Old Methodist Episcopal Church - Smithland, Kentucky

While not the oldest religious presence in Smithland, Kentucky, the Methodist Episcopal Church has been there at least since the 1840s. In 1848, the trustees of Smithland conveyed part of inlot #113 on Mill Street to H.C. Hodge, H.F. Given, John H. Wood, B.O. Thrift and H.A. Harman, trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, for 99 years in order that they could "build or cause to be erected a house or place of worship for the use of the members of the church."[1]

The church suffered through the  years - from a devastating fire in the 1880s and rebuilding to the 1937 flood which saw water almost to the roof of the church.[2] The church was later sold to the Church of Christ, which held services there for a number of years. The church is now empty and is privately  owned. It is not open to the public.

The church was photographed 8 November 2017.

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[1] Livingston County, Kentucky Deed Book HH:633, recorded 31 October 1848.

[2] Faye Tramble Teitloff. Images of America  Livingston County, (Arcadia Publishing, 2009) 40.

Published 14 November 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Rev. Silas Woodbury - Presbyterian Minister and Teacher

In a letter written from Smithland, Kentucky on the 24th of November 1843, the Rev. A.W. Campbell stated:  "We are in the midst of a most interesting state of things. You remember I organized a Presbyterian Church in this place some time in last March. There were but 8 persons who united with it in the congregation. There was an Episcopal Church, few in number, but raised and sustained by the patience and untiring labors of its clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Ash, and a Methodist Church, revived and enlarged by the piety and zeal of the stationed minister, the Rev. Mr. Temple. From all the information I could obtain, I suppose there were not a hundred professors of religion in all the place. Since that period all the churches have increased. The Presbyterian now numbers 23 members."[1]

The Rev. Campbell went on to say that the Rev. Silas Woodbury of Michigan was willing to accept the charge of the Presbyterian Church in Smithland and had "arrived a day or two since."

Silas Woodbury was born 20 March 1798[2] in Massachusetts, educated at Middlebury College and after graduating about 1822, settled in New York City as a teacher. Later he entered Lane Seminary and was licensed to preach in 1833. He entered upon home missionary work in Michigan before moving to Smithland.[3]   A member of the Green River Presbytery reported, "The Rev. Silas Woodbury, from the State of Michigan, was received into the Presbytery."[4]

Woodbury's  stay in Smithland was of short duration, arriving in late 1843 and leaving after September 1849.  During that time, he officiated at nine weddings in Smithland after receiving a license to "perform the rites of matrimony" from the county court on 7 October 1844.[5]

In addition to his duties as a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Woodbury continued to teach. During his tenure in Smithland, he rented the "tavern house"  and conducted a "female school " there.[6]  Located in the old Bell Tavern, it was more commonly known as the Gower House. This may have been the earliest recorded established school in Smithland.

In 1847, The Ladies Association of Smithland provided the funds for the purchase of the eastern part of lot #83 at the corner of Court and Charlotte Streets for the purpose of erecting a house of worship for the Presbyterian Church.  The Rev. Woodbury was to hold the lot until trustees of the church were chosen and then he was to transfer the lot to them.[7] 

Two  years later, lot #83 was conveyed to Peter H. Conant, Robert T. Leeper, Woolington Robinson, Thomas Leeper and Wm. Yoncom, trustees of the Presbyterian Church. No record has been found to indicate how long the Presbyterian Church was in operation in Smithland, but today lot #83 does not have a structure on it.

The Rev. Woodbury left Smithland  by the 23rd of September 1850, when he was enumerated on the Bedford County, Tennessee census. His occupation was given as "principal F. Academy." [8]

Silas Woodbury died  11 February 1873 and was buried at Willow Mount Cemetery, Shelbyville, Tennessee. [9] His will was dated 1 October 1868 and probated in April 1873. Named in the will are his wife, Sarah K., son S. Henry Woodbury and daughter Mary E. Woodbury.  [10]   Sarah King Woodbury died 15 April 1886 and was also buried at Willow Mount Cemetery.[11]

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[1] "Revival in Smithland, Ky.," Christian Observer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vol. XXII, No. 50, Friday, 15 December 1843, p. 1.

[2]  Silas Woodbury, Find A Grave Memorial #82319359,  accessed 28 July 2017.

[3] :Eminent Educators Deceased in 1873,"  The American Educational Monthly, Vol. XI, (New York: J.W. Schermerhorn & Co., 1874), 100, Google Books, accessed 2 August 2017.

[4] "The Green River Presbytery," Christian Observer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vol. XXIII, No. 27, Friday, 5 July 1844

[5] Livingston County, Kentucky Court Order Book I:461.

[6] Letter  from Benjamin Barner of Smithland to Jehu Wells of Spartanburg Dist., South Carolina, who had inherited the Gower House from Henry Wells, dated 10 October 1844.

[7] Livingston County, Kentucky Deed Book HH:477.

[8] 1850 Bedford County, Tennessee census, Dist. 7, dwelling 42, household 42, Silas Woodbury and Mary [sic] Woodbury, Ancestry.com, accessed 2 August 2017. No ages are given for either of them.

[9] Find A Grave Memorial #82319359, Silas Woodbury.

[10] Helen C. and Timothy R. Marsh. Bedford County, Tennessee Wills & Vital Records from Newspapers, (Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1996) 21.

[11] Find A Grave Memorial #82319506, Sarah King Woodbury, accessed 28 July 2017.

Published 24 August 2017, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Minister's Bond 1836

Before a minister could officiate at a marriage in Kentucky, he had to present the credentials of his ordination to the county court. Accompanying him to the court was his surety or bondsman. In the bond below, Albert A. Willis, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, presented proof of his ordination so that he could perform the rites of matrimony within Livingston County, Kentucky. The Episcopal Church, called Calvary Church, was located on Lot #77 (Charlotte Street), Smithland. This bond was located in loose county court papers, Livingston County Clerk's Office, Smithland, Kentucky.

"Know all Men by these presents that We Albert A. Willis & Gustavus A. Brown are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the penal sum of Five hundred pounds current money which payment will & truly to be made We bind ourselves and each of our heirs jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our Seals and dated this 4th day of August 1836.

"The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Albert A. Willis hath this day produced credentials to the Livingston County Court of his ordination and also of his being n regular Communion with the Episcopalian Church as a Minister of the gospel and he having been licensed by said Court to celebrate the rites of matrimony between any persons applying to him  therefore legally now if the said Albert A. Willis shall truly and legally perform this said trust then this obligation to be void else to remain in full force and Virtue.  [signed] A.A. Willis, Gusto. A. Brown. Witness  J.L. Dallam, Clk."

Published 20 August 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - George Church

George Church

Died

June 18, 1851

AE 29 ys, 2 ms,

21 ds

Buried Bells Mines Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 23 March 2013.

George Church was issued a bond to marry Mary Phillemore 15 January 1850 in Crittenden County. No marriage return was recorded. Both were of legal age (age 21 or over) to marry at that time.

There were two Church families headed by young men, Robert and Enoch Church, on the 1850 Crittenden County census. Both were miners living in the Bells Mines area and were born in England. It is possible George Church was related to those families.

Published 24 February 2015, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Calvary Episcopal Church, Smithland, Kentucky

The earliest documented religious presence in Smithland, Livingston County, Kentucky was that of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In July 1837, William Croghan sold Lot #77 on Charlotte Street to the Diocese of Kentucky for the use of a congregation to be called Calvary Church..

The Rev. A.A. Willis was rector of Calvary Church and was officiating at marriages in 1837 and 1838.  He was still there in 1839 when the Rev. Thomas Horrell wrote the following in his journal of his travels and labors in the ministry: "I ... returned to Smithland at the mouth of the Cumberland, where the Rev. Mr. Willis was laboring as Missionary."

 

The Rev. Willis reported to the diocese that he had performed two marriages, one infant baptism and two burial services in 1839, according to the Journal of Proceedings of the 11th Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The Rev. Willis usually held two services on Sunday for the white congregation and one service for the black congregation. He also taught a female Bible class in the afternoon and lectured on Wednesday nights.

By 1841, the Rev. Robert Ash was rector of Calvary Church. The Rev. Ash reported in 1841 the following: "In reviewing the condition of the missionary station committed to my care, I find nothing very special to mention. I have endeavored to preach the Gospel faithfully to all classes - to the master and to the slave - to the young and to the old. Though little good has apparently resulted from my labors, yet I consider it my duty to persevere, and feel assured, that as far as the truth has been faithfully preached to the people, the divine promise will be fulfilled in due time." The Rev. Ash reported he had 12 families attending worship services in Smithland, had baptized one infant, no adults and 43 children were catechized. He died 24 July 1846, at the age of 43 years, and is buried in Smithland Cemetery.

Shortly before 1850, it is believed that the Rev. G.G. Moore began serving as rector of Calvary Church. He had served several other Protestant Episcopal churches in Kentucky - Trinity Church in Covington in 1844 and St. Peter's Church in Parish, Kentucky in 1847. His time in Smithland was short as he died in 1850 and is buried in Smithland Cemetery.

 

The best information on the church building is found in a letter written 12 April 1878 by M.H. Carson of Smithland to Bishop Dudley of the Diocese of Kentucky about the condition of the church. He wrote that the church was "rapidly going to decay; the roof is so bad that the plastering overhead and the floor is ruined, and I fear the sheeting and rafters are rapidly decaying. The church was built in 1839, so my wife informs me. Her former husband [ Timothy Alvord ] did a great deal of work on the building as a donation, he being a carpenter and my wife a member of the church and held a pew, but afterward joined the Presbyterians. From that time the Episcopalians ceased to hold service here. The house is a frame building ..."  Carson stated he had heard rumors that the building was to be sold. If not sold, he offered to lease the building for 10 years. The following year, 1879, at the annual council of the church, it was resolved to sell the church property in Smithland.

In January 1881, the property was sold  to Clifford Dooms, Levi Pippin and Nathan Dorroh, deacons of the Coloured Baptist Church of Smithland.  It was specified that the property was not to be used for any unhallowed or unholy purpose.

The Protestant Episcopal Church was active in Smithland about 40 years. There is no Episcopal Church in Smithland today.





 

 

Rev. G.G. Moore

was born July 1, 1803

died 5 of April 1850

He left us for his home

in Heaven  [broken]
[The bottom part of the stone is standing,
but difficult to read]

 

Published 22 August 2013, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

First Baptist Church Civil War Claim

Smithland, Kentucky was occupied by the Federal Army from September 1861 through the end of the Civil War. When the troops arrived, they took over a number of buildings, including the First Baptist Church. At that time, the church was located facing the Ohio River at the end of Maiden Street with Maiden Street being two block from Court Street. Neither the church or Maiden Street are there today.

According to a claim filed by the Committee on War Claims at the first session of the 50th Congress in 1887-88, First Baptist Church was used as a warehouse and hospital. Here is what the claim states:

"The Committee on War Claims, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 360) for the relief of the trustees of the First Baptist Church at Smithland, Ky. ...

That in the year 1861 the properly constituted military authorities of the United States took possession of the First Baptist Church at Smithland, Ky. It was used as a warehouse and hospital for the troops of the United States, to the entire exclusion of the owners, until the war closed; and besides being thus occupied by the United States troops, the property was greatly damaged.

It was not the policy or practice of the Government to pay rent for public buildings used during the war, but in meritorious cases to restore them to their former condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

This property was not taken or held as a belligerent act, nor was its occupation a casualty of war. War was not flagrant during its occupation in that part of the country.

The trustees of said church only ask that the sum of $500 be paid them for its use and occupancy, which the evidence shows to be a very low rent."

There is no indication the sum was paid.

This First Baptist Church had been built prior to September 1853. In Deed Book 4, page 113, it is mentioned that the church was in the lower floor of a brick building and Temperance Hall was on the upper floor.

It is not known how long First Baptist Church was in this location, but in 1887, there was a protracted meeting in the courthouse and the "Smithland First Baptist Church was organized. The church was dedicated in 1913. The church is located at the intersection of U.S. 60 and Court Street.

Church Dedication at Frances, Kentucky 1910

The following article comes from The New York Observer, a Presbyterian church publication, 7 July 1910.

The new church house at Frances, Crittenden county, Ky., was dedicated to the service of God June 19. This church is in the central part of Princeton Presbytery. The originator and promoter of this thrifty new church, with its beautiful church edifice, is due to the untiring energy, wise management and earnest zeal of the Rev. A.J. Thomson, Kuttawa, Ky. Less than two years ago he made an appointment to preach in this community, in which there is no Presbyterian church, and no other church nearer than 3 or 4 miles. About 18 months ago, with the assistance of the pastor-evangelist, he held a meeting in this community, which resulted in a great revival and in the organization of a Presbyterian church of about 35 members. In a short time he projected a church building. He secured a beautiful lot, appointed his building committee, plans were adopted and the work begun.

The third Sunday in June was the culmination of these earnest efforts, when a large crowd assembled to witness the dedicatory service of this, the most beautiful country church building in Crittenden county. The local choir and Fredonia choir furnished delightful music. Bular Threlkeld and Professor McDonald were the musical directors. The Rev. James F. Price took up the offering to meet the deficit on the building. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward S. Landis, Paducah, Ky. The pastor, the Rev. A.J. Thomson, dedicated the building to the service of God.

In the afternoon the Rev. J.N. Andre, Fredonia, Ky., preached an excellent sermon, showing that while they had done a noble work, the real work of the church had only begun; that all the work hitherto done was only preparatory to the salvation and edification of the entire community.

 

Piney Fork Church - Crittenden County, Kentucky

According to an article, "The Annual Piney Fork Camp-Meeting," in the 23 August 1906 issue of the Crittenden Press, the first camp-meeting was held in May 1812. The services were held under an arbor and the people who attended the meetings lodged in camps or huts constructed of round poles and clap-board roofs. Ministers who were present were Finis Ewing, Alexander Chapman and Wm. Harris.

Original members of Piney Fork Church were John Travis, Rebecca Travis, James and Rachel Travis, John Wheeler, Susan Wheeler, James Clinton, Ann Clinton, Rev. Wm. Henry, Mary Ann Henry, Mrs. McGough, Mrs. Zuchariah Bivens and Mrs. Wm. Leach.

The first church was of logs and was located where the cemetery is today. John Travis donated land for the church and later George Green donated additional land.

According to tradition, the last Indian battle in western Kentucky occurred where the cemetery is now located.

Marker designating the original site of the

church and school.

Piney Fork was organized when this area was still part of Livingston County. It has seen good times and bad, but has remained sacred to all those who worshiped here or passed through the area.

Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Crittenden County, Kentucky

Organized 1812

Published by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com



Pinckneyville Baptist Church - Salem, Kentucky

Pinckneyville Baptist Church

1005 Pinckneyville Road

Salem, Kentucky 42078

Organized 1852

Copyright on text and photographs

by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG

Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com



Caldwell Springs Baptist Church

Caldwell Springs Baptist Church, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Church photographed 3 November 2010.

Caldwell Springs Church was organized in 1844. The current building dates from about 1890. Caldwell Springs Cemetery is on the hill above the church.


Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog
http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

Dycusburg Methodist Church

Dycusburg Methodist Church, Dycusburg, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Church photographed 3 November 2010.

Dycusburg Methodist Church was organized in 1857. The current building was dedicated in 1948.

A Visit to Lola, Kentucky

Copyright by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG

 



One of the many little villages dotting the western Kentucky countryside is Lola, in Livingston County. As a child I often visited my cousin and her family and remember several businesses, including my aunt's grocery store, home of the famous Mustard Jar.

A recent visit to Lola shows a different picture. The stores are all closed and the only activity was centered on a house where a woman was moving out. The post office has been closed for several years and my aunt's store, which adjoins the post office, is also vacant.

Melva's Store and Post Office

Just across the road is the store once operated by Tommie May. This brick building was built in 1896 from bricks made from material taken from a nearby slough.

Tommie May's Store

Traveling down Hwy. 838, Lola Baptist Church is on the left. This neat, well-kept church fairly glistened in the bright sun.

Lola Baptist Church

The destination of this trip came as we turned off onto New Union Church Road. Many of my Vaughn ancestors are buried in the cemetery adjoining New Union church and my great-grandfather, David Vaughn, lived just over the hill. While the church is now called New Union Church, my family never called it anything but Ditney. In addition to Vaughn, other names found on the tombstones are Wright, Belt, Dalton, Curnel, Champion, Singleton, Damron, Tabor and many others.

New Union Baptist Church

Several members of my aunt's Fisher family are buried here, but most do not have tombstones. Among those buried here with no tombstones are the following:

Martin Van Buren Fisher born 19 May 1835, died 21 April 1926
Horace Greely Fisher born 15 May 1882, died 1 January 1916
Mary Fisher Hosick born 20 Dec 1841, died 19 June 1919
Katharine Fisher Smith born 19 Dec 1844, died 19 May 1926
The information on these folks comes from their death certificates.

It was a beautiful day for a trip to Lola and it brought back many memories of times past.

Full Gospel Church - Salem, Kentucky

Full Gospel Church, 112 South Church Street, Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky. Formerly the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Henderson Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Church of Henderson, Kentucky. Located at 100 South Main Street, across the street from the public library. Photographed 18 December 2009.

Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church

Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 512 Second Street, Henderson, Kentucky. Photographed January 2010.

The current building for Holy Name dates from 1891 and is located at the corner of Second and Ingram Streets.

First United Methodist Church

A small group formed a Methodist Society in 1805 and, in 2005, the First United Methodist Church celebrated 200 years of heritage in Henderson, Kentucky. Sometime later, the Methodists, along with other congregations, worshipped in the Union Church in Central Park. Still later they built a church at Washington and Elm Streets.

The church is today located at the corner of Third and Green Streets on land formerly owned by John James Audubon and his wife, Lucy. The current church was erected in 1914, after a former building was destroyed by a tornado. Several additions have been made to the building.

Smithland United Methodist Church

Smithland United Methodist Church, located on the corner of Court Street and Wilson Avenue, Smithland, Kentucky. The building dates from the early 1940s. The church was photographed 21 December 2009.

First Baptist Church - Henderson, Kentucky

The First Baptist Church of Henderson, Kentucky was formed in 1839. A church building was erected at the corner of Center and Elm Streets, the same place where the church is currently located. This photograph was taken 18 December 2009.

Zion United Church of Christ

Zion United Church of Christ, corner of North Ingram and First Streets, Henderson, Kentucky. High on the front of the building is the following:




Photographed 18 December 2009.

First Christian Church - Sturgis, Kentucky

First Christian Church, 702 North Adams Street, Sturgis, Union County, Kentucky. Nate Harper, minister. Photographed 4 December 2009