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File No . (Over) JOSEPH ANTHONY

This laborer in the Lord ' s vineyard, was among the early fruits of the preaching of Elders Reed and Harriss, in the county of Gooc h land. He was baptized by J. Waller in one of his journeys through that region, and united with the Dover church. He had previously improved every opportunity of exhorting his fellow man, and immediately on his connex ion with the church, he devoted himself to the work of preach ing the . Nor was his labor in vain. Where­ ever he went, the Lord was with him, giving him many seals to his ministry. For a time he was much engaged with Mr. Webber in the county of Chesterfield; and was successful in the constitution of two or three churches. Afterwards he became an associate with Elder Elijah Baker, in the counties between Richmond and Hampton. He f i nally removed to the western part of this state, and became the pastor of Otter, and Burton's Creek churches, in the Strawberry As s o ciation. In these churches he was useful. Many were, through his means, introduced into the kingdom of Christ. After his settle~ ment in the county of Henry, his efforts were more confined than formerly , but he was not less diligent. In the Strawberry Associa­ tion, he was always considered a judicious and active man. When the Mayo Association was formed, he was chosen their Moderator and continued in this office until his death. In the early part of his ministry, he suffered much from the opposition of the enemies of the cross of Christ. He was among those who were immured in the jail of Chesterfield ln 1770, '71. He however maintained his steadfastness, and conti nued with all boldness, to declare t he whole counsel of God. Shuch was the power of his ministry while in jail, as he lifted up his voice and pro­ claimed Christ to the crowds without, that it was judged the best policy to dismiss him. The jailor was directed to shut the door of his cell, but to leave it unlocked, that it might be reported that he had fled from prison. Mr. Anthony chose to continue. The door was then left open- - still he remai ned. He was then per­ suaded, with his fellow prisoner, to escape. But he replied, "They have taken us openly, uncondemned, and have cast us into prison; but now, do they cast us out privily? Nay, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out." JOSEPH ANTHONY------2

Mr. Anthon y's talents were not above mediocrity. Few, however, of all who have labored in the vineyard of the Lord, in Virginia, have bee n more unwearied than he, or more successful. What tended mo re than a li'-to his usefulness, was his fervid piety. He loved his Master, and cheerfully counted all things but loss, that he might extend his kingdom and glory. In all his intercourse with his fellow men , he manifested a lively concer n for their salvation, and it is s aid that he almost invariably made it a practice to converse affectionately with them, warning them to escape the wrath to come.

LIVES OF VIRGI NIA BAPTIST MINISTERS by James B. Taylor (1 837) Page: 53-54

920 /T21v MATERIALS TOWARDS A HISTORY OF THE , Vol. 2 By: Morgan Edwards ( 286.0973/Ed9)

INIA EDWARDS' MATERIALS 61 VIRGINIA '. - The Wm. Anderson and wife, Seth Cason and wife, Wm. Johnston, Wm. wife, Hammonds, John Epperson, George Epperson, Thos. Holland, Steph. and Garret, John Acres and wife, Henry Baker, James Ford, Philip Vest, John Benj. Bristol, Benj. Goss, Wm. Peasley, John Arnold, Hanna [Hanah] ~kner Hudgins, Ann Carter, Sarah Wheeler, Lettice Hammond, Sara Guthry, Eliz. Eli z. Sharoon, Eliz Goss, four negroes. No very remarkable things Wm. except persecutions; and the ministry of Kit Clark who is now a ...and, Quaker by which many have been converted, but will not stick to ancis him. The minister is: Mary mett Rev. Ranne [Rane] Chastain Wm. Born in (blank). Bred a churchman (Anglican). Embraced the sentiments of the baptists in 1769. Ordained, Apr. 20, 1772 [by mobs Waller] , at which time he took on him the care of this church. was Married to Ann Ford by whom he has [five] children, (names sters blank). His wife is a remarkable example of the efficacy of oil used now in the na me of the Lord attended with prayer of faith. Her case ~ r to was deplorable violent spasms had so set her joints that her fingers could not be straitened nor her limbs perform their functions. The cure was speedy and perfect. The administ.rator, Rev. John Wa ller. [His wife had her hands cramped - anointed by Waller and healed.] 1man Many other instances might be mentioned. (Continued as pastor at [by Buck,ham until his death in 1823.) 17hich imith GOOCHLAND [Separate] as a So distinguished from the county where the meeting house is, 80 lcher miles W from Williamsburg and 140 SW from . The rable church consists of two branches; one' near where is a place of the worship, 24 feet by 20, built in 1771 [1770] on land given by John inner Webber; the other near Manakin (the 1700 Huguenot settlement) ough [wh ere is a house 40 by 241. The families about 500 whereof 134 had persons are baptized. No estate. No salary except presents. Ruling ,hich elders and deaconesses admitted, but divided about some of the 9 )rder rites. No ordained ministers at present. Exhorters Wm. Farrer, Philip Webber, Reuben Ford [soon to be ordained], Wm. Webber, Augustin East in, o!Q.seph Anthony. This their present state. They originated from Lower-spotsylvania whereof they had been a niles branch till constituted into a distinct society Dec. 23, 1771. The [Met names of the constituents were Reuben Ford and wife, Wm. Webber, .lace Phil. Webber, Wm. Farrer [Farror] and wife, Math. Woodson and 1772 wife [and 3 negroes], Wm. Meeks wife son and daughter, Thos. :mts. Johnston and sister, Joseph Anthony, Augustin Eastin, Jos. Johnston The [Johnson], John Lacy and sister, James Cawthon, Nath. Anthony, in John Farror wife and daughter, Littleberry Epperson and two sisters, tain, John Burner, Ranne L'force [Le Force], Randel Roundtree, [John Barker, Valentine Martin,] Jon. Lovell [and neg roe] , John Wade, en a Charles Bales and wife, Beaumont [Beamont] Graves, Joseph 1772 Stanley, John Bellamy and wife, Lewis Herendon [Herndonl mother 'Ii fe, two brothers and two sisters, James Clement and wife, Abbediah 'life, Grey, Ma ry Hardin, Eliz. Ann Rose and Lucy Rowe, Eliz. Moody HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF GOD By: Elder Cushing Biggs Hassell

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ClI.\l'TEn XXVI. 8117

nnW 1862, at Miles Eorest., G. 'V. CaI'J'(lwall all(l A. H. S\\'illil('.lIt~. During' thc war the ) 'u to the ;111 ­ ··!tHreh hatllll) pa:-;tol', ilIl(l got int.o a low 1'.00Hlition. Tn 1H()U Eldl'l' N. H. " u of E ltlt~ r Ifa I'l'isoll I\'a::; c hOiwn pa:;tol', amI seJ'Yctl t.he l'h Ill'ciI Iln t il 187D, I\' IWII Eltlcr I a1111 accepteu Danicl 'V. Toppillg' was chosell lJu:;tor, aud still eOlltiullCS to sCl've t.he ,Illy , for Illore Chlll'eh ill t Ita t. eapa<:ity. nh odily a Ulie­ The IllImhcr of lllt'lIIhcrs is twenty-foul'. n. L. Davis is the (lrosollt. Glm'k, antI Dallil\l Palll t.he Deacon. Two of the nwmhers of this t"\llll'eh, 0 11 bou lIIl. TY, David Cartel' ;IlItl Aqllila Palll, ha\'c heell licen';Otl to exercise their gifts It Alw ],l'lliaill:-; ill puhlic. Ie 1easL hy tlH' Tlw reglllar meeting'R of this (',lllll'eh talw place the s(~eontl SlIlltlay in ~I' ::;h i p tle:;el've) each IIltlllth antl Satnnlay hefol'tl.-[La,;t', thl'ee pamgraph" hr H. II.] C lI ub1 tnlltl llO. ROI:ky SIW/II}I, I/((tilil.c CouIII!I.-SOIlle tilllt~ tluring' the Yt>ar 17117 I Muster. 11 -1' Je Se R ead IVa,; hroughl', to SNl hilll:-;,,]f a sinlIt~r jll~tly cl)lIllt.~IIlIIeti; hut, nl'l1a.y befol'e . hy the g'ntl'e of GOII Ite \\";1:; pnnhi"ll to hdie\'l'. in CllI'ist as tlw Savior of hb sonl. There wI'n~ thell no Baptist;; ill tho settll'IIH'llt. l\mther North Unul,s, R catl begall 10 I'I!all 'Vhitdidtl'" ';(,l'IIIOIIS ill I'ub'lie, fl,t!ling', ,Il, 110 Ilid, a , a IH't'suy l ' I' • d esire [01' t.hll salvat ion or lli" J't'llO\\'-IIIOl'tals. Bnt. Lito Lonl oflhe hal'\'m,t mem he rs, f Oll l' ,,!lon st'nt, forth SIJIlIe of IIi,; t;1~I'VantK illto this part,of rri~ vinllyal'll. Fil',;t la storal care o f Eltim' Chal'k" Pallid; thl'n Eltkl' Jt,l't'lIlinh 'Valkl~l'; altio Ehler .John ,,"Pl'e tlw t:irst '['all111'1'. Thl! Lonl was plcm;I ~ ll to hI I'';:; thB lahol's ot' lIis fait.hfllinlinis­ tel's. Very SOOIl StW(;1'1I1IH'I'SOIlS 1I1;1I11~ pllhlie ]lw["",;::;ion :11111 wel't~ l);IptizPII, tl ea th , whieh allIl were (~olltiillt:\'( ~ d a. hralwh of t.ho 1~11llt'('11 at Danill!'::; Illl'dillg'-IIOII>;Il, ). ' Vic];: l' was tlJi Fi,ddllg' C)'(,dc Honn aftm'W:tl'li'l tlw Illl~etillg-hollsc wa::; IJIlilt \\'1101'0 time. Uo W:lS it. uow stallthi, on a picco or 1:11111 whieh 1'.:ltll:l' Ht,;ltl ga\'c fot' that pl\rpOiH~. w as o l'tlainl'll Ou Jllly 11, 1774, the 1'I1II1'I:h was constitut.cll with the ;u;si:;tauI:e of Eltil>.l'!:1 f' te. ig ll '11 the 'ValkoI', Tanunl' alit! Jo 'eph AIlt.hony. There wel'e only eight Illelllucl'S l in IIi " place; nt t.lli' C:OlliStitllticlII. Ie I' W illinm C. T}w sallle ycal' the rlllll'eh SPlit IIJIlRsengcrs :llItl let.t(:r t.o tllt: Sepnmto n is lIcep()tli\ll Bapth,t .\;;::; tH'iation, wldeh waH hclll t.iIatyeal'ilI Alllelia COIIUt.y, Virginia, m t inc ll lllbe nt, allli wa;; l'l'cl'ivt:tl a IlIPlIllH'1' oE tha.t. hody. .nll·ell is a.bout. After t hi,; nnioll wit h the Sl:paratp Baptist As;;oeia tion, hrotlwl' npall began to eXcrt'isll his go ifts to t111l ::;atisfad.illll of his hl'et!m:lI, :11111 was .•u tin t.( ~ H, A. J. filially xet. apart. for onlination. lIP was ol'tlainl!tl Oil May 5, 1775, IIY m;e W.• ':l1'­ Eltll'l's Saltlllill Harris a1ltl J.!Js t· ph Anthony. 1I1~ wail tlH!n t:allctl to the g g rcgn te, fonl' })ast,mJl eal'n of t.he ehll]'(:h, awl I'Ontill ll (>t1 to SeJTI) hel' as ]Jasto)' IIntilll"l ! in all. lIer agl) Hlltl Wt~aknl'::;R of JIlintl prpvPlltetl hi,; tloing' so. lIn lliell auont the IY before. She )"t'al' 18 :~0. lIe, with El,ln Lt ~ 1lI11e1 BlII'kitt, ('.olllpiil,tl !lIe fil'::;t hi:;t.t)ry of tit ·.T{ l'hukt!e Association, l'I,at:ldng IIOWII to 180:3. It,eel ill thc ycur n oeky Swamp wa,,; Olle of lito tl'll ('hlll't \ lH~~ whieh joinell the .Kehukee nlll1 bocaJ lJo u. AAAoeiation after shn hec:llIJl'. PAtahlislwll 011 111']' ]H'r eanses, she }wltl hill' melll h e l's, in fellow:-;llip in ltlO:l ollly ahollt one hlJlJtln'd Illelllhl'l'::;. J({ 1lIhen,. TId" cltlll' t'h has hl:l'lI \\"(lIlllllrfnlly blps::;ctl by tlw services of visit.ing loss CaITow a n, bret.lll'ell in the millistry. Aftt,,, t.i1C tleath of I~ltlel ' Head ~he gave EIIlef .For the church on Rocky Swamp we have more information. It was about ten miles north of Enfield near the stream now called Rocky Creek. Morgan Edwards names it as a branch of the Lower Fishing Creek church, from which it was distant twelve miles. But after the troubles that came with the transformation from the General to the Particular Baptist order both the parent church and the branches were almost brought to extinction. In the case of this Rocky Swamp church and doubtless in others the gathered the scattered members and organized a church of their order. In the year 1773 Elder Jeremiah Walker was in this neighborhood and baptized Jesse Read and probably others. The next year Elder John Tanner came and preached and baptized. On July 11, 1774, the church was constituted by Elders Walker, Tanner and J oseph Anthony, and the next year Elder Jesse Read was ordained as its pastor . . ...

HISTORY OF N. C. BAPTISTS, Vol. I - by: George W. Paschal Page: 483-484

286/P26