PROSPERITY BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "PROSPERITY BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY"

August Green
5 years ago
Views:

1 PROSPERITY BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY Draft as of 2/1/2015, edited 9/27/2015 Figure 1 Learning about the Prosperity Baptist Church in Jan, Lundsford is in background. Page 1

2 Stop 2 on the Winter Cemetery Tour in South Riding. Directions: Braddock Rd, Chantilly Virginia, The former village of Conklin. 6/10ths of a mile to the east of Stop One. From Stop One (Lundsford Middle School) Turn right on Braddock from Ticonderoga. Church is white structure on north (left) side of road. Use parking lot. Tours begin at the large white church sign. Prosperity is also listed as cemetery #158 on page 5520, coordinates H7 in ADC Street Map for Loudoun, 29 th edition (Staff 2007) held by the Balch Library. The book, (V Ref TBL) is marked with pasted tabs on each page associated with a cemetery. Background: The Cemetery is full of cut field stones and traditional grave stones, which will fully documented shortly in Volume One of the Conklin Village Study. A great deal of history about the Church is also in Volume One. When did Prosperity Open? The original Prosperity Baptist church structure was erected in 1899 with the help of famed evangelists Jennie Dean and Lewis H. Bailey, as well as local members of the Dean family and neighbors, then burned down in 1951, to be replaced by the current structure on the north side of Braddock Road next to its cemetery, first with a basement facility, then an actual above-ground concrete block and brick structure by 1972, with new stucco added in The newer structure is what is seen today. On April 1, 1972 the cornerstone was laid and made of a stone rejected by the builders, was laid April 1, (Church Staff 1972, April 1) Since then, Pastors have made various physical improvements, including by Pastor Lawson who attracted the help of Chinese students from Middleburg Academy in 2014 to paint the walls. Lawson in 2015 is also actively looking for ways to repair exterior paints, the concrete steps and the roof. Of course, a church is more than a physical structure of bricks and mortar. Its most important elements are faith and congregation. The members were and still are Baptists; so when did the congregation first meet? On the starting point, there are mainly only hints. What appears certain is that African-Americans from the family of Charles Dean and the cluster associated with Hampton Brewer probably joined in fellowship after the Civil War; but we don t know exactly when or exactly which were members. We also don t know where they met in Page 2

3 those early days or if they benefited from the services of any pastors, though Charles Dean was surely an important leader. Likely, prayer sessions were held in private homes like the Settle Dean cabin or perhaps even on the Hampton Brewer property; but we don t know for certain. Charles Dean had been enslaved and then freed by the Thomas family, the brothers Thomas (30 Mar, March 1890) and Nelson (13 January, April, 1890), both of whom are buried in the Conklin-Saffer cemetery, and their sister Susan ( ), burial plot unknown. For services and loyalty, Charles was freed and in a will dated from 1886, the brothers gave 142 acres to their friend and his descendants. Also living with the Thomas family were John Douglass, a laborer and his wife Fannie, a domestic servant and the sister of Charles. Nelson was the last of the Settles to die in 1890, and at that moment, the property passed to Charles (Land Tax Books, ; Will Book I: 466, 478) was also the year in which the Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention was formed (see discussion in the next section), a founding member of which was Lewis H. Bailey, a former enslaved man who began Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1883 in Occoquan, and is credited with helping to form Prosperity in Conklin and Baptist churches in Burke and Bristow, continuing to pastor well in the 1920 s (Drawbridge 1983) (Webster, Mill House Monthly 2015, February). We do not yet have a date for his initial connection with Conklin, only that he was Pastor in 1908 and Moderator in Clearly, the congregation existed as early as 1893; but the members met earlier, even if informally. Lewis Bailey was also the Brother-in-Law to the evangelist Jennie Dean Figure 2 Rev Louis Bailey through her sister Ella (Webster, Historian of Ebenezer 2015). harles Dean was a cousin of Jennie s. We do know from a set of surviving minutes that Prosperity as a congregation was working well by 1893, probably through prayer meetings. Robert A. Jones, who instructed at the Conklin colored school in the 1893/94, 1894/95 academic years, was Chairman and Secretary of a business meeting of the Church in November 15, (Jones 1893, Nov 15). There were also other important committees existing in the congregation at the time and debate over priorities. For example, whereas entertainment made money, it was decided first to go to the building of the Chapel, but then the decision was reversed and instead the money went to Page 3

4 Sunday School education. They also apparently paid money to the Convention, meaning probably Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention, which Jennie Dean served as Vice President for 16 years before dying May 3, 1913 (Church Convention Staff 1913). They had at least paid back money borrowed for that purpose. a. The Sunday School Treasurer was Wilson Harris. b. The Chairman of the Building Committee was Mrs. F. Douglass 1 (known as Fannie) c. Treasurer for the congregation was Charles W. Dean. d. Robert A. Jones served as acting Chair and Secretary of the Business Meeting 2. By 1895, the congregation (still without a building), was admitted to the Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention. We know that from convention records printed in On April 21, 1897, Charles Dean and his wife Helen deeded an acre of their land at the intersection of Braddock and Elk Lick to the trustees of the Prosperity Baptist Church (Clerk of the Court 1897), which were Wilson Harris, Fred Griffin 3 and Robert A. Jones. The bounds of the lot were beginning at the East Side of the Gum Spring Road thence with said road sixty one yards to a stone planted as a corner No 2, thence at right angles to this line sixty one yards to the Braddock Road and a planted stone as a corner No 3, thence with the said road righty yards to the beginning at a planted stone corner No. 4, continuing four thousand eight hundred and eighty square yards of land reserving the right to cut and take off such portion of the timber now on said land as he sees fit the said Charles Dean warrants generally the title to the said land. By 1899, with the help of Charles s cousin, the evangelist and former enslaved, Jennie Dean, the church building was erected. Jennie spread her faith and a determination to educate African-Americans around the region, as far as Alexandria, traveling on a chaise from place to place. By 1913, Prosperity had three teachers and twenty-five scholars, we assume in Sunday School. There were also eight parents attending, 52 books in the library and the school met 12 months out of the year. They contributed $1.00 to the Convention, which was the annual dues, $1.00 for the Manassas Industrial School, run By Jennie Dean and $.50 for Bibles and Missions 1 This would be Fannie Douglass, sister of Charles W. Dean. 2 Robert A. Jones was a public school teacher, part of the Class of 1892, meaning one of the applicants to teach that year that passed his examination 3 In 1880 Fred Griffin and Wilson Harris were neighbors and fellow farmers. Page 4

and $.50 for the Virginia Baptist State Sunday School Convention. Mary E. Dean was the Superintendent and Douglas Jackson was the Secretary (Church Convention Staff 1913).

5 and $.50 for the Virginia Baptist State Sunday School Convention. Mary E. Dean was the Superintendent and Douglas Jackson was the Secretary (Church Convention Staff 1913). Records are incomplete on Prosperity s pastors, trustees and staff. The following list blends data provided by Pastor Carlos Lawson on 1/24/2015 and other data found in various archival files. Page 5

6 1890: The Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention was formed at Clifton, Va. May 18, 1890, based on a call made earlier in the year by Revs M.D. Williams, L.H. Bailey and R.H. Goffney (NVUBSS Staff 1913). Question: Was AL Bailey actually L.H. Bailey? L.H. Bailey was shown as Pastor in 1908 and Moderator in a. Lewis H. Bailey was born into slavery in Alexandria and sold as a youth to a Master in Texas. He returned to Northern Virginia at the age of 21 and took a job with a railroad, learning how to read from a rail laborer. He then formed Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1883 in Occoquan, as well as Prosperity in Conklin and churches in Burke and Bristow, continuing to pastor well in the 1920 s (Drawbridge 1983). 1893: Robert A. Jones, who served the Conklin colored school in the 1893/94, 1894/95 academic years, was Chairman and Secretary of a business meeting of the Church in November 15, (Jones 1893, Nov 15). There were several important committees existing in the congregation at the time: b. The Sunday School Treasurer was W. Harris. c. The Chairman of the Building Committee was Mrs. F. Douglass. d. Treasurer for the congregation was Charles W. Dean. e. Robert A. Jones served as acting Chair and Secretary of the Business Meeting. Also interesting in 1893, $3 was borrowed from entertainment receipt for the Convention, which probably refers to the Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention. In addition, the congregation was thinking of building a Chapel. Some money was suggested by members of the meeting to go to that purpose; but the final decision was to spend the money on Sunday School education. 1895: The Congregation joined the Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention (NVUBSS Staff 1913). 1897: Trustees were Prosperity Baptist Church were Wilson Harris, Fred Griffin 4 and Robert A. Jones (Clerk of the Court 1897) 1899: Prosperity records show the pastor was A.L. Bailey who assumed office on July 30, This is the same year the building was constructed. Was this actually L.H. Bailey? 4 In 1880 Fred Griffin and Wilson Harris were neighbors and fellow farmers. Page 6

7 Date Unknown: Prosperity records show the second pastor was Berry Payne. Unfortunately, as of this writing, no information is known about Mr. Payne, including when he started and ended his tour. Date Unknown: Prosperity records indicate that the third pastor was J. J. Bowles. Unfortunately, as of this writing, no information is known about Mr. Bowles, including when he started and ended his tour. 1908: Records of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association s indicate that this year L.H. Bailey of Occoquan was Pastor and Mrs. Mattie Allen of Conklin was Clerk (NVBA Staff 1908, pg 27). See earlier note on L.H. Bailey from In Bailey was also a delegate to the association, representing Neabsco of Neabsco Mills and Zion of Burke. 1913: Records of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association indicate that Mary E, Dean was Superintendent of the Church, whereas Douglas Jackson was Secretary (NVUBSS Staff 1913). 1915: The Trustees were listed as Dean, Harris and Allen. Payment for insurance was signed by Lucien Allen, Fred Courum and Jes Harris (Insurance Staff 1915) to 1917: Receipts from Sept 24, 1917June 3, 1916, Aug 25, 1917 implies that Lucien Allen was acting as a Treasurer or least was someone who could accept funds. 1922: A receipt from April 27, 1922 implies that Mary E. Allen was acting as a Treasurer, at least someone accepting funds. 1925: Mary E. Allen was listed as Church Clerk and L.H. Bailey of Occoquan was listed as Moderator (Allen 1925, Aug 19) 5. Bailey would have to be Lewis Henry Bailey. Allen and Henry Page 6 were listed as Delegates to the 48 th Annual Session of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association s indicate that this year. 5 What isn t clear from the document is if Bailey is Moderator for Prosperity or signed the document as a receipt. Whereas Allen s address was Clifton Station, where we know she lived, Bailey s address was Occoquan. 6 This could be Henry R. Page, born 1907, who lived in Mercer District in 1930; but more research will be required. Page 7

1927: A Receipt from Sept 28, 1927 implies that Lucien Allen was acting as a Treasurer or least was someone who could accept funds 1928: C.W. Dean, L. Allen and J.

8 1927: A Receipt from Sept 28, 1927 implies that Lucien Allen was acting as a Treasurer or least was someone who could accept funds 1928: C.W. Dean, L. Allen and J. Harriss were listed as Trustees (Conklin Church Staff 1928). 1940: Rev. B. F. Payne was listed as Moderator, presiding over a business meeting on May 12, 1940 and Henry Page, Lee Roy Allen and Fred Corum were elected trustees of Prosperity, replacing Wilson Harris, Fred Griffin and R. A. Jones, deceased (Conklin Church Staff 1940). Mary E. Allen was Secretary. 1945: Prosperity records indicate that the fourth pastor was Sedgwick Pearson. Unfortunately, as of this writing, no information is known about Mr. Pearson, other than the year he started. 1949: Sedgewick Person was still pastor. Louise Page was Assistant Church Clerk and the trustees were Clarence Page, John B. Harris, Samuel L. Walton to replace Henry Page, LeRoy Allen, Fred Corum (Pearson Nov 7, 1949). Figure 3 Picture of Smith from Installation Brochure. 1951: Prosperity was hit by fire of unknown origin. November, 1961: Prosperity records show the fifth pastor was Norman W. Smith, installed on Nov 10 th, 1961 (Conklin Church Staff 1961). Other records also show him still Pastor as of (Hanes 1970, June 10), (Conklin Church Staff 1971, June 13), (Conklin Church Staff 1972, April 1). Probably Pastor through October, 1962 Christine Norris became Treasurer. 1967: Sis Norris (likely Christine Allen Norris) was Delegate to the Northern Virginia Baptist Association (Norris 1967, Aug 23). 1972: Louis Page was Clerk (Conklin Church Staff 1972, April 1). Page 8

9 From 1975 to 1991: Prosperity records indicate William Corum was the sixth pastor. From 1991 to 2000 Prosperity records indicate the seventh pastor was Willie Johnson April, 2000, the eighth pastor, Carlos Lawson, took over. Page 9

Photos: Figure 4 Front of Church at current location.

Figure 6 Tourists listening to a discussion on the

10 Photos: Figure 4 Front of Church at current location. Before it burned down, it was on the other side of Braddock. Figure 5 Church sign shows chaise used by Jennie Dean Figure 6 Tourists listening to a discussion on the cemetery led by the Dean family, January, Page 10

Figure 7 Esther Dean discussing Jennie Dean, founder of the Church. 1/2015 Research Guide There are several ways to research cemeteries in Loudoun County.

11 Figure 7 Esther Dean discussing Jennie Dean, founder of the Church. 1/2015 Research Guide There are several ways to research cemeteries in Loudoun County. The first step is visit the Balch Library in Leesburg, Virginia. Although information is available elsewhere, such as at the Loudoun Museum and in private papers of various historical associations, the best collection of data is at Balch. Some sources at Balch are: The electronic cemetery index, which is updated periodically and can be searched by the last and first name of the deceased. Private and published papers are on the shelves and in miscellaneous files. Especially when the names of the deceased are not known but also for a general description of old family cemeteries in the county, consider the Loudoun County, VA Cemetery Collection , which is a set of five boxes of file folders related to the Committee on Old Cemeteries, Preservation Society of Loudoun County. In 1995 Thomas Balch Library sponsored a project to map, identify, photograph, and transcribe gravestone inscriptions in Loudoun cemeteries. A committee was created that consisted of Jeff Ball, Ned Douglass, Mary Fishback, Marty Hiatt, David Via, and Wynne Saffer as Page 11

12 chairman for that purpose. The following year (1996), the committee published a list of known cemeteries in Loudoun County. The package of files, was built on readings that Aureila Jewell took in the 1940 s. Many people added at various times. Thus, this invaluable listing is comprised of the efforts of many people who worked on their own time to do the Cemetery Compilation over the course of 35 years, an effort still under way. The bulk of the work was done by Mary Fishback and Wynne Saffer. o This is collection (M 017) and is in the archives of the Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA. Irregularly updated, the files and an associated collection of photographs is an invaluable source on cemeteries, especially when names of the deceased are not known. See box 1 for an index to all cemeteries. o Example: The Brewer Cemetery is described in Box 1, Folder 76. o Caution: Not all cemeteries are indexed, as is the case of the Dean (African- American) cemetery to the east of Hampton Brewer on the property of the Michael Lunsford Middle School. Other sources are then required. On the shelves of the Balch library are also two indexes to cemeteries. One is a three ring binder (V Ref TBL, called the Loudoun County Cemetery Directory (Committee on Old Cemeteries 2007). The directory lists most of the cemeteries in the county by name. It also provide the official Cemetery number from the collection, as well as the map coordinates for the cemetery and page number associated with ADC Street Map for Loudoun, 29 th edition. (Staff 2007) The book, (V Ref TBL) is marked with pasted tabs on each page associated with a cemetery. o Example: The Pangle Cemetery is #153 on Map Page 5520 at coordinates H4. o Caution: Not all cemeteries are indexed, as is the case of the Dean (African- American) cemetery to the east of Hampton Brewer on the property of the Michael Lunsford Middle School. Other sources are then required. Bibliography Allen, Mary E. Church Letter. Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, 1925, Aug 19. Church Convention Staff. "Statistics of the 23rd Annual Session." In Synopsis of the 23rd Annual Session of the Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention, by Convention Staff. Alanthus, Culpepper County, Va: Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention, Church Staff. Corner Ston Laying Service. Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, 1972, April 1. Clerk of the Court. Deed Book 7S, Page 285. Leesburg: Circuit Court of Loudoun County, Committee on Old Cemeteries. Loudoun County Cemetery Directory. Leesburg: Balch Library, Conklin Church Staff. A Men's Day. Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, 1971, June 13. Conklin Church Staff. Corner Stone Laying Service. Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, 1972, April 1. Conklin Church Staff. Installation Service of the Pastor Elect. Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, Page 12

13 Conklin Church Staff. Minutes of Business Meeting, May 12, Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, Conklin Church Staff. Minutes of Business Meeting, Aug 11, Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, Drawbridge, Kevin. "Foundng Pastor was Born A SLave." Potomac News, Nov 28, 1983: A1. Hanes, Thom F. Letter to Rev Norman W. Smith. Herndon, Va.: Citizens National Bank of Herndon, 1970, June 10. Insurance Staff. Amount of Insurance. Waterford: The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Loudoun County, Jones, Robert A. Minutes of Business Meeting. Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, 1893, Nov 15. Norris. Northern Virginia Baptist Association, Receipt Northern Virginia Baptist Association, 1967, Aug 23. NVBA Staff. Minutes of the 31st Annual Session of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association. Washington, DC: Murray Bro., NVUBSS Staff. "Statistics of the 23rd Annual Session." In Synopsis of the 23rd Annual Session of the Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention, by Convention Staff. Alanthus, Culpepper County, Va: Northern Virginia Union Baptist Sunday School Convention, Pearson, Sedgewick. Letter to Clerk of the Court. Conklin: Prosperity Baptist Church, Nov 7, Staff. ADC Street Map for Loudoun, 29th Edition. Alexandria: Alexandria Drafting Company, Webster, Joyce, interview by Larry Roeder. Historian of Ebenezer (9 25, 2015). Webster, Joyce. Mill House Monthly. Occuquan: Historic Occuquan, 2015, February. Page 13

The Webbs. A Tompkins County Family

The Webbs. A Tompkins County Family The Webbs A Tompkins County Family In honor of our county s bicentennial The History Center is celebrating one long-established family from Caroline, the Webbs and their descendants, who exemplify the