Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-02-13
CHAPTER II.
DEAVERDAM CHURCH.

On account OF the uncertainty of dates
and tho scattered manner IN which havo
collected my information, I shall give tho
history of Beaverdam Church separate
chapter or two, as | can trace its history
pretty clearly from the church record, which
has been kindly placed in my hands for
this purpose. From what have been ablo
to learn about Beavcrdam, it seems hat, if
il is not tho oldest church in Ocon ee, no
other church can claim many years of semi
ority overit. The foundation Of the church,
though not then constitutional body, dates
somewhere about l780 or 1890; concerning
which time have learned comparatively
nothing. [ caunot even tell when it was
removed from its old site to where it now
stands. The old church stood about O mile
from Fair Play, ncurthc Anderson line OIL the
road from here to Anderson and not far
from whcro Mr. p. N. Lindsey now lives.
1t was built of hcwn logs, of which there
is not vcstige left. The only marks re.
naming are a few graves, which ore almost
oblitefated themselves, for you have to
remove the leaves to 6ud them. The gravo-
yard has grown up in large oaks and other
trees, showing that many years have passed
since the occupants of those graves were
laid there. SO, some day, no doubt, all of
our graves will be, and no doubt, too, people
will surmise as am doing as to " who lies
here, and may think, us | um thinking, that
perhaps sowe duy his grave will be 10 the
same fix and so on; for such has been the
case since tho world began, at least as far
back as we have any record; but am 9i.
gressing. can only learn of two persons
that are buried there: Que was named Is
bell and the other John Kccsc Tho eurli.
est date that can learn in the history of
Beaverton Church is 1903, but it does not
throw any light upon the subject, for
nothing in the record shows where the
church was then located and only maks the
following memoranda:
"Joulnals and records of tho Arm Of
Hephzibah Church ut Beaverdam.'
Then it goes on aa follows:
saturday before the third Sunday :n
January, 1908, it being tho first meeting
after becoming un Arm
Now, whether that refers to the original
church or the one at Fair Pluy, am not
able to form an opinion; but [ am inclined
to think that it refers to the present church,
for in 1920 there was but one log cf the old
church left and that one was nothing more
TINT we have now has once decayed aud
been rebuilt since that time, which makes
NE believe that they referred to the church
which the Baptists arc using tosduy; but be
that as it may, | shall give what facts can
from 1903. There is no mention of the
preachers name. aud in fact, nothing is
said on that subject for several years 1t
seems that the Baptist churches of those
! days were not conducted entirely hike the
same churches are conducted now. also
appears that they not only settled disputea
or qu1rrsls among its membcrs, hut also
settlcd titles to lands, go But will take
up and show what transpired in the church
from year to year. The next entries | find
Of any consequence are the following:
"Juno Term, 1903 Sarah Sutherland,
suspected Of disorder. Appointed Brothers
Roberts and N. Graham to labor will her
an !, their satisfaction was to satisfy the
church." &C., &c.
July Term Bro Lee Allen vas or
dained deacon"
And the record continues in this way
from 1903 to January 18th, 1905, whep 1
lind the present entry:
"January Term, i5.-Bro. George Van-
diver unanimously chosen pastor Of the
church."
1t appears, then, that George Vandiver
is the first minister that can mention Rith
certainty as being pastor of Beavcrdnm
Church; but still VIC have no clue as to the
locntion Of the church, and am truly sorry
that no mention is made of tho removal of
tho church, for should like to establish
beyond doubt the age of Beayerdam
Church, as think it is tho oldest church 10
the county. 1t seems that tho church
meetings werc only held quarterly, from the
following entry:
"August Term, 1806.-Thc church re.
solved to hold her meetings quarterly in the
future
We will now make leap from 1906 to
the December Term, 1873, when VIC find
that tho church took its first step toward
becoming gauindependent body, and will give
the resolution passed by the church then
in regard to tho matter:
"Sent on petition to tho Board Of Heph.
zibah Church to which wo belong as 40
Arm for this, tho Beaverdam Arm, to be-
come constitutional body"
"Resolvcd that Bros. Magee, Barrett and
Pullen bear tho petition"
In July, 1914, L fnd tho namo of
deacon recorded for the first time, which is
shown by tho following entry:
"Set Bro. Henry Johns apart for the
deaoon's office, and tho third Sunday in
September for communion season for tho
ordination Of Bro. Johns"
The first petition Of the church seemed
to have failed They did not succeed uotil
February, 1915, as is shown from tho fol-
lowiur antrioo,