Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Jones, Adam 1755 - 1830
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 30, 2005, 6:30 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell


ADAM JONES.

  Mr. Jones was born in Virginia, in the year 1755, where he continued to reside
until after the revolutionary war, during which he served five years as a
soldier in defense of his country. It was at this time, whilst in the army, that
he became seriously concerned about his situation as a poor, undone sinner, and
never did he rest until he found peace in believing in the merits of Jesus Christ.

  Mr. Jones was of poor parentage, and, as the times were unfavorable, he
received but an imperfect education, in fact but little except what he acquired
by his own exertions. He, like some of his brethren, belonged to the High Church
order, as they were then the prevailing order in Virginia, and had their
religion, as usual, established by law! But the Methodist people having spread
themselves through the country, and being more spiritual in their exercises, Mr.
Jones joined them. Shortly after the war, however, he removed with his family to
Georgia, and settled near Long Creek meeting-house, on the Ogeechee river. This
was in the year 1785.

  At the time of Mr. Jones' settlement on Ogeechee, he was a class-leader in the
Methodist connection; but Providence seems to have cast his lot where he was
unable to unite with his Methodist brethren, and as the Baptists were numerous
in .his neighborhood, he united with them. It was some time, however, before he
could overcome his scruples of conscience so far as to give up the peculiar
doctrines of the Methodists and unite with the Baptists. At this time there was
a considerable stir amongst the people, and many joined. At length Mr. Jones
related his Christian experience, and was received into the fellowship of the
church, but his prejudices were not yet entirely subdued; especially he did not
like the idea of "going down into the water." Like many others, he appears to
have been afflicted with a singular kind of hydrophobia upon this subject. A
cold shuddering took hold of the good man's feelings when the thought of being
"buried with the Lord," according to Baptist usage, came across his mind. These
difficulties he at last overcame, and was regularly baptized.

  Shortly after his baptism, Mr. Jones began to exercise in public; for we find,
under date of October 25th, 1788, the following entry on the minutes of the
church at Long creek: "After hearing the teachings of brother Adam Jones, and
having before had fellowship with the exercise of his gifts, the church
unanimously agree to call him to the ministry." This may be considered his
licensure, but he was not ordained till 1792. He took the pastoral oversight of
the church of which he was a member in 1807. In this office he continued till
the 24th of December, 1825, when, by age and affliction, he became very infirm
and resigned his charge. He died the 1st October, 1830, being about seventy-five
years old.

  As a preacher, he was thought sound and orthodox; was very useful in rearing
up churches and ordaining preachers and deacons. He labored as a pastoral supply
with the church at Horeb during many years, which, with the Long creek church,
enjoyed some refreshing seasons under his ministry. He had the care of some
other churches for a short time. Having a large family to support, he did not
travel as extensively as some of his brethren, but did what he could.

  Mr. Jones, as all others, had his failings. He had prejudices against the
benevolent operations of the day in which he lived, but he never went so far as
to oppose any that thought it a duty to engage in these things. This he did, in
all probability, because he was uninformed as to the nature of the things
themselves, and as to the success which followed the efforts made. Had he
possessed this information, no doubt his opposition would have ceased. In short,
he lived and died in the affections of the church at Long creek, where he first
united with the Baptist denomination.


Additional Comments:
From:

GEORGIA BAPTISTS: HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL
BY
J. H. CAMPBELL,
PERRY, GEORGIA.


MACON, GA.: J. W. BURKE & COMPANY. 1874.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
J. H. CAMPBELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.




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