Randolph County Georgia - Biography - Rev. Thomas Muse 1810 - 1895 ********************************************************************************************** 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" Oct 2002 Rev. Thomas Muse was born in Middlesex County, Virginia, January 6th, 1810. His grandparents were English emigrants. Neither his father, Elliott Muse, nor his mother, Elizabeth T. Corbun, ever made a public profession of religion, though the latter was deemed a piour woman, and labored to rear her children in the fear of God. His grandfather, Richard Corbun, was, at the opening of the Revolutionary War, an English Major, and was kept under guard by the Americans during the entire struggle for independence. He was very wealthy, and had settled in Virginia at an early date. At the age of seventeen, he became engaged in mercantile pursuits in Virginia, which occuption he pursued for fourteen years. On September 14th, 1832 he was baptized by Rev. George Northan and immediately began to give evidence of his regeneration by exhorting those around him to repentance and faith. Four years afterwards he moved to Georgia and located at Blakely, Early County. At that time there were only two small stores in Blakely built of logs. The company for which Mr. Muse was working had their main business at Tallahassee and came up to Blakely and after an inspection of the territory decided to put in a business there which they left in charge of Mr. Muse. A frame building was erected between the two log stores already there and a large stock of merchandise was provided. Many threats were made against Mr. Muse as a merchant because of the large trade which his store had, but he was undaunted by these threats. The other two stores retailed intoxicating drinks. He refused to sell intoxicating drinks in his place of business and for that reason many criticized him and predicted failure of his business, but on the contrary it prospered. Although recognized simply as Exhorter with no church nearer than ten miles he labored zealously in the face of much opposition. A church was soon organized at Blakely and was called Macedonia where many were converted and baptized. At this time many of the Baptists were opposed to missions and other causes fostered by Missionary Baptists. The next year after the organization of this church there was a split in the membership between the Anti-missionaries and those who favored missions, and in a contest as to whom would be the pastor of the church, the Missionaries succeeded in selecting a pastor and ousting the anti-missionaries from the church. Mr. Muse at that time was Clerk of the church. On May 7, 1837 he was licensed to preach by this church, and called to ordination in December 1840. Edmund Tolbert, James Matthews, Jonathan Davis, John Rushing and James Lunsford constituted the Presbytery. Later he left Blakely and went to Cuthbert to reside and assumed other pastoral duties. The membership of Macedonia church was over 200 when he left it. In his new field the same success attended his labor and he soon saw the membership of the Cuthbert church reach three hundred. He served many churches in the Bethel Association, preaching at different times in all to more than half of the churches located in Stewart, Randolph, Clay, Early and Calhoun. As a pastor and minister Mr. Musxe was laborious beyond measure. It is said that during his ministery he baptized at least three thousand converts. As might be expected he was ever greatly beloved by his churches and his pastorates were lengthy, varying from four to twenty years. When it was determined to establish the Baptist Female College of Southwest Georgia at Cuthbert, Mr. Muse was appointed agent for the purpose of collecting funds, and soon fifteen thousand dollars were secured, two thousand of which were contributed by Mr. Muse himself. He was made a trustee of this Institution, and in a short time became President of the Board, which position he held for many years. During the year 1861 he was elected Moderator of the Bethel Association and was annually reelected for many years serving twenty six years, the last session 1886 of his service as Moderator was held at Morgan, Georgia. After he became physically unable to pastor churches he engaged in the colportage business for his Association, visiting churches, preaching at the weak churches, and selling and giving away tracts and the Bible for several years. In 1892 "Uncle Tommy" as he was then called visited the Association and donated to that organization a file of the Minutes of the Association from the organization to that date, which was duly accepted by the Association with grateful thanks and same was turned over to Brother J. W. Stanford of Cuthbert with request to have bound, which he promptly did and today this bound volume of the Minutes of the Association is practically the only record attainable for all of the years prior to 1890. When "Uncle Tommy" became unable to drive his horse and visit the people and sell tracts and Bibles, he retired and went to live in the home of Mr. D. W. Hammack and there remained until his death. On Saturday before the first Sunday in November 1894 Uncle Tommy went to bed with his last illness, a small boil on his right hand, which at first was not thought serious, but rapidly developed very dangerous symptoms. He gradually grew weaker and very soon there followed a general breaking down which continued until the end came on the 19th of April 1895. At the meeting of the Bethel Association next after the death of Uncle Tommy the Committee on Obituaries made the following report: "Since the last meeting of this body it hath pleased our heavenly Father to remove his labors on earth to his home in heaven our aged brother, Thomas Muse, which event occurred at his home with Brother D. W. Hammack, in Coleman, Ga., April the 19th, 1894. Brother Muse was born in Middlesex County, Va., January 6, 1810. On September 14, 1832, he was baptized. Four years afterwards he moved to Blakely, Ga. where he was licensed to preach the gospel, May the 7th, 1837. He was ordained in December, 1840. As a pastor and minister of the gospel Brother Muse was faithful, winning many souls to Christ. He continued in the pastorate until a few years ago, when he gave it up and accepted the work of colporteur for this Association, which he continued to the time of his death. Brother Muse spent the whole of his ministerial life in the Bethel Association, never having served a church outside of the Bethel. He was remarkably regular in his attendance with this body, having attended about fifty-seven out of fifty-nine sessions. He was for twenty six consecutive years moderator of this association, and to no one else does the Bethel owe so much as to Brother Muse. Therefore your committee recommends that this association erect a suitable monument at his grave. It is not the purpose of this committee to eulogize Brother Muse, for his praise is in all the churches. He rests from his labors, and his works do follow him." Immediately after the adoption of this report the following resolutions were offered and unanimously adopted: "Resolved I. That the pastors of the churches of Bethel Association be requested to take up a collection in the churches to aid in erecting a monument at the grave of Brother Thomas Muse. "Resolved 2. That the amount sent up for colporteur, and also the surplus left over from lasst association now in the treasury, be appropriated to the Muse Monument Fund. "Resolved. That a vote of thanks is due, and is hereby tendered to Brother D. W. Hammack and his family for the noble part they did in so kindly and tenderly providing a home in the family for Brother Thomas Muse during the last and most feeble period of his life." A committee was appointed, consisting of J. W. Stanford, J. B. Payne, and W. D. Hammack to take subscriptions for the building of the Muse monument. Very soon they secured funds enough to purchase and have erected over this grave a large marble shaft pointing skyward. On this shaft is carved an open Bible with one hand lying upon the Bible and the other pointing upward. Under this Bible and hand in large letters is the word MUSE. On the 19th of December 1840 Mr. Muse was married to Mrs. J. H. Jenkins of Cuthbert. She died on May 11, 1876. Sometime after he married a second wife, Mrs. S. E. Ellington who preceded him to the grave several years. There were no children. following notes added by Debra Crosby Georgia Marriages Early County Jenkins, Susan H.[Mrs] - Muse, Thomas Marriage Date: 19 Nov 1840 Biography & Genealogy Master Index (BGMI) 824356 Muse, Thomas 1810-1895 Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists. Two volumes. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1958. (EncSoB) Clay County Georgia - History - Shiloh Church History "In 1869 Thomas Muse returned as pastor." Clay County Georgia Archives Enterprise Baptist Church "Rev. H. R. McLendon was Pastor of the Church from August to October, 1882, at which time he resigned to attend school at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky. Upon his resignation, "Uncle" Thomas Muse was called and served the Church until October, 1886." 1850 Randolph Co. GA Cuthbert page 353 7- Thomas Muse 40 Baptist Minister VA S. H. 37 Ga f William Adams 21 Ga overseer MUSE, THOMAS State: GA Year: 1860 County: Randolph County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule Township: Cuthbert P.O. Page: 594 Database: GA 1860 Federal Census Index ========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================= 1830 Middlesex Co. VA |MALES |FEMALES |MALE SLAVES |FEMALE SLAVES |FREE BLACK MALES |FREE BLACK FEMALES |TOTAL|WHITE PERSONS | |SLAVES & BLACKS | | |5 |10|15|20|30|40|50|60|70|80|90 | | |5 |10|15|20|30|40|50|60|70|80|90 | | |10|24|36|55 | | |10|24|36|55 | | |10|24|36|55 | | |10|24|36|55 | |for |Deaf & Dumb |Aliens|Deaf & Dumb | Name of Head of Family |to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to |100|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to|to |100|to|to|to|to|to |100|to|to|to|to|to |100|to|to|to|to|to |100|to|to|to|to|to |100|House|to |14-|25 | |not |to |14-|25 | | PG# LAST NAME FIRST NAME | 5|10|15|20|30|40|50|60|70|80|90|100|up | 5|10|15|20|30|40|50|60|70|80|90|100|up |10|24|36|55|100|up |10|24|36|55|100|up |10|24|36|55|100|up |10|24|36|55|100|up |Hold |14 |25 |up |BLIND|Natur.|14 |25 |up |BLIND| ========================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================= 171 Muse Betty T. . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . ========================================================================================================================================================================================================================= 1820 Middlesex Co. VA page 37 |WHITE MALES |WHITE FEMALES | |OCCUPATIONS|MALE SLAVES |FEMALE SLAVES |FREE BLACK MALES|FREE BLACK FEMALES| | | 10 16 16 26 | 10 16 26 |# of| | 14 26 | 14 26 | 14 26 | 14 26 |ALL | Head of Household |to to to to to 45 |to to to to 45 |For-| |to to to 45 |to to to 45 |to to to 45 |to to to 45 |OTHER | PG# LN# LAST NAME FIRST NAME |10 16 18 26 45 up |10 16 26 45 up |eign|AGR COM MFG|14 26 45 up |14 26 45 up |14 26 45 up |14 26 45 up |PERSONS|REMARKS ========================================================================================================================================================================================================================= 37 29 Muse Betty T. 3 1 . . . . 1 . 2 1 . . . . . 1 . . 1 2 1 2 1 . . . . . . . . 16 . ======================================================================================================== 1810 Middlesex Co. Va census |FREE WHITE MALES |FREE WHITE FEMALES |ALL | | | | | 10 16 26 | 10 16 26 |OTHER | | | |Head of Household |to to to to 45 |to to to to 45 |FREE | | PG# |LN# |LAST NAME FIRST NAME |10 16 26 45 up |10 16 26 45 up |PERSONS|SLAVES| ======================================================================================================== 397 226 Muse Elliott 3 0 0 1 0 2 1 1 1 0 2 52 Virginia Bibles MUSE-HEALY BIBLE Owner: Mrs. Emma Campbell Wright Rappahannock, Virginia Anna F. M. Muse n. Carter Braxton of Windsor, Essex, 1/21/1818 by Bishop Moore. Maria, my beloved dau. m. 7/12/1821 Walter Healey, by Mr. Montague. BIRTHS of Children of Walter and Maria Healy Augustus Healy 5/5/1822-8/4/1925, aged 3 yrs, 3 mos. Anna Muse Healy 9/27/1824-8/8/1825, aged nearly 11 nos. Martha Augusta Healy 8/8/1826 Walter Healy 8/21/1828 Tazewell Healy 3/21/1831-10/12/1831 Betty Muse Healy 9/3/1832 Thomas Healy 4/4/1835 Walter Healy 6/21/1835 Penny Healy 1/25/1838-10/14th Elliot Muse Healy 1/8/1840 DEATHS Father, Ellit Muse 2/2/1818, aged 40 yrs, 5 days Grandson, Tayloe, 7/1/1821, 10 nos. old Anna F. M. Braxton 3/19/1824 Mrs. Betty T. Muse 9/24/1832 Virginia Marriages King And Queen County Corbin, John Tayloe - Muse, Juliet Marriage Date: 26 Jan 1799 Virginia Marriages King George County Corbin, Betty T[Mrs.] - Muse, Elliott Marriage Date: 03 May 1800 LETTER FORM HUDSON MUSE, OF VIRGINIA, TO HIS BROTHER, THOMAS MUSE, OF DORCHESTER CO., MARYLAND NORTHUMBERLAND COURTHOUSE, April 19, 1771. http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/schools/wmmary/letters3.txt CHRONICLES OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH SETTLEMENT OF VIRGINIA; Vol 2, pp 122 - 131 by Lyman Chalkley "Thomas Muse and Elliott Muse of Middlesex was son of Hudson Muse." http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/augusta/court/2court16.txt http://www.usgwarchives.net/special/wmmaryqtr/index.htm Abstracts from Records of Richmond County, VA: Will Book No. 3; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol.17-3 Muse, Daniel. 28 Jan., 1783 - 6 Dec., 1784. Daughter Betty Muse Moxly and her daughters Betty Muse, Patty Moxly, son Thomas, daughter Peggy Gray, son Hudson Muse, son Daniel, daughter Betty Muse Sisson's son James Moxly. VIRGINIA GAZETTE, 1777. Hudson Muse, naval officer at Moratico Point. May 16. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COLONIAL FAMILIES OF THE Southern States of America CORBIN FAMILY page 177 22--4. Elizabeth, m (first) her cousin, Richard Henry Corbin; (second) 5-8-1800 Col. Elliott Muse, son of Col. Hudson Muse, of MiddlesexCo., Va., and had among other issue by second marriage: 23--1. Maria, m. Walter Healy, of "Woodstock," Middle-sex Co., Va., and had issue. 22--5. Henry Eltonhead. 22--6. Elizabeth. 22--7. Ann Frances Maria. 22--8. Henrietta. MAJOR RICHARD CORBIN, (22--2), Of "Farley Vale," King George Co., Va. He took a prominent and active part in affairs of Church and State; he raised and commanded a Co. of Artillery in the War of 1812; he owned large estates in Virginia, among others, "Lanesville," in King and Queen Co.; "Moss Neck," in Spottsylvania Co.; "Farley Vale," in King George Co., and others in Virginia. [p.178] "Farley Vale" was named by him in honor of his wife. He m. Rebecca Farley, dau. of Hon. James Park and Elizabeth Hill (Byrd) Farley. Issue: 23--1. Rebecca Park Farley, m. (first) Dr. John Fauntleroy, son of Thomas and Isabella (Lorimer) Fauntleroy; (second) William N. Wellford, and had issue. 23--2. Catherine, m. (first) Dr. George Carter, of "Corotoman," Lancaster Co., Va., son of George and Lelia (Skipwith) Carter; (second) Dr. William Waring Epaphroditus Lawson Fauntleroy, son of Thomas and Isabelle (Lorimer) Fauntleroy; (third) Dr. Samuel Powell Byrd, of "White Hall," Gloucester Co., Va., son of William and Susan (Lewis) Byrd, and had issue. (See Carter, Byrd and Lewis lineage.) 23--3. James Parke, of "Moss Neck," Spottsylvania Co., Va., who took a prominent and active part in affairs of Church and State; he inherited "Lanesville," in King and Queen Co.; "Farley Vale," in King George Co., and "Moss Neck," in Spottsylvania Co. He built the present mansion of "Moss Neck." He m. unknown. Issue: