ANDERSON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA - Big Creek Baptist Church Minutes ********************************************************************** 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. Contributed to The USGenWeb Archives by: Judy C. Ballard 10 Feb 2001 ---------------------------------------- BIG CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH WILLIAMSTON, ANDERSON CO , SC MINUTES 1801 - 1936 FILMED BY BAPTIST HISTORICAL COLLECTION, FURMAN UNIVERSITY, GREENVILLE, S. C. Film 236.06 572403 Abstracted by Judy Ballard - July 29, 1994 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WPA PROJECT 65-33-118 Minutes typed by Works Progress Administration, Columbia, SC. INTRODUCTION The manuscript records of counties, cities, churches and similar organizations are recognized as the most valuable sources for students of social and economic history. Despite their value these records have usually been more inaccessibly and carelessly stored than almost any other class of material. The reasons are obvious; public offices are subject to ever increasing pressure from the accumulation of papers; the county records are often far from the centers where students can conveniently work; the records of churches and other organizations are usually scattered, and in the keeping of individualas who have no fireproof facilities in their homes. Various efforts have, from time to time, been made to meet this situation. For years the University Library made copies of valuable manuscripts whenever it was practicable. In 1934 the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored a CWA and ERA statewide project through which copies of South Carolina wills were placed in the University Library and in Continental Hall, Washington, D. C. In 1935 the Caaroliniana Committee of the University of South Carolina proposed to the state officials of the WPA a much more comprehensive plan for preservation of records and for making them readily accessible to students. On October 1, 1935 the Statewide Historical Project, sponsored by the University, with Dr. Anne King Gregorie, supervisor, and fifty copyists, was authorized to make copies of the older and more valuable records; and, in addition, to compile a comprehensive list of state and local records. The task of preliminary planning and organization was done by Miss Gregorie. On March 1, 1936 the Historical Records Survey, a federal project, undertook the task of listing public records on a national scale, and Miss Gregorie was given charge of the work in South Carolina. Seven months later the Survey was housed by the University, and was thereafter carried on in close cooperation with the Statewide Historical Project su- 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- pervised by Miss Gregorie's successor, Miss Flora Belle Surles. The work of these two projects, thanks primarily to the indefatigable and resourceful supervisors, constitutes an outstanding achievement. The copyists, without preliminary training to fit them for the task, have with great patience and, in many cases, with fine devotion and real skill, deciphered the dim and crabbed writing of crumbling pages that otherwise would be a permament loss. These projects have been under the administrative direction of Mrs. Margaret D. Davies, State Director of Women's and Professional Projects; without her appreciation of the value of the work and her capable support the results would have fallen far short of the actual achievement. The University has also been fortunate in obtaining copies made by local projects in Charleston, through agreements with the College of Charleston and with Mr. E. P. Grice, Jr., of the WPA; and local projects in Chester and Edgefield have contributed some copies. The thanks of all persons interested in the history of our state are due to these officials and workers, to the publbic officers who at great inconvenience to themselves have given working space and aid, and to custodians of other records who have been equally generous with their time and help. R. L. Meriwether Professor of History, University of S. C. Chairman, Caroliniana Committee STYLE In the interest of economy, both sides of the paper were used and single-spaced form was adopted for all work on Statewide Historical Project. This, and the effort to convey some idea of the original manuscript from which copy was made, necessitated a definite and uniform style. Each copyist was, therefore, in structed to observe the following: 1. Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and construction to be exactly as in original, whether correct or incorrect; the author to have benefit of doubt, however, if difficult to determine whether a capital or small letter, an e or an i, etc., was in tended; special effort to be made to copy spelling of names of persons and places with exactitude; 2. The old style s to be represented always by s-- never by f; 3. Small, elevated letters in abbreviations to be indicated by the period between initial letters and elevaated. Ex.: Mr. (M.r), Jany. (Jan.y), etc. 4. Distinction between capital I and J (alike in early MS) to be determined by rest of letters in the name; 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. The symbol per ( ) to be drawn, or P substituted; English pound ( ) L; 6. Words too illegible to be read to be drawn, and followed by /illegible/; 7. Words or notes on margin to be typed on margin, or between brackets after paragraph or page to which related: (Marginal note (or word): 8. Words interlined by author to be placed between bars: /interlined words of /: 9. Words struck out in original MS to be typed, but also struck out by a series of hyphen strokes: 10. Errors made by copyists to be erased if possible, and retyped correctly; otherwise to be corrected with pen and ink, to distinguish between words struck out by author (as in 9) and typist's corrrections. 11. Ornamental markings of author to be drawn or omitted altogether. 12. Loose papers or printed clippings in book to be copies between paragraphs or pages to which related, or at end of book copy, and to be identified by use of brackets and quotations marks. 13. Words, lines, or parts of book missing in MS to be explained between brackets: 14. Page numbers of MS to be shown in outside margin of typed copy; typed page numbers to be placed consecutively at top of typed pages; 15. Copyist's explanations, or any words or markings not in original MS inserted by copyist, to be enclosed within brackets: 16. All typed copy to be checked carefully with original MS for exactitude. THE MINUTES OF BIG CREEK CHURCH Bib Creek was Constitutioned in the year of our Lord - 1788, and formed the following Constitution and rules of Decorum. 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rules of Decorum of the Church at Big Creek 1. The Church Shall be opened and Closed by prayer. 2. A Moderator and Clerk Shall be Chosen by the sufferage of the members preasent if required--- 3. The Moderator Shall be deemed a Judge of order and have a right to Call to order at any time--- 4. Any member not Satisfied with his Decision on any point of order, may appear to the Church on the same Day but no other time. 5. But one person shall speak at a time and he shall rise to his feet and obtaining leave proceed,--- 6. The Moderator when addressed for leave of Speech shall signify by nameing of them or otherwise--- 7. No member shall be interrupted when speaking unless he Departs from the subject in hand, or uses words of personal reflection,and every motion made and Seconded Shall Come under Consideration of the Church, except withdrawn by him that made it--- 8. Every Case taken up by the Church Shall be first desided or withdrawn before another is offered, --- 9. When anything is taken up by the Church after allowing time for Debate the Moderator Shall take the question and those in favour of the thing proposed shall rise, to their feet and those against it shall keep their Seats, --- 10. The Moderator Shall pronounce the Decision before the Standers take their Seats--- 11. No person Shall Depart the Service of the Church without leave-- 12. The Appelation of Brother Shall be used in our addresses one to another--- 13. The Names of the members shall be Call'd as often as the Church may Direct--- 14. No Member Shall be allowed in any practice that has a tendency to interrupt, in time of public Church--- 15. The Moderator Shall be entitled to the same prilivige of Speech as any other member provided he appoints Some other member to his Seat while he is Speaking, but shall not vote unless the Church be equally Divided--- 16. Any person Breaking this Decorum Shall be reproved at the Discression of the Church but only/the/Day the breach is made--And the Committee have proceeeded to examine the papers & Records and find no Records older than 1801 where we find the following names, Male and Female, then members. AUGUST 23TH, 1801 MALE MEMBERS 1. The Reverand Moses Holland who was pastor of the Church when Constituted. 2. James Welborn Elder or Deacon 3. William Harper, Deacon 4. John Harper 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. William Stanton 6. James Watkin 7. Henry Townley 8. Charles Elliott 9. Robert Jeffers 10. Herron Breazeale 11. Morten Eubanks 12. Tom 13. Benjamin Bowen 14. Samuel Cobb 15. Jesse Gray 16. John Nickelson 17. Wm. Acker 18. Wm. Pitts 19. Thomas Nickols 20. George Dilworth 21. Thomas Wilson 22. Ruben Johnson 23. Black Peter 24. Wilson Cobb 25. Willis Greelee 26. Ralph Owens 27. Peter Acker 28. Jacob Coley Sen. 29. Joel Holbert 30. Archabald Nickels 31. Thomas Smith 32. John Wilson 33. Hugh Wilson Sen. 34. Benjamin Farmer 35. James Halbert 36. Thomas Brown 37. Joseph Kelley 38. Richard Hall 39. John Pepper 40. John Hunt 41. John Saylor FEE MALE MEMBERS 1. Rebekah Wilborn 2. Elizabeth Halper 3. Judah Bennett 4. Jane Nickelson 5. Elizabeth Roberts 6. Elizabeth Towers 7. Nancy Bell 8. Caty Owens 9. Agness Townley 10. Ann Jefferies 11. Heskey Brazele 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Allees Daye 13. Jeriah Elliott 14. Elizabeth Holbert 15. Nancy Acker 16. Easter Pitts 17. Blek Dinah 18. Elizabeth Owwen 19. Mary Bowen 20. Margerett Harper 21. Margerett Gray 22. Rachel Cobb 23. Black Amy 24. Mary Farmer 25. Mary Groce 26. Sarrah Carder 27. Milly Reed 28. Fanny Richardson 29. Jane Hamilton 30. Sarah Cooley 31. Jane Findley 32. Black -- 33. Nancy Wilson 34. Mary Holbert 35. Jane Acker 36. Sarah Brown 37. Ruth Acker 38. Susanna Kelley 39. Eda Parsons 40. Charrity Duckworth 41. Nancy Greenlee 42. Nancy Johnson 43. Jeremiah Thaxton 44. Ginnet Wilson 45. Winney Garner 46. Rebeckah Breazeale 47. Keziah Hand 48. Nancy Nickols 49. Mary Crider 50. Sarah Griggs 51. Elisabeth Salyer 52. Black Amy 53. Black Mary 54. Margeret Vinson 55. Elizabeth Crider 56. Ann Willison 57. Sarah Griffin 58. Alesley Willimson 59. Elizabeth Willimson 60. Hannah Willimson 61. Susannah Carder 62. Susannah Elliott 63. Ann Nicholson 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64. Rachel Willimson 65. Martha Nelson 66. Ann Carder 67. Elizabeth Summers 68. Nancy Murphy 69. Frankey Duckworth 70. Elizabeth Risiner 71. Marry Holland 72. Penneper Pennell 73. Margarett Findley 74. Mahalah Willimson 75. Nancy Pennell 76. Rebecca Pennell 77. Mary Cadwell In looking over the books we fend the following Querys, first that is --- 1801. Sept. 5. Church Convened Together, Query is it legal when a Query comes before the Church and it taken up by the Church and then threw it out and not give the Ans., it is not legal. Query. What ought to be Done when a Church through an oversight or unthoughtly take a Query and Cannot give the ans--- Answered acknowledge their fault to the brother who flung in the Query--- October 3rd. Church Convened together---Sisters Nancy Bell & Elizabeth Summers Dismissed---appointed to Sit in Conference brethern Moses Holland James Welborn & Ballard Day. Jeriah Elliott Received into our fellowship by letter Benjamin Bowen Received into fellowship by Experiance appointed Brethern John Harper & George Dilworth to admonish the following members for their neglecting their Church meeting. Viz: Henon Breazeale Thomas Nichols Heskey Breazeale and Caty Owens --- Nov. 7. Church Convened---Samuel Cobb & Jesse Gray & Elizabeth Halbert & ware received by Experience, John Nickelson restored again into our fellowship. 1802 January 2. Church mit according to adjornment the following brethern Received by Experience - Viz Thomas Wilson Ruben Johnston & black Peter & Wilson Cobb & Willis Greenlee & Black Dinah--- Feb. 6. Church met according to adjurnment Bretheren Relph Owen & Elizabeth Owen restored to fellowship Brether Peter Acker Mary Bowen & Margiet Harper and was received by Experience. Brother Relph Owen & Elizabeth dismised. 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 6. Church met according to adjornment - Firs an Alagation brought against Brother Robert Jeffries for the Sin of drunkenness he not being presint Brethern appointed & sent to labour with him and so referred--- . Secondly. Brethern Wm. Harper & John Harper was chosen and appointed to be Ordained the Saturday before the first Sunday in Aprile Each of them to the office of a deacon. Third. The following Bretheren was received by Experience, Viz: Margaret Gray Rachel Cobb Jacob Cooley Sen. & Black Amy Mary Farmer Recd. by letter--- April 2. The church met according to adjornment. First the above Allegation ajoins Brother Robert Jeffers brout forward and on his recantion was still retained in fellowship. The following Bretheren received into our fellowship by Exsperience VZ: Mary Grace Joel Holbert Archabald Nickels Sargh Gorder & Fanney Richerson Milley Read by letter. April 3. Presbetry conveaned. Having the Eldership of Brushy Creek Church Vs: Robert Ore, John Bray & James Head & Benjamin Northcut Enoch Breazeale invited to Seat with our to assist in the ordenation of John Harper & Wm. Harper the Brethern caled forward & Examened relatetives to their faith and satesfaction was given by them, they ware ordained and set forward to their work - Church Convened together---. Recd. in to fellowshipThomas Smith by letter Sunday the 4 of April Communion held.--- 1802 May 1st. Church Convened together the following recd. by Experience once Vz. Jane Hambleton Sarah Cooley - John Wilson &Jane Findley Hugh Wilson senr. Black Loosee & Son Cy Wilson. May 2. Church came together - and rec'd by Experience sisters Mary Halbert and Jane Acker---. June 5. The Church Convened together the following Brethern Recevd into fellowship by Experiance to VA: Benjamin Farmer Sener James Halbert black peter & thomas Brown & Sarah Brown his wife then Revd. Joseph & Susanna Kelley by letter Sunday June 6th, the Church came together and Recvd. by Experance Ruth Acker Richard Hall Rec'd. into our fellowship---. July 3. Church convened together the Rec'd. by Experience the following Brethren - Edy Parsons John pepper Charrity Duckworth patsy Greenlee - nancy Johnson John Hunt Jemimah Thaxton John Salyer & Jennet Wilson--- Friday July 30. Church convened & appointed Brethern Moses Holland Elijah Majors Wm. Jolley as diligates to send to the Association-- Received into fellowship by Experiance Winna Gar- 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ren Rebecky - Breazeal-- July 31. the curch conveaned Received into fellowship by Experience John Briant--- August 1st. Communion held. Sept. 4. Church conveined. First an Allegation brough forward by Brother John Wilson against himself for the Sin of Drunkiness & his recantation not being satisfactory to the church it if refered--------. Secondly the following Bretheren received into fellowship by Experance Viz: Kiziah Hand Christopher Crider Ann Nickelson Joseph Hand Mavey Crider Sarah Criag Elizabeth Salyer Black Amey--- Sunday Oct. 3rd. Church come together received by Experance Black Peter Joseph Brown George Nelson ----. Novm. 13. The Church convened firs the above Allegation against Brother John Wilson brought forward & on his recantation is still retained in fellowship-- Secondly-Brethren John Harper & Wm. Harper Margret Harper & Elizabeth Harper Dismised; Thirdly - a petition from Salem metting house Arm of Shockley ferry Church requesting our Eldership as helps in sonstituting of them a body to themselves; their petition was granted---. Fourthly - a door being opened for the reception of members the following Brethern received into fellowship by Experance; Viz: Black Marey Adam Williamson Margaret Winson Elizabeth Crider Ann Williamson Sarah Griffin---. Sunday November the 14th. Church came together then received by Experience Hesey Williamson Elizabeth Williamson & Hannah Williamson---. Decm. 4. 9 **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, 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. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************