Unknown County GaArchives Biographies.....Penfield, Josiah unknown - circa 1823
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 February 4, 2005, 5:16 pm

Author: J. H. Campbell

DEACON JOSIAH PENFIELD.

  Beacon Penfield is a striking illustration of the importance of writing the
biographies of useful men before the facts so essential to such an undertaking
fade from the memories of the living. He is well remembered in Savannah, but
none can give facts in reference to his useful life with sufficient accuracy for
history, although it has been but little over a quarter of a century since his
death.

  He came originally from some one of the Eastern States, but passed most of his
life in Savannah. His business was that of a jeweler, and he was a very accurate
and successful business man. The handsome fortune he accumulated was devoted
with a noble generosity to benevolent objects. He bequeathed to the Georgia
Baptist Convention $2,500 00, for the purposes of theological education, on
condition that that body and its friends should raise an equal amount. This was
promptly done at the session of that body in Milledgeville, in 1829, his bequest
was paid, and the village in which Mercer University is located was named for him.

  He was a remarkably useful member and officer of the Savannah Baptist church.
It is said of him that he never allowed his secular business to prevent his
attendance upon the meetings of the church. He was one of the earliest movers of
Sunday-schools in the city, and a most efficient laborer in them. His name
appears among the prominent members of the Sunbury Association, and in 1822 he
was its clerk. He was regarded as one of the best men in the city, and had a
large influence among other denominations, while he was a burning and shining
light in his own church.

  He became much interested in the spiritual welfare of that much neglected
class of men, the sailors, who visited the port in large numbers from all parts
of the world. As a general thing, they cannot be induced to attend the usual
places of worship. Hence, Mr. Pendfield did all he could to have religious
services for them on shipboard, and made every exertion to secure their
attendance; and at his death, he bequeathed a sufficient sum for the erection a
"Mariner's chapel," which now occupies a convenient and eligible site on Bay
street. The building bears his name—"The Penfield Mariner's Church,” and is held
in trust by the "Savannah Port Society." This society aims to keep it regularly
supplied with preaching, and other religious exercises.

  The author has a vivid and pleasing recollection of the last time he ever saw
Mr. Penfield. It was at a young men's prayer meeting in Sunbury, in the spring
of 1823. He was on the verge of the grave from consumption, that fell disease,
which soon bore him to his long home. With a hollow and sepulchral voice, he
gave out the hymn, "There is a land of pure delight," and then made such a
prayer as would scarce ever be forgotten. He died soon thereafter in Savannah,
and his funeral discourse was delivered by his friend and pastor, Rev. H. 0. Wyer.


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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