Deer-Creek Baptist Church
Deer Creek Baptist Church
Extract From Minutes - 1829/1830
Submitted by Nell Langwell Gronberg, 8/23/2005
NOTE
Provided by Dora Mae Turner and Transcribed by Nell Langwell Gronberg. Note from transcriber. The typewritten transcript of the records I received is difficult to read. Punctuation was minimal and the spelling suspect in many cases. Therefore, much of the punctuation in the following transcript is not contained in the copy of the document I have. In some cases I may have spelled out a word instead of a number, or completed a word that was abbreviated; however, the names found in the record are as they were spelled in the document.
Since I was unable to scan the original documents sent to me by Dora Mae Turner, the following is my best efforts to transcribe the information, which includes some excerpts from the minutes of Deer Creek Baptist Church in Putnam County, Indiana, and a membership list for that church. The following paragraph is at the top of the first page of the membership list that I received.
Extract From Minutes - 1829/1830
Following is a List of Members
April 1, Saturday, 1829. The Baptist Church of Deer Creek met at brother William Hurst according to former appointment and after worship proceeded to business.
1st, brethren of sister churches invited to seats with us.
2nd, peace inquired for. Peace still abounds.
Three, opened door for reception of members
4th, reference called for. There were none.
5th, Brother William H. Lion and his wife Mary dismissed by letter.
May 1, Saturday, 1829. The Baptist Church of Deer Creek met at the meeting according to the former adjournment and after worship proceeded to business.
1st, inquiry made for fellowship and found in peace.
A door opened for the reception for members. Dismissed in order.
June 1, Saturday, 1829. The Baptist Church of Deer Creek met according to former adjournment and after worship proceeded to business.
1st, members of sister churches invited to take seats with us.
2nd, fellowship inquired for and found in peace.
3rd, a door opened for the reception of members.
Four, reference called for there were none.
Dismist in order.
July 1, Saturday, 1829. The church met according to former adjournment and after worship proceeded to business.
1st, invited members of sister churches to take their seats with us.
2nd, fellowship inquired for and found in peace.
3rd, a door opened for reception of members.
4th, reference called for there were none.
The church agrees to send brethren Samuel Denney, Samuel Wright and Absalom Hurst to bear their letter to the association. Brother Jeremiah Skelton and wife dismissed by letter.
August 1, Saturday, 1829. The Baptist Church of Deer Creek met according to former adjournment. After worship, proceeded to business.
1st, invited members of sister churches to seats with us.
2nd, fellowship inquired for and found in peace.
3rd, a door opened for the reception of members.
4th, reference called for and there was none.
Dismissed in order til meeting in course.
September 1, Saturday, 1829. Church met according to former adjournment. After worship proceeded to business.
1st, members of sister churches invited to seat.
2nd, fellowship inquired for and found in peace.
3rd, a door opened for the reception of members and received by experience Brother John Norsler and sister Susanna Hurst and when baptized considered in fellowship with us.
4th, reference called for and there were none.
Dismist in order til meeting in course.
October 1, Saturday, 1829. The Baptist Church at Deer Creek met according to former adjournment and after worship proceeded to business.
1st, members of sister churches invited to seats with us.
2nd, fellowship inquired for and found in peace.
3rd, a door opened for the reception of members.
4th, reference called for and there were none.
5th, a letter received from Providence Church in Park County, Ind. For help in a difficulty that arose and after considering their case the church agreed to send them help. Brethren Absalom Hurst, Jesse Hurst, Samuel Wright and James Kelly.
November 1, Saturday, 1829. The Baptist Church met at Thomas McCarty and after worship proceeded to business.
1st, members of sister churches invited to take seats with us.
2nd, fellowship inquired for and found in peace.
3rd, a door opened for reception of members.
4th, references called for and there were none.
Received by letter, brother Parker and sister Candice Parker, his wife, and sister Martha Brunham by letter. Also brother Isaac Alspaugh by letter.
Dismist til meeting in course.
December 1, Saturday, 1829. The Baptist Church of Deer Creek met at brother William Hurst. Being destitute of our moderator, the church agreed to appoint brother Isaac Alspaugh moderator pro-tem and after prayer proceeded to business.
1st, Fellowship inquired for.
2nd, a door opened for the reception of members. There were none.
Dismist in order.
January 1, Saturday, 1830. The Baptist Church of Deer Creek met at Brother Wright's and after worship proceeded to business.
1st, brothers of sister churches invited to take seats.
2nd, fellowship inquired for.
Third. A door opened for the reception of members and received by letter brother Joel Dobbs in full fellowship with us.
Fourth. Reference called for and there were none.
Dismist in order.
February 1, Saturday, 1830. After divine worship proceeded to business.
Brother Samuel Wright moderator.
No Business. (This was signed by Isaac Alspaugh, Clerk Pro-Tem)
March 1, Saturday, 1830, the church met according to former adjournment and after worship proceeded to business and found in peace.
1st, a motion made and seconded to call for a part of brother John Jones time from the church called Little Mount in the gospel ministry.
2nd, dismissed the following brethren and sisters by letters to form themselves into a new constitution. Absalom Hurst, Catherine Hurst, John C. Sherrill, Caleb Buis, Margaret Buis, Jane Reden, William Parker, Candice Parker, Martha Branham, Elizabeth Cotton and Polly Norsler
3rd, the church say that Brother Isaac Alspaugh to send to Little Mount Church and Brother John C. Sherrill and Samuel Wright to bear the same. Dismist in order.
April 1, Saturday, 1830. The church met and after worship proceeded to business.
First and after inquiring, the Church found in peace.
2nd, the church chose brother James Kelly to serve her as a deacon.
3rd, the church agrees to call a presbytery in order to ordain Brother Kelly to the office of deacon. From Doe Creek Church, Brother Owen from Salem Church, Brother Broadstreet to attend our next meeting.
4th, the church say that brother Samuel Denny bear the message to Brother Owens and brother Isaac Alspaugh to brother Broadstreet.
5th, received by Isaac Hurst, also sons Hurst, his wife by experience. By recantation brother Thomas McCarty. Received by experience sister Elizabeth Dobbs and Polly Langwell.
Dismist in order.
May 1, Saturday, 1830. The church met after worship and proceed to business.
1st, Brother Clemens, moderator.
2nd, Brother Isaac Alspaugh chosen to act as Clerk in the future to the church as Brother William McCarty was released from the same.
3rd, Brethren Wright and Sherrill that was appointed to wait on the church at Little Mount to get part of brother Jones' ministerial labor reports as follows. That he was willing to serve here provided she would alter her meeting to some other day from the first Saturday.
4th, Brother Denny and Alspaugh that was sent to request Brethren Owen and Broadstreet as a presbytery to ordain Brother James Kelly to the office of deacon and the brethren attended agreeable to request of the church. Brother Clemens who was present with the other two brethren proceeded to ordain Brother Kelly to the office of deacon.
Signed by Isaac Alspaugh, Clerk
Church Meeting the 1st, Saturday in June, 1830. After divine worship, proceeded to business.
1st, Brother Samuel Denny, Moderator.
2nd, through sister Elizabeth McCarty, a letter of dismission granted to sister Sarah Sherly now Gilmon in order to join some other church for her convenience. Ordered that the brother clerk give her one.
3rd, the church took into consideration of altering her stated meeting date to suit Brother Jones to agreeable to the report that Brethren Wright and Sherrill made and the Church was unanimous to retain her day which is the first Saturday in each month.
4th, Brother Joseph Denny is to make a table for the church and the church agrees to pay for same.
Signed by Isaac Alspaugh, Clerk
Church Meeting 1st, Saturday in July, 1830. After divine worship, proceeded to business. Brother Samuel Wright, moderator.
1st, Ordered that Brethren Jesse Hurst and Samuel Kelly with brother Thomas McCarty to act as Trustees of the church to get such work as in their wisdom may think proper and agreeable to ??money??moving?? On property furnished.
2nd, ordered that Brother Isaac Alspaugh prepare a letter for the ensuing association and bring it forward for inspection against our next meeting. Brethren Samuel Wright, James Kelly and Jesse Hurst appointed to bear the same.
3rd, ordered that Brother Alspaugh prepare three subscription papers to get funds to repair the meeting house as far as funds go and report tomorrow moving.
4th, Ordered that Brother Alspaugh advertise in the three most public places in the township in order to elect 3 Trustees to wait on brother William McCarty to get a deed for the plat of ground where the meeting house stands.
Isaac Alspaugh, Clerk
HOPE THIS IS ONE IN THE SAME
Source: Daily Banner 28 Aug 1964 p 8
Deer Creek Primitive Baptist
Elder JB Murphy conducting services on first Sunday. Brother Larry Hurst on third Sundays.
Deer Creek Primitive Baptist
Elder JB Murphy conducting services on first Sunday. Brother Larry Hurst on third Sundays.
Membership List
"The following list of members is shown in the back of the Deer Creek book and evidently includes all who were members from the organization of the church in 1823 down to about 1892, at which date the book is filled with minutes and was apparently discarded for a new record book. "
1. Samuel Arthur, dismist
2. Hannah Arthur, dismist
3. Joel Shin, dismist 1835
4. Nancy Shin, dismist 1835
5. John C. Sherrill, dismist
6. Susannah Martin, dismist
7. Sarah Skelton, dismist
8. Samuel Wright, Excluded 1841
9. Jane Wright, Excluded 1841
10. Christana Mullinix, dism
11. Absolom Hurst, dismist
12. Ambers ? Bandy, dismist
13. Unice Bandy, dismist
14. Jesse Hurst, deceased 1853
15. Nancy Hurst, deceased 1844
16. Caleb Buice [Buis], dismist
17. Peggy Buice [Buis], dismist
18. Abraham Hurst, dis 1846
19. Catherine Hurst, dist
20. Elizabeth Cotton, dismist
21. James Kelly, deceased 1865 [buried Deer Creek Cemetery]
22. Fanny Kelly, 1867 dec
23. Polly Cotton, decest
24. Peter Cotton, dead
25. Jeremiah Skelton, Dismist
26. July Harris, dismist 1843
27. James Martin, dismist 1842
28. Rachel Martin, dismist 1842
29. Elizabeth Breeden, dead 1834
30. Polly Skelton, dismist
31. Catherine Skelton, Dismist
32. Abraham McCarty
33. Elizabeth Hurst, died Oct. 3, 1840
34. Milly Hurst, dis 1846
35. William Hurst, deceased October 1849
36. William McCarty, deceased 1843 (1848)
37. Joseph Denny, deceased 1873
38. Mary Denny, deceased April 21, 1882
39. Henry Harmon, dismist
40. Sarah Harmon, dismist
41. Polly Hurst, dismist
42. William Albin, Jr. dead 5 dec 1834
43. Rachel Albin, deceased 1849
44. Ellender Robinson, dismist
45. Thomas Broadstreet, dismist
46. Levany Broadstreet, dismist
47. Samuel Denny, dismist 1837
48. Elizabeth Denny, deceased July 4, 1832
49. Susanna Thomas, died 1836
50. Charity Harris, Dec 1849 (?)
51. Phebe McCarty, dismissed by letter
52. William H. Lion, dismist
53. Polly Lion, dismist
54. Nancy White, dismist
55. Nancy Standley, excluded
56. Sarah Sherley, dismist
57. William Albin, Sr. 1849
58. Jane Albin, decd 1839
59. Elijah Jenkins, dismist
60. Elizabeth Jenkins, dismist
61. John Norsler, 1856 dismist
62. Susanna Hurst, dead 1844
63. William Parker, dismist
64. Candace Parker, dismist
65. Martha Brenham, dismist
66. Jane Reden, dismist
67. Isaac Alspaugh, decd 1838
68. Seney Hurst, dismist
69. Isaac Hurst, dismist 1841
70. Elizabeth Dobbs, dismist
71. Polly Langwell, dismist
72. Thomas McCarty, dismist
73. Elizabeth McCarty, decd 1837
74. Joel Dobbs, dismist
75. Benjamin L. Johnson, ejected
76. Sarah Johnson, dismist
77. John Rose Excom. 1838, Restored, since dismist
78. Polly Rose, dismist
79. Ervens Snoddy, Ejected
80. Susanna Martin, Dismist
81. Amasa Taber, dismist, returned
82. Sarah Taber, dismist, returned
83. Elizabeth Smith, dis
84. Elizabeth Coleman, dismist
85. Abraham Foutch, dismist
86. Elizabeth Foutch, dismist
87. Polly Lanham, dismist
88. Martha Nosler, dismist
89. Benoni Moreland, dismist
90. Siner Berry, dismist
91. Eli Baldin, dismist
92. Nancy Warner, dismist
93. Sally Harris, Excom.
94. Malinda Waters, dismist
95. Barton Waters, dismist
96. Almira Parsons, decd 1838
97. Sumner Havens, Excom.
98. Nancy Havens, dismist
99. Reuben Aynes, dismist
100. Robert Davis, dismist EX
101. Polly Davis, dismist, Ex
102. Milly (?) Armstrong, decd
103. Nancy Edwards, dismist
104. Benjamin Parks, died
105. Polly R. Parks, died June 24, 1878
106. James H. Farmer, (?) died nov. 29, 1875
107. Thomas Foxworthy, Exct. Jany 1837
108. Sarah Alspaugh, letr
109. Margaret Vowell
110. Charles G. Yount, dismist
111. Eleanor Harris, Exp dis
112. Joel Dobbs, by letter, dismist
113. Elizabeth Dobbs, ditto
114. Thomas McCarty, by letter, dismist
115. Phebe McCarty, by letter, dismist
116. Jane Kemper, excommunicated
117. John Case (Cass?) dismist
118. Sarah Case (Cass?) dismist
119. Richard Bowen, Excluded
120. Elizabeth Bowen, Exclulded
121. Jane E. Foxworthy, dismist
122. Cinthy Hurst, dis by letter
123. James Chapman, dismist
124. Thursa Nosler, dismissed by letter 1854
125. James Mills, dismist
126. Jemima Mills, deceased July 1839
127. Boston Norsler, deceased September 1843
128. Jonathan Duecas ? illigible, dismist
129. Malinda Duecas???, ditto last 4 letters dismist
130. Francis Mills, deceased July 1840
131. Hardy Mills, deceased 1840
132. Mary Mills, dismist
133. Fanny Hurst, deceased
134. Elizabeth Cotton, Exclulded 1838
135. Polly Chapman, deceased 1855
136. Emily Farmer, deceased Dec 27, 1887
137. Ann McCarty, died
138. Nancy Albin, Excluded 1840
139. James Sherrill, dismist 1841
140. Morgan Wright, dismissed
141 . Mary Ann Yount, dismist
142. David Wood, Excluded
143. Susana Wood, deceased
144. Sarah Johnston, decd
145. Thomas McCarty, 1859
146. Phebe McCarty, deceased
147. Christian Nosler, Dis
148. John Martin, Dis
149. Polly Ann Martin, Dis
150. Rachel Martin, Dis
151. Martha Nosler, Dis
152. James Denny, Dis
153. Jane Denny, Dis
154. Polly Kelly, Decd 1843 July [buried Deer Creek Cemetery]
155. Sarah Kelly, Dead 1843 July [buried Deer Creek Cemetery]
156. John Randals, Excluded
157. Henry Ferris, Dis 1840
158. Hannah Ferris, Dis 1840
159. Samaria Gard, Dism
160. Hannah Gard, Dismist
161. William Parker, Dis Leter
162. Betheny Parker, Dis Leter
163. Nancy White, deceased 1865
164. Sary Mills, Dismist
165. Nancy Sherrill, decd July 1844
166. Mary Ally, Dismist
167. Matilda B. Nance, Excluded
168. Summers Havens, Excluded 1844
169. Nancy Havens, dismist
170. Cinthia H. Hall, Dist.
171. John B. Hamoc, dis
172. Sarah Hamoc, dis
173. Samuel Wright, excluded
174. Andrew Hamoc, dism
175. Aseneth Kelly, dismist 1844
176. Nancy Stanley, dismist
177. Sarah Bowen, Dis
178. Harriet Denny, Dis by leter 1865
179. Hannah Sheals, d. letter
180. Thomas Cushaw, dismist 1849
181. Samuel McRay, dis
182. Rebecka McRay, dismist
183. Sarah Walls, dis by leter
184. Sarah McGaughey, died
185. Daniel Gard or Card, deceased 1850 (?)
186. Polly Day, Dismist
187. Elizabeth Monel
188. Nancy Shealds, a leter
189. Sarah Peck
190. Jane Card or Gard, EX 1857
191. Sarah Lewis, by leter 1858
192. Jackson Hurst dismist - Exp 1858
193. Archibald Johnson 1858 dism by letter 1865
194. Ezra or Elsa Hurst 1859, died nov. 2, 1879
195. William Day, 1860 Excl
196. Joel Cooper died
197. William L. ? Smith, leter 1863 died Oct 1877
198. Tersa ?? Smith leter 1863
199. Mary Ann Smith, 1863
200. James R. Bordman by leter, died 1868
201. John Linville experience, died jan 21, 1889
202. Sister Mary J. Linville, experience
203. Richard Sinclair
204. Catherine Sinclair, dead
205. Whitfield Collins, Excluded
206. Mary Ann Collins, decd. Nov 30 1874 (?)
207. Martin Hurst by experience, exclud - restored
208. Nancy H. Raines, by experience
209. Susan Collins, by experience, excluded
210. Emeline Darraugh by exp, died May 24, 1878
211. Mary E. Megines, by experience
212. Elder Cyras Taber by letter, dism by leter
213. Delila Taber byl letter dism by letter
214. Goice Hart by letter, died
215. James Sherrel by letter, died
216. Christine Sherrel, by letter, died
217. Cinthia A. Briant by exper. Died July 8, 1890
218. Jefferson Hurst by exper. Died Sept 19, 1888
219. Irvin Diken, by letter
220. Lewis Taylor, by experience, dead
221. John Haskel, by experience
222. Ann Cotton, by experience -dead
223. Charles M. Irwin by letter
224. Peter Philips, by experience, dead
225. James Rains, by experience 1887
226. Joseph Alleby, exp. - exclu. 1888, restored 1888
227. Marinda Beadle, by relation 1888
228. Wm. Beadle, by relation 1888
229. Dela Hurst, by experience 1888
230. Leah Taylor, by experience 1888 dead
231. Daniel V. Moffett, by experience 1888
232. Martha Alles (?) by experience 1888
233. Columbus Hurst by relation 1890, dis. By letter
234. Nancy A. Hurst, by exp. 1890, dis by letter
235. Jackson Hurst, by recantation 1890, died
236. Alcy J. Hurst, exp 1890
237. Nelson Daly, exper. 1891, exc. 1892
238. Mary Stine, by exp. 1891, dis. By letter
239. Mahalia Chlristenberry, by exp. 1891, by Let.
240. Marion Christenberry, exp. 1891, dism. by Let.
241. Elizabeth Coffman, exper. 1892, dis. By letter
242. Isaac Coffman, exper. 1892, dis by letter
243. Francis Russell, exp. Excluded 1892
244. Emma J. Farmer
Source: Daily Banner 28 Aug 1964 p 8
Deer Creek Primitive Baptist
Elder JB Murphy conducting services on first Sunday. Brother Larry Hurst on third Sundays.
1928 Article with quite a bit of history
Source: Daily Banner 16 Oct 1928 p 1
The early date of the Regular (Hard Shell or Predestinarian) Baptist in Putnam County is established by the record of the old Deer Creek church, which has been in the custody of D. W. Moffett, of Cloverdale during many years. Mr. Moffett serving the church as clerk through a long period. The book is unique in that it gives the history of the organization without a break from 1823 to 1904. The minutes from the latter date are in a later volume, now in use. This older record is not the original; it being purchased in August 1831 but the minutes from the first date to that were copied into this one, so that the chronology is complete. The first date is that of the meeting of October, first Saturday, 1823, at which time the monthly business session was held followed by preaching service on the next day, the Sabbath. This has been their custom through more than a century. In the first entry is the following: "We the regular Baptist church on Deer Creek being an arm of Walnut creek church, we agree to come into a constitution upon the article of the Blue River Association.” This establishes the Walnut Creek Church as older, but in April, 1845, the Deer Creek Church received the records of the Walnut Creek Church, which was then dissolved. Early in the minutes of the Deer Creek Church reference is made to the Doe Creek congregation to “Bethel Little Walnut Church, to Mount Pleasant to Big Raccoon Church and one or two others. This indicates that the Predestinarian Baptist were established in Putnam County prior to 1823. The Mill Creek Church of this denomination was founded in 1830 by members dismissed for that purpose from the Deer Creek Church. Those thus released were Absalom Hurst, Catherine Hurst, John C. Sherrill, Caleb Buis, James Reden, William Parker, Candice Parker, Martha Branham, Elizabeth Cotton and Polly Nosler. It is of interest to know that the Absalom Hurst here mentioned was a brother to Abraham and Jesse Hurst. Absalom Hurst was a great uncle of CC and Alpheus Hurst of Greencastle and Jesse Hurst was their great, great grandfather. Half brothers of these old settlers were William and Isaac Hurst. The first named was the father of Jackson and Jefferson Hurst and Jefferson Hurst was the father of Dock Hurst and Mrs. DV Moffett. Isaac Hurst was on the board of construction for the old brick court house. He moved to Texas soon after the Mexican War. When the old Deer Creek Church was built it was in Deer Creek Township but that township was eradicated and the site was and is in Warren Township. It is on a county road which extends south and southwest from Westland on the national Road, intersection State Road 43 at the Hughes and Lockridge farms. The land was sold to the congregation by William McCarty. That old building of logs was replaced by William McCarty. That old building of logs was replaced in 1837 by the present frame structure. In connection with the improvement of the property is this item, from the record of July, 1834: Brethren William Hurst and John Osler are hereby appointed a committee to draft subscription papers in order to get signers thereto to post in the graveyard with good oak posts and rails of the same timber the rails not to be more than 8’ long; six rails to the panel five feet high. It is said that the first interment in the new graveyard was of the body of Peter Cotton who was killed by a falling limb while working at the church. There are some entries in the old record that are interesting as sidelights on the old-time church life. In 1831, there is this sentence: “The church appointed Brother Isaac Alspaugh to prepare a friendly letter to Sister S… and to inquire of her long absence from the church and to inform her that the church has not forgot her and still bear that Christian life and fellowship to her that it formerly did but hearing a report that was injurious to her joining another society therefore it is ordered that Brother Alspaugh convey a letter to her and report to this church on her situation.? William Hurst, five years later was appointed to call upon the same lady and reported back to the congregation “that she had given herself to a society called New Lights and was not sorry for the same, therefore on action the church has excluded her from any privilege of the church."
The early date of the Regular (Hard Shell or Predestinarian) Baptist in Putnam County is established by the record of the old Deer Creek church, which has been in the custody of D. W. Moffett, of Cloverdale during many years. Mr. Moffett serving the church as clerk through a long period. The book is unique in that it gives the history of the organization without a break from 1823 to 1904. The minutes from the latter date are in a later volume, now in use. This older record is not the original; it being purchased in August 1831 but the minutes from the first date to that were copied into this one, so that the chronology is complete. The first date is that of the meeting of October, first Saturday, 1823, at which time the monthly business session was held followed by preaching service on the next day, the Sabbath. This has been their custom through more than a century. In the first entry is the following: "We the regular Baptist church on Deer Creek being an arm of Walnut creek church, we agree to come into a constitution upon the article of the Blue River Association.” This establishes the Walnut Creek Church as older, but in April, 1845, the Deer Creek Church received the records of the Walnut Creek Church, which was then dissolved. Early in the minutes of the Deer Creek Church reference is made to the Doe Creek congregation to “Bethel Little Walnut Church, to Mount Pleasant to Big Raccoon Church and one or two others. This indicates that the Predestinarian Baptist were established in Putnam County prior to 1823. The Mill Creek Church of this denomination was founded in 1830 by members dismissed for that purpose from the Deer Creek Church. Those thus released were Absalom Hurst, Catherine Hurst, John C. Sherrill, Caleb Buis, James Reden, William Parker, Candice Parker, Martha Branham, Elizabeth Cotton and Polly Nosler. It is of interest to know that the Absalom Hurst here mentioned was a brother to Abraham and Jesse Hurst. Absalom Hurst was a great uncle of CC and Alpheus Hurst of Greencastle and Jesse Hurst was their great, great grandfather. Half brothers of these old settlers were William and Isaac Hurst. The first named was the father of Jackson and Jefferson Hurst and Jefferson Hurst was the father of Dock Hurst and Mrs. DV Moffett. Isaac Hurst was on the board of construction for the old brick court house. He moved to Texas soon after the Mexican War. When the old Deer Creek Church was built it was in Deer Creek Township but that township was eradicated and the site was and is in Warren Township. It is on a county road which extends south and southwest from Westland on the national Road, intersection State Road 43 at the Hughes and Lockridge farms. The land was sold to the congregation by William McCarty. That old building of logs was replaced by William McCarty. That old building of logs was replaced in 1837 by the present frame structure. In connection with the improvement of the property is this item, from the record of July, 1834: Brethren William Hurst and John Osler are hereby appointed a committee to draft subscription papers in order to get signers thereto to post in the graveyard with good oak posts and rails of the same timber the rails not to be more than 8’ long; six rails to the panel five feet high. It is said that the first interment in the new graveyard was of the body of Peter Cotton who was killed by a falling limb while working at the church. There are some entries in the old record that are interesting as sidelights on the old-time church life. In 1831, there is this sentence: “The church appointed Brother Isaac Alspaugh to prepare a friendly letter to Sister S… and to inquire of her long absence from the church and to inform her that the church has not forgot her and still bear that Christian life and fellowship to her that it formerly did but hearing a report that was injurious to her joining another society therefore it is ordered that Brother Alspaugh convey a letter to her and report to this church on her situation.? William Hurst, five years later was appointed to call upon the same lady and reported back to the congregation “that she had given herself to a society called New Lights and was not sorry for the same, therefore on action the church has excluded her from any privilege of the church."
And there is this:
“Brother William Hurst came forward to the church and made some
statements that he had been guilty of breaking the rules of the society by a
riot with one of his neighbors. The church was of the opinion that she had
better wait until the April meeting which he did and Brother Wm. Hurst came
forward and showed every contrition of heart and the church frankly forgave
him.” “Settled with the treasurer and there appears to be in his hands one
dollar 13 cents and ¾.”
“The church appointed Brethern record of the old Deer Creek
church, I Joel Shin and Isaac Alspaugh to converse with Brother UJ … as there
is a report in circulation injurious to his moral and Christian
Character.” At that time, the delinquent was restored to
good standing but before long another committee waited on him on account of a
report “of the sin of drunkenness and for him to attend for
investigation.” He was excluded.
Brother Benjamin Parks has the liberty to exercise his public gifts (preaching) wherever the Lord may cast his lot.”
Received Brother H --- by recantation and acknowledgement of his errors as a backslider.
Resolved that this church have no fellowship for the foreign board of missions, neither with any members that are connected with the same.
Brother Summers Havens having been charged with communing with the Campbellites and then denying the fact, now comes said brother and so acknowledges both charges and justifies himself and proves quite incorrigible and refactory. He was excommunicated.
Several members were excommunicated for joining the New Providence Church whose organization was considered irregular. – GE Black
Brother Benjamin Parks has the liberty to exercise his public gifts (preaching) wherever the Lord may cast his lot.”
Received Brother H --- by recantation and acknowledgement of his errors as a backslider.
Resolved that this church have no fellowship for the foreign board of missions, neither with any members that are connected with the same.
Brother Summers Havens having been charged with communing with the Campbellites and then denying the fact, now comes said brother and so acknowledges both charges and justifies himself and proves quite incorrigible and refactory. He was excommunicated.
Several members were excommunicated for joining the New Providence Church whose organization was considered irregular. – GE Black