Taylor County Georgia Church Antioch Missionary Baptist File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jackie Hortman Jfhort@aol.com Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/crawford.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm See also Membership Rolls ANTIOCH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH as printed in THEY TARRIED IN TAYLOR by Essie Jones Childs Antioch was constituted into a Church Jan 18, 1829 with 13 members and 3 joining the Church and with the aid of the Brethren HENRY HOOTEN and JAMES STEELY, Ministers. Many of the first members belonged to the Family of Ichabod Cox and came from Jones County. Some of his family members are as follows: ICHABOD COX, 1769-1861, was Justice of the Peace of Jones County 1810-1817, State Senator from Talbot County, in 1828, the first one. He was the son of Cary Cox, R.S., 1746-1814, married Mary Horne. Ichabod married May Rowan born 1775 died 1843, she is buried at Antioch. Children: 1. Nancy b. 1793 m. Moses, s/o Evan Harvey m. Charity Powell 2. Mary (Polly), 1794-1868, m. 1810 to William Powell who died War of 1812. Issue: Miranda m. 1831 Talbot to Lewis J. Mathis & Caroline Patience m. her cousin, George C. Powell. Mary (Polly) Cox m. 2nd Wm. Rushin 3. James Rowan Cox b. 1799 m. Mary Carson & founded Southern Female College at LaGrange, GA which was later moved to College Park and called Cox College 4. Lemuel b. 1801 m. 1821 to Caroline Fickling si/o Christopher F. Fickling? B. 1801, father of Wm. H. Fickling 5. Temple Mariah m. Early Thompson 6. (Clarrisa) Cinthia m. 1821 Jones Co. to James Hooten (s/o Rev. Henry?) 7. Tabitha m. Allen Walker 8. William m. Sarah Hall 9. Mary Ann m. Jesse Horn 10. Temperance m. James Harvey & L. White 11. Cary was a preacher 12. Malinda, 1806-1883, married Rev. Zachariah Gordon b. 1796, son of Chapman Gordon. Zach H. became a preacher around 1826 and at that time and later, he lived in Upson about 2 miles from the Flint River and Antioch. He served a church there and 3 others at the same time for 14 years as he held services one weekend a month. Soon after he started preaching, when the Baptists were greatly divided on the question of Missions, he, with Rev. Jacob King, formed the first missionary society in Upson Co. There are many records in the Antioch Minutes where members are excommunicated for joining a church of another faith and order-probably a church that did not believe in Missions as Antioch did. In 1841 Rev. Gordon ‘did great good in the Cherokee Indian Country.’ He and Melinda had 3 sons and 1 daughter. Eugene C. became a preacher and John Brown Gordon, 1832-1904, was the 35th governor of Georgia, 3 times a US senator and volunteered in 1861 in the Southern Army where he rose to the rank of Lt. Gen, and commanded one wing of Lee’s Army at the end of the Civil War. He had married Fannie, daughter of Gen. H.A. Anderson. She stayed near to him during the War and saved his life by her careful nursing after he was badly wounded at the Battle of Sharpsburg. Gen Gordon won international fame as a soldier. He was a very great statesman while serving as governor and senator. When he was a small boy in knee pants, he visited Antioch Church with his mother, Malinda Cox Gordon and his grandparents, Ichabod and Mary Rowan Cox. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ On January 28, 1829 in what was then Talbot County the Brethren James Steely and Henry Hooten came forward by Church authority and constituted the following members a Church of Jesus Christ: Rev. Henry Bell Lemuel Cox (s/o Ichabod) George Palmer Ichabod Cox & William T. Burk & Mary (Rowan) Cox (wife of Ichabod) Epsy Ann (Collins) Burk Caroline (Fickling) Cox Martha Palmer (wife of Lemuel Cox Caroline Powell Judy of Cullor William Rushin (son/i/l of Ichabod Cox) Tom of Cullor On 2-14-1829 Rev Henry Hooten was chosen pastor & served till 7-17-1830. Rev. John Ross served 7-17-1830 till his death 7-17-1837. He was born 2-15-1786. Rev. James Perryman b. ca 1794 by 1850 Talbot Census served 1838-1841. Rev. Sanders W(alker?) Durham, 1799-1870, served 1842-1862, ordained at Ariel ca 1838, (later Glover School) Rev. Dr. Ben S.? (L.?) Ross b. 1825, served 1863-1866 and was son of Rev. John Ross. Rev. John S. Searcy served as pastor 1867 thru 2-11-1872 and to the end of the first Church Book. Early county churches held services one weekend a month and he also had other ‘churches’ William T. Burk was Church Clerk from the start of Antioch till 1836. Richard Beasley Rucker served as Clerk after him until 1856 then C.L. Walker served until 8-19-1860 when he left the church. W.J.F. Mitchell b. 1813 served as Clerk until 2-11-1872 to the end of the first Church Book. Black people continued as members of Antioch from its beginning until they had their own Antioch Church in 1869 after the Civil War ended 4-9-1865. On 9-12-1863 “the colured brethren sent for Army Mission $15.60.” The white congregation sent $155.40. From the beginning of Antioch there were cases where members would be cited to appear at conference to answer to charges of being absent, of drinking ‘ardent spirits to excess,’ of gambling, of foot racing, of dancing, of fighting, and of profane language. If the accused person would appear and make proper acknowledgment he would usually be forgiven but sometimes he would be excommunicated. Even so, he might later repent and be reinstated. Following are some excerpts from photocopies of the original first book of Antioch Church Minutes: On 8-14-1829 Lemuel Cox chosen a deacon. H. Bell, Ichabod Cox, and Wm. T. Burk chosen as delegates to the Ichaconne Association. Bro. Bell to write & bear the letter to the Association & one dollar sent for minutes. On 10-17-1829 a committee was appointed to go and converse with Mrs. Henry Bell about reports that her husband went to bed with a young woman and attempted to go off with her. The committee of Ladies to report back to their husbands and the husbands in turn to report to a committee of men and get help from other churches to decide what to do. They found him not guilty of the first charge but guilty of the second. He came forward and made acknowledgements and the committee voted to retain fellowship with him but voted against him ‘exercising his gift.’ On 3-19-1831 a conference of representatives from neighboring churches met with Antioch and voted to reinstate Bro. Henry Bell to the ministry. Sanders W. Durham was called as an assistant deacon. On 4-16-1831 Antioch voted that new framed seats be made to fill the meeting house. The next month Bethlehem church sent a request for ministerial aid to ordinate Br. Joseph J. Battle to the ministry. On 6-18-1831 a superscription was prepared and presented for support of the Gospel and was approbated. On 5-19-1832 Br. Henry Bell was given full credentials to preach. On 6-16-1832 the appointed committee labored with Sis. Mathews and Sis Holt and reported to the Church they could not settle the difficulty. The Church then took up the case, heard the testimonies and decided to excommunicate Sis Holt for palpable contradictions and charging Sis Mathews with drunkenness etc. which she proved untrue. On 8-18-1832 the church enjoined the clerk to prepare a superscription to be presented Sunday morning for the purpose of raising a sum of money to pay for building a meeting house at Antioch. It was later decided to 60 feet long and 40 feet wide and 12 feet in the pitch and 10 feet at one end for black people with a bar between to extend around to the pulpit which was to be ‘pannell’ work. Later it was decided that the building was to be only 30’ x 50’ and let to the lowest bidder at public outcry. Wm Rushin, Ichabod Cox & Jesse Stallings, members with A(rch) Gray and Joseph Riley, non members were commissioned to superintend the building. The last two declined to serve so W.T. Burk & S.W. Durham were appointed On 10-20-1832 Br. John Mitchell’s license called in & verbal authority given him to exercise his gift among the brethren in the bounds of ‘this church.’ On 11-16-1833 the church appropriated 50 feet square of ground in the northwest corner of the meeting house square for the use of an academy exclusively and on 1-18-1834 deeded it to the trustees. Br Ichabod Cox also undertook the cleansing of the meeting house for that year in the following manner-to be scoured three times in the course of the year and swept every Sat. morning of our stated meetings, in consideration of the same the church is to pay him the sum of $10.00. Abram of cullor, property of Sam Calhoun was granted a letter of dismission. Sally, property of James May, received by letter. On 4-30-1834 Reports are in circulation against Br. Jesse Stallings which has a tendency to wound the church. Therefore the church deems it their duty to appoint James B. Hooten, Wm T. Burk & Wm Rushin to wait on Br. Stallings and seek into the affair & report the same at the next conference & cite Br. Stallings to attend. On 11-15-1834 Rec’d a petition for ministerial aid from Posey’s Meeting House to ordain a deacon. On 2-14-1835 a charge prepared against Br. Jesse Stallings for joining in a combat of fighting at Centerville & for drinking ardent spirits to intoxication at Mr. May’s Store. Made satisfactory acknowledgements and retained. 1-16-1836 Church at Talbottom requested ministerial aid in ordination of Br. Jas. Perryman to the ministry. Br. Pinkston agreed to keep the meeting house & spring in a state of cleanliness for $11.00 that year. On 4-14-1836 The charge taken up against Br. W. T. Burk for purchasing (land) lottery tickets & persisting in it. The helpers being present from the sister churches to decide the case (Viz) Ebenezer, Bethel, Talbotton, and New Providence and after a considerable debate, satisfaction was given (by Br. Burke), the voice of the Church was taken and Br. Burke was restored to fellowship. He then applied for letters of dismission for him & his wife. He had been Clerk of the Church from its start. R.B. Rucker was then chosen Clerk of the church,. Br. Burk & wife rejoined the church 10-15-1836. The next month Sis. Temperance Harvey, dau. of Ichabod Cox had written a letter to the Church relative to her situation betwixt her & her husband. The question was put to the Church & it was unanimous in retaining fellowship & she was retained in the Church. (She later married L. White.) On 8-20-1836Br. Ichabod Cox applied for letters of dismission for himself & wife. (Moved? To Stewart co?). A resolution was presented to Church: “Resolved that every member of this church shall be at full liberty to act discretionally with regard to the benevolent institutions of the day (Missions?)- Provided they doth not sin with another. Let them give or not give (to Missions?) as each one’s conscience may direct them.” On 11-20-1836 Br. Wm. Mitchell made satisfactory acknowledgements and was cordially Rec’d to former station. Rev John Ross b 2-15-1786, d 7-17-1837, was pastor of Antioch from 7-17-1830 thru 7-15-1837 and was buried in the Mitchell Cemetery near the Flint River in Taylor County with Antioch putting a good marker over his grave, still there to this day. He held services one weekend a month and was much in demand to preach at other churches. He served 29 years in the Ministry and preached at Antioch one month before he died. There were reports that Rev. J.J. Battle said Br. Ross had departed from the Missionary faith. Br. Battle wrote that the reports “are declared to be intirely false and untrue.” On 12-30-1837 Br. James Perryman was chosen pastor and George C. Powell and George Palmer were chosen Deacons. Arch Gray gave Antioch a large Bible for the express use of the Church. On 2-17-1838 Br. Joseph Ross was Moderator. On 8-27-1838 the Brethren Perryman, Durham, the Deacons and other members met at Br. Henry Bell’s for the purpose of waiting on Br. Bell’s afflicted wife by her request to hear her experience and administer the ordinance of baptism which was duly performed. She was named Margaret. On 2-11-1839 Sis. Martha Mitchell took the cleansing of the meeting house for $20. They resolved that each member pay 25c for said keeping etc. & the owners of slave members to pay for them. On 9-14-1839 Moved that the former committee of 5 appointed to wait on Br. Pinkston & Br. George Palmer to adjust a difficulty existing. On 10-19-1839 ‘Took up the case of Br. Pinkston relative to his pledge to the opening of a certain road & failing to comply, the committee ..reported unfavorably & he was expelled.’ On 11-16-1839 Sis. Lankston & Sis. McCants charged with contempt of the Church by absenting themselves & of joining another church without letters from Antioch. Committee appointed to wait on them & Labour with them. On 3-13-1840 R.B. Rucker was ordained a deacon. He was also treasurer, already & Clerk. On 8-14-1841 The Church agreed to send $2.50 to the Association for Minutes & $5 for Domestic Missions & $2.50 for general Association purposes. On 10-17-1842 Rec’d letter from Ariel requested ministerial aid to set apart Br. Robert F. Miseldine more fully to the ministry. Then adopted a resolution of Association setting apart …a day of fasting & prayer to God. 2-18-1843. Rec’d by Letter Luther Seward as a Licentiate Preacher. On 7-15-1843 the Church recommended Br. George Palmer his ‘gift’ either by prayer, exertation (exhortation?), or by preaching or in any way that his mind may be wanted & was licensed to that effect. On 1-20-1844 the Church agreed to purchase a slip of land of R.A. Hall to enlarge the boundaries of the Church privileges, upon which the Church forthwith made up $20 for that purpose. On 8-17-1844 “Resolved that we, the male members of Antioch, agree to abstain from tobacco chewing in chutch.” On 11-16-1844 Henry Pinkston asked for letters of dismission for self, wife & sons, Wm. & Henry & sis. On 6-20-1846 Ichabod Cox rejoined the church & was recognized as a deacon again. His wife, Mary Rowin Cox had died 1843 and was buried at Antioch. She was born 1775. Ichabod was dismissed again 3-18-1848. On 1-16-1847 The Church voted to have prayer meetings on 2nd & 4th Sunday P.M.’s at 4 P.M. On 10-18-1847 the Church chose Br Sanders W. Durham as Preacher for 1848. Appointed correspondence to visit our sister churches: To Harmony, Upson Co. the Brethren A.P. Mitchell & Richard Beasley Rucker. To Bethel: George Palmer & Persons Walker. To Elim: A(llen) Walker & J(ohn) Singleton. To: New Procvidence: Wm. Slade, Wm. Huff, Wm. Rhodes & P(ersons) Walker. The Church recommended reading of Articles of Faith once in 3 months as recommended by the Association. On 11-2-1847 S.W. Durham was chosen for Pastor for the ensuing year, 1848. On 7-28-1848 the General meeting held at Antioch. Introductory sermon by Elder James Perryman, S.W. Durham appointed moderator & R.B. Rucker, Clerk. Committee on preaching: G. Palmer, T. Weakly, P. Walker, R.B. & D.E. Rucker. From New Providence?: D. Pearson?, Wm. Harvey & S.G. Misien? Brought Letter. From Mt. Vernon: G.W. Epps, B. Striplin, James Robinson & James Williamson brought Letter. From Sardis: T. Jemison & Harris, Letter. From Bethel: A.J. Willis brought Letter. From Union: B(enson?) Maxwell & L. McDaniel brought Letter. From Horeb: D(avid?) Lockhart & L.D. Lockhart brought Letter. From Talbotton: James Perryman. C.W. Epps to preach next introductory sermon. 9-16-1848 Cornelia Ann Ross, now Hays, expelled for joining church of another faith. 12-16-1848 Persons Walker chosen Deacon ‘on account of Br. Palmer’s affliction,’ S.W. Durham chosen Preacher. On 2-17-1849 Persons Walker ordained Deacon. Prayer by B.L. Ross & C. Palmer. On 4-14-1849 Persons Walker appointed Treasurer & to try to collect subscription. On 6-16-1849 following, the Church to meet at the Church for purpose of feet washing. On 8-18-1849 moved that ‘we have a Missionary Discourse on Sabbath of next meeting & then have a public collection taken for that purpose. Henry Beall dismissed 9-15-1849 by letter & Mildred I. Rhodes. On 1-19-1850 S.W. Durham chosen Pastor & 7-20 H.E. Parker recommended as Deacon & licensed preacher. Br. H.E. Parker received by letter with the exception of the word ‘order.’ On 7-20-1850 A charge preferred against Br. G. Palmer for…joining another Church who have declared a nonfellowship with the Missionary Baptist & all benevolent Institutions of the day. The Church voted unanimously to cut him off & he was excommunicated. Br. Henry Bell was also excommunicated for joining another church - also for making false statements when he asked for his Church letter. Brethren P. Walker & R.B. Rucker appointed to visit Br. Bell tell him of the actions taken & ‘demand his credentials.’ On 8-17-1850 Read a letter from Homs Co, Miss. Requesting a letter of dismission for C.B. Pickett. On 9-14-1850 Sent for Associational Minutes $1.50. For Indian Mission $7.75 On 10-9-1850 Br. Henry E. Parker excommunicated for contempt by uniting with a people of different faith. On 7-19-1851 P. Walker reported his son, William for fighting. Committee to investigate & report. Later, Br. David Lawson preferred a charge against himself for drinking to excess & was excommunicated On 12-20-1851 ‘Resolved that we as a Church expunge or omit, in granting Letters of dismission, the words, ‘when joined to any other Church of the same faith & order,’ Br. S.W. Durham chosen as Preacher for the ensuing year. On 3-20-1852 moved that Br. B.L. Ross be liberated to exercise his Gift (of preaching?). On 11-18-1852 Br. S.W. Durham presented a Bible to the Church; on 12-18 chosen Preacher for 1853. On 4-14-1853 Br. W.A. Skellie & wife, Mary, received by experience to Baptism. On 5-14-1853 Br. W.A. Skellie was ‘liberated to exercise his gift (of preaching?) as he thought proper.’ On 11-19-1853 Br. S.W. Durham chosen as Preacher for 1854. On 12-17-1853 Br. S.W. Durham ‘informed against Sis. Mary Grace for communing with other denominations. Bros. Mitchell & Ross appointed to see her & Sis. Louisa (Hooten?) Gray with uniting with church of different faith & order and she was excommunicated. On 1-18-1854 the Brethren Ben L. Ross was ordained a preacher & W.J.F. Mitchell a decon. B.L. was son of John. On 10-14-1854 The Church adopted the resolution recommended by the Association to meet 1st Monday nights..for prayer to God to bless the means in operation..of Missionary Br. Phillips. On 9-15-1855 Br. Persons Walker was set at liberty to “exercise his gift” (of preaching?). On 12-15-1855 Br. S.W. Durham chosen Preacher for 1856. On 5-18-1856 R.B. Rucker, church clerk, was dismissed as member of church with his wife and some slaves. He joined the church, Baptist, in Butler & was buried there. Br. C.L. Walker was chosen Clerk. On 9-20-1856 The Church sent to Association to be held at Beulah Church in Stewart Co. $1 for Minutes & $13 for African & Indian Missions. Preferred charge against Br. Adam of Cullor for fleeing from his master without a cause. A Committee was appointed to see Br. Adam & to labor with him & report at next meeting. On 2-14-1857 P. Walker’s “letter recalled & a charge preferred against him for the sin of drunkness & not paying his just debts.” The Church recalled his deaconship & wrote him about the proceedings. On 3-14 the Church read the letter from Br. Walker, took ‘the voice’ of the Church upon fellowship & he was excommunicated. On 8-15-1857 a letter from P. Walker was read acknowledging his sins & asked for restoration. The Church appointed a committee to write Br. P. Walker the mind of the Church.? Oct, 1859 Restored then dismissed. 9-19-1857 Antioch collected for Columbus Mission $11.65. For African Mission $6.60. $1.20 for Minutes. On 12-18-1858 the Church liberated Br. Isaac Pool to exercise his gift in whatever way he chose. On 7-16-1859 delegates appointed to ‘the Sunday School mass meeting to be held at Cuthbert.’ On 8-19-1860 C.F. Fickling & Ana E., wife, received by letter. C.F. received as a Deacon. Received as corredents from Butler R.B. Rucker, McRobberson, E. Waters & J. Williamson . On 11-16-1860 C.L. Walker, Church Clerk, asked to be dismissed from church & for wife Mary. On 2-16-1861 Br. S.W. Durham was elected Pastor & Br. W.J.F. Mitchell was elected Clerk. On 1-19-1861 Rev. John Howell & wife, Lucinda (Fuller?) Howell joined Antioch. Also Jacob, Mariah & Franky, color. On 5-18-1861 Adopted the request by the Baptist State Convention which assembled in Athens in last month requesting the various churches to meet on the 1st and 2nd days of June next at their churches for fasting & prayer to God that He may avert the storm that is now hovering over us. (THE CIVIL WAR) On 9-20-1862 Br. S.W. Durham resigned as Pastor. On 11-15-1862 Br. Ben L. Ross was called to the pastoral care of the Church for 1863. On 1-17-1863 S.W. Durham reported his own case in that he was provoked to strike his fellow with a stick whereupon on his own statement together with Br. Turners, the Church forgave him by a unanimous vote. Mrs. M.E. Riley took the keeping & cleansing of the meeting house for 1863 for $20.00. On 2-14-1863 it was moved to set apart the 2nd Sun in each month to preach to the Coloured people. On 3-14-1863 it was moved that 3-27-1863 on Friday, the Church set that day for fasting & prayer in accordance with the proclamation of the President of the Confederate States. On 4-18-1863 Charles & Amy, property of Wm. Searcy, were received into the Church by experience. Br. Sidney Mosley was chosen as a Deacon to be ordained at the next meeting. On 6-20-1863 The Church agreed to build a POOL & took up a collection of $75.55 for the support of Elder J.S. Baker, the Missionary of the Friendship Association to the Soldiers. On 8-15-1863 Reference taken up pertaining the powers granted to the Coloured Conference - the powers granted to the Pastoral Committee shall not extend farther than the reception of members by letter or experience to Baptism. On 9-12-1863 The Church moved to send for Minutes $3.10; To Baptist Banner for the Soldiers $10.00; To the Christian Index $10; To Army Missions $155.40 & the Coloured brethren for Army Mission sent $15.60. On 10-17-1863 It was moved & seconded that the three Coloured persons received at the Coloured Conference on Last Sabbath be received into the fellowship of the Church after baptism & that Br. Durham attend to the Ordinance of baptism tomorrow in the absence of our Pastor. Most of the Minutes after this consisted of receiving members, especially black ones, hearing cases of misconduct by them. On 7-15-1865 many excommunicated for leaving their homes as the Civil War ended 4-20?-1865 and they were freed. Most of those early preachers and deacons owned slaves. On 3-17-1866 it was agreed Antioch would take an offering the next day for support of Br. R. Webb as the Missionary of the Friendship Association. On 10-20-1866 Antioch voted to give her pro rata share of $500 to defray the expenses of Br. I.? (J?) B. Deavors as Missionary of the Friendship Association. On 12-15-1866 Br. Wm. H. Gassett reported his own case for fighting and the Church forgave him. On 8-17-1867 It was moved that the Church ‘attend to the duty of feet washing…on Saturday night.’ On 10-20-1867 It was moved that a committee of..Abram Search, Sam Durham, Nelson Gray, Autry & Aaron Mitchell, coloured members, call on Br. W.J.F. Mitchell, Church Clerk, to get letters of dismission to be constituted into a separate church ‘from our white brethren.’ The Brethren Durham & Searcy were invited to be present to aid them. 2-15-1868 It was moved that a charge be preferred against Sis. Ruth Rhodes for the sin of dancing & denying it. 3-14-1868 A collection of $17.10 was taken for Missionary I.B. Deavors of Friendship Association. On 6-20-1868 he asked Antioch Church Officers to attend a meeting at Gilley McCrary’s school house to assist in the administration of the Lord’s Supper to scattered members of the Baptist denomination near the mission station by extending an arm of the Church. On 7-18-1868 the clerk was instructed to enroll the names of the people received by letter at the arm of Antioch at McCrary’s school house, namely: Elijah K. Philman, John & Nancy Coursey, Polly Mitchell, Jane Coursey now Hamilton, James Connell & wife, May? (Mary?), W. H. Grier & wife Mitty. On 2-20-1869 it was moved that on next Sabbath morning of meeting the church meet to form a Sabbath School. On 3-20-1869 a request of Br. Durham to preach to the coloured church had the hearty approbation of Antioch. On 4-16-1870 The Missionary, H.F. Buckner of the Friendship Association being present was invited to give the church a talk in relation to his mission. (To the Creek Indians). On 7-16-1870 Antioch made plans to commemorate the death of Rev. Sanders W(alker?) Durham born 5-21-1799 & died 6-11- 1870. He was buried in Taylor Co. in the Mitchell Cemetery on west side of highway near Flint River. On 9-17-1870 Letter of dismission granted to Christopher Francis Fickling, Deacon. On 1-20-1872 Wm. H. Gassett was elected a Deacon ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============