Foreword

This little book is a labor of love. It is unpretentious

in every way save as a record of facts of Rocky River

Church and things Denominational in North Carolina.

To call it a History may be a too high-sounding title.

Yet, it is much more than a history of one local Church.

Some hitherto unpublished facts are brought out and

established that should be of a more general interest.

There is a short sketch of every old Pastor, Deacon,

Church Clerk and original Family constituting the Church

in its early days.

This being a Mother of Churches she has left to

Posterity a number of Offsprings. Some have been

obedient to the Faith and some have not. These have

been considered at some length.

When several hundred friends have read and Bequeath-

ed to their children copies of this little "History of Old

Rocky River Church," the Purpose of the writer will have

been attained.

-----------------------------------------

History of The Rocky River Baptist Church 3

CHAPTER 1

THE CHURCH'S ORIGIN AND EARLY DAYS.

Lack of Records—First Book Lost or Misplaced-

Present Church Book Begins April the 5th,

1828—First Preachers and First

Settlers.

Organization and First Pastors.

Rocky River Missionary Baptist Church,

Anson County, North Carolina, was organized in

the year 1776. The founder of the church un-

known. The founding of the church has been

credited traditionally to Hon. and Rev. John Cul-

peper, Sr. But Mr. Culpeper being born in the

year 1764, and his father, Samson Culpeper, mov-

ing to Georgia when young John was only

twelve years of age, and not returning till he was

twenty, puts these dates too close together to

Justify this tradition. He was an early pastor

and the church was often designated locally as

"Culpeper's Meeting House." His return from

Georgia was in 1784, and not till then could he

have been pastor.

How soon after this date he took charge of

the church is unknown. Old folks in the church

community used to say that 'he was pastor for

more than fifty years. This was not only possible

but highly probable. For in the oldest church

book preserved no former pastor is ever mention-

ed. From other sources it is known that Elder

Edmond Lilly was pastor in 1790. The church

records show that Elder Culpeper was pastor up

------------------------------------------

4 History of The Rocky

to a few weeks before his death in January, 1841.

And, if he immediately followed Elder Lilly, he

could have been pastor for the reputed fifty

years.

Its Location and Why.

The Church is located in what is known as

upper Anson, or the North-west corner of the

county, seven miles West of Ansonville.

The first meeting house was built near the

stream of 'Rocky' River, whence its name, on

what is now the farm of the late Frank Gaddy.

His was once the largest farm in the neighbor-

hood containing about eighteen hundred acres.

Its original owner was "Rocky River" Bill Lee,

the oldest of that name so far as known. The

building stood on a slight elevation some three

hundred yards from the river. Here the Cul-

pepers built a home not more than one hundred

yards from the Meeting House. Or, very likely

lived here before Samson Culpeper moved to

Georgia, as John Sr. and John Jr, son and grand-

son of Samson, were both born in Anson county.

Later, the church building was moved one-

half mile further from the river southward. It

had remained at the first site long enough for a

burying ground to be laid off and a number of

graves made for both white and colored. The

graveyard was placed midway between the church

site and the Culpeper home. The well used at

the home was only recently filled and is now, of

course, out of use.

The third site is a mile and one-half from

the river. The two first sites were on the Lee

farm. The third later was attached to it by

purchase, but at the time of its location thought

to be from the lands of Wyatt Nance, a Clerk of

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 5

the Church. The building at this site was a

large frame structure erected to care for both

white and colored. A row of posts running the

length of the building was the only partition be-

tween master and slave. The windows had plank

shutters save the one 'behind the pulpit, it had

lights. No stove was ever used. Fires in extreme

cold weather were built out of doors.

The fourth site is in the same campus on a

higher elevation and was from the Darling Allen

lands. The present building was put up about

1882. Before this there had stood a large "Ar-

bor" where all special meetings such as Annual

Revival meetings, associations and so forth were

held. It served a good purpose and many hated

to give it up, even though it was replaced by a

new church building. The place was famous for

the great crowds attending these special meet-

ings under the old Arbor. Many prominent men

of the long ago preached from the rustic old

pulpit. The Culpepers, father and son, Edmond

Lilly, Edmond Lilly Davis, S. P. Morton, W. A.

Morris, Dwight Hayes, Robert Furman, N. B.

Cobb, and others. The old Arbor stood on after

these had passed away. It waited to serve an-

other generation. Then came N. R. Pittman,

H. W. Battle, C. L. Greaves and others. It was

under this .Arbor that Bro. Pittman held the

greatest revival remembered by any now living.

It was in the year 1882. Nor did they preach in

vain, for this church once had a large membership

and was known far and near.

No church of any denomination seems to have

been in existence within twenty-five or thirty

miles of Rocky River at the time of its founding

in 1776. The nearest known church was that

of Rocky River Presbyterian Church, on Rocky

-----------------------------------------

6 History of The Rocky

River near Harrisburg, Cabarrus County. This

is mentioned in their church history in 1754.

The nearest Baptist seems to have been the

Sandy Creek, in Randolph, and possibly one or

two others in that section.

A church so hoary with age, though weak

and tottering now, and not promising so much

as in the past, should still have the respect and

good will of all right thinking people, and, may

it be said? have their financial aid should the

time ever come when the church cannot exist

without it.

Why the Location? It was not on any main

thoroughfare of that time. The neighbors lived

far apart. Most of them owned large plantations.

They had slaves but few tenant's. There must

have been a reason. What was it? It could

have been one of several.

First—"There was much water there." The

church is surrounded by three living streams:

Rocky River on the North; Lanes Creek on the

East; Cribbs Creek, two hundreds yards to the

West. The little, clear, Cribbs Creek has been

the one and only baptistery of the church for

more than a hundred years.

Second—It was and is a good farming section.

Though there are hills, there are also some very

fertile bottoms on each of the streams noted

above.

Third—and perhaps the main reason, was the

fine type of the original settlers who were to

compose and sustain the church.

The question might be asked, was the church

located here because of the people, or did the

people move here because there was a church

here. Both could be true. Some good families

were here to begin with, while others moved

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 7

here to be near a church. First and last but few

churches have been surrounded by finer old fami-

lies than this church. Several of them, however,

have become extinct.

-----------------------------------------

8 History of The Rocky

CHAPTER II.

THE OLD SCHOOL-HOUSE IN THE GROVE.

Had a Sacredness Not Common To All School

Buildings—Stood a Long Time and Served a

Purpose—A School Anecdote or Two.

About thirty yards from the Arbor stood

the community school-house. It was a sub-

stantial framed building without modern con-

veniences. There was a chimney in the East

end, one window with a plank shutter, a door on

both the North and South sides. In the West

end, was provided a writing shelf made of a

broad plank hinged on so that when not in use

it was kept upright and formed a part of the

wall. In extreme cold weather only the South

door was allowed open which furnished the only

light the teacher and students could get. When

the sessions were in the early fall or summer

the old Arbor near-by was used and made an ideal

place as they thought, for school purposes. The

larger boys would often go up in the big pulpit

to work their arithmetic. When compelled to

use the house and the weather was open, the boys

resorted to the sunnyside of a hill nearby, re-

turning their work to the teacher at convenient

times. If raining, and compelled to stay in, no

difficult problems were solved that day. When

a boy was allowed to study out of doors, it meant

he was either a mighty good boy or a senior.

They were all regarded as upper classmen.

This building was used for at least seventy-

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 9

five years without change or enlargement. It

stood for several years after its days of service.

Notwithstanding its poor equipment students at-

tended from other parts of Anson and from

Stanly, some even boarding in the neighhorhood

to get what they thought the best school in reach.

Quite a number of the teachers of that day

taught here. Washington Mask, Watt Allen, S.

P. Morton, Miss Belle Strother, a refugee from

Virginia, taught during the War. Later teachers

were Eliza and Mary Brooks, John A. Kendall,

Esquire Tom Hyatt and others. The free schools

lasted then for only four to six weeks. This

was usually followed by a subscription session of

about the same length. For a public teacher to

get one dollar a day was regarded as exorbitant.

Subscriptions ran around one dollar a month per

scholar.

The following is a copy of a school roll found

in the papers of Washington Marshall Allen. This

school was taught before the War, a Mr. Allen

served as a private throughout the entire war.

He lost his health in a prison camp and died im-

mediately on returning home after the surrender.

He had intended making teaching his life work.

This is another instance of how war cuts short

the hopes and aspirations of noble young man-

hood. The Roll follows:

Edmond J. Threadgill

William F. Crump

Robert H. Allen

James M. Allen

James F. Crump

James Broadaway

Thomas H. Brooks

Alex T. Allen

Lucy Lee

Patrick C. Lee

Richard Lee

Charles D. Lee

Elizabeth Lee

Charlotte Lee

George D. Lee

Mary A. Threadgill

Martha J. High

-----------------------------------------

Sofronia Allen James Darling High

Mary Avitt John Staton

Sarah Avitt Isabella Brooks

Frances Avitt Caroline Brooks

John Avitt Susan Brooks

Steven Lee John W. Turner

George Lee William P. Davis

Nancy Lee Hampton Davis

Of the above list only two are living. They

are Mrs. Martha J. High (Turner); and Mrs.

Charlotte Lee (Thompson).

If the boys and girls didn't learn much they

got some remuneration from the fun they had

on the "sly." It had to be on the sly. Teachers

were more rigid then. They had but few things

to give but discipline was one of them.

Once when Elder Samuel P. Morton was in

charge, a big boy needed the rod of correction,

and as was the custom with teachers, sent the

boy out with his knife to get the switch. While

out the boy pealed the loose bark off a pine log

and lined the inside of his shirt, thus forming an

armor against the impending switching by the

teacher. The boy deliberately walked and handed

the switches to the teacher, turning around and

bending over apparently in perfect submission

and humility to receive his just desert. Uncle

Sammy was in the right mood to proceed and be-

gan letting the rod fall fast and heavy. But

what a noise? Was he killing the boy or not?

Nobody understood; not even the teacher. Too

much thunder for the lightning he thought. A

careful examination revealed the facts. Uncle

Sammy was outwitted. The boy went free.

But again the same boy offended. He was

given to fun. It was his main purpose in going

to school. He was good hearted; the teacher

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 11

loved him. But, he must be punished; he might

ruin others. This time Uncle Sammy gave orders

for quiet and this time went out after the switch

himself. On returning “Snole” couldn’t be found.

None would explain. The teacher finally thought

of the big old chimney as a possible hiding place

He was sure enough up there. He was given ord-

ers to slide down. This he did to the amusement

of teacher as well as pupils. Again he had out-

witted Uncle Sammy. He went home none the

worse save the mark of Ham upon his features.

He was as black as any slave on his father’s

farm.

Yet, ‘tis said the boys and girls were better,

then.

-----------------------------------------

12 History of The Rocky

CHAPTER III.

HOME-COMING AND CENTENNIAL, 1927.

A Big Day; A Quickening Of Tender Memories;

An Inspiration To Many.

The Centennial held at the church the fifth

Sunday in July, 1927, was perhaps the most

memorable day in the church's history. It had

been in the plans of friends for several years.

Great preparations had been made. All living

former pastors and former members had been

urged to be present. A cornet band of Wadesboro

had volunteered its services, several quartets on

hand to take part, a number of full church choirs

also. A long table prepared in the grove for the

noon feast, parking space provided for hundreds

of cars, marshalls appointed to arrange for the

comfort and convenience of visitors, and, last but

not least, a splendid program arranged to help

make the day a happy and profitable one.

The seats were placed in the grove near a

large stand prepared for the speakers and choirs.

Nothing seemed lacking. Only one thing was

feared—what about the weather? No local

weather prophet would risk a venture. Why?

"It had been said of old time it always rains at

the July Meeting." But it didn't, and such a day

and such a crowd!

For the information of friends who could not

be there, the program is given in full below. It

was carried out to the letter save the part assign-

ed to Rev. C. H. Martin, who failed to come. 0th-

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 13

ers not on the program were used, including the

venerable General William A. Smith, of Anson-

ville, and Mr. John A. Kendall.

Program

Home-Coming and Centennial Exercises at

Rocky River Church.

All old friends, including former members,

each living pastor and friends of all other church-

es are most cordially invited to attend Home-

Coming and Centennial Exercises at Old Rocky

River Church, Anson County, on Sunday, July 31,

1927. This will be the One Hundred and Fifty-

First Anniversary of the Church's History.

Every visiting family is requested to bring a

basket of dinner as a public feast is to be spread

and thousands of friends are expected to be on

hand. Following is the

Program:

10:30 a. m.— Song, "How Firm a Foundation."

Scripture reading, I Tim" 3:1-16.

Song, "When the Roll Is Called Up

Yonder."

11:00 a. m.— Reading Sketch of the Church's

History, by E. M. Brooks.

-Recognition of old pastors.

The Stovall Quartet of Albemarie.

12-1:30—Dinner and Social Period.

1:35 p. m.—Song by Rocky Mount Choir.

1:40 p. m.—The Condition of this Country in

1776, by Rev. C. H. Martin, of Polkton.

1:55 p. m.--Song, "My Country 'Tis of Thee."

2:00 p. m.—Special, by Thompson Quartet.

2:05 p. m.—The Church as I Knew it 18S7-S9,

by Rev. A. Marsh, of Marshville.

•2:00 p. m.—Song, by the Wade Choir of Wades-

boro.

-----------------------------------------

13 History of The Rocky

2:55 p. m.— Some Products of the Old Country

Church, by Hon. T. L. Caudle.

2:45 p. m.— Songs by Red Hill and Cedar Grove

Choirs.

3:30 to close- Song Selections at the will of the

Choirs present.

The cornet band led the first and last song

and furnished music at the noon hour. Thus

ended a great day with the Lord's people at

Rocky River. This Centennial was followed by

the annual revival meeting. The results were

the baptism, of eight fine young people and a

revival in our own hearts.

The Present Status Of The Church.

The church is not strong and flourishing as it

used to be. There are contributing causes beyond

the power of the church to control. In the past

there were men of wealth and influence in its

membership. These are gone. The families

were large and it did not take many to furnish

a good congregation. Now the families for the

most part are not so large. It takes folks to

ma~e a crowd. The church hasn't got them.

The young people are like young people every-

where, their minds have turned towards the

towns and other callings than farming.

Education makes young people more capable

to enter the business or professional life. They

hunger for it and go. No one can hinder them,

nor perhaps should they try. Schools and col-

leges are keeping them away from home even

'before they enter business. Who would have it

otherwise? But it leaves a problem on the coun-

try pastor's hands hard to solve.

Just as there is a derth of the old fashion

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 15

country doctors; there may be a derth of coun-

try-loving pastors. If so, the church has a prob-

lem, too.

Though the above things are true, there is

still reasons for carrying on for the Lord at the

old church. The young people are bright and

talented and willing. The church has never gone

pastorless nor without a Sunday school.

-----------------------------------------

16 History of The Rocky

CHAPTER IV.

THE "SPLIT"—1834-1844.

Internal Strife Over Missions—Fellowship Lost-

Course Pursued—Church "Arms" Involved.

A Motherly Old Church.

She may not have been like unto a "Bee-Hive"

in general activity but, in the matter of "Swarm-

ing" she has surpassed any of her neighbors.

Jerusalem, six miles to the west on Richard-

son's Creek, was an "Arm" for years. They co-

operated with the mother church all the while

till divided by the question of missions. It was

here on the 13th day of October, 1832 that John

Culpeper, Jr., was ordained by a presbytery from

Rocky River Church. The Mother church sought

their welfare and fellowship till 1844. It might

be interesting to give the Church Minutes in full

for that meeting. It follows:

1844—Conference Friday before the 4th

Lord's Day in July, Elder J. Davis preached from

Acts 11th, and part of 26 verse. The church met

in conference. A door was opened. None joined.

Brother Robert N. Alien reported that he had

conversed with the following persons to-wit:

Robertson Pistole, Wyatt Nance, Ephriam New-

som and Carey Tolson who all said they wanted

their names taken off the church book, and did

not consider themselves members of this church.

Brother Uriah Staton made a similar statement

as to Ann Baucom. On motion the above delin-

quent members where excluded."

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 17

Another committe had been to labor with them

previous to this but without results. From now

on this Arm was openly and avowedly anti-mis-

sion and is to this day of 1927. There has been

secured from Jerusalem church a document from

thier first church records that comes in well at

this point. It deserves a careful reading, and a

comparison made with the minutes copied above

will be seen to require a rather careful interpreta-

tion. This document is given below:

"North Carolina, Anson County.

September 1st, 1833.

As there has originated grievances, distresses

amongst the Baptist churches and thereby union

and fellowship being broke by this departure from

the faith by the new inventions or institutions

of the day which are unscriptural, and for union

and fellowship for those who wish to take the

Scripture for their guide and withstand the errors

brought in by filthy lucre hunters and hirelings

of the present day; Resolved, as such, we formal-

ly part of the Church called Rocky River Church,

believing that part of the church with the pastor

has by said inventions and institutions of the

day revolted from the Scriptures, the original

standard of the Baptist as hitherto united;

Do for these reasons feel bound by the author-

ity of God's word to withdraw from every one

that walks disorderly after the traditions of men,

and not after the commandments of Christ in said

church, or, any other church or churches of the

Baptist denomination, and not to eat with them,

but come out from among them and touch not,

taste not, nor handle not for all are to perish by

using for doctrine and customs the command-

ments of and traditions of men. And to be separ-

ated from them according to God's word.

-----------------------------------------

17 History of The Rocky

Accordingly having read these resolutions be-

fore the church, on the day and date above,

openly, as such we have met at Jerusalem Meet-

ing House, Anson County, North Carolina on

Saturday before the second Lord's Day in Novem-

ber A. D., 1833, consulted our peace and prin-

ciples, and thereby united in Covenant by giving

ourselves to one another in fear of God and the

Lord.

(Signed) Wyatt Nance, Carey Tolson,

Robert Pistol, Ephriam Newsom, Wiley Bau-

com. Sally Spears, Mary Hudson.

Following this they adopted Articles of Faith

not so different from those in use by other Bap-

tist churches.

Now, there seems to be a conflict in the dates

of the two documents above. Jerusalem has it

on record that they organized themselves into a

church body September 1st, 1833. Rocky River

has it on record that they were still members

with them and amendable to the church up to

July 1844, when by an action of the church they

were excluded for non attendance. We can not

deny the records; we must reconcile them.

Both records are true. The solution seems to

be possible in this way: The Arm at Jerusalem

took its action on the date stated but kept it

from the Mother church. Other committees had

gone to them whom they told they did not con-

sider themselves members. Rocky River did not

grasp their meaning and kept laboring with them

to preserve the union. The old church took an

ordaining presbytery to set apart a young preach-

er to the ministry as late as October 13th, 1832.

The Arm at Bethlehem.

This was located in what is now the village

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 19

of Ansonville. It was constituted into a regular

church Friday before the 2nd Lord's Day in May,

1831. It had existed as an arm for several years

previous to this date. The presbytery constitut-

ing it was composed of John Culpeper, Sr„ John

Culpeper, Jr., Wyatt Nance, Thomas Allen, and

Amon Yarborough. It went anti and did not

remain for very many years. The site is used

now as a cemetery for the village.

The Arm at Kendalls.

For some time the members held their names

at Rocky River while they had services at Ken-

dalls as often as a preacher could bs secured.

Brother Job Galloway was enrolled at Rocky

River hut brought the petition asking that

Kendalls be constituted into a regular church.

The request was granted on Saturday before the

fifth Sunday in May, 1839, Elder Ralf Freeman,

deacons Thomas Allen, Wyatt Nance, and Amon

Yarborough attended to represent Rocky River

in the services. This church has continued to

prosper through the years and is now a strong

and vigorous body.

The Arm at Brown Creek.

This arm was constituted two years earlier

than Kendalls. Elder Ralf Freeman, Thomas Al-

len, and Amon Yarborough formed Rocky River's

delegation to this meeting. The date was Satur-

day before the fourth Lord's Day in May, 1823.

This church has prospered through the years, and

though not as strong as at some periods of its

history, is still a liberal church.

Austin's Grove.

This is of doubtful location. The Eldership

-----------------------------------------

20 History of The Rocky

of the church was called for to meet at a sister

Austin's of Stanly county to consider the advis-

ability of forming a church. This was most

likely near Big Lick.

The following letter is self-explanatory. It

shows the spirit of the time of the split in our

denomination over missions. Mr. Williams had

his membership at Betheny. He moves nearer

Rocky River and wishes his church letter. He

addresses his request to Elder A. Harris. He

knows there are impending strife and divisions.

He pleads for an understanding and a continuance

of fellowship. His letter was returned with the

Action of Betheny church written on the margin.

Rocky River most certainly received him on

statement grounded on things contained in the

letter. This was filed with other papers in the

church book. He was soon elected clerk and

wrote a good hand. How long he lived after this

to enjoy the fellowship of Rocky River is not

known. It is to be regretted that so little is

known of his after life and service. There are

some reasons to believe that he was a minister of

the Gospel. This Betheny Church is located in

Anson County a few miles below Wadesboro and

is still in existence, but now has but very few

members.

"June the 12th, 1841.

"State of North Carolina,

"Anson County.

"Respected Father In the Gospel:

"I have been of late contemplating on the

goodness of God and His many mercies bestowed

on the innumerable inhabitants of this Earth.

And while contemplating my mind is lost in won-

der. Then it is I well might with the Psalmist

-----------------------------------------

River Baptist Church 21

say 'What is man that thou art mindful of him.'

I have of late been thinking that I would wish

to see you and hold a private conversation with

you and relate to you the state of my mind on

some particulars. But as this is not convenient

at present and as I feel willing that the whole

church at Betheny where my membership is held

should know it as well as you, and feeling some-

what a delicacy in coming forward before the

church to express my ignorance in weakness, I

have taken the privillege to write to you and I

wish you to heed what follows with seriousness

and parental affection and bear with me for I

respect you highly as a minister, of Christ and I

respect the brethren and sisters of Betheny

church as Christians and have no reason to doubt

them; but I must tell you that I am not satis-

fied to live as I do, .believing as I believe. For

I profess to be a Baptist of the Predestinarian

faith and I believe it is my duty to fellowship

all those Baptists who do profess the same, and

not o reject them on account of their being call-

ed 'Missionaries,' and because they say they are

in favor of supporting ministers to preach the

gospel to the heathens. For if they think it is

their duty to contribute to the support of this in-

sititution or that institution their property is

their own and let them dispose of it accordingly

as they think proper and we will do the same.

I know the time has been when I was as much

opposed to the preaching of those who professed

to be missionaries as any person could be.

"I did verily believe it was a speculating

scheme conducted and carried on by a few in-

dividuals in order to make them wealthy, as you

have heard me often relate. Though I am of

contrary opinion at this time. I have of late per-

-----------------------------------------

22 History of The Rocky

used the Memoir of Mrs. Judson and there find

that there have been Missionaries ever since 1813,

which was before I was born. And if it was not

that I know you do not devote much of your

time in reading modern history, I would recom-

mend the perusal of Judson's Letters. I have

read them and feel bound to give them credit.

"And now, Father Harris, what could have

been the cause of Adoniram Judson and Ann H.

Judson leaving of the United States and all their

friends and relatives and their comfortable dwel-

ling where they were blest with a plenty of this

world's substance, such a plenty as to keep them

from want by using industry, and exposing them-

selves to the boisterous waves of the sea and

going to India, where they no doubt expect to

meet with a savage and barbarious nation of

people. Was it not to preach the gospel of

Christ to a heathen people? I think myself that

it was. And inasmuch as that was their errand,

I think the Omnipotent Creator had a hand in

sending them. I therefore, wish this letter to

be read to the church at Betheny, and, let them

know my mind concerning fellowship towards the

Missionary Baptist brethren. I wish us all to

unite again and become in full fellowship, both

anti-Missionary and Missionary, and not be so

cold toward each other as we have of late.

"Brethren and sisters, I have not been among

you for some time and the reason is that my

mind has not been fully satisfied concerning the

division among the Baptists. And, I thought it

would wear away and then I would come to see

you. But the more I reflect on the goodness of

God the more I am constrained to believe that it

is our duty to fellowship with our Missionary

brethren. For they say they can fellowship us.