Rickman, M[erritt] Letter from Boilston, October 18, 1845

about his tour among the churches in Haywood and Macon counties in North Carolina and in Rabun County, Georgia. The Carolina Baptist November, 1845, 68.

205/C22

NAME 64.;w.P~~ ~:--~~~ Married J' aA-J ef ).,/t en:

• 'I

Ancestry

b. e,

(}-yd.,a t·, -....1- I , I ~J. l Ancestry

~!?~- I f-':' Record4L7~~ / fj,'Z,.

h-AA--d .,t. - -p- I" 3..,,,

{~~~ it,-7 - 1177

See / / 1,..,....__ .-.--- I / J.z t ~ ~ ,,,,,..{<,..; :1~~17,,~ 1¥'!? ....

File No. (Over)

--

Missions: John

nday. . C. McCarthy.

AY, August 20th, 1876.

o'clock A. M. Text: ·1st

at 11 o'clock A . .M. Text:

- ' preached. Text:

( - j r

AY, August 21st, 187(5_

tional exercises by Elder

of Saturday were

y. from Serepta Associa­ body. nd adopted;

lizcd by our people. Children parents and fear God. It is the basis of a happy and prosperous urtents have advanced so rapidly re a worth and necessity than a d manners of student· are more Education is exaltation.

.J. R RICK)lAN, Ohairma».

~~i-<- &~~ ~ /~?t

- , l # + v ,, ,\14"!1''1,,

( 9)

Ou motion, the following report was read and adopted :

BIOGRAPHY OF ELDER :\IERIT RICKMAN.

Elder Merit Rickman was a native of Buncombe County, N. C. At the age of 16 years h.: married Sarah Sitton. Five years afterward he was baptized into tile fellowship of the French Broad Baptist Church by Elder Robert Jordan. He was licensed to preach the gospel October 24Lh, 1835, and ordained August 23rd, 183i. November 25th, of tile same year, he became pastor of the ~!ills River Baptist Churcll, coutinuing in that rela­ tion for seventeen years. Iu 1855, he removed to Macon County and as­ sumed the pastorate of the Cowee Church, which union was only severed by his death. For many years, in addition to his pastoral duties, he labor­ ed as a Mlssionary of the Western North Carolina Convention. and presided with marked ability over many sessions of the Salem and Tuckasiege A~- sociations. Vigorous in intellect. au acute logician, sound in dnctrine, he was one of the most able. laborious and sncce~sful ministers of this region. His chris­ tian lifo was exemplary, devoted and untarnished to its close. Ile entered into rest Oct. 3rd, 18i4, at the age of 62 years. C. B. MINGUS,

E. D. BRENDLE. J. D. FRANKS.

Committee.

The report of the Committee on Missionaries was adopt­ ed, as follows:

I i ! I

REPORT ON ~IISSIONARIES.

We recommend the appointment of Elders C. B. Mingus and E. D. Brendle in first District, and Elders W. H. Conner and J. S. Woodard in the second and third Districts. JOHN AMMONS, Chairman.

Agreed that the next session be held with the Head of Tennessee Church, seven miles north of Clayton, in Raburn County, Ga., commencing at 11 o'clock, on Friday before the third Sabbath in August, 1877. Elder W. C. McCarthy to preach the Introductory Sermon; Elder C. M. Green, Al- ternate. The following report from the Committee on Obituaries

and Changes was adopted :

I J

\ I l

Firat .District.-Elder C. M. Green moved in. Elder P. Holtsclaw moved out. Brethren E. B. Herren and D. Plott died.

8ewnd .District.-Elder W. C. }lcCarthy moved in. 1hird ])i.ytrict.-J. D. Vinson moved out.

I

... ) ·--·

I : .

HISTORY: TENNESSEE RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION NORTH CAROLINA FROM THE YEAR 1830 TO THE YEAR 1892 by: John S. Smiley

(116)

%1cler ~ci!'rirfr T\iekman. :\lerritt Rickman was born in Buncombe county, ;;, C .. cast. of Fair

View, August 6, 1812. He was married to Miss Sarah Sitton, Jan. 29, 1828, in bh1 sixteenth year.

He bud not the ad van t11.3e ol schoo s and to his beloved wife was uecorded the honor of teaching him to read. He made advancement in his Ktuclies aud prepared himself thus for hi» life work and. became w but ib termed a •·Self-made man," of whom his country a nrl wife may jtu'.ltly be proud and thankful.

:.Ie was converted and ioiried the Baptist church at Cane Creek and was lmpt.iied hy Elllcr Robert Jordan iu the county of his birth.

He was KU!Jsequcntly licenKr>d to preach by :\Iills l .iver Baptist church, ~ept. 24, 1836, in which he w11.~ ordained Aug. '27, 1837, by Elder:; Robert Jordan, David Blythe, .Inrnes Blythe, Jacob Crtntr()~\ and Mntthew Capps. ror about eip;htuen years Rider Rickman filled a prom j neut ulace

. ' l . 1 <l 1 . "' ' p 1 ' - rn cuurc 1e:< inc u ec in 1• reuc.i sroac or Salem Bu.ptist Associations !:le pre'.te!tc•d "":" l~ :tu~Jinrf~1·<l <:ounty and once attended the lhptist State { onvent1on ol }i. C. :1t 3alc:1gh, a:< u delegate. About the vear 180-i, 'ri<~ disposed of h i« nrouort v in lender;;<!ll county - r . ,· ... ~ • - v ' .. · v., JUr.- CD9.!-lett '~ ~ple11did farm on Cower; erec'.{ in ,\Iaeon county, wher; he .;oon 1,ec<t1De one of \fru·on's lll<ll'.e1 citizens nnrl one of Tue~<aRei<•e AE:<ucittt1011 '1; lea<lin;~ ·rn in ~~tt·rs, for u pr.riod of ahout twen tv yerr;"· Here, in his !utter fielr.1. of '.;fe :~n<'. 1n.bors, his church member;hirJ w:tl-'

:11 Cowee D}tpti-st chur1•h, whr>re '1e Wit,; nastor about all th~ tinH~ clur­ iup; hi~ 1'eHitle11ce in ).foc0n. H" w:ti> ~·ast\ll' of Burningtnwn, Frank­ :in. Cri\\'Pt.:1, ~fl vn,n:ih un<l )('r!rnrw other~ in :\l't<'<>n ·\rid Jae' .. l • • · • • c. "{Hon,

~ll'i)

and of Brush Creek andCold ;:priug in wlrnt is now Swain (•ounty. He cmce went and attended a church lll Haywood county.

His influence and power for goo<1 was felt n.ll over these Wl'C:tc•rn

counties. Sncli 1rns his zt•al, activity and :;uecess that he hc•varnt• )Ioc1eratl'l' and l\1issionury in Tnckaseigc Association, which l1<· !il~rd with great e0.ici<:ney to the honor of his high e.~dling and thrii <Jf hir-; <lenorninn,tion.

Hi" horn<' infiueDre and example witl1 hir:; family \\'ere~ exc·l·ll<'nt, a,nd l1is industry in manual labor on his farm was, we know. a. goncl modd for :1ic: c1nuch ar,cl people!, lfo raised a lar[.!.e family or l'l1iJ­ c1rcn ot whom two sons, Josiah and lliley ber:ume rninir-;tcr.". Ifo h:1d plenty of tl'r~s wo1·ld'8 ;;,0ocls, and taught by precC'pt and e:rnrn ilc•, l1i,:

1wople ··To provide things honest in the sight of all n1c11:' Elder Hic!rn1nn, by his natural 5ift:-: which he cuhi\'!'ltcd nnrl hy

whicli he :J('l)l.lired gren.t a~)ility in public -peaking, rnn.tie i1i111 un­ ltFun.lly enti:rtninin'.!; tn his a.udiern:es.

His liright face. flasl<ng eye, noble voice, rapid but <~istinct nttt·1·­ :rnee <tnc1 telling gestui·t•s, all accompanied with tlie SJ'ir'.t i11 nw\1;11!:' tcn1l<'riwFs, made llid;111an one of the greatest pulpit orators •if tll<' mountains.

I-1 <· c'.di veretl a sermon to the \Vestern R1ptif't Co1\\'1•11tio11, i11 \V;1ynesvi'.lc; i11 18';:2, tl1at a cnmpctent ,im.ge l:'nicl t•XC'C'l'<1l'd th<· st·r mon of one of the m<Jst noted minister,: ill ~. C.·

But a di~ea"e, known as bronchitis, lwgan itr-; wor:< upon thi,; l'c·­ vote<l sen·r\nt, und his hitherto wom1erhil lungs gracltrn'.l~· griv<' way.

He WllS aJllictcll for sevcrnl monthR, dunng which bne ht• gn·w weaker and \\'eaker during the summer of 1874. During hi.~ !:1• 1t·r

weeks of suffering lw reviewed bis life car('fnlly,t'X!l.ll1i11i11ghis prt'ad1- ing, and wa<; heard remark that hr felt that he kHl ircaclH·d tlw truth. He lingered aml grew low<'r n.nc1 lower until 0<'t. :~rd, 1S'i'·i, when he bade adieu to ca:·t11 an<1 wc<·ping fricnt1r; anc~ p:1sR<·d to tl1•· Spint world, and his hoc:y w..i.s buried ne~u l1is eh 11Td1 lie )1\\'ctl so well, to await the >'l'COtHl c<iminr; of his Recll~c·mer.

Wm. F. Potts A. Hall

MERRITT RICKMAN

Elder M. Rickman was born in Buncomb County, N. C. on the 6th of August

1812. On the 29th of January 1828 he was married to Sarah Sitton who still

survives him. On the 21st of July 1833 he joined the French Broad Baptist

Church now in Henderson County and was Baptized by Rev. Robert Jordan. He

was licensed to preach on the 24th of September 1836 and in the following

year was ordained by Robt. Jordan, David Blythe, Jacob Cantrell, Mathew Capps,

and James Blythe. Soon after his ordination he became pastor of the Mills

River Church which position he held for seventeen years. He then removed to

Macon County and on the 11th of February 1855 united with the church at

Cowee and became its pastor, retaining the conection till it was disolved by

death which took place on the third of October 1874 of a lingering but pain-

ful affection of the lungs. He was a little over 62 years old but up to the

commencement of his fatal illness he showed no abatement of either bodily or

mental vigor, by his request the following passage of Scripture was inscribed

upon his coffin. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Respectfuly submitted

Copied from the minutes of Cowee Baptist Church, Vol. I.

t i ' <-.t

sson, was born in ealthy and owned dvantages given in ounty, N.C. when erchantile pursuit. ical and his labors to start the young ut thirteen tunes, Cry and others, in

with his pen for nt in his common rgotten his efforts

ruitt, daughter of ed three sons and on Brush Creek in ush Creek Church mb ers as follows: , Nathan DeHart, Susannah Truitt, , Nancy A. High­ Elizabeth Burns

;bytery consisted s, and Peter Kuy-

the Bruch Creek phrey Posey. He sition efficiently chosen as dcacun dained by Elders nch Baptist and e served as clerk 1876. In his last t and calmly fell months and 28

vol. 2 :BRIEF BAPTIST

BIOGRAPHIES, 1707-1982,

~]11.b ._ (9_2 __ 0~/~H-l~7-)..JU.......i~..;._~.._~~:.-._.__....,~

603

ELDER MERIT RICK1\1AN August 6, 1812- October 3, 1874

SARAH SITTON RICKMAN June 4, 1809-July 13, 1878

Edler Merit Rickman was born in Buncombe County, N.C., east of Fairview, on August 6, 1812. He died in Macon County, N.C., October 3, 1874. He was the son of Jesse Rickman (May 2, 1770 - March 10, 1860) and Mary Trantham Rickman (Dec. 5, 17 71 - Feb. 21, 1831). Merit Rickman and SarahSittonweremarriedJanuary28,... 1828. She was born June 4, 1809 and died July 13, 1878. Both are buried in the Cowee Church Cemetery of Macon County, N.C.

The children born to this union were: I.Josiah Miles Rickman, b. December 4, 1828 - d. May 20, 1886,

married Winifred B. Sitton 2.Jesse Wileigh (Wiley) Rickman, b. September 19, 1830 - d.

November 2, 1903, married (i) Mary A. Rickman (cousin), and (ii) Mary Coggins

3. Polly Ann Matilda Rickman, b. May 11, 1832 - d. October 27, 1832

4. Winna Sarepta Rickman, b. September 27, 1833 - d. August 4, 1881

5. Philip Riley Rickman, b. September 12, 1835 - cl.July 17, 1919 married Harriet A. Shepherd on November 29, 1855 (b. May 20, 1837 - d. August 3, 1903) •

6. William Calloway Rickman, b. June 26, 1837 - d. -, married Naomi Rickman

7.John Jasper Rickman, b.May 27, 1839 - d. August 19, 1864, (Sept. 12?) died as a prisoner of war, Elmira, New York, says Bible record

8. Nancy Elizabeth Rickman, b. June 25, 1841 - d. January 28, 189 7 (confessed faith in Christ August 28, 1859, baptized by Elder J.L. Buchanan)

9. Sarah Jane Rickman, b. June 10, 1843 - d. June 22, 1903, married Peter Lance

10. Margaret Naomi Rickman, b. May 2, 1845 - .d. October 22, 1922

11.Jeremiah Lee Rickman, b. October 10, 1847 - d. August 22, 1862

12. Martha Rebecca Rickman, b.June 26, 1849 - d. - 13. Harriet Louisa (Louisey) Rickman, b. June 1, 1851 - d. August

20, 1920, married D.C. Reynolds

,

\

604

Merit Rickman August 6, 1812 - Oct. 3, 1874

Sarah Sitton Rickman

Merit Rickman was 11

1828. She was the daug 1770 - d. June 19, 18 b. J~ly 20, 1 766 - d. Se son County, June 4, 18 the French Broad Bapti 1832. She was one of t Baptist Church, June 2 Macon County, and jo Saturday, before the 4 faithful to all her trusts t

Elder Merit Rickman French Broad Baptist Jordan, in Mills River, J baptized in the river. H of Mills River Baptist as a deacon on the sar Robert Jordan (1777-1 Cantrell ( l 7 80-b efore 1 of Mills River Church, the Gospel ministry. Tl Jordan, David Blythe (1800-1859), and Jam the following churche Mills River, Nov. 25, 1847-1854; French Br 1842-1854; Cane Cre Creek, 1849-1852; An Creek, 1853-1854. He Cowee Church and se October 3, 18 7 4. He v Savannah in ~1acon Swain County, N.C.

For a period he lab lina Convention. In 1 westerly county, rod attend the .C. Bap appeal to the conven North Carolina Bapti Convention, in the y Swannanoa, N.C. the dent body which f u merged into the Bapti

._ ...... _:

605

Merit Rickman was married to Miss Sarah Sitton, January 28, 1828. She was the daughter of Philip Sitton, Sr., b. November 7, 1770 - d. June 19, 1843, and his wife Winnifred Bradley Sitton, b. July 20, 1766 - d. September 28, 1841. She was born in Hender­ son County, June 4, 1809. She was baptized into the fellowship of the French Broad Baptist Church by Elder William Kimzey about 1832. She was one of the constituent members of the Mills River Baptist Church, June 27, 1835. She moved with her husband to Macon County, and joined the Cowee Baptist Church by letter, Saturday, before the 4th. Lord's Day in February 1855. She was faithful to all her trusts till her death onJuly 13, 1878.

Elder Merit Rickman professed faith in Christ, and united with the French Broad Baptist Church, and was baptized by Elder Robert Jordan, in Mills River, July 20, 1833. He was the first person to be baptized in the river. He was one among the 16 constituent members of Mills River Baptist Church on June 27, 1835. He was ordained as a deacon on the same day. The presbytery consisted of: Elders Robert Jordan (1777-1863?), William Mintz (1806-1882), and Jacob Cantrell (1780-before Aug. 1854). On August 23, 1837, by request of Mills River Church, Merit Rickman was set apart by ordination to the Gospel ministry. The presbytery was composed of Elders Robert Jordan, David Blythe (1785-1869), Jacob Cantrell, Matthew Capps (1800-1859), and James Blythe (1808-1897). He served as pastor of the following churches in Henderson and Transylvania Counties: Mills River, Nov. 25, 1837 to Jan. 1855; Beulah, 1842-1843 and 1847-1854; French Broad, 1843 and 1846-184 7; Salem (Fletcher), 1842-1854; Cane Creek, 1844; Bent Creek, 1847-1848; Cathey's Creek, 1849-1852; Antioch, 1851-1852; East Fork, 1852; and Crab Creek, 1853-1854. He moved to Macon County in 1855, joined the Cowee Church and served as pastor from that date until his death, October 3, 1874. He was pastor of Burningtown, Franklin, Coweta, Savannah in Macon County, and Brush Creek and Cold Spring in Swain County, N.C.

For a period he labored as missionary of the Western North Caro­ lina Convention. In 1844, he with John Qehu) Chastain, of a more westerly county, rode on horseback over rough trails and roads to attend the .C. Baptist State Convention in Raleigh, N .C. Their appeal to the convention resulted in the formation of the Western '.'forth Carolina Baptist Convention, as an auxiliary to the N.C. State Convention, in the year 1845. In 1858, at the Berea Church near Swannano a, N.C. the W.N.C. Convention became a totally indepen­ dent body which functioned until 1895 or later and was finally merged into the Baptist State Convention in the year 1898.

606

Elder Rickman often presided with marked ability over the Salem and Tuckaseigee Associations. He presided at times over the Western

· Baptist Convention. He was always simple and modest when clothed with such honors. Vigorous in intellect, an acute logician, sound in doctrine, he was one of the most able, laborious and successful ministers of the Western region. His Christian life was exemplary, devoted and untarnished until its close. He entered into rest October 3, 1874, aged 62 years. His remains were properly interred in the cemetery of Cowee Church, Macon County, N.C. on November 21, 1835. Merit Rickman and John Gillaspie were appointed as Trustees to hold a deed made by Jesse Rickman (Merit's father) to the Baptist Church at Mills River to a piece of ground for the use of their meeting house. On November 25, 1837, the Mills River Church "released our Brother, Robert Jordan (1777-1863?) as our Supply, with our thanks to him, for his services, and receive Brother Merit Rickman as our pastor." In 1855, Elder Merit Rickman moved to Macon County, N.C. and in February of the same year, he was received by letter into the Cowee Baptist Church, and on the same day became pastor, which union was sustained 191/2 years, and severed only by his death, October 3, 1874, at the age of 62 years.

His home influence and example with his family were excellent. His industry in manual labor on his farm was a good model for his church and people generally. He reared a large family of children of whom two sons, Josiah and Philip Riley, became ministers. He had plenty of this world's goods, and taught by precept and example, for people to provide things honest in the sight of all men. His natural gifts by which he cultivated and acquired great ability in public speaking made him unusually attractive to his audiences. His bright face, flashing eyes,noble voice, rapid but distinct utterance and telling gestures, all accompanied with the Spirit in melting tender­ ness, made Merit Rickman one of the greatest pulpit orators of the mountains. He had not the advantage of schools, and to his beloved wife was accorded the honor of teaching him to read. He made fast advancement in his studies, and thus prepared himself for his life's work. He became what was termed a "self-made" man, of whom his country and his wife may justly be proud and thankful.

Let us take a further and brief look into the life of these two faithful servants of the Lord.Jesse Rickman, whose old home place, Sycamore, adjoined the land of Philip Sitton, Sr., on Mills River, was

-born in Charles City County, Virginia, May 2, 1 770. He was the youngest child of Doctor William Rickman. Dr. William Rickman maintained his office in the Masonic Hall at Williamsburg, and was director of hospitals, both Continental and for the state of Virginia, during the Revolutionary War, until he submitted his resignation to the Congress in Philadelphia in 1780.

• The family came f whom were minister hood of nurses, cstab served with English t the time he was prop tion by some mcmbe sympathetic with the Quaker." Jesse Rickman, hi

father's death and se ton District in 1783 Mary Trantham, dau on Potts Creek was During those years t Eastern North Carol meetings in Hinshaw Jesse Rickman had s his early years in marriage. A daughter died in 1832. By he home. This was the River). Mary Trant Rickman was marr County, whose mot] Williamson on Mud in its regular servic to Jesse Rickman, stood. This was dul) At the time of hi

living for more tha on the South Pron veyed a portion of he made his home. daughter, l\1argare Jeremiah Taylor, c

through out the co numbered her patie

Records taken fr 1. Jesse Rick ma January 10, 1

2. Mary Trantha 21, 1837. The

607

ician, sound in and successful as exemplary, o rest October ntcrred in the November 21, ed as Trustees to the Baptist e use of their River Church s our Supply, Brother Merit

The family came from a long line of Quaker ancestors, many of whom were ministers. Several of the women belonged to the sister­ hood of nurses, established by that sect in England. Dr. Rickman had served with English troops during the French and Indian wars, and at the time he was proposed as Director of hospitals, there was opposi­ tion by some members of Congress on the grounds that he might be sympathetic with the English cause. He was known as "Rickman, the Quaker." Jesse Rickman, his son, came to North Carolina shortly after his

father's death and served with the American troops in the Wilming- ton District in 1783 and 1784. On January 10, 1791, he married Mary Trantham, daughter of Martin and Ann Trantham, whose home / on Potts Creek was in the Jersey settlement of Rowan County. During those years there was a large and active body of Quakers in Eastern North Carolina, as is evidenced in reports of their monthly meetings in Hinshaw's Quaker Genealogy. There are evidences that Jesse Rickman had some affiliatiom with this group of people during his early years in North Carolina, though probably not after his marriage. A daughter of Jesse and Mary Rickman, the youngestchild, died in 1832. By her request she was buried on the hillside above the home. This was the first grave in the family plot at Sycamore (Mills River). Mary Trantham Rickman died in 1836. The next year Jesse Rickman was married to Rhoda Gadd, a widow of Rutherford County, whose mother, Stacy Taylor, had been a daughter of Elijah Williamson on Mud Creek. On April 14, 1860, the Mills River Church in its regular services adopted resolutions constituting a memorial to Jesse Rickman, who had donated the land where their building stood. This was duly entered in the record.

At the time of his death, March 10, 1860,Jesse Rickman had been living for more than forty-five yars at the old home place, Sycamore, on the South Prong of Upper Mills River. Prior to that, he had con­ veyed a portion of his lands to his son, Mar tin Rickman, with whom he made his home. The north side of his farm he had given to his daughter, Margaret, commonly called Peggy, and her husband Jeremiah Taylor, a Baptist preacher. "Aunt Peggy" was known throughout the community as an obstetrical doctor (mid-wife) who numbered her patients by the hundred.

Records taken from the family Bible reveal the following: I.Jesse Rickman, b. May 2, 1770 - d. March 10, 1860, married January 10, 1791

2. Mary Trantham Rickman, b. December 5, 1771 - d: February 21, 1837. Their children are: 1. Nancy Rickman, b. April 20, 1792, married Joseph Reed, son

of Eldad Reed of Fairview, moved to Illinois

year, he was on the same

1/2 years, and e of 62 years. ere excellent. model for his of children of

example, for n. His natural lit y in public es. His bright tterance and elting tender­ rators of the o his beloved He made fast for his ]if e's

, of whom his

of these two home place, lls River, was He was the

am Rickm..1n urg, and was e of Virgini.i, csignation to

\

- ·- , .

608

2. John Rickman, b. June 9, 1795, married daughter of Joshua Whitaker of Fairview, moved to Iowa

3. William and Michael Rickman, b. April 5, 1797, moved to Mo. 4. Martin Rickman, b. October 11, 1799 - d. February 8, 1877,

·married September 10, 1820, Sarah Williams, b. February 9, 1801 - d. July 15, 1848. She was the daughter of John and Polly Ashworth Williams of Fairview, N.C.

5. Robert and Martha Rickman, b. November 16, 1801 (twins) 6.Jesse Wilburn Rickman, b. January 7, 1805, to Mo. later to

California 7. Rebecca Rickman, b. October 8, (18) 1808, married Wilson

Sitton, b. October 21, 1802 (1822?) 8. Merit and Miles Rickman (twins) b. August 16, 1812, Merit

d. October 3, 1874, married Sarah Sitton, b. June 4, 1809 - d.July 13, 1878

9. Mary Rickman, b. August 14, 1810 - d. no knowledge of her 10. Margaret Rickman, b. April 27, 1815, married Jeremiah Tay­

lor, a Baptist minister, lived at Sycamore (Mills River), buried in Whitaker Cemetery, near old home place

11. Naomi Rickman, b. August 30, 1816 - d. October 11, 1832, age 16 years, 1 month, 11 days, first grave in Sycamore Cemetery

12. Rhoda Gadd Rickman, b. 1779 - d. 1852, age 73 years, second wife of Jesse Rickman, b, May 2, 1770 - d. March 10, 1860 .

The Merit Rickman family Bible reveals the following data con· cerning Philip Sitton, Senior (Nov. 7, 1770 - June 19, 1843) and his wife Winnifred Bradley Sitton Uuly 20, 1766 - Sept. 28, 1841):

1. Ambrose Sitton, b. April 19, 1787 - d. - 2. Elizabeth (Betsey) Sitton, b. December 31, 1788 - d. April 11,

1857 (1858?), married Matthew Gillaspie, b. August 23, 1788 - d. May 16, 1871

3. Philip Sitton,Jr., b. December 23, 1790 - d. -, married Sept cm­ ber 13, 1807, Polly Blythe '

4. John Sitton, b.January 11, 1793 - d. -, married - 5. Lawrence Sitton, .b. September 11, 1794 - d. March 21, 1873,

married December 25, 1812, Isabell Gillispie 6. Silas Sitton, b. October 14, 1796 - d. -, married Mary - 7. Asa Sitton, b. April 7, 1799 -d. -, married Eva Glazener 8.Joseph Sitton, b. Janaury 22, 1801 - d. -, married Rebecca

Rickman 9.James Sitton, b. November 9, 1802 - d. February 3, 188~,

married Permelia Bales Sitton, b. September 20, 1809 - d. April 8, 1884 (Mills River Church Records, page 44, book II)

l 0. \Vin11ifred Sitton, b. Septe 11. Sarah Sitton, b. June 4

January 28, 1828, Merit October 3, 1874

December 7,

El~er Mark May, son of Fr Y~dkm County, N.C., 011 Dece wih Great Britain at the time R_earman at the age of t f"h· . . wenty- ~1t in Chnst m his twenty-se tiz ed by Elder Barton Rob A . . . ey. ssociation dunng his early m

ary. About the year 1856 he O~tober 25, 1861 he was prese River Association. He was Servi Elders Mark May and Wiley p and James Whitaker Jr . , ., wer mee~mg. He was the first clerk

His_ home was for many year of Bnar Town Baptist Ch h . . urc . minister, and a loyal citizen I than fifteen hundred person~ Carolina. He died ?n Saturday, I a_ protracted meetmg with Elde tist Church.

On Monday, August 28, 19· Frad~, '.11Y former student in Fi of M1ss10ns in Macon County Cemetery. We copied the follo' 1. Rev. and Mrs. Mark May

14, 1885 ' 2. SamuelJefferson \fay, b. I 3. Sarajane (May), b. 1859 _ c 4· M.J May, b. December 15 5. Tim Ansel May, b .. \ugust' 6. Nora Hurst May, b. Apr il 1 ~· H~rley May, b. April 28, 19 . Clint May, b. February 12,

\\'On another occasion this wri aters, a Fruitland graduate, ai

moved to Mo. uary 8, 1877, . February 9, of John and

, 1812, Merit ne 4, 1809 -

ledge of her eremiah Tay­ iver), buried

ing data con­ ' 1843) and 28, 1841):

ried Septcm-

ry 3, 1886, 09 _ d. April 11)

·- .. _

10. Winnifred Sitton, b. September 22, 1804 - d. -, married - 11. Sarah Sitton, b. June 4, 1809 - d. July 13, 1878, married on

January 28, 1828, Merit Rickman, b. August 16, 1812 - d. October 3, 1874

ELDER MARK i\lA Y December 7, 1812 - April 12, 1870

Elder Mark May, son of Frederick and Nellie May, was born in Yadkin County, N.C., on December 7, 1812. Our nation was at war wih Great Britain at the time of his birth. He was married to Belinda Rearman at the age of twenty-four years, about 1836. He professed faith in Christ in his twenty-seventh year (about 1839) and was bap­ tized by Elder Barton Robey. He served as Moderator of the Yadkin Association during his early ministry. He also traveled as a mission­ ary. About the year 1856 he moved to Macon County, N.C. On October 25, 1861 he was present for the formation of the Tennessee River Association. He was serving as pastor of Valley River Church. Elders Mark May and Wiley Philips, along with James Whitaker, Sr. and James Whitaker, Jr., were the four messengers to this initial meeting. He was the first clerk of the Tennessee River Association.

His home was for many years in Macon County. He was a member of Briar Town Baptist Church. He was a successful farmer, a noted minister, and a loyal citizen. It is estimated that he baptized more than fifteen hundred persons during his ministry in Western North Carolina. He died on Saturday, November 14, 1885, while engaged in a protracted meeting with Elder F.M. Morgan in the Briar Town Bap­ tist Church.

On Monday, August 28, 1972, this writer accompanied by Cecil Frady, my former student in Fruitland, and for many years Director of Missions in Macon County, Association; visited the Briar Town Cemetery. We copied the following grave markers:

1. Rev. and Mrs. Mark May, b. December 7, 1812 - d. November 14, 1885

2. Samuel Jefferson May, b. 1852 - d. 1920 3. Sarajane (May), b. 1859 - d. 1954 4. M.J. May, b. December 15, 1875 - d. March 14, 1931 5. Tim Ansel May, b. August 22, 1880 - d. May 20, 1941 6. 1ora Hurst May, b. April 15, 1894 - d. March 11, 1962 7. Harley May, b. April 28, 1900 - cl.July 10, 1959 8. Clint May, b. February 12, 1914 - d. November 14, 1952 On another occasion this writer visited in the home of Rev. S.J.

Waters, a Fruitland graduate, and now pastor of Lone Oak Baptist

609

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-Merritt Rickman (Obituary) ,, 1 1 , I Cowee Baptist Church Minute Book, Vol. 1.

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