with the history of Bethel Church may be found at the Research Library of the Coweta County Genealogical Society in Grantville, Georgia. Phil and Pat Tidwell This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 29.2 Kb