MINUTES

Of the

Sixteenth Anniversary

Of the

Primitive Baptist

Buttahacha Association (orig. spelling)

Held at Union Church,

Marion County , Alabama on the 8^th and 9^th of October, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-one, 1841 (by deduction, this Assn began annual meetings in about 1825 - jsm)

1^st. Pursuant to last years appointment, Elder Gainer Jeffreys delivered the Introductory Sermon, from the Songs of Solomon, 4^th Chapter and the 4^th verse, “Thy neck is like the tower of David, builded for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men”.

2^nd The delegates then assembled in the meeting house, and after singing and prayer, the Moderator read the letters from the different Churches which compose this Association, and enrolled their delegate names.

3^rd Went into the choice of a Moderator and Clerk – The following brethren were elected, viz: Charles Hodges, Moderator, and Thomas Thorne, Clerk.

4^th Opened a door for the reception of Churches. Whereupon, the Double Spring church came forward by letter and delegates, and stated that she had been fraudulently withdrawn from the Buttahacha association at her session of 1838; by one of her delegates, Samuel McCollough, had also, fraudulently attached to the Columbus association, whereupon she was received.

5^th Appointed a committee of arrangements, consisting of brethren Sanders Mills, Eli Thompson and Hiram Robertson, together with the moderator and clerk.

6^th Also appointed the financial committee, viz: Pollard Loden, John Armstrong and A. Atkins.

7^th Adjourned by singing and prayers, by brother Sanders Mills until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.

8^th Saturday, met pursuant to adjournment, and after prayer by brother Woodrough.

9^th Called the delegates names, a quorum present.

10^th Called the bill of arrangement: read and received, and the committee discharged.

11^th Called for corresponding letters from sister associations, whereupon the following presented themselves, brother Samuel C. Johnson from Pilgrim’s Rest Association, without letter, or minutes, who was received and invited to a seat. Also one from Mount Zion Association, by the hands of her messengers, Eli Saffold and Elijah Baker with some minutes, who were invited to seats.

12^th Took up the appointment of Brethren to write letters to correspondence to sister associations, and to bear the same; whereupon, appointed brother C. Hodges to write the letter to Pilgrim’s Rest Association, and Brethren C. Hodges, S. Mills and J. Loden to bear the same; brother Sanders Mills to write a letter to Mount Zion association, and brethren William Thorn and Hiram Robertson to bear the same, also brother A. M. Reynolds to write a letter to the Primitive Baptist Association, and brethren Jacob Cody, William Moore and James Loden to bear the same.

13^th Called for a circular letter which was read, received, and ordered to be annexed to the minutes.

14^th Called upon the pastor with the deacons of Union church, to arrange the preaching at the stand for Saturday. Reported as follows: Woodrough, Thorn and Johnson, whereupon they were invited to the stand by the association.

15^th Took up the request of Poplar Spring church in regard to the course she pursued with John T. Harrington, and that we spread on the face of our minutes that he holds a letter of dismission from them, and is gone into disorder by joining a Methodist Society, and refuses to give the letter he drew from the church.

16^th Took up the appointment of some brother to write our next circular letter, and instead thereof that there be three brethren appointed to give evidence with an explanation of the abstract principles of Buttahacha association, and report to the next association, whereupon the following brethren were appointed, viz: C. Hodges, G. Jeffreys and S. Mills.

17^th Resolved, that next association be holden at Elbethel church, Lowndes county Miss., to commence Saturday before the second Sabbath in October, 1842.

18^th Went into the choice of a brother to preach the next introductory sermon, whereupon Elder Charles Hodges was elected and in case of failure, Elder James Loden.

19^th Took up the appointment of union meetings to be holden in the first district with Friendship church Friday before the 4^th Sabbath in August, 1842; brethren to attend; Hodges, Mills and Jeffreys. Second district at New Providence church, commencing Friday before the 3^rd Sabbath in September, 1842, brethren to attend, Elders Mills, Guttery and Portwood. Also, the third district at Hopewell church (Fayette Co), Friday before the third Sabbath in September, 1842, brethren to attend, Elders Guttery, and L. Moore; also the 4^th district at Poplar Springs church, Friday before the 3^rd Sabbath in July 1842; brethren to attend; Elders Thompson, Hodges, Tubbs and Portwood.

20^th The Financial Committee reported as follows, and was discharged.

Donation for printing minutes $34.08

For Association purposes 29.17

In hands of the former Treasurer 9.08

Total amount now in the Treasury $72.33

21^st Resolved, That brother Eli Thompson be allowed as corresponding messenger to Mount Zion association, $10.00

Also brother Hiram Robertson as corresponding messenger to Mount Zion association be allowed,

$7.00

Also the former Clerk be allowed, $8.00

22^nd Resolved, That we refund to Sardis Church, two dollars handed in by her to the Buttahacha association of session 1839, for printing minutes and other purposes.

23^rd Resolved, That the moderator be authorized to call on some brother to fill the stand on Saturday until the association be organized.

24^th We petition the choice of four ministering brethren to preach at the stand on Sunday, whereupon the following brethren were chosen, Elders Woodrough, Hodges, Johnson and Jeffreys.

25^th Shilo church called for a letter of dismission, whereupon granted the request by giving her a letter; also Ebenezer church petitioned for a letter of dismission, through her delegate, whereupon it was granted and have her a letter.

26^th Resolved, That we make a change in the districts which will be __ in the table.

27^th Resolved, That by request, we send the delegates to the convention of Baptist churches to constitute and association in Knoxobee County, Miss. Whereupon the following brethren were appointed, Elders Charles Hodges and A.M. Reynolds.

28^th Resolved, That Buttahacha association hereafter will convene on Saturday before the second Sabbath in October each year.

29^th Resolved, That we take into consideration the validity of the ordinance of Baptism by missionary preachers; upon a diliberation we as an advisory council, do deem it out of order for any church belonging to Buttahacha association to receive any member into their union who has been baptized by any missionary preacher or any preacher connected with them since the line of separation has been drawn.

30^th Resolved, That we have appointed the clerk treasurer, and that he superintend printing the minutes, that he get six-hundred of the minutes printed, and that forty copies be reserved for corresponding associations.

31^st Adjourned until tomorrow morning, half after nine o’clock.

32^nd Met pursuant to adjournment, and after singing and prayer by brother Sanders Mills.

33^rd Called for corresponding letters for sister associations whereupon two were presented, read and received.

34^th The business of association being finished, on motion adjourned in order.

CHARLES HODGES, Moderator

Charles Thorn, Clerk

Public worship on the Sabbath commenced at the stand at 10 o’clock A.M., a large and well ordered congregation assembled, and the brethren appointed to preach occupied in the following order, Jeffrey’s , Johnson and Hodges, and Woodrough wound up the service of the day by an exhortation.

It is believed many serious impressions were made, the solemnities of the days service were closed with spiritual praises, and prayers in which Christians rejoiced and mourners wept, the place appeared sweet and awful by a manifestation of the Divine presence to many hearts.

The grateful feelings of this association are hereby expressed to the hospitable citizens of this vicinity for their distinguished kindness to the members of the association during the present meeting through the moderator.

STATE OF THE CHURCHES, BUTTAHACHA ASSN. (abt. 1841-1850; source: Samford Univ archives)			Number Baptized	Received by letter	Dismiss-ed by letter	Total Number
CHURCHES	COUNTY & ST.	DELEGATE NAMES
Distr #1
Newhope	Monroe Co MS.	Benjamin Tubbs, C. Hodges, N. Tubbs	1	4	6	95
Friendship	Monroe Co MS.	William Moore, Jacob Cody	1	0	2	21
Hebsibah	Marion Co AL.	Eli Thompson, Isaac Henson, D. Ryesinger	1	4	6	37
Mt. Zion	Itawamba Co MS.	Sanders Mills	0	3	0	20
Enon	Itawamba Co MS.	James S. Bohanan	0	9	12	35
County Line	Marion Co AL.	N. Guinn, J. Guiton(?sp), John Hankins	2	0	2	18
Pleasant Grove	Itawamba Co MS.	M. Richardson, Allison Hodges	2	0	2	18
Pilgrim's Rest	Monroe Co MS.	John Brown, Benjamin Jones, J. Pierce	3	5	0	23
John's Creek	Itawamba Co MS.	Josiah Lindlay	1	6	0	18
Salem	Monroe Co MS.	Alfred Atkins	1	6	0	13
Distr #2
Bear Creek	Franklin Co AL	G.(Gainor?) Jeffreys, Wm Thorn, T. Thorn	0	0	2	50
New Providence	Tishomingo MS	Silas C. Byram	0	0	1	33
New Ramah	Itawamba Co MS.	Thomas h. Armstrong, Pleasant Downing	11	0	2	43
Mt. Pleasant	Marion Co AL.	D. Pope, J.F. Johnson, David Burleson	0	6	3	39
Forks of the Buttahachee	Marion Co AL.	Hilkiah Burleson, D. Burkeson, James Howell	0	0	3	14
Distr #3
Bethel	Walker Co AL	R.(Robt?) Guttery, J. Kitchen, James McDaniel	1	5	3	51
Union	Marion Co AL.	H.Robertson, W. Ward, Solomon Smith	3	0	3	53
Hopewell	Fayette Co AL	Lewellen Moore, James McClung	1	0	7	38
New River	Fayette Co AL	Jeptha White	1	0	2	75
Smyrna	Fayette Co AL	William Baker, Bethel Baker	1	0	0	16
District #4
Poplar Spring	Fayette Co AL	Alva M. Reynolds, David Tomblin	3	1	3	28
Shiloh	Lowndes Co MS	Lewis Collins, Josiah Williams	0	7	14	39
Elbethel	Lowndes Co MS	Worsham Moon, William Egger	2	3	5	42
Ebenezer	Monroe Co MS.	no representative
Mount Hebron	Monroe Co MS.	E.H. Seale, W. Hollingsworth, J.T. Cockerham	26	0	0	21
Providence	Pickens Co AL	James Sprewell, A. Prewitt Jr., A.H. Cox	0	0	0	33
Holly Spring (Townley)	Walker Co AL	John Jeffreys	0	0	0	?

MINUTES

OF THE

TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL SESSION

OF THE

BUTTAHATCHEE ASSOCIATION

OF PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS

Began and held with Mount Joy Church, Marion Co. Ala, on the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th days of October, 1853

1^st The Introductory Sermon was preached by Elder A.A. Carr from the 4^th chapter and 25^th verse of Paul to the Romans; “Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification.

2^nd The delegates assembled in the house and organized by singing and prayer by the Moderator.

3^rd Called for and read the letters from the several churches and enrolled the delegates names:

Big Bear Creek (Franklin Co AL) – P. Stanfield, J. Candal

Zion’s Rest (unknown) – J.J. Ramsey, J. Elison, J. Tindell

Mount Zion (Itawamba Co MS) – J. Summers, M. Davis, M. Digby

Fellowship (unknown) – A. Hodge, E. Aldridge

Salem (Monroe Co MS) – P.W. Osborne, L.D. Cantrell, S. Lites

New Ramah (Itawamba Co MS) – J. Sparks, J. Stell, J.W. Patton

Mount Joy (Marion Co AL) – Benj. Franklin Creel, J. Holigan

John’s Creek (Itawamba Co MS) – Mr. Harper, B. Cockerham, J.M. Dotson

Hepsibah (Marion Co AL) – Eli Thompson, J. Pope, J.H. Glascock

Mount Pleasant (Marion Co AL) – A. Simms, J. Loden, J. Pope

Forks of Buttahatchee (Marion Co AL) – A.A. Carr, E.S. Dotson, Calvin Burleson

Poplar Springs (Rock City area, Marion Co AL) – J. Holcomb, George Hallmark

Union (Marion Co AL) – S. Webb, W.E. McClung

Friendship (Marion Co AL) – W. Moore, Presley Randolph Wright

New River (Fayette Co AL) – Alva M. Reynolds, T. Burres

Macedonia (Fayette Co AL) – J.W. Guyton, W. Strawbridge, D. Ford

Hopewell (Fayette Co AL) – W. Caples, J.S. Jones

Mount Carmel (?) – J.M. Smith, T.T. Temple

Mount Zion (Pickens Co AL) – J.B. Neighbors

Mount Carmel (Tuscaloosa Co AL) – B. Johnson, L. Griffin

Nazareth (?, prob Walker Co AL) – T.J. Norris, G.W. Norris

Little Hope (prob Franklin Co AL) – M. Hester, Isaac Hewett, E. Moore

Mount Hebron (Monroe Co MS) – S.C. Johnson, E.R. Seely, W. Hollingsworth

Elbethel (Lowndes Co MS) – J.H. Oden, A.D. Murphrey

MINUTES

(Partial, for Meeting in 1862, handwritten)

According to Previous Appointment, the Union Meeting of the first District of the Buttahatchee Association meet with Providence Church, Fayette County Alabama on Friday before the first Sunday in August, 1862.

1^st Singing and prayer by Elder A. J. Coleman.

2^nd The Introductory Sermon was preached by Elder J.J. Halbert from the 4^th part of the 5^th verse of the 12^th chapter of Romans. For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office.

3^rd After a short reception, the delegates were assembled in the meeting house and singing and prayer by Elder S.C. Johnson, the Moderator.

4^th Appointed Reading Clerk – J.J. Halbert and A.J. Coleman.

5^th Called for the letters from the different churches, received said letters, read the delegates names, as follows:

Macedonia, Marion Co AL – no representative

Mount Hebron – Monroe Co MS – S.C. Johnson, D.R. Seeley

[remaining copy in-hand not legible; consult Samford Univ archives; supplemental data available]

MINUTES

(Partial, for Meeting of Oct. 6^th 1865)

1^st Opening address by J.B. Neighbors of Mount Zion, Pickens Co AL; …

2^nd > 9^th not copied in full; names visible are Emeas Church of Fayette Co AL; T.J. Norris, L. Griffin, J.M. Thompson, Elder R.B. Gun(n), H. Dodson. [full minutes of this date are available from Samford Univ archives]

10^th Prayer by brother Wm Moore. Adjorned to half past 9 o’clock tomorrow morning.

11^th Saturday, Oct 7^th, 1865; Met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by W.C. Hunter.

12^th Read the constitution and rules of decorum.

13^th Called for the committee on Preaching which was as follows: - E. Moss, and W.C. Hunter to preach in the forenoon, and Wm Moore and J.S. Bolton in the afternoon.

14^th Called on writers of corresponding Letters, to present them, all of which were presented, received and bearers appointed, viz: - To Pilgrim Rest, J.B. Neighbors, J.S. Bolton, T.J. Norris; to Tombigbee, E. Moss, R. Honnell, J.W. Guyton, and T.J. Polk; to Little Vine, Jesse Jones, L.M. Wimberley, J.B. Neighbors, L.C. Jones, J.S. Bolton and G.W. Dodson; to Little Black, M. Bradley and A.J. Coleman.

15^th Called for the circular letter – none presented.

16^th The next session of this body will be holden with Providence church, ten miles east of Columbus, MS, commencing Friday before the 2^nd Sunday in Oct., 1866.

17^th Elected J.S. Bolton, to preach the Introductory Sermon, J.B. Neighbors his alternate; and T.J. Norris to write the Circular Letter.

18^th Appointed L. M. Wimberley, Treasurer.

19^th Report of Financial Committee: Contribution of churches, $27.70.

20^th Appointed L.M. Wimberley to superintend the printing of 500 copies of these minutes, and that he reserve 80 copies for correspondence.

21^st Compensated former Clerk for last year’s services, $10.60, which was donated by him to the association – accepted by same.

22^nd Arranged Union Meetings as follows: - 1^st District, with Zion Church Friday before the 4^th Sunday in July 1866, J.H. Oden to preach the Introductory Sermon, A.J. Coleman and S.C. Johnson, alternates; 2^nd District with Harmony church, ten miles south-west of Fayette, C.H.; Friday before the 2^nd Sunday in Sept 1866, J.B. Neighbors to preach the Introductory Sermon, T.J. Norris is alternate.

23^rd Elected brethren to preach on Sunday, viz; - T.J. Norris, J.B. Neighbors and R.B. Gun(n).

24^th Appointed S.C. Johnson and Wm Ager, distributing agents for the 1^st District; T.J. Norris and L.M. Wimberley in the 2^nd District.

25^th Requested the Moderator to tender the thanks of this body to the brethren and friends of this vicinity, for their kindness and hospitality to us during our stay.

26^th Opened a door for promiscuous business.

27^th Adjourned to the time and place of our next annual meeting.

Lewis M. Wimberley, Clerk T.J. Norris, Moderator