History of the Primitive Baptists in Arkansas

The State of Arkansas was admitted as the 36th state in the Union, in 1836.

One source says that the first Baptist preacher to preach in Arkansas was Elder George Gill, who came from Kentucky, and preached in the territory in 1814, near the White River where Mt. Olive was later.

Elders Benjamin Clark and Jesse James, and others, organized Salem Church, near Pocahontas (in what is now Randolph County), Arkansas, in 1818, according to minutes of the Bethel Association (of Missouri) for that year. Salem Church is believed to have been the first Baptist Church organized in Arkansas territory.

The Spring River Association was the first association organized in Arkansas. It was organized in 1829 with four churches, viz., Spring River, New Hope, Richland, and Little Northfork, by Elders J. Williams, S. Frost, M. Baily, and William Street. It continued until 1840 when it was dissolved.

The Washington Association was organized in 1833. The Primitive Baptist Churches in the northern part of the state (north of the Arkansas River and west of the White River) first united with the Washington Association. Elder James Brewton was the first moderator and J. E. Mayfield was the first clerk.

In 1840, several churches were dismissed from the Washington Association to organize the Salem Association.

The South Arkansas Association was organized in 1841, and a sketch history was published in the centennial minutes of 1941.

David Benedict, the Missionary Baptist historian, says that in the early days the anti-mission (Primitive) Baptists pretty much had their way in Arkansas.

Salem Association of Regular Baptists
Held with Horsehead Church, Franklin Co. Ark.

Minutes of the Thirty Sixth Session
Embracing September 20, 21, & 22, 1879

Officers: Elder R. K. Pound, Moderator - Bro. J. W. Crockett, Clerk


MINUTES

Saturday, September 20, A. D. 1879

Saturday at 10 o'clock the Salem Association met at the time appointed at Horsehead Church. Prayer by Elder Mark Jackson. The introductory sermon was delivered by Elder J. R. Fisher, from St. Matthew, 28 chapter, 19 and 20 verses.
The Delegates then repaired to the house prepared for their reception, and after a short but able advice on the duties of the members of the Association, opened with prayer by Elder Thomas Dotson. The Association was then declared in order for business.
The letters from the several Churches composing the Salem Association was then called for, read, received and the Delegates' names enrolled.
1st. The Association then proceeded to elect a Moderator and Clerk. Elder R. K. Pound was chosen Moderator and Brother J. W. Crockett, Clerk.
2rd. Invited visiting Ministers [ . . . part of page missing] seat with us in council.
3rd. [ . . . part of page missing] the Constitution, Rules of Decorum and Articles of Faith.
4th. Opened the door for the reception of new Churches.
5th. Called for corresponding letters, and received one from Washington Association by the hands of Elder Thomas Dotson, which was read and received; and also a bundle of minutes, and the delegate was invited to be seated with us.
6th. On motion agreed to continue correspondence with Washington Association, and Elder I. S. Pound was appointed to prepare the letter.
7th. On motion Elders J. R. fisher, Wm. Deremiah and F. Dunn, with the Moderator and Clerk, a Committee of arrangements.
8th. On motion appointed Brothers J. W. Anderson, W. D. Shores and Elder B. R. Lovitt a Committee on Finance.
9th. On motion appointed Elders Thomas Dotson, Wm. Deremiah and R. K. Pound to fill the stand on to-morrow, and preaching to commence at 10 o'clock.
11th. On motion adjourned until Monday morning at 9 o'clock, Prayer by Elder D. Garrison.
Sunday Morning, 9 O'clock, September 21, 1879.

A large assembly gathered at the water-side, where the Ordinance of Baptism was attended to by Elder R. K. Pound. After baptism the congregation repaired to the Church-house, which was very large and attentive. The services of the day were introduced by Elder Thomas Dotson, from Eph, 2 chap, 19, 20 and 21 verses. Elder Wm. Deremiah followed from 1st Cor., 15 chap, [9] verse. Elder R. K. Pound followed from St. john, the Evangelist, [?] chap., latter clause & verse. At the close of the srvices on the Sabbath it was manifested that the Lord was in our midst, the brothers and sisters were made to rejoice, and sinners were made to peep, and mourners to cry for mercy.

Moday Morning, Sept 22, 1879

The Association met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by Elder. Wm. Deremiah.
1st. Called the roll of Delegates.
2nd. Called for the bill of arrangement, which was read, received and the committee discharged.
3rd. On motion agreed to continue Union meetings.
4th. On motion agreed to have four Union meetings. First at Western Concord Church, commencing on Friday before the second Sabbath in July, 1880. Elders J. R. Fisher, I. S. Pound, D. Garrison and C. C. Stuart agree to attend the same. Second at Cane Creek, commencing Friday [ . . . not legible] in August, 1880. Elders F. Dun, C. C. Stuart and Brother [ . . . not legible] Pleasant Grove Church, commencing on [ . . . not legible] Third Sabbath in July, 1880. Elders J. R. Fisher, Wm. Deremiah and Russell Brown agree to attend the same.
5th. On motion called for the corresponding letter to the Washington association, which was read and received, and the following brethren agreed to bear the same: Elders J. R. Fisher, F. Dunn, R. K. Pound and Brothers I. Gardner and N. T. Dickerson, which will be held with New Hope Church at Kingston, in Madison County, Arkansas, commencing on Friday before the first Sabbath in September, 1880.
On motion called for the report of the Finance Committee, which reported $8.50 in the hands of the old Treasurer and $19.50 by contribution, making a total of $28.00.
On motion agreed to have six hundred copies of these Minutes printed and that fifty be reserved for correspondence, and that the Moderator and Clerk superintend the printing and distribution of the same.
Resolved to hold our next Association with Pleasant Hill Church, in Franklin County, Arkansas, commencing on Saturday before the third Sabbath in September, A. D. 1880, and that Elder R. K. Pound preach the introductory sermon, and Elder F. Dunn his alternate.
On motion the Clerk shall be Treasurer the ensuing year.
On motion the Clerk was given $8.50 for his trouble.
On motion the Association tenders her thanks to the brethren and
[Last page is missing]


Transcribed by Shari Smith, Tulsa OK, SS1919@worldnet.att.net, 26 July, 1999

Minutes of the Forty Eighth Session
Salem Association of Regular Baptists Churches
Held with Antioch Church, Franklin County Arkansas
Embracing Sept. 19, 20 and 21, 1891

OFFICERS
Elder J. R. Fisher, Moderator
James Fisher, Clerk

[Printed by: ozark democrat print]





Minutes

Saturday, 10 O'clock, Sept. 19, 1891

The Salem Association met at the time and place appointed at Antioch Church, Franklin County, Ark.
The Introductory Sermon was delivered by Elder M. W. Pendergrass from John the 17 chapter and 22 verse.
The delegates then repaired to the house prepared for their reception and after prayer by Elder J. R. Fisher, the letters from the several churches were then called for, read and received and the delegates' names enrolled.
1st. The Association then proceeded to elect a Moderator and Clerk. Elder J. R. fisher was chosen Moderator and James Fisher, Clerk.
2nd. The door was opened for the reception of Petitionary Letters from new churches and received two - one from Union church, Crawford County, Ark., by the hands of her delegates, which was read and received, and the other from Little Mulberry Church, Crawford County, Ark., asking to be restored to our union. Upon motion and second the Association agreed to receive the acknowledgement from Little Mulberry church and the Moderator extended the right hand of fellowship to both churches with an invitation to seats with us in council.
3rd. Invited visiting ministers of our faith and order to seats with us in council.
4th. Called for Corresponding Letters.
5th. Appointed J. Bolton, R. S. Leadbetter and J. A. Pritchard, with the Moderator and Clerk, a committee on the Bill of arrangements.
6th. Appointed J. B. Tollerson, W. F. Sawyers and W. D. Brooks a Committee on Preaching.
7th. Appointed Elders D. Blevens, J. r. Fisher and M. W. Pendergrass to fill the stand on the Sabbath.
8th. On motion adjourned until Monday Morning 9 o'clock. Prayer by L. Dyer.

Sunday Morning, 10 O'clock A. M.

A large and attentive congregation assembled at the stand. The services were introduced by Elder Daniel Blevens from Daniel, 2 chapter and 44th verse, followed by M. W. Pendergrass from 2 Cor., 4th chapter and 16th verse, closed by J. R. Fisher by an appropriate exhortation, after which the congregation engaged in singing one of the songs of Zion and extending the right hand of fellowship with a good feeling prevailing in hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave.

Monday Morning, 9 O'clock A. M., Sept. 21, 1891

The Association met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by Elder D. Blevens.
1st. Called the roll of delegates.
2nd. On motion read the Constitution and Rules of Decorum, and Articles of Faith.
3rd. Called for Petitionary Letters from new churches and Corresponding Letters.
4th. On motion called for Bill of Arrangements, which was read and received and committee discharged.
5th. Upon motion and second the Association called for the report of her committee appointed at her last annual meeting to look after the condition of the Churches in the bounds of Salem Association, which report was received and the committee discharged.
6th. Upon motion and second Bros. W. D. Brooks, J. A. Pritchard and J. W. Killingsworth were appointed a committee on Finance.
7th. Upon motion and second that we continue our Union Meetings and have six in the bounds of Salem Association:
First at Western Concord Church, Franklin County, Ark., commencing on Friday before the first Sunday in August, 1892, and Bros. James Fisher, Leonard Dyer, G. B. Graham, J. A. Pritchard, E. Creekmoore attend the same.
Second at Salem church, Franklin County, Ark., commencing on Friday before the second Sunday in August, 1892, and Elders D. Garrison, W. E. Reavis, and Bros. J. A. Pritchard, W. D. Brooks and J. R. Fisher attend the same.
Third at Little Mulberry church, Crawford County, Ark., commencing on Friday before the third Sunday in July, 1892, and Elders J. Bolton, D. Garrison, W. E. Reavis and Bros. W. F. Sawyers and B. M. Anderson agree to attend the same.
Fourth at Mt. Zion, Franklin County, Ark., commencing on Friday before third Sunday in August, 1892, and Bros. B. R. Creekmoore, E. Creekmoore, G. B. Graham, and Elders J. Bolton and W. E. Reavis attend the same.
Fifth at Bethlehem, Franklin County, Ark., commencing on Friday before the fourth Sunday in June, 1892, and Elders Leonard Dyer, J. R. fisher, and Bros. B. M. Anderson, B. R. Creekmoore, J. W. Killingsworth, John Fisher, G. B. Graham, E. Creekmoore, agree to attend the same.
Sixth at Union Church, Crawford County, Ark., commencing on Friday before the second Sunday in May, 1892, and Elders M. W. Pendergrass, J. Bolton and Bros. J. W. Killingsworth, W. D. Brooks, U. S. Bolton, agree to attend the same.
8th. On motion called for the report of the Finance Committee, which reported $9.50. Report of the treasurer, present contribution $2.80, nothing on hand.
9th. On motion that we have three hundred copies of our minutes printed and the clerk be appointed a treasurer for the ensuing year and he superintend the printing and distributing the same.
10th. On motion that we have our Constitution, Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum spread upon the face of our minutes.
11th. On motion agree to hold our next Association with Siloam Church, Crawford County, Ark., commencing on Saturday before the third Sunday in September, 1982, and Elder M. W. Pendergrass to preach the next Introductory Sermon, and J. Bolton in case of failure.
12th. On motion all ministers, both ordained and licensed, be dropped from the face of our minutes that have failed to give their whereabouts and failed to attend Salem Association for the last two years.
13th. On motion the Association agrees to tender her thanks to the brethren and friends for their kind hospitality shown us during our stay amongst them.
14th. On motion the Association called for the reading of her minutes. Read and received.
15th. On motion adjourned to the time and place above mentioned. Prayer.
Thus closed another harmonious session of Salem Association.

Elder J. R. Fisher, Moderator
James Fisher, Clerk

Transcribed by Shari Smith, Tulsa OK, SS1919@worldnet.att.net, 26 July, 1999