Devereux's will mentions a Baptist Church

Julien Sidney Devereux was a wealthy landowner in southern Rusk County. He built the Monte Verdi plantation. His will mentions "the Baptist Church in the neighborhood of the town of Anadarco..." This might possibly be the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. I have not seen the original will. The excerpts are from a copy in the "Glenfawn Cemetery" vertical file at the Rusk County Library in Henderson, Texas.

Excerpt from Will of Julien Devereux
Dated 7th day of May, A.D. 1852:
"I, Julien Sidney Devereux of the County of Rusk and State of Texas, being of sound mind do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others. 1st: It is my will that after my decease my remains be interred in a suitable and Christian like manner in the burying adjacent to the Baptist Church in the neighborhood of the town of Anadarco; a tomb of stone or brick to be erected over my remains with a suitable head piece of stone on which to be engraved the date of my birth and death."

CODICIL - dated on the 27th day of April, A.D. 1854:
(Excerpt)
"I Julien Sidney Devereux of the County of Rusk and State of Texas, do make, ordain, publish and declare this to be the codicil to the last will and testament by me made and published on the 7th day of May, 1852, in manner and form as follows, to-wit: ....
"11. I hereby revoke the portion of the first clause of my said will which directs my remains to be interred in the burying ground adjacent to the Baptist Church etc. and it is my will and desire that my beloved wife, Sarah Ann, select a suitable place for the deposit of my remains --- that she have the bodies of my beloved father and little son removed thither..."

What all this means we do not presently know, except that there was a Baptist Church with adjacent burying ground existing in 1852 in what is now known as the Glenfawn/Anadarco area of southern Rusk County.

* Note: Anadarco, or Anadarko, receives its name from a tribe of southwestern Caddo Indians.

Mt. Carmel Church - Bibliography, Index

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A History of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Mary Frank Dunn, Henderson, TX: Bill
Decker Printing Co., 1968
Black Churches in Texas: a Guide to Historic Congregations, Clyde McQueen, College
Station, TX: Texas A & M University Press, 2000
Centennial + 5: History of Smyrna Baptist Church Rusk County, Texas 1873-1978, J. W.
Griffith, 1978
History of the Primitive Baptists of Oklahoma, Texas, and Indian Territory, J. S.
Newman, Tioga, Texas: Baptist Trumpet, 1906
Julien Sidney Devereux and his Monte Verdi Plantation, Dorman H. Winfrey, Waco, TX:
Texian Press, 1962
Matthew Gallaway and His Descendants, Irene Dabney Gallaway, n.d., n.p., vertical file,
Rusk County Library
Minutes, 1857–1872, Mt. Zion Baptist Association
Minutes, 1873–1891, Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Enterprise, Texas
Ninety-One Years of History, Glenfawn Baptist Church 1892-1983, Louis F. Asher, 1983
Redland District South Rusk County Texas, Rusk County Genealogical Society,
Henderson, TX
Rusk County Texas History, 1982, compiled by Rusk County Genealogical Society,
Dallas, TX: Taylor Publishing Co., 1982
Rusk County, Texas 1860 Census, transcribed by Mary Franklin Deason Dunn, 1985
Second Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Texas, 1890
Texas Historical and Biographical Magazine, Vol. 1, J. B. Link, 1891
The Rusk-Panola Missionary Baptist Association, Merline Moon, research paper,
Stephen F. Austin State College, 1948

INDEX
Albritton – 11, 19, 20
Anthony – 12, 13, 15
Bailey – 19
Baucom – 19
Baysinger – 4, 5, 6, 9, 12
Birdwell – 10
Blair – 7, 12, 17, 19
Booker – 7
Brandon – 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19
Brittain – 21
Brock – 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 20
Bucaloo/Buckalew – 7, 8, 12
Buckner – 7, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19
Burns – 7, 13, 14, 20
Carmichael/Cormicle – 4, 6, 8, 10, 12,
13, 16, 17, 19, 22
Conner – 20, 22
Cordrey/Cordery/Cordray – 6, 13
Crews – 17
Deason – 8, 10
Devereux – 1, 4, 5, 15, 16
Elliot – 14
Elum/Elam – 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16,
19, 20, 22
Frasure/Frazier – 4, 7, 8, 9, 13, 20
Freeman – 10
Gage – 14
Galloway – 3, 4, 6, 8-11, 13, 14, 15, 17,
19, 20, 22
Gewin – 13, 14
Goldsberry – 3, 7, 11, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20
Grigsby – 12
Gwin/Guinn – 13, 14, 15, 16
Hanes – 13, 14
Harmon – 6, 10, 14, 19
Harris – 17, 21
Hart – 13, 14, 16
Holder – 13, 15
Holleman – 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20
Holley – 7, 14
Howerton – 4, 6, 8, 9, 15, 17, 22
Humphrey – 10, 11, 21
Irby – 13
Jacobs – 7, 15
INDEX (cont.)
James – 17
Jarrell – 6, 15, 16, 19
Lacy – 10
Landrum – 5, 7, 15, 22
Lane – 20
Lawler – 10
Leslie – 6, 7, 15
Linthecum – 7, 12
Loftis – 6, 15
Lyles – 7, 15, 17, 20
McCrary – 12
McSpadden – 12, 13
Melton – 15, 16
Mickleborough – 15
Montgomery – 18
Needham – 7, 15
Nolen/Nolin – 7, 8, 17
Parker – 4, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17
Penny/Penney – 6, 9, 12, 15
Perkins – 6, 9, 15
Pierce – 4, 7, 8, 16, 17
Ponder – 13, 14
Pope – 13
Pruitt – 6, 13, 14, 16
Reid - 3
Richardson – 16
Risinger – 7, 16, 19
Rogers – 16, 21
Salmon – 14, 15
Sanders – 12, 16
Saunders – 16
Smith – 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16
Sparkman – 4, 6, 7, 8-11, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 19, 20, 21, 22
Spinks – 13
Stamps – 7, 13, 16, 22
Stone – 7, 17
Tipps – 12
Vaugn/Vaughn –1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 13, 16,
17, 19, 20
Wallace – 9, 10, 14, 20
Welch – 10, 16, 21
Wells – 7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20
Woolverton – 1, 5, 11

If anyone has information on Mt. Carmel – the church, church families, or related items,
Please contact:
rl_vaughn@yahoo.com

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Appendix F

APPENDIX F – Faith and Order

Only little can be found in the existing minutes relative to the doctrinal beliefs of Mt. Carmel Church. The church followed a strict disciplinary plan. A church covenant is mentioned in the January 1868 conference, and violation of it was grounds for dismissal.37 The eighth rule in the rules of decorum makes clear the church's stance against open communion with other denominations.

Since Mt. Carmel was a constituting member of the Mt. Zion Association in 1857, it can be safely assumed that the Articles of Faith adopted by the Association should in general represent the beliefs of Mt. Carmel Church. The association's committee "recommended the Articles of Faith recorded in the Encyclopedia of Religious Information known as the 'Newhappshire Confession',38 with three amendments."39

Articles of Faith of the Mt. Zion Baptist Association40

I. OF THE SCRIPTURES. - We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; and that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
II. OF THE TRUE GOD. - We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct BUT harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III. OF THE FALL OF MAN. - We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defence or excuse.
IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION. - We believe that the Salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; --who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience,--and by his death made a full atonement for our sins;--that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven;--and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
V. OF JUSTIFICATION. - We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness,--that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood,--by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God,--that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION. - We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel,--that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel;--which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION. - We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again,--that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind and affections,--that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with Divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel,--and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.
VIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH. - We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God,--whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy,-- and at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
IX. OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE. - We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners,--that being perfectly consistent with the free volition of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end,--that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy,--that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree,--that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel,--that it is the foundation of Christian assurance,--and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
X. OF SANCTIFICATION. - We believe that Sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness,-- that it is a progressive work,--that it is begun in regeneration,--and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means--especially the Word of God, self examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
XI. OF THE PERSEVERENCE OF THE SAINTS. - We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end,--that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors,--that a special Providence watches over their welfare,--and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
XII. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL. - We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government,--that it is holy, just, and good,--and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin,--to deliver them from which and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church.
XIII. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH. - We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel,--observing the ordinances of Christ,--governed by His laws -- and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word,--that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER. - We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, in your death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
XV. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. - We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. - We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
XVII. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. - We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
XVIII. OF THE WORLD TO COME. - We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, or principles of righteousness.

Footnotes
37 The church covenant is not recorded in the existing minutes.
38 The New Hampshire Confession was drawn up around 1833 and first adopted by the New Hampshire Baptist Convention; many U.S. Baptists adopted it as their own confession.
39 Minutes, 1857, Mt. Zion Baptist Association, p. 4; originally called, “The Mt. Zion Association of the Missionary Baptist Churches in Eastern Texas” (p. 10)
40 Minutes, 1857, Mt. Zion Baptist Association, pp 13-15

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Appendix E

In the book I have this in a chart form, but could not figure out how to do it here. This makes the information hard to follow. If someone knows a better way to fix it, I'd be glad to know.

APPENDIX E

Mt. Carmel Chart
The chart contains information gleaned from pertinent available statistical tables in the minutes of the Mt. Zion Baptist Association.

Year- Pastor- Delegates- Post Office- Meeting Day- Baptized
1857 X John Landrum, B.F. Stamps X X X
1858 N. Conner Joel Elam, B.F. Stamps, Wm. Howerton New Salem 4th 7
1859 X William Howerton, J. Elam, B.F. Stamps New Salem
1860 - 1865 Minutes not available
1866 J. Sparkman John Sparkman, Wm. Howerton, Wm. Sparkman Henderson 3rd 19
1867 John Sparkman Eld. Jno. Sparkman, Joel Elam, Eld. Wm. Sparkman New Salem X 5
1868 Not listed in minutes
1869 J. Sparkman Jno. Sparkman, R. Carmickael, F.O. Galloway Henderson 3rd 8
1870 Not represented, but J. Sparkman listed as a member in the ordained ministers list
1871 Name printed on list, but info only on post office -- Mt. Enterprise
1872 Name printed on list, but no info; J. Sparkman a member of Zion Hill

Year- Dead- Total Members- Notes
1857 Mt. Carmel was a charter member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Association
1858 1 65 B.F. Stamps, Mt. Carmel member, was Mt. Zion association clerk in 1858
1859 1 62 Association was held at Mt. Carmel, 18 miles south of Henderson
1866 1 64 Membership consists of 56 whites and 8 blacks
1867 1 83 Number of black members not given separately
1868 Not listed in minutes
1869 0 72 John & William Sparkman still members
1870 Not represented
1871 J. Sparkman member of Zion Hill
1872 Though name is printed in list, Mt. Carmel church was disbanded

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Appendix D

APPENDIX D

Resolution offered to the Mt. Zion Association by John Sparkman
"Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed by this body to meet with a like number to be appointed by the Little Hope Association, for the purpose of adjusting all difference between what is known as Missionary and Primitive Baptists, in order to their union; said committees to meet at Holly Spring Church, Rusk county, on Friday before the 4th Sabbath in October 1868; and that said committee be, and is hereby, required to report the result of their conference to this body at its next annual meeting, and the various churches comprising the same." This was adopted. The committee: Elder John Sparkman, Elder William Sparkman, W. H. Cooper, A. J. Welch, Elder R. M. Humphrey, Elder W. H. H. Hays, and G. W. Butts. Alternates: Elder Ben Griffin, G. W. Harris, W. Lassiter. Mt. Zion minutes, Sept. 1868, p. 2 (Meeting at Beulah, Rusk County, beginning Fri. Sept 18, 1868)

"Your Committee appointed at your session in 1868, to meet a like Committee from the Little Hope Association of Primitive Baptists, attended as directed. The Little Hope Association failed to meet us by Committee, but several of its members being present, organized themselves into a Committee with which we consulted and unanimously adopted the following: We believe and agree that a gospel church is the highest ecclesiastical authority on earth. That each church is an independent body, not amenable to Associations, Conventions, Conferences, Presbyteries, Synods, general Assemblies, Elders, Bishops, Priests, Popes, Kings or any or all the Organizations, Institutions, or Combinations of men on earth; she is subject only to Christ, who alone is lawgiver in Zion. That church members are equals and fellow-citizens, and all contributions for the maintenance of the church, or support of the ministry, must be voluntary, as each member purposeth in his own heart."

Mt. Zion: Elder G. W. Rogers, Elder John Sparkman, A. J. Welch
Little Hope: Elder Thos. Brittain, Elder J. M. Roquemore, B. H. Barton
Mt. Zion minutes, 1869, p. 4, (Meeting at New Salem, Rusk County, 1869)

Note: The two associations did not unite, and both still exist today. But during the 1869 session of the Mt. Zion Association, Primitive Baptist elder Thomas Brittain preached the introductory sermon from Eph. 4:1-8. He was among those invited to seats as a visiting minister of like faith and order, preached at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and preached following William McCollough on Monday.


Resolution offered to the Mt. Zion Association by William Sparkman
"Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Association that it is the duty of the churches to see that the ordinances of the gospel are administered to all persons, irrespective of color, who can give satisfactory evidence of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." This was adopted. Mt. Zion minutes, Sept. 1868, p. 3

These resolutions are included to demonstrate some of the influence and work of John and William Sparkman in the Mt. Zion Baptist Association.

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Appendices A, B, C

APPENDIX A – Officers

Known pastors
(Possibly) J. H. Lane36 – 1857; living in Cherokee County in 1850 census.
N. Conner – 1858; lived somewhere around Nacogdoches, Texas.
John Sparkman – 1866—1869; and could have extended into 1870.
W. W. Albritton – 1870; in 1870 Mt. Zion Baptist Association minutes, W. W. Albritton is listed with a Mt. Enterprise address and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Later he would live in the Douglass area in Nacogdoches County.

Known church clerks
Newton Van Buren Brock, church clerk pro-tem, February 1868
F. O. Galloway, October 1867 – April 1870 (at least)
A. P. Galloway, church clerk pro-tem, May 1870
R. P. Goldsberry, November 1871

Known deacons
None known

APPENDIX B - Members of Mt. Carmel who joined Smyrna Church
(* Denotes charter members)
Sarah (Frazier) Burns Ballard
Martha Frazier
A. H. Galloway
F. O. Galloway *
Mary Galloway (Wallace)
Matilda (Frazier) Gentry
Nannie Goldsberry *
Robert Pomeroy Goldsberry *
Clinton Marion Holleman *
J. J. Holleman
Moody Valentine Holleman
Panila Lyles
Vincent Thornton Vaughn
Elizabeth Wells *
Michael T. Wells *

Both Mt. Carmel and Smyrna had a member or members named Mary Pruitt. I have been unable to verify whether it is the same person or two people with the same name.

APPENDIX C – Mt. Carmel and other churches
Other churches mentioned in the Mt. Carmel minutes
Cool Springs Holly Springs
Mt. Zion New Salem
Shiloh

Mt. Carmel mentioned in other minutes
Mt. Carmel is mentioned in the minutes of the Union (now Old North) Baptist Church in August 1867, when they received William Sparkman and Joel Elam from Mt. Carmel as “corresponding messengers”.

Footnote
36 Pauline Shirley Murrie lists him for Mt. Carmel pastor in 1857, but I did not find any pastors listed in the Mt. Zion Association minutes for 1857. See footnote 1. She may be mistaken. Actual initials are I. H. [Isham Hall] Lane, ca.1790—1859. He is buried at the City Cemetery in Jacksonville, Rusk County, Texas.

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Black members, demise, legacy

Black members of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
According to the Mt. Zion Baptist Association minutes, Mt. Carmel church had 8 black members in 1866. In 1868 the “colored members” and the church as a whole agreed to have separate preaching services for them on the first Sunday of each month.

Some hard-to-identify persons in the “Mt. Carmel Connections” section may be some of the black members. Also some black members could be identified incorrectly as white members. Some southern Rusk County black and white families share the same last name.

According to William Montgomery, after the Civil War membership in biracial churches rapidly declined while independent black church membership soared. One Georgia minister said that blacks were not forced out of white-controlled churches, but that the blacks preferred “to have them to themselves”.29 By 1890, sixty percent of black churchgoers in Texas were Baptist.30

The Demise of Mt. Carmel Church
At this late date it will probably never be determined what led to the disbanding of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. A disciplinary battle that entangled several church families certainly would not have been helpful. An unfulfilled search for a permanent location probably led to some instability. Withdrawal of the black families would have decreased the membership. Perhaps all of these, as well as other unknown factors, combined to end the history of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in southern Rusk County. Nevertheless, she “being dead yet speaketh”. The influence of Mt. Carmel Church and her people continues through the legacy she left behind.

Mt. Carmel Legacy
Some existing Rusk County churches appear to be indebted to Mt. Carmel – the Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church and the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church more directly, and Glenfawn Missionary Baptist Church less so.

Several Mt. Carmel members went into the organization of Smyrna a little less than two years after Mt. Carmel disbanded, and other former members joined Smyrna shortly after its organization. See Appendix B on page 20. This number who joined Smyrna is roughly equivalent to half of the members that were left when Mt. Carmel disbanded. John Sparkman was the first pastor of Smyrna.

According to their corner stone, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, located on County Road 3223 in southern Rusk County, was founded in 1870.31 It is in the general area where Mt. Carmel met, and might have been founded by former members of Mt. Carmel.32 It is noted in the March 1868 minutes that the church began holding separate preaching services for the black members. Some former members of Mt. Carmel asked the Mt. Zion Association for help in organizing a church. "The regular order of business was then suspended in order to receive a communication from certain colored brethren and sisters, formerly belonging to the Mt. Carmel Church, asking the Association to constitute them into a church and ordain them a minister, which letter was received and regular order of business resumed, and the following resolution adopted: Resolved, That the Association has no power to constitute white or colored churches, or ordain ministers, but advise the colored brethren to summon a Presbytery, whose duty it is to constitute them into a church, if they are qualified; and recommend our ministers to ordain and constitute them as such; and instruct them religiously in every way required." Mt. Zion minutes, 1870, pp. 3-4 (Meeting at Shiloh, Rusk County, beginning Sept. 16, 1870)

The Glenfawn Baptist Church was organized in 1892 in the same general area as Mt. Carmel. This church has several family names in common with Mt. Carmel – Blair, Buckner, Harmon, Risinger, Wells – and former Mt. Carmel member Michael T. Wells was a charter member of Glenfawn.

An earlier Glen Fawn Baptist Church,33 organized circa 1878, may have been an attempt to revive the Mt. Carmel Church. This church of 13 members petitioned for membership in the Mt. Zion Association in 1878, with W. W. Albritton, the last known pastor of Mt. Carmel, as pastor and J. W. Carlile as messenger. The next year Albritton was still pastor, and J. Brandon, former Mt. Carmel member, was one of the messengers to the Association. This Glen Fawn church only represented two years in the association.

In addition to these, about ten Mt. Carmel members joined the Zion Hill Church near Minden – the John Sparkman family in 1870, C. E. Sparkman in 1874, Olivia Wells in 1871 and Charlcy Holley in 1879.34 John Sparkman was the first pastor of Zion Hill.

Preachers through Mt. Carmel’s membership: John Sparkman, W. M. Sparkman, Thornton Vaughn. Preachers from the descendants of members: Sterling F. Baucom (son-in-law of R. P. Goldsberry), John Weldon Bailey, (grandson-in-law of Joel Elam), J. R. Carmichael (grandson of Reuben Carmichael and Joseph Brandon), Amos Dempsey Sparkman (son of John Sparkman), Richard Valentine Holleman (son of Clinton Marion Holleman)

Teachers – W. M. Sparkman, A. P. Goldsberry (father of R. P. Goldsberry)35

Doctors – A. P. Galloway, A. H. Galloway, F. O. Galloway, Julius Jarrell, H. J. Jarrell

Footnotes
29 This may not be universally true, but is generally so.
30 Black Churches in Texas: a Guide to Historic Congregations, Clyde McQueen, College Station, TX: Texas A & M University Press, pp. 12, 16
31 Mt. Zion is one of the oldest black churches in Rusk County. In Black Churches in Texas, though he doesn’t mention Mt. Zion, McQueen identified none older within Rusk County. For his book, an historic church is "a body of Christian believers that has been organized for at least one hundred years" and "had to be active at the time the church was catalogued." p. xvii
32 At present, sufficient information has not been found to prove the connection, but this theory represents a definite possibility.
33 Also spelled “Glen Fon” and “Glend Fond” in the 1878 Mt. Zion minutes.
34 A History of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Mary Frank Dunn, pp. 36,28, 29, 52
35 It is not known whether Alfred P. Goldsberry was ever a member of Mt. Carmel, only that some of his family was.

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Comments on omissions, errors

Comments on omissions, discrepancies and errors

The extant minutes of Mt. Carmel Church cover a period from October 1867 to November 1871. But there are no entries for 1869, two for 1870 and only one for 1871. It is possible that some conferences were not held during that period, but unlikely that no conferences were held. In fact, the membership list indicates that some business was transacted during the period of time between August 1868 and April 1870. H. J. & T. S. Brock were granted letters April 17, 1869, William Brandon was excluded in July 1869, and several joined by experience in September of 1869. What might be most likely is that the clerk never transferred his notes of these meetings into the official record book.

When the church disbanded in November of 1871, she evidently had a membership of a little over 30 persons. 31 entries in the membership were recorded as dismissed by letter in either Nov. 1871 or Nov. 4, 1871 (probably all the same time, since this was the first weekend of the month). Two other entries record dismissals as Nov. 4, 1870, but it is likely this is intended to be 1871.

There are some discrepancies between the minutes and the membership list, most of which may be created by a misunderstanding or misplacing of the ditto (") marks. For example, the dittoes seem to indicate the Galloways and the John Sparkman family were dismissed by letter in March of 1871. The Galloways are found calling for their letters in the minutes of May 1870, and Zion Hill Baptist Church and Mt. Zion Association records show John Sparkman in the Zion Hill Church at least by the end of 1870. Other discrepancies might eventually be resolved with a full finding of the facts. For example, according to the membership list, Panila Lyles united with Mt. Carmel by letter August 18, 1868 while the conference records that when opportunity was extended to receive members "none came forward". But consultation of a perpetual calendar reveals the minute entry is for August 15th. Most likely Mt. Carmel "protracted" its meeting and Mrs. Lyles came forward on Tuesday. The May 18th dating of the May 1868 conference is probably a simple "carry-over" mistake from the correct date of the 18th for the April conference.

There is at least one discrepancy between the Mt. Carmel minutes and the Mt. Zion Association minutes. Mt. Carmel elected delegates to the Association in August 1868, but the church is not listed in the 1868 Mt. Zion minutes of the meeting held at Beulah Church in Sept. 1868. Perhaps the elected messengers did not attend. Maybe the clerk of the association simply failed to record them. It is possible that they sent messengers to another association, but this seems quite unlikely.

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Connections

Mt. Carmel Church connections9

Adeline Baysinger (1818—ca.1870) – Adeline (or Adaline) Tipps, a daughter of Peter Tipps, married Martin Baysinger before 1830; the Baysinger’s daughter Mary married William Penney, but a connection has not been made to the Pennys on the Mt. Carmel Church roll.
Martin Baysinger (1808—ca.1903) – Martin McCrary Baysinger, probably the son of Henry Baysinger (or Basinger) and Elizabeth McCrary; married Adeline Tipps; not long after bringing his family to Texas from Tennessee, Martin Baysinger received a 640-acre land grant in southwest Rusk County in 1839. He established a plantation that included a gristmill, brick making pit, syrup mill, cotton gin, store and post office. His land holdings increased to nearly 7,000 acres. Out of this he set aside a burial ground upon the death of his first wife.10 After Adeline’s death, he married Mrs. Martha Brandon in 1884, who may have been connected to the Joseph Brandon family.
Mary Blair – possibly Mary Grigsby, wife of Vince Blair, or their daughter, Mary E. Blair, who married M. T. Wells in 1869.
Vince Blair – probably Vincent Blair (1819—1902), who married Mary Houston Grigsby (though there appears to be more than one Vince Blair); buried at Laneville.
Joseph Brandon – Joseph was born circa 1825 and died after 1880.
Nancy Brandon – Nancy Sparkman, sister of Frances, John, and W. M., daughter of William Sparkman and Sarah Tate Anthony; wife of Joseph Brandon.
Sarah Ann Brandon (1851—1894) – daughter of Joseph and Nancy; married William Mack Carmichael, son of Reuben and Frances Carmichael, on 10 Apr 1870; after his death she married William McElder Vaught in 1880.
William Brandon – son of Joseph and Nancy Brandon (b. circa 1849).
H. J. Brock – probably John Henry Brock (1843—1911); brother of Newton Van Buren Brock and son of James R. and Elizabeth Brock; married Polly Elam; after moving to Parker County John and Polly were charter members of the Brock Baptist Church in the Brock Community.
M. A. Brock – Mary Antoinette Buckner (1850—1910), daughter of Garrett D. Bucker and Sarah Psalms McSpadden; sister of C. E. Sparkman; wife of N. V. Brock.
N. V. Brock – Newton Van Buren Brock (1840—1918); son of James R. and Elizabeth Brock; brother of John Henry Brock; N. V. married Mary Antoinette Buckner, a daughter of Garrett D. Buckner and Sarah McSpadden.
T. S. Brock – probably Polly Sanders Elam (1843—1924), daughter of Joel and Sarah, who married John Henry Brock in Rusk County in 1866.11
Bucaloo sisters – The "sisters Bucaloos" may be R. A. and E. J. Buckalew, daughters of A. J. and Elizabeth Buckalew. This is family 544-561 in the Rusk County 1860 Federal Census, Beat No. 3, New Salem. They were 21 and 20 years old at the time.
Elizar (Eliza?) Buckner – undetermined
Robert Buckner – probably Robert (1848—1931), son of Garrett and Sarah Buckner.
Sallie Buckner – probably Sallie, or Sarah (1852—1920), daughter of Garrett and Sarah Buckner.
Sarah S. Buckner (1812—1884) – Sarah (P)salms McSpadden, wife of Garrett D. Buckner,12 mother of Robert, Sallie, C. E. Sparkman and M. A. Brock.13
Sarah Burns – Sarah Elizabeth Frazier, daughter of John and Martha Frazier; circa 1860 married Francis B. Burns, who may have been related to the wife of M. V. Holleman. After Burns’ death, she married John Ballard.
Reuben Carmichael – William Reuben Carmichael, son of Joseph F. Carmichael and Elizabeth Holder; married first Elizabeth Spinks; Reuben and Elizabeth were members of Mars Hill Baptist Church in Oconee Co., GA; married second Sidney Frances Parker; Reuben and Sidney were possibly members of White Plains Baptist Church in Greene Co., Georgia.14
Frances Carmichael – Sidney Frances Parker, daughter of Emmanuel Parker and Mary Ann Astin; 2nd wife of Reuben Carmichael; sister of Wiley & Foster Parker (p. 10).
Sarah Cordry – in the 1850 Rusk County census an eight year old Sarah Cordrey appears in the home of W. T. and Sarah Smith, and may be this person; Charlotte (Berryhill) Cordrey is also in the home and may be her mother.
A. A. Elam – Ann America Elam, daughter of Joel and Sarah Elam; married J. Gunn.
A. F. Elam – Alabama Florence Elam, daughter of Joel and Sarah Elam.
F. A. Elam – Frances Mariann A. Sparkman, sister of John Sparkman, W. M. Sparkman, and Nancy Brandon; daughter of William Sparkman and Sarah Tate Anthony. Married first Elijah Rountree Hanes; Second Joel Elam.
Joel Elam (1818—1893) – married first Sarah Eleanor Stamps; their daughter Polly married John Henry Brock; married second Frances Mariann A. Sparkman 31 Dec 1866. In 1869 his daughter Alice Eleanor married John S. Hanes, son of Frances Sparkman; after moving from Rusk Co. married Florence Pope circa 1875; buried in Franklin, TX.
John Frazier – married Martha Irby; came to Rusk County from Greene County, Georgia, which was also the residence of the Carmichaels and the birthplace of Thornton Vaughn, though there is no known relation.
Martha Frazier – Martha Irby; married John Frazier in Greene County, Georgia.
Matilda Frazier – daughter of John and Martha Frazier; married Joseph Gentry.
A. H. Galloway – Allen Hart Galloway15 (1850—1911), son of Dr. A. P. Galloway and Mary Pruitt; he later united with Smyrna MBC and then the First Missionary Baptist Church in Laneville. He was baptized circa 1867 by John Sparkman.16
A. P. Galloway – Dr. Amos Ponder Galloway (1816—1871); son of Anderson Galloway and Delilah Ponder; married first Caroline Gewin (Gwin? Guinn?) and second Mary H. Pruitt, daughter of Colonel John Pruitt and Martha Hart; A. P. Galloway's grandfather Matthew was a charter member of Beaverdam Baptist Church in Oglethorpe County, GA in September 1800, and his father was also a member there. A church note in May 1828 reads, "The Church received information that a letter of dismission that was granted Bro. Anderson Gallaway, living in Alabama in August, 1826, has been miscarried and he failed to get the same. Ordered, that the clerk forward another letter to Bro. Gallaway and state the time he was dismissed and the circumstances attending the case."17 A. P. was a trustee of the Mound Prairie Institute in 1856.18
F. O. Galloway – Frank Owen Galloway, son of Amos Ponder Galloway and Caroline Gewin; he was clerk pro-tem of the organizational meeting of the Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church. Frank O. Galloway was granted a letter of dismission from Smyrna Aug. 21, 1874. He married Susan Salmon, daughter of John L. and Martha Salmon, in May of 1871. A ‘Dr. F. O. Galloway’ is listed in Butterfield and Rundlett's 1875 Directory of the City of Dallas. A handwritten note in the family history states they moved to Dallas County and then Clay County, and that his family was living in Henrietta after his death.19 Frank O. Galloway is in the 1880 Rusk County census and was postmaster of Gourdneck in Rusk County in 1880; born February 16, 1845, died January 12, 1889.
Mary H. Galloway – evidently Mary H. Pruitt Galloway, daughter of John Pruitt and Martha Hart; wife of Dr. A. P. Galloway; Mary Pruitt Galloway (1830-1896) married David S. Wallace after the death of A. P. Galloway.
R. P. Goldsberry (1844—1911) – Robert Pomeroy Goldsberry, son of Alfred P. Goldsberry and Mary Ann Wells (dau. of William and Sarah Wells); in 1860 Rusk Co. census 15 year old Robert is still at home with parents, A. P. and Mary A. Goldsberry and siblings, Elizabeth C., William W. and Jacob; married Nancy Elizabeth Hanes, daughter of Frances Sparkman and E. R. Hanes; buried at Linn Flat, Nacogdoches Co.
Nannie Goldsberry (1847—1898) – Nancy Elizabeth Hanes, daughter of Frances Sparkman and Elijah Rountree Hanes; wife of R. P. Goldsberry; buried at Linn Flat.
Nancy Harmon – this might be a 28 year old Nancy Harmon who is found in Rusk County in 1860 (family 568-586), with, apparently, two children, Rufus and John. She may have been a part of the Pruitt family.
C. M. Holleman (1844—1917) – Clinton Marion Holleman, son of William Arthur Holleman and Malinda Guinn; C. M. was a charter member of Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church in Rusk County in Aug. 1873; of the Union Primitive Baptist Church near Roger’s Prairie in Leon County, 12 July 1890; and of Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church at Wealthy in Leon County, 19 March 1904.20
J. J. Holleman – possibly Josiah John Holleman (1826—1907), son of Josiah John Holleman (1785—1862) and Jane McLaughlin/Elliot, or Josiah John Holleman (1848—1925), son of Green Wilson Holleman; but J. J. Holleman in the Mt. Carmel Church minutes might be John Lawrence Holleman. Js and Ls are sometimes confused, and this confusion shows up later in Smyrna Church minutes. The person initially listed as J. J. Holleman in the Smyrna minutes is later identified as John L. (his wife Frances is also mentioned in the Smyrna minutes).
M. V. Holleman (1842—1927) – Moody Valentine Holleman, son of William Arthur Holleman and Malinda Guinn; married Manerva Lucinda Burns.
Charlie Holley – Charlie might be Charleenly (or Charlsey) Gage, who married Richard R. Holley (brother of Sion Holley) in Rusk County 18 Feb 1868; joined Zion Hill in 1879; Sion Holley married Mary Elizabeth Holleman, daughter of Green Wilson Holleman.
Elizabeth Howerton – daughter of William and Mary Howerton.
Mary Howerton – Mary Ann Mickleborough/Micklebrough, wife of William Howerton. In 1837 Mary Ann (7 Nov 1814 -- 17 May 1896) married William in Lowndes County, Alabama.
William Howerton – (1814—1868) son of Joel and Sarah Howerton; buried at Glenfawn Cemetery; at one time he was overseer for Julien Sidney Devereux’s Monte Verdi plantation.21
W. H. Jacobs – probably William H. Jacobs (1850—??), who married Matilda Caroline Holleman, daughter of Green Wilson Holleman and cousin of C. M. and M. V. Holleman.
H. J. Jarrell – Henry Joseph Jarrell, son of Henry Jarrell and Martha M. Buckner, stepson of Elder John Sparkman.
J. S. Jarrell – Julius Jarrell, son of Henry Jarrell and Martha M. Buckner.
W. J. Jarrell – William James Jarrell, son of Henry Jarrell and Martha M. Buckner.
John Landrum – the name of John Landrum is not recorded in the existing church minutes, but he was a delegate from the Mt. Carmel Church to the Mt. Zion Association in 1857. He came to Texas in 1829 and served in the Texas Army from March 12 to July 7, 1836.22 In 1860 he is found in Beat No. 10 (New Salem), Rusk County census. Landrum was born in Georgia circa 1801 and died after 1860. His second wife, Mary Wells, probably was a distant cousin of William Wells. Their daughter, Sarah Ann Landrum (1827—1900), was the second wife of Julien Sidney Devereux, Sr., owner of the Monte Verdi plantation at Glenfawn. After Devereux’s death, she married J. F. Garrison.
Mary Leslie – possibly Mary J. Leslie (born circa 1848), daughter of J. H. and Sarah Lesley/Leslie, found as family 455-471 in Beat No. 3, New Salem, 1860 Federal Census, Rusk County, Texas; married James Jordan.
Sarah Leslie – possibly Sarah (born circa 1820), wife of J. H. Leslie, or their daughter Sarah E. Leslie (born circa 1852), who married Thomas K. Jordan.
Sallie P. Linthecum – Sarah J. "Sallie" (Walker), wife of Romulus C. Linthicum, might possibly be the Sallie Linthicum of the minutes. They are family 1200-1218 in Mt. Enterprise in the 1860 census; she was 19 years old. They married in 1857 in Nacogdoches County. R. C. was an uncle of Susan Elizabeth Salmon, who married Frank O. Galloway in 1871.
George Loftis – possibly George Washington Loftis, who married Louisa B. Holder in Rusk County in 1863.
Louisa Loftis – evidently the wife of George Loftis.
Panila Lyles – Pernilie Jane Guinn (1842—1913), wife of Jasper Edge and second Zachary Taylor Lyles; Pernilie was the daughter of Thornton Guinn and Sarah Melton; was a first cousin to C. M. and M. V. Holleman, and a niece of Baptist preacher William Guinn; is buried in the Holleman Cemetery.
W. H. Needham – possibly William Howard Needham (1836-1900), who married Catherine C. Perkins.
Joseph Nolin - married Mary Vaughn.
Henry Penny – undetermined
Lacy Penny – undetermined
Siddie Penny – undetermined
Celie Perkins – Celia, daughter of William and Mary Howerton; married Simeon Perkins 15 Dec 1859; Simeon could have been a member; he died in 1866.
Julia Perkins – possibly Julia A. Perkins, the wife of Samuel S. Perkins, older brother of Simeon Perkins.
Susan Pierce – daughter of Wyatt Vaughn and Eliza Jane Parker (a cousin of Sidney Frances Parker Carmichael); wife of Wiley Pierce and sister of Thornton Vaughn.
Mary Pruitt – probably some of the Colonel John Pruitt family, but undetermined; his wife Mary Hart had died before he came to Texas.
Cathren Risinger – possibly Joanna Catherine Buckner, daughter of Garrett D. and Sarah Buckner and wife of Jackson J. Risinger.
John H. Smith – John Henry Smith, husband of Martha Seay; b. Sept. 14, 1842 - d. March 10, 1930.
Martha Smith – Martha Elizabeth Seay b. May 11, 1834 - d. May 2, 1899, the daughter of Ransom Seay and Sarah Oliver Elam. She married (1st) Samuel Wesley Kite, and (2nd) John Henry Smith November 5, 1865 in Beaumont, Mississippi.
C. E. Sparkman – China Elizabeth Buckner, wife of William Moses Sparkman and daughter of Garrett D. Buckner; joined Zion Hill Baptist Church in 1874.23
John Sparkman – John Calloway Sparkman (1831—1882), son of William Sparkman and Sarah Tate Anthony; brother of W. M.; was moderator of the Mt. Zion Baptist Association from 1872-1881. When he first came to Texas, the family settled in Pine Hill circa 1853 and joined the Holly Springs Church there. The John Sparkman family joined Zion Hill Baptist Church in 1870.24 According to Link, John Sparkman professed faith when he was eighteen years old, was baptized into Bethesda Baptist Church25 in Jasper County, GA by John Dodd. He later united with the Flint River Baptist Church in Henry County before moving to Texas in 1853 and uniting with the Holly Springs Church in Pine Hill. He was licensed by Holly Springs in 1860 and ordained in 1861, Elders William Gwin,26 G. W. Rogers and M. Melton forming the presbytery. "The Bible was his dictionary, geography, grammar, rhetoric and logic. He was a man of strong convictions, devotedly pious, and earnest and forceful as a speaker, carrying the masses with him in his plain, scriptural arguments, drawing his illustrations principally from the common field of nature, his leading theme being the doctrines of grace, while he was well posted in the distinctive principles of the denomination, and ably defended them when it became necessary."27
L. C. Sparkman – Lewis C. Sparkman, son of John and Martha Sparkman.
M. M. Sparkman – Martha M. Buckner (1829—1896), wife of John Sparkman and daughter of Eli Franklin Buckner and Eliza Saunders. Her first husband was Henry Jarrell.
W. M. Sparkman – William Moses Sparkman (died ca. 1874), son of William Sparkman and Sarah Tate Anthony; brother of John,28 Nancy Brandon and Frances Elam; served as moderator of the Mt. Zion Association in 1870; is believed to have died in Ellis or Van Zandt county while on an evangelistic trip.
Britton F. Stamps (1825—1902) – not mentioned in the extant minutes, but was a member of Mt. Carmel in earlier years, a delegate to the association 1857-1859, and served as the second clerk of the Mt. Zion Baptist Association in 1858; the son of Britton F. Stamps and Mary “Polly” Sanders, he married Frances Ann Richardson in 1848 (daughter of Dr. P. T. Richardson). His sister, Sarah Eleanor Stamps, married Joel Elam. His daughter, Elizabeth Ann Stamps, married Albert Devereux in 1869. B. F. and the Devereuxs later lived in Wise County.
Lucy Stone – this might be 50 year old Lucy A. Stone, apparently the wife of William Stone; is in the 1860 Rusk County census, family 571-589.
Mary Vaughn – daughter of Eldridge H. Vaughn and Mary Harris, living with William and Mary Howerton in 1860, apparently after the death of her parents; no known relation to Thornton Vaughn; she and Joseph Nolin married 29 Sept 1867 in Rusk County.
Thornton Vaughn (1848—1915) – son of Wyatt Vaughn and Eliza Jane Parker (a cousin of Sidney Frances Parker Carmichael); brother of Susan Pierce; in 1902 he was ordained to the ministry by Smyrna Baptist Church. He is an older brother of Marshall Lewis Vaughn, who had the original minutes of Mt. Carmel 1867-1871.
Elizabeth Wells – this probably is M. T. Wells’ wife.
Mikiel Wells – Michael Teachel Wells (1846—1912), son of William Wells and Sarah James; M. T. Wells married Mary E. Blair (1850—1927), daughter of Vince and Mary Blair; M. T. was Robert Goldsberry’s uncle; ordained a deacon by Smyrna church in 1874. William Wells might have been an early member of Mt. Carmel.
Olivid Wells – probably Olivia Crews, who married Wimbrick D. Wells, brother of Michael T. Wells; joined Zion Hill Church in 1871.

Footnotes
9 This information is gleaned from a variety of sources – including RootsWeb World Connect Project and the 1982 Rusk County History book – and is intended comparison purposes, to highlight family connections within the church and as a research help for descendants of the members of Mt. Carmel Church. Though hopefully most of the information is accurate, it has not all been verified and is not intended for use as genealogical documentation. All data should be double-checked.
Many of the early Mt. Carmel members seem to have been prominent southern Rusk County landholders.
10 Based on historical marker at Baysinger Cemetery;
See http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/etx/rusk/history/BSHM.htm
11 Polly Sanders Elam…was well informed on the Bible and history.
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:3249336&id=I642743840
12 Garrett D. Buckner was a son of James Monroe Buckner, Sr. James M. Sr. and Daniel Cooke Buckner were sons of Henry Buckner, Sr. Dallas pastor Robert Cooke Buckner, son of Daniel and the Buckner of Buckner Orphan’s Home, was a first cousin of Garrett D. Buckner.
13 Old Mt. Zion minutes indicate that Moses M. Buckner (son of Sarah & Garrett) and A. P. Galloway affiliated initially with the Mt. Moriah Church in the Laneville area (San Cosme post office); said church seems to have ceased to exist after the Civil War. At least it no longer appears in the Mt. Zion Baptist Association minutes.
14 Some family genealogists state that Reuben was a Baptist minister, but he is never found in an ordained ministers’ list of the Mt. Zion Association.
15 This family is consistently “Galloway” in the Mt. Carmel records; but family records and genealogists often spell it as “Gallaway”.
16 Resolution of Respect by First Missionary Baptist Church; 1911 newspaper clipping reprinted in Redland District South Rusk County Texas, Rusk County Genealogical Society, Henderson, TX, p. 7 section 3
17 Matthew Gallaway and His Descendants, Irene Dabney Gallaway, p. 14, n.d., n.p., vertical file, Rusk County Library
18 Minutes, Judson Baptist Association, 1856 (copy in East Texas Research Center, SFA University)
19 Matthew Gallaway and His Descendants, p. 14
20 History of the Primitive Baptists of Oklahoma, Texas, and Indian Territory, J. S. Newman, Tioga, Texas: Baptist Trumpet, 1906, pp. 108, 109
21 Julien Sidney Devereux, Winfrey, pp. 54, 91; Speaking of William Howerton in December 1855, Winfrey writes of him as “Devereux’s former overseer.”
22 Winfrey, ibid., pp. 39, 40
23 A History of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Mary Frank Dunn, Henderson, TX: Bill Decker Printing Co., 1968; p. 7
24 A History of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Mary Frank Dunn, pp. 7, 48
25 Possibly should be Bethsaida. In an e-mail to me (dated 16 Sept 2006), Dr. Robert G. Gardner, Senior Researcher in Baptist History, Mercer University, wrote, "The only Bethsaida church was in Fayette County, with J. S. Dodd as pastor in at least 1849-1853. His post office address was Fayetteville (1849, 1850) and Fairburn (1852-1853)."
26 William Guinn was an uncle of members C. M. & M. V. Holleman, being a brother of their mother, and of Panila Lyles, being a brother of her father.
27 Texas Historical and Biographical Magazine, Vol. 1, J. B. Link, 1891, p. 515
28 John and William Sparkman both married Buckners, but I haven't determined their relation, if any. William's wife is one of the Glenfawn Buckners and John's wife is connected to the Pine Hill Buckners. Andrew Jackson Welch, mentioned in the June 1868 minutes, married Mary Ann Buckner (1834—1911). Mary Ann and Martha were children of Eli Franklin Buckner and Eliza Saunders.

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Minutes 1867-1871

Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in Oct. 1867
After divine services by Bro. John Deason Mt. Carmel Church convened in conference. Visiting bretheren were invited to seats with us. An opportunity was extended for the reception of members. Lewis Sparkman came foreward, related his experience and was received in to our christain fellowship and church fellowship when baptized. The moderator called for corispondents. Bro. John Deason came forward as a corispondent from Holy Springs Church and was received. The moderator called for references whereupon the committee appointed to investigate the conduct of Bro. Nolen and Sister Vaugn reported. The report was received and the parties excluded. Bros. Elum, Howerton and Commicle were appointed as a committee to corispond with the sisters Bucaloo in regard to their membership. The same committee was appointed to assertain the amount it would require to build us a church. The church then proceeded to appoint corisponding messengers to sister churches. Bro. Elum, Howerton and F. O. Galloway were appointed as corisponding messengers to Cool Springs Church and Bro. Frasure, Clint Holleman and Cormicle to Shilo Church. Conference adjourned.
F. O. Galloway C. C. John Sparkman Mod.

[Begin page 6→]
Sat. before the 3rd Sabbath in Nov. 1867
After divine service by Eld. John Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. An oppertunity was extended for the reception of members. None came. The Mod. called for references when upon the committee appointed to corispond with the sisters Bucaloos called for farther time to report. The com. appointed to assertain the amount it would require to purchase the material to build us a house, reported stating it would require $250 (Two hundred and fifty dollars). The matter was postponed. The church requested Bro. William Sparkman to quit his school room and devote his time to the preaching of the gospel. Bros. A. P. Galloway, Howerton and Joel Elum were appointed as delegates to visit Holly Spring Church. By motion conference ajourned.
F. O. Galloway C. C. John Sparkman Mod.

Sat. before the 3rd Sunday in Dec. 1867
After divine service by Eld. John Sparkman Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. The Mod. called for references, when upon the committee appointed to corispond with the sisters Bucaloos called for farther time to report. The Mod. called for general business, when upon the motion requesting Bro. W. M. Sparkman to quit the school room and devote his time to the preaching of the gospel was reconsidered and lost. Bro. John Sparkman tendered his resignation as pastor which was deferred until next meeting. By motion conference adjourned.
F. O. Galloway C. C. John Sparkman Mod.

Sat. before the 3rd Sunday in Jan. 1868
After divine service by Eld. John Sparkman Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. The Mod. called for references whereupon the committee [begin page 7→] appointed to corispond with the Sisters Bucaloos reported stating that they had written and got no answer. The Sisters were excluded for violating the church covenant. Bro. Thornton Vaughn and Sister Susan Pierce called for letters of dismission, which were granted. Bro. John Sparkman withdrew his tendering of his resignation as pastor. By motion a committey was appointed to corispond with the Masonic fraternity in regard to building a lodge at Mt. Carmel church. The committee appointed were Bro. Howerton, A. P. Galloway, Joel Elum, Carmicle and W. M. Sparkman. Conference ajourned.
F. O. Galloway C. C. John Sparkman Mod.

Mt. Carmel Church Rusk Co. Tex. Feb. 10th 1868
After preaching by Elder W. M. Sparkman the church came together in conference. The Mod. called for references. The committee appointed to confer with the masons reported. The report was received and the committee discharged. By motion a committee of six was appointed to confer with the colored members in regard to having separate preaching to them. The committee appointed was Bros. William Howerton, A. P. Galloway, Joel Elum, Martin Baysinger, John Frasure and W. M. Sparkman, in connection with the pastor John Sparkman. Conference adjourned.
N. V. Brock C.C. Protem. John Sparkman Mod.

Sat. before the 3rd Sun. in March 1868
After divine services by Eld. John Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. An opportunity was extended for the reception of members, whereupon Bro. Joseph Brandon, Nancy F. and Sarah A. Brandon came forward presenting a letter of recommendation, and were received. The Mod. called for references, whereupon the committee appointed to confer with the colored brethern relative to having separate preaching to them, made the following report. That the colored brethern meet with the pastor of Mt. Carmel church for divine service on [begin page 8→] the first Sunday in each month if agreeable with the citizens to whom the house belongs. And we farther recommend that the white brethern meet with the pastor on the above named day and assist him in the work of indoctrination and disciplining the colored brethern. By motion a committee of five was appointed to select a suitable location for Mt. Carmel church. The committee selected John Sparkmans well, which was agreed on by the church. A committee was then appointed to assertain the dimensions for building a house for Mt. Carmel church. Those appointed were Bros. Joel Elum, Smith, Henry Brock and William Howerton. On account of there being other churches nearer than Mt. Carmel, the following members called for letters of dismission. Bro. William Howerton, Mary Howerton, Elizabeth Howerton, Selie Perkins, Bros. Henry Penny, Martin Baysinger, and Sister Adeline Baysinger. The letters were granted. There being no farther business conference adjourned.
F. O. Galloway C. C. John Sparkman Mod.

Sat. April 18th 1868
After divine service by Eld. John Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church came together in conference. The Mod. called for correspondents wher upon Bro. Acy Parker came forward from Shilo church and Bro. Bartley Wallace from Mt. Zion church. The Mod. called for references where upon the committee appointed to assertain the dimensions of a house for Mt. Carmel church reported, stating that it would require a house forty by fifty feet. The report was received and adopted. A building committee of five was then appointed. Bros. Joel Elum, John Frasure, A. P. Galloway and Smith were appointed. By motion Bros. Joel Elum and F. O. Galloway were appointed as corisponding messengers to Shilo church. Conference adjourned.
F. O. Galloway C. C. John Sparkman Mod.

[Begin page 9→]
Sat. May 18th 1868
After divine service by Eld. W. M. Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. An opportunity was extended for the reception of members. None came forward. The Mod. called for references, there were none. He then called for general business, whereupon a committee of five were appointed to investigate the character of Bro. Joel Elum. Committee appointed, Bros. Smith, John Frasure, A. P. Galloway, Clinton Holleman, and N. V. Brock. Five other Sister churches were invited to meet with us at our next regular meeting.
F. O. Galloway C. C. W. M. Sparkman Mod.

Sat. before the 3rd Sunday in June 1868
After divine service by Eld. John Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. The Mod. called for corispondents whereupon the following brethern came forward as corispondents. From Mt. Zion church, Allen Birdwell, Isic Lawler and Bartley Wallace. From Shilo church Bros. Acy Parker, Fosty Parker and Wily Parker. From Holly Springs Bros. John Deason, A. J. Welch and Freeman. From Cool Springs Bros. Thomas Lacy, J. B. Lacy and Harmon. The Mod. called for references whereupon the committee appointed to investigate the character of Bro. Elum reported stating that they had found Bro. and Sister Elum in disorder, by being separated. It was moved and seconed that the difficultly of Bro. and Sister Elum be taken up, whereupon a committee of nine was appointed to investigate and try to reconcile it. Three were appointed of the members of Mt. Carmel church. Bros. Smith, A. P. Galloway and Rueben Carmicle. The other six were of the corispondents from Sister Churches, to wit, Bros. Allen Birdwell, Isic Lawler, John Deason, A. J. Welch, Thomas Lacy and Acy Parker. Conference ajourned until Sunday.
F. O. Galloway C. C. John Sparkman Mod.

[Begin page 10→]
Sunday June 21st 1868
After divine service by Eld. John Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church came together in conference. The Mod. called for a report of the committee appointed to investigate the dificulty between Bro. and Sister Elum. The committee made two reports. The majority reported that they had found the difficulty irreconsilable and recommended the exclusion of both. The minority reported stating that they found Sister Elum in the spirit of humility willing to do and to be anything that the gospel required. That they found Bro. Elum obstinate and unwilling to submit gospel requisition. The majority report was rejected and the minority received whereupon and in acordence with his request, Bro. Elum was excluded. By motion conference ajourned.
John Sparkman Mod. F. O. Galloway C. C.

Sat. July 18, 1868
After divine services by Eld. W. M. Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. After calling over the regular items of business the Mod. called for general business wherupon a letter was read from Bro. B. M. Humphrey of New Salem requesting deligates to be sent from Mt. Carmel church to New Salem for the purpose of organizing a baptist union meeting. Any action on the letter was defered until our next meeting. Conference ajourned.
W. M. Sparkman Mod. F. O. Galloway C. C.

Saturday before the 3rd Sunday in Aug. 1868
After divine services by Eld. John Sparkman, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. Visiting brethern were invited to seats with us. An opportunity was extended for the reception of members. None came forward. The Mod. next called for wherupon the letter of Bro. B. M. Humphrey of New Salem was [begin page 11→] taken into consideration. The church declined representing herself in the meeting. The church then proceeded to elect deligates to the association. Elder John Sparkman, Elder W. M. Sparkman and F. O. Galloway were elected as deligates. Bro John Smith alternate. By motion conference ajourned.
John Sparkman Mod. F. O. Galloway C. C.

Sat. before the 3rd Sun. in April 1870
After divine services by Elder Albriton, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. An opportunity was extended for the reception of members. None came forward. The Moderator called for the references wherupon the committee appointed to select a place to build a church reported stating that they had selected a place. The report was received and adopted. The committee was then appointed to procure a title to the land and make out a bill of lumber, and report at our next meeting. By motion of the church our place of holding preaching was changed to the Garland school house, and from the 3rd Sunday in each month to the 4th. By motion conference ajourned.
W. W. Albriton Mod. F. O. Galloway C. C.

May 21st. 1870
After divine service by Elder W. W. Albriton, Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. The clerk being absent the church appointed Bro. A. P. Galloway clerk for the present conference. The committee appointed to procure a deed to the land for building a church on asked for further time to report, which was granted. By order of the church the Mod. appointed four delegates to attend the union meeting which convenes with the Bethel church on Saturday before the 5th Sunday in this month. [begin page 12→] Those appointed were Bros. A. P. Galloway, Joseph Brandon, John H. Smith, M. T. Wells. Bro. A. P. Galloway called for letters of dismission for himself and Sister M. H. Galloway, F. O. Galloway and A. H. Galloway, which the church granted, and ordered the clerk to write. There being no other business, conference ajourned.
W. W. Albriton Mod. A. P. Galloway C. C. Protem

Sat. before the 1st. Sunday in Nov. 1871
Mt. Carmel church convened in conference. Having no pastor Bro. Joseph Brandon was appointed Moderator. On motion the church agreed to dissolve and granted letters to all who call for them.
R. P. Goldsberry C. C.

[Note: B. M. Humphrey of New Salem is probably the same as R. M. Humphrey, a delegate from New Salem to the Mt. Zion Association in 1868. I am unsure which initial is correct.]

The Mt. Carmel minutes are followed on pages 13-86 by the membership lists and minutes of Smyrna Baptist Church, August 1873 through January 1891. After these minutes, on page 86, is the following note: “Copied in Oct. and Nov. of 1947 by Mrs. Ada Woolverton. Part of the original minutes found in the trunk of her father Rev. M. L. Vaughn After his death, last May.”

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Membership list

[Begin page 3→]
A list of the members of Mt. Carmel Church8

Joel Elum Excluded the 21st of June 1868
F. A. Elum Dismissed by letter in March 1870
A. F. Elum Dismissed by letter Nov 14, 1868
A. A. Elum Dismissed by letter Nov 14, 1868
T. S. Brock Dismissed by letter April 17, 1869
H. J. Brock Dismissed by letter April 17, 1869
William Howerton Dismissed by letter March 14, 1868
Mary Howerton Dismissed by letter March 14, 1868
Elizabeth Howerton “ “ “ “ “
Celie Perkins “ “ “ “ “
Julia Perkins “ “ “ Nov 4, 1871
Martain Baysinger “ “ “ March 14, 1868
Adeline Baysinger “ “ “ “ “
Rueben Carmicle died June 1870
Frances Carmicle Dismissed by letter Nov 4, 1870
Henry Penny “ “ “ March 14, 1868
Siddie Penny Deceased Aug. 1870
Lacy Penny Dismissed by letter Nov 4, 1870
Mary Pruit Deceased 1870
George Loftis Dismissed by letter Oct. 17, 1868
Louisa Loftis “ “ “ “ “
Sarah Cordry
Sarah Leslie “ “ “ Nov. 4, 1871
Mary Leslie “ “ “ “ “
W. M. Sparkman “ “ “ “ “
C. E. Sparkman “ “ “ March 1871
John Sparkman “ “ “ “ “
M. M. Sparkman “ “ “ “ “
J. S. Jarrel “ “ “ “ “
W. J. Jarrel “ “ “ “ “
H. J. Jarrel “ “ “ “ “
L. C. Sparkman “ “ “ “ “
A. P. Galloway “ “ “ “ “
F. O. Galloway “ “ “ “ “
A. H. Galloway “ “ “ “ “
[Begin page 4→]
Mary H. Galloway Dismissed by letter 1871
Nancy Harmon “ “ “ “
Sarah S. Buckner “ “ “ Nov 1871
Sallie Buckner “ “ “ “ “
Robert Buckner “ “ “ “ “
Robert Goldsbury “ “ “ “ “
Nannie Goldsbury “ “ “ “ “
Martha Frasure “ “ “ “ “
John Frasure “ “ “ “ “
W. H. Jacobs “ “ “ “ “
C. M. Holleman “ “ “ “ “
M. V. Holleman “ “ “ “ “
J. J. Holleman “ “ “ “ “
Susan Pierce Dismissed by letter Jan. 18, 1868
Thornton Vaughn “ “ “ “ “
J. H. Smith “ “ “ Nov. 4, 1871
Martha Smith “ “ “ “ “
Sarah Burns “ “ “ “ “
Matilda Frasure “ “ “ “ “
Malinda Booker “ “ “ “ “
Cathren Risinger “ “ “ “ “
Anna Bucaloo Excluded Jan. 18, 1868
Jane Bucaloo “ “ “ “ “
Lucy Stone
Joseph Brandon Dismissed by letter Nov. 4, 1871
Nancy T. Brandon “ “ “ “ “
Sarah A. Brandon “ “ “ “ “
N. V. Brock “ “ “ “ “
M. A. Brock “ “ “ “ “
Panila Lyles received by letter Aug. 18, 1868
Vince Blair Dismissed “ Nov. 4, 1871
Mikiel Wells “ “ “ “ “
Olivid Wells “ “ “ “ “
Leslie “ “ “ Aug. 1868
Leslie restoration “ 1871
William Brandon received “ 20, 1868
William Brandon excluded “ July 1869
[Begin page 5→]
Sallie P. Linthecum Dismissed “ Nov. 4, 1871
W. H. Needham “ “ “ “ “
Needham joined by experience Sept 1869
Mary Blair “ “ “ “ “
Elizabeth Wells “ “ “ “ “
Sarah W “ “ “ “ “
Charlie Holley “ “ “ “ “
Elizar Buckner “ “ “ “ “

 Additional membership information not found on list above 
John Landrum & B. F. Stamps – before 1860
(Joseph) Nolen excluded October 19, 1867
(Mary) Vaug(h)n excluded October 19, 1867
 Lewis Sparkman received by experience October 19, 1867 

Footnote
8 This probably would be a membership list begun circa October 1867. At this time they possibly started a new book.

© August 2006

Mt. Carmel Church - Rules of Decorum

[Begin page 1→]
Rules of Decorum7

1st. It shall be the duty of each member to attend punctually each regular conference meeting, when not providentially hindered. Absentees shall report the reason of their absense to the first subsequent conference with which they may meet.
2nd. Male adult members absenting themselves from two consecutive conferences, the reason of their absence not being known to the church. It shall be the duty of the church to take some steps by which they may ascertain the cause of the delinquency.
3rd. It shall be the duty of the pastor of the church to preside as moderator at each conference. In case the pastor is absent the church shall endorse such person as they may deem proper to preside in his place. The conference shall convene as often as once a month.
4th. The moderator shall call the items of conference in the following order.
First. Invite visiting brethren to seats with us.
Second. Open the door for the reception of members.
Third. Call for reasons of absence.
Fourth. Acknowledgements of misconduct.
Fifth. For references.
Sixth. For maters of dealings.
Seventh. General business, reading of the minutes and adjournment
5th. All business shall be introduced by motion and second, and not debatable until announced by the moderator.
6th. Members speaking shall rise to their feet and address the moderator, confine themselves strictly to the subject under discussion, refrain from personal reflection and irritable language toward those from whom they differ. Will not speak more than twice to the same subject, without permission from the church.
[Begin page 2→]
7th. During the deliberation of the body no member will indulge in anything that will tend to disturb the harmony of the proceedings, or retire from the conference without the permission of the moderator.
8th. No member will be allowed to indulge in open communion with other denominations, as this would be a virtual surrender of our views upon the subject of baptism.
9th. It shall be the duty of each member to bear their proportional part of the necessary pecuniary expenditures of the church.
10th. A majority present shall rule in all cases except in maters touching fellowship, when the voice of the church shall be unanimous.
11th. It shall be the duty of the moderator to see that the above rules of decorum are strictly executed.
12th. They shall have a clerk whose duty it shall be to keep a true record of the proceedings of each conference.

Footnote
7 It is not clear whether these rules are for Mt. Carmel Church, Smyrna Church or both. It seems probable that they were originally the Mt. Carmel rules, but that Smyrna possibly adopted them as well.
Bracketed information such as [Begin page 1→] indicates the original page numbers in the Ada Woolverton copy of the Mt. Carmel minutes. The original spelling of the rules of decorum, minutes and membership list are followed.

© August 2006