================================================================================= ================================================================================= Liberty Hill Primitive Baptist Church Farmerville, Union Parish, Louisiana Established c1848 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= LOCATION Liberty Hill Church adjoins what is now known as the Taylor/Liberty Hill Cemetery. Both are located near Bayou d'Loutre, about seven miles northeast of Farmerville off Louisiana Highway 33 from Farmerville to Marion. The precise location is in the northwest quarter of Section 12, Township 21 North, Range 1 East. ================================================================================= ================================================================================= DESTRUCTION OF MINUTES During the 1930s and early 1940s, Charles Henry Hudson, Jr. (called "June" or "Bud" by the family) served Liberty Hill Church as church clerk, and he also served as the clerk of the South Ouachita Association in the early 1940s. His wife Vivian Love had died following the birth of their only child in 1938, and he had moved back in with his parents. Thus, June Hudson had both the church and the association minutes at the home of his parents, Charlie and Dosia Ward Hudson, during this period. Tragically, the Hudson home burned in 1945, destroying all its contents, including the minutes. For some unknown reason, the book recording the church minutes from the period 1870-1877 were in someone else's possession in 1945, as they survived the 1945 fire that destroyed the majority of the minutes. ================================================================================= ================================================================================= A Few 1870s Members of Liberty Hill Primitive Baptist Church: The minutes abstracted below reveal the names of only a few members of the church in during the 1870s. Unfortunately, the majority of the membership, especially the female members, were rarely mentioned in the minutes other than when they joined or requested dismissal. The few names below constitute only a fraction of those who belonged to the church during this time. Between 1890 and 1920, the church had between 30 and 40 members. The following people were mentioned in the surviving minutes as members of Liberty Hill Primitive Baptist Church during the 1870s: Elder Henry Archer - pastor of the church in the 1870s J. H. Patterson - clerk of the church in the 1870s Martin Batte Lee M. Armstrong Enoch Richard Albritton James M. Armstrong Albert Phillips J. L. Tugwell Mr. Osburn (listed in the minutes as "colored") Riley Agerton Robert Mathes F. M. Armstrong (perhaps the same man as M. Armstrong) F. M. Perdue or Pardue E. J. Armstrong Sandy Head Gaby Bledson Mr. Solomon Henry B. T. Goyne John Russell J. L. Taylor Sally Stokes Mary Doster Mary Cooper Ms. Jincy or Finley Catherine Taylor Rabun Mrs. Head, wife of Sandy Head Mrs. Solomon Martha Ross Mary Ann Murray Goyne, wife of Henry B. T. Goyne M. E. Russell Sarah Taylor Records from later years prove that many Pattersons, Taylors, Albrittons, Scarboroughs, and Hudsons also belonged during this time period. ================================================================================= ================================================================================= The Surviving Minutes: As standard for Baptist churches in that era, Liberty Hill Church in the 1870s held services one weekend per month, with preaching on both Saturday and Sunday. After preaching on Saturday, the church held conference, presided over by a moderator, ordinarily the preacher. The standard format of the minutes is: "After worship the Church went in conference. 1. Invited visited Brethren and Sisters to seat with us. 2. Open the doors of the church for the reception of members. 3. Inquired for the health of the church and peace. 4. Inquired for reference. 5. Called for misc. business. Done by the order of the church in conference. Elder H. Archer, Mod. J. H. Patterson, Clk." As the above is repeated verbatim at practically every conference, this phrasing has been omitted from the abstracts below. They only include entries that mention other people by name. The minutes begin with the conference held on Saturday, 26 February 1870, and run through the conference held on Saturday, 23 June 1877 (with a few omissions). Throughout this period, Elder Henry Archer served Liberty Hill Church as pastor, and J. H. Patterson as church clerk, and as such their names are recorded each month. ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Abstracts of the Liberty Hill Church Minutes, 1870 - 1877: In many cases, only the standard format listed above was recorded during a church conference with no additional information. In that case, this transcription merely lists "standard" after the date of conference below. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 Feb 1870 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 Mar 1870 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (no mention of an April meeting) @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 May 1870 "5. Misc. Business. Move and second the church appoint delegates to the district meeting to be held at New Hope Church, Louisiana - which will convene Friday before the Second Sunday in July. Delegated Brethren M. B. Lee, Bro. J. H. Patterson." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 June 1870 "4. Inquired for reference. There being a reference of a letter to the District meeting. Moved and second, the letter was read, and was received by the church. 5. Misc. business. By motion and second, the church agreed to have a three (3) day meeting at our July meeting." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 July 1870 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 Aug 1870 "2. Open the door of the church for the reception of members. And by experience of grace, the church received Sally Stokes. 5. Misc. business - By move and second, the church went into the choice of delegates to the Association, and chose Brethren M. B. Lee, H. Archer, J. H. Patterson, and M. Armstrong in case of absence. Done by order of the church in conference. Elder R. Roler, Mod. J. H. Patterson, Clk." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 Sept 1870 "2. Open the door of the church for the reception of members. By move and second the church received Enoc Albritton by an experience of Grace." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 Oct 1870 "2. Open the doors of the church for the reception of members. By motion and second the church received James M. Armstrong by an experience of Grace." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 Nov 1870 "5. Called for Misc. business. By move and second the church chose Bro. Archer again to serve us the incoming year." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 Dec 1870 minute entry incomplete @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 Jan 1871 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 Feb 1871 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second that Bro. Albert Philips be granted a letter of dismission." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ March - April 1871 - one page of the original papers was missing that apparently contained the minute entries for these conferences @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 May 1871 "5. Called for misc. business - By motion and second the church granted Sister Mary Doster letter of dismission." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 June 1871 "4. Inquired for reference. And by motion and second, the church went into the choice of her delegates to the District meeting to be held with Good Hope Church commencing on Friday before the first Sunday in August. She chose Elder H. Archer, M. B. Lee, J. H. Patterson, and J. L. Tugwell in case of absence." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 July 1871 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second, the church took up the case of Bro. Osburn in relative to his preaching. The Church has silenced him from preaching." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 Aug 1871 "2. Open the doors of the church for reception of members. And by motion and second, the church received Elijah J. Armestrong by letter. 5. Called for misc. business. By motion and second the church appointed a committee of three to cite Bro. Osburn to appearance before the church - The committee M. B. Lee, J. H. Patterson, J. M. Armestrong." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 Sept 1871 "4. Reference. There being a letter to the Association, the letter was read and adopted. The committee reported and Bro. Osburn (colored) is presence. By motion the church took up the case of Bro. Osburn for doctrine, for cursing, and whoremonger. By motion and second the church took the vote on Bro. Osburn's case. The church declared nonfellowship for him for whoremonger, for doctrine, and for cursing. By motion and second, the church granted Sis. Mary Cooper a letter of dismissal. Done by the order of the church in conference. F. M. Armestrong, Md. J. H. Patterson, clk. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 Oct 1871 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 Nov 1871 "2. Opened the doors of the church for the reception of members. By motion and second, the church received Bro. Riley Agerton by experience of grace. 5. We next call for misc. business. Bro. Archer agrees to serve us for the next year." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 Dec 1871 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ no record of January 1872 meeting @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 Feb 1872 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second, the church finds a charge against Sister Jincey (Finly ?) for whoredom. Also, the church has excluded her." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 Mar 1872 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 27 April 1872 "2. Opened the doors of the church for reception of members - And, by motion and second, the church received Sister Catharine Raburn by experience of grace." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 May 1872 "5. Misc. business - By motion and second the church received Bro. Robert Mathes by acknowledgement. By motion and second the church went into the choice of her delegates to the District meeting which will being Friday before the fourth Sunday - She chose Brethren Archer, Lee, Armstrong, and J. H. Patterson alternate." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 June 1872 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 27 July 1872 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second the church granted Bro. Robert Mathes a letter of dismissal. By motion and second the church agreed to go into communion and footwashing tomorrow." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 Aug 1872 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second the church went into the choice of her delegates to the Association which terminated in the choice of Brethren Archer, J. L. Tugwell, J. H. Patterson, and F. M. Armstrong, alternate." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 Sept 1872 "2. Open the door of the church for reception of members. By motion and second the church received F. M. Perdue by an experience of grace." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 Oct 1872 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 Nov 1872 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second the church called Bro. Archer to the care of the church for the next year. Bro. Archer agreed to serve the church." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ The minutes of the meetings between December 1872 and April 1873 were not recorded in the minute book; no pages appear to be missing, so their omission cannot be explained. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 May 1873 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second the church requested the rules of decorum be read at our next conference. By motion and second the church went into the choice of her delegates to the District meeting which terminated in the choice of Elder H. Archer, M. B. Lee, F. M. Armstrong, and J. H. Patterson, alternate." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 June 1873 Elder Archer was apparently not present at church on this day, and the conference was presided over by F. M. Armstrong, "moderator protem" @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 July 1873 "By motion and second of the church the rules of decorum be read." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 Aug 1873 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second, the church went into the choice of her delegates to the Association and determined in the choice of Brethren M. B. Lee, H. Archer, F. M. Armstrong, and J. H. Patterson, alternate. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ No record of the September 1873 minutes. Probably the association meeting was held on the fourth weekend of September, so there was no regular meeting at Liberty Hill Church. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 Oct 1873 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 Nov 1873 "5. Inquired for Misc. business. By motion and second the church called Bro. Archer." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ No record of December 1873 minutes. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 Jan 1874 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 Feb 1874 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ No record of the minutes of the March and April 1874 conferences. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 May 1874 "4. Inquired for reference - Had the rules of the decorum read. 5. Inquired for misc. business - By motion and second, the church went into the choice of delegates to the District meeting which terminated int he choice of Brothers Archer, F. M. Armstrong, J. H. Patterson." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 27 June 1874 "4. Inquired for reference - By motion and second the letter to the District meeting was read and received... Done by order of the church in conference. W. A. [or Willie] Taylor, Md. J. H. Patterson, clerk" @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 July 1874 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 Aug 1874 "5. Inquired for misc. business - By motion and second, the church went into the choice of her delegates to convene with the members composing the Ouachita Association at New Harmony Church, Claiborne, Louisiana on Saturday before the 1st Sunday in Oct - which terminated in the choice of Elder H. Archer, F. M. Armstrong, J. H. Patterson, and Riley Agerton... 6. By motion and second a committee was chosen - F. M. Armstrong, E. J. Armstrong, F. M. Perdue to cite Sandy Head and wife, Gaby (Saby ?) Bledson, and Mary Cooper and inquire whether they are found in an orderly church - and if not cite them to the church for trial." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 Sept 1874 "2. Opened the doors of the church for reception of members. By motion and second the church received H. B. Goyne by experience of Grace... 4. Inquired for reference - There being a reference of a letter to the Association - Also, a committee was appointed to determine whether those black members had put their letter into Orderly Churches. Also, received Bro. Gaby Bledson, Solomon (?) and his wife by acknowledgments, and Sister Martha Ross by experience of Grace." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 Oct 1874 "2. Opened the doors of the church for the reception of members. By motion and second the church received Bro. John Russell and Sister M. E. Russell and Sara Taylor and also Sister M. D. Goyne by experience of Grace." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 Nov 1874 The first portion of the standard format of the minutes, Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 were left blank. Apparently Elder Archer was not present this day and perhaps there was no preaching. It also appears that the conference was not conducted as usual or else the clerk failed to record those standard items in the minutes of this day. Here is what Mr. Patterson recorded: "5. Inquire for Misc. business. By motion and second, the church agreed to extend an arm to Walnut Hill schoolhouse near Bro. H. Armstrong. Done by order of the Church in conference. J. L. Tugwell, Md. J. H. Patterson, clerk." Note: An "arm" was the Baptist term in those days for the members of a church to assist in the formation of another church nearby, perhaps closer to a large portion of the member of the existing church. Services at the "arm" would be held on a different Sunday of the month, and many members of the existing church would try to attend services at the arm to help support it. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 Dec 1874 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second the church went into the choice of her supply for the coming year which terminated in the choice of Bro. Archer." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 Jan 1875 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 Feb 1875 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ There is no reference to the conferences of March or April 1875. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 May 1875 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 June 1875 "5. Inquired for Misc. business. By motion and second, the church went into the choice of delegates. It terminated in the choice of Bro. Archer, F. M. Armstrong, J. H. Patterson, and Riley Agerton." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 July 1875 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 Aug 1875 "2. Opened the doors of the church for the reception of members. By motion and second the church received Sister Mary Hester (Hicks?) by an experience of Grace... 5. Inquired for misc. business - By motion and second the church went into the choice of delegates of her association which will convene with Ephesus Church near Nevada County, Arkansas commencing on Saturday before the 1st Sunday in Oct 1875 - which terminated in the choice of Elder H. Archer, F. M. Armstrong, J. H. Patterson and Riley Agerton in case of failure." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 Sept 1875 "7. By motion and second, the church appointed H. Archer to write a letter to Cool Springs Church for a letter for Sister Dean. By motion the church went into the choice of her pastor for the coming year." Note: The minutes stop there for this conference. The outcome of the choice of pastor for 1876 was not stated. However, clearly from the 1876 minutes the church again chose Elder Henry Archer as their pastor. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 Oct 1875 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 27 Nov 1875 "5. Inquired for Misc. business. By motion and second the church struck out the 8th article of the decorum." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 25 Dec 1875 The format of the minutes during this conference was different, probably due to the absence of Elder Henry Archer. The moderator for this conference was Martin Batte Lee, who was then nearly seventy-eight years old: "After worship the church met in conference. 1. Invited visiting Brethren to seats. 2. Inquired for peace and fellowship including acknowledgments. 3. Give opportunity for reception of members. 4. Call for reference. 5. Misc. Business. M. B. Lee, Md. J. H. Patterson, clerk." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 Jan 1876 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 Feb 1876 The minutes of this conference were not completely recorded, but it appears to have been a standard conference. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ There is no record of minutes of the March 1876 meeting. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 April 1876 "5. Call for Misc. business. By motion and second the church appointed a committee of four (4) to examine the church books which consist of Brothers Tugwell, Agerton, Russell, and H. Archer." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 21 May 1876 "5. Inquired for misc. business. By motion and second the church went into the choice of her delegates to the District meeting which terminated in the choice of H. Archer, M. B. Lee, J. H. Patterson, and F. M. Armstrong and alternate - J. L. Taylor." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 24 June 1876 standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 22 July 1876 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 29 July 1876 Note: This was a fifth Sunday meeting, and the minutes were only partially recorded: "July the 29 AD 1876 After services by Brother Dean and Brother M. Chandler 1. Invited visiting Brothers and Sisters to seats. 2. Inquired for peace and fellowship..." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 Aug 1876 "5. Misc. business - By motion and second the church went into the choice of her delegates to the Association which will convene with Bethandy Church, Ouachita County Arkansas, convening on Saturday before the 1st Sunday in October, 1876. Delegates are H. Archer, J. L. Tugwell, J. H. Patterson." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 Sept 1876 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ There is no record of the minutes of October, November, and December 1876 in the minute book. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 28 Jan 1877 - standard @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ There is no record of the minutes of February, March, or April 1877 in the minute book. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 26 May 1877 "5. Misc. Business - By motion and second the church went into the choice of delegates to the district meeting which terminating in the choice of H. Archer, J. H. Patterson, J. L. Tugwell, F. M. Armstrong which will convene with Union Church, Union Parish Louisiana on Friday before the 3rd Sunday in July 1877." @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 23 June 1877 "After services by Brother Dean, the church met in conference... 1. Invite visiting Brethren and Sisters to seats. 2. Inquire for peace and fellowship including acknowledgments. 3. Give opportunity for reception of members. 4. Inquired for reference - There being a reference of a letter to the district meeting by motion and second letter was read and received. 5. Inquired for Misc. Business. Done by order of the church in conference. Elder H. Archer, Md. J. H. Patterson, Clerk @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ================================================================================= ================================================================================= This concludes the pre-1945 extant minutes of Liberty Hill Primitive Baptist Church. ================================================================================= =================================================================================