Author: tngenwebproject@gmail.com

The first meetings in the Quincy community were in 1916 or 1917 when a Bro. Spain held a few nights’ services in the home of Charlie Speer. Then in 1920, a man named Sam Graves came up the 41 Highway which, at the time was the main road, selling apples and pears. He traveled by the then modern convenience of a two-horse wagon and team. The children of that day always relayed the news of who was coming long before they arrived. In the process of stopping at each house to sell his wears he came to a house where a man named Mr. Madden was seriously ill. Bro. Sam was asked to pray for him. After prayer was offered Eliza Owens “Babe” Speer, who was a neighbor, invited Bro. Sam to conduct services in his home. In this way the door was again opened to the Gospel in this community.

In 1921 Jessie Byrd (J. B.) Richardson as a young child was at the point of death. It seemed there was no hope. The doctor said he would die before morning. His mother and neighbors had heard of some people across the river close to Trenton that prayed for the sick. So Bros. Sam Graves, Pitt Graves and Earnest Graves were asked to come to the Robert L. and Lela Mae Byrd Richardson home and pray for their sick child. As they laid hands on Jessie Byrd (J. B.) and prayed, he was healed and his fever left. The doctors were amazed! In fact, the doctor made the comment to William Joseph “Bill” Richardson, who was Robert L. Richardson’s brother, that the Lord would get the credit and left the impression he would not be paid. William Joseph (Bill) Richardson offered to pay but he made the statement that Robert would pay him.

This healing stirred the curiosity of the Quincy Community. People wanted to know more. After about a year of preaching and teaching in homes, a tent was pitched in the field which was across the road from where the present church is now standing on Babe & Jane Richardson Speer’s land and a great revival was held. Bros. Sam Graves and Pitts Graves held the first revival and from there the church was built.

Gaston Dade Spence furnished the team to snake out the logs for lumber to build the first little one-room building. Robert “Bob” Spence, Ira Speer and Albert Speer helped to haul out the logs. So the work began. The first building was erected and completed about Feb. 25, 1923.

Great Revivals have been held here through the years. Most any of the churches you attend in any direction from Quincy have people in them who made their start or were reared in the Quincy church.

The baptizing were held in the Forked Deer River, which is north of the church at the bridge. All classes were taught back then in the same room and were called Card Classes. They are now called Sunday School Classes. Two people usually fanned the organist as he or she played the organ. There was no electricity until the late fifties.

Families mentioned in the early days of Quincy Pentecostal Church are: Eliza Owen “Babe” and Jane Richardson Speer, George Holt’s family, Albert and Bernice Holt Speer, Gaston Dade and Mozella “Ella” White Spence, Robert “Bob” Spence and William Amos Spence, Robert Lee “Bob” and Martha Ella Mathis, Gertie Jane Mathis Peay, Beulah Brown Mathis Graves, Emma Leona Mathis Hudson, Nina Cowan, Ida Warren, Robert L. and Lela Mae Byrd Richardson, Jessie Byrd (J. B.) Richardson, Flora Gertruce “Gertie” Sanders, Addison D. “Bud” and Beulah Walker Graves, Sr., Boss Cook Family, Jesse Eskew family.

A man who is not Pentecostal said he gave this church credit for this community being where it is today. Old timers tell us about how mean and wicked this part of the country was. Threats of all kinds were made and unruly sinners, bootleggers, drunkards, and gamblers made up a great part of the land at that time. However, God chose a man with very little education and who had little of this world’s goods, but had grit as a bulldog and faith in God to bring the message of love to this lost corner of the Globe. The power of God began to fall and the unruly became gentle and kind. The drunkard became sober, the bootleggers stopped selling, the gamblers quit their gambling and peace and love reigned where chaos had been. At many of the services, there was a crowd on the outside looking in the windows.

The old dirt road (Old 41) was traveled by horseback, surrey, two-horse wagons, and by foot to get to the meetings.

There have been many others whose names have not been mentioned in this writing who were a part of the work of God at Quincy. The ministry of Quincy Pentecostal Church has gone beyond its local community by helping to establish several churches in different areas who did not have a church.

The church was remodeled and bricked in the early 1970s. A fellowship hall was also built in the mid-1970s.

The church is now called Truth Ministries and is pastured by Rev. James Keeton.

Some of the other pastors at Quincy were: Sam Graves (40 years), James Martindale, Landis Franklin, Robert Rutledge, Billy Worrell, A.D. & Eleanor Jean Graves, Marty Johnson, Keith Holloway, Teddy Ross, Leonard Glover, Bob Holden (interim). 

---

Contributed by Sharon Richardson Flake

Located in Crockett County, two miles north of the town of Crockett Mills in a rural community is the Providence Baptist Church. This church was organized in 1854 by members from Johnson’s Grove Baptist Church. The need for a place in which to worship was realized by the people in this community. The first worship house was a large log structure with a stick and dirt chimney. the building was constructed at a log-raising occasion, having two windows with wooden shutters and three doors, which were hung on wooden hinges. The seats were crude, split logs with peg legs. No known means of lighting the building are known, except for the large fireplace, which was over 4 feet wide. Two front doors were used, one by the women and the other by the men. Also, there were two separate sides of the church, with men on one side and women on the other. Their attendance was strictly for purposes of worship. The people came in ox carts and wagons to worship. Many of them came several miles through the woods.

Luke Tatum and J. F. Robertson donated one acre each to the church for a cemetery, which was recorded on May 27, 1874. Timber covered this land, as well as the surrounding area, with only a few small clearings where homesteads were established.

At this time money was very scarce, so the people grew sheep for wool, which was spun into thread to make woolen clothing to pay the preacher. He had no fixed salary and received such items as socks, shirts, corn and many other agricultural products. Preaching service was held the fourth Sunday each month on Saturday morning and Sunday morning.

The area increased in population, and the need for a better and larger church was at hand. About the time our county was formed, the people met and built a large frame, white building with glass windows. This building faced the south, had two front doors and one side door, with two rows of large white columns that reached from the floor to the ceiling to support the joists. Inside were kerosene lamps, a wood-burning stove, and benches made by hand from poplar lumber.

A committee was appointed to buy an organ, for they had no musical instruments. The membership was now about two hundred, which was a large percentage of the community, and most of these attended every meeting. A large church bell was bought, and before worship or a funeral, the tones from the bell could be heard for miles around.

The following minutes were written by K. S. Peal in the church record book in 1910: “Voted to pay the pastor the sum of $150 salary for 1/4 time for the year. Rev. J. T. Barker called to serve as pastor for the following year.”

In 1919 the building was moved south to give more room in the cemetery. Members were not satisfied because they wanted the building to face the east. They decided to build a new church instead of repairing the older one, using some of the lumber in the new building. During the construction of the building, regular worship services were carried on in the Methodist Church at Crockett Mills. This building, completed in 1923, now stands on the grounds at the present time. It is a large, brick veneered one facing east, with beautiful oak trees on the grounds and is near a hard-surfaced road. It has four large brick columns in the front. Inside the building are 312 comfortable seats, a rostrum for the chair, and a piano which was bought to replace the organ. The cemetery was not well kept and was growing up in briars and bushes. The third Sunday in May was set for Homecoming Day and a special donation made for upkeep of the cemetery. People from far and near come, bringing their lunch for the all-day affair. After the usual morning services, dinner placed upon a huge table under the trees, where all enjoy good food and good preaching, after which a donation is taken for the cemetery. Someone is hired to keep the cemetery mowed and beautiful.

Another big event is the annual revival which starts on the fourth Sunday in July. This was at one time a great meeting, according to old-timers. Many nights the church would not hold the crowds that gathered to worship.

Vacation Bible School is held for one week each summer, in which the superintendent is sometimes the pastor. On Saturday before the school starts, a parade is made through the community, which aids in getting children of ages 3 through 16 to attend. The study consists of singing, studying the Bible, and handicraft. Commencement is held on Sunday evening, after a week of study, where diplomas and awards are presented.

People from surrounding communities buried their relatives in the cemetery; therefore, it grew rapidly. In 1943 Mrs. Rosa Hamlett donated two acres of land south of church for a new cemetery, in which there are now three graves.

In 1953 four new Sunday School rooms and a hall were added to the building. People donated money, and most of the work was done by members. When the rooms were completed, they were paid for. The former pastors, Bro. Melvin Williams and Mrs. Clyde Mayfield preached the dedication service. Bro. Mayfield said, “This is only the passing of another milestone; let us keep working until more goals are reached.” Some other improvements are electric lights, gas heat, polished floors, painted inside walls and window fans.

This year Mrs. Effie Williams donated a new piano to the church as a token of remembrance and Mrs. Ruby Laster donated a new communion table in memory of her husband, Mr. Clarence Laster.

Providence is now a full-time church with 334 members, a standard Sunday School, B.T.U. services, and Wednesday night prayer service. Some important achievements of the past year were sending the pastor to Cuba for a week of missionary work, buying 60 new song books, donating a love offering for the pastor and buying a new pulpit.

The present pastor, Bro. Ted Wimberly, lives in the community, enabling the members to observe his words, actions, sincerity and closeness to God.

The Providence Community has prospered much since the first settlement, thanks to this as well as other churches. Today the soft tones of the church bell may be heard, not as they were years ago when they echoed in the woods, but drifting over cultivated fields. The church has stood the test of time for more than a century, and in the future will continue to be of importance to this community. Visitors are always welcome at Providence Baptist Church. 

---

The preceding article was contributed, with permission of the Crockett County Historical Society, by Natalie Huntley. 

---

This article was compiled and written by Wayne Redmond, and published in the book Crockett County Courthouse Centennial, 1874 – 1974, prepared by the Crockett County Historical Society.

In 1875, William W. Nance donated one acre of land on the southeast corner of present-day Nance Road and Tennessee Highway 152 for the construction of a school building for children in the Nance, Quincy, and Cairo communities. The school was first known as Nance Academy.

Worship services in the academy building began in 1890 with Sylvester Green, Jim Jones, Martin Nance, Smith Randle and their families in attendance.

In 1905, the academy building burned. In 1907, a new school building, constructed on the same site, was completed and worship services began again. Among families attending services at this time were those of Henry Conley, Will Corbett, Will Hunt, Jim Pittman, Smith Randle, Edd Stallings, and Frank Yearwood.

In 1913, the church appointed Dee Colvett, Will Hunt, and Smith Randle as its first elders. Due to increasing membership, the congregation soon decided to construct a building specifically designed for worship services. In 20 minutes, $1,600 was raised for the purpose. Claude Laman donated one acre of land directly across Nance Road from the school and a new, white-frame church building was completed in 1916.

This building was destroyed by a windstorm in 1933. It was rebuilt the following year but then was destroyed by fire in 1938. In 1939, the congregation completed work on a modern, red-brick structure with a large auditorium. In 1951, four classrooms were added at the rear of the building. (According to Jenny Gordon, the church was destroyed in 1938 by wind, not fire. She was a student at the time at the school across the road)

On a rainy Monday afternoon, April 29, 1963, the Nance community was devastated by a deadly tornado. The storm, approaching from the west, first touched down northeast of Maury City. Entering the Nance community at approximately 6:10 p.m., the storm killed three people, injured several others, completely destroyed 14 homes, and severely damaged the few homes left standing. The tornado demolished the Nance Community Center, site of the Crockett County Fair, located in the former school building.

The church building also was destroyed. Quickly, plans were made to rebuild the structure and work commenced the following summer on a new place of worship. At the invitation of the Alamo Church of Christ, the Nance congregation held services in the former Alamo church building on East Main Street while the new structure was being built.

The present Nance church building, of A-frame design, contains a spacious auditorium, seven classrooms, a baptistry, and children’s nursery. It was dedicated on April 19, 1964, with 501 members and friends in attendance. In 1993, a fellowship hall was added on the building’s south side.

Bro. W. A. Bradfield of Henderson, Tennessee, began serving the congregation as minister on a part-time basis in the 1950s. In 1965, Bro. Wendell Bloomingburg of Henderson began the church’s first full-time ministry. Bro. Logan Lewis of Humboldt and Bro. Bill Mitchusson of Jackson have served since then with Bro. Mitchusson being the congregation’s current minister.

The church has been an ardent supporter of Christian education through the years, in particular, the educational mission of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson. Several young people from the congregation have attended FHU as well as other Christian colleges such as Lipscomb University in Nashville, the Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City.

The church also has supported such endeavors as the Mid-South Youth Camp in Henderson, children’s homes in Tennessee and Arkansas, and foreign missionary work in Aruba, Puerto Rico, Pakistan, Australia, Brazil, and other countries.

Today, Nance is one of 12 congregations of the Churches of Christ in Crockett County– the others being Alamo, Bells, Cairo, Cherryville Road in Bells, Cox’s Chapel in Coxville, Crossroads, Friendship, Gadsden, Koonce Street in Alamo, Lincoln Street in Alamo, and Maury City.

Nance Cemetery was established in 1935 just south of the church building on land donated by the Claude Laman family. The first burial, that of David F. Stallings, took place on June 5, 1936.

Over the next 50 years, many of the burial lots were spoken for and additional space was needed. In 1985, one additional acre of land adjoining the cemetery on its south side was donated to the community by Fred Colvett, Daniel Boone, Gene Castleman, Lonnie Colvett, and Jones Warren.

The oldest person buried at Nance is Zilphia Ann Ray, who was born October 4, 1860, and died August 3, 1951. Four other persons born in the 1860s also are buried there: James A. Pittman (1862-1952), Ellen Ann Pittman (1866-1948), William Dallas Thornton (1868-1950), and William H. Turner (1869-1956).

Twenty veterans of U. S. wars are buried in the cemetery including two veterans of World War I: John S. Pittman (1894-1993) and Sol B. Reece (1896-1983). World War II veterans buried at Nance include Daniel A. Boone (1910-1998), Frazier Churchwell (1923-1944), Horace Clinton Colvett (1907-1990), William Larimore Colvett (1916-1944), Otha Conley (1911-1992), Glen Warren Corbett (1924-1990), Freddie Dorance Hunt (1925-1964), Herbert M. Jones (1924-1998), Jim Henry Moore (1919-1989), George Joseph Nyland (1924-1987), Charles Hart Rice (1923-1990), Ellis Leon Rice (1922-1987), Paul Taylor Rice (1926-1945), Clarence E. Stallings (1901-1972), Horace O. Stallings (1910-1961), Paul Stallings (1915-1944), Philip Williams (1916-1985), and Willis Wilson Williams (1924-1991). In addition to his service in World War II, Daniel Boone was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and George Nyland served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Four of the World War II soldiers buried at Nance were killed in action during the war: Frazier Churchwell, Larimore Colvett, Paul Taylor Rice, and Paul Stallings. Charles Leon Hunt (1923-1944), another young man from the Nance community, also died during World War II. A memorial marker for Leon has been placed in the cemetery although he is buried in Belgium.

In addition to the soldiers mentioned above, five other young men from the Nance community also died in combat during World War II– but are buried in other local cemeteries. They are David Marion Cotton, buried at Friendship Cemetery; Andrew Emison, buried at Alamo Cemetery; Billy Austin Harber and Everett Lewis Rogers, both buried at Crockett Mills Cemetery; and Tommy Redmond, buried at Providence Cemetery.

Today, there are 237 persons buried in Nance Cemetery. Surnames found most often include Hunt (16), Rice (16), Williams (15), Parker (10), and Turner (10). It is believed that there are no unmarked graves in the cemetery. The original plot map still exists and is maintained by the church. 

---

This history is dedicated to the late Lynn Colvett of Alamo who provided much of the information in the establishment of the Nance community, church, and cemetery. 

By Jeff Reece

These photos were taken in March 2001 and contributed by Natalie Huntley.

Bits and Pieces of Crockett History 
Crockett County Historical Society Files

A History of Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church 
By Frances (Williamson) Pollard 

Six Weekly Installments featured in the NEWS, Friendship, Tennessee from 10/05/77 – 11/10/77

The “Countyline Baptist Church of Christ Primitive” was organized on Saturday before the second Sunday in June, 1829. The meetings were held in the homes of members until the autumn of 1830. At that time several of the men in the community, not necessarily members of any church, felt the need for a place of worship for their families. They erected a building of logs; the cracks were lined with handhewn boards. The floors were “puncheon” (split hewn logs). The seats were of split handhewn logs supported by stout wooden legs. The size of the building was approximately 20′ by 35′. The seating capacity was approximately 100 persons. They named the church “Old Liberty”. This was used by all denominations.

The original charter members of this Primitive Baptist church were: Stephen Booth, Sr., Stephen Booth, Jr., Penlopy Booth, S.H. Henderson, Elizabeth Guffy, and a slave of Benjamin Booth called T.O. There were 17 other members. During slavery days, the slaves were members of the same church as their masters. Their masters would use the front part of the church while the slaves used the back part, worshipping at the same time. This arrangement was carried on until about 1868. Brother Hosea Lanier was the first regular pastor; his tenure was 1832-1835. He had a common education and was an ordained minister.

On Friday before the second Sunday in May, 1833 the Mill Creek Baptist Church of Christ Primitive was constituted. Volume I of the church minutes was in the possession of Mrs. Laura Harrell, and according to her daughter, Mrs. Pauline (Harrell) Austin, was destroyed when Mrs. Harrell’s house burned many years ago. However, church records survey was made in the late 1930’s by Malcolm Gibbons, Supervisor for a WPA project, who examined the book and found it to be in good condition. These were the records of the earliest church. In most instances, they were clearly legible, having been written in ink with an old “goose quill” pen. The following statements appeared in the records and are copied with spelling and verbiage as originally written: “CONSTITUTION OF MILL CREEK CHURCH: Having been regular baptized upon a profession of our faith in Christ and being convinced of the necessity of coming together in church Government in order that we mite set in order the things that may be found wanting in the house of God and for that purpose have agreed to come together upon the following plan or regular form of government.

1st. We are taught in the Scriptures that we should give ourselves to the Lord and to one another by the will of God. That we should watch over each other for good and pray always and in everything give thanks.

2nd. We further agree that in all matters of dealing one with another that we will take the Scriptures for the Man of our council as recorded in the 18th chapter of Matthew and other Scriptures relating to discipline and that we will endeavor to love one another and to have fervant charity among ourselves and to watch over and care for the poor.

3rd. As we believe the gospel was appointed by Almighty to feed, comfort and build up His dear children, and for the advancement of His Kingdom on earth, we agree that it is our duty to throw in from time to time as God may or has prospered us, to the support of the gospel ministry.

4th. We also agree to maintain the doctrine of the gospel as we will set forth hereafter upon this plan or form of government. The church, at Dyer Meeting House, was regularly constituted by Elder James Farrell and William Patrick, who were called on by us as the presbitry for that purpose, on Friday before the second Sunday in May 1833, and adopted by Mills Creek Church.” The above was followed by the Rules of Faith and Articles of Decorum. One of the articles stated that there would be no whispering or talking during a public speech.

Mill Creek members used the Old Liberty building until 1844, when they erected a church building in the 6th Civil District near Dry Hill schoolhouse. They used the school building for services until the church building was completed in 1845. This was a frame building, weatherboarded style, or wooden construction throughout, with plain glass windows, and a seating capacity of about 200. In 1891 another building was erected in the 14th Civil District one mile east of Johnson Grove on the Alamo-Johnson Grove road. This building was also a weatherboarded one, or wooden construction throughout. The material used was No. 1 yellow poplar; the lumber was selected and then handplaned to the desired dimension. This oblong shaped building was 36′ x 45′ and had outside shutters covering the entire windows, which were of plain glass. It was constructed with the utmost care and skill, and would seat about 300. The floor was of unplaned No. 1 yellow poplar lumbar that soon became worn smooth with usage. The pulpit was a raised dais platform, 6′ x 8′ in size, with a bookrest about forty inches high mad of No. 1 pine flooring and varnished in walnut. The pews were of No. 1 poplar lumber about one and a half inches thick; they were not painted. The interior walls of the church were finished with a walnut varnish, except for the ceiling and floors, which were never painted. There were two acres of land that was the property of the church. The following regular deeds have been located: (1) In April, 1859 E.D. Norvill gave two acres to the Predestinarian Baptist church. The trustees of the church at that time were William Edwards, Enos Norville, and John Brooks. This is in Haywood County Deed Book Z, pages 18 and 19. (2) On September 18,1881, J.W. Evans stated that he had made a deed to Mill Creek Baptist church in 1871 or or 1872 and it had been lost or mislaid; in the transaction, he had sold an acre of land to the church for $30.00. The trustees were S.W. Smith, John Carter, and Z.P. Warren. This tract was adjoined by lands belonging to J.J. Robbins and Fraink Kail. This is in Crockett County Deed Book E, pages 370 and 371. (3) William and Sarah Kail; R.H. Proctor and his wife, R.J.; and Dorsey C. Thomas gave two acres to the Primitive Baptist Church in District 14, of which the trustees were: J.J. Edwards, J.H. Smith, and Z.P. Warren. The two acres were bounded by the lands of William Kail, Proctor, and Winford. This is recorded in Crockett County Deed book K, page 94. (4) On August 1, 1890, Z.P. Warren, J.J. Edwards and J.H. Smith, Trustees, sold all the land that was “now owned by the Primitive Baptist Church at Mill Creek” to Frank Kail. This is in Crockett county Deed book M, pages 408 and 409.

The following account was taken from Volume 2 of the Church Minutes, now in possession of Mrs. Ruth (Edwards) Appleby of Bells. She was kind enough to allow us to copy them, and we thank her. Her father, Mr. G.W. Edwards was Church Clerk for many years.

“1879—Whereas there was much strife and confusion existing in the church; we had one called meeting before the one started below for an adjustment of our grievances and all concerned agreed to drop the matter. However, the differences and confusion was raised again and therefore the necessity for this called meeting. On Saturday before the fifth Sunday in May, 1897, the Church at Mill Creek met and after praise by Elder J.M Whitenton and prayer by T.H. Marshall, came together in conference. (1st) Z.P. Warren and J.F. Carter were elected moderators and J.B. Ezell was elected Clerk. (2nd) Agreed to be governed by the rules of our church decorum. They were read (3rd) A statement of the object of the meeting was made by Elder Thomas who was the pastor at the time, that there was a doctrinal difference existing among us and that it had caused many hurtful things to be done and said, and that our objective was to settle it, and we believed it could be done by strict adherence to the Bible, to which Brother J.H. Smith replied agreeing with Elder Thomas that it was a doctrinal difference. Response by S.L Lomax, Elder J.M. Whitenton and Elder H.W. Thomas. The outcome of the called meeting was that we withdrew fellowship from those of our brethren who had a difference of doctrinal opinions. Signed: Z.P. Warren, Church Moderator” D.E. Wagster was appointed Church Clerk for the remaining members. The following brothers and sisters withdrew fellowship at this time: J.M. Whitenton, S.L. Lomax, Vanner Lomax, J.F. Carter, J.B. Ezell, J.H. Smith, George Kail and Spencer Buford. It appears that the departing members took the Minute book, since at a meeting held in June, 1897, the committee composed of William Kail and J.H. Jones was appointed to apply to J.B. Ezell and request that he relinquish the book. In July, 1897, the committee reported that Mr. Ezell refused to do so. (Apparently this was Volume 1.) At this meeting, the church clerk was instructed to purchase a new minute book This was Volume 2, which is now in the possession of Mrs. Appleby.

According to the minutes dated July 31, 1897, the departing members “did forcibly break and enter illegally and unlawfully take possession of the church house, remove the lock and put on a new one, retain the key, and bar the doors and continue to hold possession in violation of law against the will and wishes of the Church; therefore be it resolved that our Trustees, to wit: Z.P. Warren, Gray Edwards and Henry Jones, in connection with the members of the church employ council and proceed to eject said members in their unlawful holding of said church property. They are hereby authorized to prosecute and carry on said suit in behalf of the church” In October a committee was appointed to “see after paying the expense of the suit”. At the time of the November meeting, they had retained Lawyer Poston and were attempting to raise the money. In November, 1898, the committee was asking for still more time to raise the money to pay William Poston his fee. An injunction was obtained against the departing members; they moved to a new building at Maury City. (A history of this branch of the church will appear at a later date in this column.) On the third Sunday in December, the committee reported that Mr. William Poston had been paid, and the committee was discharged. In October, 1899 G.W. Edwards was appointed Church Clerk pro tem.

In September, 1900, Mr. E.E. Wagster’s resignation was accepted and Mr. Edwards was elected Clerk. (note the time lapse). Elder H.W. Thomas resigned, and in August of 1901 Brother C.F. Caruthers was called as pastor. Fellowship was subsequently withdrawn from Elder Thomas. In January, 1904, C.F. Caruthers resigned and L.H. Stuckey was elected Moderator pro tem.

In April of 1905, the following letter was entered in the minutes: “Dear Brethern. Whereas you are aware that I have been charged with great and grevious charges I hereby most emphatically deny my guilt of the same, neither have I had any criminal intentions in any of my conduct, but I will acknowledge that I have been indiscreet at times through carelessness, unthoughtedness, acted imprudent by without properly taking care for the impression I was making upon others and have thereby left room for others to misunderstand me and suspicion me of wrong intentions for all of which I humbly and earnestly ask all of my brethern every where to forgive me and I will promise to try to do so like in the future as to give room for no suspicion. Brethern pray to God for me that I may live to the honor of His most holy cause.” (name being withheld.)

In September of 1905, fellowship was restored to Brother Thomas and he was again called to the Pastoral care of the church.

A committee was appointed in November of 1905 to “see about painting and repairing the church.” In May, 1906, the committee reported that the work had been completed and paid for, and the committee was dismissed.

By 1907 the church had lost several members, but in August of that year the following united with the church: S.L. Eason, M.J. Eason, W.A. Thomas, E.E. Thomas, B.B. Edwards, Lou Edwards, J.F. Faulkner, M.A. Faulkner, G.C. Perry, John Copher, and D.B. Thomas. M.A. Copher had fellowship restored.

In October, 1908, the following letter of respect was entered in the minutes: “Whereas: God in His all wise providence saw fit on October 6, 1908 to remove by death one of our members in the person of Esq. Z.P. Warren. Whereas: we the Primitive Baptist Church of Christ in session at Mill Creek, Crockett County, Tennessee, on Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in October 1908 resolve to give expression of our sorrow and grief of our great loss. Brother Warren will be greatly missed by us all as he was punctual in attendance and always ready to bear his part and speak kind words and assist those in trouble and with all his long life of membership in this church not a blot or a stain was seen against his character as a Christian . Indeed he was a model Christian and Oh! How he will be missed by us today. Now all we can do is look up to God in sorrow and through a great mist of tears beg for grace sufficient that we mourn not as those that have no hope but as we are here our loss is his eternal gain. God assist us all to say ‘the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord’. We resolve further that this resolution be spread upon our church book and also a copy be sent to the Crockett County Sentinal and the Apostolic Herald with a request for publication and a copy be sent to the family. Elders H.W. Thomas and G.W. Edwards, Committee.”

Elder J.W. Adams was called as pastor in October, 1914, and served until December, 1928. At that time, W.E. Blackburn was elected pastor.

Volume 3 of the Church Minutes was begun in May, 1918. This record book was in the possession of Mr. Ira Brasfield; at his death it became the property of his son, Cornelius, who was kind enough to let us use it.

In September, 1923, a new roof was installed. Two trees from the church lot were sold in November of 1929 to raise money to have the church building repaired; that sale brought in $50.00.

W.E. Blackburn resigned in January, 1936 and Harvey was elected pastor.

In January of 1939, it was reported that the church had been painted and repaired at a cost of $113.04, which was $3.35 more than the church had in its bank account. However, $8.70 was received for the cotton raised on the church lot; this was enough to complete the payment of the bill and leave a balance of $5.35.

On September 7, 1944, the church voted to sell Mill Creek church and the lot on which it stood; J.N. Warren and Ira Brasfield were appointed as a committee to sell the property at public auction. On September 16, 1944, the report was “the proceeds of the sale of Mill Creek Church and lot and other property to the amount of $859.25, which was deposited today in Peoples Bank at Alamo, Tennessee as Mill Creek funds. J.N. Warren, Church clerk.”

The last entry in the minute book reads as follows: “On this day we, J.N. Warren, J.E. Clement and Ira Brasfield drawed out the money of the Mill Creek Church funds to the amount of $909.99 and divided among members of Mill Creek to the amount of $75.83 apiece. This 12th month and 3rd day of 1946. J.N. Warren, Church clerk.” In my mind even today I can see those dear people as they made this last entry, carefully closed the book, and, with tears streaming down their faces, gave each other the hand of Christian fellowship, and walked away from the place that had been such an important part of their lives.

An incomplete list of the former members of Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church follows: J.N. Adams, J.N. Anglin, Annie Baker, Ceity Baxter, Samuel Baxter, W.E. Blackburn, L.E. Boals, Comodore Bran, Julie Brasfield, Tom Brasfield, W.A. Brasfield, Ira Brasfield, Mrs. Eddie Bridger, Gray Buford and wife, Lennie Buford, Spencer Buford, Mable Byassee, L.F. Carter, Nannie Carter, Ora Maie Carter, C.F. Caruthers, Sally M. Caruthers, J.E. Clement, Ella Colvett, J.W. Colvett, Betty Copher, John T. Copher, J.H. Copher, Mellissa A. Copher, Minnie Cousins, Annie Crow, J.H. Crow, J.J. Crow, J.H. Dailey, Alva Lou Davis, D.E. Ditto, M.H. Ditto, M.J. Eason, S.L. Eason, Ada Edwards, B.B. Edwards, D.L. Edwards, Eva Edwards, G.W. Edwards, Lafayette Edwards, Letha Edwards, Lou Edwards, M.J. Edwards, Nannie Edwards, Nannie Cayce Edwards, Nora Edwards, Susan Edwards, J.D. Elkins, Claude Dewey Ezell, Eva Ezell, J.B. Ezell, Sally Ezell, J.F. Faulkner,Lela Faulkner, Loula Faulkner, Martha Ann Faulkner, M.J. Freeman, Earnest Garrett, Mattie Garrett, Sarah Garrett, W.G. Garrett, Mat Glanden, H.L. Greer, P.G. Greer, Snellie Greer, Ezra Hamilton, Laura Harrell, Sister M.E. Hill, Nannie Jetton, P.G. Johnson, Fannie Jones, J.H. Jones, Alice Kail, Clarence Kail, Ellie Kail, George Kail, Hester kail, Sarah Kail, Sapphire Kail, William Kail, Fannie Leggett, Simon Leggett, S.L. Lomax, Vanner Lomax, Nancy Lunsford, Nannie Luton, John Marcum, Minnie Marcum, T.H. Marshall, G.E. Mayfield, Nellie McCain, Julia Mydget, Maron Mydget, Tennie Neal, Mattie Oliver, J.L. Only, J.HJ. Parker, G.C. Perry, Guy Perry, M.J. Perry, R.L. Perry, J.H. Phillips, Annie Pittner, Jemima Poindexter, John Prescott, Edd Proctor, Edna Maie Proctor, Eva Proctor, Eliza Proctor, Jane Proctor, J.P. Proctor, Lela Proctor, Millie Proctor, S.D. Proctor, Vinia Sue Proctor, Ludie Reece, J.H. Riddick, Early Robertson, G.C. Robertson, Lou A. Robertson, Mandy Robertson, T.W. Robertson, W. H. Robertson, W. Noah Robertson, J.H. Smith, Lula Smith, Mollie smith, Gib Stallings, Y. Stallings, Nancy Stamps, L.H. Stuckey, M.E. Stuckey, Miss Anna Taylor, Benjamin Taylor, B.J. Taylor, Mrs. Lou Taylor, R.C. Taylor, Bradon Thomas, Etha Thomas, D.B. Thomas, E.E. Thomas, Fannie Thomas, H.W. Thomas, Jim Thomas, Mary Thomas, John Thomas, M.A. Thomas, M.L. Thomas, W.A. Thomas, Dixie Thompson, W.B. Thompson, Cynthia Viers, D.E. Wagster, Mattie Wagster, Minerva Wagster, Mattie Wallace, W.M Wallace, L.M. Wainwright, Drucila Ward, J.N. Warren, Miranda Warren, Z.P. Warren, J.M Whitenton, Lula Whitenton, Alice Woods, John Woods.

……….

Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church No. 2 
By Maxine Mayo

Article from the NEWS, Friendship, Tennessee, 11/10/1977

Following the doctrinal dispute of the members of the church in the 1890’s which resulted in the withdrawal from the church of one of the factions, that group built another church at Maury City, which was also called Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church. In July of 1901, W.M. King sold an acre of land on what is now Highway 88 to J.F. Carter, J.B. Ezell, and J.M. Whitenton, the trustees of the church, stating that a church was to be built on the land to be the property of the members who would hold to the doctrine of the church and would oppose all new innovations of doctrine or practice. Sam L. Lomax was the pastor of this church from 1897 to 1919, during which year the church burned. By that time, there were so few members in the area that the decision was made not to rebuild on that site, and the lot was sold to J.R. Burton (Crockett Co. Deed Bk. 6, p. 519).

In 1919 H.H. Lanier gave a tract of about 2 acres in District 9, about 5 miles northeast of Crockett Mills, ½ mile off the Nance’s Schoolhouse-Eaton road, and about 3 ½ miles north of Nance’s School: the cemetery measured about three-eighths of an acre. A church with a seating capacity of about 180 was built there, and was still known as Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church. John W. Kirley served as pastor of this church from 1919 to 1935; in 1935 the church, with a membership of 23, became defunct.

From the foregoing, it is seen that, for a period of almost forty years, there were two Mill Creek Primitive Baptist churches in existence in Crockett County at the same time.

……….

DAN C. JOHNSON AND THE COUNTY LINE CHURCH 
By Maxine Mayo 
From the News, Friendship, Tennessee, November 10, 1977

After the above information had been compiled, the following item was located: Rev. Dan c. Johnson. Son of Isaac Johnson, in a letter to the Alamo Weekly Guide of Aug. 25, 1916, stated that, as a boy, he attended “old County Line meeting house, which stood by where Elder J.H. Farrow’s residence is located.” He said that in one sermon, the preacher denounced playing marbles as being a worldly, and, therefore, evil activity and, at the end of the sermon, concluded about the players that, “ The whole couple will go to hell like a whirlygust of woodpeckers”. 

---

Contributed by Vicki Thomas Annico

This is a letter that was with my grandmother, Mary Rachel GEAN GILMAN’S belongings. My mother had this and passed it on to me. Maybe someone can add to the history of this Church. My surnames in the letter are GILMAN, GEAN, MAHON and PERRY.

Shady Grove Church, – Out of which came Johnson Grove Church

Organized June 13, 1855 with two members, a Brother WILDER and Simon D. SPIGHT. Preachers assisting in the organization, Samuel H. BETHEL, David JORDAN and Z.N. MORRELL. Brother BETHEL was the first Pastor. Simon SPIGHT , first clerk.

In August 2 were received by letter, Ann NUNN and Alsey NUNN and Issac KOONCE by experience.

Almost at every meeting, they called “mourners” and often the clerk would say, “Many came forward”.

In August 1836 Zilpha NUNN and her sister Nancy NUNN joined by letter.

They observed the Lord’s supper 3 times a year regularly.

Many of the slaves of David NUNN, Great Grandfather of I.B. TIGRETT were received and Baptized into the fellowship of the Church.

Pa (Franklin Epperson MAHON) joined the Church on Sunday, Sept. 12, 1837 and on Sept. 17 was Baptized in the Forked Deer River at Eaton by Pastor Bro. BETHEL.

During a revival in November 1837, Aunt Clemenda (MAHON), another white woman, and a negro slave joined at the same time and were Baptized by HALLIBURTON.

Martha MAHON joined the Church. First Sunday in March 1838. I think she married John MAYFIELD and went to Texas with Uncle Bently(MAHON).

At the meeting in July, Brother F.E. MAHON (Franklin Epperson MAHON) came to Church and confessed he had done wrong in quarreling with Bro. SPIGHT and was forgiven.

Elizabeth MAHON(Aunt Bessie evidently) joined the Church third Sunday in October 1839.

On third Sunday in October 1940, Eliza Jane MAHON or Elizabeth Jane MAHON(hard to read) joined the Church and was Baptized Saturday before first Sunday in December.(It says 1940, but could be 1840??)

Bently MAHON joined the Church on third Sunday in March 1843 and was Baptized the following day.

I am to get the other old Church book from Hill BURNETT and will follow up this and let you have the data.

I never knew before where Mat (MAHON) got her name, Martha Clemenda, did you know?

NOTE, We have greatly enjoyed Ruth’s(GILMAN) visit, only wish she could have stayed longer. I know you have missed her. She is a fine girl and we are fond of her.

Bob MAHON 
Who would be Robert PERRY MAHON. 

---

Contributed by Karen Martin