Biographical Sketches
The Minutes contain sketches of thirty ministers and three laymen. Others were ordered, but not prepared.
IN MEMORIAM
ELDER AMOS HARRELL,
BORN IN BERTIE COUNTY, 1750 - DIED, 1805,
Age, 55.
He was Pastor of the Conoho church until his death, a period of twenty years.
ELDER EGBERT HENDRY,
BORN IN IRELAND, - DIED, 1805,
Age, __.
He was Pastor of Wiccacon church until his death.
ELDER THOMAS ETHERIDGE,
BORN IN CURRITUCK COUNTY, 1752 - DIED, 1810,
Age, 58.
Bro. Etheridge entered the ministry in his 30th year, suffered severe trials from the church-men and mob violence. He became Pastor of Sawyer's Creek church and occasionally of Knob's Crook, Coin jock and Powell's Point. Near the close of his life a cloud obscured his hitherto spotless reputation, yet God, in His mercy, prepared a way of escape and he died as the righteous man dieth.
ELDER LEMUEL BURKITT,
BORN IN CHOWAN COUNTY, 1750 - DIED, 1807,
Age, 57.
Bro. Burkitt professed religion at nineteen years of age, began to preach in 1771, and in 1773 became Pastor of
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Sandy Run church. After thirty-six years of active and successful labor, he was attacked in the pulpit with an illness which soon terminated his earthly career.
ELDER NATHANIEL PRUDEN,
BORN IN GATES COUNTY, 1781 - DIED, 1815,
Age, 34.
Bro. Pruden was Pastor of Middle Swamp church, till his death. He was much engaged in preaching the Gospel, and his preaching was acceptable to the people, and much blessed.
ELDER MOSES GILLAM,
BORN IN VIRGINIA, 1758 - DIED, 1823,
Age, 65.
Bro. Gillam, after conversion and ordination, became the Pastor of Outlaw's Chapel. Strange to say, this man, though a Baptist preacher, was possessed of considerable wealth, yet he obeyed Paul's injunction to the rich - ready to distribute as the poor could testify, who had received his bounties.
ELDER THOMAS WEYMOUTH,
BORN IN PASQUOTANK COUNTY, 1757 - DIED, 1817,
Age, 60.
Bro. Weymouth was ordained in 1811 by the church in Elizabeth City. Though never a Pastor, he was busily engaged in preaching the gospel to neighboring churches.
ELDER AARON SPIVEY,
BORN IN BERTIE COUNTY, 1763 - DIED, 1822,
Age, 59.
In 1794, Bro. Spivey was chosen Pastor of Cashie
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church. He was one of the most active pioneers in establishing missionary labors in the Association. He preached his last sermon at Nense Association. In two- weeks after reaching his home, he gently passed to his reward.
ELDER JOB PETTIJOHN,
BORN IN CHOWAN COUNTY, DIED, ___
Age, 68.
For many years, Bro. Pettijohn. was Pastor of Yeopim church. He was remarkable for disciplinary ability.
BRO. THOMAS BROWNRIGG,
BORN IN CHOWAN COUNTY, 1769 - DIED, 1826,
Age, 57.
Bro. Brownrigg professed religion in his 47th year. He was an active, useful, and well-beloved member in Ballard's Bridge church. Of him God had made a zealous friend, from a bitter opposer.
ELDER MARTIN ROSS,
BORN IN MARTIN COUNTY, 1762 - DIED, 1827,
Age, 65.
Bro. Ross became Pastor of Skewarkey church in 1796, soon after, of Yeopim, then Bethel, with which last church he continued till his death. He was an eminently useful laborer in his Master's vineyard.
BRO. TURNER CARTER,
BORN IN BERTIE COUNTY, 1803 - DIED, 1835,
Age, 32.
Bro. Carter was an earnest and efficient laborer in
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church and Associational work, desirous of doing good to all men, especially the household of faith.
BRO. JOHN BLOUNT,
BORN IN PERQUIMANS COUNTY, 1764 - DIED, 1836.
Age, 72.
Bro. Blount was a member, successively, of Yeopim, Bethel and Edenton churches, and was Deacon in the latter when he died. Having more than filled the three score and ten, he died full of years and full of hope.
ELDER JOHN HARRELL,
BORN IN VIRGINIA, 1779 - DIED, 1844,
Age, 65.
Elder Harrell was Pastor of Middle Swamp church twenty-one years, South Quay, eleven years. Founded Piney Grove church, aided by Elders Daniel, Delke and Hice. Aided in constituting Great Fork church, and became its Pastor, and so continued till his death.
ELDER REUBEN LAWRENCE,
BORN , 1787 - DIED, 1843,
Age, 56.
Served Cashie church as Pastor twenty-one years, till his death. He did, also, much itinerant work - fought a good fight.
ELDER WILLIAM WHITE,
BORN IN CHOWAN COUNTY, 1784 - DIED, 1849,
Age, 65.
Reared in a Quaker family, he was thirty-two years of age when he professed religion, and united with Ballard's
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Bridge church of which he was chosen Pastor in 1837. He was said, by those who knew him best, to have exemplified in his life Paul's portraiture of charity.
ELDER GEO. M. THOMPSON,
BORN IN LONDON, 1803 - DIED, 1850,
Age, 47.
Served, as Pastor, Salem, Elizabeth City and Suffolk, (Va.) churches. Traveled under the appointment of the Association as Missionary in Washington and Tyrrell counties for four years. In 1840 settled in Murfreesboro, taking charge of Mt. Carmel, Potecasi, Robert's Chapel, Meherrin and Bethlehem churches. He died in Halifax county, on his way to the Baptist State Convention.
ELDER WILLIAM P. BRITTON,
BORN IN HERTFORD COUNTY, 1821 - DIED, 1852,
Age, 31.
After teaching school awhile, he was ordained in the Association at Mt. Tabor. He was soon called to serve Mt. Carmel, Potecasi, Robert's Chapel and Bethlehem. A long career of distinguished usefulness was presaged by his friends; but God's thoughts are not as our thoughts, and he was taken away early, suddenly.
ELDER JAMES ROSS,
BORN IN MARTIN COUNTY, 1768 - DIED, 1853,
Age, 85.
In his 18th year he was baptized by his brother, Martin Ross. He labored as an Evangelist in the counties south of Roanoke and Tar rivers. He afterwards settled in
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Bertie county, where his works praised him. Having passed the unusual limit of fourscore and four years, unable to reach the house of God, he would send for his neighbors, and dispense to them the Word of Life. Biographical sketches of Elders James Nash, Pritchard, Jordan and M. Corbell were ordered, but not published.
ELDER LEMUEL SANDERLIN,
BORN IN CAMDEN COUNTY, 1794 - DIED, 1855,
Age, 61.
He professed religion in Tennessee and united with the Methodists. In 1824, having returned to his native county, he was baptized into the fellowship of Sawyer's Creek church, and ordained in the Association 1845. The insidious errors of Campbellism were then making rapid advances. Against these he was a firm opposer. He was Pastor, at different times, of Elizabeth City, Shiloh, Providence, Shady Grove, North-west (Va.) and Black Water (Va.) churches.
ELDER MALACHI W. JONES,
BORN IN CAMDEN COUNTY, 1799 - DIED, 1855,
Age, 56.
He was ordained 1841, became Pastor of Shiloh church, also preaching for other churches. Owing to the small pittance he received, he, like many others, was more familiar with the implements of husbandry than with books or papers, save the Bible. Yet he preached the Gospel, and preached it acceptably.
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ELDER THOMAS WAFF,
BORN IN EDENTON, 1797 - DIED, 1856,
Age, 59.
He was ordained in 1842. Though entering the ministry at a late period of his life, he gathered many sheaves into the garner. He was, for several years, Pastor of Salem church, preaching also to destitute places in Chowan and Perquimans, occasionally in Edenton. His last text was peculiarly appropriate - "It is finished."
ELDER JOHN NOWELL,
BORN IN HERTFORD COUNTY, 1803 - DIED, 1859,
Age, 56.
He was baptized at Coleraine by Elder Delke in 1832 and was ordained in 1835 as Pastor of Coleraine church, which station he voluntarily resigned the year before he died. He was also Pastor of Ahoskie church for twenty-three years, and of Pleasant Grove church for several years, also of Bethlehem and Holly Grove. He drew his support principally from his farm.
ELDER WM. H. HARDEE,
BORN IN HALIFAX COUNTY, 1784 - DIED, 1859,
Age, 75.
Professed religion when 14. Ordained 1823 Pastor of Smith's church. He preached also at Vassers, Moody's church and Fountain's Creek, (Va.) Severely afflicted with paralysis for many years, he yet maintained his integrity to the last, and died the death of the righteous.
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ELDER Q. H. TROTMAN,
BORN IN PERQUIMANS COUNTY, 1805 - DIED, 1862,
Age, 57.
He was ordained 1831. His life, after a youth notorious for its wickedness, was spent in doing his Master's work, and doing it well. He was one of nature's orators, commanding attention and respect. In the spring of 1858 he lost his eye-sight, but continued to preach, and was Pastor of Sandy Cross church when he died, which position he had held for twenty-eight years. Many took him as their model, but none ever equaled him in force of argument, power of delivery and impressiveness of manner.
ELDER JAMES DELKE,
BORN IN VIRGINIA, 1703 - DIED, 1862,
Age, 69.
He was baptized into Mill Swamp church, Virginia, 1816, and was ordained by Black Creek church, Virginia, 1823. He spent eight years in Chowan Association and three in Tar River Association. He then labored as Evangelist in North Carolina and Virginia till 1846, when he resumed his pastoral labors in Chowan Association. In his early ministry he was blessed by frequent and intimate intercourse with Elders Robert T. Daniel and James L. Gwaltney. The last ten years of his life were largely devoted to Colportage in the Bertie Union Meeting, of which body he was, for many years, the Moderator.
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ELDER WILLIAM A. VANN,
BORN IN HERTFORD COUNTY, 1839 - DIED, 1864,
Age, 25.
He was ordained in 1863. He was appointed army Missionary by the Baptist Board of Missions, and afterwards was made Chaplain of the 13th North Carolina Regiment. He was soon afterwards stricken down by sickness which closed his earthly life, in the bloom and promise of youth. His last words whispered an earnest appeal to his unconverted father at home.
ELDER EVERETT HANCOCK,
BORN IN VIRGINIA, 1807 - DIED, 1865,
Age, 58.
He was baptized by Elder A. M. Craig, in 1843. In May, 1852, having been examined before the Association and found worthy, he was ordained to the work of the ministry. In 1862, he was called to the pastoral care of Sandy Run church. In zeal and earnest labors for the church, and in neighborhood preaching and prayer-meetings, his life shone brighter and brighter to the end
ELDER JOHN B. WEBB,
BORN IN CHOWAN COUNTY, 1816 - DIED, 1866,
Age, 50.
He was ordained to the ministry in 1850, and was Pastor of Corinth, Mt. Tabor, Rockyhock, Bethel and Sandy Cross churches. He was remarkable for his practical qualities, personal piety and Christian integrity - his own ambition being to be esteemed "a good minister of Jesus Christ." His last labors were spent in a protracted meeting
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with Sandy Cross. Three days after he meekly yielded up his spirit, bright in the faith he had so often preached to others.
ELDER STEPHEN BAZEMORE,
BORN IN BERTIE COUNTY, 1775 - DIED, 1862,
Age, 87.
He was ordained in 1816, and was Pastor of Connaritsa church for thirty-five years, and of Republican for twenty years. During the last three or four years of his life his ministerial labors were confined to a school-house near his home, where many souls were enabled to find peace. Bro. Bazemore attained to the most advanced age of all our ministers.
ELDER ROBERT B. JONES,
BORN IN PERSON COUNTY, 1826 - DIED, 1867,
Age, 41.
In early life, Bro. Jones volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war, until discharged on account of loss of health. In 1849 he was received as a beneficiary at Wake Forest College, but after two sessions, his health failing, he went on a mission to Western Carolina, where he was instrumental in erecting a Baptist house of worship in each of the counties of Burke, Catawba and Gaston. Was subsequently Pastor of the church in Charlotte, adding much to its strength. In 1859, with improved health, he returned to Wake Forest College, having at that time a wife and three children. He preached also for two churches. Having graduated in 1861, he accepted the pastorate of the church at Hertford, which he
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held for six years. His health again failing, he entered upon an agency to endow Wake Forest College. In this, as in all his labors, he was eminently successful. He died at Wake Forest College, a true Christian hero.
ELDER HARVEY J. WHITE,
BORN IN HERTFORD COUNTY, 1796 - DIED, 1871,
Age, 75.
He was ordained in Chowan Association. In 1837, he, with others, was dismissed by letter from Connaritsa church, to constitute a church at Pleasant Grove, which he served as Pastor till 1841. Bro. White was a lover of books, he was also a diligent man working at the shoemaker's bench. His ministerial labors were blessed, and his death was the death of the righteous.
ELDER SHADRACH W. WORRELL,
BORN IN VIRGINIA, 1811 - DIED, 1872;
Age, 61.
Bro. Worrell moved to Gatesville in 1837, and was chiefly instrumental in organizing a Baptist church and building a house of worship in that place. While in Gatesville, he was a prosperous merchant. He was Pastor of Gatesville, Cool Spring and Middle Swamp churches. In 1866 he moved to Baltimore, where he was unsuccessful as Commission Merchant, Editor and Grocer. He then became agent for a Life Insurance Company, and in that business retrieved his previous losses. His last illness, though painful, was borne with Christian resignation, and he died in the full hope of a blissful home in heaven.
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ELDER ANDREW M. CRAIG,
BORN IN ORANGE COUNTY, 1806 - DIED, 1874,
Age, 68.
Bro. Craig was ordained by Sandy Run church in 1832. His praise was in the churches blessed by his labors - Sandy Run, Bethlehem, Republican, Mt. Carmel, Caehie - having ministered to the last about twenty years with fidelity and good success. As an educator, he was faithful, firm, zealous, indefatigable. Truly can it be said of him - the world is better by his having lived in it. A careful study of the Bible made him a plain, forcible and instructive expounder of its truths. His Christian integrity, sterling probity, scholarly attainments, and unswerving devotion to his Master's cause characterized his useful life. He died, having kept the faith.
WOLVES IN SHEEP-CLOTHING.
From 1808 to 1872, the names, William Dawes, John Salusbury, Jesse Hassel, John Cleaveland, W. J. Newborn, James Osborne, John P. Brice and T. R. Lawrence, are characterized in the minutes as deceivers, impostors, unworthy of Christian confidence. All these, I think, had been zealous laborers in the bounds of Chowan Association. Truly did the sacred writer say: "Many false prophets are gone out into the world, and many deceivers."============ [From History of the North Carolina Chowan Baptist Association, 1806-1881, 1882, pp. 97-108. Document from Google Books. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]