Joseph Graybeal - Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church ************************************************* ************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, 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. Submitted by Kyle R. Graybeal *********************************************** *********************************************** Provided by Kyle R. Graybeal 37 Spring Lake Dr. Stafford, VA 22554 (540) 659-9551 krgrebiel@verizon.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church Joseph Graybeal born 26 Oct., 1818 and died 5 Sep., 1909 was the second surviving son of David and Barbara Burkett Graybeal. Joseph Graybeal and his younger brother Calvin were responsible for bringing Methodism to the area of Lansing, North Carolina and other smaller communities nearby. Joseph Graybeal and Calvin Graybeal founded Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church probably as early as the 1860s. Although it is not clear exactly when the church was formed, there is evidence that it was before 1869. It is not known if the church was housed in a separate building or met in someone's home. In December of 1881, Joseph Graybeal and his wife Clarissa, donated 3/4 acres "for . . . school and church purposes for The Methodist Episcopal Church and School . . . " to trustees Hiram Weaver, Calvin Johnson, T. J. Baldwin, David Graybeal and James Powers. The deed states that the tract is "on Old Field Creek . . . in James Powers line", but otherwise gives little clue as to the geographical location. It is believed that the building was located along what is now North Carolina State Route 194. The only other clue to the whereabouts of the tract, is in another deed executed by Joseph Graybeal to his daughter Nancy and her husband Harvey Ashley, 18 February 1884. The wording "a certain tract or parcel of land except one acre be the same more or less already deeded for a Church & school cite [sic] whereupon the Church House now stands" suggests that the land Harvey Ashley and Nancy received from Joseph surrounded or bordered the land occupied by the Church. The deed goes on to identify adjoining land owners, Resin Jones, Hiram Weaver and mentions Old Field Creek". Two sources state that the church was located midway between Lansing and Sturgills. One of the two references specifically states "Bethel was located about midway between Lansing and Sturgills". A woman who lived in the Brandon area as a child is quoted as saying "the church stood in Graybeal Hollow on [the] right side of [the] road going n[orth] from Lansing". "It was beyond Dr. Tom Jones's house . . . however before you came to grand dad's place [W. Sherman Graybeal]." One source says that the building was sold to the Christian United Baptist in 1942 but does not say whether the building was moved from the site or not. A woman who lived in the area noted in a letter that her parents were married in the church, but stated that the church was "torn down long ago." Apparently the church's major supporters where Joseph Graybeal's family. The source mentions the families of David and Maryann Graybeal, Dr. Thomas J. Jones and Rebecca Graybeal Jones, Nancy Graybeal and Harvey Ashley and Hiram Weaver as core members.Apparently the passing of these families contributed to the eventual end of the organization. The following deed is for the tract of land donated by Joseph Graybeal for the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church and school: Trustee deed from Joseph Graybeal & wife 3/4 acres, State of North Carolina, December 17th 1881 Ashe County This indenture made this the 17th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty one between Joseph Graybeal of the one part, and Hiram Weaver, Calvin Johnson, T. J. Baldwin, David Graybeal and James Powers the Trustees of the other part, all of the County of Ashe and State of North Carolina witnesseth that the said Joseph Graybeal doth give,grant and convey unto the said Trustees a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Ashe and State aforesaid on Old Field Creek containing three quarters of acre be the same more or less. Beginning on a stake in James Powers line, running east 15th poles to a chestnut, then North 7 poles to a stake then west 15 poles to James Powers line, then to first station, with all privileges, for [word unreadable], school and church purposes for the Methodist Episcopal Church and School purposes so long as it is kept for either purpose excepting good timber for rails or building. To have and to hold unto the said Trustees so long as it is kept for church or school purposes and the said Graybeal binds himself, his heirs, executors, Administrators and assigns to warrant and forever defend the aforesaid lands so long as said land is kept for Church or School purposes, to this we set our hands and affix our seals this the day above written. Signed, sealed and delivered in presents of. Joseph Graybeal Clarisa Graybeal Attest Thomas J. Jones T. J. Baldwin W. H. Gentry, C.S.C. Reference: For information regarding Bethel Methodist Church see Bumgarner, George William, Methodist Church in North Carolina 1865-1939, Hunter Publishing, Winston Salem, NC, 1990 Anyone having any additional information about Bethel Methodist Church is asked to contact me at the above address.