Vassie W. McLemore

Notes:

(Research):
Census Information:

1900 Census
North Carolina, Bladen County, Turnbull Township
SD 192 ED 7 Sheet 10B
Enumerated 12 Jun 1900
175-184
McLemore, Jenott Hd W M Mar 1859 41 M20 NC NC NC Day Laborer
McLemore, Angeline Wf W F Apr 1863 37 M 20 7/5 NC NC NC
McLemore, Haywood C Son W M Feb 1885 15 S NC NC NC Day Laborer
McLemore, Etta J Dtr W F Apr 1887 12 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Losie V Dtr W F Jun 1888 11 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Vassie W Dtr W F Oct 1890 9 S NC NC NC
McLemore, Mamie E Dtr W F Jun 1897 2 S NC NC NC

Jennot married Angelina "Lina" Meruria Cain about 1880 in North Carolina. Angelina was born on 11 Jun 1862 in Bladen County, North Carolina; died on 11 Aug 1939; was buried in Briar Branch Church Cemetery, Bladen County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1860 Census
Bladen, North Carolina, P.O. White Oak
Enumerated 26 July 1860
Stamped 109
423-423
John R. McLemore 25 M Farmer NC
Mahala J McLemore 34 F Domestic NC
Jennot Mc. McLemore 1 M NC

John married Mehala J. Edge. Mehala was born on 25 Feb 1826 in Bladen County, North Carolina; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):Census Information:

1840 Census
Bladen County, North Carolina
Page 212

Could John and Wright be brothers?

John Macklemore
1 Male 20 to 30
1 Female under 5
1 Female 20 to 30

Wright Macklemore
1 Male 5 to 10
1 Male 10-15
1 Male 20-30
1 Female 20-30

John R. Macklemore
2 Males Under 5
2 Males 5 to 10
1 Male 30 to 40
1 Female under 5
1 Female 30 to 40

Duncan BULLARD (Bullard's and McLemore's are connected in S
ampson County, NC; also John McLemore of Bladen named a son Duncan McLemore)

Raford Fisher
1 male under 5
1 male 5 to 10
1 male 30 to 40
2 females under 5
2 females 5 to 10
1 female 30 to 40

1850 Census
Subdivision on N.E. side of Cape Fear, Bladen County, N. Carolina
Enumerated 22 August 1850

115-117
Wright McLemore 35 M Farmer N.C.
Elcy McLemore 42 F N.C.
John McLemore 15 M N.C.

116-118
John McLemore 34 M Laborer NC
Betsy A. 34 F NC
Eliza A. 12 F NC
Duncan J. 9 M NC
Martha J. 4 F NC
Willie W. 3 M NC

1860 Census
Bladen County, North Carolina, P.O. Box Elizabeth Town
Enumerated 21 July 1860
Page 54
381-381
Willis Edge
384-384
Right McLemore 46 M Farmer 300 115 NC
Alcy McLemore 50 F Domestin NC
385-385
N.Y. Edge
386-386
Timothy Davis

1870 Census
Turnbull Township, Bladen County, North Carolina, P. O. Elizabethtown
Enumerated 7 July 1870
Page 1
1-1
McLemore, Wright 56 M W Farming $25 NC
McLemore, Elcy 61 F W Keeping House NC
4-4
Davis, Timothy
6-6
Edge, J.W.
8-8
Edge, Willis
9-9
Smith, Mary 18 F W Keeping House NC
(Page 2)
McLemore, McK 11 M W At Home NC
Reevis, W. J. 6 F W NC
10-10
Register, W.J.
11-11
Edge, M.O.
12-12
Davis, Isham

SOME HISTORY OF BRIAR BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH
BLADEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

By, Rev. Nash A. Odom, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dublin, N, C. and President of the Bladen County Historical Society.

Briar Branch Baptist Church is the third oldest Baptist Church in Bladen County. The church had its beginning as a mission of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church of Sampson County [editor: Cumberland County] which some years ago was in Bladen County. According to the records of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church that church began holding conferences at Briar Branch on Saturday before the fourth Lords Day in October of 1828. This was some four years before White Lake Baptist Church was constituted as the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and some six years before Hickory Grove Baptist Church was constituted. But Briar Branch continued to be a mission of Beaverdam Church until 1843, and was not duly constituted.

In a conference at Briar Branch on Saturday before the fourth Lord's Day in October of 1843, Beaver Dam Baptist Church agreed to dismiss the following members to constitute the church at Briar Branch:

Amos Cain, Daniel L. Smith, Daniel Smith, Daniel Register, George W. Downing, Thomas Sessoms, William D. Smith, Baseter Davis, Edward Davis, Beaman West, Sarah A. Smith, Rhoda Gardner, Mary A. Downing, Elizabeth Smith, Aley Bryant, Margaret Sessoms, Anna M. Tatum,Elsa McLEMORE, May J. Tatum, Mary J. Reeves, Mary Register, John Smith, Sr., Evin Downing, William Harvey, John H. Tatum, William J. Cowan, Daniel R. Cain, John D. Smith, Owen J. Gardner, Nathan H. Jones, Meredith Cain, Helen Davis, Francis Sessoms, Ann J. Harvey, Mary Smith, Susan Smith, Martha Smith, Elizabeth A. Downing, Jane Weeks, Susan Smith, Sr., Mary Sessoms, Molsey Davis, James Smith, Theophlus Tatum, Wright McLEMORE, John Downing, James S. Beard, John Cain, Milton J. Smith, Thomas B. Cowan, William C, West, John Edge, Elizabeth Cain, Mary Downing, Pen[n]y Hayes, Sarah Suggs, Claressa Beard, Susan Smith, Zillpha Smith, Mary A. Cain, Francis Sessoms, Martha West.

On September 15, 1848, George W. Downing gave land to Briar Branch Church, John Cain and Theopheles Tatum were the deacons and trustees that handled the transaction. The deed states that it was a certain tract or parcel of land lying on the Westside of Turnbull Creek containing one acre more or less. The witnesses were J, J. Jones and D. R. Cain. This deed is found in the Register of Deeds Office, Bladen County, Book 44, Page 5.

Briar Branch Church became a member of the old Cape Fear Baptist Association soon after her organization. The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1851 records Briar Branch as a member of that body with 9 baptisms that year and 139 members. It was the second largest member of the Association in Bladen County that year, second only to Beaverdam Church which was the mother church of Briar Branch. Delegates to the 1851 Association were T. Tatum, J. Downing, and D. R. Cain. Their report sent in says, "This church has had a revival. No Pastor."

The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1854 that D. C. Shaw, John H. Tatum, and D. R. Cain were the delegates and the churches report read, " Complain of difficulties, which have produced coldness and discord, Elder James Cashwell is Pastor." The minutes of the Fifty-third Session of the Cape Fear Association for 1857 reports the following delegates, "Theophilus Tatum, W, T. Jessup, J. H. Tatum"' and the church had 141 members. Their report concerning the state of the church reads, "Has a flourishing Bible Society, and thinks that appearance betoken good. Elder Wm. Ayers is Pastor."

The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1857 mentions that the Briar Branch Bible Society contributed $6.70 to the Association and $5.00 to the Domestic Mission Board. The Minutes for 1858 gives the following report; " Communicates nothing interesting, Elder William Ayers is supply." Delegates for 1858 were Jonathan Jones, Nathan Johnson and W. F. Jessup and there were 155 members. The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1859 records the following delegates: G. W. Downing, E. J. Cain, J. H. Tatum, and W. K. Register and there were 122 members. The report for that year read, " Has nothing interesting. Has dismissed a considerable number to join other churches. Elder William Ayres is Supply." Two new churches being constituted that year that perhaps drew members from Briar Branch were Paradise Baptist Church and White Oak Baptist Church. Surely White Oak Church took some of the members.

The trend for Briar Branch continues to go downward. The minutes for 1861 lists the following delegates: T. Tatum, J. H. Tatum, and A. Smith. There were 106 members, and their report reads, "Difficulties, has no pastor and no additions of members."

One interesting question was presented to the Cape Fear Association for 1862, The question presented on Oct. 25th of that year for the association to consider was " Is it right for a member of the church to distill his own fruit and that of his neighbors, and use the spirits as he pleases or sell it to good citizens?" The answer given was; "The quere from Briar Branch Church was again taken up and answered as follows to-wit: Such are the circumstances with which we are now surrounded, that any other than that of medicinal and mechanical purposes savors the spirit of extortion that characterizes the present course of the wicked world, and that any toleration beyond that will tend to evil."

Briar Branch, made an application for a letter of dismission to join the Cedar Creek Association and the application was granted that same year. They were represented at this last association by T. Davis, J. H. Tatum, and G. W, Downing and there were 105 members. Their report for 1862 read: "No special change. Has been without a Pastor the past year. Brother Joab Smith has labored with them."

The minutes of the Cedar Creek Association for 1863 records that Briar Branch was a member of that Association and was represented by W. T. Jessup, J. R. Tatum, and W. Downing. The church grew to 128 members that year. Their report reads, " This church has enjoyed a revival season, Christians revived, sinners awakened and mourners converted. Elder Joab Smith is their Pastor." The minutes of the Cedar Creek Association of 1864 reports, " Nothing special. F. Prevail, Pastor." Delegates were J. H. Tatum, E. J. Cain and D. S. Tatum. The minutes of the Cedar Creek for 1867 mentions, " Have enjoyed some precious meetings. Twenty added by baptism, Elder Martin is Pastor." Delegates were Wm. Suggs, W. H. Downing, and J. H. Tatum. There were 103 members.

The minutes of the session of the Cedar Creek for 1869 reveal the following resolution passed: "Resolved, that the next session of this body be held with the church at Briar Branch, Bladen County, N. C. commencing at half past 10 o'clock A, M. on Thursday before third Sabbath in October, 1870. Elder A. B. Alderman, to preach the Introductory Sermon; Elder E. D. Johnson, Alternate." Pastor for 1869 was W. S. Melvin, Clerk was W. T. Jessup. The following interesting item is found in the minutes for 1869: "A young lady, a member of one of the churches, (who died in Florida) having on her death bed, given her breast pin to be sold for Foreign Missions, the Association buys the same at five dollars and presents the pin to her youngest sister." Included among those who contributed to buying the pin from Briar Branch were A.S. Smith, $ .25; J.S. Beard, $ .25; Elder J. Smith, $ .25; and V. Downing, $ .50.

The minutes of the Cedar Creek Association for 1872 records that W. S. Melvin was the pastor and clerk W. T. Jessup. Briar Branch Church continued as a member of the Cedar Creek Association until 1892. The minutes for 1891 record the following delegates: " M. Johnson, H. W. Cain, and T. L. Jones." There were 103 members. Eleven of the twenty-six churches in the Cedar Creek Association that year were located in Bladen County. In 1891, H. W. Cain was Superintendent of the Sunday School which had 22 enrolled, The pastor was D. S. Bullard and the clerk was D. C. Shaw.

The last year that Briar Branch was a member of the Cedar Creek Association was 1892. Her delegates that year to the association that met at White Oak Church were D. S. Bullard, J. J. Bullard, and H. Smith. The church had 85 members, Elder C. E. Beard was the Pastor and D. C. Shaw was the clerk. Letters for granted the following churches that year from Cedar Creek Association to join the Bladen Baptist Association: Briar Branch, Beard's Chapel, Cypress Creek, Centre Road, Kate's Chapel, Smith's Chapel, Suggs Grove, White Oak, and White Lake.

We know very little about the first church house that Briar Branch occupied. It was probably a one-room log or frame wooden building which was the style or nature of Baptist buildings of that day. There was a building standing in 1848 for the church building is mentioned in the deed filed. This building was used until a new one was built in 1898. The first house of worship was lost by fire. The present house of worship was the one built in 1898. The Bladen Associational minutes for 1927 states that this building was valued at $1,500. The minutes of Briar Branch Church for November 2, 1947, relates that, " a vote was cast to put Sunday School rooms at the back of the church. Mrs. Lula Long gave timber to be cut for framing."

Briar Branch licensed Richard McDuffie to preach the gospel in June of 1949. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Glenn McDuffie of Briar Branch Church and is currently the pastor of the Carolina Beach Baptist Church.

He was ordained at a special service held on the fourth Sunday in February of 1952 at Briar Branch. Among those having served as pastors have been: J. H. Dobson, M. L. Mintz, D. L. Johnson, A. J. Freeman, Alex Peterson, C. B. Horne, W. A. Coleman, A. D. Carter, A.C. Herring, A. H. Dove, T. R. Spell, L. L. Todd, Ervin Jerrell, E. C. Reeves, George Denton, E. L. Anderson. The present pastor is Rev. L. L. Barnes. He has served for 19 years. The church has just completed a remodeling program under Rev. Barnes and added a porch and steeple. The church has used Jones Lake and Salters Lake for many years as places for baptismal Services.

Among the early members was William J. Cowan who was a very prominent citizen of Bladen County. He was the son of John Cowan who married Elizabeth Salter. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Salter and Sarah Lloyd Salter Bladen County's famous heroine in the Battle of Elizabethtown. The Cowans lived at one time in that section of the county near the Salters. General W. J. Cowan 'was a member of the House of Commons in North Carolina in 1817, 1818, and 1821. His wife, Charlotte is buried in the Cowan-Lesesne Cemetery near Dublin, also his adopted son whose monument reads thus: "William Cowan, Son of James W. and Lucy Ann Lesesne and adopted son of W. J. Cowan. Born July 11, 1832 - Died September 2, 1850." His wife's monument reads, " Charlotte, Wife of Gen. W. J. Cowan, Died Aug. 6, 1846, Aged 62 years." There is a Cowan's Branch that flows nearby. General William J. Cowan will is recorded in Bladen County and was dated Apr 14, 1855, and his will states that he was formerly a resident of Bladen County but was residing in 1855 in Washington, D. C. He was buried Washington, D. C. His sister was a prominent member the old Welsh Neck Baptist Church in South Carolina and married General Evander McIver.


Note: This article was published in The Bladen Journal, Elizabethtown, North Carolina, December 28, 1972.

File: Briar Branch Baptist Church History.doc Robert McLemore Butler 4-5-2000

Wright married Elcy Davis. Elcy was born about 1808 in North Carolina; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
James L. McLemore, III writes that Wright was born ca. 1814/5, wife was Elizabeth ("Elcy"), b. ca. 1808/9, parents of John R. who married and had a son Jennot M. about 1859, then went off to fight the Yankees and died in 1863.

He further noted that Wright was possibly the brother of John McLemore, b. ca. 1815/6,wife Betsy, about same age, dau. Eliz. A. (b. ca. 1837/8), son Duncan J. (b. ca. 1840/2), dau. Martha J. (b. ca. 1845/7) and son Wilie (b. ca. 1847/8).