SMYRNA PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

LOCATION

[From the Deed description below, I believe X possibly marks the approximate location of the Church land. The land lot map is from Clay county courthouse, Fort Gaines, GA, llh]

ORIGINAL DEED

23 Feb 1844 WILLIAM McELVEY gives to SMYRNA PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH through its officers and deacons & successors in office a certain tract or parcel of land whereon said church house now stands, it being a part of #50, 5^th dist said county, commencing fifteen chains from the North East Corner of said lot of land at a pine tree, thence West to the branch thirteen chains thence down the branch five chains to a poplar, thence East twelve chains and fifty links to the East line thence up the old land line North to the beginning containing six acres +/-….

[Signed] WILLIAM McELVEY

[Witnesses] ELAM D LEE, HADLY HINSON J.P.

[Source: Early Co GA Deed Bk F, 1842-1846, p270]

From Minutes of the Harmony Baptist Association, held at Mars Hill Church, Early County, 4-7 Sept 1841 [Mars Hill Church now in Calhoun County 2002]

Smyrna, Early County, Delegates--WM HARRELL, JOHN BEST, Total-22 [members]

[William Harrell recognized as Ordained Minister]

From Minutes of the Harmony Baptist Association held at Antioch, Early County, Georgia 12th-15^th Oct 1844

Smyrna, Early county, Delegates-- *WM HARREL, J. B. BROWN, 2 Baptised, 2 rec’d by letter, 1 dismissed, 2 excommunicated, 1 restored, 2 dead, Total-34 [members]

From Minutes of the Harmony Baptist Association held at Walnut Grove, Randolph Co, 1849

Smyrna, Early County, Delegates—T. GREY, JOSEPH LEE, 1 R’d on Con. F., Total-10

From minutes of the association meeting held at Beulah, Lee Co, 1855

Smyrna, Clay County, not represented

From minutes of the annual association meeting held at Antioch Church, Early co, 1856

Smyrna, Clay county, Delegates—PETER LEE, J. B. BROWN, 1 Rec’d by letter, 1 Excluded, Total- 21

From minutes of the Harmony Baptist Association meeting convened at Sardis Church, Randolph County, 1857

State of the Churches….

Smyrna, Clay county, Delegates—PETER LEE, H. D. HARRISON, 3 Rec’d by letter, 3 Dismissed by letter, 1 Dead, Total Number in Fellowship-20, Post Office- Fall Creek

[Source of Association Minutes: microfilm, Georgia Archives, Atlanta, Ga]

DEED

31 Jan 1857 WILLIAM McELVY sells to HENRY D HARRISON of Beufort Dist SC for $7000

land in 5^th dist, #10, #32, #48, #49, #50, #72, #73, #88, each containing 250 acres +/- with a reserve of 20 acres deeded to JAMES SMITH known as the crossroad place on lot #32 & 6 acres reserved for the benefit of SMYRNA CHURCH on lot #50

[Source: Clay Co GA Deed Bk F 1887-1893, p676?]

Contributed by:

Lindy Lee Hard

ssautyvalleyfarm@worldnet.att.net

Back To Clay Co. Churches Page

Back To Clay GAGenWeb

Tuesday, April 22, 2025