STEPHEN a WEEKS CUSS OF 1886; PHD. THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY _ OF THE umvHsnr wwwm guuuna tie weeks cwjmmm ©F CAMOLINMNA This BOOK may be kept out ONE MONTH unless a recall notice is sent to you. A book may be renewed only once; it must be brought to the library for renewal. Form No. 470 THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA James Sprunt Historical Monograph Minutes of the Kehukey Association (BAPTIST) With Letter of Joel Battle Fort, and with Introduc- tion and Notes by Kemp Plummer Battle, LL.D, PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY 1904 No, 5 THE UNIVERSITY PRESS CHAPEL HILL INTRODUCTION. The History of the Kehukee Baptist Association was first published in 1803 by Elders Lemuel Burkitt and Jesse Read, ministers of the Gospel in Northampton and Halifax Counties in North Carolina. It was republished in 1834 by Elder Jo- seph Biggs, Pastor of the Baptist Church at Skewarkey, under the supervision of a committee appointed by the Association, and the history brought down to the later date. Neither of these volumes contain the first minutes of the Old Kehukey (or Kehukee) Baptist Association organized before the Revo- lutionary War. We are fortunate in having procured them from a descendant of one of the early members residing in Robertson County, Tennessee, We print them with the old- time spelling. According to Burkitt and Read's book most of the churches before they were united in an Association were "General Baptists", adhering to Free-will doctrines, under the preach- ing of Elders Paul Palmer and Joseph Parker and their suc- cessors. Then the Philadelphia Baptist Association sent two of their ministers, Vanhorn and Miller, of New Jersey, to visit North Carolina. They and their followers were called New Lights. They were generally cordially received. Those who believed in their doctrines adopted the confession of faith published in London in 1689, containing 32 articles, the foundation of the Philadelphia and the Charleston Associations. By means of these ministers the greater part of the North Carolina Baptists became Regulars. The churches thus reformed entered into the Kehukee Association in the year 1769. Burkitt and Read mention as members some who were not present in the first organization, viz., Elders John Thomas, John Burges, William Burges, Charles Daniel, William Walker, Thomas Pope and Henry Abbott. Kehukee meeting-house was on a creek of the same name in the south- 4 James Sprunt Historical Monograph eastern part of Halifax County, emptying- into the Roanoke. The Kehukee Association is composed of those now known as Primitive Baptists. In 1826 those known as Reformed Baptists issued a circular, which was referred to the churches of the Association. In 1827, at the meeting* of the Association, according- to Elder Joseph Biggs, "it was agreed that we discard all Missionarj^ Societies, Bible Socie- ties and Theological Seminaries and the practices heretofore resorted to for their support, in begging- money from the pub- lic." * * "believing these societies and institutions to be the inventions of men and not warranted from the Word of God." Non-fellowship was also declared against joining- the fraternity of Masons. The first State Convention of those who are sometimes called the Missionary Baptists was held at *Greenville in 1803' I learn from Rev. Pleasant D. Gold, an able and honored Elder, or preacher, of this denomination, that the first Kehu- kee Church was about three miles east of Scotland Neck. About fifteen years ago the old house was sold and a new church built about one mile from that town. There are now about forty churches in the Kehukee Association. Eider Silvester Hassell is the Moderator. The territory includes Nash, Edg-ecombe, Halifax, part of Pitt, Washington, Beau- fort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Pasquotank. Some of the leading- preachers, or elders at present are Elders Silvester Hassell, G. D. Roberson, Samuel Moore, M. T. Lawrence (a grandson of Elder Joshua Lawrence), N. H. Harrison, Charles Meats, M. B. Willeford, Jordan Johnson and J. D. Armstrong. Mr. Gold is not a member of this Association, but has been pastor of the church at the Falls of Tar River for thirty years. The - Kehukee is the oldest Association of the Primitive Baptists in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the United States, those of Philadelphia and Charleston only being older. Kemp P. Battle. * In the charter spelt Greeneville. LETTER FROM ! JOEL B. FORT. In the year 1789, Elias Fort and wife Sarah, with his sons William, Josiah, and Sugg- Fort, Emigrated from Edgecombe Count} 7 , North Carolina, Seeking homes in the then unsettled far West. Josiah and William brought their families with them. Sugg Fort was married in Tennessee and was a number of years and until his death a Baptist Minister. In the separa- tion of the Missionary Baptists from the Primitive Baptists which was occasioned by the preaching of Eld. Ruben Ross who came from Edgecombe County, N. C. a short time after the Fort emigration, Elder Sugg Fort sided with Father Ross and preached for the Missionary Baptists till his death in 1826. The emigrant company in 1789, when they reached Knox- ville, employed Gen. Andrew Jackson to guard them and pro- tect them against the attacks by Indians over the Cumber- land Mountains and as far as Nashville. Elias Fort and his sons passed Nashville and settled on the waters of Red River near the mouth of Sulphur Fork Creek where the village of Port Royal now stands. They entered large tracts of land, some of which has continued to descend from father to son to the present time. During the long journey over the moun- tains and to Nashville, a strong and lasting friendship was cemented between the Fort family and Gen. Jackson. Later on in 1796, William Fort and Gen. Jackson met as Mem- bers of the "First Constitutional Convention of Tennessee" at Knoxville, and old ties were so strengthened and confidence engendered that William Fort made his last will and testa- ment naming Gen. Andrew Jackson as his executor. His will is on record in Minute book No. 1 in the County Court of Robertson County, Tennessee. William Fort passed 6 Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph away before "Old Hickory" became the hero of New Orleans and the idol of the Nation. Red River Church was organized at the mouth of "Sulphur Fork on Red River, District of 2 Mero, Tennessee County on the 5th day of July 1791 by Ambrose Dudley and John Taylor," Minute Book, Red River Church, page 1. These Baptist Ministers and devout servants of God rode on horseback carrying- their scanty wearing- apparel, Bible and Hymn Books in their saddle bags along the Indian trail over the plains, through the unbroken forests, and as they jour- neyed for the first time, the hymns of praise sung from fer- vent souls echoed through the primeval woodland. On April 27, 1794, the Minutes of Red River Church show: "Received Klias Fort and his wife Sarah by letter of recom- mendation from the Baptist Church of Christ, near the falls of Tar River in Nash and Edgecombe Counties, North Caro- lina." In the back of this old book, sear in leaf and worn of cover, will be found the first Minutes of Old Kehukey Baptist Association, organized before the Revolutionar}^ War, with Klisha Battle, Elias Fort and William Horn as delegates from Tar River Church. The Minutes are recorded *each year till 1777, and the place of meeting selected for 1778. But no more is recorded. It is to be presumed that, in the perilous times when the infant nation was fighting for life and existence, those devout people found little time or opportunity to assemble and worship as they had done in the past. After the Minutes cease in 1777, a family record of the Fort family is found, showing that the book fell into the hands and safe keeping of that family and was thus delivered by them to the first Church organized in Tennessee, to be used as a Minute book. The Minutes of said church are therein recorded till 1826. My correspondence with Dr. H. B. Battle revealed the loss of this much of the history of the old Kehukey Associa- tion which I cheerfully supply. I have the old book in my possession and am careful of its preservation. The copy I * Except 1775. Sec page 25. Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph 7 furnish is an exact copy of the original, which, if as interest- ing" to those who may chance to read as it has been and is yet to me, will entirely repay me for making the copy for Dr. Battle. Joel B. Fort. Adams, Tenn. Mar. 21st, 1903. MINUTES KEHUKEY ASSOCIATION, NOV. 6th, t769 TO J777. The Sixth day of November Anno Domini 1769 A Consid- erable number of Baptists Ministers and Brethren met at Kehukey in the County of Hallifax and province of North Carolina to Consult about the expediency of An Association and the Manner of Conducting- it to the advantage of the Churches. The issue of the Meeting was adopting- the plat- form and Sentiments of the Philadelphia Association and thereon forming themselves into a like Body. The Churches that incorporated this year is the Church at Kehukey in Hal- lifax County, the Church at 3 Tossneot, and Tar River in Kdgecomb County and the Church in Bertie and the Church in Pitt County. The Sentiments Concerning an Association, that such an Association is useful and beneficial, are first Union and Com- munion among- themselves Maintaining more effectually the order and faith once delivered to the Saints, having- advice in cases of doubt, helps in distress &c. Secondly, that such an Association is consistant with the independency of particular Churches because it pretends to be no more than an advisory Counsel, Disclaiming Superiority, Jurisdiction, Coercive right or infallibility. Thirdly, that an Association should consist of Men Know- ing and Judicious especially in Scriptures. And now in Con- currence with the above Sentiments We whose names are hereunto Subscribed being met together, as we trust in fear of God and having- a desire to promote the glory of God and the good of his Church, We have unanimously united and joined ourselves tog-ether in an Association. Minutes of Kehukey Association 9 CHURCHES. Kehukey Bertie Tar River Tossneot Pitt MESSENGERS. 4 John Meg-lamore. Jessie Andrews. Thomas Witherby. 5 James Abbing-ton. Epbram Daniel. James Vinson. John Moore. 6 KHsha Battle. Elias Fort. 'Wm. Horn. 8 Jonathan Thomas. Jeremiah Robin. John Nobell. PLAN OF ASSOCIATION. 1. The Association to consist only of Messeng-ers Chosen and Sent by the Churches. These Messeng-ers to be their Ministers (for reason given in Sentiment 3) together with some Judicious brethren, their expenses to be borne by the Churches which send them. 2nd. With the Messeng-ers the Churches send letters ad- dressed to the Association, in these letters mention is made of the names of the Messeng-ers and their authority to act for their Churches, also the State of the Church touching- their peace, their increase by Baptism and by letters dismission and commendatory from other Churches, touching- their disminua- tion by death, excommunication and dismission to other Churches, and the present number of members. If any ques- tions are to be put to the Association, any advice to ask, or any business to propose, these are to be expressed in said letters. 3rd. All matters to be determined in this Association by the sufferage of the Messeng-ers, except what are determin- 10 Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph able by Scripture, such matters are never put to the decision of votes. All that speak are to address the Moderator, who is to take care that none are to be interrupted while speak- ing-, and that no other indecorum take place. 4th. Churches are to be received into this association by petition setting forth their desire to be admitted, their faith, order and willingness to be conformable to the rules of the Associated body. When a petition is read and matters ripened for a vote, the Moderator states the question, suffer- age being given in favor of the petition, the said Moderator declares that such a Church is received into the Association in token of which he gives the Messengers the right hand of fellowship and bids them take their seats. 5th. The Association to meet annually at Kehukey Meet- ing house on Monday next after the first Sunday in August a»d to continue till business be finished, it is to be opened with divine Service, after which a Moderator and Clerk are Chosen, the letters from the Churches are read the names of the Messengers are written that they may be called over after Meetings, then business is attended to and Minutes thereof made. A circular letter to the Churches is made and signed and a copy of it sent to every Church containing the Minutes of the association, the States of the Churches when and by whom Services are to be supplied, who to preach the next association Sermon, and whatever else is needful for the Churches to know. 6th The faith and order of this Association are expressed in a confession put forth b}' upwards of a hundred congrega- tions in Great Britain in the year 1689 and adopted by the Association of Philadelphia in 1742. Some of the principles in said Confession are, the imputation of Adam's Sin to his posterity, the inability of man to recover himself, effectual Calling by Sovereign Grace, Justification by imputed right- eousness, Immersion for Baptism and that on profession of faith and repentance, Congregational Churches and their MlNUTKS OF KkhUKEY ASSOCIATION 11 independency, Reception into them upon evidence of sound Conversion &c. Hallifax County. At an association held at Kehukey Meet- ing- House the 6th day of November 1769. CHURCHES. Kehukey Bertie Pitt Tar River Tossneot MESSENGERS PRESENT. John Meglamore. William Burg-ess. Jessie Andrews. Thomas Wethersby. James Abbing-ton. . Kphram Daniel. Thomas Miers. Jeremiah Rohm. John Nobell. John Moore. Klisha Battle. Klias Fort. Wm. Horn. Jonathan Thomas. Received as assistants to sit in Ass'n from Fishing- Creek in *Bute County, Zachariah Thompson and Laurance Win field, Jonathan Thomas Chosen Moderator and Elisha Battle Clerk. Whereas Charles Daniel Minister being charged with dis- ordely Walking has this day by the consent of himself and this Association Come to a legal trial and by the opinion of said Association it is ordered that the said Charles Daniel from henceforth is suspended from communion and silenced from preaching- until a restoration. Hallifax County. At an Association held at Kehukey Meeting House the 6th. day of August 1770. * Now Warren, 12 Jambs Sprunt Historical Monograph churches. MESSENGERS PRESENT. Tossneot Jonathan Thomas. Moses Baker. John Meglamore. William Burg-ess. Livy Lancaster. Thos. Wethersby. James Abbington. Thos. Miers. Jonathan Carr. Jessie Hart. Klisha Battle. William Horn. James Wig-g-on. Kehukey Bertie Tar River Rec'd as assistants to sit in the Ass'n from Fishing Creek Church Bute Co. Zachariah Thompson, William Allen, Lau- rance Winfield. Ques. Who was Melchezedeck according- to Hebrews the 7 Ch. 15 V's ? Ans. That he was a man according- to our Judg-ments. Ques, Is it a transgression worthy of suspension for a church member to buy a ticket in a lottery and insist upon it being- lawful and not sinful so to do ? Ans. It is unlawful and worthy of suspicion. Ques. How can God be said to repent when he is unchange- able as in 1 Sam. 15 and 29? Ans. Gods repenting- in Gen. C. 6 we understand to be meant the human nature of Jesus Christ the Son of God, but in 1 Sam. 15, 29, we understand to be meant his divine nature which cannot repent, alter or change. Ques. Whether God did decree the possibility of any thing- that never did nor never will come to pass? Ans. In the Affirmative that he most Certainly did. Upon reading- a letter from Charles Daniel directed to this Association it is agreed that John Meg-lamore, William Bur- Minutes of Kehukky Association 13 gess and Levy Lancaster and Thos. Overbj be appointed a committee to prepare a letter in answer to that of the said Daniel. Ordered by this Association that when a Minister is to be ordained the Church where he resided shall call to their assistance two ordained Ministers or more. Ordered that John Moore be appointed to preach the Ass'n Sermon next year. Hallifax County at an Association held at the Kehukey Meeting- House the 5th day of August 1771. CHURCHES. MESSENGERS PRESENT. Tar River . . . John Moore. Klias Fort. William Horn. Tossneot . . . Johnathan Thomas. Moses Baker. John Thomas. Bertie . . . James Abbingtcn. Thomas Deans. Kehukey . . . James Vinson. John Meglamore. William Burgess. Thos. Oveby. Thos. Wethersby. James Bell. Pasquotank . . . Henry Abott. Joseph Creeper. Rec'd as assistants to sit in Ass'n from Wm. Walkers Church on Fishing- Creek, Zachariah Thompson, Mathew Thomas, Wm. Cook, John Meglamore chosen Moderator, Klias Fort Clerk. Henry Abett pastor of the Church in Pas- quotank County joined himself a member of this Association and is received as such. Jonathan Thomas motioned that the general conference Book be read and as many of the 14 Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph Queries adopted in the Association Book as can be universally received by the Association. The same is granted. Ques. How doth mankind first attain to the knowledge of moral good and evil? Ans. By External revelation. Ques. Whether the commission of sin or the omission of duty among- professors is the most heinous crime? Ans. Sins of omission or commission receive their aggra- vation from Circumstances &c. and therefore no general answer can properly be given which are most heinous, but we hereby caution Christian professors against both. Ques. Whether it is lawful for a woman to vote in con- ference or not? Ans. It is not. Ques. Is it orderly for a male member in our Churches if he finds freedom to exhort in publick or not? Ans. We Judge it is the duty of any person who looks upon it to be his duty to exhort his fellowmen, first to acquaint the Church with his desire and to obtain priviledge of the Church for that purpose. Ques. Whether the pastor of any particular church may lawfully leave the place of his attendance to live in a branch of his Church distant from his former attendance? Ans. A pastor of a Church, that is so for a limited time, may remove any where when said time is expired, But if his pastoral charge is for life he may not remove without the consent of the people he was ordained over. Ques. Is it orderly for those called regular Baptists to commune with the 9 Separate Baptist Church? Ans. We esteem it our duty to commune with any Baptist Church or orderly member who has the essential of Church Communion, viz. Those whose principles in fundamentals are not heretical and whose practices are not vicious. Ques. What is meant by Christs Second Coming which is so often spoken of in Scriptures? Ans. It is his coming to Judgement. Minutes of Kehukey Association 15 It is agreed that, an Association fund be established and be supported by voluntary contributions from the Several Churches, the sum they bestow for ^ that purpose be specified in their letters and sent to the Association by their Messengers and We appoint William Burgess our Treasurer during the Associations pleasure. On motion made by Jeremiah Walker it is agreed that delegates be appointed to attend the Sepa- rate Baptist Association in Virginia and by a private poll held for that purpose, Jonathan Thomas, James Abbing- ton and John Meglamore appointed to attend said Ass'n the last Saturday in Sept. A motion made by Jonathan Thomas for an occasional Association to be held for fur- therance of business to intervene between this and the next annual Ass'n., it is agreed that an occasional Ass'n. be held at Fishing Creek Meeting House in Bute County the 3rd Saturday in November next. At an Association held at William Walkers Meeting house on Fishing Creek in Bute County the 16th day of Novem- ber 1771. CHURCHES. MESSENGERS PRESENT. Kehukey . . . John Meglamore. William Burgess. Thos. Oveby. Nath'lTatum, James Bell. Tossneot . . . Jonathan Thomas. John Thomas. Ruben Hoge. Tar River . . . John Moore. Elisha Battle. KHas Fort. Henry Horn. Received as assistants to sit in Ass'n. from Fishing Creek 16 Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph Church Wm. Walker, Wm, Davis, Richard Acock, Francis Coppe, Mathew Thomas, Zachariah Thompson, Wm. Cook, Wm. Solymon, Wm. Allen. From Burches Creek, Va. John Creel. From Amelia in Va. Jeremiah Walker, John Williams, John Meglamore chosen Moderator, Jeremiah Walker Clerk. Proceed to business on Monday Nov. 18th. 1771. Ques. Whether the fourth Commandment obliges Christ- ians to observe the Sabbath in as strict a manner as it did the Jews under that dispensation? Ans. We hold and believe that the fourth Commandment obliges us to observe the Sabbath as a moral precept and not by a positive New Testament institution. Ques. What is to be done in case a Church in communion with us should neglect to keep up a strict discipline, according to the word of God? Ans. When a member of any Church is acquainted with a member or members of any other Church in Communion the proper way to find whether the church tolerates such members in such practices is to deal with such a member or members in Gospel order (if the difference be private) or bring them before the Church (if publick) and if the Church refuses to Censure such a member or members, he ought to inform the Association of their proceedings and if they continue to indulge such offenders the Association ought to expel them from Communion and Correspondence and if they belong to any other Association to inform the Association to which they are joined thereof. Jonathan Thomas motioned that the Association in the future begin and business proceeded to on Saturday, that the Communion on the Sabbath be better attended to, it is unanimously agreed on. Ques. What are we to understand with respect to discip- line by our Saviour's words to Peter "I say not till Seven times but till Seventy times Seven" and what are the Symp- toms of repentance in the transgressor on which this forgiv- ness is to be founded? Minutes of Kehukey Association 17 Ans. We believe that our Saviour's words to Peter shows that the times of forgiveness are unlimited and the symptoms of repentance necessary to forgiveness are, An ungenerous and humble acknowledgement of the offense making the Confession as public as the Commission and engaging for the future by Divine Assistance to guard ag-ainst Sin. Ques. If a member of a Church Commit some Scandalous crime publicly before the world whether it is according to the gospel rule to reconcile such matters in a private manner by a few of the members of the Church? Ans. Before the Church. Ques. Whether it is a Ministers duty to forbear speaking to open or vindicate the truth in any matter either of queries or dispute in difference for fear some members should be prejudiced or offended? Ans. No. Ques. Suppose a number of Baptized members all of the female Sex, should dwell at a distance from any other baptist Society, are they or are they not Justifiable in Meeting together to pray and edify each other in the things of God? Atts. They are Justifiable. Upon some consideration the time of holding the association is altered and to be held at Kehukey Meeting House annually on the Saturday next before the Second Sunday in September. Halifax County. At an Association held at Kehukey Meeting House on the 12th. day of Sept. 1772. CHURCHES. MESSENGERS PRESENT. Kehukey . . . William Burgess, Past'r. William Bishop. Thos. Oveby. Tar River . . . John Moore, Past'r. Klias Fort. Klisha Battle. William Horn, 18 James Sprunt Historical Monograph Sussix.Cor'd Va. John Meglamore, Past'r. Nathaniel Tatum. Nathaniel Holt. Richard Marks. Jonathan Thomas, Past'r. Moses Baker. Nathan May. William Walker, Pastor. Richard Acock. Joshua Herring - , Past'r. Major Croom. Abraham Baker. Zachariah Thompson, Tossneot Fishing- Creek Bear Creek Brunswick Co. Va. Past'r. Jonathan Thomas Chosen Moderator, William Andrews Clerk. Proceed to business on Monday Sept. 14, 1772. The following ministers petitioned in behalf of their Churches to join the Association (to wit) Joshua Herring-, John Mag-lemore, Zachariah Thompson, and William Walker. The Said Ministers and their Churches are rec'd as members of sd Association, Letters from the Several Churches read. Motion. Is it legal for any church who is joined to an association to leave the same and join another association without permission from the former or not? Answer. We conclude that it is legal nevertheless it would be commendable for such Ministers and Churches if oppor- tunity permitted to acquaint such Association for their design. Bertie 15 Lewis Thomas. John Bishop. James Vinson. Pasquotank Isaac Jones. John Berry. MlNUTKS OF KEHUKKY ASSOCIATION 19 Ques. How many delegates shall be Judged convenient for one Chnrch to send as members to an Association? Ans. Two from the body and from each branch. Motion. Is it thought necessary to address his Excellency the Governor? Ans. It is thoug-ht expedient. Ordered that the following- address be presented to his Excellency the Governor. To his Excellency Josiah Martin Esqr Governor and Com- mander-in-chief of the Province of North Carolina. The Humble Address of all the Ministers and Elders of the Baptist Society, who associate annually in Hallif ax County in the Province aforesaid in behalf of themselves and many hun- dred of their Brethren. It is with unfeig-ned pleasure we acknowledg-e the happiness with which we are blessed in Common with other inhabitants of this Province under your Administration of g-overnment, but we beg- leave in a more particular manner to express our gratified Sentiments of the protection we enjo}^ in exercise of our religious and civil liberties, for which it is our duty and shall be our constant endeavor to distinguish ourselves as loyal Subjects to our most gracious Sovereign, and useful members of Society. We hope this address will not be con- sidered for a customary compliment, but a tribute of acknow- ledgement due to your merit from the experience we have had of your publick conduct. It is our prayer to the Almighty that as he has placed you in a most distinguished Station he would most eminently guide and direct you in all your actions and bless you with prosperity here and everlasting happiness hereafter. Signed at our Association in Hallifax County Sept. 17th. 1772. Jonathan Thomas, Moderator. Elisha Battle, Clerk. We appoint our Brethren Jonathan Thomas, Henry Abbot, 20 James Sprunt Historical Monograph William Horn, Elisha Battle, John Thomas and William Burg-ess to present this address. To which his Excellency was pleased to make the following- answer. To the Ministers, Elders and Brethren of the Bap- tist Society in North Carolina. Gentlemen: — I received with pleasure this mark of your approbation of my publick conduct, which my duty to my Royal Master calls upon me to make as much as possible conducive to the happiness of his Majesty's people in this Province. From the consciousness of steadily aiming- to discharg-e that > duty faithfully I derive a real inward Satisfaction. The tolerating Spirit of the Brittish Government, and the Security it gives to the civil and religious liberties of the Subjects are blessings of which you seem to entertain a just sense and can- not be to highly valued. Your intended constant endeavor to distinguish yourselves as loyal Subjects to our most grac- ious Sovereign and useful members of the Community are highly commendable and will be certain crowned with Suc- cess as they shall be properly directed. I return you my hearty thanks for your pious good wishes to me and shall hope a continuance of them. Josiah Martin, Gov. Upon some consideration the Association have agreed to meet at Kehukey Meeting House in Hallifax County and to proceed to business on the Saturday on the first Sunday in August Annually. Jonathan Thomas, Mod. William Andrews, Clk. At Kehukey Meeting house in Hallifax County the Asso- ciation Met according to appointment on the 31st. day of July 1773. CHURCHES. MESSENGERS PRESENT. Tar River . . . John Moore, Pastor. Elisha Battle. William Horn. Daniel Ross. Minutes of Kkkukky Association 21 Kehukey Fishing- Creek Tossneot Pasquotank Sussix C. Va. Bertie Brunswick, Va Pungo in Va. Wm. Burg-ess, Pastor. Thos. Ousby. Levy Lancaster. Wm. Walker, Pastor. Jonathan Thomas, Past'r Moses Baker. Nathan May. Henry Abbot, Pastor. John Wilson. Lem'l Burkitt. Wm. Lurry. Isaac Jones. John Meg-lemore, Pastor. James Bell. Nathaniel Holt. John Sturgeon. Wm. Andrews. Shadrack Baley. Wm. Campbell. Wm. Connor. John Mc'Cabe. Zack Thompson, Pastor. Rollin Williams. David Borrow. Wm. Ravies. Buckner Lanier. Robt. Lane. Augustus Lane. John Maglemore Chosen Moderator and Lemmel Burkitt Clerk. Letters from Several Churches rec'd. Monday Morning August 2nd. 1773. A regular Baptist Church at Pungo in princess Ann County, Virginia by a letter petitioned to join the Associa- tion, an examination rinding them to be a church well regu- lated and constituted, agreeable to gospel rules and order, 22 Jambs Sprunt Historical Monograph they are received. The present State and Standing- of the aforesaid Churches is as follows. /"^I XT T T X? XT T7* C TV/T T \T T C T T? P C Baptized Rec'd by Letter Restored Dismissed Dead Excom. Members o> CO e o d 9 10 5 21 Tar River John Moore 7 12 10 21 2 84 63 300 100 Kehukey Wm. Burgess 2 Fishing Creek Wm. Walker 5 Tossneot Jonathan Thomas Henry Abbot a 2 Pasquotank Sussix Co. Va John Meglamore. . . Minister dead 67 10 1 187 56 Bertie Brunswick, Va... Pungo in Va Zach. Thomas 100 13 5 188 76 82 Motion made for circular letters to be sent to their Several Churches and agreed on. Ques. What shall a Church do with members when they rent themselves off from her without just cause ? Ans. That the Church shall publickly declare that such members have without just cause irregularly rent themselves off from the Church, and that whatsoever offence the Sd. members are or shall be guilty of, that such a church is clear of the reproach. n Ques. What shall be done with a member that believes that Christ in his life and death fulfilled and made satisfac- tion to the law of God for all mankind ? Ans. That such a tenet is unscriptural and that it would be prudent in Churches having- such a member to use all pos- sible means consisting- of love to convince and reclaim him. Ques. Whether a Church have the right to remove a Dea- con to a ruling Elder ? Ans. Yes, if the person is willing. Motion made by a letter of Correspondence to be sent to the Philadelphia Association and agreed on. Minutes of Kehukey Association 23 Motion. For some method to be taken to regulate a sister Church in Bertie County. Answer. It is agreed that the delegates of the Sd. Church should nominate some particular Ministers belonging- to the Association to attend the said Meeting house and to receive 'the Members by experience into Church fellowship, accord- ingly they Chose John Moore, Jonathan Thomas and Lemuel Burkitt. Motion. That a letter by way of admonition be sent those Churches that omitted Sending the Association on account of their states and Standing, and the Association appoint Brothers, Jonathan Thomas and Lemuel Burkitt to draw the letter in behalf of the whole. Ques. A Controversy being between two Brethren being brought before the church and the Church appoints a com- mittee to Settle the matter and when brought to trial being under bonds to abide by a Christian trial, the matter being determined and then part of the Church apprehending the committee being misinformed, gave a wrong Judgment as they conceive which lies on them as a burden, what shall be done in such a case ? Ans. Have a new trial by the same committee. John Megeamore, Modr. Lemuel Burkitt, Clerk. At Kehukey Meeting house in Hallifax County the Associa- tion Met by appointment on the 6th. day of Aug. 1774. CHURCHES. MESSENGERS PRESENT. Tar River . . John Moore, Pastor. Klisha Battle. John Moore, Jr. Henry Hart. Kehukey . . . Wm. Burgess, Pastor. Stephen Wesley. John Mc'Cabe. 24 Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph Fishing Creek Tossneot Brunswick Pasquotank Sussix Co., Va Sandy Run Red Bank Bear Creek Wm. Walker, Pastor. Charles James. Samuel Thompson. Wm. Mc'Greg-or. Charles Ivey. Wm. Andrews. Jonathan Thomas, Pastor. John Thomas. Moses Baker. Zachariah Thompson, P. Peter Lee. Buckner Lanier. Isom Reavis. Henry Abbott, Pastor. Joseph Creecy. Isaac Jones. R. Harrison. Benj. Wilson. Wm. Constantine Luton. John Meg-lamore, Pastor. Wm. Andrews. John Sturg-eon. Z. Bell. Sha'd Bailey. Lemuel Burkitt, Pastor. Mc'Allister Vinson. James Lassiter. Jessie Williams. No Pastor. Wm. Traves, John May. Pastor not present. Abraham Baker. A Church in the lies of White [Isle of Wight] County, Va. applied for admission into the association and is rec'd. David Minutes of Kehukey Associbtion 25 Borrow, Pastor. A Church in Craven County, Willis, Pastor, also applied for admission and is rec'd. A Church in Gran- ville County, Tar River, Ledbetter, Pastor made application to join the association. " The Proceeding-s of the Association in 1775 is loste". At the Meeting- house at Tossneot in Edg-ecomb County the Association Met according- to appointment on the 24th. day of August 1776. Letters being read. A Clerk and Moderator was chosen, the Association adjourned till Monday. CHURCHES. Tar River. Bear Creek. Duplin. Tossneot. Kehukey Fishing- Creek, MESSENGERS PRESENT. John Moore, Pastor. Elisha Battle. Elias Fort. Jacob Dickinson. Joshua Herring-, Past. Samuel Peacock. John Rows. Richard Brown, Pastor. Timothy Williams. Joseph Eason. John Segrist. John Thomas, Pastor. Theophilus Thomas. Moses Baker. John Staned. Ruben Huse. Godfrey Staned. William Burg-ess, Pastor, Solomon Atkinson, Henry Jones. Halifax Co. Thomas Daniel, Pastor. Jesse Pope. Mathew Raborn. 26 Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph Johnston . . . John Moore, Jr., Pastor. William Wood. John Sanders. Fishing- Creek, Bute Co. Charles James. Richard Bennett. Nuse River . . . James Brinson. Craven County . . James Willis. Sandy Creek . . . Edward Carlile. Wm. McGregor. William Solymon. William Anderson. Pitt County . . . Henry Ellis. Georg-e Williams. CHURCH PASTOR Baptized Rec'd by Letter Restored Dismissed Excom. Members Increase | Dead 1 | Under Ding. 1 Tar River 3 3 126 2 Bear Creek Joshua Herring ... Duplin Edward Brown 23 340 34 103 76 136 140 63 63 38 1 45 51 2 2 "3 1 Tossneot John Thomas 40 2 Kehukey Wm. Burgess 1 47 46 13 Fishing Crk. (Halifax) Johnston Thos. Daniel John Moore, Jr Wm. Walker 5 1 "2 "3 11 Fishing Creek (Bute) Nuse River 1 Joseph Willis Sandy Creek 12 7 1 1 Pitt The Association met according- to adjournment and pro- ceeded to business. The Church under the Care of Edward Brown Joined the Association. The Association moved to Moore's Meeting- house 3rd. Sunday in Oct. 1777. At the Meeting- house on Tar River in Edg-ecomb County the Association met according- to appointment. Letters from the Several Churches being read the association proceeded to business. First John Thomas was chosen Moderator and John Battle [son of Elisha] Clerk. Minutes of Kehukey Association 27 CHURCHES. Tar River Tossneot Bear Creek Duplin Kehukey Fishing- Creek, Halifax Co Sandy Creek Fishing- Creek, Bute Co. Flat Swamp. Pitt Co. Three Creeks, Johnston Co MINISTERS PRESENT. John Moore. Daniel Ross. Emanuel Skinner [First Pastor of Red River Church in Robertson Co., Tenn.]. Elias Fort. John Thomas. Aaron Tyson. Wm. Bond. Ephrm Daniel. John Staned. Abram Baker. Wm. Taylor. Joshua Sikes. Joseph Eason. Wm. Burgess. Benjamin Dukins. Thomas Joyner. Hezekiah Morris. Mathew Rabun. John Brown. Wm. Andrews. Simon Williams. Samuel Thompson. Charles James. John Page. Godfrey Staned. Nathan Mayo, John Moore. John Sanders. Hardy Sanders. James Moss. Aaron Sug-g. 28 Jambs Sprunt Historical Monograph CHURCHES MINISTERS | Baptized Reed, by Letter Restored Dismissed- Deceased ! Bxcom. Members Increase 1 Undr. Dlng.l Flat Swamp John Page 1 64|34 103 27 4 3 3 O \Jx t5"rVto ^ fJ Willi O It IJJJLy . , Fishing Creek (Bute) Sandy Creek .TnVin TVTnnvo TV Wm. Walker 10 20 9 3 3 Fishing Crk. ( Halifax ) 6 2 2 4 1 101 47 1 7 1 Kehukey Wm. Burgess Bear Creek Abram Baker 45 230 113 Tossneot John Thomas 40 1 Tar River John Moore 2 2 4 A Church in Flat Swamps in Pitt County (to wit) John Pages petitioned for admission into the association and was received. John Moore Sr. moved for a plan to be fallen upon for Mar- riage in the regular Baptist Society, the association took it into consideration and appointed John Moore Sr., John Staned, John Thomas and Nathan Mayo a committee to draw a plan for the same. The Association adjourned till Thuesday 20th day of October 1777. The Association met according to adjourn't. The committee brought in the plan they had formed for Marriages which is as followeth (viz) The persons intended to marry shall be properly published three Several Sundays in publick congre- gation (or parish) in the County (or parish) where one or both of the parties resides by the Minister (or clerk) of some regu- lar Baptist Church having care of souls, and if the persons appear in order for marriage the Minister shall propose the following- questions (or to the same import) whether they are free and clear from all or any other preengagement, and shall lay before them the danger and ill consequences of the falce fying of any former engagement, and shall inform or instruct them what the great end or design of the Ordinance or Insti- MlNUTFS OF KFHUKKY ASSOCIATION 29 tution of Marriag-e and likewise instruct them in their duty to God and to each other, that they may live so as to answer the end and design of that ordinance and proceed as followeth (viz) To the man N — Wilt thou in the presence of God and this Congregation take this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy State of Marriag-e, to love, honor and Cherish in Sickness and in health, in pros- perity and adversity, forsaking- all others, keep thee only unto her so long as you both shall live (the man shall answer) I will. And then to the woman as followeth (viz) N — Will thou in the presence of God and this congregation take this man to be thy wedded husband to li ve together after Gods ordinance in the holy State of marriag-e to love, honour and obey in Sickness and in health, in prosperity and adver- sity, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him so long- as you both shall live. The woman shall answer, I will. Then the man shall say after the Minister as followeth (viz) I.N — take thee N— to be my lawful and wedded wife to live together after Gods ordinance in the holy State of marriage, to love, honor and Cherish in Sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity and forsaking' all others keep me only unto thee so long- as we both shall live and thereto I plight thee my troth (then likewise the woman) IN— take thee N — to be my lawful and wedded husband to live together after Gods ordinance in the holy State of Marriage, to love, honour and obey in Sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity and forsaking- all others, Keep me only unto thee so long as we both shall live and thereto I plight my troth, then Joining their rig-ht hands together the Minister shall say. These whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder And shall pronounce them man and wife in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen. Appointed that the Association be the Saturday before the 30 James Srrunt Historical Monograph second Sunday in October 1778 at the Meating- House on Fish- ing- Creek in Hallifax County, North Carolina. [This is a true and perfect copy of the minutes of Kehukey Association as now recorded in the book now in my possession. Joel B. Fort] NOTES. 1 Joel Battle Fort is a descendant of EHasFort, and William Horn, "Messeng-ers," or Delegates, from the Tar River church to the Kehukee Association. He is also descended from Elisha Battle, the third messenger, who sometimes acted as clerk and at others as moderator. He was born in 1854, his parents being - Josiah William Fort and Eliza Penelope Dancy. He is a missionary Baptist, a prominent lawyer of Tennessee, and a successful manag-er of large farming- interests, is a graduate of Cumberland University at Lebanon in Tennessee, and served two terms in the General Assembly. 2 Mero District in West Tennessee was named in honor of the Spanish Governor of New Orleans., who favored the traders of the west. 3 Tossneot is an Indian name spelt in various ways— Toes- not, Toisnot. There is a swamp of that name and a creek running from it. The village on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad called Elm City once was known as Toisnot. 4 John Meglamore, the name spelt by Burkitt and Read Meglamre, probably the same as our McElmore, was a North- ern man. He had the pastoral care of the church at Kehukee. He then was pastor of a church in Sussex, Va. He was gen- erally 'moderator of the Association. He left the Kehukey Association and joined that of Portsmouth, Va. He died 13th December 1799 in the 70th year of his age. 5 James Abbington was from Bertie county; was addicted to sporting until his conversion, when he became a pastor and "a Boanerg-es in preaching the Word." He died in 1772. 6 Elisha Battle was born in Nansemond county, Va., moved MlNUTKS OF KkhUKKY ASSOCIATION 31 to Tar River, when 24 years old, was often moderator of Asso- ciations. He was a Justice of the Peace as^early as*vl 756 4 mem- ber of the General Assembly of this State from 1771 ^ of the Congress that formed the State Constitution -and Senator from Edgecombe during- the Revolutionary period and- repeat- edly afterwards. He was also member of the Constitutional Convention of J 788, which postponed the adoption of the Fed- eral Constitution, and was often Chairman of the Committee of the Whole. He died March 6, 1799, in the 76th year of his age. His absence from the Association in 1777 was because he was State Senator. 7 William Horn was Colonel of the County inColonial^times. He was also a member of the Congress at Halifax, in 1776, which adopted our State Constitution. 8 Jonathan Thomas was a native of Edgecombe. His brother was John Thomas, and he had a brother named-John, all three being Baptist preachers. Jonathan was ordained in 1758, and was much revered. He had a peculiar facility in reconciling apparent contradictions in Scripture. He died early in 1775. 9 Burkitt and Read state that "the Separates, or^Separate Baptists, arose in New England, where some pious men left the Presbyterian, or the Standing order, on account of their formality and superfluity. 1. Because they were too extra- vagant in their apparel. 2. Because they did f not believe their form of Church government to be right,] but- chiefly because they would admit none to the ministry, only men of classical education, and many of their ministers apparently seemed to be unconverted. They were then called Separate Newlights, Some of these were baptized and moved into the Southern provinces, particularly Elders Shubal Sterns and Daniel Marshall, whose, labors were, wonderfully blessed in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia." * * " The distinction between us and thenv L was" that they were called Separates, and the Philadelphia, the Charleston and the Kehukey Association were called Regular Baptists," 32 Jamks Sprunt Historical Monograph An effort was made by the Kehukey Association to estab- lish fellowship between the two parties, but the Separatists refused, complaining- that the Regulars were not strict enough in receiving experiences — that the Regulars baptized many before they believed — that they indulg-ed their members in superfluity of dress— but chiefly because they held persons in fellowship, who were baptized in unbelief. These were, it was claimed in reality never baptized at all. These doctrines brought about a division in the churches. Some were gathered by the Free Will Baptists, whose custom was to baptize any who were willing, whether they had experience of grace or not. In October 1775 when the Kehukry Regular Baptist Asso- ciation held their meeting at the Falls of Tar River, a fierce discussion of these questions was had, the result being a division in the Association. In 1786 the two Societies united on the basis (1) that bap- tism of unbelievers is not valid. (2) Ever)' church member to be sole judge whether he is baptized in unbelief. (3) Every minister may baptize such as desire, being scrupulous about their former baptism. In 1790 owing to the great increase in the number of churches, there being 61 with a membership of 5,017, and also the distance of some from the centre of the Association, there was a friendly division, 42 churches in North Carolina retaining the name of the Kehukey Associa- tion and the 19 churches in Virginia calling themselves the Virginia Portsmouth Association. Means were provided for keeping by interchange of delegates friendly intercourse with each other. 10 In the early years of his office Governor Martin endeav- ored to ingratiate himself with the people of the province. Being the servant of King- Georg-e it was inevitable however that the harmony should be disrupted. Probably every man who voted for this friendly letter became his political enemy. The clerk of the Association was, as has been mentioned, a member of the war Congresses and General Assemblies. 11 There were at this time and afterwards vigorous prosely- ting efforts made by the Universalists. A challeng-e for a joint discussion was made by one of their preachers to Elder Joshua Lawrence, a Baptist of great talent and force of char- acter. The bulk of the hearers thought that Lawrence had the best of the argument, but admitted that his opponent was gifted with oratorical power. Gaylord Bros. Makers Syracuse, N. Y, PAT. JAN. 21, 1908 JHB mm mm mam