Source: Bethlehem Baptist Association Minutes 1827-1967 and Beckbe Association minutes on microfilm at Samford University, Birmingham, AL. Microfilm can be ordered through interlibrary loan.

Note: The Bethlehem Association was known as The Beckbe Association until 1827

Ministers, Licensed Preachers, and Messengers (delegates):

    * = Ordained ministers
  ** = Licensed preachers
  (a) = Absent

1840

Yellow River (Walton, Co.) applied for admission

1. Yellow River: David Garthman, Reuben N. Barrow

1841

Escambia River Church (West Florida) applied for admission

1. Yellow River: D. Garthman, Daniel Hart; 48 members

2. Escambia River: Jesse Mims, A.S. Cobb; 38 members

1842

1. Yellow River: D. Garthman, Daniel Hart; 59 members

2. Escambia River: Jesse Mims, Nathan Cobb; 62 members [ BACK TO THE TOP ] 1843

Elder L.W. Lindsey was appointed Traveling Minister of the Association (page 7)

1. Yellow River: Daniel Garthman, Stephan Centrefit; 59 members

“This is another Church within the range of Elder M.L. McWilliams Missionary operations, and is represented to be in a good state.”

2. Escambia River: N.C. Cobb, James Cobb; 72 members

“Another Church planted by the Missionaries, and watered the last year by Elder M.L. McWilliams, has enjoyed a constant revival and God has given her considerable increase.”

1844

“Resolved, That the Salary of out Missionary, be reduced to Five hundred dollars per annum, to take effect from the first of January nest. The Association re-elected Elder Larkin W. Lindsey, her Missionary for the next year.” (page 6)

1. Yellow River: Stephen Centerfit, Robert Steele; 53 members

2. Escambia River: Stark H. Mims, Jeremiah Saville; 74

1845

Milton Church (West Florida) applied for admission.

1. Yellow River: David Gartman, David Hart; 47 white members; 8 colored members

2. Escambia River: No representation

3. Milton: J. Savel, A.S. Cobb; 32 white members; 16 colored members

1846

“Elder N. Goodwin, the Association's Missionary, reported, ---, which was received and approved.”

“Brother Joseph Mitchell, a licentiate and member of the Siloam Church, Marion, Perry County, was elected Missionary for the next year. On motion, Elder Goodwin obtained leave to withdraw from the field of his Missionary labors, at the end of October next.” (page 4)

Church: Yellow River
Minister(s): -----
Clerk: D. Gartman
County: Walton
Post Office: Almarant
Messengers: David Gartman, Daniel Hart (a)
Baptised: 8
Received by letter: 5
Restored: 0

Church: Milton
Minister(s): -----
Clerk: R. Vaughn
County: Walton
Post Office: Milton
Messengers: Jeremiah Savill, Richard Vangham (a)
Baptised: 18
Received by letter: 23
Restored: 0

Church: Escambia River
Minister(s): -----
Clerk: -----
Post Office: Milton
County: Walton
Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger for two years.
Baptised: -----
Received by letter: -----
Restored: ----- [ BACK TO THE TOP ] 1847

Pensacola Church (Escambia County) applied for admission.

“Reelected Elder Joseph Mitchell, Missionary for the ensuing year. It was agreed that he should spend, three fourths of each month, in active service in the field of his appointment and the remaining fourth, in preparation for more extensive usefulness; and that his salary be at the rate of Four hundred Dollars, per annum.” (page 3)

Church: Yellow River
Post Office: Almarant
County: Walton
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: -----
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: D. Gartman
Messengers: David Gartman, Daniel Hart
White Members: 49
Colored Members: 7

Church: Milton
Post Office: Milton
County: Santa Rosa
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jesse Flowers
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: E. Whitmire
Messengers: E. Whitmire, J. Savill (a)
White Members: 42
Colored Members: 27

Church: Escambia River
Post Office: Milton
County: Santa Rosa
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: -----
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: -----
Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger.
White Members: -----
Colored Members: -----

Church: Pensacola
Post Office: Pensacola
County: Escambia
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: -----
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: W.L. Jemieson
Messengers: Aron Hendrix, W.L. Jemieson
White Members: 18
Colored Members: 59 [ BACK TO THE TOP ] 1848

“Report of the Domestic Missionary,” from Appendix A of the minutes:

“It again becomes my duty as your Missionary, to submit the following report: I am rejoiced to say that there is an increased amount of interest in the missionary field. The Lord has blessed his word to the conversion of many souls.

A commendable spirit has been shewn in providing houses of worship. At Pensacola a house has been purchased at eight hundred dollars. At Milton there is a large good frame building not yet completed. At Yellow River there is a large log house not yet completed.”   ----J. Mitchell

Church: Yellow River
Post Office: Almarant
County: Walton
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: -----
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: D. Gartman
Messengers: D. Gartman, R. Steele
White Members: 43
Colored Members: 10

Church: Milton
Post Office: Milton
County: Santa Rosa
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jesse Flowers
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: N.C. Cobb
Messengers: Edmund Whitmire, B. Beeden, J. Saville
White Members: 75
Colored Members: 31

Church: Escambia River
Post Office: Milton
County: Santa Rosa
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: -----
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: -----
Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger.
White Members: 74 (last number reported in 1844)
Colored Members: -----

Church: Pensacola
Post Office: Pensacola
County: Escambia
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jos. Mitchell
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: Aaron Hendrix
Messengers: Jos. Mitchell, Aaron Hendrix
White Members: 21
Colored Members: 18 [ BACK TO THE TOP ] 1849

“Elder Joseph Mitchell, Missionary of the Association tendered his resignation for the unexpired portion of his engagement say to the 1st December next, which was accepted.” (page 5)

“Resolved, Elders Morrow, Parker, and Travis be a committee to visit Shilo and Escambia River Churches...to enquire into their condition and the cause of their failing to represent themselves in the Association, according to the provisions of the Constitution, and report to the Association at her next session.” (page 6)

Church: Yellow River
Post Office: Almarant
County: Walton
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: -----
By Whom Supplied: Missionary
Clerk: D. Gartman
Messengers: Daniel Hart, David Gartman
White Members: 42
Colored Members: 10

Church: Milton
Post Office: Milton
County: Santa Rosa
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: Jesse Flowers
By Whom Supplied: -----
Clerk: R.S. Otis
Messengers: Jeremiah Savill, Daniel Cobb, J.R. Lee
White Members: 83
Colored Members: 38

Church: Escambia River
Post Office: Milton
County: Santa Rosa
Resident Pastor: -----
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: -----
By Whom Supplied: -----
Clerk: -----
Messengers: Neither letter nor messenger.
White Members: 74 (last number reported in 1844)
Colored Members: -----

Church: Pensacola
Post Office: Pensacola
County: Escambia
Resident Pastor: William C. Morrow
Other Ministers, Members of the Churches: James Langley
By Whom Supplied: -----
Clerk: A. Hendrix
Messengers: W.C. Morrow, Aaron Hendrix
White Members: 26
Colored Members: 84