{"id":1940,"date":"2012-11-15T22:09:26","date_gmt":"2012-11-16T03:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington2\/?page_id=1940"},"modified":"2015-01-18T13:35:30","modified_gmt":"2015-01-18T18:35:30","slug":"union-church-of-christ","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/records-data\/churches-of-washington-county\/union-church-of-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"Union Church of Christ"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva;font-size: medium;color: #0000ff\">THE CHURCH<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">The Beginning<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">The Union Church of Christ is listed in John T. Brown&#8217;s Churches of Christ as organized in 1836.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Although there are no extant records of Union to prove its date of organization the records of nearby Cherokee Creek Baptist Church, dated March 5, 1853, indicate that early members of Union Church came from the Baptist ranks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Isaac Hartsell&#8217;s mill was the scene of early church meetings. S.H. Millard held an early meeting there; the date of this is likely 1845-46, during his trips in company with David M. Buck. [Mrs. L.W. McCowan]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">The Land<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Washington County Deed Book number 45, page 438 records that Joseph Hunter and Jefferson Perkins sold to Absolem Scott, Jacob Hyder, and Isaac Hartsell, Trustees for the Church of Christ, 3\/4 acre of land for $6. This deed was witnessed by Madison Booth and DNF Peoples. The purchase was made on August 6, 1856, and recorded in Jonesborough, Tennessee, on May 1, 3:00 p.m., 1876.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">Log Church and Schoolhouse<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">The first log church was built in 1856 and stood to east of where the old brick church stands today.[Roxie Burnett] Jefferson Perkins gave the poplar logs for this log church, which was used for both church and schoolhouse. [Mrs. L.W. McCowan] The people came with broad axes and donated much of the labor for constructing the good sized rectangular building.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">The schoolhouse was named Union as scribed on Virgie D. Story Keplinger&#8217;s diploma dated February 23, 1905, and as told to her grandson, Mickey Keplinger. This school is believed to be the same log school that was located across the road from the old brick church, referred to as Union Grove by the United States Office of Education.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">Brick Church<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">The old brick church was started in 1876 with handmade brick made by Isaac Hartsell, Jacob Hartsell, John Denton, Lorenza Bennett, Jack Scott, Joseph Green, L.A. (Lawson Alexander) Hicks, William J. Price, Thomas Harvey, Dock Green, and other church members. Mrs. Lizzie (Beckett) Story, Miss Mary Scott, and two other women contributed money for the windows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">It is believed that the building of this brick structure took several years as each brick was hand molded, and the walls are 16 inches thick. When the Farmer&#8217;s Alliance met at Union in 1881, the belfry had not been added to the church building as indicated in the photograph of the group made that day. [John Hicks]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">The Parsonage<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">In 1959 the school house building across the road was moved to a site on the Bill Bennett Road for a private residence, thus making room for a church parsonage which had become necessary if Union Church was to have a full-time minister. Donated labor and materials kept the building cost as low as possible. A modest brick structure with two bedrooms, bath, living room and kitchen-dining area, and a full size concrete basement was built. The basement was later used for meetings, fellowship gatherings and extra classrooms. The first occupants were part-time minister and student at Milligan College, James V. Fisher and his young wife, Nancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">The New Church<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">The need for a larger and more modern worship facility began to surface in 1959, and property adjoining the church building was purchased from the Della Cole family in 1962. The foundation had been laid and the walls started when on Saturday night, February 17, 1963, a fire damaged the rear and basement of the old brick church. Although shocked and bewildered, the congregation was determined to continue worshipping somewhere as a group. Permission was granted to them to meet in the Cherokee Elementary School by the school authorities for as long as was needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">The first service in the building was on Sunday, July 28, 1963. The cast iron bell from the old church belfry was removed and installed in the new building and was tolled regularly on Sundays to summon the community to worship services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">In time the old church building was restored and remodeled and is being used today for the Union Youth for Christ activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">The church cemetery is maintained with modern equipment, and upkeep is provided by families of deceased loved ones buried there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff\">CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1835<\/strong> Union Church was listed in the John T. Brown&#8217;s Churches of Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1836<\/strong> Union Cemetery was established<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1852<\/strong> Cherokee Creek Baptist expelled 11 members for uniting with the Campbellites at Union.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1856<\/strong> Union Church of Christ Trustees, Absolem Scott, Jacob Hyder, and Isaac Hartsell, purchased 3\/4 acre of land from Joseph Hunter and Jefferson Perkins for $6. First log church was built at Union.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1869<\/strong> Union hosted the East Tennessee and S.W. Virginia Co-operation, now known as East Tennessee Convention of Christian Churches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1876<\/strong> Property purchased in 1856 was recorded in Jonesborough.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1878<\/strong> Annual meeting was held at Union Church on Cherokee Creek August 30.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1881<\/strong> Farmer&#8217;s Alliance meeting was held at Union.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1888<\/strong> Union Church hosted the East Tennessee and S.W. Virginia Co-operation: N.E. Hyder was Chariman and C.H. Price was Secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1893<\/strong> Elijah Burress and wife sold a tract of land to School Directors of the 8th District; next to the west side of the old brick church and also crossing the road and including the land where the parsonage is located today.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1897<\/strong> Edna Denton taught school at the old Union School.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1900<\/strong> D.J. Fine and Jacob Hartsell were members of the County Court of Washington County representing the 8th District. Jesse Dulaney, David Leach, and Frank Andes were the School Directors for the 8th District. W.M. Denton was the teacher at Union School in 1900 at a salary of $33 per year.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1904<\/strong> Union Church again hosted the Annual Convention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1913<\/strong> Union Church Trustees, T.C. Harvey, J.H. Jones, and S.E. Feathers, purchased property from the School Directors of Washington County for $25; property being the same as conveyed by Elijah Burress and wife in 1893, known as the Union School Lot. Union Church Trustees purchased 3\/8 acre of land behind the old brick church, southeast corner of graveyard from Smith and wife, Liza Jane Wilson, for a sum of $30.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1930<\/strong> Union was host for a large Tent Meeting.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1935<\/strong> Union Church of Christ celebrated its Centennial on July 15.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1937<\/strong> Five hundred people visited Union Church and Cemetery on Memorial Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1950<\/strong> Board of School Directors sold the New Era School, and the land reverted back to Union Trustees.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1959<\/strong> Union Church of Christ parsonage was built.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1962<\/strong> O.T. Burris, Smith Sparks, and John Hicks, trustees for Union Church of Christ, purchased property where the church building stands today from Della Cole, Harry Cole, Aileen Cole, Emmett Cole, and wife, Alene. September, 1962. Ground breaking for the new church building began.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1963<\/strong> Fire broke out at the old brick church on February 16 with the Jonesborough Fire Department responding. July 28, 1963, the first service was held in the new building. Women&#8217;s mission work organized.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1966<\/strong> Church library fund started.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1967<\/strong> Library dedicated on June 25, 1967.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1968<\/strong> Congregation adopted the motto, &#8220;CLEAN THE SLATE IN &#8217;68&#8221;, and a mortgage free note burning service was held on December 29, 1968.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1969<\/strong> Communication system between the church office and the parsonage was installed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>1980<\/strong> Youth Group began retreats.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1984<\/strong> New carpet was installed; pews were upholstered; Fellowship Hall paneled; new roof was installed on church.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong> 1985<\/strong> A new baptistry scene was painted by member, Barbara Timbs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">Union&#8217;s 150th Celebration in October 1985.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff\">EARLY MEMBERS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong>Pioneers of the Church<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><a href=\"#Beckett\">James M. Beckett<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><a href=\"#Boreing\">John Boreing<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><a href=\"#Feathers\">Samuel E. Feathers<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><a href=\"#Hartsell\">Isaac W. Hartsell<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">Among the early members of Union Church were:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\"> John and Daisy Boring<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\"> William Denton and family\/span&gt;<br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Samuel E. Feathers.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Isaac Hartsell and family<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Jefferson Perkins&#8217; wife and daughters, Eliza and Hannah<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Thomas Scott and family<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Absolem Scott,\/span&gt;<br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\">Uncle Billie Walters<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">Early elders were J.I. Scott, J.M. Beckett, and Isaac Hartsell, all of whom preached.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Partial List of Early Members, 1913-1926<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">\u00a01913<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-71\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-71\">\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">G.S. Allen<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Davis Dunn<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Jewell McPeak<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Ed Allen<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Mary Dunn<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Laura McPeak<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Embrey Allen<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Herbert Dulaney<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Hannah Murry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Fronia Allen<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Artie Feathers<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">John Murry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Roxie Allen<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fronia Feathers<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">John Saylor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">William E. Allen<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Samuel E. Feathers<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">A.L. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Jason Andes<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sarah Feathers<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Ada Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">John A. Andes<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Alvin Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Alley R. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">W.F. Andes<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Callie Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Anna L. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Walter Andes<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">G.W. Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Edward E. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">A.C. Benfield<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Ina May Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Franklin Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Amanda J. Benfield<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Mollie Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Horace Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">D.C. Benfield<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Noma Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Jack Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-14\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Lafayette Benfield<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sarah Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Louisa A. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-15\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Laura Benfield<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">George I. Hamit<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">M.E. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-16\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">William Benfield<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">A.L. Hartsell<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Maria Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-17\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Anna L. Bennett<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Isaac Hartsell<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Melba Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-18\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Joseph Bennett<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Stella Hartsell<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Parris V. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-19\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Lonansa Bennett<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bogia Harvey<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Rhoda Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-20\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Virgie Bennett<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Corintha Harvey<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">William Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-21\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">William B. Bennett<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Eddie Harvey<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">William C. Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-22\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Bertha Boring<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Emma Harvey<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Carl Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-23\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Daisy Boring<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Ida S. Harvey<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Charley Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-24\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Harry W. Boring<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Thomas Harvey<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Earl Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-25\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Effie Buck<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Nancy Hicks<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Ellen Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-26\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Ettie Buck<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Ollie Hicks<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Ina Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-27\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">George Buck<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Alva Holly<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Neal Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-28\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Marietta Buck<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Clifton Holly<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Ray Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-29\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Minnie Buck<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Jas. R. Holly<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Rebecca Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-30\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Nathaniel Buck<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Fannie Holly<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Rosa Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-31\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Minnie Jones Cargille<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bessie Jones<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Virgie Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-32\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Elbert Cole<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Caroline Jones<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Wm. A. Story<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-33\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Fayette Cole<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Dora Jones<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Mrs. Jacob Tipton<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-34\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Noah Cole<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Dr. J.H. Jones<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Fronia Young<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-35\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Rachel Cole<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Sam E. Keplinger<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Mina Lane Walters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-36\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Laura Davis<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Isaac Laws<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-37\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Axie Denton<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Matilda Laws<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-38\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">David B. Denton<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Rhoda A. Laws<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-39\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Edna Denton<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Willie Laws<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-40\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Emma Denton<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-41\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Estel Denton<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-42\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Jane Denton<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-43\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Maggie Denton<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-71 from cache -->\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;font-size: small\">1914<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\"> Louisa Andes<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\"> Arie Buck<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\"> Fletcher Cole<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Gilbert Hartsell<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;font-size: small\"> 1915<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\"> John Jinkins<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\"> Mable Jinkins<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Rebrca Jinkins<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Bill Greene<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Charley Laws<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Mary Law<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;font-size: small\">1916<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Carmon Allen<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Mrs. Coy Bennett<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Guy Hill<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Magie Hill, Sr.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">William H. Jones<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: small;color: #ff0000\">1917\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Mary Andes<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Mrs. Wallace Boring<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Ollie Burris<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Pearl Cole<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Mrs. W.I. Geisler<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Jessie Grubbs<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">John Harvey.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Robert Huffine, Jr.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Hazel Jinkins<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">J.J. Jones<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Mrs. J.J. Jones<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Edith Laws<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Mrs. Jack Scott<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Minnie Scott<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Hazel Shields<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Myrtle Story<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Mrs. A.R. Scott<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;font-size: small\">1919<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Howard Allen<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Pearl Benfield<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Oddie Denton Campbell<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Willie (Bill) Denton<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Levi Dunn<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Isaac Farren &amp; wife<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">? Ghouge &amp; wife<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Earl Harvey<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Sarah Harvey<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Hanah Hicks<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Gernie Jinkins<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Peircie Laws<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Clyde Leach<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Nile Leach<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Frank Luttrell &amp; wife<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">? Taylor<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Evert Stor<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;font-size: small\">1920<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Cordie Scott Hartmen<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">S.W. Shields, Jr.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">1926<\/span><\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-72\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-72\">\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Ray Allen<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Ethel Huffine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">W.F. Anders<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Marion Huffine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Andy Buck<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">John Harvey<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Evert Cole<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Bennie Jinkins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Harry Cole<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Violet Pore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Velma Cole<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Mary Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Clide Dunn<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Vena Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Fannie Dunn<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Verlin Scott<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Mrs.Gergie Evans<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Ada Bess Shields<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Sam Evans<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Burnette Shields<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-11\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Oveda Feathers<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Milton Vance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-12\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Ella Hartsell<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Mary Vance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-13\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Lena Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Aline Walters<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-14\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Myrtle Greene<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-72 from cache --><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: small;color: #ff0000\">1929<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Elta Clemons<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Blaine Greene<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Preston Greene<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Tom Greene<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Cling Denton<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Will Evans<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Venor Huffine<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Charlie Martin<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Grace Scott<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">Jim Walls<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px;font-size: small\">John Whaley &amp; wife<\/span><br \/>\n<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;color: #0000ff;font-size: medium\"><strong>SELECTED MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">JAMES M.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0000\"><a name=\"Beckett\"><\/a>BECKETT<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0James M. Beckett was born in 1830 in Floyd County, VA. In 1861 he and his parents, William and Lucy LeSeuerer Beckett, moved to a farm in the Sinking Creek Valley, south of Johnson City, They moved to the Dry Creek Settlement near Embreeville where he operated a sawmill and cabinet shop. Dates of these moves are unknown.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0As far as can be established, they were members of the old log church at Union Church of Christ. Mr. Beckett was one of the first elders of this church. He was a minister, school teacher, music teacher, saw mill operator, cabinet and furniture maker. All of his sons were carpenters and\/or woodworkers. His daughters were homemakers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0James M. Beckett and Frances Holloway Beckett had eight children: Eli, Charles William, Henry, Rowena, Elizabeth, Lucy, James, and John.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0Rev. Beckett was a pioneer and one of the charter members of the First Church in Johnson City in 1871. He helped to establish and minister First Christian Church in Johnson City and Bethel Church of Christ in Jonesborough, TN.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0He died in 1911 and is buried in Union Church of Christ Cemetery.\u00a0&#8211;by Carolyn Beckett White<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">JOHN <a name=\"Boreing\"><\/a>BOREING<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0John Boreing was born in Botetourt County, VA, on February 25, 1843. He was the son of Montgomery P. Boreing. He apparently moved to Tennessee sometime in the 1860&#8217;s.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0He served as a Magistrate in the latter part of the 1800&#8217;s. On November 13, 1869, he married Jane Hartsell, daughter of Isaac Hartsell. They had eleven children: Daisy, Bertha, Nelle, Sue, Wallace, Cora, Maggie, Ralph, Harry, Kate, and Anna.\u00a0\u00a0&#8211;by David Boreing<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">SAMUEL ELCANEY <a name=\"Feathers\"><\/a>FEATHERS<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Samuel Elcaney Feathers was born February 23, 1812. He was one of 16 children of John L. Feathers and Sarah Barbara Shorrett Feathers. John was born in 1783 in Virginia and migrated to Sullivan Co. TN.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">Samuel married Dorcas Watson, and they made their home about five miles northeast of Johnson City, near Highway 11-E on the west bank of the Watauga River. They had five children: Isaac, Irene Elizabeth, Samuel, John, and Wesley.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0Samuel Elcaney Feathers is listed among the earliest members of the Union congregation. His wife died on April 1, 1897, and he passed away on July 14, 1898. Both are buried in the Union Church of Christ Cemetery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">ISAAC WASHINGTON <a name=\"Hartsell\"><\/a>HARTSELL<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0Isaac Washington Hartsell was born July 4, 1821, on Cherokee Creek, the son of Jacob and Nancy Million Hartsell. Jacob served in the War of 1812. The Hartsell family came from Germany and spelled their name Hartzell until they were in America<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">Isaac farmed, ran a mill, and preached during his entire life. It was told that he would have his hearers laughing one moment and crying the next. He was one of the trustees who purchased the property in 1856, where the old brick church stands today. He and his son, Jacob, helped build the old brick church with handmade bricks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">The first service of Union Church was held in the old Hartsell&#8217;s mill on Cherokee Road. Isaac was one of the first elders of the Union Church. He died on February 10, 1876, and was buried in the Hartsell&#8217;s square at Union Cemetery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0His daughter, Mrs. Dora Hartsell Jones, widow of Dr. James Hardin Jones, joined Union Church in 1874 during the ministry of a Rev. Star. Dr. Jones joined in 1868 under Bro. Shelor and was baptized by A.M. Ferguson.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;padding-left: 30px\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;font-size: medium\">DEED<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">6 August 1856, Washington Co. TN Deed Book 45, p. 438<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Joseph Hunter and Jefferson Perkins sell to Absalom Scott, Jacob Hyder and Isaac Hartsell&#8211;trustees for the Church of Christ and their successors in office for the consideration of six dollars, a certain lot of land lying in Washington County, state of Tennessee on the waters of Cherokee Creek containing three-fourth acre, more or less, and bounded as follows (to wit);<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">\u00a0Beginning at a black walnut, corner to said Hunter and Perkins, south thirty-four West five poles and six links to a poplar, South forty-seven Ease eighteen poles to a planted rock, South forty-one West eighteen poles to a planted rock, South fifty-nine West two poles and eighteen links to the Beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">To have and to hold unto the above named trustees and their successors in office forever. We the said Hunter and Perkins to hereby convenant with the said trustees that we are lawfully seized and possessed of said land, have a good right to convey it and that the same is unincumbered. We the said Hunter and Perkins bind ourselves, our heirs and representatives to warrant and forever defend the title to the above land unto the said trustees and their successors in office against the lawful claims of all persons whatever&#8211;Given under our hand and seals this 6th day of August 1856.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Witnesses: Madison Booth, D.W.F. Peoples<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small\">The Union deed was taken about 20 years later to be recorded on 1 May 1876. By then the brick church had been started. Three persons in the transactions had died: Jefferson Perkins, Isaac Hartsell and Absalom Scott. Trustee Jacob Hyder had moved to Mitchell County, NC. Witness and surveyor Madison Booth had moved to Texas. Only one witness remained, David W.F. Peoples who had moved from Cherokee to Jonesboro. He appeared with Union elders before J.F. Gresham, County Court Clerk who told them to obtain additional proof. The following was entered below the deed. Book 45, p. 438:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">State of Tennessee, Washington County. Personally appearing before me J.F. Gresham, Clerk of County Court of said county: D.W.F. Peoples, one of the subscribing witnesses to the within deed with whom I am personally acquainted and who after being first duly sworn deposed and said that Joseph Hunter and Jefferson Perkins the bargainors acknowledged that they executed the same on the date it bears for the purpose therein expressed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Dr. E. Armstong and Nathan Shipley, citizens of said county came before me and after being duly sworn deposed and said that they were well acquainted with the handwriting of Madison Booth, the subscribing witness to said deed and that his signature thereto attached is his genuine signature.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: small\">Witness my hand at office this 1st of May 1876. J.F. Gresham, Clerk. Originally entered in Book C, p 76, re-copied by C.R. Jones, County Register to Vol. 45, page 438.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THE CHURCH The Beginning The Union Church of Christ is listed in John T. Brown&#8217;s Churches of Christ as organized in 1836. Although there are no extant records of Union <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/records-data\/churches-of-washington-county\/union-church-of-christ\/\">Continue Reading &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"parent":440,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1940","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1940"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1940\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8946,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1940\/revisions\/8946"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tngenweb.org\/washington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}