Thomas County Georgia - Biography - Rev. Charles S. Gaulden 1812 - 1884 ********************************************************************************************** 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 CHARLES S. GAULDEN Rev. Charles S. Gaulden, second son of Rev. Jonathan and Rhoda Paisley Gaulden, was born in Liberty County, Georgia, May 5th, 1812, and was baptized in that county by Rev. James O. Shannon, in the 14th year of his age. His was a bright experience of grace, and a strong impression prevailed with him for years that he ought to proclaim the Gospel to others. But while preparing for college at Salem, Clarke County, Ga., he was deprived of church privilege, and rooming at one time with no less than seven boys, who were very irreligious, he was deprived of moral influence and of opportunities for private devotion, and, with many tears and promises of amendment, wandered from piety and duty. He was educated at the State University, Athens, Georgia where his companions were irreligious. It has been his abiding conviction since then that no country boy, such as he was, without experience, should be similarly circumstanced; and that it would be infinitely better for such a boy to have only what education his own home affords. He read law in Savannah, and settled in the practice in Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia, where he was very successful in his chosen profession. In 1845 he represented that county in the Georgia Legislature; but politics did not suit his taste. He served as deacon of the Lumpkin church for a number of years, and was called by it and the Summer Hill Church, in the same county, to ordination in 1855. He was pastor of the latter church and Shady Grove; Pleasant Grove, after the death of Rev. W. R. Steely; and of the Lumpkin church after the removal of Rev. E. W. Warren to Macon. In the winter of 1859 he moved to Brooks County, and represented it in the Secession Convention of 1861. For some time brother Gaulden was the only Missionary Baptist preacher in the county. He was the first pastor of the church at Quitman, and his earnest labors and fine practical judgment, contributed greatly to the prosperity of that church. In fact, the leading position which that church has taken in Mercer Association is owing largely to the good foundation laid for its future usefulness by its first pastor. Brother Gaulden did not confine his labors to the Quitman church, but preached also at Okapilco, Morven, and sometimes at Hickory Head Academy. He soon established churches at the two first mentioned places, and at the latter there is now one of the strongest churches in southern Georgia. When he came to Brooks there was but one church in the county, that at Grooverville, besides the one at Quitman, which had just been constituted. Now there are eight. True, other preachers at a later date came in and worked efficiently in the cause; but brother Gaulden was for several years the only preacher, and the missionary spirit that gave life and energy to Baptist principles is chiefly due to his instruction and influence. He afterwards moved to Thomasville, Georgia serving the church in that place for two years. He baptized more than two hundred into his churches. Following notes added by Debra Crosby Gaulden Family Cemetery 1. Gaulden, Charlotte L. (1 Jan 1825 - 1 Aug 1889). "Wife of Charles S. Gaulden born in Monroe Co. GA, died at Quitman, Ga." "In memory of Charlotte Le Fayette Le Sueur beloved wife of Charles Scriven Gaulden and loving mother of Charlie G. wife of John Tillman, D. LeSueur Gaulden, William T. Gaulden, Samuel Scriven Gaulden, who survive her and John B., Cornelia S., James Albert who died in infancy and lie buried at Lumpkin, Ga." 2. Gaulden, Rev. Charles S. (5 May 1812 - 8 Oct 1884). "Born in Liberty Co Ga. Died at Quitman, Ga." "In memory of Rev. Charles Scriven Gaulden for 15 years he was a noted lawyer in Stewart Co. Ga. The balance of his life was devoted to missionary work, as a Baptist minister He sought not the Honors of this world, but the Glory of God." http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/brooks/cemeteries/g4350001.txt Grand Lodge of Georgia 1854 Cross Lodge, No. 12, Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia C. S. Gaulden http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/stewart/history/12stwart.txt GAULDEN, CHARLES S. State: GA Year: 1860 County: Stewart County Record Type: Slave schedule Township: 33rd Dist. Page: 429 Database: GA 1860 Slave Schedule Georgia Marriages Stewart County Spouse: Gaulden, Charles F. - Lesuer, Charlotte Marriage Date: 27 Mar 1846 1850 Stewart County Georgia Lumpkin 689 Charles S. Galding 38 m Lawer 12,000 Ga Charlot 25 GA Charlie 3 Ga Cornelia 1 GA 1850 Lowndes County Georgia page 364 56 Jonathan Gaulden 73 m Missionary Baptist Clergyman 13,500 SC Rhoda 62 f SC Cornelia 16 f Ga