Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Dunham, Jacob H. 1774 - 1832
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 30, 2005, 10:51 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

JACOB H. DUNHAM

  Is mentioned in the preceding sketch as having been the first white person
ever baptized in Liberty county. His grandfather, Mr. William Dunham, came to
that county among the first settlers, and located on Newport river, where he
died in 1756, leaving behind several daughters and three sons, James, Charles
and John.

  Mr. John Dunham removed to McIntosh county, where his son Jacob, the subject
of this notice was born. February 26, 1774. Little is known of his youth, only
that his opportunities for education were very limited, his father being very
poor and the country newly settled. He is known to have exhibited a manly
disposition and daring spirit quite uncommon for one of his years. He was
foremost in everything that required either activity, strength, or the most
undaunted courage. His marriage with Miss Mary Baisden took place September
12th, 1799. Having settled in Liberty county, he made a public profession of
religion the 20th of September, 1806. Two years thereafter he entered upon the
work of the ministry, which he prosecuted with energy and zeal for twenty-four
years, until his Master called him to enjoy the reward of his labors.

  His field of labor was among a class of people who were unable to pay for his
services as he deserved and needed. Consequently the whole amount he received
during his whole course must have been very small. Yet this in nowise abated his
zeal; for while he toiled most laboriously to sustain a large family, he did not
spare himself from heat nor cold, from hardships nor privations, that he might
carry the glad tidings into the highways and hedges of the surrounding country.
The backwoods of Liberty, the settlements of poor people along the Altamaha
river, the blacks about Darien and on the sea islands, (St. Catherine's, Sapelo,
etc.;) these were the fields of his labors—these the people who joyfully
received the Word from his lips. Year after year, until late in life, would he
hold his plough handles up to the very hour when he should set out upon his
mission, and then, throwing his saddle upon his plough horse, he would press
forward, with a heart burning with love to God and man; or, launch his canoe,
and help to work his own passage from ten to fifteen miles, to carry the lamp of
life to the hundreds of poor blacks whose lots were cast on the islands
adjacent. The writer has never known a more devoted, self-sacrificing minister,
nor, according to his talents, a more useful one. Hundreds, perhaps thousands,
were converted under his ministry and baptized by his hands. No missionary in
Burmah, in China, or Africa, was ever more willing to sacrifice all for Christ
and his cause.

  It is matter of sincere regret that so little can now be collected of the
labors and usefulness of such a man. But his record is on high. His death
occurred the 25th of September, 1832. A large family were left behind, nearly
all of whom have become "heirs of the grace of life." One lovely daughter,
Louisa, was snatched away in the morning of life to join her sainted father in
heaven. Though her demise was sudden, (oh, how sudden!) yet she was prepared for
it, as is confidently believed by her friends. Only three of his children are
now living.


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.




File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/unknown/bios/gbs687dunham.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/

File size: 4.1 Kb