Submitted by Jim and Lois Branch.
Jim and Lois wrote,"Spelling as written on original list".
ABSTRACTS FROM CHURCH MINUTES 1845, 1855
1845 ABSTRACTS FROM THE
REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH
OF CHRIST OF HOPEWELL, WAYNE
COUNTY, ILLINOIS
"This church was organized "at the place of George Close" in Wayne County, Illinois on the fifth of August in the year 1820. Those in attendance were: James Bird, Stephen Coonrod, William Watkins, John Coonrod, Susan Bird, Anna Blissit, Mary Watkins, Neomi Close, James Taylor, acting clerk.(The minutes following are spelled as they were written:)
At our March meeting in the year of our Lord 1845 in consequence of a desturbance in the church elder John Kimmel being concerned in it, and the Church deviding at that time, they having the Church Book in their possession and refusing to give it up we therefore lost our records for several years, Jany 18th day 1845 Church meeting.
The Regular Baptist Church of Christ at Hopewell, met and after divine Service; proceded to appoint brother John Hunsinger Moderator protem; to invite visiting brethren to a Seat in council and 3) inquired for peace and refferences,4) on motion took up a charge against Elder John Kimmel from report, for having made false statements, at a Mr Clarks JP where a trial was pending between himself and brother David Stewart; as admr of Jonathan Stewart.
The Church appoint Brethren to wit: William McCullough, S. Pendleton, B. Pendleton, J. Dorris, H. Meeks, and J. Atterberry as a commity; to examine in the truth of the matter and the committy, after gaining all the information they could at present, reported that they believe there was some grounds for the charge, and on motion of the Church the case is referred till next meeting for trial; and say they request the Bro. Clark to write to Sister Christena Williams; and Bro. Wm Brown members of the little Wabash Church to attend our next meeting as witnesses; in the case also request Bro. D. Stewart; and Bro. Joel HUme to attend with us at that time. 5th) they say the next meeting to be at the Schoolhouse near Wm McCullough 6th) on application of Bro. Walker a letter of dismission was granted to Sister El__ Wilson and the Bro. Clerk authorised to write said letter...
The Regular Baptist Church of Christ met at Hopewell, Saturday before the 3 Lords day in Feb AD 1845, and after prayer....to appoint Brother John Hunsinger; MD protem...the following named Brethren to wit; Wm McCullough, Saml Pendleton; Pradi Meeks, Harden Meeks, Lapsley Hall, Nathan Atterberry, Solomon Blissit...
March the 15 day 1845 Church meeting....
Wm McCullough, S. Blisset, JW Baird and Wife; L. Hall and Wife;
Wm McCullough and Wife; Isaah Walker; Sarah Meeks; J. Atterberry and Wife;
Mary Watkins
(NOTE: This would be John and Barbary Atterberry and Grandaughter,
Mary who was daughter of Stephen and Susan (Hunsinger) Watkins. Susan later
married Charles W. Atterberry), Mary McCullough; Jane Harl; Dicy Murphy....John
Atterberry, Clk protem.
March 19 1845...met at Bro S. Blissits; and after divine Service, proceded to business the Church appoint Bro J. Atterberry as MD protem...
The Regular Baptist Church of Christ met on Saturday before the third Sunday in April 1845 at Bro S. Blissits and after worship proceded to business 1st) called on Elder Charles Whiting MD protem and Bro John Hunsinger Clk protem. 2nd) to invite visiting brethern to a seat in council with us 3th) to enquire for peace and eferrences; 4th) after reading the procedings from two of the last meetings, took up the charge against Elder John Kimmel and called for the help from Mt. Pleasant, who were presant, to wit; A.C. Hunsinger; John Williams; Charles Sexton...request the sd committy to hear the testimony and say whether the charge against Elder John Kimmel, has bin supported or not and report back to Said Church. their decision. Said charge against Said Kimmel exists in the following, for making false statements at a Mr Clarks JP in saying bro Jonathan Stewart, forgave him a certain debt on meeting of the Sd Stewart at a Mr. Arther Williamses when Said Stewart was hunting of his horses, Said debt being then claimed against the Said Kimmel, by bro David Stewart, Administrator of J Stewart. bro Kimmel being duly notified and not appearing, the commity proceded to hear the evidence and after the drawing a few minutes returned and Say they consider the charge fully sustained against Elder John Kimmel, taken up by Hopewell Church the Church Say they exclude Said Kimmel from the fellowship of this Church and she no more accountable for his conduct it is further agreed by this Church to appoint bro John Atterberry and S Blissit to wait on the Said Kimmel and demand his credentials, 5) agreed to hold our next meeting at S Blissits. John Hunsinger Clk protem...
May 17th 1845...appointed...JNO Atterberry Clk...the Church Say that she discharge br John Atterberry and S Blissit as discharging their duty in callin on John Kimmel for his credentials, which he refused to give up..Say that she write a friendly letter to Br Whiting and Br Williams to attend us at our next meeting in course to be at Br John Atterberrys....J Atterberry Clk protem...
June 14th 1845...Bro S. Williams...J. Attebery..see those brothers and Sisters that has not met with us the three last meetings...J Atterberry Clk protem...
July the 19th 1845...1st) the Church say Bro John Hunsinger be our moderator to day and John Atterberry Clk 2nd) the charge taken up against Mary Kimmel and she excluded for deniing fellowship with the Church 3nd) a charge taken up against S. Pendleton and Wife, B. Pendleton, N. Atterberry, Harden Meeks and Wife, Granville Palmer, and James Dorris and Wife for attending with Kimmel in disorder and absenting themselves from the Church the three last meetings, and the Church appoint bro McCullough, L Hall, to see S. Pendleton and Wife, B. Pendleton, Sister Carter; Harden Meeks and Wife and ___...they set as a committy; the committy retired awhile and then returned and reported that they had done the very best they culd do in the case...the Church say Br John Atteberry get a letter of dismission from this Church...John Hunsinger modr.
Feb. 1855...motioned and seconded that we take up the case of Charles Atteberry and Susan his wife, Aaron Atteberry and Meriah, his wife and Caleb Atteberry and Mahala Atteberry for disorderly conduct. Charge: Whereas sunday of our Brethren and Sisters (viz) Charles Atteberry and Susan his wife, Aaron Atteberry and mariah his wife, Caleb Atteberry and Mahala Atteberry have disorderly left our church and communion and joined themselves to the Regular Predestinarian Baptist Church called Mount Pleasant, 1st resolved therefore that they are no longer of us. 2n resolved further that the Brethern and Sisters are guilty of a sin calling for the most solemn repentance in submitting to the required second baptism. That we commend them to the Mercy of God and pray the Lord to forgive them this there sin (done in ignorance) in suffering themselves to be guided by the Spirit of intolerance rather than the Spirit of God. Unanimously adopted by the United Baptist Church (Pleasant Grove) Feb. Conference 1855.
Feb. 1855.. Whereas it has pleased the Lord to take from our midst by the hand of death our beloved sister Nancy Jane Willson...
Feb 3, 1855 The Church meeting of Feb.was protracted for 9 days including the first two days of meeting. During the meeting the following Brothers and Sisters was received by experience of grace for baptism Martin Hunsinger, Eli Atteberry, Robert Rowles, Silas Atteberry, Isaphenia Renfrow, Lucy J. Atteberry, Elihu E. Holloway, John I. Felix, Joseph Haynes, Elizabeth Harris, Elizabeth Atteberry, Anna Tucker (NOTE: Anna was daughter of Elizabeth (Atteberry) Gray), Wm. R. Atteberry, David H. Atteberry, James A. Atteberry, Josiah F. Carter, Arilla V. Kelley, Francis C. Felix, Melissa Haynes, George Martin.
At the same meeting received by relation Brother Nathan Atteberry
Mar. 1855... Agreed that we take up the case of Sister Barbary Atteberry who having disorderly left our church and communion. Resolved therefore that she is no longer of us. Received by letter, Sister Mary Fulkerson
Apr. 1855...Agreed not to accept evidence from persons outside of the church...Moved and agreed that at our next meeting we take up the subject of washing the Saints' feet. Moved and agreed that we commune quarterly. Received for baptism Bro. Aaron Hodges and by relation Bro Adam Hunsinger...Received next day by experience Sister Emly Hodges. (NOTE: Emily was daughter of Abraham Martin)
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