Dodge County GaArchives Church Records.....History of Parkerson Baptist Church ************************************************ 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 December 28, 2004, 4:51 pm PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH. PARKERSON BAPTIST CHURCH, one of the oldest churches in Dodge County, was organized on June 13, 1831, by Jordan Baker, John Marshall, and Absolom Paine, in what was then Pulaski County. The first pastor was Rev. Bud Lee. This historic old church is situated about seven miles southeast of Eastman, and is within one-half mile of Parkerson's Bridge which spans Gum Swamp Creek. The first church, built one hundred years ago, was a log house, but this old log meeting house was replaced several years ago with a modern frame structure which compares favorably with any of the country churches in the county. It has been an active church ever since its organization, and stands today as a monument to the pious men who organized it. Among the membership of the church we find the names of many of our most prominent early settlers, also many of their descendants. The membership at present is composed of some of our sturdiest citizens. This church, founded during slavery time, like most churches of the "Old South," included among its membership the negro slaves who wished to worship with their masters, therefore mingled with the names of the first members of this church may be found the names of some negroes. It was within a half mile of this church, on the banks of Gum Swamp, that Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, camped on the night of April 8, 1865, when he was trying to make his way into Alabama after the surrender at Appomattox. Two days later he was captured near Irwinville, Georgia, by a detachment of the Federal Army. The earliest available records of this church begin with July, 1855, and on the first page the following is written, though it is so yellowed and crumbling with age that we may make some mistakes in the reading of it: "The Baptist Church of Christ at Parkerson Meeting House in Pulaski County, Georgia, was constituted the 13th day of June, 1831, by Brethren Jordan Baker, John Marshall and Absolom Paine, on the following principles: ARTICLES OF FAITH "1st. We believe in one only true God who is self-existent from all eternity, in whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning, and in the Godhead are three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, which are the same in essence but distinct in office. "2nd. We believe in the fall of Adam and the imputation of his sin to his posterity and the utter inability of man to recover himself. "3rd. We believe in the gift of the Father to the Son of his people and that He undertook and did fulfill the law in their behalf, and that they in particular are redeemed. "4th. We believe that all those that were given by the Father to the Son in covenant shall be effectually called unto the knowledge of the truth, and shall finally persevere in Grace unto the end. "5th. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and that the happiness of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal. "6th. We believe that baptism and the Lord's Supper are institutions of Christ and are ordinances that ought to be kept up by His churches until His second coming. "7th. We believe baptism by immersion is the true apostolic mode and that true believers are the fit subjects and they that practice any other, change the ordinances of God to the tradition of men. CHURCH DECORUM: "1st. Conference shall be opened by praise or prayer. "2nd. It is the duty of every male member to attend Conference, and if any brother fails to attend for the first and second time he shall render in his excuse for non-attendance; for the third time he shall be cited to the church to give satisfaction. "3rd. When sitting in conference no brother shall go out nor absent himself from his seat without leave from the Moderator. "4th. When any brother aims to speak to any matter in debate before the church he shall rise and address the Moderator. "5th. When a brother is standing and speaking to any matter in debate he shall not be interrupted unless he departs from the subject. "6th. If any brother or sister shall fail to partake of the Lord's supper when administered they shall name it at the next conference whether the fault was in themselves or others. "7th. If one brother shall interrupt another while standing and speaking he shall be immediately reproved by the Moderator. "8th. Any member dealing or trafficking in ardent spirits shall be considered in disorder. "9th. Any member violating any of the rules of the church it shall be the duty of any member knowing the same to see the member violating and talk to him before bringing the matter before the church, and any member failing to comply with this item shall be considered in disorder. "10th. That this Decorum may be amended by the vote of two-thirds of the male members of the church. "llth. That these rules be read at the opening of every general conference that none may plead ignorance in the knowledge of the same." On July 1, 1855, is found the following: "After sermon by Brother Wm. I. Baker, doors were opened for the reception of members by experience. Came forward Nancy Hargrove, Nancy Dowdy and Thomas Cadwell and were received by experience of Grace and were baptized." July 2, 1855. "After sermon by Brother Baker doors were opened for reception of members. Came Willis Harrell and was received by experience of Grace and was baptized." July 3, 1855. "After sermon by Brother Lee, Brother Lee and Brother Baker ordained Brother Cadwell a deacon of the church. At the conclusion of these services doors were opened for reception of members. Came Sarah Right and John A. Harrell and were received by experience of Grace and were baptized." August 11, 1855. "After sermon by Brother Baker doors were opened for reception of members by experience. Came Sister Rebeccah Wright and Sabra Cadwell, and were received; also came Abel T. Wright and was received by experience." October 6, 1855. "A call was made for a minister to supply us for 1856. Called Brother William I. Baker. Brother Baker accepted." In September, 1855, Mr. Matthew Clark united with this church. Mr. A. J. Hargrove was clerk during 1855 and until 1857 when Mr. John A. Harrell was elected to succeed him. Rev. William I. Baker served as pastor from 1855 until 1858 when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Mills. The membership in 1855 consisted of the following: Cordial Parkerson, A. J. Hargrove, William Taylor, Martin Cadwell, Thomas Cadwell, Willis Harrell, John A. Harrell, Abel T. Wright, Matthew Clark, William Yawn, Charles Burch, Benjamin Clark, Matthew Walker, William R. Pitts, Jordan B. Pitts, Ben, a servant of H. Hendley, James Cadwell, James Watson, W. H. B. Weeks, Elizabeth Parkerson Mary Hendley Elener Huttor Nancy Pitts, Katharine Hutto, Jane Harrell, Charloty Cadwell, Sophia Harrell, Maryan Hendley, Maryan I. Maddox, Roxeyan Wright, Elizabeth Cadwell, Nancy Hargrove, Nancy Dowdy, Sarah Right, Rebeccah Wright, Sabra Cadwell, Rebeccah Burch, Alis Hutto, Faisen Moles, Jane Wright, Delila CadwellT Margaret Pitts, Manthy Young (or Yawn), Mary Wright, JJza Taylor, Maryan Harrell, Mary Boutwell, Kissey Brown, Sinthy Clark, Elizabeth Brown, Kisey Watson, Sarah Watson, Lusinda Harrell, Caroline Hamilton, Annie Evans, Catherine Watson, Ruthy Hall, Margaret May, Sophroney Corn (or Carnes or Carmichael), Coraline Livingston, Maryan Harrell. In 1859 Brother Windham became pastor, John A. Harrell continuing as clerk. In 1860 Brother Windham continued as pastor, with Mr. Harrell as clerk. In 1861 William I. Baker and R. E. Mills served at intervals. During the War Between the States from 1861 until its close in 1865 this remarkable church functioned right on, not missing a service. On June 7, 1862, Mr. A. J. Hargrove acted as moderator and Mr. S. C. Nicholson as clerk pro tem. August 21, 1863, Rev. James Thomas Hughes was called as pastor and accepted. Charles Burch acted as clerk. January, 1864, A. J. Hargrove acted as moderator as he had done on many occasions heretofore, and Charles Burch as clerk. Rev. J. T. Hughes continued as pastor. On the second Sunday in June, 1864, Mr. A. J. Hargrove was ordained to preach. He preached the sermon on June 10th. S. C. Nicholson was clerk. November 12, 1864, Rev. R. E. Mills preached, and A. J. Hargrove acted as clerk pro tem. January 8, 1865, the sermon was preached by Rev. R. E. Mills. February 12, 1865, Brother Mills preached, and Brother A. J. Hargrove acted as clerk pro tern. Brother Mills served as pastor until August, when on the second of that month Rev. A. J. Hargrove began preaching for the congregation, with J. A. Harrell as clerk. Richard Smith preached at the October, 1865, meeting. The following ministers and clerks served from 1866 until 1917: Feb. 1866, D. N. Farm minister with H. Clark as clerk. 1867, 1868 and 1869 D. N. Fann served as minister and John A. Harrell as clerk. 1870—B. C. Green was pastor, John A. Harrell clerk. 1871—W. M. Baker was pastor, D. Sigler as clerk pro tem. 1872—Wm. J. Baker pastor, William Yawn clerk pro tem. Dec. 16, 1872—Rev. John S. Thompson preached and Dempsey Sigler acted as moderator. Nov. 13, 1873—Tolbert Kinchen preached and J. A. Harrell was clerk. Dec. 20, 1873—D. Sigler acted as moderator and W. H. Wise clerk pro tem. Jan. and Feb., 1874—W. M. Miles acted as moderator and J. A. Harrell clerk. In 1873 the membership had increased and following are the names on roll: J. A. Harrell, James Cadwell, R. W. Cadwell, W. H. Wise, Levi Evans, Wade Wright, Andy Cadwell, Hamilton Clark, A. T. Weeks, John W. Hargrove, J. B. Weeks, Isaac Home, B. B. Hamilton, William Norris, John W. Flanders, M. M.. McCranie, R. F. Jackson, W. D. Harrell, James Register, James A. Burch, Henry Hutto, A. J. Skinner, J. S. Burch, J. W. White, M. McCranie, W. N. Hutto, C. T. Hutto, Geo. Martin, Robert C. Kirklin, Martin Taylor, Noah Smith, L. L. Hargrove, J. D. Harrell, M. C. Fulghum, M. S. Kirklin, G. M. Harrell, J. J. Harrell, Willis Harrell, D. T. Powell, J. F. Mills, W. T. Taylor, D. C. Williams, J. S. Stuckey, Gillis Wright, W. D. Hargrove, T. L. Kirk-lin, P. S. Hargrove, G. M. Brown, James Johns, J. M. Parkerson, Enoch Johns, Richard Wrye, Dalton Powell, A. B. Young, Hendley Hargrove, James Cadwell, Wright Sheffield, A. Y. Cadwell, Chap Boutwell, Wright Weeks. Sophia Harrell, Elizabeth Hutto, Nancy Hargrove, Caroline Hamilton, Harriet Cadwell, Christian Yawn, Jane Brown, Elizabeth Hargrove, Millie Ann Burch, Elizabeth Harrell, Elizabeth Parkerson, Mary E. Cadwell, Nancy Parkerson, Mary Smith, Victoria Weeks, I. P. Home, R. C. Bailey, M. L. Wise, Laura Evers, Rebecca Cadwell, Jane Sheffield, Nancy Stone, Matilda J. Martin, Feraby L. Harrell, Elizabeth Roberson, Alice Jackson, Amelia Harrell, Mary Sapp, Nettie White, Martha McGlohorn, Helen Skinner, Maryan Yawn, S. A. Harrell, Secreesy Fulghum, Caroline Yawn, Joe Ann Wishart, Nellie Evans, W, D. Weeks, M. M. Home, D. L, Powell, P. A. Miller, Lois Smith, Sinthy Kirktin, S. E. Wrye, N. S. Burch, M. R. May, Mary C. Powell, S. M. Hargrove, Elizabeth Smith, Susan Flanders, Mahaley Kirklin, Lydia M. Hargrove, M. A. J. Moon, Nancy E. Wright, Charloty Coffee, Eliza Forres, Catherine Ashley, Diana Ashley, Feraby Johns, Nancy Graham, Roxie A. Weeks, Ida Stuckey, Sarah T. Wise, Anna L. Clayton, Fannie Brown, Mary A. Young, Sarah F. Kirkley, Catherine Sheffield, Lovda Young, Ella Boutwell, Mary Teal, Catherine Burch, Wylanta Cadwell, Anna Boutwell, Roza Harrell, D. L. Taylor, Nancy Miller, Mindy Boutwell, Elizabeth Pitts, Mollie Cadwell, Nannie Williams, S. E. Wrye, Dorcas Weeks, Annie Norris. 1875—J. S. Thompson, pastor; J. A. Harrell, clerk. 1876—J. S. Thompson, pastor; W. H. Wise, clerk. 1877, 1878, and 1879—C. B. Smith was pastor and W. H. Wise was clerk. 1880, 1881, and 1882—J. T. Kinchen was pastor and W. H. Wise was clerk. 1883—W. W. Toler was pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk. 1884—D. E. Green was pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk. 1885—D. E. Green continued as pastor with W. H. Wise, clerk. From 1886 through 1891—J. T. Rogers served as pastor, and J. M. Parkerson was clerk. 1892 and 1893—J. T. Rogers was pastor and T. H. Hargrove was clerk. 1894—Jerry Kinchen was pastor with T. H. Hargrove as clerk. 1895 and 1896—W. J. Baker was pastor and T. H. Hargrove was clerk. From 1896 to 1901—R. G. P. McKinnon was pastor and T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1902 and 1903—S. B. Cole served as pastor; with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1904—R. G. P. McKinnon again served as pastor with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1905—T. E. Elgin served as pastor, and T. H. Hargrove continued as clerk. 1906, 1907 and 1908—J. W. Jones was pastor, with T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1909—E. J. Thompson was pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1910—S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1911—E. J. Thompson, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1912—S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1913—J. W. Roberts was pastor; T. H. Hargrove, clerk. 1914 and 1915—S. A. Sheffield, pastor; T. H. Hargrove clerk. 1916 and 1917—W. H. Pitts was pastor with C. K. Brown, clerk. 1918-1919-1920-1921-1922—W. H. Pitts served as pastor with C. K. Brown, clerk. 1923-1924-1925-1926-1927-1928—R. G. P. McKinnon was pastor with C. K. Brown, clerk. 1929 until Oct. 1930—W. H. Pitts again served as pastor, C. K. Brown as clerk. L. B. Strickland, the present pastor, has served since Oct. 1930, and C. K. Brown continues as clerk. Truly our good deeds live after us. The three godly men who organized this church a century ago threw the lighted torch into willing hands, who in turn have handed it down to the present generation for the glory of God and the salvation of man. Mr. A. J. Hargrove, who served this church as clerk at intervals from 1855 until he was ordained to preach in June, 1864, left a heritage of which any family might well be proud. In 1892 his son, T. H. Hargrove, became clerk and served in this capacity for 21 years, and then, in 1918, this duty was taken over by Mr. C. K. Brown, a grandson of Mr. A. J. Hargrove. Mr. Brown has faithfully and efficiently held this office for the past sixteen years, and is now entering upon the seventeenth year. Thus it will be seen that this church has been served by three generations of one family. It is interesting to read the proceedings of the conferences held at this church in the bygone years. Their rules were strict and they rigidly enforced them. On one occasion we read that Brother ______ was expelled for "dancing at a frolic." On other occasions brethren were expelled for partaking of "ardent spirits," and using profanity. Sister ______ was expelled for "dancing, quitting her husband and telling falsehoods." At almost every meeting some member was tried for non-attendance at Conference, and unless he gave a satisfactory excuse for same, he, too, was expelled. So we see that the members of old Parkerson Church had to walk the straight and narrow path, and perhaps that is why this church has prospered and flourished like the green bay tree. It is said that the first church, which was a log house, was built and presented to the congregation by Mr. Jacob Parkerson. Mr. Parkerson was a Revolutionary soldier and drew a pension from the United States Government for his services as a soldier. He was seventy years of age when he built the church, having been only sixteen years of age when he joined the Revolutionary Army. There have been three churches built where the first one was erected, two having been log houses and the last two frame buildings. Mr. Parkerson resided near the church, having settled on the place now known as the Wise Place. He was the great-grandfather of our present Tax Collector, I. N. Parkerson; also of W. L. Parkerson, for many years one of the Tax Assessors of the county, and Frank T. Parkerson, a prominent banker and farmer of Dodge County. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY COPYRIGHT 1932 By MRS. WILTON PHILIP COBB Printed by FOOTE & DAVIES CO., ATLANTA. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/dodge/churches/gbb181historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 16.6 Kb