Mt. Carmel and Valley Grove Baptist Church

Another church that may have had a connection to the Mt. Carmel area and people is the Valley Grove Baptist Church. I overlooked this possibility when I was researching for the book. Valley Grove joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Association circa 1881 and represented for a few years. It might be a link between Mt. Carmel and both the Sulphur Springs and Glenfawn churches. The post office is always given at Glenfawn. In 1890, the association minutes list Valley Grove as "dissolved", with Sulphur Springs church being petitioned and received into the association that same year. Sulphur Springs church's post office was Steven (or Stephens).

1882 - W. W. Albritton, pastor; W. H. Needham, J. M. Clayton, delegates; 16 members.
1883 - J. F. M. Reid, pastor; A. J. Anderson, J. R. O. Moore, delegates; 16 members.
1884 - Didn't report
1885 - J. M. Mizzell, pastor; W. H. Needham, delegate; 24 members.
1886 - M. L. Hines, pastor; delegates not listed; 29 members.
1887 - Not represented
1888 - Not represented
1889 - Not represented
1890 - Listed as dissolved

The Valley Grove church corresponded with Smyrna Baptist Church between Feb. 1882 and May 1886, according to Smyrna's minutes. Valley Grove members mentioned in the Smyrna minutes are: Owens Moore (Mar. 1882; probably J. R. O. Moore), Brethren Clayton and Needom (June 1882; probably W. H. Needham & J. M. Clayton).

Martin Baysinger

A PIONEER CITIZEN GONE *

Another good old pioneer citizen has gone to rest. Martin Baysinger passed away March 28th. Uncle Martin was born November, 1808, hence was in his 95th year. Medicall (sic) skill and the best attention was given him, but the call come for him to go up higher. He suffered many days previous to his death. His loving companion was ever ready and willing to minister to his wants day and night until life was extinct.

Uncle Martin was born in North Carolina, moved to Tennessee in 1828, to Texas in 1839. Lived in Texas when it was a republic.

To know him was to love him. He leaves his second wife, whom he married in 1884, his first wife having died in the early seventies. One daughter and an invalid son who is the object of pity, many grand children and a host of warm friends. As a husband he was kind and loving; as a christian neighbor and a citizen his equals were few. May God throw the Strong arm of protection around his aged wife and invalid son is the prayer of one who loves them, and may he who is gone rest in peace.

A FRIEND.

* Transcribed from a photocopy sent by C. D. & Kathryn Penney; name and date of the newspaper that printed this obituary is unknown.

Penny/Penney family

Through the help of C. D. & Kathryn Penney, I have tentatively identified Penny/Penney family members who were members of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, mentioned in the Membership list. I had nothing on them to add to the Mt. Carmel Connections.

I believe now that Henry, Siddie, and Lacy Penny may be:

1. Henry C. Penney (1844-??), second child of Joseph Penney (1822-1875) and Helda Frances Jackson (1825-1905). Joseph and Helda came to Texas from Benton (now Calhoun) County, Alabama, but originated in North Carolina. Joseph and Helda are buried in the Glenfawn Cemetery.

2. Siddie Penney -- probably a daughter of Joseph Penney and Helda Frances Jackson (maybe Sarah, third child of Joseph & Helda; 1846-1868); is "Siddie" a nickname for "Sarah"? Joseph had a sister named Sidda or Siddie.

3. Lacy Penney -- probably should be "Lucy", short for Lucinda A. Penney (1848-1912), fourth child of Joseph Penney and Helda Frances Jackson; Lucy married P. F. Richardson in Rusk County, Texas 2-18-1873 and then Andrew J. Anderson 11-11-1875.

These three would be siblings of William Penney, who married Mary, daughter of Martin Baysinger.

Most of this information comes from Penny Generations: a History of Riley Penny's Descendants, by Morris Penny, Huntsville, Alabama, Robinson Printing Co., 1982