Jesse Francis Hart was licensed to preach in Oct 1877 and was ordained in to the ministry in Apr 1881. He was called as pastor of Mt Hermon in Nov 1882 and served until his death - he served for 54 years. For 20 years he preached at Kellogg Baptist Church in Toney AL on each 4th Sunday. He preached his last sermon at Kellog sitting in a chair - he was 80 years old.

Baptist Minister
Mt. Hermon Cemetery: Book in Shelbyville TN Library
A deed dated Dec 21 1891 was located showing that Jesse F. HART and John H. CASHION conveyed one acre and 84 poles for a burying ground to James Gammill, T. B. Petty, Thomas Brown, W. P. Wilkes and Jesse Turpin, trustees and their successors. The price was $38.12 1/2. In this deed, they specified that they have the privilege of removing buildings, fences, etc. John M. Leathers and his brother William Newton Leathers had previously owned the land. On Feb 2 1887 they sold a 15 acre tract to Jesse F. Hart. They reserved a small plot containing 23 1/4 poles for a burying ground for the Leathers family. This was in the NW corner of the present cemetery. The Methodist Church Lot, the road and the corner of the shop were mentioned in the boundary description. The land is on the south side of the road and east of the church lot. It appears that a part of this 5 acre tract sold to Jesse F Hart became a major part of the present cemetery, but the part sold by John H. Cashion is not clear. By 1891 both Jesse Hart and John Cashion owned land adjoining the Leathers Burying ground. Both men being community minded saw a need for more burying space.

A Bapist Minister and served as pastor of Mt Hermon Baptist Church for 54 years. He was married three times - Mattie (Mahala) Petty, Mrs Nancy Turpin and Lillie Cashions Mullins. Jesse also preached at Kellogg Baptist Church in Toney, AL on earch 4th Sunday for 20 years.

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New Bedford History Book by Mrs. Robert Patterson
The Mt. Hermon Baptist Church was organized Aug. 14, 1833. However, records date back to Jan. 9, 1830 when services were being held monthly by a small group then known as the Arm Creek Church at Mt. Hermon. Rev. Keeble T. Synne was the first pastor and Joseph Higginbotham was the first church clerk.

It is not known when the second church was built, but it was located in what is now called the Old Mt.Hermon Cemetery and burials were in the churchyard. In 1872, the present Baptist church as built and in 1873 the old building and arbor were sold to Samuel Woodard.

Rev. Jesse F. Hart, a mamber of the church and a grandson of Henry Hart who was a charter member, served as pastor from 1881 to early 1936, a total of 55 years. At Hart's death Rev. R.E. Gore, who had been associate pastor for 25 years, was called as regular pastor and served through 1936 and 1973.

Fred Steed was the church clerk beginning in 1933. Others who served from 1833 to 1933 were John W. Raney, Elijah Beard, Wesley F. Glacier, Thomas Morris, Jesse Ortner, James Mullins, Derrell J. Hart, Andrew J.C. Conner, Henry K. Hart, Wm. G. Reid, W.O. Woodard and Will Hart.

Mt. Hermon: member by 1865; licensed to the ministry, Oct. 1877; ordained a minister in April 1881; delegate to the association in 1878 and 1880; on 1897 membership list. Rev. Hart has been remembered with great affection by members of htis church and this community because of his unselfish dedication to his calling. Mrs. Addie Reid wrote a tribute to Rev. Hart stating that, "he would go far and near in his steel tire buggy rattling over the roads. In sicknes and in death, rich or poor Rev. Hart was always there, not only in his own denomination but everyone he could reach, not making any charge for his services." Mt. Hermon - Minister of the church 1882, 1883, 1893, 1900 serving until 1936