SEVEN LEAGUES BAPTIST CHURCH AND IT'S PEOPLE - Smith Co, TX Book submitted by Wilma Thedford Prepared for the internet by Mary Love Berryman 5 April 2004 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************************** Note: The minutes were copied from the orginal minutes by Wilma Thedford and her daughter Marlena Thedford Bartlet and placed in a book for the family. No effort was been made to correct spelling or punctuation. An index was prepared by Mary Love Berryman using the numbers of the minutes. At the beginning numbers were used. If there were not numbers they have been added with ( ). Every effort has been made to keep these in the original format. An Introduction contains info about Seven Leagues and also an alphabetical list of the members by gender and a list of the officers of the church. The minutes, Introduction and Minutes are divided into 4 files for ease of use. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SEVEN LEAGUES BAPTIST CHURCH AND IT'S PEOPLE By Thedford and Bartlett Smith County, TX - 1969 This book was compiled by my mother, Mrs. Joel Thedford, and myself, Marlena Thedford Bartlett. I dedicated this book to her for all the years she put in her family tree research. SEVEN LEAGUES, TEXAS The town of Seven Leagues, Texas was located near the Neches River in the southwestern part of Smith County. It was named for the seven leagues of land that was patented by Don Thomas Quevado. Date of it's first existence is not known but the first Post Master was April 1851. George Patterson was listed in therecords of early Post Masters as being the first. Early pioneers to the town were Thedfords, Holbrooks, Spiveys, Gores, Smiths, Wesleys, Turmans, Jones, Scroggins, Williams, Morgans, Hawthorns, and MacGreats. The list grew larger as the pioneers came in great numbers in the early 1870's. The Spring Hill Methodist Church was formed by a small group of people in the early 1860's. It was attended in the later days by Holbrooks, Williams, Glazes, Herrins, Glasses, Greshams, Morgans, Scroggins, and Oldhams. There is a long list of members that could be added to this list. The only known book of the Spring Hill. Methodist Church is dated 1888 to 1901. It list the Reverand E. D. Osburn as the pastor at this time. In 1892 land was deeded to the trustees of the Spring Hill Church for the purpose of building a Church at Noonday. So it is thought that Spring Hill was changed to Noonday Methdist Church in 1892. The little cementery on the hill, over looking Seven Leagues cementery is where the Spring Hill Methodist Church was located. It has just a few markers with inscriptions on them but was marked in their own way with native rocks.. Enon Baptist Church members of Cherokee Baptist Association, Pastor E. S. Bledsoe, as early as 1853. Of which William Thedford was Bapitized in I853, and ordained a deacon in 1855. The Thedfords were members of this Church until the organization of the Seven Leagues Baptist Church in 1869. Methodist Epispocal Church, was located south at Seven Leagues Society. Records show the begining as February 25, 1851, with the following presiding Elders, James T. Brown, 0. Fisher, and J. W. Fields. James A. Scruggs, Associate Pastor, and S. B. Hickman also an Associate Pastor. It was attened by Kutchs, Edwards, Elliots, Butlers, Shorts, Reeses, Bayless', and Veneables, and etc. There are to many to mention. Last date in Seven Leagues was 1-27-1855. Thence the family of Kutch, moved to Jack Co. and the records were for the members in that County. Records are not known after 1855 in Smith County of the the Methodist Epispocal Church South, Seven Leagues. Seven Leagues Baptist Church was organized in April 1869 by the following people; William Thedford, Evan Pearson Thedford, Thomas J. Mangham, Elvirah Thedford, Rebeca Pierce, Jane Mangham, Susan Thedford, Pamelia Thedford, and Amanda Thedford. The old Church ledger, now owned by Joel Thedford, shows the Church was in existence from 1869 to 1896. It is thought there was a later ledger, because the Church elected to buy a new one before this one was used completly. The last date of existence of, is Church is not known. Some of the pioneers are buried in the Seven Leagues cementery that is located at the old site of the Baptist Church. According to the Baptist Church ledger Miss Zackry held school in the Church building in 1872. Mr. Burgame held school in the building in 1874, until a school building could be built. It is not known if one was ever built. by Mrs. Joel Thedford 1980 ---------------------------------------------------------------- THE YEAR 1860 The Don Thomas Quavada Seven Leagues, a tract of innd granted to Don Thomas Quavada by the Spanish Government for serviaes rendered, borderod on the west by the Neches River. This tract of land had many beautiful streams and was very fertile. At that time there was a few settlers who had squattod over the territory. In the early 60's a few men and women got together and organized a Methodist Church down near the Neches River. They namedd that church the Spring Hill Methodist Church. It had for its members the first few years the Connallys, Glazes, Lodges, Parks, Reids, Holbrooks, Jones, Rileys, Clarys, Oldhams, Zachary, Rushings, and Morgans, About 1890 it was moved to Noonday; added to ito membership then for a few years wore the Scroggins, Denneys, Templetons, Ross, Templetons, Bonners and Mayfields. Its pastors prior to that and following for a few years were Rev. Fountain, Caleb Smith, two Tom Smiths, Booth, Downs, White, Bridges, Sevendell, Sprawls and Escoe. About the year 1866 the Baptist people organized a church near the Neches River and named it Seven Loague Baptist Church. Its membership for a few years was Thedfords, Gibsons, Raineys, Southerlands, McCrarys, MeKees, Spivey, Smiths, Silas Snyre and Herring. Its pastors for a few years were Rev. Carter, Gore, Morrow, Youngblood, Clanahan and Bledsoe. In 1876 Mr, and Mrs. Ed. W. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. William Herrin withdrew from the Seven Leamue Church and together with Mrs. J.I. Llttle met at cross roads in center of the Seven Leagues and organized a Baptist Church. Ed. W. Smith named the church Noonday for his little conmunity in Georgia. Since then the Old Seven Leagues has been known as the Noonday Comunity. The membership for a few years was Herrings, Buttlers, Hills, Greens, Caldwell, Hocutts, Llttles, and Smiths. In 1890 a great Revival was hold by Rev. George P. Birdwell and added to the church at this time were Hargroves, Sheltons, Mr. Little, Pierces, Johnstons, Louis Smith and a great number of young men and girls. In 1898 the Seven Leagues church was dissolved and from that church to the Noonday church came the following : Thedfords, Raineys, Southerlands, Glasses, McCrarys and McKees. Pastors for this, the Noonday Church included: Rev. Miller, the organizer, Wesley, Kendall, Bedell, Rice, Birdwell, Maxwell, Dewberry, Duncan, Pledger and Colthorp. Sometime in the early 60's a little school was created down near the river, it was named Thomas Quavado school. Its teachers were: Burgamy, Capt. Rail Cone, who was educated at West Point and a pollished gentleman, and Miss Mollie Barnes, who married Ed Ward of Noonday, who became a leading lawyer at Corpus Christi. A little later the Noonday school was created. Its teachers were: Onion, Hall, Burgamy, Dean, Tool, Persons, Sneed, Birdwell, who cbecame one of the Texas' leading educators, Lawerence, Gentry, Bonham, Gus Hale and Burns and others. In 1890 the heads of families at Noonday were: Jack Glaze, Van Thedford, Allen Thedford, Thornton Thedford, Lem Thedford, Sr., Dave Spivey, Joe Rainey, J. W. Butler, John Butler, Jr., Frank Pierce, John Pierce, Ed Pierce, Tom Hyte, Dan Caldwell, Capt. Cone, Wylie Gibson, Lee Templeton, Sr., John Templeton, Bob Glass, Jesse Holbrook, Jim Holbrook, Ben Holbrook, Tom Green, Joe Hill, Huldy Green, Fed Johnston, Ed. W. Smith, Dave Southerland, W. G. Rushing, Sog Mayfield, Lis Hargrove, Ike Shelteon, Jim Little, Judge Oldham, Bob McMinn, Joe McMinn, George McMinn, Jack McMinn, Ike Denny, Will Turman, Bob McCrary, George Tomlinson, Jap McKee, Jim Morgan, Bill Herrin, Dr. Wylie Yarbrough, Dr. Ben Selman, Dr. B. F. Hines, Will Scroggins, Bill McKay, Albert Thurmond, Dave Murray, Charlie Jones, Mort Clary, Dave Spivey, Louis Smith, Silas Smyre, Bill Biscoe, Lisha Skelton, Frank Jones, Walt Williams, George Bonner, Neld Davis, Van Thomas, Plummer Ragsdale, Bob Herrin, Mr. Ward, Bud Lewis, John McKee, Mrs. Ann Ashcraft, Mrs. Susan Thedford, John Willis Smith, Dave Murray, Sam McKinney, Will Gibson. At this time the efforts put forth by these patriotic citizens were bearing fruit. Jim Fitzgerald, who lived with an uncle attended school at Noonday became teacher, lawyer, county judge and banker. -------------------------------------------------------------- The Seven Leagues Baptist Church Book has been in the Thedford family since the church went out of existence in 1896. At the death of William Eligah Thedford, the son of Pierson Thedford, the book was handed to the heirs of his estate, Mr. and Mrs. G. Campbell, of Mt Sylvan. The Campbells being no kin, wanted the book to remain in the Thedford Family. So Mrs. Campbell gave the book to Joel Thedford, who still retains possession of the book at this time. He is the great-grand son of Evan Pierson Thedford. -------------------------------------------------------------- MODERATORS OR PASTORS OF SEVEN LEAGUES BAPTIST CHURCH E. M. Carter April 1869 to Feb. 1877 W. M. Gray March 1877 to July 1879 S. R. Gore Feb 1880 to Sept 1893 R. R. Morrow Nov 1893 to July 1896 Last Entry OTHER PASTORS WHO ARE MENTIONED J. L.Combie Elder Graves Bro. Callahan Elder J. W. Wesley W. F. Kindall …. Hendrick Warren Rice Shaken Sweepe A. J. White C. A. Pickle CHURCH CLERKS Thomas J. Mangham April 1869 to Sept. 1869 Evan Pierson Thedford Sept 1869 to May 1874 Edward W. Smith June 1874 to June 1875 John S. Brinley July 1875 to Aug. 1876 E. F Spivey Sept 1876 to Mar. 1881 M. F. Sanders Mar 1881 to Sept. 1883 J. F. Rainey Jan 1884 to Aug. 1885 R. F. McMinn Sept 1885 to July 1886 W. David Spivey Aug 1886 to Oct. 1891 J. R. Glass Feb 1892 to Jan. 1895 W. J. McKee March 1895 to July 1896 Last Entry ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MALE MEMBERS - SEVEN LEAGUES BAPTIST CHURCH * Charter Member SURNAME FIRST NAME YEAR DATE DISMISSED BY LETTER OR EXCLUDED JOINED ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Beam Henderson 1890 Excluded Jan 1893 Restored July 1893 Brimley John 1872 1873 Burns Bro. 1893 Carther E. M. 1869 Cobb Wm. 1869 1885 Combie Jacob Crook B. F. Curtis W. R. 1890 1891 Dalton C. C. 1890 1892 Dean J. M. 1894 1895 Dobbs T. J. 1871 Excluded 1873 Restored 1875 Ferrell Bro. Excluded 1882 Freeman W. S. 1883 1886 Freeman W. E. 1884 Gandy Bill 1890 1891 Gee James 1890 1891 Gibson Wiley 1886 1894 Gibson W. V. 1886 1894 Gibson S. H. 1890 1893 Glass J. R. 1886 1896 Griffin Wm. 1871 Excluded 1871 Hawthorne Wm. 1869 1872 Hawthorne G. W. 1872 Horton James Excluded 1882 Howell Eliga Howell B. B. Jones Albert 1894 * Mangham Thos. J. 1869 1869 Mathis S. M. 1886 1888 McCrary R. R. 1886 McKee J. T. 1886 1893 McKee W. J. 1889 1893 McKee W. J. 1887 1896 McKee J. T. McKinnie Sam 1894 McKinnie Albert 1894 McMinn R. P. McMinn F. G. Excluded 1888 McMinn J. W. McMinn H. J. 1889 McMinn R. J. Overton B. F. 1889 1892 Ponder Benjamine 1884 1889 Pope B. F. 1876 Rainey J. W. 1875 Rainey J. A. 1884 Rainey R. M. 1886 1890 Sanders Dock Shelton (Elisha), Bro Shiflet William 1890 Excluded 1892 Smith Edward W. 1871 1875 Smith Wm. M. 1875 Excluded 1875 Smyers H. S. 1883 Smyers S. H. 1886 Southerland David Spivey W. David 1872 Died 1 Jan 1892 Spivey E. F. 1872 1886 Spivey George W. 1873 * Thedford William 1869 Died 25 Oct 1877 * Thedford Evan Pierson 1869 Died 27 Apr 1882 Thedford Andrew J. 1872 1891 Thedford Martin Van Buren 1872 Thedford Lemuel C. Excluded 1893 Thedford W. E. Thedford Johnny 1890 Thedford George W. 1890 Thedford William E. 1890 Died 1939 Thedford Larkin 1894 Thedford Lemuel C. 1894 Thedford Jess P. 1894 Thedford Jack 1894 Thomas O. A. 1890 Died 8 Dec 1894 Thomas R. S. 1890 Excluded 1893 Tucker William 1890 1890 Vaughn Joseph 1871 1873 Venerable Freeman 1890 1891 Welton Bro. 1876 Wesley J. H. L. 1871 1872 White A. J. Williams Buck 1871 Excluded 1881 Williams William Will 1871 Excluded ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEMALE MEMBERS - SEVEN LEAGUES BAPTIST CHURCH * Charter Member SURNAME FIRST NAME YEAR DATE DISMISSED BY LETTER OR EXCLUDED JOINED ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Austin S. A. 1886 Bailey Ellen 1891 Beam Florence Excluded 1893 Brinley Sallie 1880 1881 Bum Sis. 1890 Carter Lucrest E. 1872 Clary Alice Cobb W. C. Mrs. (Ruth) Com Filina 1871 Excluded 1871 Cope Sis. 1885 Crook Sorena Crook M. J. Crook Martha E. Curtis W. R., Mrs. 1890 Davis Sarah Davis Jane Dean Sallie 1888 1888 Freeman Francis 1884 Freeman Jay 1884 1886 Freeman Lucretia 1886 Freeman Nancy Gibson Lena Gibson Florence 1891 Excluded Mar 1893 Restored July 1893 Gibson S. H. 1893 Gibson Annie 1891 Gilland Margret 1870 Excluded 1872 Gilmore Hannah 1869 Black Woman 1871 Grant Amanda 1969 Hargrove Elizabeth Hawthorn Emily 1870 1874 Hawthorn Sarah 1872 1886 Haynes Mary Jane 1871 Henderson C. 1869 Hidins S. H. 1885 Hill Jennie 1872 1892 Holbrook Sallie Ingle Ellen 1872 Jones S. J. Jones Linnie 1890 Jones Fanny 1890 King Carolyn 1873 Excluded 1876 Landrum Mollie 1886 1889 Landrum M. E. 1886 Lewis Ilda 1888 Lewis Mary Ann 1875 Lewis Elizabeth Ann 1875 * Mangham Jane 1869 Died 15-Dec-16 McCrary Elizabeth 1888 McCrary Emma J. 1896 McKee America 1886 McKee Mary 1887 McKinnie Annie 1806 McMinn M. A. 1884 McMinn Alice 1889 McMinn Larah L. 1890 McMinn Elizabeth McMinn E. E. Morman Mrs. 1873 Oldham Waunell 1891 Oldham Nancy 1891 Oldham Ella 1893 Overton S. A. 1888 1892 Overton S. H. 1893 Page Sis. 1890 Parks M. J. 1887 * Pierce Rebeca 1869 Pierce N. C. 1890 Ponder Sallie 1886 Ponder Elizabeth Pope B. F. 1876 Pope B. F., Mrs. 1876 Price Sarah 1871 1872 Rainey M. C. 1875 Rainey M. E. 1884 1886 Raniey Molie 1890 Rilly Margret Roiutman Alice 1891 Rushing M. A. (Mattie) 1890 Sanders M. B. * Shelton Emily 1869 Shelton Emily Smith Lucy Jane 1869 Smith Lonie 1875 Smith Jonie 1875 Smith Jonnie 1875 Smyer S. A. 1886 Southern Mattie 1894 Southern Necy 1892 Spivey Ada 1872 1886 Spivey Ada 1886 Spivey Elizabeth 1882 1885 Spivey Mollie 1890 Spivey Sallie 1875 Stiefer Sis. 1886 Sumers M. J. Sumers C. G., Mrs. 1875 Taylor Perthania 1871 1872 * Thedford Elvirah 1869 * Thedford Susan 1869 * Thedford Pamelia 1869 * Thedford Amanda 1869 Thedford Jane 1869 Died 1879 Thedford Mollie 1869 1889 Thedford Martha 1872 Thedford Sallie 1883 1886 Thedford M. E. 1886 Thedford Virginia 1887 Thedford Ada 1887 Thedford Annie Thedford Emma J. Thedford Allie Thedford Ida 1890 Thedford Tenny 1890 Thedford Ada 1887 1892 Thedford Julie 1891 Thedford Necy 1875 Thedford Levy 1894 Thedford C. J. Thomas Minnie Excluded 1893 Restored 1894 Thornton Nancy 1872 1872 Tucker William, Mrs 1890 Tucker Modie 1890 Vaughn Lucy Jane 1871 1873 Ward Sis. 1890 1895 Welton Sis. 1876 Wesley J.H.M., Mrs 1872 1873 White Elizabeth 1875 White Mary 1875 Williams Catherine 1870 Excluded 1881