History Bits used by guides at the cemetery walk
A few Presbyterians met at a schoolhouse near Troy. Troy was located about 1.5 miles east of New Hope. Margaret Stafford, Jacob Hinkle and wife Mary Ann and Ann Gamble were early organizers of the New Hope church. Margaret Stafford was the wife of James B Stafford who was called to be the first pastor. In the Presbyterian Church, a pastor is not a member of a particular church, but is under the care of Presbytery.
In 1843 the church had 14 members
James B. Stafford, citing poor health and age resigned his charge in January, 1854.
Reverend Ramsey Henderson had been sent to the county as a missionary and he took charge of the church.
In 1861, a colored brother, Henry, was notified to come before the session and charged with unchristian conduct. He appeared, admitted the charge, acknowledged his sin, and asked forgiveness. The session found him penitent and retained him in full fellowship.
Black & white worshiped together at New Hope until after the Civil War. The relations were, of course, unequal, yet the era had not arisen when it was thought improper for all races to hear the gospel in one assembly.
Presbyterians are remarkable for their record-keeping. Few churches in the pioneer era had literate ministers or church officers who were able or inclined to keep records. The keeping of the church records was seen as an almost sacred duty by Presbyterians and it is noteworthy that the highest officer a lay member of a congregation could be given was the office of clerk, the keeper of the church’s record book.
Following the King James Version, which often referred to slaves as “servants”, nineteenth century Presbyterians often designated their property in human flesh by that title. Because state laws (except in Louisiana) did not require that slaves be enumerated by name in legal records, their listing in session books gave them a name or identity for which provision was not otherwise often made.
In July, 1857, Squire, a servant of James H. Morton presented a certificate from Mt. Bethany Church in Tennessee & requested admission to membership at new Hope. He was received as a full member.
Hosting meetings of Presbytery could be arduous. In the 19th century, meetings usually extended over several days. In communities such as New Hope that lacked hotels commissioners were housed in homes of church members. The coming of railroads shortened the meetings. Between the time of its founding until the church’s centennial in 1938, New Hope had hosted Presbytery seven times.
Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church located at nearby Hinkle was a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Members from both New Hope and Pleasant Ridge visited the others church frequently.
A stalwart servant of Mississippi Presbyterianism, responsible for much of its home missions development in the northeast quadrant, Leroy B. Gaston, served the new Hope church in 1866-1868. He organized the First Presbyterian Church in Corinth, established and headed Corona College in Corinth and served various Presbyterian Churches until his death in 1878.
In March 1868, one West Biggers, a servant of A. J. Biggers and a colored member was ordered to appear before the session. He was accused of disorderly Christian conduct. This was noteworthy because of the fact that after the Civil War, many persons of African American descent were leaving the Presbyterian Church in North Mississippi for other churches.
In 1841, Zion Presbyterian Church was located near the Pontotoc County line west of Tupelo.
The church was known for many years as “White Zion” and is now known just as “Zion”.
R. R Morrison was selected as voting commissioner to Presbytery at Zion in 1870.
In 1871, David Settle was selected as voting commissioner to Presbytery at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Lafayette County. The Hopewell congregation was dissolved in 1970 but the church building still stands on the property now known as Camp Hopewell and is located about 6 miles east of Oxford, MS.
There were no regular collections in the Presbyterian Church in the early days. Collections were taken for specific projects such as a building or helping a family in need.
New Hope Presbyterian Church has held regular services for 175 years. This covers the Civil War years, as well as the Spanish American War, World Wars I & II, the Korean War, Vietnam, The first Gulf War, and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 1843 the church had 14 members
James B. Stafford, citing poor health and age resigned his charge in January, 1854.
Reverend Ramsey Henderson had been sent to the county as a missionary and he took charge of the church.
In 1861, a colored brother, Henry, was notified to come before the session and charged with unchristian conduct. He appeared, admitted the charge, acknowledged his sin, and asked forgiveness. The session found him penitent and retained him in full fellowship.
Black & white worshiped together at New Hope until after the Civil War. The relations were, of course, unequal, yet the era had not arisen when it was thought improper for all races to hear the gospel in one assembly.
Presbyterians are remarkable for their record-keeping. Few churches in the pioneer era had literate ministers or church officers who were able or inclined to keep records. The keeping of the church records was seen as an almost sacred duty by Presbyterians and it is noteworthy that the highest officer a lay member of a congregation could be given was the office of clerk, the keeper of the church’s record book.
Following the King James Version, which often referred to slaves as “servants”, nineteenth century Presbyterians often designated their property in human flesh by that title. Because state laws (except in Louisiana) did not require that slaves be enumerated by name in legal records, their listing in session books gave them a name or identity for which provision was not otherwise often made.
In July, 1857, Squire, a servant of James H. Morton presented a certificate from Mt. Bethany Church in Tennessee & requested admission to membership at new Hope. He was received as a full member.
Hosting meetings of Presbytery could be arduous. In the 19th century, meetings usually extended over several days. In communities such as New Hope that lacked hotels commissioners were housed in homes of church members. The coming of railroads shortened the meetings. Between the time of its founding until the church’s centennial in 1938, New Hope had hosted Presbytery seven times.
Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church located at nearby Hinkle was a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Members from both New Hope and Pleasant Ridge visited the others church frequently.
A stalwart servant of Mississippi Presbyterianism, responsible for much of its home missions development in the northeast quadrant, Leroy B. Gaston, served the new Hope church in 1866-1868. He organized the First Presbyterian Church in Corinth, established and headed Corona College in Corinth and served various Presbyterian Churches until his death in 1878.
In March 1868, one West Biggers, a servant of A. J. Biggers and a colored member was ordered to appear before the session. He was accused of disorderly Christian conduct. This was noteworthy because of the fact that after the Civil War, many persons of African American descent were leaving the Presbyterian Church in North Mississippi for other churches.
In 1841, Zion Presbyterian Church was located near the Pontotoc County line west of Tupelo.
The church was known for many years as “White Zion” and is now known just as “Zion”.
R. R Morrison was selected as voting commissioner to Presbytery at Zion in 1870.
In 1871, David Settle was selected as voting commissioner to Presbytery at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Lafayette County. The Hopewell congregation was dissolved in 1970 but the church building still stands on the property now known as Camp Hopewell and is located about 6 miles east of Oxford, MS.
There were no regular collections in the Presbyterian Church in the early days. Collections were taken for specific projects such as a building or helping a family in need.
New Hope Presbyterian Church has held regular services for 175 years. This covers the Civil War years, as well as the Spanish American War, World Wars I & II, the Korean War, Vietnam, The first Gulf War, and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rev. James Biggers Stafford the first pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church.
I am James B. Stafford, and I hold the distinct honor of being the first pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church. I would like to tell you a little about myself before I tell you how New Hope came to be.
I was born in the York District of South Carolina and had a fairly normal childhood. About the same time the War of 1812 was being fought, I enrolled at Hampden Sidney College in Virginia. I was converted there in 1814, and studied theology. I was granted a provisional license by the Presbytery of Hanover, VA in 1819.
Like many Presbyterian churches at that time, Purity Presbyterian in South Carolina had been without a pastor for over two years and had received only occasional supplies. I visited them in 1821, and at their request, agreed to serve as their stated supply. Stated supply simply means that Presbytery employs a minister, such as myself, to provide a supply of preaching at a select time and place for a congregation without a full-time minister. This system worked well for both the Purity congregation and myself. Supplies are less formal and can be renewed or terminated at six month periods. Of course, it was better for all concerned to have a full-time pastor. So in 1824, Purity joined ranks with Concord Presbyterian Church and received permission from the Presbytery to offer a united call of full-time pastor. I was ordained in 1824, and served both churches for the next decade.
We enjoyed great harmony for a while, and after only four years, the combined membership had grown to 120. It was at Concord that I met my dear wife, Margaret. As a group, we raised almost $3,000 and built a new church building which was completed in 1832.
Shortly afterward, however, the Tornado Of Nullification* funneled through our congregation and caused a great deal of destruction. Both the congregation and I were deeply affected. Thirty members, as well as three ruling elders left the church. Things were so bad that I asked Presbytery to dismiss me to the Tombeckbee Presbytery in Mississippi.
Margaret and I arrived in Mississippi in 1834, with our three older children, Horace, Henry, and Samuel, and a strong desire to commune and have fellowship with other believers.
The following March, I was granted membership in Tombeckbee Presbytery and began to take on pastoral assignments. I visited churches, examined their records and tested candidates for the ministry.
By May of 1838, Margaret and I had begun to meet with a few Presbyterians at a school house near Troy, about a mile and a half from here. (You probably know it as Danville.)
We had a real desire to organize a Presbyterian Church and resolved to make it happen. The first members were Jacob and Mary Ann Hinkle, Ann Gamble and my wife, Margaret. Thomas and Pamela Mayes were also received into the Church in those early months. We adopted the confession of faith as our standard of practice and faith. We decided to call the church New Hope, and I was chosen as the stated supply.
During those first few years, several children were baptized. New Hope was recognized and received under the care of Presbytery in October of 1838, and by 1846, we had grown to 27 members.
Blacks and whites worshiped together at New Hope until after the Civil War. The relations were not equal, but it was not considered improper for all races to hear the gospel in one assembly.
Church records show that people were not only coming to be members of New Hope, but some were being dismissed to other churches as they were being formed in neighboring towns.
Because I was getting older and had some health issues, I resigned as pastor of New Hope in January, 1854. Rev. Ramsey Henderson, a missionary, took my place as pastor and served until the end of the Civil War in 1865.
Throughout the years, I helped to start two additional churches in the area. In 1840, seven members and two elders came together to form Bethany Church, located between what is now Paden and Tishomingo. With the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, travel was made easier and more towns began to form. As a result, members moved away and Bethany became inactive.
A similar fate came to the Euphronium Church that was established in 1854, north of Booneville. It was later renamed Ebeneezer in honor of Ebeneezer Gaston of Calhoun City, who contributed money for the erection of three churches in the area. By 1898, most of its members had moved into Booneville and the property was sold to Gaston Baptist Church. The old cemetery may still be seen today.
Although I had a good life. I experienced loss with the death of my beloved wife, Margaret, in 1856. She rests just beyond that marker. We were blessed, however, to have eight children, five of whom were baptized at New Hope, and my oldest son was named a ruling elder and served as clerk of the session for many years.
In all, I served churches in South Carolina and Mississippi for 44 years before taking my place here, in the New Hope Cemetery, among friends and family at the age of 70. (He died May 8, 1865.)
DATES FOR CLARIFICATION
* Tornado of Nullification - Declared the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within the borders of South Carolina. It was believed that the tariffs favored the north over the south.
Mississippi became a state on December 10, 1817
Rienzi was founded in 1830
Jacinto was founded in 1836
Corinth was founded in 1853
Civil War began April 12,1861 and ended May 9, 1865
Tishomingo County was divided into Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo Counties in 1869
Booneville was founded in 1870
I was born in the York District of South Carolina and had a fairly normal childhood. About the same time the War of 1812 was being fought, I enrolled at Hampden Sidney College in Virginia. I was converted there in 1814, and studied theology. I was granted a provisional license by the Presbytery of Hanover, VA in 1819.
Like many Presbyterian churches at that time, Purity Presbyterian in South Carolina had been without a pastor for over two years and had received only occasional supplies. I visited them in 1821, and at their request, agreed to serve as their stated supply. Stated supply simply means that Presbytery employs a minister, such as myself, to provide a supply of preaching at a select time and place for a congregation without a full-time minister. This system worked well for both the Purity congregation and myself. Supplies are less formal and can be renewed or terminated at six month periods. Of course, it was better for all concerned to have a full-time pastor. So in 1824, Purity joined ranks with Concord Presbyterian Church and received permission from the Presbytery to offer a united call of full-time pastor. I was ordained in 1824, and served both churches for the next decade.
We enjoyed great harmony for a while, and after only four years, the combined membership had grown to 120. It was at Concord that I met my dear wife, Margaret. As a group, we raised almost $3,000 and built a new church building which was completed in 1832.
Shortly afterward, however, the Tornado Of Nullification* funneled through our congregation and caused a great deal of destruction. Both the congregation and I were deeply affected. Thirty members, as well as three ruling elders left the church. Things were so bad that I asked Presbytery to dismiss me to the Tombeckbee Presbytery in Mississippi.
Margaret and I arrived in Mississippi in 1834, with our three older children, Horace, Henry, and Samuel, and a strong desire to commune and have fellowship with other believers.
The following March, I was granted membership in Tombeckbee Presbytery and began to take on pastoral assignments. I visited churches, examined their records and tested candidates for the ministry.
By May of 1838, Margaret and I had begun to meet with a few Presbyterians at a school house near Troy, about a mile and a half from here. (You probably know it as Danville.)
We had a real desire to organize a Presbyterian Church and resolved to make it happen. The first members were Jacob and Mary Ann Hinkle, Ann Gamble and my wife, Margaret. Thomas and Pamela Mayes were also received into the Church in those early months. We adopted the confession of faith as our standard of practice and faith. We decided to call the church New Hope, and I was chosen as the stated supply.
During those first few years, several children were baptized. New Hope was recognized and received under the care of Presbytery in October of 1838, and by 1846, we had grown to 27 members.
Blacks and whites worshiped together at New Hope until after the Civil War. The relations were not equal, but it was not considered improper for all races to hear the gospel in one assembly.
Church records show that people were not only coming to be members of New Hope, but some were being dismissed to other churches as they were being formed in neighboring towns.
Because I was getting older and had some health issues, I resigned as pastor of New Hope in January, 1854. Rev. Ramsey Henderson, a missionary, took my place as pastor and served until the end of the Civil War in 1865.
Throughout the years, I helped to start two additional churches in the area. In 1840, seven members and two elders came together to form Bethany Church, located between what is now Paden and Tishomingo. With the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, travel was made easier and more towns began to form. As a result, members moved away and Bethany became inactive.
A similar fate came to the Euphronium Church that was established in 1854, north of Booneville. It was later renamed Ebeneezer in honor of Ebeneezer Gaston of Calhoun City, who contributed money for the erection of three churches in the area. By 1898, most of its members had moved into Booneville and the property was sold to Gaston Baptist Church. The old cemetery may still be seen today.
Although I had a good life. I experienced loss with the death of my beloved wife, Margaret, in 1856. She rests just beyond that marker. We were blessed, however, to have eight children, five of whom were baptized at New Hope, and my oldest son was named a ruling elder and served as clerk of the session for many years.
In all, I served churches in South Carolina and Mississippi for 44 years before taking my place here, in the New Hope Cemetery, among friends and family at the age of 70. (He died May 8, 1865.)
DATES FOR CLARIFICATION
* Tornado of Nullification - Declared the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within the borders of South Carolina. It was believed that the tariffs favored the north over the south.
Mississippi became a state on December 10, 1817
Rienzi was founded in 1830
Jacinto was founded in 1836
Corinth was founded in 1853
Civil War began April 12,1861 and ended May 9, 1865
Tishomingo County was divided into Alcorn, Prentiss and Tishomingo Counties in 1869
Booneville was founded in 1870
This is Rosannah Morton Savage who came here from South Carolina. She is the great great grandmother of our pastor, Nick Phillips.
This is Rosannah Morton Savage who came here from South Carolina. She is the great great grandmother of our pastor, Nick Phillips.
My name is Rosannah Morton Savage—sometimes called Rosa for short. I was born in 1806 in South Carolina to James Morton (who had traveled from Ireland in 1768) and Mary Montgomery (whose family was from Scotland). I had nine brothers and sisters. John Washington Morton and Dr. J. W. Morton, my brothers, are both buried in the cemetery here at New Hope.
My family helped to establish Fairview Presbyterian Church in Greenville County, South Carolina. It still stands today, with one of the oldest church cemeteries in existence. The clerk at our church was Anthony Savage. He was a bookish man who was once a school teacher in Ireland. He and his family had traveled to America in 1779. His oldest son was Alexander. I was quite taken with him.
We married in March of 1832. The record made by the Rev. S. B. Lewers included this note: “Married on the 24th of March, 1832, Capt. Alexander Savage to the amiable and accomplished Miss Rosannah Morton.” In 1837, Alexander and I decided to travel with family to a newly settled area—Tishomingo County, Mississippi. We made the journey with several members of the Paden family.
Alexander and Dan Paden worked hard over the next few years to establish the second Presbyterian Church in Tishomingo County—Bethany Presbyterian Church—which is located south of the town of Tishomingo. The first service in that church was held in 1840 by the Rev. J. B. Stafford. Bethany was a beautiful church and soon had a flourishing congregation.
In 1848, my husband died suddenly and was buried in the cemetery at his beloved Bethany, leaving me a widow at 42. I had six children, the eldest being 15 years old. I leaned on my family during this time for help. During the Civil War, my two eldest boys, John and Robert, were part of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. John made it through the war unhurt. He died at the age of 52. He is buried next to me. My son Robert was killed during a battle and was laid to rest in Smithfield, North Carolina.
I eventually lived with my younger son James Ramsey Savage. He was married to a sweet young woman, Martha Paden (the only daughter of Dan Paden). Although Alexander wasn’t here to see it, I think he would have liked their union. I began coming to New Hope with him and Martha. Many of my brothers were here, and I felt very much at home in this church.
Little did I know that 131 years after my death, my great, great grandson would be installed as the pastor of the church I came to know and love.
I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to share my story with you today.
My name is Rosannah Morton Savage—sometimes called Rosa for short. I was born in 1806 in South Carolina to James Morton (who had traveled from Ireland in 1768) and Mary Montgomery (whose family was from Scotland). I had nine brothers and sisters. John Washington Morton and Dr. J. W. Morton, my brothers, are both buried in the cemetery here at New Hope.
My family helped to establish Fairview Presbyterian Church in Greenville County, South Carolina. It still stands today, with one of the oldest church cemeteries in existence. The clerk at our church was Anthony Savage. He was a bookish man who was once a school teacher in Ireland. He and his family had traveled to America in 1779. His oldest son was Alexander. I was quite taken with him.
We married in March of 1832. The record made by the Rev. S. B. Lewers included this note: “Married on the 24th of March, 1832, Capt. Alexander Savage to the amiable and accomplished Miss Rosannah Morton.” In 1837, Alexander and I decided to travel with family to a newly settled area—Tishomingo County, Mississippi. We made the journey with several members of the Paden family.
Alexander and Dan Paden worked hard over the next few years to establish the second Presbyterian Church in Tishomingo County—Bethany Presbyterian Church—which is located south of the town of Tishomingo. The first service in that church was held in 1840 by the Rev. J. B. Stafford. Bethany was a beautiful church and soon had a flourishing congregation.
In 1848, my husband died suddenly and was buried in the cemetery at his beloved Bethany, leaving me a widow at 42. I had six children, the eldest being 15 years old. I leaned on my family during this time for help. During the Civil War, my two eldest boys, John and Robert, were part of the 22nd Mississippi Regiment. John made it through the war unhurt. He died at the age of 52. He is buried next to me. My son Robert was killed during a battle and was laid to rest in Smithfield, North Carolina.
I eventually lived with my younger son James Ramsey Savage. He was married to a sweet young woman, Martha Paden (the only daughter of Dan Paden). Although Alexander wasn’t here to see it, I think he would have liked their union. I began coming to New Hope with him and Martha. Many of my brothers were here, and I felt very much at home in this church.
Little did I know that 131 years after my death, my great, great grandson would be installed as the pastor of the church I came to know and love.
I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to share my story with you today.
This is Dr. Lawson Alexander Hill and his wife Barbara Whisenant Hill. They came to New Hope from South Carolina in 1872.
LA: Hello. I am Lawson Alexander Hill and this is my wife Barbara Whisenant Hill. We wish to share some of the events in our life that lead us to New Hope Presbyterian Church, Biggersville, MS. We both started life in the “Carolinas”. I am the youngest son of John and Armaneila Hill of Clover, South Carolina and Barbara the youngest child of Joseph and Unity Whisenant.
My story begins with my education. My early education was by a Presbyterian Minister. Initially I planned to become a minister, but those plans changed when I went to the University of North Carolina to study and came down with dyspepsia. I had to return home to recover. The doctor who treated me advised that I become a doctor. I “read Medicine” for 2 years under his guidance. I continued my education by taking courses at both the medical school in Augusta, GA and Nashville, TN. I met my future wife when I started a medical practice in York County, SC. In fact, I fell in love with my patient!
Barbara: My father owned land, was a cooper, operated a water mill, shop, tan yard, and thrashing mill. Our house was ample and when the young LA came looking for lodgings and space for an office from which to practice medicine, my father took him in. At the time, I was recovering from typhoid fever and a serious bone problem. LA treated me and I recovered with only a limp from a stiff ankle. We were married in 1858.
My family was Baptist. When LA went to church with me, he was not allowed to take communion. I asked for a letter of transfer to the Presbyterian church and was refused. When the Baptist church heard that I had attended the Presbyterian Church with LA and took communion, they removed me from their membership rolls. From then on, I was a Presbyterian.
LA: My practice increased rapidly. In addition to doctoring, I taught school and even singing school to add to my income. I was able to buy land and build a nice home with office. Our children began to arrive by 1860 we had two (David A. and Unity Adeline).
I can brag that my neighbors recognized me as a man of integrity and Christian principles. My ordination as an Elder in the Shiloh Presbyterian church took place in 1859. During the time before the Civil War, I was opposed to slavery and would not own another human being, but did not take a stand against the institution. However, when SC succeeded from the union I, along with my neighbors, volunteered my service because I did believe in state’s rights. At that time there was no medical department in the Confederate army so I was in the quartermaster corps. After my neighbors petitioned to have me return to York County to care for the sick in the area I was able to return home for all of the war except a short time at a hospital in Atlanta.
Barbara: During the war, our family expanded by two more children (John J. and Elizabeth A.). The reconstruction time after the war was a desperate time. The laborers were trying to run the state and guerilla troops and carpetbag politicians made matters worse. Some of our leading citizens organized into the Ku Klux Klan to try to improve the conditions in the area. Federal troops come in to suppress the Klan and some of our neighbors were put on trial and imprisoned. It was general knowledge that Lawson would not tell a lie for any reason, not even to save his family. We knew if he were summoned to testify in a trial, some of his neighbors would be in danger. In their fear, we believe some burned our house while we were in church on a Sunday. Now we had no home and three additional children (Sarah E., Frances Nazara, and Cynthia Jane Victoria); that is seven in all! Our only hope for escaping imprisonment seemed to be to leave the area.
LA: I had a brother in Blue Mountain, MS. He said that the carpetbaggers and federal troops were less a problem in MS. So at the age of 44 with seven children I sold my land and meager belongings (most was lost in the fire) for enough to pay for the trip to Mississippi. I hired two covered wagons for the trip to Charlotte some fifty miles away. In Charlotte we would take a train west.
Barbara: The only things we had were some trunks and bales that contained clothing, bedding, Lenin, and cooking utensils. There were nine of us. Our oldest child was 12 and the youngest one. The fifty miles to Charlotte took two days. The first night we camped out. The second day we arrived in Charlotte. The children saw paved streets, lighted buildings, and street lamps for the first time. It was a wonderland to them. We boarded the train. The train ride was not that comfortable, two nights and a day we sat up in a cold train car. I had packed a large basket of food, so we did not go hungry. We arrived in Salisbury, TN with no one to meet us and no place to stay for the night. The children rolled up in their plaid blanket shawls and went to sleep on the floor of the train station.
LA: Early the next morning I hired two wagons with teams and drivers to take us to Dave’s in Blue Mountain. The twenty-mile trip took all day. We arrived at midnight. We were welcomed and spent the next two to three weeks with Dave. Christmas was spent in the crowded but comfortable home of my brother Dave. He assisted me in finding help to build some walnut furniture and locate a home. Our first home was in Malina in Union County. It was a one room house with loft and stack chimney. We patched up a cabin that was in the yard for some of the children. That winter was cold and uncomfortable. I served as the only doctor in a 12-mile radius, so there was plenty of work for me, but the conditions for the rest of the family was not very satisfactory. There was no school or church in the village. The children had to walk four miles to a one-room school with one teacher. I made my rounds and ploughed the fields with a horse I purchased named Old Mace. The horse lived 30 years!
Barbara: In October of 1872 our eighth child was born (James R.). We moved again to a slightly larger community. The home was not much better and that winter was cold. LA continued to look for a better situation. We were on the move again when LA heard about the death of old Dr. Wright in Alcorn County. There was a community called New Hope with a Presbyterian Church and School that the doctor had served. He located a home and when the weather permitted we started the move. That was in March.
LA: The move proved to be difficult. All our belongings were loaded on a wagon and we started out. The baby and later Addie were riding on the wagon when it rounded a curve and overturned. The baby was thrown clear and Addie was under the furniture. We had to wait for Dave and John to arrive (they were driving the cattle) before Addie could be removed from the bottom of the pile. Thank God, she was not seriously hurt. We were not even half way to our destination by night and had to seek shelter in a schoolhouse. Then next day we reached McDougall hill near the Conn place a pouring rain made the steep hill slippery. The wagon slid down the hill, one of the oxen hitched to the wagon was trapped beneath the wagon and its neck broken. The road supervisor (Fayette Dilworth) came by and demanded that the dead oxen be move at least a quarter of a mile away by nightfall. Dave and John hitched the horse and mule to the dead oxen to move it away. By the time they returned, the branch at the bottom of the hill was flooded and the cows would not cross it. Mr. Bob Conn, saw their plight and helped get the wagon and cows across the branch and to their new home. Mrs. Conn sent food for their supper.
Barbara: Our new home was such an improvement over the last ones; hewn logs sealed inside and real glass windows and a brick chimney. We were only two miles from New Hope Presbyterian church and the school. We were home at last and made fast friends with the Biggers family and others in the community.
LA: Our first Sunday at New Hope I presented my letter and joined the church. Later that year I was installed as an Elder. Our infants were baptized and all the children joined the church as they grew older. We lived on the old Wright place and farmed for three years but had to give it up when unable to purchase the farm. We found a place we could purchase about six miles away in the community now know as Hinkle. The move took place in December 1874 in a sleet and snowstorm.
Barbara: We settled in and made improvements to the home and added a log cabin for a school house to the property. LA operated a school for his family and the neighbors during the week and a singing school on weekends. As the two oldest boys progressed, they took over the teaching duties. Meanwhile four more children were added (Will, Ross, Frank, and Barbara). Then came the weddings. Four of the local boys who attended the school when not doing farm work married our daughters. Albert McCord married Addie, Robert Honnoll married Sarah, John Doggett married Lida, and Rufus Caldwell married Fannie.
LA: I am not a very politically active person, but did take a stand against liquor and encountered the ill will of many. About that time a fire started in the smokehouse and spread to our home. We lost most of our belongings. We lived in the log school house until Jim, Will, Ross, and Frank could cut trees, haul them to the sawmill, and use the lumber to reconstruct the home around the two chimneys left standing. They accomplished the task in 6 months.
Barbara: Every day the family thanked God for all our blessing at morning and evening prayers. LA was known for his long blessings before a meal with frequent “AHAS”. Seven “AHAS” meant time to remove the biscuits form the oven before they burned and serve them hot for the meal.
All our 12 children lived full lives and provided us with numerous offspring. Out of the twelve, all married but one, Vic, and all the married children except Frank had children. They became teachers, doctors, and ministers. Many of their descendants are members of this church today.
My story begins with my education. My early education was by a Presbyterian Minister. Initially I planned to become a minister, but those plans changed when I went to the University of North Carolina to study and came down with dyspepsia. I had to return home to recover. The doctor who treated me advised that I become a doctor. I “read Medicine” for 2 years under his guidance. I continued my education by taking courses at both the medical school in Augusta, GA and Nashville, TN. I met my future wife when I started a medical practice in York County, SC. In fact, I fell in love with my patient!
Barbara: My father owned land, was a cooper, operated a water mill, shop, tan yard, and thrashing mill. Our house was ample and when the young LA came looking for lodgings and space for an office from which to practice medicine, my father took him in. At the time, I was recovering from typhoid fever and a serious bone problem. LA treated me and I recovered with only a limp from a stiff ankle. We were married in 1858.
My family was Baptist. When LA went to church with me, he was not allowed to take communion. I asked for a letter of transfer to the Presbyterian church and was refused. When the Baptist church heard that I had attended the Presbyterian Church with LA and took communion, they removed me from their membership rolls. From then on, I was a Presbyterian.
LA: My practice increased rapidly. In addition to doctoring, I taught school and even singing school to add to my income. I was able to buy land and build a nice home with office. Our children began to arrive by 1860 we had two (David A. and Unity Adeline).
I can brag that my neighbors recognized me as a man of integrity and Christian principles. My ordination as an Elder in the Shiloh Presbyterian church took place in 1859. During the time before the Civil War, I was opposed to slavery and would not own another human being, but did not take a stand against the institution. However, when SC succeeded from the union I, along with my neighbors, volunteered my service because I did believe in state’s rights. At that time there was no medical department in the Confederate army so I was in the quartermaster corps. After my neighbors petitioned to have me return to York County to care for the sick in the area I was able to return home for all of the war except a short time at a hospital in Atlanta.
Barbara: During the war, our family expanded by two more children (John J. and Elizabeth A.). The reconstruction time after the war was a desperate time. The laborers were trying to run the state and guerilla troops and carpetbag politicians made matters worse. Some of our leading citizens organized into the Ku Klux Klan to try to improve the conditions in the area. Federal troops come in to suppress the Klan and some of our neighbors were put on trial and imprisoned. It was general knowledge that Lawson would not tell a lie for any reason, not even to save his family. We knew if he were summoned to testify in a trial, some of his neighbors would be in danger. In their fear, we believe some burned our house while we were in church on a Sunday. Now we had no home and three additional children (Sarah E., Frances Nazara, and Cynthia Jane Victoria); that is seven in all! Our only hope for escaping imprisonment seemed to be to leave the area.
LA: I had a brother in Blue Mountain, MS. He said that the carpetbaggers and federal troops were less a problem in MS. So at the age of 44 with seven children I sold my land and meager belongings (most was lost in the fire) for enough to pay for the trip to Mississippi. I hired two covered wagons for the trip to Charlotte some fifty miles away. In Charlotte we would take a train west.
Barbara: The only things we had were some trunks and bales that contained clothing, bedding, Lenin, and cooking utensils. There were nine of us. Our oldest child was 12 and the youngest one. The fifty miles to Charlotte took two days. The first night we camped out. The second day we arrived in Charlotte. The children saw paved streets, lighted buildings, and street lamps for the first time. It was a wonderland to them. We boarded the train. The train ride was not that comfortable, two nights and a day we sat up in a cold train car. I had packed a large basket of food, so we did not go hungry. We arrived in Salisbury, TN with no one to meet us and no place to stay for the night. The children rolled up in their plaid blanket shawls and went to sleep on the floor of the train station.
LA: Early the next morning I hired two wagons with teams and drivers to take us to Dave’s in Blue Mountain. The twenty-mile trip took all day. We arrived at midnight. We were welcomed and spent the next two to three weeks with Dave. Christmas was spent in the crowded but comfortable home of my brother Dave. He assisted me in finding help to build some walnut furniture and locate a home. Our first home was in Malina in Union County. It was a one room house with loft and stack chimney. We patched up a cabin that was in the yard for some of the children. That winter was cold and uncomfortable. I served as the only doctor in a 12-mile radius, so there was plenty of work for me, but the conditions for the rest of the family was not very satisfactory. There was no school or church in the village. The children had to walk four miles to a one-room school with one teacher. I made my rounds and ploughed the fields with a horse I purchased named Old Mace. The horse lived 30 years!
Barbara: In October of 1872 our eighth child was born (James R.). We moved again to a slightly larger community. The home was not much better and that winter was cold. LA continued to look for a better situation. We were on the move again when LA heard about the death of old Dr. Wright in Alcorn County. There was a community called New Hope with a Presbyterian Church and School that the doctor had served. He located a home and when the weather permitted we started the move. That was in March.
LA: The move proved to be difficult. All our belongings were loaded on a wagon and we started out. The baby and later Addie were riding on the wagon when it rounded a curve and overturned. The baby was thrown clear and Addie was under the furniture. We had to wait for Dave and John to arrive (they were driving the cattle) before Addie could be removed from the bottom of the pile. Thank God, she was not seriously hurt. We were not even half way to our destination by night and had to seek shelter in a schoolhouse. Then next day we reached McDougall hill near the Conn place a pouring rain made the steep hill slippery. The wagon slid down the hill, one of the oxen hitched to the wagon was trapped beneath the wagon and its neck broken. The road supervisor (Fayette Dilworth) came by and demanded that the dead oxen be move at least a quarter of a mile away by nightfall. Dave and John hitched the horse and mule to the dead oxen to move it away. By the time they returned, the branch at the bottom of the hill was flooded and the cows would not cross it. Mr. Bob Conn, saw their plight and helped get the wagon and cows across the branch and to their new home. Mrs. Conn sent food for their supper.
Barbara: Our new home was such an improvement over the last ones; hewn logs sealed inside and real glass windows and a brick chimney. We were only two miles from New Hope Presbyterian church and the school. We were home at last and made fast friends with the Biggers family and others in the community.
LA: Our first Sunday at New Hope I presented my letter and joined the church. Later that year I was installed as an Elder. Our infants were baptized and all the children joined the church as they grew older. We lived on the old Wright place and farmed for three years but had to give it up when unable to purchase the farm. We found a place we could purchase about six miles away in the community now know as Hinkle. The move took place in December 1874 in a sleet and snowstorm.
Barbara: We settled in and made improvements to the home and added a log cabin for a school house to the property. LA operated a school for his family and the neighbors during the week and a singing school on weekends. As the two oldest boys progressed, they took over the teaching duties. Meanwhile four more children were added (Will, Ross, Frank, and Barbara). Then came the weddings. Four of the local boys who attended the school when not doing farm work married our daughters. Albert McCord married Addie, Robert Honnoll married Sarah, John Doggett married Lida, and Rufus Caldwell married Fannie.
LA: I am not a very politically active person, but did take a stand against liquor and encountered the ill will of many. About that time a fire started in the smokehouse and spread to our home. We lost most of our belongings. We lived in the log school house until Jim, Will, Ross, and Frank could cut trees, haul them to the sawmill, and use the lumber to reconstruct the home around the two chimneys left standing. They accomplished the task in 6 months.
Barbara: Every day the family thanked God for all our blessing at morning and evening prayers. LA was known for his long blessings before a meal with frequent “AHAS”. Seven “AHAS” meant time to remove the biscuits form the oven before they burned and serve them hot for the meal.
All our 12 children lived full lives and provided us with numerous offspring. Out of the twelve, all married but one, Vic, and all the married children except Frank had children. They became teachers, doctors, and ministers. Many of their descendants are members of this church today.
This is James Rufus Settle who was born in South Carolina. His family moved here in 1858. He served as an elder in this church for 41 years.
James Rufus Settle, Pvt. Co. A, Ham's Cavalry Regiment
Born November 23, 1844 Chester County, SC, the 5th of 8 children born to David and Jane Settle
GGGG grandfather Frances Settle immigrated from Yorkshire, England to Richmond County, Virginia in 1656
G grandfather Josiah of Virginia was a patriot in the American Revolution and received a land grant in what is now Rockingham County, NC
David Settle born 1804 Rockingham County, NC married Jane Lewis in Chester County, SC 1835 where James Rufus was born
Moved to Marshall County, MS 1848 and bought a farm NW of Holly Springs
David's brother Benjamin bought a farm just across the state line in Fayette County, TN. Benjamin was a Union sympathizer during the war and was ambushed and killed January 20, 1864 between Somerville, TN and his home by "Confederate guerillas". He left a widow and 9 children.
David bought 640 acre farm at Biggersville, Alcorn County, MS 1859 and had 8 slaves listed in the 1860 census
Thomas Benjamin (Ben) Settle enlisted at Kossuth as a Pvt. in Co. D, 23rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment August, 1861. He escaped capture at Fort Donaldson February 16, 1862, returned home and enlisted in Co. D, 32nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment as 3rd Sergeant, March 13, 1862.
Samuel Lewis (Sam) Settle enlisted at Enterprise, MS as a Pvt. in Co. D, 32nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment October 3, 1863 and was promoted to 3rd Corporal in April 1864.
Ben and Sam were paroled May 1, 1865 in Greenboro, NC
J R Settle enlisted at Tupelo, MS as a Pvt. in Co. A, Ham's Cavalry Regiment, April 2, 1864. Brought his own horse and gun. Horse stolen and spent part of the time on a mule. May and June, 1864 he was detailed as a picket on the Big Black RIver near Vicksburg. July 25, 1864 the brigade was in the lines at Atlanta, GA where Col. Ham was killed. In December, 1864 the unit suffered heavy losses defending against Grierson's raids at Egypt, MS. At the end of March, 1865 Ham's Cavalry was consolidated with Ashcraft's and Lowry's regiments forming the 11th Consolidated Mississippi Cavalry Regiment, was under the command of Gen. N. B. Forrest defending Selma, AL. Outnumbered nearly 3:1 Union Gen. James H. Wilson overran the Confederates April 2, 1865 and J R was captured. Prisoners were taken to Montgomery, AL where they were paroled May 4, 1865.
Married Margaret McDougal March 26, 1878 Alcorn County, MS
1) William McDougal Settle December 15, 1880
2) Samuel Leman Settle August 30, 1883
Margaret died July 5, 1885
In 1894 Ben and Sam moved their families to Fannin County, TX and they are buried in Dodd City Cemetery.
Field peas = jail food
J R died November 2, 1934 Buried in New Hope Presbyterian Church cemetery at Biggersville, MS
Born November 23, 1844 Chester County, SC, the 5th of 8 children born to David and Jane Settle
GGGG grandfather Frances Settle immigrated from Yorkshire, England to Richmond County, Virginia in 1656
G grandfather Josiah of Virginia was a patriot in the American Revolution and received a land grant in what is now Rockingham County, NC
David Settle born 1804 Rockingham County, NC married Jane Lewis in Chester County, SC 1835 where James Rufus was born
Moved to Marshall County, MS 1848 and bought a farm NW of Holly Springs
David's brother Benjamin bought a farm just across the state line in Fayette County, TN. Benjamin was a Union sympathizer during the war and was ambushed and killed January 20, 1864 between Somerville, TN and his home by "Confederate guerillas". He left a widow and 9 children.
David bought 640 acre farm at Biggersville, Alcorn County, MS 1859 and had 8 slaves listed in the 1860 census
Thomas Benjamin (Ben) Settle enlisted at Kossuth as a Pvt. in Co. D, 23rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment August, 1861. He escaped capture at Fort Donaldson February 16, 1862, returned home and enlisted in Co. D, 32nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment as 3rd Sergeant, March 13, 1862.
Samuel Lewis (Sam) Settle enlisted at Enterprise, MS as a Pvt. in Co. D, 32nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment October 3, 1863 and was promoted to 3rd Corporal in April 1864.
Ben and Sam were paroled May 1, 1865 in Greenboro, NC
J R Settle enlisted at Tupelo, MS as a Pvt. in Co. A, Ham's Cavalry Regiment, April 2, 1864. Brought his own horse and gun. Horse stolen and spent part of the time on a mule. May and June, 1864 he was detailed as a picket on the Big Black RIver near Vicksburg. July 25, 1864 the brigade was in the lines at Atlanta, GA where Col. Ham was killed. In December, 1864 the unit suffered heavy losses defending against Grierson's raids at Egypt, MS. At the end of March, 1865 Ham's Cavalry was consolidated with Ashcraft's and Lowry's regiments forming the 11th Consolidated Mississippi Cavalry Regiment, was under the command of Gen. N. B. Forrest defending Selma, AL. Outnumbered nearly 3:1 Union Gen. James H. Wilson overran the Confederates April 2, 1865 and J R was captured. Prisoners were taken to Montgomery, AL where they were paroled May 4, 1865.
Married Margaret McDougal March 26, 1878 Alcorn County, MS
1) William McDougal Settle December 15, 1880
2) Samuel Leman Settle August 30, 1883
Margaret died July 5, 1885
In 1894 Ben and Sam moved their families to Fannin County, TX and they are buried in Dodd City Cemetery.
Field peas = jail food
J R died November 2, 1934 Buried in New Hope Presbyterian Church cemetery at Biggersville, MS