Warren County NcArchives History .....History Of Brown's Baptist Church May 11, 1982 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Guy Potts gpotts1@nc.rr.com October 5, 2005, 10:46 pm Book Title: The History of Brown’s Baptist Church This typed document is available at the NC Archives on the Mezzanine in the "Warren County History" folder – contributor name not given 5-11-82 Dear Mr. Smithwick, Enclosed is all I have on Brown’s Church and its history I hope it will be of some help. We are planning homecoming for sometime in August or September. I hope you can come. In Christ Service Barry B. Roberts Sr. Pastor Brown Records showed that Baptist met early because Dr. Josiah Hart preached at Reedy Creek Meeting House in 1750. Brown’s must have existed earlier than 1750 because it was in 1750 that the church reorganized under the Free-Grace by Peter P. Vanhorne and Benjamin Miller. Since it reorganized, it had to have been in existence for it to have reorganized. Historical data shows that Tanner’s Meeting House (now Warren Plains), Gardner’s Meeting House and Brown’s Meeting House grew out of Reedy Creek Church long before 1800. Although there are no records, it is certain that long before 1830 there was a well-known Baptist Meeting House near where the Axtell and Henderson road crossed Fishing Creek. It was known as Allen’s or Brown’s Meeting House. According to Thomas J. Taylor, "Aunt Sallie" Allen, who was born in 1809, told him she went to preaching at Brown’s in her early childhood. Also Mr. William Bowden, several years older than "Aunt Sallie" said he went to school at the old church and told Mr. Taylor that in his early boyhood it was an old, weather-beaten building. Mr. Bowden stated the building looked thirty or forty years old then and was called both Allen’s and Brown’s old meeting house. A letter written by a gentleman in Tennessee to a friend in Warren County in 1821 speaks of Brown’s Meeting House as "Old Brown’s." Facts were found that indicate Brown’s Meeting House probably existed prior to the Revolutionary War. Exact date of the beginning does not specify a certain time but traditions indicate the church existed in some form before 1790 and very probably prior to the Revolutionary War. It cannot be proven but it is very probable that John Tanner was the first preacher here at Brown’s. Dates are unknown as to when he started or left. He was succeeded by Thomas Gardner who served until 1825 or 1826. Both men served prior to the church’s date of official organization in 1830. Willoughby Hudgins followed Brother Gardner and was the pastor when the church did organize in 1830. No records, unfortunately, were kept prior to 1830. But after that date, authentic records were available to Dr. Taylor. In 1830, the congregation at Brown’s felt the time had come to serve the Kingdom of God as an independent church better than by depending on Tanners. Brown’s had started relations with Tanners years before of the small membership. As a result, on the Saturday before the fourth Sunday in December, 1830, the membership met as a regular constituted Baptist church under Elders Thomas Crocker and Willoughby Hudgins. Brown’s Baptist Church was born. Elder Willoughby Hudgins was chosen pastor, James Southerland was elected clerk with James Smithwick and John Daniel being the first ordained deacons. Starting with that original twelve members, the church grew to sixty-two by 1834 under Elder Hudgins. Where did the names Allen’s or Brown’s Meeting House come? Mr. Charles Allen was the principal mover in the building of [end of page] [Next page missing] As a result of the Nat Turner Insurrection, negroes were not allowed to preach unless the meetings were in control of respectable white people in the community. However, with the end of the war the law became a dead letter and the negroes were allowed to hold meetings and preach as they saw the need. Therefore, on the second Sunday in June of 1867, Henry West and Daniel Boyd both respectable negroes, were licensed to preach the gospel. In October 1867, thirty-three black members were granted a letter of dismissal for the purpose of organizing a church in the neighborhood of Mr. W.K. Kerney. The church was organized and still exists as Coley’s Springs. At the August meeting in 1872, Brother Elza Hicks was chosen as a deacon and ordained the last Sunday of that same month. The presbytery consisted of Elder N.A. Purefoy and C.T. Baily. A committee was chosen in the June conference of 1879 to revise the roll of members, by dropping those from whom the church could not get a satisfactory hearing. This action was taken because some of the members could not be located. If a member, however, was dropped by the committee reported to the church and gave a satisfactory reason for their non-attendance, they were restored without any further action. In October 1879, following a great revival, Elder Purefoy resigned as pastor. A committee was chosen and on the second Sunday in November, 1879, Elder D.A. Glenn was selected as pastor at a salary of $150.00 per year. This is the first time that a salary is mentioned. Elder Glenn assumed the pastorate the second Saturday of January, 1880. In the May meeting in 1883, Joseph L. Rodwell and John W. Allen were elected deacons and ordained soon thereafter. In June 1883, the church unanimously resolved to contribute quarterly to State, Home and Foreign Missions and to Ministerial Education. Elder Glenn resigned in November, 1884 to accept a church in Petersburg, Va. This period of five years was the shortest pastorate in Brown’s history up to that time. In February 1885, Brown’s united with the church in Warrenton in forming a pastoral field. A call was extended to T.J. Taylor who accepted the call in March of 1885 and assumed duties in April of that year. From 1885 to 1897, because of deaths and other causes, the need arose to elect additional deacons. It was during this period that J.W. Smithwick, Lewis Allen, J.A. Tunstall, D.H. Reavis, J.F. Reames, Sam E. Allen, Hugh M. Reames and Frank Mabry were added to the deacon board. In 1886, members of Brown’s living around Jones’s Springs united in organizing Sulphur Springs Church. Some time before that, some members of Brown’s along with others established a church at Middleburg. It is at this point that Dr. T.J. Taylor’s book "The History of Brown’s Baptist Church" ends. From this time forward, all events are taken from members and the clerk’s record books. During the latter part of 1885 and during 1886 the church had three men serve as clerk. John Watson resigned on May 23, 1885 with E.T. Rodwell being elected on that date. After just over one year’s service, Brother Rodwell resigned as clerk with Howard Allen being elected in September of 1886. As we go into the 1890’s there is changes that take place. In July 1890, J.A. Tunstall, S.S. Abernathy, and J.W. Smithwick were elected deacons. There was nothing noteworthy that took place in the church during 1891 and 1892. On February 26, 1893, Howard Allen resigned as clerk after almost 6 1/2 years service. On April 8, 1893, S.S. Abernathy was elected to fill that position. Church meetings and regular business went as usual, nothing noteworthy reported in the church books. In 1896, the need for a church burying ground close to the church brought on the need to acquire such land. On August 8, 1896 arrangements were made to have the burying grounds located here. On December 12, 1896, Thomas Watson gave the church the land needed to have the grounds. Some of the first ones to be buried in the burying ground have had their names erased from the stones by weather and other causes. On July 10, 1897, J.A. Tunstall was elected as clerk of the church as a result of the passing of S.S. Abernathy. On August 7 of that same year, Lewis Allen, J.F. Reames and D.H. Reavis were elected deacons. Also during that month the burying ground was surveyed at a cost of $1.50. On September 25, 1897, J.F. Reames, James Burroughs and J.W. Smithwick were elected as trustees of the church. This is the first notation in the books concerning trustees of the church. On March 12, 1898, Brother W.B. Ham was licensed by the church to preach. The last notation in the books was August 13, 1898. There is nothing else recorded until March 7, 1908. It has been said that the church had internal problems resulting in the doors of the church being closed because of differences. On March 19, 1902, Thomas B. Watson left the land of the church in a deed now recorded in the Warren County Courthouse. On the fourth Sunday in September of 1908, Brother George Tunstall was ordained to preach. On November 24, 1910, F.A. Bobbitt was licensed to preach the gospel. During 1911, the main item on the church books concerned the church’s finances. On February 11, 1911, an envelope system was developed by the church to help in raising the finances. A committee was named with S.E. Allen, H.P. Reams, J.W. Smithwick, S.L. Bobbitt, Mrs. Eva Watson, and Mrs. Bessie Bobbitt serving. This committee brought back its report later in the year with the church voting on December 1, 1911 to start a monthly envelope system that would start in January of 1912. The reason for this system was given that many church members were not giving on a regular basis. At one point in the church’s past, members were required to give so much per year to help in upkeep of the church. If, by the end of the year, these members did not have their account up to date, a committee from the church would come and visit those people so their account could be brought up to date. On September 9, 1913, J.W. Limer, S.E. Allen were selected as deacons. Also at this time, H.P. Reams, Frank Mabry and S.E. Allen were ordained. Frank Mabry would later resign as deacon to move his letter to Norlina. On October 11, 1914, J.A. Tunstall resigned as clerk of the church with S.E. Allen being elected to fill that position. On February 13, 1915, a committee composed of J.N. Tunstall, Lewis Allen and Walter Allen were appointed to look at the book written by Dr. Taylor. On July 10, 1915, F.A. Bobbitt was ordained to the ministry by T.J. Taylor and W.B. Morton. On January 8, 1916, T.S. West was accepted into the church by letter. He was elected as a deacon at that time, coming to the church as a deacon. He later resigned in 1921. On March 10, 1917, the church accepted an organ that was recommended to the church. Also during that year on April 17, an important discussion was held concerning building Sunday School rooms onto the church. From all indications, the Sunday School was held was held in buildings in the surrounding community. At different points, notes were made that indicated people from the church conducted Sunday Schools. During October of 1918, the church was closed because of the epidemic of influenza. Nothing else was noted. On November 10, 1918, S.E. Allen resigned as church clerk with W.T. Bobbitt being elected to fill that vacancy. As the church passed into the 1920’s and beyond, it began to make giant steps forward concerning the additions of different parts to the present church. Many of you reading this may well remember some of the things that took place during these years. Many of the things added during these years are now a permanent part of the church that we have today. Deacons of Brown’s Baptist Church 1830-1981 John Daniel, 1830-1847 James Smithwick, 1830- Solomon Perdue, 1847-1863 Turner Allen, Sr., 1849-1889 Elza Hicks, 1872- John W. Allen, 1883-1888 Joseph L. Rodwell, 1883-1893 J.W. Smithwick, 1890-1928 S.S. Abernathy, 1890-1897 James A. Tunstall, 1890-1912 J.F. Reames, 1897-1911 D.H. Reavis, 1897-1926 Lewis Allen, 1897-1926 Hugh P. Reames, 1913-1927 Samuel E. Allen, 1913-1969 Frank Mabry, 1913-1916 J.W. Limer, 1913- T.S. West, 1916-1921 W.T. Bobbitt, 1925- Walter Burroughs, 1925-1939 H.E. Edmonds, 1925-1971 William James, 1940-1942 C.C. Tunstall, 1947-1970 Willie Short, 1947-1974 Everett Gupton, 1947-present Boyd Reams, 1947-1974 Chesley Coghill, 1970-1980 Cooke Burroughs, 1971-present James H. Edmonds, 1971-present Marvin Overby, Jr., 1974-present Duane Gordon, 1974-present Larry G. Short, 1981-present Howard Short, 1981-present Clerks of Brown’s Baptist Church, 1830-1981 James Southerland, 1830-1838 John Daniel, 1838-1845 John Watson, 1845-1885 E.T. Rodwell, 1885-1886 Howard Allen, 1886-1893 S.S. Abernathy, 1893-1897 J.N. Tunstall, 1897-1914 Samuel E. Allen, 1914-1918 W.T. Bobbitt, 1918-1920 Boyd Reams, 1920-1923 W.T. Bobbitt, 1923-1939 Boyd Reams, 1939-1947 Thomas Frazier, 1947-1951 Margaret Hobgood, 1951-present File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/warren/history/other/historyo2ms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ncfiles/ File size: 13.2 Kb