A disruption in the church had begun in 1807 which is not clearly described in the Minutes; it was between the Bryan Station Church and the Town Fork Baptist Church. However, the entire association got involved. Basel Manly, Jr. wrote about this and his essay is inserted here that the following events may be better understood. — Jim Duvall.The Division of the Elkhorn and the Licking Associations
Bryan Station Baptist Churchbook — 1810 - 1811 At a Church meeting held at Bryans on the Third Saturday in January 1810 after Prayer to God for his Blessing Proceded to Business as follows.
Fayette County, KentuckyBro. Wm. Boyce presented a Paper to the Church Containing a Complaint against some of our Bren. which was referr'd. Recd. into our Church Stock Ten Shillings & Six Pence making in the whole £8, Os, 9d. Then Adjourn'd.
A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk.
[p. 168]
At a Church meeting held at meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in Feby. 1810 after Prayer to God proceded to businesses follows.Bro. Wm. Boyces Paper of Complaints against Certain of our Bren. Exhibited at our last meeting was taken up wherein there was heavy Charges against John G. Richardson, & Clifton Tompson as also a refelction [sic] on the Church on Bro. Boyce's affirming in that paper he did not intend to reflect on the Church it gave Satisfaction as to that matter. With respect to the Charges of Bro. Boyce against Bren. John C. Richardson & Clifton Tompson we think they are unjust and are referr'd.
Bro. Robart Dudley complains against Bro. Richard Sharp for accuseing him with falshood &c. referr'd. On the request of Bro. Asa Tompson he is Exonerated from keeping the meeting house, & Alexander Griffey agrees to take Charge of it at the Same rates. Bro. Julious Clarkson lodg'd a Complaint against Clarksons Lucy for falshood and Stealing. Bren. James Jones & James Bristoe are requested to converse with Sd. woman & Cite her to our next meeting.
Recd. Bro. Wm. Northcutt & his Wife Anna by letter & Bro. Joseph Barbee from Exclusion.
Recd. a letter Signed by a Number of our Bren. who have thought it would be most for the Glory of God & for the Peace and happiness of Society under our Present distresses to call a meeting on the first Tuesday in March to meet at the Forks of Elkhorn in Order to dissolve the EIhorn association which was agreed to and Bren. Ambrose Dudley & Leonard Young are Chosen to attend the Sd. meeting and let the Bren. know we Chose to meet at what they call the N. Elkhorn Association at Bryans. Then Adjourn'd
Ambrose Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the 27th of February 1810 after Prayer to God proceded to Business as follows.
[p. 169]
The complaint of Bro. Robert Dudley against Bro. Richard Sharp for assusing him with falshood &c. was taken up, after hearing the matter fully Investigated respecting falshood we are of Opinion that Bro. Sharp had no Just ground to Charge Bro. Dudley with falshood and in that Case he is guilty of Covenant breaking. In a Second Charge for refusing to return a Sythe & hanging which he had Borrowed from him in which case we think Bro. Sharp was wrong. A Third Charge against Bro. Sharp for giving Bro. Dudley the lie in which also Bro. Sharp was very wrong. referr'd. Bro. Wm. Boyce's paper of Complaints against Bren. John C. Richardson & Clifton Tompson wherein heavy Charges are Exhibited against our Sd. Bren. as referr'd from last meeting was taken up and Bro. Boyce not giving Satisfaction is Excluded from our Union for Covenant breaking.A Complaint by Bro. Julious Clarkson referr'd from last meeting against Clarksons Lucy for falshood & Stealing was taken up and on her not attending and its appearing she was guilty of Sd. Charges She is Exluded from our Union. A letter to the Call'd meeting at the Forks of Elkhorn read & approv'd. Then Adjourn'd.
A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in March 1810 after Prayer to God proceded to Business as follows.
The Case Respecting Bro. Richard Sharp referr'd from last meeting was taken up and on his not attending he is Excluded from our Union for accusing Bro. Robert Dudley with falshood in publick which he fail'd to Substantiate, which we view as Covenant Breaking & likewise for his Throwing Contempt on the Church on his Tryall last meeting in Saying the Church had tied his hands &c.
Our Clerk is directed to give letters of Dismission to Sisters Sal1ey Porter, Lucy Dudley, Elisabeth Hulitt, & Jane Sharp & Bro. John Bailey. Recd, Willis Pritchard by letter. Then Adjourn'd.
Ambrose Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk.
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At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in April 1810 after Prayer to God proceded to business as follows.On receiving a letter from Sister Nancey Dudley wherein she declares herself Excluded from as Bren. Leonard Young Jonn Barnaby & John Mason are appointed to converse with our Sd. Sister on that matter and report to our next Meeting & Cite her to attend. Then Adjourn'd.
A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in May 1810 after Prayer to God proceded to business as follows.
The case of Sister Nancey Dudley was taken up as referr'd from last meeting. Our Bren. who were appointed to cite her to meeting made report & on her failing to attend She is Excluded from our Union. Amount given our Minister for his Services last year $92, 81 cts. Then Adjourn'd.
Ambrose Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in June 1810 after Prayer to God proceded to Business as follows.
On a settlement with our Deacons there appears to have been a ballance in their hands prior to our meeeting in October 1809 of 13s 4d.
Recd. Boswells Ben a Black man from Exclusion.
On receiving a letter from a Number of our Ministering Brethren which Contain'd a complaint against a majority of the Elkhorn Association and the Committe that met at Town fork July 1807 wherein they Inform us they had appointed to meet an Association to be held at Bryans 2nd Satrday in August Next. Which letter was taken up and after Some time spent in deliberating on the Same The Church agreed to Send a Letter & Messengers to Sd. Association And named Bren. Ambrose Dudley, Leonard Young & John Mason to prepare a letter for Inspection at our next meeting. Then Adjourned.
A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk.
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At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in July 1810 after prayer to God proceded to Business as follows.Bro. Abel Headington came before the Church in consequence of his not attending our Stated meetings and on his refecting on a member, and failing to give Satisfaction, Bren. John Darnabey & George Hunt are requested to converse with him & report to our Next meeting.
Our Bren. who were appointed last meeting presented a letter for the Church to the depending association at this place which as Reciev'd and our Bren. Ambrose Dudley, James Stark, & John Mason, are Chosen our Messengers to Sd. Association.
Our Clerk is directed to give letters to Baylors Ned, Juda, Hannah & Better.
On a motion the Church unanimously voted that She is pleas'd with the constitution and Covenant of this Church and agrees to Support the Same. Then Adjourned.
Ambrose Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in August 1810 after prayer to God proceded to business as follows.
Bro. Abel Headington came before the Church in Consequence of his not attending our Church meetings which is a breach of our Covenant, and on his reflecting on the Church & failing to give Satisfaction he is Excluded from our Union.
Recief'd Nancey Munroo by letter & Elizabeth Foster by Baptism. Then Adjourned.
A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in Sept. 1810 after Prayer to God, proceded to business as follows.
Recd. Polley Camper, Nancey Camper & Joshua Owins for Baptim & Daniel Payne, having been baptised & Tompsons Simon from Exclusion.
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Our Clerk is directed to give a letter of Dismission to Sister Ruth Pickett now Carrick. On a motion Bro. Joseph Robertson is Called to act in the office of a Deacon having been heretofore Ordain'd to that Office in this Church and our Sd. Bro. Agrees again to serve.Our Bro. James Stark is Nominated for a Deacon in this Church and referr'd for Consideration to our next meeting. Then Adjourn'd.
Ambrose Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in October 1810 after Prayer to God proceded to Business as follows.
Recd. Nimrod Camper, Polley Lear & Salley Hardister for Baptism and Thames Horn by letter. Agreed that Bren. Abraham Farguson & George Hunt Take Charge of the meeting house fencing &c.
Agreed that we come prepared Next meeting to raise our Church Fund. Then Adjourn'd.
Ambrose Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in Nov. 1810 after prayer proceded to business as follows. Recd. Kensey Hardister by letter and Geo. Roger's Mary & Haws Grave's Cate for Baptism.
Bro. James Starks is Unanimously Chosen to Serve the church as a Deacon and on his Consenting to serve, tomorrow is appointed a Day of Fasting & Prayer to God for his Ordination.
Bro. Leonard Young complain'd against Bro. John Rogers for reporting Publickly that Bro. Young had depriv'd him of getting Justice in a Case respecting a view on a road &. Bro. Rogers Confest he was wrong to the Satisfaction of the Church.
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Our Bro. Deacons are directed to pay Alexander Griffey for keeping the meeting house from our Feby. meeting untill our last meeting.Sunday morning Bro. James Stark was Ordain'd according to appointment. Then Adjourn'd.
A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in December 1810 after prayer proceded to business as follows. Recd. Thompsons Rose from Exclusion.
Recd. into our Church Stock - - - - 17s, 3d.
On a motion agreed that Bren. Leonard Young, Joseph Robertson, George Hunt & James Dudley are appointed to visit our Black Bren. & Sisters Whose Names were Sign'd to a letter Sent by a minority of the Church, to the Elkhorn Association held at Clear Creek on the Second Saturday in August last, & report to our next meeting.
A letter was recd. & read from the Committe of the Elkhorn Association and the Church unanimously agreed to have nothing to do with them. Then Adjourn'd.
Ambrose Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk.
1811
At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in January 1811 after prayer to God for his Blessing proceded to business as follows. Recd. Betsey & Salley Holtzclaw by letter.Bren. Leonard Young & James Dudley reported that they had seen a number of our Black bren. & Sisters whose Names were Sign'd to a letter sent by a Minority of the Church to the Association held at Clear Creek 2nd Saturday in August, that Several of our Sd. Brethren & Sisters wished to remain peasable members with us & consequently are considered as members with us. Bren. George Forbis & George Hunt are requested to cite our Black Bren. Hugh's Sam & Bobs Daniel to answer to complaints lodg'd against
[p. 174]
them before the Church also that our Sd. Bren. Converse with our other Black members on Sd. list which they have not seen and cite them to our next meeting. A letter was handed to the Church from the minority (so called) and after being read agreed that it ly [lie] on the table. Then Adjourn'd.A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in February 1811 after prayer to God for his Blessing proceded to business as follows.
Bren. George Forbis & George Hunt reported that they had seen & conversed with several of those Black members whose Names were on a list in a letter sent last August by the minority of the Church to that part of the Elkhorn Association that met at Clear Creek and had cited Hughes Sam & Bobs Daniel to attend this meeting. The Case of Hughes' Sam was taken up and he is Excluded fro [for] going about and making false representations among the Black members Calculated to Sow discord and make a party in the Church and not attending meeting after being twice notified.
The Case of Bobs Daniel was taken up and for making false representations calculated to sow discord in the Church and on his not attending our meeting after being cited he is Excluded from our Union. On a Complaint laid before the Church against Boswells Simon for falsehood and after beng cited to our meeting & refusing to attend he is Excluded for our Union.
Agreed that the Church meet at Bryans on the third Fryday in March next to meet with the distress'd minority of the Church in order to try to get difficulties removed and that it be a day of Fasting and prayer to God. Then Adjourn'd.
A. Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk. At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Friday in March 1811 for the Special purpose of meeting our Brethren and
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Sisters of the Minority to Endeavor if possible to remove Diffiuclties so that they might take their seats among us again, and the whole of them failing to attend Exepting [sic] Two after some time spent in Prayer to Almighty God the Church thought proper to take up the business as it respects our Brethren hereafter Named, whith [sic] whom we are dissatisfied, To wit Asa Tompson, John Darnabey, John C. Richardson, Joseph Rogers, John Rogers, James Rogers, Clifton Tompson, Francis Smith, Bird Price, Saml. C. Patterson, Henry Coons, Jesse Barbee, Wm. Grant, Saml. Caldwell, Wm. Collins, George Bryan, Saml. Ewing, and Brugess Sullivan, first for Signing and Circulating a letter in a private manner, Calculated to sow discord and make a party in the Church. 2dly. For protesting in Sd. letter against an act of the Church which act is not contrary to her constitution, rules or Covenant. 3dly. for refusing to Submit to the Government of the Church and for Incouraging and raising great discord among the Black Members. 4thly For sending a letter with an incorrect Statement of Names of Black members to the Brethen met at Clear Creek last August. 5thly & lastly for declareing in a Note handed in at our January Meeting that they were no longer under the Jurisdiction of the Church in Consequence of which they are Excluded from our Union.The Church is dissattisfied with Sisters Sarah Rogers, Polley Smith, Elisabeth Darnabey, Mary Coons, Dinah Tompson, Betsey Price, Jane Rogers, & Sarah Richardson for leaving us in a disrderly manner and Joining the above Named Bren. in disorder in consequence of which they are out of our Communion. The Church is dissatisfied with the following Black Members Malborough, Farrers Peter, Rogers's York & Fillis, Lucy & Sarah, Boswells Ben, Thrustons Bob & Rannsdals Daniel for leaving the Church in disorder and Joining the above Bren. in consequence of which they are Excluded from our Communion. Then Adjourn'd
A. Dudley, Modr. J. Mason, Clk.
[p. 176]
At a Church meeting held at the meeting house at Bryans on the Third Saturday in March 1811 after Prayer to God proceded to business as follows. On a complaint against Dudley Jem for Stealing by Bro. Forbus who says he confest the fact, he is Consequently Excluded from our Communion. Bro. John Hunt put 3s/ & Bro. Jepthey Dudley 3s/ into the Church Stock. Then Adjourn'd.A. Dudley, Modr. John Mason, Clk.
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