George W Brandon writes a Letter.

On July 6, 1842, George wrote the following letter in Nauvoo. George was an early convert to the Church in Tennessee (in 1835?) and he eventually became a local leader in the branch and was called as a missionary there before he emigrated in 1842 to Nauvoo.

[To put this letter in context, let's talk a little bit about memory. George Brandon wrote that he was baptized on 25 March 1835 by Wilford Woodruff and that his wife was baptized by Elder Woodruff in September 1835. Assuming his "autobiography" was indeed an autobiography - of which I am not convinced - there is at least one issue. Brandon's claim is certainly wrong since on the 25th of March 1835, Wilford Woodruff was mucking through mud in Arkansas, no where near Henry County. He would not arrive in Henry county until the 9th of April. Does that invalidate the whole account? Not really. Well, maybe. If he didn't really write it, then yes. But assuming that he did I would start by believing it was his memory which was at issue. Either he got the date wrong or the person wrong. It happens. As malleable as memory is, either is possible. With that example of an already proven faulty memory I present something else he wrote, from memory. -  BAllen]

This 1845 map is the closest I could find to 1842, the date of
Geo W Brandon's letter, that correctly showed Benton County
which until 1836 was part of Humphreys County. It also shows
the location of the Cumberland Irons Works which he names.

Dear Brother:
In as much as I have lately arrived at the place from Tennessee, I feel it a duty that I owe to God and myself and also my brethren to give you a short account of the state and condition of the Church and brethren in the counties of Henry, Stewart and Mongomery, Tennessee, as far as I have knowledge of their standing.

I will give a short account of the Charity Branch which branch was raised up by myself in 1839, and was organized with seven members, some of whom lived in Henry County and some in Benton County. Our most usual place of holding meetings was in a few hundred yards of the county line between the aforesaid counties and near to where they cornered.

My labors since I was ordained an Elder have been extended from Joseph Chunness on Blood River, Henry County, through the northeast corner of Benton County, thence across the Tennessee River in a southeasterly direction to Wills Creek, thence north across the Cumberland River at the Cumberland Iron Works. Thence a little east at north nine miles to Nathaniel Abners, in Montgomery County . . . My labors were extended, as before stated from Blood River, Henry County, to Montgomery County, Tennessee. Although Benton and Stewart Counties, making a circuit of 80 miles in length.     

Throughout this circuit I have preached all I could. My circumstances being very limited I suppose I have preached about 500 sermons in the last three years and baptized some 26 persons. My circumstances have been such that compelled me to labor all the while for the support of my family and not only this, I was near $200 in debt, which I had no way of paying only by my labors, which I have paid, excepting a few dollars that was given to me this last spring by my sister, Abigail Brandon. I suppose she gave me as much as $15 in money. A good many of the poor sisters and brothers have helped me to a little provision as they could spare. I have suffered some loss by the mobs of Benton and Henry Counties, Tennessee. But out of all these troubles the Lord has delivered me, for which I thank and adore His name. . .

And here is where the letter, at least the copy I have, ends. George was eye witness to the early days of the Church in Tennessee. Had he lived longer, he might have written about those early days and we'd know more of what he remembered. But he died in 1849 in Iowa, earning money to make it to the Salt Lake Valley. His widow, Keziah Brandon made it a couple years later. Now if only Keziah wrote something....

The First Missionary Trial in Tennessee

Early in the history of the LDS Church in Tennessee, two missionaries found themselves facing angry citizens. It wasn't the first time people had assembled in anger against the Church’s missionary efforts. But is was the first time those actions ended up in a court of law.

In June 1836,[1] a Methodist clergyman named Matthew Williams[2] presented a complaint to the Benton County court that three LDS missionaries – David W. Patten, Warren Parrish, and Wilford Woodruff - were preaching false doctrine, namely “That Christ would come the second time before this generation passed away,” and “That four individuals should receive the Holy Ghost within twenty-four hours.” On June 19th. an officer of the court, Sheriff Robert C. Petty[3] led an armed group of about forty men to the home of Seth Utley where Patten and Parrish were staying – Woodruff was at the time in Kentucky. Upon presentation to the magistrate - probably George W. Farmer - they were given a court date of June 22nd, and were freed on $2,000 bond. Local members (Seth Utley and Albert Petty) of the Church provided collateral for the bond.

On the morning of June 22nd, Patten and Parrish presented themselves at the courthouse for the trial. The two were disarmed, including Patten’s walking stick and a penknife. The one room log courthouse would not admit the entire assembled crowd, so many were forced to wait outside. Ephraim Perkins[4] was the attorney for the prosecution. According to Woodruff, the trial proceeded without the defendants being allowed to present a defense, or call witnesses. At the end of the prosecution’s case, the magistrate pronounced them guilty on all charges. According to Woodruff, after the guilty verdict, Patten responded.

Brother Patten being filled with the Holy Ghost rose to his feet and by the power of God bound them fast to their seats until he addressed them. He rebuked them sharply for their wicked and unjust proceedings. Brother Parrish afterwards said, 'my hair stood up strait on my head for I expected to be killed.' When Patten closed, the judge addressed him saying, 'you must be armed with concealed weapons, or you would not treat an armed court as you have this.' Patten replied, 'I am armed with weapons you know not of, and my weapons are the Holy Priesthood and the power of God. God is my friend, and he permits you to exercise all the power you have, and he bestows on me all the power I have.'

Ultimately the Court decided that the defendants could be released if they would pay court costs and leave the county within 10 days. In the interest of avoiding violence, the two missionaries agreed to the terms. Payment was arranged and they were released. Patten and Parrish retired to the Utley home where they prepared to spend the night.

While the guilty decision of the court was certainly what was hoped for by those who issued the complaint, the punishment clearly did not satisfy them. News that a mob was gathering to serve their own justice reached the Utley home, where the missionaries prudently decided to move to another members home for the night. The mounted their mules and took a back woods road to the home of Albert Petty where they retired for the night. Wilford Woodruff went on to explain…

They had not been long asleep when some heavenly messenger came to brother Patten and told him to arise and leave that place for the mob were after them and would soon be at that house. Brother Patten awoke Parrish and told him to arise and dress himself, for the mob would soon be upon them. They arose, saddled their animals and started for Henry County, in the night.

As expected Brother Petty soon found his home surrounded by an angry mob. They were not dissuaded when told that the missionaries had already left, choosing to search the home and the surrounding area. It wasn't until dawn that the mob discovered Patten and Parrish’s mules tracks. They followed them north to Henry County, but gave up pursuit when the tracks crossed the county line.

[1] Benton County was formed in December 1835. The County government was formed in February 1836 in a small log building just west of Camden.

[2] Matthew Williams was born in North Carolina in 1797.  He settled along Cypress Creek near Cowell Chapel just south of present day Camden, before 1824 when he built the first water powered mill in the county. He and his wife show up in the 1840 Census for Benton County with four daughters and two sons and in the 1850 census with just three adult daughters still at home. The 1850 census confirms that he was a Methodist clergyman. 

[3] In a Benton County history by Jonathon K. Smith, the Sheriff’s name was Jones, and Robert Petty was one of the men who worked for Jones. Woodruff likely pointed out and (perhaps unknowingly) inflated the level of Petty’s participation because he later joined the Church and in 1844 was ordained an Elder.

[4] In the Tennessee County History Series: Benton County, Jonathon K.Smith described Perkins this way "One of Benton County's earliest settlers and an astute politician, Ephraim Perkins, acquired a large farm on Burnside Creek, about two miles north of Camden. A veteran of the War of 1812, he was chairman of the county court several times, a local land entry-taker, and a land speculator."

Eagle Creek Branch

Eagle Creek wasn't the first branch of the LDS Church in Tennessee, but it is close. The first was in Paris, Henry County formed in October 1834. Eagle Creek was formed sometime between November 1834 and January 1835. But the first reference wasn't until Wilford Woodruff arrived in April 1835 and preached in the meeting house for the Eagle Creek Branch on April 6th and 7th. It is unlikely the branch had built their meeting house already. They might have borrowed a meeting house belonging to another church, a common practice. Later on they are meeting in the Eagle Creek Academy, probably a school house.

On 28 Jun 1835, as Elder Warren Parrish was preparing to leave for Kirtland, he re-organized the Eagle Creek Branch, ordaining John "Caswell" Matlock to the office of a Deacon to preside over the branch. In addition Wilford Woodruff was ordained an Elder, and was given the responsibility to preside over the whole conference. In addition to the two missionaries already named was a mysterious figure noted only here: Elder Calvin H. Nicholson. It is unlikely he was a local member, since as an Elder he would have presided over the branch instead of Deacon Matlock. He does not show up in other missionary journals, nor in other church records.

On 2 Aug 1835, Elder Woodruff returned to Eagle Creek to preach again. This time he baptized two converts as well, though he did not name them.

On the 24th of December 1835, tragedy struck the nascent branch. Deacon J. Caswell Matlock unexpectedly died. His obituary was printed in the Messenger and Advocate published in Kirtland, Ohio on February 1836.

-At Eagle Creek, Benton co. Ten. Dec. 24, Deacon Caswell Matlock, Aged 27 years. He was a worthy member, and died in the hope of a glorious immortality. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."

At the first meeting of the Tennessee Conference on 26 Feb 1836 (held in Kentucky which was part of the Tennessee Conference at the time) there were 15 members in good standing of the Eagle Creek Branch. I have only been able to identify seven names, but it is likely the others were relatives of these seven.

Br. Crawley (Grawley?)
Br. Joseph Frey
Br. Caswell Matlock (died in 1835)
Br. William Miles Malin
Br. Michael David Fry
Sis. Rachel Matlock Frey
Br. Bird B. Barnett

The second meeting of the Tennessee Conference was held at the Chalk Level Branch in Benton County Tennessee on 28-29 May 1836. This was only a short distance from Eagle Creek, less than one days ride. There were reported again 15 members in the Eagle Creek Branch in good standing.

There were notes Abraham O. Smoot's journal indicating four others were also members, but without baptism dates:

Br. Cutler
Sis. Mary Amanda Utley (1821- )
Sis. Lucy Ann Fry (1809- )
Sis. Barnett

From there Eagle Creek is quiet. Missionaries focus their energies elsewhere and as a result mission news is about other places. But eight years later, in preparation for Joseph Smith's campaign for U. S. President, a handful of meetings were scheduled in branches across the south and east, including one at Eagle Creek for 8-9 June 1844. The conference did not actually happen until 22 June 1844. At the meeting it was noted that there were 17 members of the branch. It appears that the nearby Chalk Level Branch (as well as probably every other branch in Benton County) had dissolved. Robert C. Petty was placed as Eagle Creek Branch President and Seth Utley (1789-1866) was ordained a priest. Both of them had been in the old Chalk Level Branch. Bird B. Barnett was ordained a teacher. Four were baptized at the conference: Samuel Little, Burwell L. Utley (1827-), Nancy Elizabeth Utley (1827-), and Adeline Utley (1831-).

Following the death of Joseph Smith, the remaining organization of the church in Tennessee began to dissolve. Some members probably left to join the saints. Others, like the Utleys, gave up on the Church and moved west to restart their lives.  Still others, like William M. Malin, drifted away to other churches. One we know remained true to the church even without any organized branch.  When missionaries finally returned in the 1870's, Michael Fry was still there and showed his treasured 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon. Though the Eagle Creek Branch was not formed again, missionaries stilled used Eagle Creek as a point of reference.

Today, Eagle Creek and all of Benton County is part of the Paris, Tennessee Branch in neighboring Henry County.

A second Benton County History

I found this account of early Mormon history in Benton County in a book by Jonathon Kennon Smith. He cites the LDS Church Historian's office for his facts.

"It was probably 1834 or 1835 that the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly called Mormons, made their appearance in the county. They were zealous and out-fundamentalized the fundamentalists! Their history and doctrines are most interesting, but it is beyond the scope of this study to develop these, here. Suffice it to say, that so radical a group met instant rebuttal in Benton County."

"Elder's Dvid Patten and Warren Parrish made several converts in the county. In February 1836, the Eagle Creek Mormons claimed 15 members in good standing and the Chalk Level group claimed 21 members. By May following, a group had been established on Cypress Creek, but it never flourished. Michael Fry embraced Mormonism and it was at his house in May 1836 that a "mob" beset the elders."

"On 19 June 1836, the Mormons were having a meeting at Seth Utley's near Eagle Creek, when a large group of citizens appeared about sunset.; the mood was dangerous and Matthew Williams, a Methodist minister, was among them, having been the man who swore out a warrent for the arrest of Elders Patten and Parrish. [Woodruff was on the warrent too, but he was in Kentucky at the time]. A bone of contention was that the Mormons had been preaching that Jesus Christ would appear before their generation had passed away, etc. It appears nonsensical from such a distance in time, but the crowd was riled and grasped at anything to get rid of the elders. By going bond, the later were allowed to appear on the 23 of the month in a magistrate's court."

"Accompanied by their friends, the elders made their appearance at the court. Ephraim Perkins was the state's attorney and he delivered a fierce speech against the Mormons who were presumably not allowed to answer satisfactorily to the charges made against them. Sheriff Jones finally allowed the men to go since they agreed to pay court costs and to leave the county immediately. The elders first rode to Seth Utley's but suspecting that the mob would follow them there, they went on to Albert Petty's, from which they moved toward the Henry County line. Petty's house was indeed searched and after a time the mob dispersed."

"Mormonism did not flourish in the county but there was a considerable congregation on Eagle Creek for several years. A general conference was held there in Jne 1844; at the time, a membership of seventeen was reported. Robert C. Petty [who was one of the sheriff's men in the mob that arrested Patten and Parrish] was ordained and elder; Seth Utley, a priest, and B. B. Barnett, a teacher. In a few years, the Mormon adherents had moved west with the exodus of their fellow believers and there were the inevitable apostates, reducing their ranks."

Benton County LDS History

In the a book of Benton County, Tennessee history I found the following quote.

"The Mormons or Latter-day Saints caused a great stir in the county when their zealous missionaries began preaching in the scattered communities in 1834. A prominent citizen, D. Wilson M Sarrett of Beaverdam Valley, wrote in his family bible, "David Patten and Warren Parish natives of New York belonging to the church of the latter Day Saints preached at my house on Wednesday the 14th. Inst. Oct 1834" The missionaries penned there under. "We the above named D.W. Patten and W. Parish believe in the law and the prophets, also in the New Testament and in all the Revelations that God has given us in these last days to govern and build up his children as at the beginning"

I thought I might do some digging into who Mr Sarrett was. Turns out the "D." stands for Doctor. Besides being a medical doctor, he served in the war of 1812. His full name was Wilson McMurry Sarrett. He married Isabella Stevenson on 7 Oct 1824. She passed away in 18 Jul 1847. In 1848 he married Catherine Miller. Wilson's parents were Lt. John Sarrett and Mary McMurry. His father served in the American Revolutionary War. Wilson also served on at least one Grand Jury.

Wilson died in March 1860 in Tennessee. The family bible listed above was listed in his will and was passed on to his son Washington L. Sarrett. There is no indication Wilson or any of his family ever developed an interest in the LDS Church.

Wilford Woodruff & Warren Parrish

This is a continuation of Wilford Woodruff's mission to Tennessee

Wilford Woodruff did not stay in Memphis very long. Presumably he left on March 28^th, 1835, the day after he preached at the Josiah Jackson's Tavern. From there he followed the roads east to the town of Somerville in Fayette County and then to Bolivar in Hardeman County. From there Brother Woodruff turned north, arriving at Eagle Creek  in what is today Benton County. The trip from Memphis to Eagle Creek was about 140 miles and took about a week. Wilford appears to have been heading to meet two Elders already working in the area; David W. Patten and Warren Parrish. The two were probably the first to preach the restored gospel in Tennessee, having arrived in October 1834.

Wilford arrived at Eagle Creek on April 4^th 1835, a couple of months after Elder Patten had returned to Kirtland, Ohio. Brother Woodruff and Elder Parrish preached together for the next three and a half months. Their circuit included branches at Eagle Creek, Chalk Level, Cypress Branch, Blood River, Academy, Paris, and parts of Kentucky that were also along the Tennessee River.

Their companionship came to an end when they received a letter on June 23^rd from Oliver Cowdery asking Warren Parrish to return to Kirtland and leave Brother Woodruff in charge. The two spent the next four weeks putting things in order and preparing for elder Parrish's departure. On June 28^th, 1835, Elder Parrish ordains Wilford Woodruff an Elder.  He also ordains some Deacons over specific branches. Caswell Medlock over the Eagle Creek Branch and Able B Wilson over the Chalk Level Branch.

On July 23^rd, 1835, Warren Parrish departs  for Kirtland, Ohio. While serving together they baptized forty people, according to Elder Woodruff's estimate. From then until the following December Elder Wilford Woodruff would be the only LDS missionary in Tennessee.

The first anti-Mormon Mob in Tennessee

In what is probably the first recorded incident of a mob assembling against the Mormons in Tennessee, Elder David W. Patten and Wilford Woodruff were holding a meeting at the home of Michael Fry, near Eagle Creek, Tennessee, when a mob gathered outside the home. It was May 1836. Wilford Woodruff wrote in his journal.

Sunday, 22nd, Brother Patten preached three times at the house of father Fry in Benton County, Tennessee, many hardened their hearts and a Mr. Rose rejected his testimony and asked him to raise the dead. Brother Patten rebuked him for his wickedness, when he and others came with their arms and threatened to mob us. At the close of the meeting, brother Patten walked out into the door yard and told the mob to shoot him if they wished. He had nothing but a walking stick in his hand: the mob fled and left him. (Wilford Woodruff’s journal)

Michael David Fry was born 27 August 1799 in Rowan, North Carolina, United States to Joseph Frey and Sarah Hartman. Some time prior to 1828, he and his family moved to Tennessee, where he married Rachel Matlock.

In 1834 he met missionaries from the Mormon Church; David W Patten and Wilford Woodruff. I don't have a baptism date yet. He stayed in Tennessee, choosing not to gather with the saints. But he remained faithful to Mormon Church. He entertained many missionaries as they passed through Tennessee; feeding them and providing shelter. To some, he proudly showed his 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon.

Later in life he was called Uncle Fry to all who knew him regardless of their relationship. He remained steadfast and true. He died on 19 January 1886 in Benton County, Tennessee and is buried in the Fry Cemetery; Eagle Creek, Benton County.

Seth Utley

Of course, you all know about Seth Utley, that early Tennessee Mormon Pioneer. What, you don't know who he is?

Seth Utley was born in Wake County, North Carolina on October 7, 1789. Following the tradition of his father, who fought in the American Revolution, Seth fought in the War of 1812.

After the war ended, he married Bathseba Woods in Wake County North Carolina in around 1816.

In 1817, he along with two of his brothers, Able and Burwell, emigrated to Reynoldsburg, Stewart County (later Humphreys County), Tennessee. They followed the Uncle Burwell Lashley (their mother’s brother) who settled in Reynoldsburg.

Seth and Bathseba began their family in Tennessee.
1. John Wesley Utley born 2 December 1817
2. Martha J. Utley born abt 1820

He sold his land in Reynoldsburg to John Cobb and moved across the Tennessee River. There he received a land grant on 9 February 1821, which eventually became part of the Third Civil District of Benton County, Tennessee.

Eight more children were born to Seth and Bathseba.
3. Mary Amanda Utley born 7 November 1821.
4. Margaret C. Utley born ca. 1824.
5. Russell Utley born ca. 1825.
6. Nancy Elizabeth Utley born 13 January 1827.
7. Burwell L. Utley born 27 December 1827.
8. Cale Utley born in 1830.
9. Adeline L. Utley born ca. 1831.
10. George W. Utley born ca. 1834

In 1835, Mormon missionaries (probably Patten and Parish) taught and baptized Seth, although the exact date and circumstances are lost to history, Seth became a pillar of the small Mormon community at Eagle Creek in Benton County, Tennessee.

Seth makes another appearance, this time in Wilford Woodruff's journal dated November 15, 1835. During that visit Seth was witness to a "sign in the heavens" recorded by Wilford Woodruff; "three clouds having the appearance of fire and blood." (November 17th 1835).

Another child was born to Seth and Bathseba. Perhaps named after someone they had recently come to admire.
11. Joseph Seth Utley born 16 February 1836.

On 19 June 1836, while Elders Patten and Parish and were staying at the home of Seth Utley, a mob of about 40 gathered around the Utley home. The sheriff produced a warrant for their arrest. The warrant was written on the urging of a local Methodist minister name Matthew Williams on the charge of making false prophesies. Seth Utley and Albert Petty (another local covert) put up the required bond of $2,000.

The details of the trial are subject for another post, but they were eventually released and only had to pay court costs. Afterwards they went back to Seth Utley’s home. When they arrived they heard that a mob had gathered again angry that the missionaries had been released. Mounting their mules, they took a back route to Albert Petty’s home where they went to bed. They had not been asleep long when Elder Patten woke up Elder Parrish, telling him that a heavenly messenger had warned him that the mob was near and that they should leave. When the mob arrived the Elders had already left. But it was morning before they found the mule tracks. By then the Elders were long gone.

Seth and Bathseba last child was perhaps also named after a church leader and witness of the Book of Mormon.
12. Martin Van Utley born 23 March 1840.

Sometime after the birth of Martin, Seth sold his land and moved to Arkansas. Seth appears on legal records in Tennessee in 1844, but he moved to Arkansas in time to be included on the 1850 Census. Most stories about him say he went to be with the other Mormons. The tone and misspellings make it clear they were not written by members of the LDS Church. So, I don't think he really went to be with the saints. Still I don’t know why Arkansas. But it is clear that he indeed went to Arkansas, along with several of his married children. It is possible that Seth joined one of the splinter groups formed after the death of Joseph Smith, though I don’t know of any based in Arkansas. It is more likely he joined some branch of his family I have yet to identify.

Seth died in Prairie County, Arkansas on 15 August 1866. A marker was provided by the Veterans Administration for the War of 1812.

Early Branches in Tennessee

I came across a document by Lyman D. Platt listing the early branches of the Mormon Church from 1830 to 1850 which is basically the pre-Utah period. Of course branches at the time functioned more like the way Stakes do today. I pulled out just the ones that were Tennessee.

ACADAMY, HENRY, TENNESSEE
26 Feb 1836, 8 members in good standing. 29 May
1836: 10 members. By 27 Apr 1837, 200 members of the
church in some forty wagons left Tennessee and Kentucky
for Far West. This branch was undoubtedly included in the
group because of the residences of some members that have
been identified. (WWJ 159: So. States Ms.: AOS:17)

BLOOD RIVER, BENTON. TENNESSEE
Mar 1835, organized with Abraham 0. Smoot as the
branch president although only a deacon. Members
included his step-father, Levi Taylor, and his mother, Ann
Rowlett. 20 Feb 1836, Abraham 0 . Smoot ordained an
elder. 29 May 1836, 10/11 members of the branch in good
standing.
By 27 Apr 1837, 200 members of the church in some
40 wagons left Tennessee and Kentucky for Far West. This
branch was included in the group. Mrs. Margaret T.
Adkinson, who was in the caravan; became the wife of A.
0. Smoot. (AOS:10,1 1.17,19 ; WWJl:59,60; JHC. 29 May
1836)

CHALK LEVEL, BENTON, TENNESSEE
2 Jul 1835. branch organized by William Woodruff at
the home of Seth Utley. Warren Parish ordained Abel B.
Wilson a deacon. 26 Feb 1836, 21 members in good
standing. 27 Apr 1837, 200 members of the church in
some forty wagons lei1 Tennessee and Kentucky for Far
West. This branch was undoubtedly included in the group
because the residences of some members have been
identified. (WWJ1:36,59; AOS: 17)

CLARK'S RIVER, TENNESSEE
Brother Thomas led there. 24 Jan 1836, Wilford
Woodruff blessed 2 children. (WWJI :56)

CYPRUS, BENTON: TENNESSEE
26 Feb 1836, 9 members in good standing. By 27 Apr
1837, 200 members of the church in some forty wagons
left Tennessee and Kentucky for Far West. This branch was
undoubtedly included in he group because of the residences
of some members that have been identified. (WWJI:S9;
AOS: 17)

DRESDEN, WEAKLEY, TENNESSEE
18 May 1844, William Camp, a member. May 1844.
a conference was held here. Jun 1844. 9 members baptized.
(AOS 3 1,33.34; So. States Ms., 26 May 1844.) [This is the
branch from which Elder William Shanks Berry's family
came - Bruce Crow]

DUCK RIVER, HICKMAN, TENNESSEE
In the 1840s, there was a branch there. (So. States Ms.,
Aud 1883) [This branch was called Shady Grove at the
time of the Cane Creek Massacre. - Bruce Crow]

DYER COUNTY, TENNESSEE
20 Jan 1844, about 13 members. (So. States Ms., 20
Jan 1844)

EAGLE CREEK, BENTON, TENNESSEE
6 Jun 1835. Wilfbrd Woodruff preached at the meeting
house of Eagle Creek. Baptized 2 persons the next evening
at Brocher Fry's place. 28 Sun 1835, Warren Parish
preached his farewell sermon. Elder Calvin H. Nicholson
was present. Wilford Woodruff was ordained an elder by
Warren Parish. Waswell Medlock was ordained a deacon
over the branch by Warren Parish. 29 Jun 1835, 1 person
baptized at Squire Ivins place. Brother Walker was a
member.
2 Feb 1836, 15 members in good standing. By 27 Apr
1837, 200 members of the church in some forty wagons
left Tennessee and Kentucky for Far West. This branch was
undoubtedly included in the ,group because of the residences
of some members that have been identified. 9 Jun 1844, 17
members, including Robert Petty, elder; Sea Velie,
president; and B. B. Barnett, teacher. 22-23 Jun 1844, Elder
Abraham 0. Smoot organized a branch of 17 members and
baptized 4 new members. (lWJ 1 :31,33,36.58.59; So.
States Ms., 9 Jun 1844: AOS: 17,34)

EBINE COUNTY, TENNESSEE
20 Jan 1844. about 13 members in the branch. (So.
States Ms.: 20 Jan 1844) perhaps this is supposed to be Obion County

GIBSON COUNTY. TENNESSEE
20 Jan 1844, about 13 members. (So. States Ms., 20
Jan 1844)

HENDERSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
20 Jan 1844, about 13 members. (So. States Ms. 20 Jan
1844)

JACKSON COUNTY. TENNESSEE
11 Dec 1839, 21 baptized. (So. States Ms. 1 1 Dec 1839)

MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
20 Jan 1844, about 13 members in the county. (So.
States Ms. 20 Jan 1844)

MCNARY COUNTY. TENNESSEE
Aug 1839, 14 members. 1 Mar 1841 , 28 members.
(So. Stares Ms. 26 Dec 1839, 1 Ma 1841)

OVERTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
1 1 Dec 1839, Julian Moses baptized 17. 12 Jun 1840,
65 members. (So. Stares Ms. I 1 Dec 1839, 12 Jun 1840)

PUTNAM COUNTY, TENNESSEE
18 May 1841. branch organized. (So. States MS. 18
May 1841)

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE
May 15 1841, 30 or more members in the western
part of rbe county. 29 O ~1L879 . Elder Joseph Argyle wrote
that in Williamson County, Tennessee, he met a sister Mary
Hickman, who told him "chat her husband. William R.
Hickman. and she were baptized by John D. Lee in
Rutherford County, Tennessee in the year 1843. She s t a d
that there was an organized branch there. all of whom
gathered with the main body of the church except her
husband, herself and one sister." (So. States Ms. 15 May
1841, 29 Oct 1879)

SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE
1 Mar 1841. a branch organized in the county at that
time. (So. States Ms. 1 Mar 1841)

SMITH COUNTY, TENNESSEE
15 May 1841, a branch organized. (So. States Ms. 15
May 1841)

TENNESSEE
Nov 1839. George W. Gee and Julian Moses were in
Tennessee in DeKalb. Overton and Jackson counties. There
were 51 members in six counties. (So. States Ms., Nov
1839)

WHITLEWILLE, JACKSON. TENNESSEE
Nov 1839, about 30 members. (So. States Ms. Nov
1839)