The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-05-26
A Short History Of Flat Rock

EDITORS IETELLIGENCER: In the
year 1882 the Rev. John A. Davis, a
Baptist minister of Habersham County,
Ga, preached q sermon in the grove be-
low the public highway road. There
were two trees standing near together
and they we're notched and plauk'fas'
tened between them for his books. That
was before the Lighthouse was erected.
This was principally Baptist commu-
nifty.
Joseph Hall owned all the lands in
and around Flat Rock. BE gave two
acres of land, and Jesse Davis and David
Tate gave him four dollars for two more
acres. Time went on and all three died,
without any papers being fixed. The
said Flat Rock lands fell into the hands
of Joab Hall. he decided to sell his
lands and move to Alabama. Measures
were Immediately taken to secure plat
of the four acres of land on which the
log house was built. The Church vas
first organized with thirteen members in
this house. Only one of that number is
living at this time. Joseph Hall was
believer in all denominations. He would
invite any and ell, aud would 60 to hear
them all when convenient VarenneB
Presbyterian Church was the nearest
place. Kennedy Foster, David Hum.
phreys and William Carlisle were the
preachers in former days. The preach
ers at Flat Rock in the log house we're
Revs. John Vandiver, Billy Taylor, VIM.
McGee, W. Berry Long, Bryant Burriss,
DR.. Cumley, q Methodist preacher,
Musgrove and Frank Morris, colored, all
of whom have long passed away, except
John A. Davis, who preached the first
sermon, is still living.
The Baptist denomination worshipped
in the log house until the year 1866,
when a proposition vas made to some
Presbyterians living near to unite with
them in building new house as they did
not feel able to build by themselves, the
old one being somewhat dilapidated.
This proposition being acceptable to the
following individuak: a. o. Norris, ].
@. Haynie, S. M Webb and Henry
Glenn, they purchased four acres of land
from J. b. Jones, then living and own.
ing lands around said Flat Rock, for
twenty dollars. The lot and plat now
contains eight acres, upon which sec
ond building was erected, the same now
used by the Presbyterians, and having
full possession they have recently
repaired it. The Rev. William Carlisle
preached occasionally in the log house,
and regularly in the new house, alternat-
with the Baptist until be was disabled by
infrmity. He ministered here after he
was totally blind, and on one occasion in
his oarnestness while preaching, be made
a misstep ard fell 10 the floor, but VAS
assisted back into the pulpit, when he
finished his sermon. This faithful ser
want of God, continued to preach to this
people at regular periods until in6rmity
silenced bis speech. After the death of
William Carlisle there was no regular
prechipg by the ,Presbyterians until the
year 1883, when the Rev. Hugh McLees
began holding services. At the Spring
Session Of the South Carolina Presbytery
petition was received from sixteen indi.
viduals desiring to be organized into a
Church, and Commissioners we're sent by
the Presbytery to the said Flat Rock
ground to inquire into the state of things
and ascertain whether or not it ought to
be granted. Upon report of said Com.
missioners at the full meeting of ne
Presbytery it vas decided to grant
organization The Revs. D. E. Frit 70,
Hugh McLses and A. P. Nicholson, with
Elders, J. W. Norris and W. G.. Webb,
were appointed to effect the organization,
which was done on Saturday before the
third Sabbath in November, 1888. In
the year 1856 the Legislature vested the
land aud it's appurtenances in certain
number of persons as Trustees for both
denominations, namely: Samuel NJ.
Webb, Henry Glenn, Bryant Burriss,
Aaron Hall and Wm. s. Hall, all of
whom are now dead but two, Samuel M.
Webb and VIM. S. Hall.
At this time there are FIVE Trustees,
Samuel NJ. Webb, VIM. S. Hall, j. O.
Haynie, E. 3. Hall aud W. G. Webb.
s.
Bucklens Arnica Salye