Julia M. Brooks, Bio Mt. Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church,Scott County, VA ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Westmoreland County submission by: James Henry ==================================================================== Submitted by James Henry . Permission to submit this history was given by Vivian Greear, daughter of Julia M. Elliott Brooks. Ottalee Winegar submitted the bio sketch for Julia M. Elliott Brooks. Mt. Pleasant Church History by Julia M. Brooks This year of 1973 brings us to the 80th anniversary of Mt. Pleasant "Methodist Episcopal Church" as it was known at the time of its' organization in August, 1893, following a revival held in a School House bearing that name. Rev. A H. Ingle, pastor of the Nickelsville Charge was assisted by Rev.'s W. V. Elliott, M. B. Fleenor, Wesley Hillman, S. P. McConnell, Charley Whited, Martin Goode, and Jimmie Stallard. Both branches of the Methodist Church were represented; as was the Primitive and Free-Will Baptists. Wesley Hillman was from the Morgan's Chapel area and S. P. McConnell from Fraley's Chapel. There were 83 conversions; 30 of these were baptized and became the Charter members of this church. The last Charter member, Mrs. Jane Enix-Henry, died May 5, 1972, at the age of 91. The first class book I have found is dated June 1, 1896. It was recorded by Rev. M. B. Fleenor who became the second pastor. Names as follows: Apperson, Peggy Hale, Ruth Baker, Almeda Elliott Henry, Jane Enix Baker, Margaret Elliott Hill, Callie Enix Donaldson, Mary Elliott Mann, Rosa Hale Dougherty, Samuel & Ellen Morris, Daisy Enix Elliott, Alva & Sarepta Morris, Hester Enix Elliott, Cordelia Frazier Quillen, Lilburn Elliott, Cosby Henry Thompson, Nancy Elliott, Ellington Vermillion, C. D. & Mary Elliott, Euel & Mary Vermillion, John & Nancy Enix, Elbert & Mary Wampler, John & Elizabeth Faulk, Lizzie Wells, Lily Hale Frazier, Rhoda Elliott The next group to join included the Rev. W. H. Vermillion and wife, Katherine and two of their sons, James A. & Samuel E. Vermillion who had recently moved to this community. W. H. or "Uncle Bill" Vermillion, as was locally known, was a local preacher and a carpenter. He was helpful in the church in many ways as the pastors often lived miles away. Uncle Bill held the burial services, performed marriage ceremonies and was always available in the revivals as was his son, John, who became a minister. Rev. W. V. Elliot came to this Charge in the early 1900's and during his pastorate he added 25 more names to the membership. The membership roll was revised in 1910 by Rev. M. B. Gass and increased the number to 74. The Mt. Pleasant School House was used as a place of worship for 18 years. Two District Conferences were held there; one in the late 1890's, and one in 1905. These conferences were not two hour affairs. They continued from Wednesday to Sunday nights with three services each day with noon-day meals being served "Dinner on the ground or picnic style." Oil lamps and lanterns were the only way of lighting the 25' x 50' building. A group picture was made of the 1905 Conference with 32 ministers, one Deaconess and two missionaries and several of the members and visitors. I have one of the pictures in my possession now. The ministers and the three ladies stayed in homes in the community - room and board free. The land on which this church stands was formerly owned by Sallie C. Vermillion. She donated 1/4 acre and the trustees bought 3/4 acre for the sum of $18.75: according to deed dated the 29th day of April, 1910, and filed for record on the 26th day of August, 1915, in the Clerk's office Scott Co., Virginia. Deed Book 29, page 392. Euel Elliott and wife, Mary, donated a plot on the eastern side of the church. P. M. Elliott, a grandson of Euel, gave some more land in the 1950's adjoining the existing property. The clearing of this land began in the summer of 1910 while Rev. M. B. Gass was pastor. He was moved to another Charge in November of that year, and was replaced by Rev. W. S. Bandy who continued the work, and this building was dedicated August, 1971, by Rev. J. A. Mitchell and Rev. W. S. Bovard. Most of the material for the church was sawed near the site from trees donated by the members. The men worked all winter getting the material ready. I've been told Alva Elliott (my father) hauled the stone from near Copper Creek on a sled, built for that purpose, pulled by horses, to make the foundation for this church. The stone being quarried out by Sam Chapman, a great Stone Mason of his day. Uncle Bill Vermillion and Christopher Quillen had the contract to build the church and was aided by much free labor. The first Trustees were C. D. Vermillion, Euel Elliott, and Elbert S. Enix. This Charge was first in the Virginia Conference, Abingdon District. The later was called the Bristol District. In the year 1907, this District was merged with the Holston Conference and the Big Stone Gap District. In December, 1911, a great revival was held in the new church by the pastor Bro. Bandy and the Rev. W. C. Thompson of the M. E. Church South. Nine more members were added making a total of 83. The church property contains 1 1/2 to 2 acres, more or less which will be kept as a cemetery in which many of the former members are buried along with five Civil War Veterans, one from World War I, and two from World War II. I would like to mention that Rev. A. H. Ingle was 53 years old when he became the first pastor. Thirty-one years later he came back and preached for our home-coming, being 84 years old. I would also like to mention that two of our present members are of the 6th generation of John and Nancy Vermillion (the oldest of the Charter members) and that the new "Midway Memorial United Methodist Church" which is now being built is on land handed down to their 4th and 5th generations of this Vermillion family. The bell from this church now hangs in the new church ready to call -- Come, Come, Oh Come to the living, and to toil the passing of those who may slip away to the "Great Beyond." I gratefully acknowledge the help I received from my older sisters, Rhoda Elliott Frazier and Nora Elliott Cox in compiling this history up to 1905. >From 1905 is my own recollections aided by the 1914 Holston Journal. I was born February 9, 1893. This church was organized in August of that year. I grew up under the influence of this Methodist church and its' many able ministers and from a Christian home with consecrated parents, Alva and Sarepta Elliott. My prayers for the future of this new church with the merging of the three other churches of this Midway Charge, Farley's Chapel, Morgan's Chapel and McConnell's Memorial, is that they continue in the teachings of the Holy Bible and be led by the Holy Spirit. This the 14th day of February, 1973 *Julia M. Brooks (Mrs. W. L. Brooks) *Julia M. Brooks was born on 9 February 1893 in Scott County, VA. Her parents were Alva Elliott and Sarepta Smith. Alva was the son of Landon Elliott and Rhoda Kilgore. Julia's roots in Scott County go back to before the county was formed in 1814. Michael Elliott, her 3rd great grandfather, signed the petition to form Scott County. Julia married Sam Brooks. She lived her entire life in the Midway area of Scott County. Her parents were charter members of the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church. Julia lived within sight of the church. She enjoyed participating in many Singing Schools, was always interested in history, especially family history, loved her church, and actively supported the merger of Mt. Pleasant with three other churches in 1973. Julia died in 1986. Directions to Mt Pleasant Cemetery: : Take State Rd 72 from Gate City, VA to Ft. Blackmore, VA. After about 4 and 1/2 miles turn right onto State Rd 670. After about 2/5 of a mile State Rd 675 goes to the left (paved) and State Rd 670 goes to the right [dirt] - stay to the right on State Rd 670. About 1/2 mile the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery will be on the left. The church is no longer standing.