West Tennessee Baptists

[rlvaughn]

I'm looking for information on early United Baptists in western Tennessee. Some of our early churches in Texas were started by men out of Tennessee, including Z. N. Morrell, who wrote Flowers and Fruits from the Wilderness. He left Tennessee circa 1834. He mentioned churches organizing churches on the articles of faith of the United Baptists of West Tennessee. This would be circa 1838 and later. I am interested in finding articles of faith representative of the United Baptists of West Tennessee during this period.

Any have them or know the most likely place to find them? (I'm hoping internet, but beggars can't be choosers!) Thanks.

 

[Bethelassoc]

I'm looking for information on early United Baptists in western Tennessee. Some of our early churches in Texas were started by men out of Tennessee, including Z. N. Morrell, who wrote Flowers and Fruits from the Wilderness. He left Tennessee circa 1834. He mentioned churches organizing churches on the articles of faith of the United Baptists of West Tennessee. This would be circa 1838 and later. I am interested in finding articles of faith representative of the United Baptists of West Tennessee during this period.

Any have them or know the most likely place to find them? (I'm hoping internet, but beggars can't be choosers!) Thanks.

Bro. Vaughn,

My initial guess would be associations like Red River and Little River, that extended into KY. I found a Cedar Grove UB around Henderson. Not sure if that would help?

BTW, visited Wills Creek Assoc of Alabama last weekend. Had a good meeting. Also, looking into East Washington Regular Baptists of AR/OK.

 

[Bethelassoc]

ma

Bro. Vaughn,

My initial guess would be associations like Red River and Little River, that extended into KY. I found a Cedar Grove UB around Henderson. Not sure if that would help?

BTW, visited Wills Creek Assoc of Alabama last weekend. Had a good meeting. Also, looking into East Washington Regular Baptists of AR/OK.

I am also thinking about the writing "History of Middle Tennessee Baptists" by JH Grime.

 

[rlvaughn]

Thanks, Brother. I'll check out Grimes and the others.

Which Wills Creek did you visit? The big one with several churches, or the one that has just a couple? Did you find them similar to your churches? I haven't visited the associations, but visited one of the churches in the bigger association -- Bethlehem United, but I can't remember near which town off the top of my head.

I hope you get to visit the East Washington. I visited a church there in Springdale, but when I visited they had already dropped out of the association.

Thanks again.

 

[Bethelassoc]

Thanks, Brother. I'll check out Grimes and the others.

Which Wills Creek did you visit? The big one with several churches, or the one that has just a couple? Did you find them similar to your churches? I haven't visited the associations, but visited one of the churches in the bigger association -- Bethlehem United, but I can't remember near which town off the top of my head.

I hope you get to visit the East Washington. I visited a church there in Springdale, but when I visited they had already dropped out of the association.

Thanks again.

I visited the largest Wills Creek, although, they are now the only one. The small one that was of the Primitive Faith and Order fell to one church and joined up with Town Creek. They are almost identical to our association in faith and practice. Very lively. There is another Wills Creek that is a black association; not sure if it's baptist -- I'm assuming it is. More information to research!

I'm planning on contacting East Washington soon and try to get some minutes from them. They are looking for correspondence, I believe.

 

[rlvaughn]

Thanks for the update on Wills Creek. I didn't know the older one was defunct. Did one of the churches disband, or just quit associating? Which one is now in Town Creek Assoc? I suppose you may have met the McLendon preachers and Glenn Stansell? They were at the Bethlehem Church I visited. The black Wills Creek Association is Baptist, but I think they are considered Missionary Baptist rather than United. They had an associational building (in Gadsden, I think). I went by there when I was in the area, but no one was there.

I hope you'll notice the other post about feet washing hymns and give your input if you have any.

Take care and God bless.

 

[Bethelassoc]

Thanks for the update on Wills Creek. I didn't know the older one was defunct. Did one of the churches disband, or just quit associating? Which one is now in Town Creek Assoc? I suppose you may have met the McLendon preachers and Glenn Stansell? They were at the Bethlehem Church I visited. The black Wills Creek Association is Baptist, but I think they are considered Missionary Baptist rather than United. They had an associational building (in Gadsden, I think). I went by there when I was in the area, but no one was there.

I hope you'll notice the other post about feet washing hymns and give your input if you have any.

Take care and God bless.

This a quote I received from a gentleman over two years ago about the little Wills Creek disbanding: "The Wills Creek United Baptist of the Primitive Faith and Order 11/4/1836 no longer exist. Salem was the last church left and we associate with Town Creek now."

Glen Stansell preached the introductory message when I was there. Enjoyed it. They have so many preachers, I didn't meet but a small portion. Had a great visit and found some good information.

 

[rlvaughn]

Dr. Wardin sent me copies of early Big Hatchie and Forked Deer articles of faith. Brother David, you will probably find it interesting to know that, according to what I discovered online, the articles of faith of the old Pendleton Church and the Central Missouri Association are quite close to the Forked Deer articles. On first look, I'd say more changes in Central Missouri than Pendleton.

 

[Bethelassoc]

I forgot about Big Hatchie Assoc. I need to find more info on them as well.

I know that Central Missouri is supposed to closely resemble ours, being a daughter association and all, but I wonder about the subtle differences from the onset and how they've changed over the years.

That makes me think about the book, A brief history of the Regular Baptists, principally of Southern Illinois by Achilles Coffey. He speaks about Red River Association, our mother association, but instead of following the J.H Spencer path going into Tennessee (Mero District, Cumberland), he sends them through the Kehukee Association of Virginia and the Ketocton Association of North Carolina. Pages 38 and 39. If so, I believe it changes the dynamic of an association and provides a reason to their "mindset" because of their bloodline.

 

[Rhetorician]

JR Graves New Book

Hello All:

I was just passing by and saw the discussion. I am sure that you all might want to know of a new book that would add to the discussion of the West Tennessee Baptists.

Dr. James Patterson, who teaches at Union University and who is my good friend, has a new monograph on JR Graves entitled James Robinson Graves: Staking the Boundaries of Baptist Identity. It is in the Studies of Baptist Life and Thought Series of B & H (SBC).

This is FYI and I hope adds to the discussion.

"That is all!" :smilewinkgrin:

 

[rlvaughn]

David, Rhet, et al.,

You might be interested to know the books you mention can be previewed at Google books
James Robinson Graves: Staking the Boundaries of Baptist Identity by James Patterson
http://books.google.com/books?id=HpaGWDeiCRoC

A Brief History of the Regular Baptists, principally of Southern Illinois by Achilles Coffey
http://books.google.com/books?id=SFlGAAAAYAAJ

 

[Bethelassoc]

That's where I found the Coffey book. Most of my history books come from Google Books, otherwise, I wouldn't have found these resources. I think I have over 110 books in my google account.