_http://www.secondbaptistrichmond.org/history/hxvabapt.htm_
(http://www.secondbaptistrichmond.org/history/hxvabapt.htm)
In a message dated 10/25/2006 7:44:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Lonny Watro's remarks about a Baptist ancestor prompt me to put in a plug
for Andrew Levy's superb book, "The First Emancipator," about Robert
Carter, who was among the first high-status Virginians to become a
Baptist. The book portrays the struggles of the early Baptists against
violent abuse, Carter's extraordinary emancipation, and the twists and
turns of Carter's religious conversions. It is one of the best and most
enjoyable books I've read on 18th-century Virginia. A must-read.
Henry Wiencek
Henry,
I descend from Matthew Marks who died in 1718 in Prince Georges County (now
portion in Brunswick Co. probably). According to Robertson family
information the first "approved" Baptist meeting occurred in his home in 1715 (see the
following excerpt from list archives). The minister was a Robert Norden.
Are either of these people mentioned in the above books. I don't believe they
quite reach the "high status" category.
Thanks in advance, Janet Hunter
_http://jrshelby.com/rfotw/robinson.txt_
(http://jrshelby.com/rfotw/robinson.txt)
Israel Roberson (Robertson, Robinson, Robyson), the father of
Susannah Kendrick, was born in Prince George Co., Va., about 1698-1700,
as his oldest son, Matthew, was born in 1720, and Israel himself was
not too old to serve as an Ensign in the Granville Co., N.C. militia in
the General Muster Oct. 8, 1?54 (N.C. Colonial and State Records, Vol.
22, p. 372-3). He served in the same company, Capt. Richard Coleman's,
as James and John Kendrick, and the list of militiamen shows also
Israel's sons, Matthew (Sergeant), Israel, Jr., and John Robinson.
Prince George Co., Va. records indicate practically conclusively that
Israel Roberson and his brothers, John and Edward Roberson, were sons
of Nicholas Roberson, of Bristol Parish, Prince George Co., thus
connecting them with two of the founders of the first Baptist Church
established in Virginia (cy. Ryland, "The Baptists of Virginia", pp.
2-5). Probably at the request of Matthew Marks, in 1714 the General
Assembly of the General Baptists of England sent to Virginia the Rev.
Robert Norden to become pastor of a Baptist congregation, and at the
Prince George Co. Court June 14, 1715, Robert Norden, "An Anabaptist
preacher", took the oath of allegiance, and Matthew Mark's home was
authorized as a meeting house for the Baptists (O.B. 1714-20, p. 20).
At the next court, July 12, 1715, "On the motion of Nicholas Robertson
it's ordered that his house be recorded a publick meeting house for the
sext of Anabaptists" (p.25). Matthew Marks had lived in Charles City
Co., Va. (later Prince George) at least since June, 1691, when he was
summoned before the court for not going church, indicating that he was
probably already a Baptist and opposed to worshipping in Ihe
Established Church (Charles City orders, 1687-95, p. 348). He was a
comparatively wealthy man and was owner of 1500 acres in Prince George
Co. in 1784 (VM 28, p. 344). He died in Prince George Co. in 1719. The
will of Matthew Marks of Martins Brandon Parish, dated Aug. 15, 1719
and probated at Merchants Hope Oct. 13, 1719, leaves land to Edward,
son of Edward Marks; to John Robyson; to Israel and Edward Robinson; to
John Marks, son of Israel marks; to his daughter Mary Davenport; states
that Robert Norden (the Baptist Minister mentioned above) is to have a
room reserved for him in the house as long as he remains in Virginia
and is to have the plantation until Edward Marks comes of age; and
appoints Robert Norden and John Avery executors (D. & W. HM., 1713-28,
p. 358). An account of the estate in 1720 shows that the daughter was
the wife of George Davenport, and mentions a parcel of books "belonging
to the Baptist ministcr, not belonging to Marks (p. 47m). It is
unfortunate that the will mentions no relationships except the
daughter, Mary Davenport. However, it seems practically certain that
the Marks and Roberson legatees were grandsons. The legatee, Edward
Narks, was the son of an Edward Marks who died prior to 1714, his widow
Martha in that year being the wife of James Bell (O.B. 1714-28, p. 6).
She was a sister of William Santain, whose Will, dated Dec. 31, 1716
and probated May 14, 1717, mentions his wife; Iames Bell and martha hfs
wife ("my sister")i and her children, Edward Marks and James Bell (D. &
W. Bk. 1713-28, p. 162). John Marks, the other Marks legatee, was the
son of Israel Marks who died in 1718, and his wife Elizabeth, who was a
daughter of Richard Pigeon, who also died in 1718 (D. & W. Bk. 1713-28,
pp 258 & 288). Edward Marks, Sr. and Israel Marks were almost certainly
sons of Matthew Marks. The names Israel and Edward Roberson among the
legatees, the fact that Israel Roberson's eldest son was named Matthew,
and the fact that the three Roberson brothers were left together 200
acres of land (the same as Edward Marks and the daughter Mary
Davenport), indicate very strongly that their mother was a daughter of
Matthew Marks, who had predeceased her father.
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