Stubbins - Samuel
Source: Waveland Independent Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Nov 20, 1908
Samuel Stubbins was born on the 23rd of Sept. 1819 NW of Shelbyville, in Shelby Co Ky and died at the advanced age of 89 years in the early morning of Nov. 2 at the home of SW Fullenwider, W. of Waveland. He was the fourth and last surviving member of 9 children, 3 of whom d. in infancy. He moved with his parents John J. and Nancy GOTT STUBBINS to Montgomery County in 1826 and located on a farm, So. of Browns Valley. Here they resided until about 1836 when his father removed to his farm W. of Waveland. He lived with his parents until he was 28 years old, when he was united in married to Sarah Jane Mitchel, Sept 7, 1848 in Waveland at the home of her brother, James Mitchel, who lives on the corner now occupied by the Christian Church. He counted it his richest earthly blessing to be born of Christian parents. He was instructed from infancy in the principles of revealed religion; taught at a mother's knee to pray and around the family altar whose fires were never allowed to go out, the foundations of his life and character were laid. With other facats which he wished recorded was this statement, "I was brought up in the Presbyterian Church according to the teachings of Dr. Witherspoon and was always an admirer of John Calin." He loved the Church next to his home and vividly recalled the scenes surrounding the organization of the Waveland Presby. Church. How old Mr. Aaron VanCleave, a devoted Christian, who lived west of what is now Indian Creek Cemetery, walked to Crawfordsville in 1828 to consult with Rev. James THOMPSON a home missionary; in regard to having a Presbyt. Church organized in this community. "An appointment was made for preaching at my father's house. Our cabin was larger and had two rooms, Mr. VanCleave's being almost an Indian shanty; which was no doubt the reason for the appointment at our house. We had only six straighback, split bottom chairs and to accomodate the people my father made benches of logs split in two and put on legs. Mr. Thompson came about once a month, during the week and preached, going back to Crawfordsville the same day. On Sat Nov 28, 1828 a Church was organized called Providence with 7 charter members; Aaron and Nancy VanCleave, John ......Nancy Brush and Narciss Rice, wife of Isaac Rice, who was that day admitted to the Church on examination. "I remember seeing Mr. Thompson come riding through the forest on a bay pacing horse to our cabin door. Mr. T. with elders John Vancleve and andrew Shanklin of the FIrst Church Crawfordsville were the committee appointed by the Presbytery to organize the Church. On sun. morning Mr. T. preached from the text, "I all place wher eI record my name, I will come unto thee and I will bless thee." followed by the Communion. After the services the committee and members stayed at our house for dinner. In the summer of 1831 the congregation built their first "log meeting house," located ont he NW corner of Sam Moore's farm, near the bluffs of the creek, where on the hillside was a fine spring. To this Church Mr. Stubbins and his brother James walked to Sunday school. In august 1840 he united with the Church, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Hummer in the old Church which stood in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Waveland. He served the Church first as trustee and was elected deacon first while Prof. COYNER was deacon about 1856; was elected Elder during the pastorate of Rev. TORRENCE, continuing as Ruling Elder until physically unable to attend to the duties of the Church. Much of his time, in early manhood was given to music, teaching singing schools and in connection with Simon DEMAREE led the congregation in singing. So intermingled in the daily life wa sthe religion of these early settlers it was their very lifeblood the Church was the social center. In declining years, with failing sight and muffled ear and possessed of a fine memory, he spent happy hours recalling scenes of childhood; retold the stories of the Revolution, heard from the lips of his aged grandfather, Robert GOTT. How " the British drove us like cattle," from where Gen. Green had stationed a thousand men under General Morgan. They fell back to a favorable position at the Cowpens when by the aid of Col. Washington's calvary, we wont hte victory and Tarleton was defeated Jan 17, 1781. How his grandfather emigrated to Ky. from NC where no doubt his ancestor was a member of the historic "Mecklenburg Presbytery" of the grandfather at the age of 85 years riding horseback from Ky to ......