What follows below are some notes I made from the microfilm of the minutes of the Smyrna Baptist Church (now called Siloam Baptist Church) Greene County, Georgia. It might be interesting or helpful to someone. However, I must warn you that this was done with a quick look through the microfilm of this and another church before I had to return them. I was looking for names that I recognized or thought looked familiar. I am sure I missed a lot. I made copies of some pages, so I could go back and look up something that looked confusing or questionable. The dates covered are 1828-1854.
HISTORY FROM CHURCH MINUTE BOOKS
From the Church Covenant
“…which faith we believe includes the following sublime and important doctrines that is to say being of a God, a trinity of persons in the Godhead, the fall of Adam and the imputation of his sin to his posterity, the corruption of human nature, the impotency of fallen man to do that which is spiritually good, the everlasting love of God to his people and the covenant of grace, the doctrine of election, particular Redemption, justification by the Righteousness of Christ, imputed pardon and redemption through his blood, Regeneration and Sanctification by the influence and operation of the Holy Spirit, the final perseverance of the Saints in grace, the doctrine of believers Baptism by Immersion, the Communion of Saints, the Resurrection of the Body, the general Judgement, eternal happiness of Saints in Heaven, and the torments of sinners in Hell…”
Copied from Book 2, pp. 1-2 (also in Book 1)
Book 1, p. 1
December 19, 1828
A Presbytery being called met consisting of Brethren R. Pace, J. Roberts and J. Davis, in order to constitute a Church. Brother Pace Preached the Sermon from Colosians the 3rd & 1st. If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. After which, Bro. Davis made some appropriate remarks and prayer, and then Proceded to the Constitution of the Church. Bro. Roberts asked the necessary questions. Prayer by Bro. Pace
Charge by Bro. Davis.
Done the 19th December 1828
Vincent Sanford, Clerk P.T.
Presbytery: Richard Pace, Joseph Roberts, Jonathan Davis. Book 2, Page 3
Smyrna Baptist Church
Greene County
Book 1, 1828-1869
Pastors
Samuel Wright Jan. 1829—
Rowell Rees April 1830—
Vincent Thornton Dec 1831—
John Hendrick Nov 28, 1835— (appears never to have taken the office)
Jno. F. Hillier March 25, 1836—
Wm. D. Cowdrey Feb 27, 1837—
Edwin C. J. B. Thomas Jan 26, 1839—
B. F. Tharp Dec [8], 1839— (interim)
Albert Williams March 1840—
Noah H. Hill Jan 1, 1842—
Joseph I. Lowdermilk Dec 5, 1846—
B. M. Sanders Nov 2, 1850—
George Lumpkin Jan 1852—
Thomas I. Beck Nov 7, 1852—
From Smyrna Baptist Church minutes (Book 1):
December 19, 1828
Smyrna Baptist Church constituted, p. 1
January 1829
Samuel Wright chosen pastor
April 1829
Hart C. Peek chosen church clerk (note: Caleb Veazey served as C.C. pro-tem until Hart’s election)
October [31?] 1829
Rhoda Bates received by letter (note: she applied for a letter at White Plains 10/18/1829)
March 5, 1831
“Also by letter Brother and Sister Parker”, pp. 30-31
September 1831
Moderator’s name appears to be Parker, possibly “E. Parker” (can’t tell)
October 1831
“Br Emanuel Parker Moderator”, p. 32
Sept. 27, 1834
Received by letter sister Nancy Bates, p. 43
Sept. 12, 1835
Appointed a committee to try to settle a difficulty between Mary A. Akins and Nancy Bates, p. 46
Dec. 12, 1835
Nancy Bates excluded from the church. Bro. Emmanuel Parker asks for a letter of dismission for himself and his wife, p. 48
October 1838
Smyrna Church met and held a ten days meeting the first of October; among those received by experience were Emmaly Johnson, Martha Irby, Joseph Cartright, p. 58
Jan. 1, 1842
“Sister Martha Frasier, once Irby, applyed for a letter of dismission which was granted.” p. 73
Sept. 3, 1842
“Came forward for restoration Nancy Pearce {once Bates} and upon her confessions and acknowledgements, she is again restored to all the privileges of the church.” p. 76-77
Sept. 4, 1843
“continued the above meeting Ten days” among those received into the church was “by Letter Sister Frasier.” p. 79
Sept. 5, 1846
“continued the meeting for Ten days” Received by experience included: Sarah J. Jackson, Senith Lewis, Foster Parker, Mary A. Lewis, Elizabeth Parker… p. 95-96
Oct. 31, 1846
Noah Hill is going to Texas. p. 97
Feb. 6, 1847
“Sister Sydney F. Parker, & brother Joseph Cartright and his wife Terasy Cartright was received by letter.” p. 99
April 1, 1848
Reuben Carmichael received by letter, p. 104
Aug 1849
“Continued the above meeting ten days and received by Experience Mary Hay, Jesse W. Tunnel, Willis Crosby, Francis [?] Jarrell, Wiatt Vaughn, Josaphine Woodard, Lionel L. Veazey, Wiley Parker, Sarena Gregory, and Henny Williams.” p. 114
August 31, 1850
Richard and Martha A. Olive are received by letter. p. 121
September 1850
“(This should have been inserted in the minute of the 31st of August.
The meeting continued nine days during which time the church received by experience and baptism the following persons, Viz., Amandy M. Champion, Sarah Tunnel, Marion [??], Angeline Williamson, Green E. Jones, Eliza Vaughn, George Andrews, Rufus Irby, Martha Tunnel, and by letter Bro. Joseph Cartright.)” p. 122
Nov. 2, 1850
Bro. Carmichael applied for a letter of dismission for sister Nelson, which was granted, p. 123
Nov. 30, 1850
Bro. Foster Parker applies for letters of dismission for himself and family. Granted, p. 123
March 20, 1852
Reuben and Sydney Carmichael dismissed by letter, p. 135
Sept. 4, 1852
Nancy Pearce dismissed by letter, p. 139
July 2, 1853
“Received a communication from Bro. Carmichael of Texas Stating to the Church that he had unfortunately lost his letters of dismission, and requesting the church grant him others which was done.” p. 144
Sept. 3, 1853
Martha Frasier granted a letter of dismission, p. 145
Oct. 1, 1853
Asenith Lewis and her daughter Mary A. Lewis granted letters of dismission, p. 146
Nov. 4, 1854
Granted letters to J. F. and S. J. Parker, p. 151
Replies
I have enjoyed reading all your posts.
Wayne