Early County Georgia Biographies - Rev. Jesse M. Davis 1808 - 1868 ********************************************************************************************** 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 JESSE M. DAVIS 1808 - 1868 Back in the 1860's there had already developed in Southwest Georgia many outstanding and strong preachers. Among them was Jesse M. Davis who was born in Wilkes County in 1808, was baptized when about twenty years of age, he immediately entered into the work of the ministry and was solemnly set apart as an ordained minister about the year 1830. He died in Blakely, Georgia in September 1868, having reached his sixtieth year. The Committee in making the report of his death to the Association said of him: "We feel that we can say of our departed brother, that he was a pure and upright man, a good citizen, a devoted husband and father, and a good minister of Jesus Christ. During the many years that he was engaged in the ministry, he occupied important fields of labor, and was instrumental in the conversion of a large number of souls, that now shine as jewels in his celestial crown. He was distinguished for intellectual zeal and unswerving devotion to the cause of Christ. He was well-read in the Scriptures and sound in the faith of the Gospel. His death was a most triumphant one. Few, if any, ever suffered more than he during his last days; but not a murmur was ever heard to escape his lips. Said a brother minister, who was present during his illness: 'Never in my life did I see heaven and earth come so near together, as when that good man lay upon the bed of death.' He died cheered with the hope of immortal blessedness. Death, with him, had lost its sting and the grave its victory; and the departing saint could exultantly exclaim 'Thanks be unto God who giveth the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ." 1850 Lee Co. Ga page 282 176 Jesse M. Davis 43 Farmer 1000 Ga Elizabeth 42 GA William 10 Ga Robert 1 Ga