A

MEMORIAL

OF

WESLEY CHAPEL

ATLANTA'S

FIRST

CHURCH

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COMPILED BY W. H. FORSYTH

A MBMORIAL OF WBSLBY CHAPKL

Introduction

This is intended to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Wesley Chapel, the first church in Atlanta, and the forerunner of several Methodist churches in the city. This year, 1972, is also the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Atlanta, near the 150th anniversary of the acquisition of this land from the Creek Indians, and about the 200th anniversary of the start of the preaching career of Francis Asbury, the first Methdist Bishop in America. He came from England in 1771 and was one of Methodism's greatest ministers. Thus 1972 is consequential in many respects.

Wesley Chapel was named for John and Charles Wesley, ordained mini­sters of the Church of England, who came to Savannah, Georgia, in 1736, to conduct a preaching mission. They returned to England and were importaat persons in the formation of the Methodist Church.

This Memorial is not annotated. My main sources on information were:

Atlanta Illustrated, a history by E. Y. Clarke, 1881 History of Atlanta, by Walter P. Reed, 1881 Atlanta and Its Environs, by Franklin M. Garrett, 19,4 Pioneer Citizens, by members of a historical society, 1902 DeKalb County Records of the Clerk of Court Records of the Lawyers Title Company Library of the Candler School of Theology Library of the Atlanta Historical Society

Much early historical data is duplicated in the first four books and credit cannot be given to anyone author. Mr. Garrett and the staff at the Atlanta Historical Society have been especially helpful.

I am a historian of the Forsyth family. Two Forsyth brothers came to Atlanta in 1843 from North Carolina, and were founders of the City. Another Forsyth came in 1853 and was a reputable citizen for many years. I have not traced the ancestry of these men and do not know if they are my kin or merely of the same generic family.

I have been a member of the Methodist Church for about 60 years and a resident of Atlanta for more than 40 years. My mother was a member of a Methodist Church for 75 years. My grandfather, Rev. J. W. Forsyth, was a Methodist minister. A great uncle was the pastor for 6 years of The Old Stone Church in Leesburg, Virginia, the first Methodist Church in America, founded by other ancestors in 1766. Another W. H. Forsyth was pastor of that church from 1871 to 1875. Two cousins are Methodist ministers, one is also a conference historian. An official of the church in Nashville was another cousin. So being a Methodist and an Atlantan, the subject of the Memorial is of great personal Interest to me.

William Henry F0rsyth-1972

2 A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL 1

ATLANTA'S FIRST CHURCH

The first building constructed in Atlanta exclusively for church purposes was avery humble little frame structure known as Wesley Chapel. It was located at about No. 101 Peachtree Street, across from the new Equitable Building on Peachtree Street at Luckie Street. It was sponsored by a group of Methodists, and the first service was held in it on December 12, 1847. The lot on which it stood began at the junction of Peachtree and Pryor Streets, at the candy store opposite the Grand Theater building, and ran for more than 600 feet down those streets to form a triangle. It was purchased for $150. The Candler Building now occupies a part of the lot.

Atlanta was then known as Marthasville. The name was changed on December 29, 1847 by the Legislature, Which also gran~ed the settlement a city charter, although there were only about 300 residents.

Many refer to Wesley Chapel as the "Mother Church" of Methodism in Atlanta. It was not only the first Methodist church in the city, but was also the only church of any denomination in the city at that time. Wesley Chapel sponsored a number of other Methodist churches which were established in Atlanta at later dates. There are older churches in areas that were not a part of Atlants at that time, but have been taken into the city at various times when the city limits have been extended. Mount Gilead United Methodist Church on Fairburn Road was orsanized in 1824~ and Mount Zion Methodist Church on Stewart Avenue was organizedin 1~28, lonG before there was a single resident on the site of Atlanta.

Many cities trace their origin to a few pioneers who built cabins in a cluster at a common corner of their lands for mutual protection and communion. The rough terrain around Atlanta did not attract settlers There are many towns in Fulton and adjoining counties that predate At­lanta. The location of Atlanta was determined by an engineer who drove a stake into the ground on September 17, 1837, to establish the end of a railroad line to be built from Chattanooga, Tennessee, by the State of Georgia. The stake was near where Foundry Street crosses the railroad tracks. The word "Terminus" was written on the map to indicata the end of the line, and the settlement was known by that name until 1843. The railroad was the Western and Atlantic, still owned by the State, and op­erated under lease by the Louisville and Naahville Railroad Company.

The State Legislature, in 1833 and 1835, r,ranted charters for three other railroads which were to connect with the State railroad whereever the terminus was established. These are the lines that run from Macon, Augusta and West Point. All finally terminated at a depot on Central Avenue, and Wall and Pryor Streets, a site now used for a parking lot just to the east of downtown Plaza Park.

This location may have been selected because of the bold spring of pure water that gushed from the Ground on the land now occupied by the First National Bank. Both locomotives and humans need pure water. The spring had long been the meeting place for the Indians who lived in Georgia. Whitehall Street, Marietta Road, Ponce de Leon Avenue, Peachtree Road and other thoroughfares were once Indian trails leading to the spring, and their meandering is the result of the Indians using the easi­est route for their treks, avoQding swamps, cliffs and rough ground that made walking difficult.

As a consequence of the railroads, Atlanta quickly became a comm­ercial, industrial and railroad center. This does not mean that the city was entirely populated by an educated, aristocratic, professional soc­iety. Railroads were bAing built allover America and there was a great

A MBMORIAL OF ilBSLEY CHAPBL

shortage of labor. Many railroads sent agents to Europe to recruit labor crews. The going pay of $16 a month attracted many men Who had never before earned a franc or a farthing.

The railroads made no provision for housing these men and shanty towns cropped up near the end of each line. One large settlement known as "Slab Town" was near the present police headquarters on Decatur Street. Another near the Federal Reserve BaRk on Marietta Street, and another on Peters Street near the viaduct over the railroad tracks. There was much rOWdyism and drunkenness in these shanty towns. One mayor attempted to control the situation and his life was threatened. He assembled every reputable man in the city and marched on Sl~ Town armed for a fight. When the miscreants saw them approach, they fled, and every shack Was burned to the ground. This show of force subdued the revellers someWhat.

The railpoads not only contributed greatly to the growth of Atlanta, but also caused its near destruction in the Civil War. The line to Chatt­anooga connected with other railroads that ran from New Orleans by way of Memphis, Chattanogga, Knoxville, Lynchburg, Richmond, Washington to New York. These lines were all of the same gauge, space between the rails, so that equipment could operate over any of the lines and it was not necessary to transfer shipments at terminals. The other route to Washington, by way of Augusta, Columbia, Charlotte, Gre~nBboro and Rich­mond was over lines with different gauges and freight had to be reloaded whenever the guage changed. Many war facilities were located in Atlanta, because of the railroads. The city becmne known as "The Arsenal of the South" and was a prime target for enemy forces.

It appears appropriate to mention in this Memorial some of the early history of Atlanta. So many records were destroyed when the city was burned in the Civil War, that the recorded history of Wesley Chapel is very brief.

By comparison with other cities in Georgia, Atlanta is a newcomer. Savannah was founded in 1733, A~sta in 1735, Milledgeville in 1803, Columbus in 1828 and Rome in 1834. The Atlanta area was Creek Indian territory until it was acquired by a treaty signed on January 18,1821. ~enry County was created out of these Creek tands by the Legislature on May 15, 1821. DeKalb County was created out of Henry County ands'IUIll parts of other counties on December 9, 1822, and Fulton County was taken out of DeKalb County on December 20, 1853.

State owned lands in Georgia were sold to citizens by a lottery system. The area was surveyed and divided into parcels known as Districts and Land Lots. A District was 9 miles squara. A Land Lot was a subdiv­ision of a District. It was an area 2900 feet square and contained 202~ acres. Any resident of Georgia could enter a lottery and was not required to live on the land if a parcel was obtained. PartiaJpants registered in their home county. The names were sent to the State Capitol in Mill­edgeville, where lottery commissioners drew from two barrels the names of the winners and ~a description of the land which they had won.

The Henry County Land Lottery was authorized on May 15~ 1821.The original city of Atlanta lies in Land lots 51 52, 77 and 7~ of the 14th District of Henry County. The price was $19 a Land Lot, less than 9l:l cents an acre.

James R. Moore of Jones County drew Land Lot 51, John T. Waller of Putnam County drew Lan.cl Lot 52. Benjamin Beckman of Putnam County drew Land Lot 77. Jane Doss of Jackson County drew Land Lot 78. The DeKalb County Court House burned on January 9, 1842 and all of the records were destroyed, so the chain of title cannot be traced completely. It is not known when Mr. Moore sold Land Lot 51, but there is a record

A MEMORIAL OF WBSLBY CHAPEL 3

that Hardy Ivy bought it from James Paden for $200 on January 1, 1839. Mr. Waller held Land Lot 52 until 1844, when he contracted to sell it to Lemuel P. Grant and Stephen Terry. Mr. Grant paid $450 for an undiv­ided one half interest on June 26, 1844, and when Mr. Terry did not exercise his option, Mr. Grant took the other half for ~475 on July 27 1844. This is the same Mr. Grant that gave other land to the city for' what is now Grant Park.

Benjamin Beckman, the owner of Land Lot 77, was visiting in Pike County, Georgia, and became involved in a horse trade with Samuel !1itchell, and gave the Land Lot to Mr. l·iitchell as "boot". Mr. Mitchell never lived in Atlanta but contributed ereatly to the erowth of the city by many generous acts. He gave a lot to any church that would build on his land, and when asked to put a price on 6 acres of the most valuable land in the city for a union depot, he gave the land to the railroad.

HI'S. Doss sold Land Lot 78 to Hatthew Henry for $50 in 1826. He sold it to Reuben Cone of Decatur for 9300 in 1838. Hr. Cone sold an undivided one-half interest to Ammi Williams for $300. Wesley Chapel was located on ground in this Land Lot. A small part of the lot which wesley Chapel bouGht for 9150, was sold by later owners in 1970 for $125 a square foot, or at the rate of ~5,445,000 an acre.

Even after the railroads were planned, there was no rush of sett­lers to the Atlanta area, nor ~reat interest in land speculation. Decatur had been established in 1823. It was only 6 miles from the ter­minus of the new railroads, but few residents of Decatur appear to have been interested in tl-te new town. Hardy Ivy was the first settler. He came in 183j. John Thrasher came in 1839 and built a store on Marietta Street. Samuel Hitchell offered his property for sale at auction, but only 3 parcels were sold. Thomas GeorGe Washineton Crusselle came with a railroad bridge crew and built the first house in the new city, a log cabin on Decatur Street. John Thrasher became discoura~ed and sold his store in 1842 and moved to Griffin. He returned in 1844. Willis Carlysle came in June of 1844 and built a store on Marietta Street. The first frame buildinr, was an office built by the Georeia Railroad on Decatur Street.

Ambrose B. Forsyth and William G, Forsyth, brothers, came from MecklenberG County, North Carolina, in 1843. Ambrose opened a grocery store on what is now the site of the Citizens and Southern Bank on Marietta Street ~'ith frontage on Broad and Walton Streets. He purchased the lot which is one-half the block for ¥150. William was foreman of a saw mill on Decatur Street owned by Jonathon Norcross who came from ·Putnam County in 184\. The Forsyth brothers later opened a cotton brok­erage office on Decatur Street Where they purchased the lot for $150. Ambrose also ran a general store on Whitehall Street and was twice elected to thecity council. He was a member of the committee that pet­itioned the Legislature to move the Capitol to Atlanta, and was one of the incorporators of the Georgia-Western Railroad. Forsyth Street is named for Ambrose. Both held commissions in the Confederate Army.

Jonathon NOrcross erected a store buildi~~ at the corner of Peach­tree and Marietta Streets where the First National Bank now stands, and employed S. B. Hoyt as a clerk. The lot cost $200. J. A. Collins and James Loyd opened a store on Ivy Street near the depot. Addison Dulin bought the land now occupied by the William Oliver Building and the National Bank of Geor~ia for $150 and opened a grocery store. City elections and council meetings we~ held in his store until other arrangements were made. He was a cousin of the Forsyth brothers. He

A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL 4

died in 1853 and William Kile bought the corner and it became known as the Kile corner. These numerous stores indicate that Atlanta quickly became the shopping center for a wide area.

There were.only a dozen families in Atlanta in 1843, prehaps a hundred men, women and children. Among these were Stephan Terry, James A. Collins, Dr. G. G. Smith, Ambrose B. Forsyth, Joseph Thom­ason, William Crawford, Harrison Bryant, John Thrasher, William Kile, E. A. Werner and S. B. Hoyt. A petition tp the State Legislature ob­tained a village charter on December 23, 1843, and the settlement was named Marthasville to honor the Governor's daughter.

The first public enterprise in the village was the construction of a log cabin on the triangle of ground bounded by Peachtree, Pryor and Houston Streets in 1845. Funds for the project were obtained by public subscription. It was used for a school and' a church. Services were alternated so that every denomination worshipped in it. Dr. J. S. Wilson, later pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Decatur, preached the first sermon.

The first organized religious body in the village was an inter­denominational Sunday School known as the Atlanta Union Sunday School. Ambrose Forsyth is said to have proposed the school. The first service was held on June 13, 1847. Oswald Houston and James A. Collins were the first superintendents. Robert M. Clarke was the secretary and treasurer. R. M. Brown was the librarian. There is a record that 70 scholars were in attendance on December 12, 1847.

Other significant events of 1845 were: The first train over the Georgia Railroad arrived from Augusta on September 1 •••.The "Lumin­ary", the t:irst newspaper, was established by Joseph Baker ... A Mr. Dunn opened a bonnet and hat shop .•.Willis Carlysle and W. P. Anderson bought the land now occupied by the 10 Pryor Street building for $200 and opened a second grocery.•.Mrs. Oslin took over the Georgia Rail­road's office building on Decatur Street and opened a boarding house.

The Macon and Western Railroad was completed in 1846 and the first train arrived from Macon on October 1. Other important events of that year were: 3 short lived newspapers were started, the "Enterprize" by Boyd and Yarbrough; the "Democrat" by Dr. W. H. Fernerdon; the "Sou­thern Miscellaney" by C. R. Hanleiter ...The Georgia Railroad was com­pleted and the cost was reported to have been $3,369,856 •...The Epis­copalians held their first service in Atlanta on November 1, in the home ofSamuel P. Jones at the corner of Forsyth and Mitchell Streets. The first Catholic Mass was observed in the home of Michael McCullough near the corner of Hunter Street and Central Avenue.

There is no record of the first Methodist service in Atlanta. As there were established churches nearby, itinerant preachers probably visited the village at a very early date. One of the first Methodist services of record was held by Reverand John Thurman in the home of Jeremiah Wells near Ivy and Decatur Streets. Reverend Osborne Smith, later President of Oxford College, conducted services in the Georgia Railroad's office building in the winter of 1844-1845. There was a protracted meeting in A. W. Wheat's cotton warehouse on Wheat Street, now Auburn Avenue, in the summer of 1845. Bishop Andrews, Reverend George W. Lane of Emery College and others preached.

Edwin Payne was the promoter of Wesley Chapel. He .raised $700 for the project. The lot mentioned in the first paragraph was pur­chased from Reuben Cone and Ammi Williams on March 11, 1848 for $150. The point of the tract, bounded by Peachtree, Houston and Pryor Streets, sold in 1970 for $230,000. At that rate the entire lot would now be

6

A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL 5 worth more than $4,000,000. Thomas L. Thomas, Samuel Walker, Edwin Payne, David Thurman, James A. Collins and Stephan Terry were the trustees for the proper~y. The money was exhausted before the build­ing was completed, but services were held in the unfinished bUilding on December 12, 1847. Slabs were obtained from Jonathon Norcross's saw mill and temporary pews and a platform ware built. A hand made tin chandolier held candles that furnished light for night services.

There are no details of the construction of Wesley Chapel, no plans, specifications or cost figures. These were probably destroyed when Atlanta was burned in 1864. Old p~ctures and sketches show that it was a frame building about 30 feet wide, 50 feet long and the side walls were about 20 feet high. A picture of the interior is in the library of the First Methodist Church. There were comforable pews, 2 large stoves, and a balcony across the rear reached by stairs from each corner near the entrance doors. Each side had 5 long windows reaching from the ceiling to near the floor. The cost figure of $550, when first used with the interior unfinished, indicates that it was built of local materials. A bell was purchased in 1850- and it w~mounted in a separate bell tower in front of the church.

Reverend J. W. Yarbrough and Reverend J. W. Hinton were the first ministers. Lewis Lawsche organized the fir$Sunday School in 1848. The chapel was completed and comfortable pews were provided in 1849. Reverend J. W. Yarbrough and Reverend A. M. Wynn were the ministers that year. Reverend J. L. Pierce and Reverend Silas Cooper were the ministers in 1850. Reverend George F. Pierce, President of Emery CollegE and later a Bishop of the Church, preached at special services. Rever­end C. W. Thomas was the minister in 1851. Reverend W. H. Evans in 1852 and 1853, Reverend J. P. Duncan and Reverend J. W. Austin in 1854, Reverend S. Anthony and Reverend J. W. Boring in 1855, Reverend C. R. Jewitt in 1856~everend C. W. Key 1857 and 1858, Reverend J. B. Payne in 1859 and 1860, Reverend W. J. Scott in 1861 and 1862, Reverent J. W. Hinton in 1863, Reverend L. D. Houston in 1864 and Reverend A. M. Thigpen in 1865.

Some details about Wesley Chapel begin to appear in Methodist Conference records in 1854. There were 580 white members and 143 colored members. I~ 1858 there were 414 white members and 199 colored members. $700 was raised that year and given to the colored members and they withdrew and organized their own church. A new church appears in the 1859 Conference Records, Atlanta Colored Mission, the fore­runner of Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Wesley Chapel had 417 members in 1861, 480 in 1862, 410 in 1863, the records for 1864 were destroyed when Atlanta was burned, and the dire results of the war are reflected in 1865 when only 227 members were reported.

If Wesley Chapel was the Mother Church of Methodism' in Atlanta, the log cabin was surely the Mother of all Atlanta churches, for all denominations held services in it. It is regretable that the fate of the cabin was never recorded. The ground on which it stood has an interesting history. It was part of the land bought by Wesley Chapel for $150. The triangle bounded by Peachtree, Houston and Pryor Streets on which the cabin stood, was sold to Edwin Payne for $5 on August ~3, 1859. The Adminstrator of his estate sold the lot to James W. English for f1600 on March 16~ 1875. He sold the lot to Mrs. George A. Dunham for $3000 on May 3, 1~82, and her heirs sold it to J. C. Peck for $3000 on February 12, 1884. The lot remained:.in the Peck family until 1970, when it was sold for $230,000, the highest price persquare foot paid for Atlanta property up to that date.

Several other churches were organized shortly after Wesley Chapel.

A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL

The map on page 9 is a hand drawn copy of E. A. Vincent's map of the City of Atlanta made in 1853. Lot and block numbers have been omitted, current names of streets have been used, and early churches have been located. Sites of several other buildings are also shown.

There were at that time, three major Methodist church bodies in the United States, created by divisions of the original Methodist Episcopal Church which was organized at a Conference held in Lovely Lane Chapel in Baltimore, Maryland, from December 24, 1784 to ·Jan­uary 3, 1785. The Methodist Protestant Church was created by lay-men who resented their exclusion from Councils of the Church. The Meth­odist Episcopal Church, South, was created in 1844 by the withdrawal of most of the churches in the South over issues pertaining to the ownership of slaves. All three major bodies built churches in Atlanta, see the map. Wesley Chapel was a Southern Church. The Methodist Pro­testant Church was of the body that withdrew in 1830 •. The Loyd Street Methodist Church was a Northern Church. All three major bodies of Methodism were reunited in 1939 and took the name The Methodist Church. That body merged with the Evangelical United Bretheran Church in 1968 and formed the present United Methodist Church.

The First Baptist Church in Atlanta was organized in 1847 by Reverend D. G. Daniel who had been sent to Atlanta by the Baptist Con­vention for that purpose. He procured donations of $480, and purchased a lot for $130 at the corner of Forsyth and Walton Streets, part of the ground now occupied by a Federal Building. A plain wooden sanc­tuary was completed and dedicated on July 1, 1848.

The First Prebyterian Church was organized on January 8, 1848 with 19 members, by Reverend John S. Wilson, D. D., in the log cabin. Reuben Cone, Major Terry, Richard Peters and Julius Hayden were mem­bers of the building committee. A lot was purchased on Marietta Street for $300. The Federal Reserve Bank now accupie& ~hat entire block including the church lot. The church was dedicated on July 4, 1952.

St. Phillip's Cathedral was organized in 1847 and a church was built on a lot given by Samuel Mitchell at the corner of Hunter Street and Washington Street. It was dedicated in 1848. Reverend John Hunt was the first pastor.

The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception obtained ground at the corner of Hunter Street and Central Avenue, and constructed a modest sanctuary there in 1851. Reverend Thomas O'Neill was the first Priest. He was followed by Reverend Thomas O'Re~lly in 1861, who rend­ered noteworthy service to Atlanta and all churches during the Civil War.

The First Christian Church was organized by Dr. Daniel Hook. A lot donated by Samuel Mitchell was exchanged for one on Decatur Street between Collins and Loyd Streets, Now Washington Street and Central Avenue. A sanctuary was built there in 1853.

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was the Second Metho-· dist Church organized ia Atl8Rta~ It began as a mission Sunday School on McDonough Street, now Capitol Avenue. Green B. Haygood was the pro­moter, assisted by his wife, Martha A. Haygood, his son, Atticus G. Haygood and Willis Peck. The son later became a Methodist Bishop. A lot was procured on Mitchell Street and the cornerstone was laid in the summer of 1853. Green B. Haygood, Joseph Winship, Edwin Payne and Dr. George Smith were members of the building committee. The church was completed and dedicated by Bishop James 0. Andrews in Spetember 1854.

8 A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL7

The Second Baptist Church was organized in 1854 by 19 members of the First Baptist Church. The First Pastor was Reverend Charles M. Irwin. A lot was. purchased on Collins Street, now Washington Street, and a church was built and dedicated in the summer of 1858.

The Central Presbyterian Church was organized on February 15, 1858. A lot was purchased on Collins Street, now Washington Street. The first service was held in the sanctuary on March 4, 1860. Rev­erend John W. Rogers was the first pastor. William and Annie McQueen Forsyth were charter members. .

The most significant civic event of 1847 was that Atlanta received its charter as a city by an Act of the Legislature on December 27. The first city election was held on January 29, 1848. Moses W. Formwalt was elected the first Mayor. Jonas S. Smith, Benjamin F. Bomar, Robert W. Bullard, James A. Collins, A. M. Walton. and Leonard C. Simpson were elected to the first council ... Other significant civic events of 1848 were: Er Lawsche came to Atlanta, openeda store and joined Wesley Chapel. C. W. Hunnicut also arrived that year .... Atlanta Lodge No. 59 of Masons received its charter on October 26 ... An Odd Fellows Lodge was organized on October 7... Samuel Mitchell died on May 29.1847.

The term of the Mayor was for one year. Dr. Benjamin F. Bomar was elected to that office on January 17, 1849 ... Ambrose B. Forsyth was elected to the council .•. A new newspaper appeared that year, The Intell ­icencer, the others had failed .•.The first train over the Western and Atlantic arrived from Chattanooga, Tennessee, on December 1. The first telegraph line into the city was built that year .••Mount Zion, Chapter No. 16, Royal Arch ~asons, was organized on May 3.

The Federal Census for 1850 showed that Atlanta had 2572 inhabit ­ants consisting of 2058 White, 18 free ne~ro and 493 negro slaves .•• Willis Buell was elected Kayor •..George J. Foreacre arrived in the city. GeorGe Smith orGanized the first bank, capitalized at $300,000. J. R. Valentine was the bank manaf,er ...The City Council authorized 8 foot side walks, but continual complaints about walkinG conditions indicated that few were built.

Important church news for the decade from 1851 to 1861 has been recorded. Other events of consequence follow.

Jonathon Norcross was elected Mayor for the year 1851, Dr. Thomas F. Gibbs for 1852, John F. Eims for 1853 but resip;ned because of poor health and William Markham was elected to complete the term. William M. Butt was the Mayor in 1854, Allison Nelson in 1855, but he resigned on July 20 and John Glenn was elected to succeed him. William Ezzard served for two years, 1856 and 1857, Luther Glenn for the next two years, William Ezzard for 1860. Jared I. Whitaker was elected for 1861 but resir,ned on December 13 and his term was completed oy Thomas F. Lowe. James M. Calhoun was elected on January 15, 1862 and served throu~h the year 1865.

The Atlanta and West Point Railroad was completed to Grantville on June 1, 1852, and to West Point on Lay 15, 1854... The city purch­ased a site for a city hall on June 20, 1853. It is now the site of the State Capitol and cost $5,000. An appropriation of ~30,000 was made for a city hall ••.The first public school for the eduaction of the children of the poor was opened in the Angier Building on Forsyth Street at Garnett Street in 1853. There were 80 to 100 pupils. Only the children of people too poor to pay tuition in private schools were educated at public expense. Atlanta did not have free public schools for all children until 187~ ...The first fire company was organized on March 24, 1851. Thfl firemen were all volunteers for there were no paid firemen until 1882 ... A foundry and machine shop was opened by Joseph Winship in 16S1 ...RiQ~ard Peters built a flour mill, and purchased two

land lots, 405 acres, for $5 an acre to provide fuel for his mill. This land became known as Peters Park, and is now the site of Georgia Tech, Fox Theater, Howell House and other buildings in that area. The Peters home on Ponce de Leon Avenue is on this tract, and the three acre lot has been appraised at more than a million dollars.

Fulton County was created by the Legislature on December 20, 1853 and Atlanta was made the county seat. The DeKalb County Grand Jury e~pressed great satisfaction at being divested of Atlanta and noted a large reduction in the number of criminal caseR coming before it ...• The Legislature was petitioned to move the State Capitol to Atlanta but this was not accomplished until 1868.

The first daily paper, The Daily Examiner, was started in 1853 by Kay and Ramsey ...J. T. Dodd came to Atlanta that same year .•. Daniel Pitman, L. J. Gartrell, L. J. Glenn and A. J. McBride came in 1854·

A temperance organization known as the Grand Knights of Jericho was organized in April, 1853. William G. Forsyth was the chief, and Miss Geor~ia J. Forsyth was an officer.

Alabama Street between Whitehall and Pryor Streets became the first pa'Ted street in the city in 1'354...'fhe Atlanta Medical Coller;e was chartered on February 14, and physicians established fees of ~l for offi~e calls and ~2 for house calls.

A lasting event of 1855 was the creation of the Atlanta Gas Light Company, on December 22. The capacity of the plant was 20,000 cubic feet of g'lS a day, enough to heat 20 small homes of the present vintage. The city immediately installed 50 Gas street lamps ....The first infirm­ary was opened by Doctors ~. F. and J. O. Westmoreland according to an advertisement in a newspaper on April 24. Patients that were hospital ­ized were charged 15 cents a day for room and board .•.•The volunteer fire department obtained its first fire engine.

Events of 1856 were: The Bank of Fulton County was organized by Alfred Austell and E. W. Holland. It was capitalized for $75,000..•. Addison Dulin died. He was a relative of the Forsyth brothers and ran a grocery at 5 points on land now occupied by the William Oliver build­ing ••• P. and T. G. Dodd opened a srocery, and John Silvey and Daniel Daugherty opened a merchandise store .•. Jonathon Norcross and others obtained a charter for a railroad line that would later become the main line of the Southern Railroad to Charlotte, North Carolina, but construction did not begin until after the Civil War.

Fulton Lodge No. 216, of Masons, received its charter on October 30, 1857 •.• A unit of the Y. M. C. A. was organized that year. The first officers were: Basil J. Overby, president, Nathaniel J. Hammond, secre­tary, and Moses Cole, treasurer.

Dr. Douglas began the construction of a rolling mill on Boulevard at the Georgia Railroad in 1857. It is now the site of the Fulton Bag and Cotton I·;ills. Louis Schofield, James Blake and William Markham bought an interest in it. ~he mill first rolled railroad iron. During the Civil War it made rail, cannon, armor plate and other war materials. It was completely destroyed by the Northern Army during the Civil War.

The last link in the railroad connecting Charleston, Columbia, Augusta, Atlanta, ChattanOOGa and Memphis was completed in 1857. This connected at Chattanooga with other lines that ran to Knoxville, Rich­mond, Washington and New York. There was a big celebration in Atlanta, and it was given the appelation "Gate City of the South". A uniformed unit was organized for military and social purposes in 1858 which still exists and is known as the Gate City Guards.

Jonathon Norcross built a block of store buildings on ~;arietta Street in 1859 on land now occupied by the First National Bank and the Atlanta Federal Savings and L?an Association ...McNaught and Scruggins

A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL 9

1. Log Cabin 2. Wesley Chapel 3. First Baptist Church 4. First Presbyterian Church 5. Loyd Street Methodist Church 6. Catholic Church 7. Central Presbyterian Church 8. Second Baptist Church 9. St. Phillip's Cathedral

10. Trinity Methodist Church 11. First Christian Church 12. Methodist Protestant Church

A. Henry Grady Hotel B. C. & S. National Bank C. William Oliver Building D. Firat National Bank E. State Capitol F. Fulton County Court House G. Georgia Railroad Roundhouse H. Union Depot 1. W. & A. Shops

A MKMORIAL OF WESLKY. CHAPKL :LO

opened a store on Whitehall Street ••• J. C. Peck built a planing mill. B. B. Rawson's new home on Pryor Street was no~ed for its iovely grounds .••A. C. and B. F. Wyly opened Whe first wholesale grocery in the city.••.Rawson, Gilbert and Burr started a new dry goods store ••• The first city directory was distributed by M. Lynch•.•Couer de Lion Commandry No.4 was organized in Hay•.••Greater Atlanta was reported to have a population of 11,5000.

The Federal Census for 1860 showed that Atlanta had 7741 inhabit ­ants, and Fulton County outside the city had 383L. There were no new enterprises that year, probably due to the tensions of the war that would soon start. Empire ancampment of Odd Fellows was organized.

The Civil War began in 1861. Atlanta became a great war center. The population was reported to have increased to 13,000 in 1862 and t020,000 by 1864. There are not many church records for the war years,few important events occurred.

Wesley Chapel could not pay its pastor for 1861 and deeded the Houston Street frontage to him in lieu of his salary. He sold the property to Franklin P. Rice, a contractor. The Confederate author­ities tried to buy the lot from Mr. Rice. He would not sell and the lot was confiscated. A two story commissary building was erected on it. After the war, the Federal Government confiscated the property as "Captured Confederate Property". The building was later moved to the northwest corner of Houston Street and Piedmont Avenue and used as a negro school until 1923. The records are moot as to how Wesley Chapel recovered the lot. A biography of the great Methodist Bishop, Enoch M. Marvin, who was induced to become a church member by Reverend Joseph Forsyth, relates that when Southern cities were captured by Northern armies, Northern Methodists moved in and took possession of Southern Methodist property. Presidsnt Andrew Johnson issued an executive .order restoring such property to its rightful owners, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. There is no evidence that Northern Methodists siez9d Wesley Chapel but the President's order may have applied to all Southern churches.

Atlanta entered the war with great enthusiasm. 25 companies of troops were raised comprised of 330 officers and 2262 enlisted men. The rolls contained many familiar names: Bzzard, Foreacre, Ballard, Cooper, Johnson, Neal, Barrett, Haddox, Jenkins, Forsyth, 'Smith, Kendricks, Holcombe, Fuller, Rankin, Brown, Belle Isle, Candler and others. Some soon appeared on casualty lists. 15 were lostin the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861: Cook, Cooper, George, Puckett, Orr, White, Ballard, Simpson, Woodruff, Todd, Whitaker, Bagwell, Hamilton, Watkins. and Smith. 12 were lost in an ambush at Laurel Hill, Virginia, more fam­iliar names: Atkinaon, DUdley, Farris, GateWOod, Wylie, King ~d Brown. Ambrose Fcrsyth1s son was killed in Kentucky.

The only church organized during the war was 'Saint Luke "s Epfs­copal Church in 1864. It was built on Valton Street where the Grant Building now stands, and was dedicated on April 22, 1864. The funeral of Bishop Leonidas Polk, a Confederate General who was killed in action was held in this church on June 15, 1864. The church was destroyed in the siege of Atlanta which occured shortly thereafter.

The siege, capture and destruction of Atlanta in the fall of 1864 have been made the SUbject of so many histories, that.it appears pertin­ent to mention only a few items here. Fulton County Ordinary Records were taken to Pike County, and Superior Court records to Jackson County and all vital records of the county were saved. The siege and burning of Atlanta destroyed 4,500 homes and other structures, about 90 per cent

12 A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL 11

of the city. 705 adults, 860 children and 79 servants were forcihly evacuated. Saint Luke's, Methodist Preotestant, Christian and African Methodist Churches were completely destroyed. All other churches were damaged and desecrated. Wesley Chapel was struck by shells a number of times. A citizen wrote: "Wesley Chapel remains ••• but horribly desecrated, it is left more in the condition of a hog pen, than ahouse of God."

It is said that Father O'Reilly, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, personally intervened With General Sherman, and saved his church, Central Presbyterian, Trinity Methodist, and Saint Phillip's Cathedral. Also the city hall. All of these structures· were in the area of the present State Capitol.

When General Sherman set out from Atlanta on November 16,1864 on his march to the sea with 62,203 Federal troops, he left a smoldering mass of rubble. Only 50 families remained in the city. 50 more had returned by December 6, 1864. Atlanta was left with no police or mil­itary protection. Bush-whackers, thieves, looters and citizens from as far away as 50 miles, descended on the city and stripped it of nearly everything movable. Petty larceny was rampant. Even in this utter deso­lation, reliGion was not forgotten, and Doctor H. C. Hornaday conducted a service in the First Baptist Church on Christmas Day.

Coura~eous Atlantans soon came back to rebuild. They lived in bomb shelters, basements, tents and wrecked buildings while they salvaged materials from the debris. A prominent lawyer cleaned the brick, mixed the mortar and rebuilt his home and office with his own hands. Labor could be hired for 75 cents a day. Salvaged material was prefered for new lumber sold for $35 to ~55 a thousand board foot, higher than the price in Atlanta in the 1930's. Foodstuffs and seeds were scarce. Seed corn sold for ~5 a bushel in Griffin.

The Civil War practically ended on April 9, 1865 when General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to General U. S. Grant at Appama~tox Court House, Virp,inia. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865 and Andrew Johnson became the President of the United States.

The Atlanta National Bank was orr,anized on September 15, 1865, and by several merr,ers became the First National Bank of today. A number of its officers have been prominent members of Wesley Chapel and other Methodist churches.

James E. Williams served as hayor of Atlanta from 1865 to 1869. Post war recovery was remarkable. 338 business firms were licensed in 1865. An 1866 census showed 10,940 white and 9288 colored citizens. All ·rail serv~ e was restored by 1866. The city limits were extended to 1 1/2 miles from the passeneer depot. The first Confederate Memorial Day was observed on April 26, 1866. So many important events took placethat only a few can be mentioned here.

There were 50,000 children without fathers, and 10,000 with no parents in Georgia in 1867. The first ~lethodist effort to help them was instituted by Reverend Doctor Jesse Boring. The Nethodist Childrens Home in Decatur is largely the result of his efforts.

A Young Men's Library Association was f-ormed in 1867 and estab. lished a library that later became the Atlanta Carnegie Library •••. Morris Rich came to Atlanta in 1867 and opened a little store on White­ball Street with $1,000 of borrowed money which was the start of Rich's Incorporated.

Reverend W. P. Harrison was the pastor of Wesley Chapel in 1866 and1867. Membership was reported to be 412 and hOO respectively •. Rev-

A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL

erend Francis A. Kimball was the pastor in 1868 and 1869. There were 402 members in his first year and 506 in his last. Sunday school attendance attendance was reported to have been 250 and 275. The budget was $2515 for 1868 and$2917 for 1869.

The Georgia Air Line Railroad, chartered before the war, was act­ivated and construction was completed to Peachtree Creek in 1869. What was then the main line, is now the belt line of the Southern Railroad that runs from Decatur Street to Armour Park across the easterly side of Piedmont Park. This part of the Air Line became a switch track when it was merged with the Southern.

Fire fighting was on a volunteer basis in Atlanta until 1882. The senior Robert F. Maddox, grocer, banker and illustrious member of Wesley Chapel, was one of the first firemen. Equipment and fire stations were financed by public subscription with an occassional contribution by the city council. Atlanta did not have a water works system until 1875 and water to fight large fires was stored in large cisterns con­structed in many streets down town. Some fires got out of control when water in the cisterns was exhausted. Such a fire occured on September 12, 1869 and burned all of the buildings on the southerly side of Marietta Street between Broad Street and Peachtree Street.

A new constitution was adopted by the Legislature in 1868. It was dictated by the Federal Government and was a requisite for readmission of Georgia to the Union. Atlanta had been the headquarters of the North­ern occupation forces and the new Constitution provided that the State Capital was to be moved to Atlanta. Occupation forces had been housed in camps throughout the city. Upon the return of civic affairs to the elected officials, the army leased property on Greensferry Avenue, Humphries Street and Chapel Street and established a permanent military post.

John H. James built a beautiful home on Peachtree Street which was sold to the State for ~100,000 in 1870 for a Governor's mansion. The land is still owned by the State and a new hotel is proposed for the site which has recently been occupied by the Henry Grady Hotel and two office buildings.

Other events of 1870 were: A new Union Station was built between Pryor Street and Loyd Street (now Central Avenue) at a cost of ~135,OOO. Georgia was readmitted to the Union and Federal troops were withdrawn ... The Legislature approved the purchase of the Kimball Opera House on Marietta Street as a site for a new Capitol. It is now occupied by Western Union•••William Ezzard, a member of Wesley Chapel was elected Mayor.

Sometime in the late 1860's, plans were drawn for a new Methodist Church to replace Wesley Chapel. Er Lawsche, Joseph Winship, R. F. Maddox Senior, G. W. D. Cook, F. P. Rice, J. C. Davis and George C. Winship constituted the buildine committee. A contract for the new building was executed on March 14, 1870. w. C. Newman and J. N. Fain were the builders. The new church was built on the ground that Wesley Chapel had owned since 1847, on the portion facing Houston Street. The southerly portion of the ground became surplus and was sold for $12,324.22 which was applied to the building fund.

The cornerstone of the new church was laid on September 1, 1870. The Masonic Lodge participated in the ceremony. The stone was inscribed: W. P. Harrison, Pastorj W. H. Parkins, Architectj Newman and Fain, Contractorsj Samuel Lawrence, MAG Mj First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, September 1, 1870.

The Board of Stewards of the church for 1870 was: William Ezzard, Willis Peck, Er Lawsche, J. N. Simmons, G. W. D. Cook, E. G. Moore, N.

A MEMORIAL OP WESLEY CHAPRL :13

J. Hammond, J. L. Hopkins, C. W. Hunnicut, J. C. Davis, W. H. Busbee, Sidney Dell and G. T. Hammond •.The Trustees were: William Ez;arI'J.. Joseph Winship, Er Lawsche, B. J. Hammond. J. C. Davis, and ~;'L: Hopkins. Professor E. G. Moore was the Superintendent of the Sunday School which had 41 teachers and 305 pupils.

There are no records of the cost of the new building nor the names of all who gave of their time and substance toward the enter­prize. The lot on which the new church was built fronted 69 1/2 feet on Houston Street, 286 feet on Peachtree Street and 256 feet on Pryor Street. The sanctuary was 52 feet by 96 feet and seated 1.000 persons. The main spire was 180 feet tall and there were 2 pinnacles that were 90 feet tall. A Quarterly Conference report states that $29.228.09 had been paid to the contractors by Septmeber 30. 1870 and that it would requ!re about $8,000 more to complete the construction.

Apparently services were conducted in the basement of the new church for Wesley Chapel was disposed of in 1871. The October 22. 1871 issue of the Atlanta Constutuion carries this news item: "Passing Away. The church ediface known and revered as 'Wesley Chapell is rapid­ly disappearing. It is being torn down and hauled away."

The lot on which Wesley Chapel stood was sold for $8,000 on Feb­ruary 16, 1871, the building for $200 and a bell for $l4. The name of the church was changed to the First Methodist Episcopal Church, South on June 14, 1871, and the name Wesley Chapel with respect to Atlanta became history. However the spi~it of Wesley Chapel did not expire but exists to this day in many Atlanta Churches. First Methodist Church at 360 Peachtree Street is the direct survivor of Wesley Chapel, Trinity United Methodist Church at 265 Washington Street, Saint Mark United Methodis t Church at 781 Peachtree Street and Grace United Methodist r.huroh at 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, all began as missions of Wesley Chapel, and all may share with pride. the diatiQYtion of being children of Wesley Chapel, Atlanta's Mother Church.

Membership of Wesley Chapel from 1867 City Directory

Adams, Benson W. Adams, Mrs. l. Adamson, Miss Nellie Atkin, S. T. Atkin, Mrs. N. E. Atkin, Miss Emma Atkin, Miss Lizzie Barnes, Mrs. Amanda Barnes, Mrs. H. J. Barnwell, V. T. Barnwell, Mrs. L. A. Barre t t. W. J. Barrett, Mrs. Anna Bass, Mrs. M. E. Bass, Mrs. Margaret Beauchamp, Mrs. E. J. Belding, James Bell, M. R. Benton, Miss Mary Berry, Mrs. Harriet Berry, Miss Carrie

Bessent, Peter G. Bessent, Mrs. V. F. Bessent, Miss Anna Bleckley, L. E. Bleckley, Mrs. Carrie Boring, Dr. J. M. Boring, Mrs. Irene P. Boyd, A. 'I" Boyd, Mrs. Nancy A. Boyd, Miss Mary Boutell, John Boutell, Mrs. M. E. Boutell, Mrs. Hannah Bridwell, John Bridwell, Mrs. Elizabeth Bridwell, Mrs. Harriet Bridwell, Miss Ella Bridwell, Miss M. E. Brown, Mrs. Georgia Brown, J. W. Bernam, E. B.

Burnam, Wareham Burnam, Mrs. Mary Burnam, A. Burnam, Miss Emma Burnam, Miss Martha Busby, W. T. Busby, Mrs. Ella Butler, 'l'homas Butler, Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, Miss Emma Butler, Miss Ellen Crussell, Thomas Crusa~ll, Mrs. Thomas Calhoun, Mrs. Amelia Carmichael, Mrs. E. Carmichael, Miss C. E. Carmichael, Miss Mary A. Center, Miss Julia Champ, Mrs. T. C. Chandler, Mrs. Julia Chandler, Mrs. E. A.

A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL

Cohron, JosephCohron, Mrs. Irene Clardy, P. E. J. Clarchy, Mrs. T. J. Clarke, Lewis H. Clower, Mrs. Nancy H. Clower, Mrs. Sarah E. Cofer, Merritt J. Collins, Mrs. Cynthia Cook, G. W. D. Cook, Mrs. MaryCorley, Miss Ella Corron. Miss Parrie Cox. Wm. B. Cox. Mrs. Kate H. Cozart. Mrs. Anna M. Cozart. Miss Lou C. Cozart. Miss Anna M. Cozart, Miss Susie Cozart. Miss Sallie Cozart. Miss Ella Crouse, HarryCraven, Mrs. Mary Davis, J. C. Davis, Miss mary A. C. Davis, Webster Davis, C. C. Davis, Mrs. C. C. Davis, Miss Mary Dean, Miss Georgia DeFoor, Mrs. L. M. Delpey, Miss Emily Dorsey, Miss Mary Ducker, Wm. N. Ducker, Mrs. Mary Dunn, Mrs. M. C. Edmonson, Miss Mary Elyea, Mrs. Anna Eliza Ezzard, Wm. Ezzard, Mrs. Sarah S. Ezzard, Mrs. Fannie R. Fambrough, W. E. Fambrough. Mrs. M. F. Flannegan, Mrs. Matilda Foreacre. Mrs. Delia Fowler, Mrs. Flora Freeman, W. K. Freeman, ~rs. Julia Gartrell. L. J. Gartrell, Mrs. Anna Garwood. Johnson Garwood, Mrs. Harriet Gay, A. O. M. Gay, Mrs. Z. E. Gilmore. Almer Gilmore, Mrs. Eleanor

Gilmore. Harman Gilmore, Mrs. Lucy Godfrey. Rev. J. E. Godfrey, Mrs. Agnes Godfrey, Miss Anna B. Goode. Hamilton Goode, Mrs. A. E. Gordon. Daniel L.. G~non, Mrs. N~e1 M. Griffin, J. D. Griffin, Mrs. J. C. Grist, B. C. Grist. Mrs. A. J. Grist, Mrs. Elizabeth Grubbs. Mrs.Sarah Godfrey, Miss Rachael A.Knox, E. P.

l4

J. J. Jenkins Jenkins, Mrs. E. A. Jenkins. Miss Amanda J. Jenkins, G. W. Joroer. H. Joiner, Mrs. Mary Johnson, Jacob Johnson. Mrs. Mary Johnson. Miss Lizzie Kelly. David Kelly. Mrs. Lucy Kile. Mrs. Mary Kile. Miss Josephine King, Rev. H. K. King. Mrs. M. C.

Hairston. Mrs. N. A. Hammond, N. N. Hammond. A. W. Hammond. Mrs. Mary A. Hammond, George Hammond, N. J. Hammond, Mrs. L. F. Hammond, Miss Lula Hammond, Miss Ella Hammond, Wm. P. Hammond. Miss Mary Haney, Miss Joanna Haralson, Mrs. Mira Harrison, Mrs. C. A. Harrison. Mrs. E. J. Harrison. John W. Harrison, George W. Hays, 1. N. Hays, Mrs. Sarah Hearn, Miss Emily Henderson, Mrs. Mary Hendrix, J. C. Hendrix, Mrs. M. E. Hinton, Miss Sallie Hill. Miss Melissa Holmes. Matthew Holmes, Mrs. M. Holmes, W. C. Holmes, Mrs. W. C. Hopkins, John L. Hopkins, Mrs. Mary L. Horton, Mrs. Carrie E. Howard, R. A. Howard, Mrs. T. C. Howard. Mrs. E. V. Hoyle. Wm. E. Hoyle, Mrs. ~. A. Hunnicutt, C. W.

Lackie, Mrs. Eugenia LandrU1ll. L. L. Lane, Mrs. l"argaret E. Lawsche, Rev. Lewis Lawsche, Mrs. Louisa Lawsche, Miss Lou Lawsche, Er Lawsche. Mrs. Sallie Lester, Mrs. Sarah Lester. Miss Hattie Lester, Miss Eva Lester, Miss Mattie Lester, Miss Ella Lester. Wm. Lovejoy. Miss Martha.' Lumpkin, Miss Clementine Maddox, Mrs. Anna Maflit, Mrs. Carrie Mart in, Ganaway Mayson. Rev. J. R. Mayson, Miss Emmie J. McAffee, W. W. McAffee. Mrs. A. L. McConnell, Mrs. '11m. McConnell, Miss Leona McFail. Mrs. V. E. McLendon, Capell McLendon, Mrs. Ruth McLin, J. G. McLin, Mrs. M. McLin, MiSs Mary Mell, W. H. Mell, Mrs. Sarah E. Mell, Miss M. A. Miller. Mrs. Nancy Miller. Miss Mary Mills, J. M. Mills, Mrs. Jospeh

Hunnicutt, Mrs. Letitia ~ill~' ~£~~ 8~rrie O. Jenkins, Miss Sarah A. E. '

A MEMORIAL OF WESLEY CHAPEL 15 Monday, C. E. Rives, Frank Varner, Mrs. RebeccaMonday, R. A. Roberts, Elisha Venable, Miss JuliaMonday, Miss Charlotte Roberts, Mrs. A. Walker, Henry C.Monday, Miss Anna Robinson, Miss Susan E. Walker, Mrs. Salli~ S.Monday, Miss Mary Robson, S. B. Warren, Mrs. AmandaMoody, Miss Martha J. Robson, Miss Anna Watley, Mrs. AnnaMorgan, Mrs. Eva Rollins, A. P. Watson, A.Morris, Mrs. Mary Rollins, Mrs. C. P. Watson, Mrs.

R.. Fannie

O'Connor, Mrs. P. Rust, Mrs. Margaret Watts, Mrs. M. L.Orme, Mrs. '"'ucy Sasseen, E. R. Wast, Mrs. J. E.Payne, Edward Sasseen, E. R. ~r. West, Miss AlbertaPayne, Mrs. J. B. Sassee'l, George West, Miss LauraPayne, Mrs. Carrie Seymour, Isaiah Westmoreland, Mrs. Dr. H.Payne, Mrs. Elizabeth Seymour, Mrs. Olive Whitaker, Mrs. J.Payne, Mrs. Margaret Silvey, Mrs. A. Whitaker, Miss MattiePeck, Willis Simmons, Dr. J. N. Whitehead, Geo. W. M.Peck, Mrs. Anna E. Simmons, Mrs. E. C. Willingham, Miss M.E.Peck, Wm. F. Smith, B. D. Willingham, Miss J.Peck, John B. Smith, Mrs. Lizzie Wilson, Dr. HenryPeck, Mrs. Martha A. Smith, Mrs. Cornelia E. Wilson, Mrs. MaryPegg, Dr. W. H. Smith, Dr. C. H. Wilson, Mrs. MarianPegg, Mrs. Martha Smith, John A. Wilson, Miss CatherinePegg, Miss Cynthia South, ~Irs. J. Winship, JosephPendley, Mrs. Jane Stegall, Mrs. Nancy Winship, Mrs. EudosisPilgrim, Mrs. N. J. Stewart, Miss L. Winship, RobertPittman, Mrs. Martha C. Starnes, Joel Winship, Mrs. MaryPitts, Columbus A. Starnes, Mrs. l'iary Winship, GeorgePitts, Miss Emeline Starnes, Mrs. Anna Winship, Mrs. EugeniaPowell, Mrs. D. C. Starnes, Miss Fannie Winship, Miss Ella C.Powell J. Starnes, Miss Mattie Witt, H. H.Powell, Miss G. S. Strong, Mrs. Elizabeth B.Witt, Mrs. Mr~.·A. A.Partell, Mrs. H. A. Talley, A. S. Wood, WinstonReynolds, J. C. Taylor, Mrs. Susan Wood, Mrs. MaryReynolds, Mrs. U. u. Taylor, Mrs. L. Yarbrough, Joel

York, B. W. York, Mrs. C. A.

Church Record Location: east side of Peachtree near junction of Broad Street A~gregate Membership: 337 Church Meetings, 3rd Sabbath in each month Communion, 1st Sabbath in each month Services each Sunday at lO~ A. M.,and at Night.

Wm. P. Harrison, Pastor Peter G. Bessent, Secretary of Church Meeting Stewards: E. R. Sasseen, Er Lawshe, Willia Peck, J. C. Davis,

William Ezzard, J. N. Simmons, S. T. Akin Trustees: William Ezzard, Lewis Lawshe, S. T. Akin, N. J. Hammond,

J. C. Davis, John L. Hopkins, Joseph Winship Superintendents of the Sunday School: Lewis Lawshe, E. R. Sasseen Librarian: B. W. York Assistant Librarians: George W. Hammond, George Sasseen Sabbath School: Aggregate, Teachers and Pupils 250

Average Attendance 175