Commencing October 25th 1806
Church meeting held at Sister Pate’s; Brother Martin Trap chosen moderator. The Church then proceeded to license Brother Coupland to impose his gift as the Lord may be pleased to call him. Secondly—that Brother Coupland be ordained as soon as possible or convenient. 3rdly, that Brother Shoemake and wife are dismissed also Brother Sweet and wife.
Saturday December 24th 1806
The church met after worship proceeded to business. Thomas McBride chosen moderator Adjourned and in order.
February 28th 1807
Church met after worship and proceeded to business on the petition of John Pace and wife, and John Hill, letters of dismission were granted. Adjourned William Higginbotham Clk.P.T. [Clerk Pro Tem]
Saturday March 28th 1807
Church met after worship and proceeded to business. Brother Absalem Coupland chosen moderator. Received by letter Brother Cary James and his wife, Dolley, also Sister Lilley Brooks. Resolved that notice be given to our absent Brethren to attend at afford monthly meeting to choose a Deacon. Dismissed in order. William Higginbotham, Clerk.
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Saturday April 25th 1807
Church met after worship proceeded to business. Brother Higginbotham chosen Deacon. Secondly, Delegated Brother Higginbotham to scite Brother Trap to our monthly meeting to set in conference with us and preach. Thirdly, appointed Brother Higginbotham to write a letter to the Deacon and Clerk of the Arm. Fourthly, Brother Higginbotham appointed clerk to the church. Dismissed in order, William Higginbotham, Clerk.
May 23rd 1807
Church met. Brother Trap failed to attend the call of the church. Did not proceed to business. Adjourned in order. William Higginbotham, Clerk.
[Addendum minutes from 1806]
Church meeting held at Brother Shoemakes March 15th 1806. Received by letter William Higginbotham and Wife. 16th received John Pace and Wife also Agnes Ruffin.
Church meeting 19th April 1806 Brother Hill came forward with a recantation for an offence and was forgiven. Received by letter Matthew Brooks and wife. Resolved that washing of feet is an ordinance which should be complied with so often as the Lord’s Supper is administered. Resolved that our Sacrament be on the third Saturday in August next and continue quarterly.
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Saturday 4th August, 1807
Church met and proceeded to business. Brother Trap made his acknowledgement to the church and received to fellowship again. Resolved that Brother Trap return the letter which he obtained from the Arm of the Salt Lick Church on Martin’s Creek. Resolved unanimously that Brother Miles West attend us monthly. Resolved that the members on the Southside of Cumberland River obtain letters of dismission. Brother Abram Huddleston and Brother Henry Huddleston chosen to represent us in the next association.
First Saturday in October, 1807
Church met at Brother Abraham Huddleston’s. Received Brother Samuel Ramsey and Elizabeth, his wife, into fellowship. Resolved that Brother Miles West attend us to preach and administer the ordinances. Resolved that our church meeting be holden on the first Saturday in every month in future. Brother Coupland returned his letter. Brother Coupland appointed to write Brother Caps. Resolved that we build a meeting house near the dividing line between Captain Jennings and Stephen [?????] near Jennings Spring.
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Saturday before 1st Sunday in November 1807
Church met after worship and proceeded to business Brother Miles West moderator and in his absence Brother Absalem Coupland. Resolved that Brother Abraham Huddleston and Brogther Higginbotham and Sister Higginbotham be appointed to deal with Sister Thomas and Sister Williams. Sister Rud dismissed by letter and Brother Higginbotham to write the same. Brethren Higginbotham and Huddleston appointed to make out a list of the members of the church and return the same nest meeting. Adjourned, William Higginbotham, Clerk
Saturday 2nd April 1808
Church met and after worship proceeded to business. Resolved that a measure be adopted to inquire among the members quarterly whether there still remains a Christian fellowship. Brethren Huddleston and Higginbotham, Sister Higginbotham who were appointed to deal with Sister Milly Williams reported that she had joined the Methodists to therefore pronounce her to be no longer a member of our church. Sister Higginbotham is appointed to [licit] Sister Thomas second time to attend meeting. The clerk ordered to write a letter of dismission for Brother Francis Cap. Resolved that Brother Absalom Coupland be ordained to the ministry if on an examination by a presbytery they shall think him duly qualified to fill that office. Resolved that Brother Higginbotham be ordained deacon first Saturday in June. Next that Brother Miles West
be appointed to call helps to assist in the ordination. Adjourned in order. William Higginbotham
Saturday April 30th 1808
Church met after worship and proceeded to business. Sister Higginbotham agreeable to appointment having seen Sister Mary Thomas and [???] her to attend meeting; reports that she has joined the Methodists; therefore she is struck off of our roll. Resolved that our next church meeting be on the Friday before the first Sunday in June. Brother Henry Huddleston charged with drunkenness laid over till next meeting. Adjourned William Higginbotham
Friday 3rd June 1808
Church met after worship and proceeded to business. Received by letter Brother Malcom Smith and Sister Ann Cox. Proceeded to the trial of Brother Henry Huddleston from the conference of last church meeting on a charge of drunkenness and finding him guilty have proceeded to excommunicating him. Resolved that all the materials necessary [???] in the term of elements shall be prepared for the purpose of administering the Lord’s Supper at our next meeting. Adjourned William Higginbotham, Clerk
Saturday 4th June 1808
Church after worship proceeded to business. Received by letter Sister Agnes Tomnilson ??? and Brother Jesse Cox. The Presbytery and church proceeded to the examination of Brother Coupland as to his qualifications to fill the office of a minister of the Gospel. Upon due examination we find him unqualified and not fit for ordination. Adjourned. William Higginbotham, Clerk
Saturday 2nd July 1808
Church met after worship and opened a door for the reception of members. Received by letter Brother Brooks. Brother Malcom Smith is duly appointed Deacon. William Higginbotham, Clerk
Saturday 6th 1808
Church meet and after worship proceeded to business. Brethren Absalem Coupland and Abraham Huddleston duly appointed to represent us in our next association. A request presented by letter to the Stockton Valley Association for leave to join the Cumberland Association. Brother Higginbotham with said help as he may need appointed to write the church letter. Brother Coupland is licensed to use his gift where the Lord shall be pleased to call him. the members of the church will make a small contribution at our next meeting. Adjourned in order. William Higginbotham, Clerk
Saturday before the first Lords ay in September 1808
Church met and after prayer proceeded to business. First, opened a door to receive members. Brother Benjamin Fuqua joined by letter. Second, we believe in the doctrine of particular election. The church letter being read, Matthew Brooks was appointed to represent us in the next association. Having called the matter relative to a license granted Brother Coupland to exercise his gift where the Lord shall call him, have agreed to lay it over until our next meeting. Our next
monthly meeting at Sister Holadays. Adjourned in order. William Higginbotham, Clerk
Saturday before the first Lord’s Day in November 1808
The church met and after prayer proceeded to business. A door being opened to receive members, Brother George James came forward with a letter and was received. The reference relating to Brother Coupland (until next meeting) was laid over. A letter of dismission granted to Jesse Cox and wife; also to Sister Dolley, a black member. We also granted letters of dismission to Brother Higginbotham and wife, provide they may all before our next meeting.
