TALBOTT, Edward - Rev
Source: Greencastle Star, 7 Feb 1880 p 7
By LW Berry, DD – “Your fathers, where
are they and the prophets, do they live forever? One generation passeth away
and another cometh;” so that while the remnant of the last lingers as if to
catch a parting __ of earth before the darkness of death closes in upon them,
they find themselves suddenly surrounded by a race of strangers. These thoughts
were impressed upon my mind with such vicidness and disfunction in a recent
interview I was permitted to enjoy with Rev. Edward Talbott and others,
convened at his house on the occasion of the 88th anniversary of his
birthday. This venerable old man is truly a relic of the past. Intimately associated with Bishops Asbury __
McKendree in planting early Methodism in the West – his house for years being
the home of innerant ministers, when homes were scarce and far distant from
each other – bearing a name of which Asbury makes honorable mention in his
journal. These circumstances as well as his great age his patriarchal
appearance, his deep and consistent piety, his meekness, and almost entire
freedom from the querulous and fault-finding spirit, so common to men of his
age, all contributed to render the interview of his pilgrimage a source of
indescribable pleasure. It was, as I said
before the 88th anniversary of his birthday. A large circle of
friends and relations had been called together to spend an hour perhaps, in
regard to many of us the last hour on earth in his society. After partaking of
suitable refreshments, we were collected around the family alter (sic), where
so many thousand times prayers had been offered to God – where so many sainted
men had worshipped, now passed away to their reward. It was to me a period of
unusual religious interest. I felt as though I was kneeling on consecrated
ground – as though I was unworthy to join in such a service. After prayer was
offered, the aged and toil-worn minister made a few brief and pertinent
remarks, principally referring to himself – to his present experience. He spoke
of the grace that had hitherto sustained him of the renewal that in an answer
to prayers sustained him, of the renewal that, in answer to prayer he had just
received and his prospects of Heaven. Perhaps I can offer nothing that will be
of more interest to you readers than to give some of the facts connected with
Father Talbott’s life and religious experience. It is a pleasant and grateful
task to record the incidents of the life of one who has done and suffered so
much for the church. If it will serve no
other end it may serve to show, for the encouragement of others, how mercifully
God deals with those who put their trust in Him, and will illustrate the divine
promise – “Wowing mercy unto thousands of those who love Me and keep my
commandments.” Of course, I propose to give a mere sketch; not a biography. Edward Talbott was born in Baltimore County,
Maryland on what was called, “My Lady’s Manor,” April 6, 1764. His parents were
not members of any church and he enjoyed in his early life for advantages,
either religious or scientific. At the age of 17, he was drafted in the second
draft of the select militia of the Maryland line. He was not subject to be
called out until the first draft was exhausted. Before this took place the
Revolutionary War terminated by the defeat of Lord Cornwallas (sic) at Yorktown.
At the age of 26, Mr. Talbott embraced religion. Among his papers, he recently
found one written by himself at that time and which he has permitted me to use.
While it describes his feelings under those circumstances it expresses feelings
that correspond with those of every true penitent. I copy nearly verbatim:
“Edward Talbott was born April 6, 1764, and lived in the open field of ruin,
without God and without hope in the world, until the year 1790. August 1 – Then the Lord visited my poor soul
and sent the rays of eternal glory from Heaven under the preaching of his
everlasting gospel, which disturbed my false peace and in a short time the
arrow of conviction sunk down into my soul. I cried out in anguish of spirit –
Save Lord, or I perish – I sink into Hell!”
O, the wormwood and the gall! Now
I drink deep, deep of the bitter waters.
O, how did my awakened spirit anticipate, if I died in this state, the
just vengeance of God. Now in the
solitary desert did I seek Him in whom my soul longed to rest; and all glory be
to God! September sixth, in the twilight
of the evening my soul struggled into the liberty of God’s children; proving in
my own blessed experience that, “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and
the violence taketh it by force.” Now
Heaven rings angels and men rejoice and my whole soul swells with love to God,
to Jesus Christ, his son and to all mankind. Praise the Lord, O, my soul and
let all that is within me bless his holy name!”
He immediately united with the ME Church. At that time this was a step
often involving serious consequences.
Not unfrequently did it alienate friends, affect injuriously one’s
reputation and result in very annoying if not dangerous persecutions. The small
band of devoted Christians with whom Mr. Talbott united did not exceed if a
dozen. In holding their meetings especially at night, they were often assailed
in the true spirit of genuine rowdyism and all means employed, short of actual
violence, to intimidate them, interrupt their meetings and deter others from
joining their association. A wealthy and
influential man in the neighborhood lent
all his influence and the patronage of his wealth to their persecution. Within
a year, however, God summoned this sinner to his final account. He sent for Mr.
Talbott to command pray for him and made the most humiliating confession of his
wickedness. This circumstance arrested opposition and in a short time the
little society had increased to more than 60.
In 1792 occurred the rebellion among the distillers in the Red Stone
country. A tax had been levied upon them which they refused to pay and to
resist the officers of the law, a large number of them took up arms. General
Washington with his usual sagacity, promptness and decision, raised an army of
17,000 men, at the head of which he himself marched towards the scene of
rebellion. The promptness of General Washington, together with the formidable
numbers which he summoned to the field, made the insurrectionists disband and
disperse in every direction of the country; and thus, without firing a gun did
Washington succeed in quelling what threatened to be a formidable opposition to
the infant government. In December 1783, he married Miss Elizabeth Standiford
who proved a most devoted and amiable companion, an affection mother of a large
family and a pattern of piety to all with whom she had intercourse. In 1841 she
departed this life, in great peace, thus preceding the companion of her youth
by many years. In 1796, with a family consisting
of his wife, 8 sons and two slaves, he emigrated to Shelby County, Ky. His journey to his new home, leading him
through an almost unknown wilderness, was attended with some peril and the
usual degree of border incident and excitement. When he reached his new residence,
he found, of the church of his choice, only four members. These he organized
into a class. But under his faith and ministry the membership enlarged and
quickly increased; so that soon the preachers on the adjoining circuit were
invited to take them into their work. These ministers were John Sale and
William Marsh. Great was the success of
his ministry. Associated with John Mitchell, another local preacher, he
travelled extensively; everywhere God owing his labors and giving him souls for
his hire. In this way societies were formed and subsequently made over to the
pastorial care of the initnerant preachers.
Few men in a local sphere ever labored more or realized great
success. Mr. Talbott was too
conscientious to be the permanent owner of slaves. He manumitted those that he
brought with him west and was in the constant habit of buying others and after
they had served him until they were about 25 years old (thus rendering an
equivolent for the purchase money), he set them free. Like F Garritson and other minister of the ME
Church, he could not believe ha had right to property in the image of God. In
1801 he was ordained in Kentucky a deacon by Bishop Asbury and in 1810 the
Western Conference met at New Chapel, in his neighborhood, and its ministers
(among them Asbury and McKendree) were entertained at his house. In October
1831, he moved to Putnam County, Ind where he now lives in the midst of his
numerous descendants, surrounded by a large circle of friends, beloved and
revered by all, and joyfully awaiting the summons of his master to the realms
of bliss. Till 1842 he continued to proclaim the words of his divine master,
where, from increasing age, he was compelled to desist. Yet, with the exception
of his hearing, he seems to retain, to a surprising degree, the possession of
all his faculties. He was the father of 13 children, 12 of whom were raised to
maturity and eight of whom are now living – the oldest being 68. All but two of these children are members of
the church. He has lived to see his children of the fourth generation. The
oldest child of each generation is now living and all reside within a circuit
of two miles. There are 67 grandchildren
now living, and five dead; 96 great grandchildren living and 13 dead and two
great great grandchildren. Thus God has
spared his servant to see 196 of his descendants. Well may he say, “Surely
goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life.” O, how delightful it is to meet with these
pioneers of Methodism – these men of God, who under their divine Master
succeeded in planting the church in the wilderness. May the blessing of Heaven
go with him down to the clean of his eventful life, and then inheritance of the
blessed be his portion.