New Bethel Baptist Church Records

Church Meeting - 16 Sep 1885

The New Bethel Baptist Church met on Sept. 16th 1885 and Constituted at Bro. M.L. Harps House, Brethren H.B.I. Binton, B.W. Davis and R.A.J. Powel acting as Presbytery. Constituted with Sixty Members as follows:
John Robertson
Louisa Robertson Sr. and Jr.
Ada Walls
Minnie Marshall
Jessie Hill
Julia A Powell
E.R. Powell
R.A.J. Powell
Alberta Seay
Elizabeth Horsley
H. Fitzpatrick
D.L. Horsley
Janismia Seay
W.B. Oxford
M.E. Oxford
A.J. Oxford
Lousa Senn
J.R. Jolly, Sr. (Deacon)
C.A. Jolly (Cynthia Amanda McMichael Jolly)
Henry Blizz (Torn)
William Sheppard
H.J. Nelms
G.E. Grand
Sull (Torn)
L. Grant
E.M. Brown
Mary E. Brown
Susan Brown
E.S. Brown
S.J. Senn (Deacon) (Steven J)
C. C. Senn
L.I. Arnold
T.A. Arnold
William Speir
Martha Speir
Lula Speir (Leila)
J.R. Holly, Jr.
John Lunsford
M.E. Lunsford
Ada Whichard
R.A. Sawyers
M.L. Harp (Deacon)
S.H. Harp
Armrette Wiseman
Chas. Gillanwaters
N.E. Tharp
M.A. Tharp
Myrtle Tharp
J.M. Chambless
C.W. Winn

Dr. Sappington gave a good lecture and at the same time donated to the new organized Baptist Church, five dollars, upon which the church returned thanks to the Dr. by rising unanimously. It was moved the church elect their messengers to the Friendship Association. Rev. R.A. J. Powell, S.J.Senn, W.M. Speir, J.M. Chambless, Alternates M.A. Tharp, J.R. Jolly Sr., and M.L. Harp. It was agreed we send one dollar for minutes and one dollar for associational purposes.

Original Notes; M.B.L. Binion, B.W. Davis, R.A.J. Powell, John Robberson, Louisa Robberson Sr. & Jr., Ada Wall, Minnie Marshall, Jessie Hill, Julia A. Wall, Sarah Marshall, Marh Marshall, George Hark, N.S.C. Powell, E.K. Powell, R.W.J. Powell, Alberta Seay, Elizabeth Horsley, D.L. Horsley, M. Fitzpatrick, Jemin Seay, W.D. Oxford, M.E. Oxford, A.J. Oxford, James Chambliss, Mary Chambliss, Minnie Chambliss, Alice Chambliss, John Senn, Laura Senn (Laura Irene Horsley Senn), J.R. Jolly (deacon) John Robert Jolly), Henry Blizzard, William Sheperd, J.H. Nelms, G.E. Grant, Sallie L. Grant, E.H. Brown, Mury E. Brown, Susan Brown, E.S. Brown, S.J. Senn (Steven J. brother of John Henry above), C.C. Senn, C.W. Winn (Sinn?), L.I. Arnold, T.A. Arnold, William Spear, Martha Spear, Lula Spear

New Bethel Baptist Church Original Members; J.R. Jolly Jr., John Lunsford, M.E. Lunsford, Ada Witchan, R.A. Sawyers, M.L. Harp (Deacon), S.K. Harp, Amarette Wiseman, Charles Gillimvaters, M.A. Tharp, N.E. Tharp, Myrtic Tharp, J.M. Chambliss, Dr.Sappington (Speaker), and R.A.J. Powell (Reverand).

I have the rest of these church records, plus a survey I have done of the graves there. The people in the graveyard did not necessarily belong to this church. Some were neighbors of Gerry (Brown) Hill- born in Terrell Co. Ga. My Father, Grandparents, Great Grandparents and many others are buried there.

Submitted by Gerry Hill

From New Bethel Church Records

Laura Horsley Senn was born in Macon County, Ga. Jan. 27th 1854, joined Rehoboth Baptist Church, Randolph County, and was baptized by elder R.A.J. Powell Aug. 10th 1879; was married to Jas. H. Senn Jan. 1875 and died Oct. 31st 1897.

Dead! How sad to write this word! But it is too true. She had been a long sufferer, but not a complaining one. Her life was one of sweetness and love, unselfish, noble and generous. She was a devoted wife, affectionate mother and a true friend. She loved her church, but for the most of her life was deprived of the privaledge of attending during worship. She loved to read her bible and talk about her precious Saviour. The 14th, chapter of John was one of her favorite passages. She requested her pastor, brother R R Taylor to read this chapter at her burial. How happy it must have been to meet the loved ones who were "waiting and watching at the beautiful gates" to welcome her home!

Weep not dear brother for your precious wife; she is now with her blessed Savior whom she loved so much to serve, and is free from all pain. Deal children, obey your mother's teachings and meet her in that beautiful land.

"God knows the way, he holds the key;
He guides us with unerring hand;
Sometime with tearless eyes we'll see-
Yes there, up there we'll understand."

Resolved, that in the death of sister Senn the church gives up a consecrated member, her family sustains an irreparable loss.

Resolved, that the above be published in the Christian Index, a copy be given to the family of deceased, and the same be spread upon the minutes.

D L I Arnold, S.D. Hatcher, T E Jolley, Com.

[Laura Irene "Molly" "Rena" Horsley dtr of James B & Elizabeth Howard married John Henry Senn 1851-1924 and had Dan, Irene,"Lizzy", Robert J., Oscar Homer, Ola Lee. Irene married Gibsen Carlton, Robert married Lou Ella Cannon of my family, Oscar married Flora Antoinette Gammage of my family.]

Submitted by Gerry Hill

March 5th 1893

After preaching by the Pastor the church met in conference.
1st Opportunity for membership-Rec'd none
2nd Read & adopted minutes of last meeting
3rd Called for Refference-
4th Called for Acknowledgements, none
5th New Business-Moved that Brethren J.H. WHICHARD and J.A. M. ROBERTSON be appointed to draft resolutions on the death of Bro. W.F. HEISLER, and that a page in our minute book be left to his memory.
6th Despenced calling the roll, & Adj.

     R.B. TAYLOR Mod.
     J.A.M. ROBERTSON C.C.

Actual-Death Notice from Newspaper on this page-

In Memory of Brother W.F. HEISLER,

     While we have cause for deep gratitude to God for so wonderfully preserving the lives of our members during this last seven years, yet our hearts are made to feel keenly the visitation of Providence in taking from us our beloved, brother W.F. Heisler who departed this life Feb. 20, 1893.

     In the death of brother Heisler the church has sustained the loss of an humble faithful and consistant Christian, the country the loss of an upright and honest citizen and the family a kind and devoted husband and father.

     May God who gave him to us give us grace and bear his departure from us and may the loved ones he left behind ever have the sustaining help and confort of "Him" who doeth all things well. "The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away, blessed by the name of the Lord."

Done by order of the church in conference Mar 14, 1909

     J.A.M. ROBERTSON
     J.H. WHICHARD

     Committee

Submitted by Gerry Hill

Terrell County's neighbors are Sumter, Calhoun, Lee , Dougherty , Randolph, and Webster.