Duplin County, NC - Bear Marsh Church

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Taken from Burkitt's and Reade's History of the Kehukee Association
of the Baptists, published about 1803 at Halifax, pp. 288, 289

Speaking of "the church on Bear Marsh, Duplin County, NC" the
historians say:

"Near this place were ten persons, five males and five females, who
requested some Baptist brethern in Pitt County, NC to visit them.
Accordingly, Elders Jeremiah Rhame and John Nobles came about the 
25th of February, 1763, who examined into their principles, and finding
them sound in faith and orderly in life and conversation, they were
on that day by the said ministers constituted a church under the care
of Elder Rhame."

Elder William Goodman having moved into the neighborhood and united
with the church, was ordained to the pastorate about the year 1775.
Having removed southwardly about the year 1781, he relinquished the
care of the church, and was succeeded by Elder Charles Hines, who
served them until May 17, 1792, or about ten years.

The term of his pastorate seems to have been a period of great
prosperity, for up to the last date several branches of the church
had been established. 

The historians say of this prosperity, "Elder Hines' charge of several
branches appearing to great, Elder Francis Oliver, who had been exercising
his gifts in the ministry, was called, ordained, and took the care of
Bear Marsh Church, and Elder Hines was dismissed on the 17th of May,
1792. The labors of Elder Oliver have been greatly blessed and several
branches gathered. One branch is at Nahunga in Duplin County and the
other at Pleasant Plains, in Wayne County, NC." 

Elder Oliver continued to serve Bear Marsh until his death in 1808. He
came from Virginia to Onslow County, NC in early life. He moved to Duplin
County, and settled on a plantation near Bear Marsh Church, on which his
grandson, Mr. Joseph B. Oliver now resides. He died in 1808 while on a
visit to a son in Georgia. 

He left in this state two sons, John and Benjamin, both of whom faithfully
served Bear Marsh Church for many years and until their death, the former
as clerk and the latter as deacon. (Page 82, Glimpses of Duplin's
History by McGowan)

Bear March Church in Duplin County, NC is about six miles southeast of
Mt. Olive, NC. The house of worship stands on a beautiful eminence, rising
twenty five of thirty feet above the level of the swamp, from the church
takes her name.

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives from the
Gladys Weeks
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