Buckingham Churches: Records of the Baptist Association, Part I
Buckingham Baptist Church. Photo by Joanne Yeck.
Typically, surveys created for the Depression-era Virginia Historical Inventory are of structures—dwelling houses, churches, mills, etc. Occasionally, researchers documented an artifact. Such was the case in 1937 when Rosa G. Williams wrote about the “Records of the Baptist Association.”
Buckingham County historian Lulie Patteson and her sister, Ann, were in possession of an “old book,” dated 1832. It was a minutes book which documented several early Baptist churches and their representatives. Rosa Williams noted:
Buckingham [Baptist Church] — Ed. Poindexter and James T. Smith
Chestnut Grove — Elder Thomas Saunders and Hobson Gilliam
Mt. Tabo [sic] — Silas Melton and Nathan Garrett
Mulberry Grove — Elder William Moore and A. Alston
Mrs. Williams added, “There were only four Baptist churches in Buckingham at the time (1832). Buckingham Church was sixty years old at that time.”
In 1832, Buckingham County was considerably larger than it is today, including much of what is now Appomattox County.
For more about Rev. Poindexter Smith, click here: Buckingham Notables: Rev. Poindexter Patteson Smith
Coming next: Buckingham Churches: Records of the Baptist Association, Part II
slate river ramblings . . . . 
Kathie,
My Smith-Phelps family had connections to Red Oak Baptist Church. If you learn more, I would be very interested in any details you’d like to share. Not sure how/if I connect to Alexander Phelps. My Alexander Smith m. Diana Phelps c. 1760.
Joanne
Joanne,
I remembered that- that’s one reason I brought it up. : )
And yes the families did have ties at that church. We are still dna testing the Phelps- still some gaps due to burn records. More than likely you are kin (distantly, if nothing else) to my Alexander line.
I’ll send more later. I’m not at home right now to access my notes.
Kathie
Hi Joanne,
I believe Red Oak Baptist (the original) fell in Buckingham too (it now falls in Appomattox). It was formed in the 1770’s and was built on land donated by Alexander Phelps. I can get you specifics if you like.
Thanks,
Kathie Phelps Mann
Kathie,
I would like to learn more about the Phelps DNA project. Contact me at jlyeck@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Joanne