Dumplin Baptist Church Minutes, 1797-1860

Part 20 of 24 Parts

Transcribed from the WPA Typescript and Submitted by Al Baumbach
Research Tip: This is posted (with extraordinary thanks to Al) as a finding aid.  It is a transcription of a transcription.
Even the most diligent transcriber is subject to error, so it is imperative that you consult the original document.

January 27th 1849 - The Church met & after divine Service by Rev. J. S. Coram proceeded to business - 1st. - took up the case of sister Henry & after some investigation the matter laid over till next meeting - 2nd. - took up the case of Br. John Atchley & after hereing the report of the Bros. that were appointed to cite him to attend meeting the Church proceeded to exclude him from her fellowship for making and vending ardent Spirits to the injury of Society contrary to a resolution (p.179) adopted by the Church - 3rd. - Br. Jas. L. Haggard requested letters of dismission from himself & wife Sarah an it is granted him - 4th. - The Church unanimously chose Rev. John S. Caram as her pastor for another year. E. Cates - Clk.

February 1849 - Seams not to notice. E. Cates - Clk.

March 3rd 1849 - The Church met & after prayer by the Moderator proceded to business - 1st. - Took up the reference concerning Sister Henry and after hereing the Statement of the Committee who tryed the difficulty between the Sisters Susannah & Ann Henry & Br. Joseph Gaut & he reported to the Church that they had under consideration the manner & spirit in which they, the Sisters brought up the charges against Br. Gaut & for certain reasons excused them from any censure whatever - 2nd. - Set apart our May meeting for our Sacrament and called for business - Rev. C. C. Tipton, D. P. Morris & H. W. Taylor to participate in the same and the Clerk to notify them in writing. E. Cates - Clk.

April 1849 - April meeting passed off without any business. E. Cates - Clk.

May 5th 1849 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to business -1st. - Rev. C. C. Tipton informed the Church that he had got into a difficulty with Rev. Jame Kannon and asked the Church for the Certificate.

May 5th 1849 - Dumplin Church in Session - This is to certify that Rev. James Kannon in connection with T. W. Harris never did carry out a protracted or Camp meeting at Dumplin Church neither did Brother in connection with any other brother - Br. Harris (p.180) never preached but one Sermon at Dumplin Church - Br. Kannon preached two or three times during the progress of the Camp meeting at the time of the Association at Dumplin Church - he left on Sunday & returned on Wednesday - preached on Thursday and left again before the meeting closed. Signed by order of the Church. E. Cates - Clk.

June 1849 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. - for some cause the treasury asks till next meeting to make out his report which was granted. E. Cates - Clk.

July 7th 1849 - The Church met and after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. - took up reference of last meeting and Resolved by the Church that the treasury hereafter report annually insted of Simi annually and read out no names only those that contribute - 2nd. - Ruthy Pearce requested a letter of dismission and granted - 3rd. - Br. James A. Slover asked leave of the Church to exercise his gift publickly which granted to him anywhere in the bounds of the Church - 3rd. - took up a charge against Br. James Clendenen for having committed an assault & batttery and as he was absent it was laid over till next meeting & appointed Br. Hugh Henry to cite him to attend the same. E. Cate - Clk.

August 4th 1849 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. - took up the reference against Br. Jas. Clendenen & he came forward and give the Chruch satisfactory acknowledgements for which the Church forgive him (p.181) and restored him to fellowship again - 2nd. - Rebecca Jones requested letters of dismission for herself and children Viz. July H. Jones, David Jones, Mary Jones & Margaret Jones - 3rd. - Rebecca Linsey, Maryan Linsey & Jame Pate also requested letters of dismission and granted all for the purpose of constituting a Church in the vicinity of Sister Jones South of French Broad river. E. Cates - Clk.

September 21st 1849 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to business - 1st. - Appointed Brs. Micail Cates & Charles Elder as our deligates to the Tennessee Baptist Association to be held at the Central Camp meeting Ground, Sevier County, Tennessee to commence on fryday before the 1st. Saturday in October next - 2nd. - Nancy Hudson & John P. Cooper request letters of dismission and granted, also John Thomas requested a letter of dismission and granted on Tuesday night - Rec'd Katherine Povey by experience - on Wednesday Rec'd Mary Douglass Sr. by expr. at night rec'd by expr. Martha Clifton & Martha Elder on Thursday - Rec'd by expr. Bradley K. Cates - John Brown & David Statem on fryday Rec'd by exp. Jas. J. Brown, Alex. Walker, Jas. C. Cates, Margaret Ann Bryan, Thos. T. Brown, Mary Douglas, Andy Langford & Abeiller Statem on Sunday dismissed Martha McClary also Abraham Slover & wife Mary on Sunday night Julyan Miller, Katherine Zekel, Rebecca Manard, Daniel Manard & Sarah J. Anderson was approved for Baptism - This ended our Camp meeting.

November 1849 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to choose Rev. J. S. Caram for our pastor for the ensuing year - dismissed J. Thomas Ellison by letter & Charlotte Clendenen by letter. E. Cates - Clk.

(p.182)

December 1849 - No account of any business. E. Cates - Clk.

January 4th 1850 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. - Chose Br. M. Cates Moderator - as our pastor was absent - 2nd. - Br. Jas. A. Slover requested a letter of dismission & granted - 3rd. - Br. Joseph Gaut resigned the office treasury & appointed R. R. Bryan as treasury and Br. Gaut have till next meeting to make his report for last year - 4th. - Elizabeth Knight requested a letter of dismission & granted. E. Cates - Clk.

February 2nd 1850 - The Church met and after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. - Rec'd the late treasury's report - 2nd. - Excluded Sister Nancy Newman for leaving us by joining the Mediam party of Baptist - 3rd. - Took up a charge against Br. Wm. Rollens for obtaining a letter of dismission & holding it up for several years & appointed R. R. Bryan & D. L. Jones to cite him to attend our next meeting - 4th. - Rec'd petition from the Alder Branch Church desiring the Church too send three members of her boody to their March meeting to settle a charge against Rev. Wm. Ellis & appointed Elisha Cates, Michael Cates & Charles Elder - 5th. - took up a charge against Madison Cates for moving off out of the bounds of the Church without lifting a letter of Dismission and at the same time neglecting Church meeting for twelve months or moore, and appointed Br. Thos. Bryan & Joseph Gaut to cite him to attend our next meeting (p.183) - 6th. - Br. Samuel Henry request a letter of dismission and granted. E. Cates - Clk.

March 2nd 1850 - The Church met & after Worship proceded - 1st. - Rec'd Thomas Langston & John Atchley by recantation - 2nd. - took up the case of Wm. Rollens and laid it over till next meeting - 3rd. - Br. Wm. Henry request a letter of dismission and granted - 4th. - John Atchley & wife Pemerah, Thomas Langston & wife Louisa & Susan Atchley request letters of dismission and granted - 4th. - Rec'd a petition of the Rocky Valley Church requesting the Church to send her three members of her body to and the said Rocky Valley Church to investigate the charges that N. Bowen was excluded by the Mossy Creek Church which is granted on condition that she go to the Mossy Creek Church and obtain leave of her to do so. E. Cates - Clk.

April 1st 1850 - The Church met and after Worship proceeded to business - 1st. - Opened a door for the reception of members none offered - 2nd. - took up the reference of February term against Br. W. Rollens and after investigation had on the matter laid over till next meeting. E. Cates - Chruch Clk.

(p.184)

May 5th 1850 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. - Took up the reference concerning Br. Wm. Rollens and laid it over till next meeting - 2nd. - took up the reference concerning Br. Madison Cates and he failded to attend & from the report of the Committee the Church proceeds to exclude him from her fellowship for neglect of duty - 3rd. - Sisters Bertha Boulton & Katharine McCormack request letters of dismission & granted. E. Cates

June 1st 1850 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to business - 1st. - took up the reference against Br. Wm. Rollens and laid it over till next meeting - 2nd. - Br. Loftis Henry & wife Susannah, his son John, 3 blacks Viz. Gemima, Amey & Dafny - Mary Laning, Wm. Chambers & wife and his daughter Malicy & Amy Chambers & Omey Knight also requested letters of dismission & granted. E. Cates - Clk.

July 6th 1850 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to business - 1st. - took up the reference concerning Br. Wm. Rollens and he being present made a satisfactory acknowledgment and he was restored to the fellowship of the Church again - 2nd. - took up a charge against Isaac V. Hoozer for making & vending of ardent Spirits which is contrary to a resolution adopted by the Church and he being present acknowledged gilty to the charge and the matter laid over till next meeting - 3rd. - James Clendenen & wife Martha requested letters of dismission & granted - 4th. - Sarah Moore Now Callen (p.185) returned her letter of dismission and she was received - Alex. Walker requests a letter of dismission & granted. E. Cates - Clk.

August 3rd 1850 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to business - 1st. - Rec'd Katharine Rollens - 2nd. - took up the reference of last meeting against T. V. Hoozer & he not being present but sent a request that the Church lay it over till next meeting which was agreed to - 3rd. - Appoints Elisha Cates & R. R. Bryan her delligates to the General Association to be held at the Mossy Creek Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee. E. Cates - Clk.

September 7th 1850 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to business - 1st. - took up the reference of Br. J. V. Hoozer and he being present to answer for himself and acknowledged that he was sorry for having made and vending of ardent Spirits and that he had quit it and did not intend to follow it any more for which the Church forgive him and restored him to full fellowship again - 2nd. - Mary Thomas and his daughter Elizabeth requested letters of dismission and granted - 3rd. - Appointed Michael Cates, John Douglass & D. L. Jones as her deligates to the Tennessee Association to be held at the Beverdam Church, Knox County, Tennessee - 4th. - The letters to sd. Association and rec'd and ordered to be signed. E. Cates - Clk.

September 22nd 1850 - The Church being convenient was called to order & Elizabeth Douglass requested a letter of dismission and granted as she wanted to move off before another meeting. E. Cates - Clk.

(p.186)

December 1850 - December meeting passed off without any business, owing to the inclemency of the wether there was but few and no pastor. E. Cates - Clk.

January 4th 1851 - The Church met and after divine Service proceeded to business - 1st. - took up a charge against John Bowman for not attending Church meeting and for some evil reports to such as drinking so much ardent Spirits and using unbecoming language and appointed Wm. R. Underwood and Lea Cates to cite him to attend next meeting - 2nd. - Chose John S. Caram for pastor as long as it may be for the glory of God and the good of his Church and his cause. Elisha Cates - Church Clk.

February 1st 1851 - The Church met but owing to the inclemency of the wether of some other cause - our pastor failed to attend and several prayers being offered up - put off the reference of last meeting till next meeting. E. Cates - Clk.

March Term 1851 - The Church met and laid over all business because the pastor was absent - P.S. - Br. Charles Elder was appointed moderator but would not do any business for the above reason. E. Cates - Clk.

[Note from WPA Editor:  Seems to be some missing pages.]

(p.185)

Subject without leave of the Church and if the Moderator wishes to speak he shall appoint some Brother to fill the chair. - 10th. - If any person departs from the Subject while speaking the Moderator shall call him to order - But should the Moderator fail to do so then any member can call for order & if necessary have the vote of the Church to know whether the Speaker is out of this Church of order or not - 11th - No application shall be used in time of Church Session only Brother or Sister nor shall there be any unbecoming remarks made by any brother who may be speaking - 12th. - The Moderator shall not make mooves nor seconds - motions while acting as Moderator he shall only present such Business as ought to be attended to by the Church & give any instruction necessary & then wait for some members to move & second - 13th - The Moderator shall be entitled to vote if he chose to do so provided he is a member of the Church - 14th. - He shall decide all questionsof order & decorum and his decision shall be final unless an appeal be taken from his decision to the Church by at least two members - 15th. - The Moderator may perticipate in the discussions of any question after naming some member to fill the Church - 16th. - The Moderator shall appoint all Committees with advise or consent of the Church - 17th. - Each Committee shall appoint their own Chairman unless circumstances shall require that it shall be differently made. (p.188) - 18th. - It shall be the duty of the Clerk to keep fair record of all the proceedings of the Church at their regular Church meetings & it shall be his duty to read the same when called to do so and he shall keep & preserve all pappers belonging to the same - 19th. - Any member shall have the privilege of presenting any petition, memorial or proposition in writing or of makind any motion in Church provided the same have some relation to the business of the Church & provided also that the same shall be done in a respectful manner - 20th. - Any member who may wish to speak or introduce any subject of proposition which may be under consideration shall first rise from his seat & respectfully address the Moderator & strictly confine himself to the question under consideration - he shall use becoming language and avoid personal reflections - 21st. - No person shall speak more than once on any one subject until all the members who indicate a wish to speak have spoke once not shall any member speak more then twice on any one subject without leave of the Church. - 22nd. - No member shallbe interrupted when speaking except he be out of order and then he may be called to order by the Moderator or any member & desired to procede in order - 23rd. - And but one member shall speak at a time. - 24th. - If two or more members shall address the Moderator at the same time he shall decide which shall speak first.

(p.189)

April 5th 1851 - The Church met & after divine Service proceeded to business - 1st. - approved Sarah Elder for baptism - 2nd. - Took up the references of Jany. meeting on a charge against John Bowman for neglect of duty and other evil reports, such as drinking too much ardent Spirits and using unbecoming language and the Church being satisfied of his guilt excludes him from her fellowship - 3rd. - R. R. Bryan the treasury made his report for 1850 - and was received and resigned his office, whereupon John M. Elder was chosen to fill the vacancy - 4th. - Rec'd by Baptism Hetty O. Alderson, Sarah Elder, Rebecca Janes Douglass, Arphy Jane Scarlett, Carline Morris, Isaac Brown & Chilnessa Jane Cates.

May 3rd 1851 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. - Opened the door for the reception of members and rec'd any kite by letter - 2nd. - there was a motion made to protract Br. Michael Cates to the ordination of the Ministry and after som consultation on the subject the Church agreed to promote him and send him forth and set forth and set apart Monday for the day of ordination & Rev. Wm. Bellew & Wm. Ellis together with our pastor J. S. Corum being present was called to the work - 3rd. - Rec'd Harvey A. Thomas & Martha Jane Rollens baptism Monday 5 day Inst. according to the arrangement of the Church - On Saturday met & after prayerby the Pastor proceded to the ordination of Br. Michael Cates by the (p.190) imposition of hands aforesaid presbyter Viz. Joseph Coram, Wm. Billew & Wm. Ellis to the Ministry in the presents of the Church. E. Cates - Clk.

June 7th 1851 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. Opened a door for the reception of members and Rec'd Granville Kite by enrollment having come from the Anti-Mission Church. E. Cates - Clk.

July 4th 1851 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business 1st. Received to call the following help for the purpose of holding our Camp meeting which commences on fryday night before the 3rd. Saturday in Sept. Next Viz. Early Minett, J. Manning, Wm. Ellis, Wm. Burnett & R. Atchley - E. Cates - Ch. Clerk

Sept. 19th 1851 - Our camp meeting convened on fryday night according to the appointment & on Saturday appointed Elisha Cates, Michael Cates & Thomas Bryan her deligates to the Tennessee Association to be held with the Church at Ellyjoy commencing on fryday before the 1st Saturday in Oct. Next - 2 - John W. Bryan & Sarah K. Henry Request letters of dismission and granted. 3rd. Resolved that the Church petition the Tennessee Association to remember Elders Richard Wood, Elihjah Rogers, Duke Kimbrough, Lamar Jones & Wm. H. Hodges by appointing Committees (p.191) to raise subscriptions and collect funds for the erection of suitable Monument to the memory of the above named departed brethren Rec'd Sarah An Wheelock by letter by Baptism - Elizabeth An Alderson, Granville Newman, Barsheba Newman, Sarah A. Manard, John Lowery, Robt. M. Lowery, Morgan S. Lowery, Thos. Liles Sr., Margaret Miller, Henry Miller, John W. Miller, Ahaz Newman, Wm. C. Newman, Ruthy E. Langford, Angeline Brown, Mary French, Lefford French, Michael Cates, Wm. B. Cates & Alfred J. Kite, Mary An Lowery - E. Cates - Church Clk.

November 1st. 1851 - The Church met & after divine Service proceded to business - 1st. Rec'd by baptism - N. E. J. Newman, Thomas J. Newman, Margaret Henry, John Brown, Joseph Miller, John Alderson, Julyan Duke, James Douglass, David R. Sasseen, Wm. French, Jane French, Maryan White, Sarah White, Thomas C. Sellers, Sarah Henry, Elizabeth A. Hodges.

Dec. 7th 1851 - The Church met and after divine Sevice by Rev. C. C. Tipton proceded to business - 1st. The following preamble and resolution was presented by R. R. Bryan and adopted by the Church - Whereas the following was found stuck upon a tree at Dumplin Camp Meeting.

NOTICE

Mr. William Cate it is generally believed that you had better not come to their (p.192) Camp meeting at Dumplin lest you cause Sinners to be lost, for they have no confidence in you - believe you not to be seeking Souls but money now for the cause of God and your good you had better stay away for you will do an injury sure as you come now as the Community do not wish the meeting spoiled it will be taken up as an expression of kindness in you to stay away no concider this and act for the Glory of God.
Now as Elder Wm. Cate was raised in this settlement and lived in the settlement adjoining until a few years since and as he sustained a good moral character as a citizen and as a minister and member of the Church - Therefore

Resolved that this Church pronounce the above Notice a base falsehood and foul Slander upon the chraracter of Rev. Wm. Cate, whom we recognize as an efficient agent in raising funds for benevolent purposes & a successful Minister in advancing the cause of Christ - 2nd. Resolved that a copy of the above be sent to Brother Cate -

Signed by order of the Church - E. Cates - Clk.