My Knowledge Of The Pioneer Baptist Preachers,Mentioned In
Sartain’s History of Coosa Baptist Association

By G.W.S.Ware.

June,14,1937.

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My earliest rememberance reaches back to 1857 of seeing Robert Ware preaching in the pulpit of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Catoosa County, Georgia. Robert Ware was pastor, he would preach, two or more preachers would follow, which tire my young mind, till I would want them to quit. On page 44, Ware, Pursley and Morgan are mentioned. These three preachers owned farms adjoining. I have never known the like, before or since. Pursley, had the best farm, and slaves to work it, the others had none, but had two arms, each, Pursley, but one. If they were too thick to thrive together, they soon thined out, two going South, the other North, then, West. In 1869, I often saw Elder Shattuck. He was an old man, I did not hear him preach. At the protracted meeting, at Shiloh, a man whom he had raised and had quit his wife, made a profession and tried to join Shiloh, but was rejected, because of that fact. Shattuck made the point, That was done before his sins were pardoned; but the church decided, he must live with his wife. P.16: When I was a boy I knew S. Bomar, Wm. McWilliams, J.T. Suttle, J.R., and P.B. Little, who was a boy then. I saw S. Saxon, once, who was very old. P.18: Some of my first church memories came to me in this church; they sang; "Going down in the valley to pray, Studying about that good old way, Who shall wear the stary crown, good Lord show me the way." When out of church and saw people going down through the woods, I reasoned, they were going down into the valley to pray. After I was grown, I was there, and had my childhood logic spolied–They were going down to the spring. I often heard about G.W. Selvage. He was pastor at Dalton, and was the pulpit orator of his day. In those days, Hymn Books were scarce, hence, the hymn was read aloud, then repeated two lines at a time. The song leader had not book; hence when Selvate lined out: "Depth of mercy can there be, he stoped to announce the number, which he had forgotten
* * * [need to decipher overtyped text] * * *
and page number. Never been done before, or since, I venture to say.
Page 443; and song leader, and

Some years ago, I was pastor of a country church, a few miles west of Trenton, Florida. One Saturday morning early, I went to church and found a stranger, who said his name was Selvage. I picked up interest right now, and said: A preacher by that name used to be pastor at Dalton, Georgia, before the Civil War. He said, that was my father. There we were, two old men, he the son of George Selvage, I the son of Robert Ware. They were fellow pastors in antebellum days, and we their sons met by accident, some 60 years later; I the pastor of the church, he, seeking the job to fix its organ; I with a family, home and property, he, homeless, out on the highways of life. Not to laud self, but to show what sin will do for a brilliant mind. From what he said, he ran with sinners through his best days, and nothing for old age and beyond. 1 Tim. 4:8. But he missed it. Page 20;3. S. Bomar was clerk of Shiloh Church, in 1869. In 1866, I heard A. Fitzgerald preach. I heard him say, That he expected to see the day, he would not be noticed as a preacher, because he was uneducated, WHICH never came to pass, if he showed common sense. I heard H. S. More preach. He, and Fitzgerald were gifted preachers. P.21. I often heard J. M. Stanberry, who was educated. In 1869, W. L. Shattuck seem to be new at preaching. As I heard him, he had one text, Heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Z. D. Clark, began preaching in private houses around Ebenezer Church, Catoosa county, before the church house could be used. Some of the Yankee soldiers would attend, one would lead in prayer. When Zack Clark would warm up at preaching, he would end nearly every sentence with nan-nah. As a boy, I would pick up interest when he began to roll them out. The next year, they put planks on blocks, and so replaced the benches taken by soldiers, and held a protracted meeting, from which twenty five were baptized, one young lady, a deacon’s daughter, came up a shouting. I never saw it done before, or since. I heard Van Bell preach, in fact, he was my pastor at Ebenezer, in 1877, and performed a marriage ceremony for in 1881. I had gone up from Florida, and captured, Kate, the daughter of G. B. McCalla, my Father’s old friend.

I heard D. Scruggs preach in 1877. A strong preacher. (P. 22) I heard J.C. Cain and T.R. Harden, who was a young preacher. These three preachers, all spoke that day. J.J.S. Calloway, was pastor of Shiloh Church, in 1869, and taught school in Dalton, along way to go to preach Saturday morning. It was a delight to the fifteen year old boy to hear him. I remember he said: "In danger, a christian will flee to God, like a little child to its father when a storm is coming." It did not enter the pastor’s mind, That a boy before him would keep his illustration in mind 68 years, then type it for others to see. To show Calloway’s heart, I relate: That he and brother were comrades in the Civil War. He had borrowed $4.00 of Confederate money from my brother, soon they were both captured, and never met a gain, and brother had died two years before. Confederate money was worthless, and none of us knew about Calloway oweing the money; but he paid our mother, the amount in good money. How different from the party, who owed 1400 on fathers farm, and because pre war debts canceled by law, sold the farm, kept the money, and payed nothing. In a few months my mother died in a rented home; but fragrance has been around the Name of J.J.S. Calloway all these years, and the other man I forgive, as I expect to be forgiven. (P. 26) I often heard of Jacob Tate, but never met him. D.S. Anderson, clerk of church at Ringgold, and when the Yankees captured it, his grown daughter placed a rocking chair on the side walk, and as she rocked, she sang "dixie," and the Yankees stood around and laughted. When I first heard of General John B. Gordon, during the Civil War, some said his father, a Baptist preacher, could use very little education. It spoke well for him to educate his son, who faced the bullets of yankey men, but fell before pedobaptist bullets from a Methodist woman, and they took refuge in a Presbyterian fort, because they could agree on little water. In 1869, Gordon being use to running from yankeys, thought to race with one, to be Govenor of Georgia. In a sense, Gordon had forsaken deep water for a few drops; anyhow, the news spread, That the armies of frogs, in Georgia were against Gordon; for out in the deep water, the big bull frogs would croak: Bullock, Bullock, Bullock; while the little tree frogs, too scared to venture down, would tweak: Gordon Gordon Gordon, Gordon Gordon Gordon. As usual, Gordon went down in defeat, but with a rebel yell he tried again, and put Gordon on Capitol Hill of Georgia. That generation of men and frogs have ceased their strife and music; but they left their kind to carry on. In 1851, Ringgold was in Walker County, and was the post office of two preachers, G.W. Slover and Robert Ware. Two years before, Slover had constituted Ebenezer Baptist Church, which, after 88 years is going strong. 1851, was prior to the Rail Road, and the formation of Catoosa County. This also shows, Ebenezer Church, was a member of Coosa Association. I thought so, as I remember Louis Ware going horse back to it in 1867. I had hoped to see a record of that meeting, but found none, but was agreeably surprised, that 26 Baptist preachers lived in those parts. That was three years before it was break of day for me; but I feel like raiseing a hand toward heaven, for them. I only remember one of them, Robert Ware, my father. (P. 29) If I see a moveing picture of that occasion, and could see him, and hear his voice as he preached that sermon to his Methodist congregation, I would sit up and take notice. He had a year or two at preaching then, I have 50 years at it now. From echos thrown back by the hills of time, I could not measure up, but the standard is what is received from God, not that given to another.

During the session of 1854 (p. 28), passed a resolution in favor of translating the Scriptures correctly, in all of its parts. (p. 30). If I could see those brethren now, after 83 years from that time, I would say, The Baptist scholars with others of your generation, did the work, but the Baptist on earth to day, by their actions, ignore the correct rendering of God’s Word. If they should ask, Do you? I would answer, I use the Revision of 1901, and believe it is the will of God.

In 1869, Shiloh Church had no Sunday School, but I was in a Bible class one time North of Shiloh, where the Highway turns East, Professor Wood, teacher, each, would read a verse, Wood, would comment.

(p.34) The table of statistics for 1854 show 2498 members, 306 baptised, 80 of the number by Pastor W. Newton, 12 excluded by his four churches, 8 from Shiloh. All the churches, 57. See, if one church and one Association eaquals that at this time. Doubtful, if a Baptist Association in Georgia can show as many excluded from fellowship, as Shiloh did that year; yet God’s Word is the same now as it was then. (2. Thes. 3:6.) Pastoral support, popularity, and ungeneration spirits in the churches, trample this word of God, under their feet. Treat the Goverment that way, prison is the result; treat neighbors that way, the wrath of man storms up around.

(p. 36) At that time the tread of J.R. Graves was shaken the Pedo-Baptist world till it was so hot with denominational temper, no sprinkling of water could cool it off, yet they retained it that way for baptism. It is history, the Roman Catholic Church assumed the right to pour or sprinkle water for baptism, soon others began to use Scripture to prove it correct. If that Church by edict, should change the form back as Jesus acted it (Mrk. 1:9,10.), the Pedo-Baptist world, and a large part of her own, would deny her right to do it. It speaks well for Graves to help Orchard, the poor Baptist Historian. I compiled history for two Baptist Churches in Florida, but I got what I expected–nothing to make blood. As far as I know, J.R. Graves is the champion Debater of all ages. He was assigned by the Southern Baptist Convention, to preach for the Lutheran Church, in Charleston, S.C., in 1873; and he held up its errors for all to see. A part of his reward was being the greatest sinner of denominational courtesy the Baptist had. It appears, Jesus himself, did not go out of his way, for the denomination of his day. Somehow I feel stronger for J. R. Graves having passed through the world. It was brotherly of the Association to go on record in his defence. W.G. Brownlow, his Methodist opponent, in his reply to the Iron Wheel, says that Graves was a man of small caliber, which shows Brownlow was driven out of logic.

(P. 41) It is refreshing to go back to 1850, and come over again, the years when Baptist were young in North West Georgia. One of the three district meeting had met. We note that W. Henry was a messenger from Ringgold. When I was a child, through the mountain gap was Henry’s mill. Easy to think, he was the man who cut the deep channel to guide the water to turn his mill, which no flood could faze. If a great dam, level with the mountains, should close the gap, a great lake would form, top of valley hills, would be islands. It seems these meetings were the Baptist Camp Meetings held in North Georgia. Baptist, could be what they are now, if God had not sent those Saints of His, to prepare the way. In typeing these observations about them, they seem to be round about, but I am no modern spiritualist, or Saulite with the witch of Endor. Imagination or not, I sense a thrill of their meetings. (P. 43.) I had a great Aunt who son, Jack Bell was a Baptist Preacher in those days. I guess this was him. While a boy I heard him say, If bothered when about to preach, with two texts, he droped both, and took a new one. He must have been an extemporaneous preacher. On page 44 is a cluster of Elders to prepare papers on subjects for next meeting. If these reports were prepared, I would like to see them, for my youngest memory took in their forms, and as already stated, I am the Son of Robert Ware. To remember a father, 78 years, requires no effort with me. He seems young and fresh, not old like I am. God must have made up his loss to me, as life has been so wonderful, and the prospect of heaven so bright through the Lord Jesus Christ.

(P. 45.) 1863. At that time I was south of Ringgold, near Ebenezer Church, between the two armies, as they charged to and fro at each other, till finally, the blue wall pressed the thin line of gray back toward Dalton. I was too young then, but at this late day, I feel the tragedy of that needless War, breaking up the Kingdom work of our fathers.

When I was a young man in Florida, I took the Christian Index, H.H. Tucker, Editor, the peer of whom has never been since; refered to G.A. Loftin, as one of his boys. The term displeased Loftin, and Tucker said, he meant as pleasantry, as Lofton had been one of his students. I liked Loftin’s Book; two gems I remember: Young Lady, Never let a young man kiss you, before marriage; Young man, never marry a woman, with one drop of bastard blood in her veins.

(P.48.) To day is June, 18, 1937, in Winder, Georgia, 14 miles North of Monroe, and Social Circle, a few miles South of Monroe. Those around here seem better, for having been touched by Edwin Dyer, 107 years ago. A few back, I helped ordain some deacons in First Baptist Church of Monroe. Palatial Church House now, perhaps a log one then, with key turned on the young 24 years old pastor, to take a horse block for a pulpit. If that block and loch and key, had been kept, they would attract attention. Out from here, I saw the site, where an anti-Missionary Baptist Church had rotten down. That, and the signs of it in the church life of some missionary Baptist, are the only relicts of that cult left in these parts.

As already noted, in 1869, I heard Artemus Shattuck speak, and W.L., his son, preach. It was coincident that Dyer and Shattuck, both lost preacher Grandsons, both died in middle life.

(P. 49) I met, ate with and heard W.L. Head preach, in Branford Florida. It was a joy to hear him preach, which shown he had abundant practice. Our paths have not crossed since. On the heels of the Civil War, J.C. Mead of Dogwood Church, near Tunnel Hill, Georgia, began to preach. Studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, when at Greenville, S.C. My Father, had been his Father’s pastor. As I know, none of the generation of preachers with J.C. Head, are on earth to day.

While a young man in Florida, and through the Index, I read of the wonderful success of a young preacher, T.C. Tucker, in Walker County, Georgia; but all at once the news came, that he had been cut down by death, in the midst of his usefulness. I felt a personal loss, and Dr. Tucker stated in Index, they were no blood kin, but he honored him highly, for his works sake. As with the father so with T.C. the, son, only knew him through the Index, that his life as a preacher is unparalleled, having been pastor of his home church, and Moderator of his Association during the time. To make invidious comparisons may be unwise, but I wish to note, That I was in easy reach of my home Church and Association, over 40 years, and was only given one term each, which is better than some preachers get; and it is interesting, that one preacher can stand four square to every storm that blows. Rare to find so great common sense, grace, patient and executive ability in one man. I like to know such a man is where he is.

I note that Rev. C.W. Howard served Salem Church in Catoosa County Association. there was where my parents were baptized, about 1840. Too bad her old church minutes were lost in a house fire. I wanted some ancient church dates so so much. I personally know W.C. Tallent, having met, but not while he was in Florida. and have loved and liked him ever since. While in Georgia, during his life, I heard of Rev J.L. Burk. They loved him so much at Ebenezer Church, Catoosa County, George.

(P. 48-56.) To pass through Sartain’s array of Baptist pastors, with the word picture of an Angel to adorn the list, makes me glad to expect to see them in eternity.

Sartain’s Associational record, from 1835 to 1936, holds up to view a work it took, God, Angels and Baptist, 100 years to do.

(P. 70 to 82.) Now if you will take an easy seat, and exercise the grace of patience, I will doff my hat and tread lightly through 100 years of Shiloh Church, Walker County, Georgia, West Armuchee Valley. 1869, was my fifteenth year, and I lived it near Shiloh; then I was gone 50 years, been back several times since. Dr. Bomar, son of Spencer Bomar, Grandson of John McWilliams, gave me early data of Shiloh Church, when I was a boy. That year, 1869, I stood by a poplar sapling, in the Cemetery of Shiloh, and saw my Mother buried, the light of my life. That poplar sapling now, is a very large tree, been growing on the substance of the Saints these 68 years, and they seem watching over Shiloh, for good, through every leaf of that beautiful tree, as they wave by the breezes, to the glory of God. No church but Shiloh, is near my Mother, as her body waits to be resurrected by the voice of the Son of God. Hence, my interest here shown. When Shiloh became a Church, in 1839, John McWilliams was a constiuent member. His farm was up the valley, North of Shiloh, South of highway as it goes East through the mountain gap. He was a man of wealth. I saw his ironore mine, on Taylor’s Ridge. And down the valley where the Creek entered the gap, were part of the wreck of the machinery he used to separate the metal from the base. It was said, the enterprise was abandoned for lack of profits, but it might have been, because of the tragic death of John McWilliams. His wheat was being threshed, he stooped over the shaft, the head of the set screw caught his clothes, and beat him to death on the ground, as it revolved, before the machinery could be stoped. The last notice of his name, is Oct. 26, 1862, hence his death [probably?] was during the summer of 1853; and the appearance of the iron ore mine, and the signs on the creek, in 1869, indicated it had been about sixteen years since they had been abandoned. C. Wood, and John McWilliams, were two strong members of Shiloh, so essential to a young church. In 1869, the widow of John McWilliams was buried, Rev. W.L. Shattuck, officiated, probably, his first funeral service as a young preacher. This mother in Shiloh was a very old woman, and being at her burial then, seems like a touch with John McWilliams, now. Of the 11 constituent members of Shiloh Church, Jane Suttle is the only one I am sure I met. I remember her asking me about my sick mother. Several who joined Shiloh soon after organization, I knew. J.B. Suttle, William Little, Spencer Bomar, William McWilliams, Frank Young, Charley Copeland and Elizabeth Little, who joined before all these, when the Church was but one day of age. Thirty years afterwards, she leaned over the head of my mother’s bed, as the Lord ask her to come away; and blessed is the name of mother Little, who has long since gone home, herself. When I look away back there and see those people, I am glad.

Shiloh’s first meeting place must have been North of present location, for mention is made of getting church tittle from S. Bomar, who used water from the red sulphur spring. Very likely, it was a log house, near that spring. Oh yes, I could type the name of the member who got drunk, less than a year after organization, but I won’t, He’s been dead so long. Rev. Z.H. Gordon was elected to become the second pastor of Shiloh Church. He may have brought his little son, John B., with him to Shiloh, who in later years needed a stronger back bone of faith.

Rev. Humphrey Posey, third pastor of Shiloh, the most famous of the three. It was Alfred Webb, among the mountains, and Humphrey Posey, on the plains. What these two Baptist giants did, the Baptist will never know, they did know themselves. Their work was so thick and heavy, they had no time, or length of life to see results. Down at Jonesboro, Georgia, before it became famous for war material, lived the greatest mud slinger of that generation. In looking about for a victim, he thought he found a good one Humphrey Posey, and began to plaster him. In 1864, I saw a pamphlet defaming Posey, and his picture, with his face in agony, from being branded with a hot iron for being a criminal. Posey sued him for slander, and when the Court gave judgement, Posey made the man a present of them. Posey went on preaching, and the man, left the State.

In 1846, Artemus Shattuck was elected pastor. He was the first of the old pastors I saw, 23 years afterwards. He was a small, quiet, lean face, gray haired man, with the reputation of a christian gentleman, and a strong preacher.

In 1848, a preacher publicly acknowledge he preached false doctrine through ignorance. I have heard a whole lot of that stuff through life, but none to confess it was through ignorance. Somehow, I like the memory of this man, for being a man to confess it.

In 1856, Shiloh did an unusual thing, receive a member by letter, then return it to him because he was against missions. Now, Baptist would expel him, or let him alone, unless he was too belligerent, till he could grow out of it, like the Baptist have about feet washing, as an ordinance of his Church. In Florida, AntiMissionary Baptist have washed feet, and kept the Gospel, their kind of it, to themselves, till death is prevailing against them. The same year, Shiloh asked its pastor, G.W. Selvage, to preach on missions. I have never known a Baptist Church in conference to ask its pastor to preach on Missions but this request, speaks well for Shiloh. No church, ever ask me, they would get it before they ask.

1860. It seems that the Sunday school in Shiloh, and Civil War started about the same time, but when I was there, nine years later, both were over; then again, fifty years later, John Bomar, son of Dr. Bomar, and grandson of Spencer Bomar, was the Superintendent of Shiloh’s Sabbath school.

March 19, 1862: How a synopsis of an old church minute can cause one to see and suppose things. You see a bright baby boy, you hear them call it Edward B. Wood, whom we suppose was the son of Constantine Wood, and brother of J.Y. Wood. We see the child grow to ten years of age. Then confess Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, buried with Him in baptism, lived in newness of life, obeyed his parents, went to school, off to college, then the medical instructions, then back home, a joy to his parents, strength to his church, a protection to his neighborhood. Soon, this 23 years old Physician, as he walked with God, had to battle for his own life, which ended in death, tragic with men, triumphant with angels. Were he living now, 98 years would be their number. God loves variety, for He takes jewels at different ages.

In one year of this, bullets began to pick off and send into eternity some of the young manhood flower of Shiloh Church. When a child I lived near Ringgold, Georgia, and heard the roar of the guns of Chickamauga battle, one bullet of which, sent Robert Little to join his friend, Dr. Wood.

Oct.1864. Their old expastor, Artemus Shattuck preached and offered to serve them as pastor. After 73 years of peace, it is hard to realize the condition of Shiloh, at that time. Its male members, able to bear arms, off at war, fighting a loseing battle, their Confederate Government toppling around them; slaves, they had bought with their money, freed for nothing; no wonder Shattuck had to offer to serve them as pastor. Blessed man of God, to be able to fill this breach in the wall of Zion, at Shiloh, for Jehovah. An other great loss they had that year, Constantine Wood, their clerk, zealous deacon and consort of John McWilliams for the Lord, left them, to go where wars are unknown, since Satan was cast out. Spencer Bomar was elected clerk, and did the work many years.

July 2, 1865: Shiloh, took a man on statement, because the Yankeys had taken his church letter, and given no christian fellowship for it. I knew our fellow country men in blue, had taken slaves and spoons and other things, but did not know till late, they had reached up as high church letters.

June 2, 1866. It seems, that freedom of body went to the head of eight or ten Negroes in Shiloh Church, and Satan to their hearts to lead them into sin so deep, Shiloh turned them over to him, (1 Cor. 5:5) while three others were excluded for straying off to the pedoBaptist. Our brethren in black, had had no back ground for freedom for generations if ever, hence, when it was theirs suddenly, they ran riot, to break God’s law for freedom. (Gal. 5:13)

Oct. 5, 1869. This was my year in Shiloh, and only one reference to it, and that is something, gone from my memory-the ordination of W.L. Shattuck to gospel ministry. I have raked my memory through and shook it out, but no trace of this event is found. Minute is correct, but as for me I am lost to myself that day. If I had access to minutes of that year, I would browse through them to see if I could find anything to stir memory to action. One conference that fall, a farmer-tenant ask for his letter, as he was going West, and the clerk handed it to him before he could sit down. His blank surprise seem to say: "I did not know you wanted to get rid of me so quick." Dr. Bomar spoke of it afterwards. Pastor, J.J.S. Calloway, was a tall, spare made, dark haired, scholarly looking man, principal of the school at Dalton, Georgia. His ancestral home, built of brick, made by slaves, is North of Villanow, on your way to Dalton. The wreck of war had disabled churches, to support their Pastors. Preachers nearer, good ones, but some demanded educated men, hence the long distance traveled by horse, or buggy. Thus, it has been, is, and will be with Baptist Churches. The school of Pastor Calloway prevented him, so he got a fellow pastor, by the name of Blitch, to run a weeks meeting with Shiloh. He was a good preacher, and the people turned out day and night. John Suttle came one day, sat next to the pulpit, being so deaf. Soon, a young lady, a poor man’s daughter who was a drunkard, would give her hand for prayer; while Joe Little and I, would sit together, neither budge an inch. Both wanted to, I know I did. That young woman would go up, regardless of who else; and one night her face lit up with a "light not seen on sea or land." I rejoiced with her in spirit, though I was in the darkness of sin. Joe Little found God, or was found of Him, in 1871, and I, in 1872, though we were 500 miles apart. Joe Little, soon died, and I am typeing this at 83. I expect to meet Joe Little, my boyhood chum, before long.

Copyright © 2006 Brett W. Smith. All rights reserved.