Minurtes of Formation & Meetings of the Regular Independent Baptist Church of Sullivan 1866-1870

Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice
Regular Independent Baptist Church of Sullivan, Tioga County PA
Minutes of Formation and Meetings 1866 - 1870

Bradford County PA

Chemung County NY

Tioga County PA

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Introduction by Joyce M. Tice - We are very fortunate to have available, for the first time ever, the minutes of Formation and Meetings of the Regular Independent Baptist Church of Sullivan, Tioga County PA. This church has not been recorded in any of our history books, and was apparently developed as a schism from the East Sullivan Baptist Church, although it is not named as such. Comfort Beebe, who is listed as pastor of the East Sullivan Baptist Church 1852-1856, is the Elder Beebe of this record whose pro-slavery views split the church in 1866, following the Civil War over that issue. Those who could not tolerate Elder Beebe's belief system separated from the original church even though the pro-slavery proponents were in the minority. Because the church clerk was of the Beebe persuasion, the Beebe followers kept both the records and the name requiring the main body of the church to re-form and re-name themselves.But you don't need me to explain all of this, because they did it themselves as a preface to their recorded minutes. Thank you Levi Lovell for recording this piece of history for us to see way back when. You knew we wanted to know, and you were right. Finally we can see what you saved for us.

By some very fortunate series of incidents, this minutes book has been preserved in pristine condition. It is the standard bound "tablet" identical to those used by students and tax collectors. It is presently in the possession of Winston Rumsey who kindly allowed me to borrow and transcribe it. {Following Winston's death June 2004, his wife Shirely SMITH Rumsey, turned it over to me for the Sullivan Township Museum] I am not aware of the path of ownership that brought these records to us, but we are in debt to all the caretakers through 130 years who, recognizing the historical value of this record, kept it in condition that we, the Future Generations to whom it is addressed, can, at long last, see its contents and understand its issues. These are the minutes, not of the church services, but of the monthly meetings of church administration and decision making. We'd call them ":board meetings" now. The minutes are very brief, but they give us a glimpse into a piece of history that has been stored away for over a dozen decades. It has now surfaced, and what a gift it is. It has traveled all the way from the middle of the 19th century to the start of the 21st, as intended, just for us.

This has broader implications for historians studying a larger view than Sullivan Township. Not only was the nation divided on the issue of slavery,.but the smaller communities, both North and South, contained elements both pro and anti slavery within their boundaries. Even following the Civil War, the issue did not go to rest. This previosuly unpublished document demonstrates the implications of that massive division at the local level.

I have not yet researched what happened to this church. My theory is that following this split, they reunited with the original church. East Sullivan Baptist was what we now call Gray Valley. Perhaps this one united with State Road Baptist, founded 1856. It is my hope that I can confirm this by locating the "other side"' of this record. I present to you a voice from the past.

Future generations may perhaps wish to know why a people took upon themselves a name such as is set forth in the beginning of the record in this book; The Regular Independent Baptist Church of Sullivan, Tioga Co., Pa. In 1865 Eld. (Elder) Beebe with others South began to advocate the Divinity of slavery; and denounced all who opposed it infidels and heretics. Early in 1866 P. W. Doud, pastor of the Charleston and Sullivan Church together with a portion of its members raised the question whether Beebe should be sustained in the position he had taken. A portion took sides with Beebe Claiming its divinity; Charging all others who could not preach and make a test of fellowship of the same, as Armenians, and denying the word of God. Those who opposed Beebe proposed to settle it in harmony with the views of the primitive Baptists, But they (for Beebe) would not. They then called the vote which was a division of the house. The question to be finally disposed of, was the Divinity of Slavery; of its being made a test of fellowship; and all other things growing out of the subject. The result was the fellowship of Beebe were in the minority. Soon after we asked for the records (one of their members being Clerk) they replied, none but Old School Baptists could have them. We then asked them long enough to make Copy; it was not granted. We then asked if they were determined to retain the same name as a church as heretofore - They did. We chose primitive ground - hence follows the above name.

Articles of Faith of the Regular Independent Baptist Church of Sullivan, Tioga Co, Pa. Adopted Oct. 20^th, 1866

We believe in the

1^st In the Existence, Sovereignty, Immutability, Omnipotence and Eternal perfection of God - the revalation (sic) which God has given of himself, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost these three being one.

2^nd In the total depravity and just condemnation of fallen man.

3^rd That God foreknew his people, and that he predesinated (sic) them to be conformed to the image of his Son.

4^th By the effectual calling of his grace, in delivering them from the power of darkness; quickening, writing his law in their hearts; and translating them into the kingdom of his dear Son.

5^th That Jesus was smitten and stricken for the church of the most High God.

6^th In the presentation, and final perseverance through grace of Gods people to glory and Eternal hapiness (sic) beyond the grave.

7^th In the resurection (sic) of the just and the unjust, the just to life; the unjust to shame and everlasting contempt.

8^th In a future judgement when time shall be no more, a day in which God will Judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained, in that he hath given assurance unto all men in raising him from the dead.

9^th That the people of God are a living people, and that it is not only their duty but their greatest and highest privilege as much as in them lies to maintain good works, in that they should subject themselves to every ordinance of man for the Lords Sake.

10^th That the visible Church of Christ is composed of quickened baptised persons, and that to them is given Ministers of the new Testament that they may be edified together.

11^th That the Church of Christ with a gospel administration Should Commemorate the Sufferings of their dying Lord in partaking of the emblems of his broken body and shed blood.

Names of the members Composing the Church

P. W. Doud
O. S. Rumsey
Levi Lovell
Nancy Ely
Sally Ely
Susan Gitchell
Elmina Rose
Fanny A. Rumsey
Mary A. Lovell
Amanda R. Doud

August 18^th 66

O. R. Lovell
L. D. Porter (P. Doud received a letter of recommendation 17^th 1868)
Frances A. Rumsey
Prudence Culver
Numan Ingraham
David Sherman
Charles Wilcox
Lyman Rumsey received on fellowship April 19^th 1868
Saphrona Porter received onfellowship Aug, 15^th 1868

Frances A. Rumsey received on letter April 29^th 1870

Sullivan, Tioga Co., Pa. Aug, 18^th 1866

Church met to appointment singing and prayer by Elder P. W. Doud

1^st Organized by appointing Levi Lovell Church Clerk.

2^nd Received brethren O. R. Lovell and L. D. Porter into Church fellowship

Sept. 15^th 1866

Church met to appointment opened meeting by singing and prayer by Elder P. W. Doud. The brethren and sisters manifested a desire to travel on togeather (sic) in love

Oct. 20^th 1866

Church met to appointment opened meeting by singing and prayer by Elder P. W. Doud the brethren and sisters felt to say with the Psalmist we took sweet council together and walked to the house of God in company. Members Present L. D. Porter, O. R. Lovell, P. W. Doud, Levi Lovell, Susan Gitchell, Amanda R. Doud, Fanny A. Rumsey, Mary A. Lovell, Elmina Rose.

2^nd Received the foregoing articles of Faith

3^rd Agreed to take upon us the name of Regular Independent Baptist Church of Sullivan, Tioga Co., Pa.

Nov 17^th 1866

Church met in Sullivan and found a union Present P. W. Doud, O. R. Lovell, O. S. Rumsey, Levi Lovell, Amanda R. Doud, Mary A. Lovell (crossed out), Fanny A, Rumsey

Dec. 1^st 1866

Church met in Sullivan by special appointment.

1^st opened meeting by singing and prayer and found a union members present P. W. Doud, O. R. Lovell, O. S. Rumsey, Levi Lovell, Susan Gitchell, Mary A. Lovell, Fanny A. Rumsey, Amanda R. Doud, Elmina Rose.

2^nd Received Frances A. Rumsey as a candidate for Baptism

Dec. 2^nd 1866

Sister Frances A. Rumsey was Baptised.

Dec. 15^th 1866

Church met and found a union. Present P. W. Doud, O. S. Rumsey, O. R. Lovell, Levi Lovell, F. A. Rumsey

Jan 19^th 1867

Church met according to appointment in Sullivan and found a union. Members present. P. W. Doud, O. S. Rumsey, O. R. Lovell, Amanda R. Doud, Elmina Rose, Fanny A. Rumsey, Frances A. Rumsey

Voted to hold meeting the first and third Sabath (sic) in every month and covenant meeting on Saturday before the third Sunday in every month the place of holding the meeting hereafter to bee in the School house near Martin V. Mudges.

Feb 16^th 1867

Church met according to appointment and found a union. Members present O. R. Lovell, P. W. Doud, O. S. Rumsey, Levi Lovell, Mary A. Lovell, Susan Gitchell, Received Prudence Culver into Church fellowship

Feb. 20^th 1867

Sister Nancy Ely Died

March 16^th 1867

Church met and found a union. Present Elder P. W. Doud, O. R. Lovell, O. S. Rumsey, Levi Lovell, Mary A. Lovell, Susan Gitchell, Amanda R. Doud, Fanny A. Rumsey, Elmina Rose.

April 20^th 1867

Church met and found a union members present, O. R. Lovell, P. W. Doud, Levi Lovell, Susan Gitchell, Amanda R. Doud, Mary A. Lovell. Received brother Numan Ingraham into church fellowship.

May 18^th 1867

Church met and found union members present P. W. Doud, O. R. Lovell, O. S. Rumsey, Levi Lovell, Mary A. Lovell, Susan Gitchell, Amanda R. Doud, Elmina Rose

June 15^th 1867

Church according to appointment and found a union members present P. W. Doud, O. R. Lovell, O. S. Rumsey, Levi Lovell, Mary A. Lovell, Sally Ely, Susan Gitchell, Amanda R. Doud, Elmina Rose, Fanny A. Rumsey, Frances A. Rumsey

June 16^th 1867

Church went to Communion

July 20^th 1867

Church met and found a union

Aug 17^th 1867

Church met

1^st Expressed fellowship

2^nd Received David Sherman into church fellowship

3^rd Appointed Numan Ingraham Deacon

Aug 24^th 1867

Church met in Leroy Bradford Co. Pa. And found a union

2^nd Received Charles Wilcox into Church fellowship

Sept 14^th 1867

Church met and found A union

Oct. 19^th 1867

Church met and found a union

Nov 16^th 1867

Church met and found a union

Dec 19^th 1867

Church met and found a union

Jan 18^th 1868

Church met and found a union. Appointed Levi Lovell Church Clerk. Voted to hold meeting the first and third Sunday in every month and Church meeting Saturday before the Third Sunday in every month.

Feb 15^th 1868

Church met and found a union

March 14^TH 1868

Church met and found a union

(Change of handwriting)

April 14^th

Church met

1^st opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots (sic) and found a union

3^rd Brother Levi Lovell having moved away chose Oliver R. Lovell Clerk to the end of the year.

17^th received Bro. L. Rumsey into the Church on fellowship

May 15^th

Church met

1^st opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

June 20^th

Church met

1^st opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

July 14^th

Church met

1^st opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

August 15^th

Church met

opened by singing and and found a union

2^nd received Sister Saphrona Porter into fellowship

Sept 19^th

Church met

1^st opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

Oct 17th

No meeting

Nov 14^th

Church met

1^st opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

Dec 19^th

Church met

1^st opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

3^rd voted a letter of commendation to Sister Frances A. Rumsey recommending her to any Church of our faith and order

1869 Jan 16^th

Church met

1^st opened by prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

Feb 20^th

No Meeting

March 20^th

Church met

opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

April 17^th

Church met opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

May 15^th

Church met opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

June 17^th

Church met opened by prayer

2^nd heard the minots and found a union

July 17^th

Church met opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard our minots and found a union

August 14^th

No meeting

Sept 15^th

Church met, heard our minots and found a union

Oct 15^th

Church met, heard our minots and found a union

Nov 20^th

Church met opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard our minots and found a union

Dec 14^th

No meeting snow storm

1870 Jan 15^th

No meeting rain

Feb 17^th

No meeting bad weather

Mar 17^th

Do (abbreviation for ditto)

April 23^rd

Church met opened by singing and prayer

2^nd heard our minots and found a union

3^rd received Sister Frances A. Rumsey on letter

May 17^th

Church met heard our minots and found a union

June 15^th

Church met heard our minots and found a union

July 16^th

Church met heard our minots and found a union

Aug 20^th

Church met heard our minots and found a union

Sept 17^th

Church met heard our minots and found a union

Oct 15^th

Church met heard our minots and found a union

Nov 17^th

No meeting for want of a house

So ends the entire recorded history of the existence of this church. Whether it continued to have meetings and services independently or whether it reunited with the church from which it had divided, is unknown at this time and will be investigated to the degree that records exist. This church has never been mentioned in any of the history books written about the area.

This transcription may not be republished or reprinted without permission of Joyce M.Tice and Winston Rumsey

Bradford County PA

Chemung County NY

Tioga County PA

Published On Tri-Counties Site On 30 JUN 2002
By Joyce M. Tice
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