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HISTORY BK. C I>?L? Crock I.ICM'OIVIts Jjt/th/rs Amit rsm) //i/</////</<< / /' ' lt is difficult to lind out wlio wore the lirst settlors in almost any neigh - borhood. Thc territory that now forms thc Counties of . ?reenvide, An derson, Oeoneo and Picken? was ceded tu South Carolina hy tin- Cherokee Indians in 1777 - one year after the Declaration of Independence. Hut this section ol' country was sparsely settled before this cession was made. In the woods, not far from Wilson's Mill, there are faint signs of an old graveyard. < Md people tell us that there used to bc several graves at this place, but only four can bc seen now among the bushes and trees, and these are lecogni/cd by slightly sunken places in the earth. At Rig Creek Church there are a threat number of graves. One tombstone is marked 4,S. K. 1812." As I walked over this cemetery some time ugo, I heard an old man say to hi> full grown grand son, ".lohn, take this bucket and hoe ! and put some sand on your great grandfather's grave-." So we see that this has been a burying place for sev- ; eral generations. When the lower Pel/or dam was j built there were faint signs of an old I chimney near thc western end of the dam. This small pile of stones mark ed tho place where the house of Moses Holland stood. The place is still known as "Holland's Kord." The road that leads to the power house used to be a publie road. Perhaps Mr. Holland was attracted to this spot because the river could be folded here, or by thc spring that still hubbies from under the hill. Moses Holland was born in Virginia, and served in the Revolutionary war. He was pres ent at the surrender of Lord Cornwal lis. Mr. Holland was a Baptist, and through his influence ''Rig Creek Church was constitutioned in the year of our Lord 1788." To us young peo ple that yeai, 1788, seems to be in the long ago. [South Carolina adopted the United States Constitution in 1788, and it was Apt il HO of the next year that Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States.] In 1812, Mr. Hol land and Elisha Bennett could not agree concerning some business trans action, the amount in disp .tc being five dollars. Bethesda Church seem ed to take sides with Mr. Bonnett and sent a letter to Big Creek asking that the matter bc settled. The Associa tion would not allow Big Creek to bo represented in that body on account of this disturbance. A committee was sent by the Association to inves tigate the matter. This committee decided against Mr. Holland, and, although Big Creek dearly loved and reverenced Mr. Holland, ho was finally declared "out of our fellowship." At the next Church moeting "Brother Holland requested information how he should bo restored to fellowship." Answered by repentance according to gospel in Luko 17th and 4th, which reads thus: "And if he trespass against thee seven times in the day and seven times in the day turn again to thee saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him." Two years lator "Brother Holland offered for fellow ship and was received without a dis senting voice." Mr. Holland served Big Creek from the timo of its foun- ? ?dation to thc timo of his death in 1829-a leriod of nearly forty-two ;years. He served tho Association as Moderator twelve times, and had a place on its most important commit tees. A log meeting-house was built about a half mile below the present Church building. After some years, a framed house was built near thc site of the present brick Church, but a little nearer the publio road. Still later, an addition was made to this building. When the briok Churoh was built in 1873, this old Churoh was sold. The older part of it was bought by Mr. J. I. Ilolliday and is now used for a barn. The newer part of that I same building may be seen just in front of Mr. Frank Wclborn's, where it is used for a wheat-room and a gen eral storehouse for the farm. The early records of Big Creek Bap tist Church are lost, but the records from 1801 to 1850 furnish some inter esting reading. Some of thc quota tions below show us some of the ques tions that our forefathers had to deal wi'.h. We can but admire the candor and earnestness with which they dealt with each other. During tho time these records cover, their meeting days were the first Sunday of each month and the Saturday preceding, the years 1844 and 1845 being except ed. They still meet on the first Sun day and Saturday preceding. About 1801, there was a considerable revival ?n this community. This continued for about two years, and many were added to the Churoh. On August 23, 1801, tho number of male mem bers was forty-one, and the fe male members numbered sixty-seven / -total 108. Note that over sixty-two per cent, were women. Oat of the sixty surnames met with in this list, twenty-four aro still frequently mot with in the community. ;RBEKCHURCH. from 1H( ) 1 to 1 85< >. Mach member j> eseul had t" V'/i> for ??r against every motion brought before the wiiurch, a.- tl." following nih; indicates: "Those in favor of tho thing proposed -hall rise to their feet, arni those against it shall keep their seats. The moderator shall pro nounce the ii< cisi?n before the stand er.- take their seats. Nor could peo ple interrupt their Church conference hy leaving : "No person shall depart th?' service of the Church without leave.' The older members still obey this rule: ' Thc appellation of broth er shall bc used in our address one to another." The weakness of human nature were, to a large extent, the same in olden times as they are now. if we may judge by the offences named in the records. Wc find a number of members excluded for drunkenness. Utily one ease of titi.- kind against a woman. Sister N- was excluded "for drinking too much of spirituous liquor." They wen- very particular t?i appoint brethren to "admonish ' absentees "for neglecting their Ch u ich meetings.'' Thc following 'imitations will .-how how careful they were on this point: "All members belonging to Big ('reek Church must, on every meeting day. attend by 12 o'clock or they will be dealt with, except a good excuse be given." "Agreed that we send brethren-to Bro. II to know why he docs not conic to ('bundi meeting." "It was renewed that any male member of the Church missing two or more ('burch meetings should give their reasons for so doing." "Church met at our usual time, ('ailed up the reference con cerning our members that did not come to their meeting-5 in number and they are no more of us." The members were very fair in their deal ings with each other. If a person was not present to hear a complaint against him, they would put the mat ter off and appoint some one to "go labor with him," or "to cite him to the next meeting." They would usu ally have some case of reproof or dis cipline to attend to at every meeting on Saturday before tho first Sunday. Occasionally there was "no meeting. Thc day was wet." Now and then there was no meeting "on account of a general muster." "The Church met, all in peace. Nothing particular to labor upon." This question was sent to the Association for au answer: "Shall we hold a member in fellow ship that sells corn at one dollar per bushel?" Tho Church was not pleased with the answer sent back by tho As sociation, but "some of the members wero dissatisfied concerning their old distress" [one-dollar corn.] This matter caused discussion and some ill feeling for at least a dozen meetings. Various questions were asked and dis cussed at the Saturday Church meet ings. "Is it not wrong when we hear of anything evil against our members to speak it abroad in tho world with out first taking gospel steps with them?" Answer, "It is wrong." "Is it worthy of dealing with a Bom ber for starting to market with his wagon and team or rolling hogshead on the Sabbath day?" Answer, "We disanprobatn auch conduct." A mem ber was appointed to go labor with a brother for not paying a note, but, as he promised to settle the note at an early dato, the matter was dropped. "Brother W- reported to the Church his own conduct for getting intoxicated at the tax-payiug, for which the Church forgave him." "Inquired for the peace of the Church and found not iu peace from common report on Brother C-, concerning a debt-for a cow and calf." After this case was investigated, Bro. C T7as "excluded i'or sin." Dec. 3, 1803, "a complaint brought forward against Brother W-for bringing a stray hound dog home with him on his way from Abbeville District-not being his own property-for tho same was excluded out of fellowship." "A complaint came forward against Sister Elizabeth R-for going to a shoot ing match, and for associating with bad company and for same excluded out of fellowship." One member was ac cused of "drunkenness, swearing and shooting for beef;" but, as ho "gave satisfaction," bc was not further dealt with; while another member was ex cluded for "ffoina to an unlawful ns assembly and shooting for a prize." "Br ?ther B- declared out of fel lowship for refusing to take gospel steps with some of tho brethren that he said he was hurt with." Ono brother did not do work according to promise and charged too high for it. He was excluded after a committee had examined thc work and reported to the Church. Ono sister was re ported becauso "she had been angry and said bad words with other reports.' She confessed her faults, denied the report and was continued in fellow ship." A complaint brought forward by Brother B- against Elizabeth W-for saying that Elizabeth and Mary C-were liars and BIIO could prove it. Sister W-- failing to sub stantiate the accusation has fallen tinder our censure tint ti SUCH tune as rhe makes lier accusation good. '?Thc case of Brother C-was brought f<irward and strict inquiry made, and we find that Brother C applied to the Church and got a let ter; after that told lies, r.ni away and left his debts unsettled." Matters wi re well considered before any one wa:- excluded. The case of Sister '!-was taken up and labored on the chief of the day. then thc (/burch unanimously rose for her excommuni cation.*1 ''The peace ol' the Church was inquired for and found Brother F-in disorder in as much as he has applied for a warrant against Brother li- for trading with ne groes; and, after some dealing. Broth er V-gave Brother ll-satisfac tion and the peace returned to the Church again." The Church would not consider a certain charge because "Brother II-had not taken gospel steps with Brother F-." "Broth er C-brought a charge against Brother <"-. lt was not taken up, but sent out of doors, and brethren were appointed to go with them, and it was settled." A member was ex cluded for "fishing on Sunday, curs ing, swearing and drinking." Mem bers were urged not to bring eases before the Church "until they have taken private measures, and in all 'cases to have recourse to the 18th chapter of Matthew." '.Joseph K came forward and confessed his wrong, thc Church agreed to bear with him." Nov. (?, 1841. "Took thc vote of the Church to try to put down all manner of trade and traffic on meeting days." Brother K-brought an accusation "against himself for trading ou thc Sabbath. After some labor on the subject and his acknowledgement, he was acquitted." Sept. <>, 1828-"Appointed the Fri day before thc first Saturday in No vember to consider the State Consti tution or Convention to seo whether they would approbate it or not." Nov. 1, 1828-"As to the resolution of the Association as to tho way of spending the fourth of July. We leave every one to their own will." Nov. 3, 18'hr>-"Brother M-wished to know of tho Church if they did wish to have thc Constitution of the State Couvention read next meeting for information, and it was agreed to." "The Church convened. The peace of thc Church inquired for and all in peace. Thank (?od, for we had long been biting one the other." "Sister E-applied for a letter of dismission, and, at thc same time, said she was not satisfied with the Church's conduct in turning out her husband; and it was refused heron that ground." It now seems strange to children to read that the negroes and white peo ple once belonged to the same Church. On one side of Big Creek Church there was a shed running the whole length of the main building. In this shed, the negroes worshiped, a railing separating them from the white peo ple. The negroes had no surnames and they were designated in various ways, as "Black Tom belonging to Johu Taylor." "Black Mary," "our old black sister Anna," was reported "as being an orderly person, which we were glad to hear." "Washing ton, ferry black Wash, was received by experience.*' "A door was opened and there carno and was received by experience Wm. Copeland's black girl, Sally, and Brother II. Wilson's black boy, Lentil." "Inquired for the peace of the Church when Brother Wilson let the Church know of the conduct of his black mun, Willis, he was therefore excluded for pilfering." A report was brought "against Black Lucy for stealing meat, and appointed Brother Holland to cito her to our next meeting and make report. Church met. The case of Lucy brought for *fltt&\ TvL. *8 t*le primary duty i*s^^WT?2-^ of every wornnn to wear ?Ya^M?K) i" lier face the lilies ^WMT\*?3Y^ and rooes of health. It io one of woman's nLt ftls)V>?fWtf ural missions to please, WaiiV?E) and one of the first at I'HHWaV tributes of a pleasing . \o7??s\f woman in a complexion ^Ag?l that shows the bloom r?^3BM^?W 1 No mntter bow beau VTKJWM W?\\\K t*UJ^ a womnn mav be yU?mLWt ?iiW at tne outsct' if "be 'Jlnr Baili!. fluH"era from weakness BBSE . lal and disease of that 111 k M ?/ , delicate and important ?fa^t^tl^^^orKaiiisrn that is the *^ JR ^^V* threshold of human T - " life, she will soon show traces of Buttering in h?r face, and very shortly become haggard and homely. She will lose her animation of manner, the sparkle will fade from her eyes and the roses from her cheeks, her form will lose ita roundness and her step its sprightliness. Dr. Pierce's Favorite Pre scription imparts strength, health, vigor and virility to the feminine organism. It alinya inflammation, heals ulceration and tones the nerves, lt makes weak women strong in a womanly way and able to bear the burdens of maternity. It banishes the suffering of the period of gestation, and makes baby's advent easy and almost pain less. It restores the lost complexion and imparts strength, vitality and health to the entire system. " I am very thankful for what Dr. Pie?*'? Favorite Prescription has done for me," writes Mrs. Ktta K- Smith, of Grenola, Klk Co., Kana. *' About a month before 1 waa ap ? fin rd X had such paina that I could stand up only a little while at a time. I could not rest at night or at any other time. I could scarcely eat anything. .I began taking Or. Pierce's Favorite Prescript tion and after the second dose I felt better. From then until J. waa confined I carried all the water that was used up a long hill sud worked In the garden every day,- besides ray other work and did not feel at all bad. When the baby was born I had a very easy time. The women said I had nn easier time than any one they ever saw for the first time. The baby la very healthy. I got up when she was five days old. After two day? I began my own work and felt stout and healthy." For a free, pa^er-covered copy of Doctor Pierce's Common Sense Medical Adviser send 2i one-cent stamps, to cover mailing only. . Cloth - bound v stamps. Address Di. R. V. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y. A medical library in one 1008-page volume. ward, ami she being present, made her confession, and was restored to fellow ship again." Caesar was a negro preacher who is 1 said to have had considerable influ ence. Some of our older citizens tell us that Caesar preached well. He j was a slave, but saved all the money : he could get and bought his freedom j for $l00or$500. lie afterwards bought ? the freedom of his brother. The land just above Rush and Vandivcr's plan ing mill, on each side of the railroad, was once owned by Caesar. He was buried in the field in the rear of thc Williamson Female College. Some . of the records in regard to Caesar may be of interest. ''HrotherCaesar made application to the (.'burch for per mission to go to Hrother E. Riv er's to hold meeting and exercise his gift, but it was denied him for some reasons." Caesar was "excluded from fellowship for persisting over the head of the Church in taking another wife." A little later bc was restored to fellowship. "We allow Brother Caesar to use his gift where he is called or as far as his master will allow him to go for one year, provided he preaches sound doctrine." "After worship by Brother Caesar, a few members met in peace, and, as there was nothing before the Church, wc spent the day in religious conversa tion." "Caesar applied for a permit to travel into the State of Georgia and exercise his gift. Hrother Holland was appointed to write his permit." "Thc peace of the Church was inquir ed for. Brother Caesar came forward to give satisfaction for knocking down his fellow servant with an ax. for which ho was excluded." After four months Caesar was restored, and a lit tle later "a motion was made by Brother John Gumbrell for Brother Caesar to exercise his gift in preach ing and exhortation, and the Church tolerated him to do so within thc bounds of sister Churches." "Took up a report concerning a black man of Mr. Maxwell's, and Brother Caesar agreed to labor with him and report next mooting." The Church tried to settle difficul ties between master and slave. At nc less than thirteen different meetings t disturbance between a mistress and i slave was brought up, hut it was founc very hard to arrange the matter satis factorily. Finally a committee that was appointed to consider the matter reported "that they could not decide, and they requested the liberty to sene for' help." Accordingly, members from Neal's Creek, Dorchester, Shadj Grove and Washington met to try t< settle the difficulty. Many Churches of this section havi been "arms" of Big Creek Church As far back as 1803, a petition was re ceived "from Twenty-Six Mile Creek (now Hopewell) arm of this Church requesting a dismission in order ti become a constituted body to them selves. The petition granted if fount able to keep house for the Lord." 1 few months before Neal's Creek ha? j sent in a similar petition and had re reived a like answer. As these Churches were set oil. they would frequently ask that Mr. Holland serve them as pastor. Perhaps this found ing of other Churches accounts for the few members left at Big Creek, for wc find that there were only twenty-eight members in 1820. Dec. 3, 1831, "a great many exhortations and prayers j were made for sinnners." During the j next year, many members w re rc j ccived. Eighteen were received at one meeting. By December ll. 1833, I we find thc number of members had j increased to one hundred and sixty I three. Other denominations seemed to be working in thc community also; for in 1809 we read: "Kesiah Hand declared out of fellowship for voluntarily leav ing us and joining the Methodist so ciety." "The case of Sister Kelly was taken up, she being present, was ex amined to know whether she was a Methodist or not, and she declared that she was a Methodist indeed, and that she received more satisfaction with them than with us, for which she was excommunicated to be a mem ber with us no moro till she alter her principles." It seems strange for children of this generation to read that a collection was taken and some members gave 12$, Cl, or 18] cents. It is rather awkward to count money with so many fractions in it. Edward \V\ Musgrove was a Baptist preacher who was received by letter into the Church. Ile was strongly opposed to missions, and immediately upon being received into the Church, objected to a missionary deacon serv ing thc Church. The Church became very much wrought up, and finally divided into two parties that were strongly opposed to each other. One party formed themselves into a sepa rate body that would have nothing whatever to do with missions. After five or six years, this division seems to have passed away. A few more quotations may bo of interest. "On the night of our next meeting, we agree to go into washing each other's feet." "Brother John Nickelson petitioned to exercise his gift in public, so as to hand forth light from the word of God as God might give him light and liberty. Kis petition granted in the bounds of the Church as long as may be to theglory of God." "The Church came together, being in lave and union, having no dealings on hand." "We agree to lay down all our former hurts and grievances, and desire to live in peace and love and watch over each other according to the gospel for time to come." The following have served as pastors at Big Creek during the one hundred and ten years of its existence: Moses Holland from 1788 to 1829 41 years. Robert King from 1830 to 1838 8 years. John Vandiver from 1838 to 1844 6 years. Wm. P. Martin from 1846 to 1873 27 years. R. W. Burts from 1873 to the pres ent [1898]-25 years. Without pastor-3 years. This makes an average of a little over twenty-one years for each pastor. GEO. S. GOODGION. Tro nw AND ist Sundrie Hill-Orr Drug Co. Phone ISTo. 8. SUMMER GOODS AND FRUIT JARS, BUY A STEEL BANGE, ASBESTOS LINED. YOU save 50 cent, tn rael, and does not boot np your cook-room by 50 por cent, aa much as tho Cast Stove. Iron King and Elmo is the best cheap Steve yon can buy. I hove a largo lot ot nico DECORATED PIRATES of imported Goods, in va rions patterns, that I am running off at Bargains, as I will cot corry the pottom any longer. Now ia your chauce for nice Gooda ut a Bargain. lani agent for the BRENNAN ?JANE MILL (aujlf-oUing) and EVAPORO. 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Our Goods are ffd? were bought for cash, and will be sold as low as the lowest. Please give on a call before purchasing your Groceries. Thanking all for past favors and soliciting a continuance of the same We are yours to please, G-. TP. BIG-BY. THE OLD, RELIABLE Furniture Store - OF - G, f! TOIAEJIT *m Still in tile Lead ? They have the Largest Stock, Best duality, and Certainly the Lowest Prices ! OTHERS try to get there, hut they miss it every time. New, beautiful and select Stock of Furniture, &c., arriving every dijj and at PRICES NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE. Here you have the Largest Stock ; therefore, you can get ;uat what y| want Here you have the Best Grade of Furniture ; therefore, you can g| Goods that will lash Here you have the very LOWEST PRICES ; therefore, you saveg? big money. *?~ Come along, and we will du you as we have been doing for the U forty years'-sell you the very best Furniture for the very lowest prie? The largest 8tock in South Carolina and the Lowest- Price in <? Southern States. New Lot Baby Carriages Just Received. C. F. TOLLY &> tm ft : That Jewelry THIS is NO FAKE 1 ce -OB* - _ WILL. R. HUBBARD'S, NEXT TO F. Md M. BANK, Has tho Largest, Prettiest and Finest lot of ; XMAS *kwD W?DDING PRESEN1 IN T?IEJ O?TY. ' Competition don't ont any ice with me when it comes to prices- 1^ buy goods to keep. I waut the people to have them. Gold ana Watches, Sterling and Plated Silverware, Jewelry, Clocks, Lampa? fl Spectacles, Novelties of all kinds. Rogers' Tripple Plate Table Knives w per Set. A world beater. ^i(,n WILL R. HUBBARD