The Bush Family – My
Ancestors
By C. W. Bush
History of
the Churches
PROVIDENCE CHURCH-1780.
Inasmuch as what is now known
as Providence Church, in Clark County, Kentucky, is the oldest constituted
church on Kentucky soil, and was known as one of the "Travelling.
Churches" which came from Virginia, a few words in
PROVIDENCE CHURCH,
Old Stone - Meeting House. Erected before 1793.
regard to the early churches of Virginia
and early immigration to Kentucky may be of Interest.
The first
Baptist churches in Virginia were constituted before the Revolutionary War,
when their preachers and public speakers were exposed to fines, imprisonment,
and various methods of torture, and were disqualified for any public office. A
number of the preachers who had been
thus punished, afterwards became pastors of the older churches in this section
which later became
affiliated with Boone's Creek Association. and among these
were David Barrow,
18
History of Churches in Boone's Creek Association.
Joseph Craig, John Tanner and Thomas
Ammon. However, notwithstanding such
conditions, the Baptists grew and multiplied until the independence or the
United States was finally achieved. When all restraint of government was
removed and the Baptists were accorded equal rights with all other citizens,
both as to religions liberty and political and civil rights.
While
these things were transpiring In Virginia. The settlement or Kentucky had
commenced, and the Bush Colony, one of the very earliest permanent settlements
in Kentucky, was formed and part of this colony were the constituent members of
the "Traveling Church," now known as Providence Church.
Tradition
says that when the ship Neptune touched the shores of America in 1618, one John
Bush was among those who came over in her at his own charge, and be settled In
Virginia. Another John Bush, the testator of a will probated in Orange County,
Virginia, In February 1746 (Will book No. 2, p.94), is believed to have been
the grandson of "Neptune" John. In this will of 1746, the testator,
John Bush, mentions among his children a son Phillip, who became the father of
Phillip, John, William (Captain Billy), Ambrose, Francis and their sister Mary
Richards, and these came to Kentucky along with many others under the
leadership of Captain Billy Bush and were the founders of the Bush Colony.
(Phillip Bush, Sr., had other children besides these six. See his will in
Orange County, Virginia. Will Book No. 2, page 153, dated 1771.) Tradition also says that when Daniel Boone
was passing through Virginia, from his old home in Pennsylvania to his new home
in North Carolina. He met William Bush, then a young man, and the two became
friends. The following inscription is to be found on the tombstone of Captain
William Bush, In the old Bush burying ground about one mile north or Boonesborough: "He was the
friend and companion of Daniel Boone and others in the settlement of
Kentucky." We know that Captain Billy Bush was one of the men that
assisted Boone in blazing the trail to Boonesborough in 1775, and was one of
the parties that went in pursuit of the two Callaway sisters and Boone's
daughter when they had been captured by the Indians in 1776. Captain Bush was
so well pleased with the new country that he returned to his old home in
Virginia for the purpose of organizing a colony, and from the glowing
description which be gave a colony was soon organized, consisting of about
forty families from among his kinsmen, neighbors and friends in Orange and
Culpeper counties, most of Them being Baptists. So in the early part of 1780
preparations were begun for the exodus.
In the fall of that year to the land of "Kaintuckee." No doubt
Captain Billy Bush, after portraying the beauty of the country, the fertility
of its land. With its numerous watercourses filled with fish; its huge forests
alive with wild game, and the opportunities for a prosperous future, honest
man that he was, also told them of the trials and hardships that they would
have to endure, as well as many misfortunes, in this adventure. Yet with faith
in their God and trust in Captain Billy Bush within a few months everything was
in readiness for the exodus which had been prepared with willing hands,
cheerful hearts, and smiling faces. But oh! What a change in the countenances
as the day approached for their departure and the word forward was given and
loving good-byes and tender farewells were given to home, loved ones and
friends in the Old Dominion.
19 History of Churches in Boone's Creek
Association.
Some months
before the colony started Captain Billy Bush had returned to Boonesborough to
select and locate farms for the different families, whom he wished to be near
him, and in the selection of these he used good judgement, locating them on the
north side of the Kentucky river in what is now Clark county. When Captain Bush
returned to Boonesborough he found that the trouble with the Indians was much
more dangerous than when he had left for Virginia, they having allied
themselves with the British, the Revolutionary War not yet having been concluded,
In fact, the outlook for the American Colonies had never been darker
than in 1780, the year prior to the surrender of Cornwallis. As Captain Bush
did not think it wise for the colony to enter Kentucky at this time, he sent a
runner with a message advising them not to proceed any further. The colony had reached the Holston, in
December 1780, when they received this advice from their leader. Here they
remained for three years, during which time they raised three crops of corn.
They also organized a Baptist church and held regular services.
Elder John Taylor, who arrived at
Bear Creek, near Louisville, Kentucky, in 1782, In his History of the Ten
Churches, says "it was a gloomy thing at that time to move to
Kentucky." It was during the halt at Holston that the glorious news came
of the British surrender at Yorktown, on October 19. 1781, and this patriotic
colony made the Wolf Hills (Holston) ring with the firing of rifles, loud
rejoicing and praises to God. This victory together with the passing at Holston
of other immigrants on their way to "Kaintuckee", especially Lewis
Craig and his colony of Baptists from Upper Spottsylvania Church, who halted
for a few weeks at Holston, no doubt increased the desire of the Bush colony to
continue their journey. But if there was ever a complaint against their leader,
Captain Billy Bush, we have never read of it in history nor heard of it through
tradition.
One evening
in the latter part of August, 1783, as the shades of night were falling, a
cloud of dust was seen In the west and soon the sound of a horse’s hoofs was
heard, and as he neared the fort the rider increased his speed, striking terror
to the hearts of the colonists as they thought It must be a runner bearing a
warning of approaching danger, but the watchman at Black's Fort cried out,
behold! Me thinketh the runner rideth like a bearer of good tidings, and on
came the steed and rider into the settlement, waving his hat and shouting
aloud. "On, on to Boonesborough, are the orders of Captain Billy Bush."
Upon receiving this news, Wolf Hills was made to rebound with the sounds of
rejoicing, such as had not been heard since the surrender of Cornwallis, nearly
two years before. So the day arrived
for which these hardy tillers of the soil had so anxiously waited, until the
conditions should be favorable for them to set out upon the dangerous road to
Kentucky. Being of the school of hope, and having a burning love for their
homes and a place to worship God according to the dictates of their own
conscience, such love and hope yielded courage, and hasty preparations were
made to take up their march again after a halt of nearly three
years at Holston. It must be remembered that within one month after their
arrival at Holston, a part of the colony organized themselves into a church and
held regular services, with Elder Robert Elkin as their pastor. The name of
this church at that time, if it had one,
20 History of Churches in Boone's
Creek Association
has not survived, but after the
departure from Holston, it has been rightly named a Traveling Church, for led
by her pastor she held regular church services and transacted church business.
On the
first day of September 1783, the colony bade farewell forever to Holston and
started westward. In this caravan were not only the church members, but also
their children, Negro slaves, and other Immigrants, who for better protection
had attached themselves to this organized expedition. Such a colony as this
meant much, not only to the Baptists of the future Kentucky, but to the State
Itself, for in this church and with it were some of the best families of
Virginia. There were five married daughters and three sons of Thomas Burrus, a
rich planter of Virginia, the sons and the husbands of four of the daughters
all being brothers-in-law of Captain Billy Bush, he having married Frances
Tandy Burrus.
"There were men of hoary hair
Amidst that pilgrim band-
Why had they come to wither there,
Away from childhood's land?
There
was woman's fearless eye,
Lit by her deep love's truth;
There
was manhood's brow serenely high,
And the fiery heart of youth.
What
sought they thus afar?
Bright jewels of the mine?
The
wealth of seas, the spoils of war?
They sought a faith's pure shrine:
Ay,
call it holy ground,
The soil where first they trod;
They left unstained what there they found-
Freedom to worship God."
When
the Bush colony arrived at Craig's Station, sometime in the spring of 1784,
after a long, wearisome and hazardous trip, to their great joy they found empty
cabins awaiting them, for Elder Lewis Craig and his colony of Baptists, who had
preceded them to Kentucky some three years and erected Craig's Station, had
moved to South Elkhorn, near Lexington, so that the Bush colony took possession
of the empty cabins and remained here a short time before proceeding to
Boonesborough.
On April 3, 1784, we find the first
preserved record of the Travelling Church holding services in the cabin of
their pastor Elder Elkin, when Phillip Bush was elected clerk and Joseph and
Mildred Embree were received into the church by letter. The record book of the
church was lost on the way from the Holston, but on the first page of the
earliest book that has been preserved there in an abridgement of the work on
the Holston.
21 History of Churches in
Boone’s Creek Association.
After a brief stay
at Craig's station. The colony passed
to the north side of the river at Boonesborough and entered upon the farms
selected for them by their kinsman and friend, Captain Billy Bush, which he
either gave them or sold them very cheaply, in order to have his relatives and
friends around him. On the 27th of November 1784, according to the church
record (not 1785, as some historians have it), the first meeting was held at
the cabin of Captain Billy Bush. The map of the farms previous to 1800,
in this work, shows how the Bush colony settled around their church as a
nucleus. First a log meeting house was erected soon after the colony arrived in
the new country, on the Lower Howard's Creek, and sometime before 1793, on the
same lot; the Old Stone Meeting House was erected, and this building is still
in a good state of preservation at the present time. In 1870, a new frame house
was erected and is the present house of worship, The settlement around the church
was known as the Bush Settlement.
Besides his four brothers, Captain Billy Bush had nine brothers-in-law,
namely, Robert Richard, who had married his sister. Mary: Elder James
Quisenberry; Elder Andrew Tribble; Joseph Embree; _____Embree; _____Brockinan;
Will T. Burrus; Roger Burrus and Thomas Burrus Jr. Thus it will be seen that
Thomas Burrus. Sr. had five daughters and three sons in this settlement. (For notes on Elder James Quisenberry, see
history of Unity Church).
Soon after the Bush colony arrived at
Boonesborough other immigrants from Virginia also began to arrive, among whom
were Nathaniel Haggard and his four married sons, who were all Baptists. Nathaniel Haggard Sr. located between the
church and Winchester and erected a one-room house of cherry logs, which room
is still in a good state of preservation at the present time, but has been
added to. His son, John settled about eight miles east of the Bush Settlement,
which community was known as the Haggard Settlement. (See history of Mt. Olive and Unity Churches). The five Bush brothers and their sister,
Mary Richards, were not what is termed "squatters." but were
homebuilders, community builders and church builders. They settled on adjoining farms, where they lived and died, and
are all buried on their respective farms.
The place where the Bush colony
halted for three years is eight miles north of the Tennessee State lines, in
Washington County, Virginia, and was known by the names of Wolf Hills, Black's
Fort. Holston, and at the present day as Abingdon. It is a narrow strip of country surrounded on all sides by
mountains. Tradition says that the name of Wolf Hills was given it by Daniel
Boone, on account of the large numbers of wolves in the hills. On one occasion
Boonesborough was relieved during an attack by the Indians by forty riflemen
from Holston. When civilization started
westward, the colony of Virginia erected in the hills a fort, called Black's
Fort, and it was to this fort that the backwoodsmen of the contiguous regions,
as well as the immigrants, while stopping at Holston, looked for aid In time of
danger.
The question as to whether or not
Providence Church was constituted before moving to Holston in 1780 has been
thoroughly discussed both pro and con. A. C. Quisenberry (History of the
Quisenberry and Bush Families) says that it was, but this statement is based
purely upon tradition. Ambrose G. Bush.
(a: grandson or Ambrose Bush. Sr., one of the five Bush brothers), who was a
22 History of Churches in
Boone's Creek Association.
clerk of the church for fifty years,
wrote a brief history of the church in 1876, in which he says "the early
history of the church is lost in antiquity." But ten years later, in 1836, Mr. Bush was a member of a committee
of three, appointed by the church to draft resolutions in regard to the failure
of Dr. Spencer, in his History of Kentucky Baptists, to do justice to
Providence Church. This committee made
its report in the form of a protest, in March, 1887, claiming that Dr. Spencer
gave no credit for the first thirteen years of her existence as a church, and
further claiming that the history of Upper Spottsylvania Church, in Virginia,
organized in 1767, was the early history of Providence Church.
After a very
careful investigation, there appear to be many reasons for believing that the
church organized on Holston never came out of Upper Spottsylvania Church, as
an organized travelling church, and it is even doubtful if any of her members
were ever connected with Upper Spottsylvania Church. We shall mention only the two facts, which seem to prove beyond
the peradventure of a doubt, that Providence Church did not come out of Upper
Spottsylvania Church. First, after arriving in Kentucky with the Upper
Spottsylvania congregation, Elder Lewis Craig is credited with having said that
he passed a Baptist colony on the Holston, from his section of Virginia. Now, If the Baptist colony had been from the
Upper Spottsylvania Church, of which he had been a pastor for ten years, he
would in all probability have made a very different statement In regard to this
colony of Baptists. Second, in the
Public Library of Lexington, Kentucky, is a list of nearly one hundred names of
the first members of South Elkhorn Church, of Fayette County, with a note
following which states that practically ever name on this list was that of a
former member of Gilbert's Creek Church, the "Travelling Church of Elder
Lewis Craig." This being true, they were therefore former members of Upper
Spottsylvania Church, in Virginia.
Among the names on this list we failed to find any of the families of
Bush. Quisenberry, Haggard, etc. who were so largely identified with the early
history of Providence Church. This
would seem to strongly indicate that the members of Providence Church came from
a different section of Virginia.
The author
has been deeply interested in the history of this old church, not only because
it is the oldest church in the State of Kentucky, but also from the fact that
his ancestors were largely instrumental in its constitution. Therefore, he has sought diligently for
every bit of data that might assist him in connecting the church organized on
the Holston with some older church in Virginia. He has corresponded with all
the older churches in Orange and Culpepper counties, and in this work he has
been greatly assisted by Brother Garnett Ryland and the office force of the
Baptist Historical Society of Richmond, Virginia, and also by the Baptist
Historical Society of the Colgate University, of New York. As a result of these investigations we are
of the opinion that the constituent members of the Church on the Holston were
former members of different churches in Orange and Culpepper counties. Blue Run
Church probably being one of these and that they did not start from these
counties as an organized church, but the colony was composed mostly of Baptist
families, and, as their records state, in January 1781, they with other
Baptists formed themselves into an organization
23 History of Churches in Boone's
Creek Association.
in order to
carry on church discipline. From this
time they have a continuous record, though the record for the three years on
the Holston is only an abridgement.
"December, 1780. Moved to
the Holston. Brother Robert Elkin minister and Jolin Vivion elder, and in
January, 1781 they with other Baptists formed themselves into a body in order
to carry on church discipline, and on September 28, 1781, was constituted by Lewis
Craig and John Vivion with the members to wit: -William Bush, Sr., Franky Bush.
William Bush Jr. Ambrose Bush. Lucy Bush. Phillip Bush, Franky Bush, John Bush.
Sarah Bush. Mary Richards, Vinah Jones, Phillip Johnson, Ama Johnson, Benjamin
Johnson, Mary Johnson, Franky Johnson, Ruth Wall, Thomas Harris, John Harris,
Mary Harris. Sarah Johns, Charles Sinclair (St. Clair), Sarah Sinclair (St.
Clair), Susannah Turner, Milly Crosswaite, Mary Clark, Mary Cole, Marthy
Thomas, Susannah Humphries. Hannah Dungins (Duncan), Hannah Dawson, Leonard
Dozier, Rebecca Dozier, Sarah Dozier, Susannah Dozier, William Fletcher, Daniel
Ramey, Elizabeth Baker, John Vivion, Jr., Sebbis Maue (Maux), Hannah Maue
(Maux), Thomas Sutherlin, and continued there a constitution till the first day
of September. 1783, then a principal part of the members with their minister
being about to move to Kentucky, It was agreed they should carry the
constitution with them. This is an abridgement of the business on the
Holston."
The above is a true copy from the old
church book, which continues as follows:
"Now having arrived in Kentucky and settled on the south side of
the Kentucky River near Craggs Station; but through the badness of the weather
and scattered situation nothing of importance was done till April the 3rd.
1784. Then having met at Bro. Elkins appointed Bro. Phillip Bush Clerk, also
received by letter Joseph and Milly Embry, and appointed church meetings on the
fourth Saturday in each month."
The records show that they met every
month for service at or near Cragg's Station, until November 27, 1784, when we
find this record: "Through a turn
of God's providence the church chiefly moving to the north side of Kentucky and
for the health and prosperity of Zion, we have appointed a church meeting at
Bro. William Bush's, November 27.1784, the former clerk not yet having moved to
the north side, the church appointed Daniel Ramey Clerk, also received John
Johnson by letter." It might be
mentioned here, that Captain William Bush lived and died at the place where he
first settled, which was about one mile south of the present Providence Church
meeting house, on the turnpike, and he is buried about on-half mile from where
his home stood and where the first meeting of the church was held after they
crossed to the north side of the river.
April 16, 1785, Received by letter
Elder James Quisenberry, Thomas and Elizabeth Burrus, and Martin Haggard by
recommendation. November 1785 received
James Ragland by letter. January 14,
1786 received by letter Elder Andrew Tribble. March 26, 1786, It is recommended
to the church to look out for officers, Elders, and Deacons. May 6 1786 received by letter James and
Elizabeth Haggard. June 1786, Squire Boone received by experience, and in the
next month Samuel and Mary Boone received by experience August. 1786.
24 History of Churches in Boone's Creek
Association
Francis Bush received by
experience. Francis Bush was the
youngest of the five Bush brothers that came in the colony from Virginia, and
he and his wife Rachel, and his sister, Mary Richards, gave the land upon which
to build the old church. July 1786 John
and Rachel Martin received by letter.
In March, 1788, we find the first query, viz.: "Whether all members
of the church, male,
MRS. RACHIEL MARTIN BUSH.
Born
in Virginia, 1776; died in Kentucky, 1860.
Wife of Francis Bush.
and female, have a privilege to speak
to any subject that comes before the church, petition for relief of any
grievance. &c.’ Answer. "they have.'
August 1788, Ambrose Bush ordained as Elder. June 14.1788. Nathaniel and
Elizabeth Haggard received by letter.
July 1790, Sarah Hampton received by letter.
August
13 1790, church agrees that the members divide with the ministers, and that
Elkin keeps the old constitution, and the next day the church set to hear
experiences, and several were received.
It appears that some who
25 History of
Churches in Boone’s Creek Association.
were not present on August 13, were
dissatisfied with the division, for on August 19, 1790, we find this
record: "Some members not being
present at the time of the division came forward and assumed the constitution,
received Andrew Tribble and the part with him, and threatened Elkin and the
part with him with excommunication, which was the cause of application being
made for referees being called, who were as follows. To wit: Joseph Bledsoe,
William Bledsoe, John Embry, Zachariall Shackleford and John Bailey, who
attended the call September 1, 1790. Considering the nature of the division,
they constituted Elkin and the part with him as a church by the name of
Providence Church, and also constituted Andrew Tribble and the part with him as
a church by the name of Unity Church, with free recourse to each other in
matters of dealing, as other churches in fellowship with the society, and that
the steps taken in the division of Howard's Creek church shall not be a matter
of dealing on either side here-to-fore.
Providence Church acted under the new Constitution, valued and received
the services of our brother referees, and met at the old meeting house on
Howard's Creek. September 9, 1790, and on said date received six by
experience. Unity Church, soon after
the division built a log meeting house about two miles above Providence Church,
on the same creek. (See history of Unity Church).
At the time the division occurred,
the membership of the old congregation was about one hundred and seventy, and
not quite half of them went with the Unity Church.
January 1791, James Haggard elected
Elder, and Phillip Bush and Edward Kindred as Deacons. James Haggard and Edward
Kindred both became Baptist preachers and had pastorates in Clark County. Elder Kindred died in Clark County, but
Elder Haggard removed to another part of the state later in life. June 1792,
the first member excluded being a sister, for immoral conduct. September 1793,
Query: "What power do we delegate in our members to an association?" Answered, "But as an advisory of
Council,” In March 1796, a brother was excluded for "vainly Swearing,
Singing vain Songs and his non attendance to Meeting for a long time and Still
appears Indifferent." At the next meeting another brother was excluded for
"stealing and agreeing to be whipt." July 1796, question: "Is it
right for members to purchase lottery tickets." Answer. "No." In
April 1798, it was ordered that the trustees of the church on Howard's Creek
secure a deed for the meeting house lot. This deed is dated May 2, 1798, and
conveys one and one-half acres of land, which was given by Francis Bush, and
his wife Rachiel, and Robert Richards and his wife Mary. (See Deed Book No. 3, page 193. Clark County
Clerk's Office, Kentucky).
The great revival that was sweeping
over the state reached this community in 1801, and one hundred and twenty were
added to Providence Church by experience and baptism. It was during this year, on August 22, 1801, that the committees
of the Separate and Regular Baptists met and agreed upon terms of union. Which
were later ratified by a convention of all the churches at the Old Stone
Meeting House and from that time they were known as United Baptists.
In May 1802, the question was raised
as to whether black members shall 'preach without the approbation of the
church. In July 1802, the following answer was given: "We are of the opinion that the church has no right to
approbate a
26 History of Churches in Boone 's
Creek Association.
slave as a preacher without the
consent of their owner." In
October 1802, the church appointed Brother Nathaniel Haggard, Jr., to set the
tunes in singing. In July 1803, a sister was excluded for scolding her husband.
Afterwards this sister was restored on repentance. In March 1806, Gholson Bush was elected clerk. In July 1806, the church settled with the
deacons and was found to be one-sixth of a shilling in debt. In November 1807,
Robert Didlake was appointed clerk.
In August
1808, the records name messengers to the Association. This is the first time an association is mentioned in the church
records, but we know that the church had united with South Kentucky
Association, in 1787 and North District Association in 1802. In October 1811,
sixteen members were by request granted the privilege to meet and do business
as an Arm of the Church, and on February 11,1812, on petition of the Arm of the
Church. Twenty-one members were granted letters of dismissal to form a new
constitution (church). This is believed to have been Dewett's (Jouett's) Creek
Church.
In May 1813,
the church agreed to send a petition to the association to alter the
constitution. The church records do not
state the alteration desired, but In the minutes of the North District
Association for that year, we find the following petition from Providence
Church: "We wish the Association
to form and add to the constitution some uniform rule for constituting churches
and ordaining ministers." The Association, in answer said: "We advise that in the ordination of
ministers, the united consent of the church be gained, and we think it not
improper for her to advise with sister churches most convenient, and that two
or three experienced men in the ministry be called to assist in the work."
In 1816, Providence
Church being a member of North District Association, the said Association
agreed to open a correspondence with the Foreign Mission Board, but Providence
Church seems to have been opposed to Foreign Missions, for at her regular
business meeting in April. 1817, she voted that she was not willing to
correspond with the Foreign Mission Board, and that this be inserted in her
letter to the next Association. The
North District Association, at its annual session in 1817, voted that all
correspondence with the Foreign Mission Board cease.
The
constitution adopted by the church, while so journeying on the Holston from
1780 to 1783 was lost on their way to Kentucky. So that the church was without
a written constitution for about forty years, for beginning in September, 1820,
several attempts were made to draft and adopt a new constitution, and finally,
on September 17. 1823, they agreed to adopt as their constitution the first
eight articles of the terms of the General Union of 1801.
In March
1821, the church received a colored man into their membership by experience,
against the judgment of their venerable pastor, Elder Robert Elkin. The
question was again brought before the church in August. 1821, and Elder Elkin
gave his reasons for not voting with the church on receiving this colored man,
Warrick. But the church did not think his reasons sufficient. This is the last time Elder Robert Elkin is
mentioned in the records. He lived but a few months after this, and we wonder
whether this action of the church, which he had
27
History of Churches in Boone's Creek Association.
shepherded
for forty-two years, could have hastened the death of this dear old
brother. The church made no note of his
death in the records until December 1889, but we presume this was an
oversight. He was with them while on
the Holston, was their shepherd as they traveled through the wilderness,
fraught with so many dangers, to the land of plenty, where they could worship
their God according to the dictates of their own consciences, as well as escape
from the persecutions of the State Church of the Old Dominion. After leaving the Holston, when the colony
moved forward he moved with them: when they halted, there he pitched his camp
and held religious services, and when they stopped for a time in the spring of
1784,near Craig's Station, it was in the cabin of Brother Elkin that the church
held her first recorded business meeting on Kentucky soil. Later, when they
moved to the north side of the river and settled and built their meeting house
on Howard's Creek. Brother Elkin built his little home in sight of the church
building, from which he went and came on his faithful old "nag."
Being a fine disciplinarian, he endeavored to keep his flock in the paths of
righteousness, as the church records show.
He loved the pastoral work, and preferred to be among the sheep, and
thus did not acquire the reputation of being a "travelling preacher." He was one of the committee who wrote the
terms of union for the Regular and Separate Baptists in 1801. He was the first moderator of North District
Association, in 1802, and served several times in this capacity.
From the minutes of North District
Association for 1822, we copy the following:
"Our venerable, beloved and extensively useful brother in the Lord.
Brother Robert Elkin, in the 77th year of his age, and the 51st of his
ministry, rested from his labors In March last." On the little farm where he lived and died, are the remains of
Brother Elkin and his loving companion, in a poorly kept and unmarked grave,
save for a small rough creek stone.
After the death of Brother Elkin, the
next pastor was Elder Richard Morton. Who accepted the pastorate in May, 1822, but
on account of poor health was compelled to resign after a few months, and Elder
William Morton accepted the call in September, 1822, serving as pastor for one
year, when Elder Richard Morton again became pastor, in October. 1823. He served the church until March 1827. Richard Morton was moderator the first two
years after the constitution of Boone's Creek Association. Two former clerks of the church, A. G. Bush
and W. P. Heiatt, in their history of the church failed to mention the
pastorate of Elder William Morton for one year, but gave Elder Richard Morton
credit for serving until March, 1828, when it should have been March, 1827.
In March 1823, the church agreed to
continue the practice of washing the saint’s feet, as an ordinance heretofore
practiced by her. In November 1824,
Thomas Vivion resigned as clerk, and T. V. Bush accepted the clerkship. Which
he resigned In September 1827, when Pleasant Bush was chosen clerk. In December 1827, one of her members,
Brother John Alexander, was ordained as a minister of the gospel. In this year,
the church had a great revival and received sixty additions by experience. In March 1828 the church extended a call to
Elder George G. Boone. And the records state that they neglected recording the
services of Brother 'Boone for last year, which we acknowledge as faithful.
28 History of Churches in Boone's
Creek Association.
He served the church three years,
(not five years. as stated by Brethren Bush and Heiatt. in their history). Brother G. G. Boone was moderator of Boone's
Creek Association for four years.
Following Brother Boone's pastorate, the church
had no regular pastor for three
years.
At this period, the doctrine preached by
Elder Alexander Campbell and his followers was gaining many adherents from the
Baptist churches in Kentucky, and through the influence of Elder John Smith, in
1828, the Association passed a resolution that at the next annual session she
would take a vote to abolish her constitution as an association. Providence Church, at her business meeting
in February 1829, took up the request of the Association relative to the
abolishment of her constitution, and voted to insert in her letter that she
wishes the Association to keep her present constitution.
When the division came in 1829. Providence
was one of the seven churches that voted to retain the constitution of the
Association.
In
February 1830, Pleasant Bush resigned as clerk and D. B. Hays accepted the
clerkship. On August 7, 1830, the
records name sixty-five members (fifty-one white and fourteen colored), who,
having become displeased with the rules and regulations of the church, have
withdrawn themselves and are no more of this body. This left Providence with a membership of two hundred and
twenty-two. Those who withdrew formed themselves into a body known then as
reformers, and through the kindness of the Baptists they were permitted to use
the Providence Church building (Old Stone Meeting House), one Sunday In each
month for forty years. On October 2.1830, a motion was made to know whether
Providence Church will or will not commune with members of the Baptist churches
that call themselves Reformers. The church voted she will not.
After Elder G. G. Boone resigned, in 1830.
Elders Thomas Boone. T. Ballou and T. Jerman preached there occasionally, until
Elder Robert Elrod accepted the call in January 1833. He remained one year, and was succeeded by Elder D. Landrum, in
October 1834 who was their under-shepherd for nearly four years. In
December1837, the church received forty-nine additions by baptism. In February 1838, Elder Thomas Jerman became
their pastor and remained with them for four years. In July 1839 the church
requested that there be preaching on Saturdays of our church meeting. We infer from this that there had never been
preaching on Saturdays before this time, but it was a day for the transaction
of the business of the church.
On May 1, 1841 the church agreed to the
request of the President of the United States that all religious societies
should meet on the 14th of May to fast and pray for the welfare of the people
and the prosperity of the country. In July 1841 the church agreed that on
communion days, after this ordinance had been celebrated, they would attend to
the washing of feet. In July 1842 Elder
B. E. Allen accepted the pastorate and served them as regular pastor until
November. 1846, when, on- account of his health, he resigned, but continued to
preach occasionally for them as a supply preacher for several months. In July and August 1842, the pastor,
assisted by Elder E. H. Darnaby, held a series of
29
History of Churches in Boone’s Creek Association.
meetings,
which resulted in sixty-seven additions by baptism, making a total membership
of two hundred
and
fifty-six. In November 1845, Brother
William A. Taliaferro was ordained a minister of the Gospel.
AMBROSE G. BUSH
Born
January 18th. 1828; died July 22nd, 1903
In February 1846, A. G. Bush was elected clerk, and he was their
faithful and efficient clerk for over half a century. When he had rounded out his fifty years of service as clerk, in
June 1896, he requested the church to release him from the clerkship, but
instead of accepting his resignation, the church appointed W. P. Hiett as
assistant Clerk. The last time Brother
Bush's name appears in the records as clerk is in August 1808. In April 1846, the church voted that
hereafter their church minutes shall be headed as follows: "The United Baptist Church of Christ at
Providence." This is the first time in the history of the church that the
name of either the moderator or the clerk is signed to the minutes
30 History of Churches in Boone 's
Creek Association.
A series of meetings was held in
October 1846, and there were twenty-five additions by experience and
baptism. In August 1847, Eider Edward
H. Darnaby accepted the pastorate, retaining same until October 1848. The church was then without a regular pastor
for one year. In September 1848, the
subject of foot-washing was taken up and the church voted that she does not
consider foot-washing a bar to fellowship, and after debating the proposition
the reference was withdrawn. In September 1849, Elder B. Allen again accepted
the call of the church for no definite period of' time, and only remained about
one year. In August 1850, the church
ordered that the moderator and clerk shall sign all church proceedings. This
had been done only a few times previous to this date. In March 1851, the church
rescinded its action in regard to foot-washing after communion service.
The church having been without a
pastor for some time. Eider B. E. Allen again accepted the pastorate, in August
1851, serving them for one year. In
October 1851, one of her members, Brother P. T. Gentry, was ordained to the
preaching of the Gospel, and Jeremiah Bush was ordained as deacon, after a
committee had been sent to Sister Bush to ask her co-operation in the
ordination of Brother Bush. In June 1852, Elder P. T. Gentry accepted a call as
pastor and labored with them for three years.
In January, 1853, by unanimous vote the church decided that it is not right
to encourage dancing schools, nor to permit dancing in the homes of members of'
this church, nor for members to frequent racing fields. In June 1853, the subject of washing of feet
as an ordinance was again taken up and by vote the church agreed to attend to
it as an ordinance.
For the fourth time, Elder B. E Allen
became their under-shepherd In November 1855, and was their pastor this last
time until his death, which occurred on December 9, 1861. Brother Allen labored faithfully and
effectually as pastor of this church at different periods for thirteen years.
In February 1862, there were entered upon the minutes of the church,
resolutions to the memory of this servant of God, which were in part as
follows: "We desire to bless God
for His great and signal gift to our lamented brother, for the elevation and
purity, the disinterestedness, and self-sacrifice, the earnestness and devotion
of his character. And further resolved, that a debt of undying gratitude is due
from us to the memory of the titan who has done so much more than anyone else to
build up the cause of Christ at this place, under whose strong influence, and
able ministration we have grown to be the largest church in the Boone's Creek
Association, &c." (See Boone's Creek Church).
Brother Allen was for eight years
clerk, and for ten years moderator of Bone's Creek Association, and at their
annual session in 1862, a resolution ex-pressing the high esteem in which he
was held, by the Association.
Part of their
records, and are in part as follows:
"He was a good man, an able and beloved minister, a constant and
devoted Christian, sixtieth year of his life, he closed his eventful career,
covered with honors."
In June 1859 ten members were granted letters of dismissal to go into
the organization of a Baptist church in, Winchester (First Winchester
Church). In September 1860, the
church agreed to request the Association to send Brother
31 History of
Churches in Boone’s Creek Association.
Macey, Agent
of the General Association, into the Boone's Creek Association to collect money
for the maintenance of a missionary in said Association, the surplus to go to
the benefit of the general Association.
If we have records of this church correctly, this is the first
mention of any activities of the church. In January 1862, Dr. Ryland T. Dillard
began his labors as pastor, and remained as such for three years. In May 1865, the pastorate was accepted by
Elder H. McDonald, but he relinquished the same, in the following
November. In July 1866, Elder C. E. W.
Dobbs became their pastor, serving until October 1867, and be was succeeded by
Elder W. B. Arvin in February 1868, who made them a loving and faithful pastor
for six years. In July 1868, at the
request of many of the colored brethren and sisters, nineteen of them were
granted letters of dismissal.
In October 1868, the subject of building a new house of worship up on
the pike was discussed, and a committee appointed. At the next meeting the committee reported that they thought it
impracticable to undertake to build at that time. In June 1869, a committee was appointed, to raise funds to
purchase a library for the Sunday School. This is the first mention in the
church records of a Sunday School. In November 1869, the subject of
building a new house on the pike was again discussed, and a committee was
appointed, which soon raised the funds and Brother R. G. Bush gave a two-acre
lot, situated on the Winchester and Boonesborough Turnpike. About one mile
south of the Stone Meeting House, and three miles north of Boonesborough,
Brother R. G. Bush was a great nephew of Francis Bush, who gave the lot on
which the Stone Meeting House was erected. Sometime before 1793, A fine large
frame house was soon erected on the lot given by Brother Bush ,and dedicated on
the fourth Sunday in August 1870. Elder Cad Lewis preaching the dedicatory
sermon. So the old location at the
Stone Meeting House, which had been the place of worship for the Bush colony
and their descendent for nearly a century, passed by deed from the white
Baptists to the colored Baptists, In 1870, and the latter still hold regular
services in the Old Stone Meeting House at the present time (1923) ,and it is
in a good state of preservation.
As to the date of erection of the Old Stone Meeting House, historians in
the past have given many different dates, none of which were earlier than 1800.
We desire to submit proof that this building was constructed before October 22,
1793. In the first place, the minutes
of the South Kentucky Association, which convened with Jessamine Church on the
second Friday in October 1796, show the following entry: The Association
adjourned until the second Friday in October, 1797, then to meet at the Stone
Meeting House on Howard's Creek." The records for the following year show
that they met at the Stone Meeting House on Howard's Lower Creek, in 1797. Thus it is shown that the construction of
the Old Stone Meeting House antedated the year 1796.
In the second place, we find that at a County Court held in Clark County
Kentucky, on October 22. 1793. (Order Book No. 1. page 57), the following entry
was made: Philip Bush having been previously appointed to lay off a road
between certain points made his report on day above mentioned and in his report
32 History of Churches in
Boone's Creek Association.
mentioned the Stone Meeting House on
Howard's Lower Creek. It will thus be seen that the date of erection of the
building antedates October 22, 1793, which is seven years earlier than any
previous writer, has given.
PROVIDENCE CHURCH
New
Meeting House Erected in 1870.
On this same lot, in the year 1787, these pioneer Baptists erected their
first meeting house. Which was of logs and had portholes for use in defending
the worshippers from attacks by the Indians, and tradition says that while one
portion of the congregation watched the port holes from the gallery, the other
part worshipped. Before they built the
log meeting house they met from house to house for worship for about three
years.
In a series of meetings held in
December 1871, twenty-one members were received by experience and baptism. In April 1874, Elder G.' T Strassberry
accepted the pastorate, but only served them until the following October. While Brother Strassberry was pastor, a call
meeting was held at the house of Sister Mariah Tate, on July 13, 1874. The
pastor with several members being present, and Zachariah Tate, an invalid son
of Sister Tate made a confession of faith in the Lord and was baptized in a
large trough and received by the brethren
33 History of Churches in Boone's Creek
Association.
into the fellowship of the
church. After Brother Strassberry
resigned. Elder George Yeizer preached as a supply until March 1875. He was succeeded by Elder A. F. Baker, who
began his labors in June 1875; he was a strong preacher.
A splendid pastor and he served this
church with fidelity and energy until May.1880.
On August 4, 1875, under the
auspices of the church, a centennial meeting was held in a beautiful woodland
near the church building. This meeting
having
A. S. HAMPTON,
Born November 11th, 1834; died March 22nd, 1908,
A
faithful member and Deacon of Providence Church.
been well advertised, a large number
of people were present, including many noted ministers, who took part in the
exercises. The church records state
that the speeches were all full of thrilling interest, but still "we
confess to some disappointment when the exercises ended without any references
being made to the history of our church. It being the oldest on Kentucky soil,
and we deeply
34 History of Churches in Boone 's Creek
Association.
regret that certain facts associated
with the history of our church were not brought out on this occasion."
Just what was the object of this centennial meeting, or what event it
celebrated the records fail to state.
It could not have been the centennial of their church organization as at
that time, it lacked five years of being one hundred years-since her
constitution. Neither could it have
been the centennial celebration of Kentucky Baptists, as it will be seen that
in December 1875, the church appointed a committee to solicit money for the centennial
fund, meaning for the centennial celebration to be held by Kentucky Baptists in
1876, to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the first Baptist sermon
preached on Kentucky soil, by William Hickman, In the spring of 1776.
In
June, 1876, the church appointed the clerk, A. G. Bush, to transcribe as much
of the old church records as were In danger of being lost, as a result of being
badly scorched from a fire in the Baptist Church, in Louisville Kentucky, where
they were kept temporarily by Brother Burrows, who had borrowed them to get
information for use in the centennial work.
In October 1878, the church agreed to systematize all the missionary
Interests of the church. In July 1880,
Elder J. Pike Powers accepted a call and served as pastor until April 1881. In
November 1880, the church agreed to hold a centennial meeting to commemorate
the one-hundredth anniversary of their first meeting on the Holston, in
December 1780. This meeting was to be held on the first Saturday in December,
1880, but on account of heavy rains the meeting was postponed until some future
time, In January, 1881, the minutes of the first meeting for business, just one
hundred years ago, were read.
Rev.
J. D. Simmons became their under-shepherd in June, 1881, and for a little more
than six years led them in paths of usefulness, and upon his resignation in
October 1887, we find resolutions in part as follows: "1. That we as a church endorse his cause as our pastor for
the past six years and that we part with him with regret. 2. That we tender to
him, and his, our confidence and thanks for his past services with and among
us. And do recommend them to the sympathy and brotherly love to all with whom
they may be called in any field of labor, &c."
March,
1882, Question: Whether this church will or will not permit a member of this
church to retail or manufacture intoxicating liquor, except for medical
purposes. Without a dissenting vote,
the church said she would not. In July
1882, the church records death of Sister Nancy Elkin, who was in her
ninety-fifth year, being the oldest at the time of her death in the church,
having joined in April 1812. Her quiet
Christian graces were worthy of imitation by every one of this body. She was
always present at meeting when her health would permit.
In
December 1882, the church purchased an organ, this being the first one used: in
the church. In February 1884, at the request of the pastor, J. D. Simmons, the
church made him a present of the old church book. The book was afterwards
returned, for it is now in the hands of the clerk. In April 1886, the church appointed a committee composed of their
pastor. J. D. Simmons, the clerk, A.G. Bush and Brother R. D. Hunter, to draft
resolutions upon the failure of the
35
History of Churches in Boone's Creek Association.
History of
Kentucky Baptist, by Dr. J. H. Spencer to do justice to Providence Church. The above committee made their report in
March 1887, in the form of a strong protest against what the committee calls
inaccuracies of Dr. Spencer’s History, as pertains to Providence Church, which
report was unanimously adopted by the church, and is in part as follows: "1st.
The History (Spencer's) gives us no credit for the first thirteen years
of our existence. We claim the history
of Upper Spottsylvania Church in Virginia, organized Nov. 20th, 1767
in the early history of our church. See
the History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia, by Robert B.
Semple: also the History of Ten Baptist Churches, by John Taylor, and our own
Book of Record. 2nd. The historian (Spencer) ignores words,
phrases and facts as to our Record, and quotes it incorrectly, inserting such
words and phrases as seem to suit him, and then interprets the whole to, if
possible, establish a theory that there are other churches in the State older
than ours. The Historian (Spencer) says. Vol. I. page 45, see it, also see what
our Book of Records does say, it will appear to even a casual observer that our
records have been garbled and misinterpreted.
3rd. The History declares repeatedly that we disbanded while on the
south side of the Kentucky River. See
Vol. I. pages 30, 31, and 40: also Vol. II. page 10. Compare John Tavior's History of Ten Baptist Churches. pages 9,
11, 41, 42: also see our records. And see this whole matter as our pastor J. D.
Simmons discusses is in the Western Recorder of April 7, 1885. (This date should be February 1. 1883).
4th. We think the Historian (Spencer)
studiously avoided giving us proper historical connection with church
organization that grew out of ours and with events and men of importance with
which we have had to do during our early history. One noticeable example is
that of Bogg's Fork Church. See Vol. I. page 478-479 as to their omission: see
our record date of October 12, 1811, November9 to February 1812, We desire
nothing but the truth should some day be manifest."*
It seems that the committee did not examine very closely the references
given and were perhaps led too much by tradition rather than authentic records
in making such a protest. In the claim
in the first item, that they came from Upper Spottsylvania, reference is made
to the histories of Robert E. Seniple and John Taylor, but neither of these
make any reference to this congregation (Providence) as coming out of Upper
Spottsylvania, and I am fully convinced that they were never a part of Upper
Spottsylvania for the reasons heretofore mentioned. In the third item, it is claimed that Dr. Spencer states that
this congregation (Providence) disbanded while on the south side of the river,
and reference is made to Vol. I. pages 30, 31, 40, and Vol. II. page 10, but
Spencer is speaking of another congregation, namely Old Gilbert's Creek Church,
that came out of Upper Spottsylvania, and on their march to Kentucky passed the
congregation later known as Providence Church, while stopping on the Holston
River Elder
_____________
*Note-The author of these sketches
has studied carefully this protest against Dr. Spencer, as well as the
references given by the committee to substantiate their claims, and he feels
that the committee, and the church did an injustice to Dr. Spencer's valuable
work.
36 History of Churches in Boone's
Creek Association.
Lewis Craig, the pastor of the Upper
Spottsylvania congregation (a travelling church), assisted in or wrote the
Constitution for the Baptists stopping on the Holston, who later became known
as Providence Church. In the references
made to Taylor's History, pages 9, 11, 41, 42, there is nothing relating to the
congregation known as Providence Church, for Taylor was speaking of Upper
Spottsylvania Church, in Virginia.
In regard to
the fourth item, in speaking of Boggs' Fork Church, neither the committee nor
Dr. Spencer are correct. The committee
cites the records of Providence Church from October 1811, to February 1812,
claiming that Boggs' Fork Church was constituted from members out of Providence
Church in 1812. It will be seen from the sketch of Boggs' Fork Church that she
was constituted on July 28,1800, twelve years before the Providence records say
she was constituted. The writer called
the attention of Providence Church to these errors and showed them the
authentic records, and on August 6, 1922, the church, on motion, made
corrections in regard to this protest, particularly in reference to the fourth
item and the same were recorded in the church minutes. The church constituted out of Providence in
1812 was Dewett's (Jouett's) Creek Church, hence the part of the fourth item
censuring Dr. Spencer was a sad mistake on the part of the committee and
church.
In January
1888, Elder J. Pike Powers again became the leader of this flock, serving for
two years. On the first Saturday in May 1889, the church meeting was broken up
by an alarm of fire, the pastor's house, which was within sight of the church
building, being on fire and was totally destroyed. In December, 1889, the church discovered that she had failed to
make any notation in the church records of the death of their first pastor,
Robert Elkin, though sixty-seven years had elapsed since his death, so they
recorded the following, from the minutes of North District Association: "Record of the death of our venerable,
well-beloved and extensively useful brother In the Lord, Brother Robert
Elkin. In the seventy-seventh year of
his age and fifty-first year of his ministry, rested from his labors in March
1822. Extract from the minutes of North
District Association held in July 1822. A true copy by A. H. Rupard, clerk in
said Association."
Rev. A. H. Anthony accepted the care of the
church in April 1890, serving them till July 1891. He was succeeded by Rev. H. A. Hunt in the following November: he
was a faithful leader and a successful pastor, and retained the pastorate until
July, 1894, at which time Rev. I. T. Creek accepted the pastorate, remaining
for two years. In October 1894, Brother
A. L. Hackett, a member of the church, was ordained to the ministry.
In June 1896, W. P. Heiatt was elected assistant
clerk of the church, and in September, 1898, Brother A. G. Bush, having become
too feeble to attend to the clerkship, after fifty years of faithful service as
clerk of the congregation. Brother Heintt became the acting clerk and served in
that capacity with credit to himself and satisfaction to the congregation until
his death on February 11, 1919. In the
following April these resolutions appear on the church record: "Whereas, Divine Providence has called
to his reward Brother W. P. Heiatt, Therefore, be it Resolved, That the church
has lost a faithful member, he was assistant clerk for
37 History of
Churches in Boone's Creek Association.
Awhile, and made acting clerk in 1898,
in which capacity he served until his death. He was always at his post of duty
when possible, and took a leading part in all matters pertaining to the welfare
of the church, &c."
In July, 1896
the church appointed a committee to purchase a book for recording the names of
all members who had attached themselves to this church from and after December,
1780, this being the first record of the church membership. Presumably this record was never made, as it
could not be found. Rev. H. F. Searcy
accepted the pastorate in January 1897, and served them until May 1898. He was succeeded in the following November
by Rev. J. S. Wilson, who gave them five years of faithful leadership,
resigning in January 1903. In May 1903,
Brother Oscar Brown, a member of the church was ordained to the preaching of
the Gospel.
The church
records the death of Brother Ambrose G. Bush in 1903. He was the grandson of Ambrose Bush. Sr., one of the five Bush
brother pioneer settlers of Kentucky and constituent members of the church. He
was a faithful member of this church for sixty-one years and, as above stated,
was their efficient church clerk for half a century. The church was without a
regular pastor during the year 1903, but in August of that year Rev. T. C.
Eaton held a series of meetings for the church, which resulted in fourteen
additions by experience and baptism. In
September following, the statistics of the church show a membership of two
hundred. Rev. T. C. Eaton accepted the pastorate in January1904, serving them
for two years. In October 1904, the church resolved that she believed that
dancing is contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures, and by a unanimous vote
forbids her members to engage in this practice.
Rev. A. R.
Willett accepted the care of the church in January, 1906, remaining with them
for two years, when Rev. B. J. Davis accepted the pastorate, in January, 1908,
and he remained with them for four years.
In October 1908, the church passed resolutions that she would not grant
letters of dismissal to members who had not paid their subscriptions to the
pastor's salary. Following the close of
the pastorate of Brother Davis, in January, 1912, the church was without a
regular pastor until April, 1913, when Rev. W. S. Taylor accepted the care of
the church, serving them until December, 1916.
In June 1917, Rev.
R.B. Jones became their leader and
led them in the paths of usefulness for three years. He was succeeded in the
pastorate by Rev. S. A. Taylor, who began his labors on May 1, 1921, serving
until May 1923.
It is
believed by the best authorities, that Providence Church was one of the eleven
churches that went into the organization of South Kentucky Association in 1787.
However, we find the name of Providence Church in the list of twenty-one
churches on the first leaf of the record book of that Association, which we believe
to have been the churches composing that Association in 1795. The annual session of South Kentucky
Association for the year 1797 was held with Howard's Lower Creek (Providence)
Church, and according to their records was held in the Stone Meeting
House. Providence Church remained in
that Association until it became so large that it divided into South District
and North District Associations.
Providence Church was one of the constituent churches of North District
Association in 1802, and her pastor, Robert Elkin was
38 History of Churches in Boone's Creek
Association.
chosen moderator of the Association for
that year, with which position he was honored several times. Providence Church
entertained three annual sessions of North District Association, in the years
1804, 1807 and 1812. She remained a
member of this Association until she united with Boone's Creek Association in
1823, and she has entertained eleven annual sessions of that body, in the
following years: 1826, 1834, 1839, 1850, 1859, 1868, 1876, 1885, 1905, 1817,
and expects to entertain the annual session this year (1923), for which a
special program is being prepared. This
will be the centennial session of Boone's Creek Association
TOMB OF MARY BUSH RICHARDS.
Sister of the Five Bush
Brothers.
Francis
Bush, her brother is also buried here.
and the one hundred and forty-third year of the constitution of
Providence Church. The oldest church constitution in the State.
The quota of Providence Church in the Seventy-five Million Campaign was
$7,600.
Providence has been served by
twenty-nine pastors.