Norma Jennings2001
 

People's names are highlighted in red to make it easier to find any family members that may be included in these records.

             1850-1855  1855-1858- Organization of the church in 1850-1855.  The church house was not completed until 1863. In the meantime they held occasional services and organizational meetings without any specific regularity  in various schoolhouses and occasionally in homes.  The Pleasant Grove, Spring Run, and Louisa Center schoolhouses were used during those early years. As the church continues to grow, we begin to see evidence of some being excluded.  While this sounds ominous, we found that the most common reason for being excluded in the Baptist Church was uniting with other churches or for long absences from meetings.  A few rare instances were gossiping and repeating false statements about another member or dishonest dealings. (I don't know if Pleasant Grove is the same as the Pleasant View in later years but the minutes clearly say Pleasant Grove.  There was a Pleasant Grove near Keokuk but it seems unlikely the church would have been that far reaching in those days.)

1859-1865

1859	Meetings held
January 13	Regular Church Meeting Preaching Covenant vc
February 10	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant vc
March 10	Very snowy and stormy. No meeting
April 7	Church meeting - Pastor not present. Prayer Meeting. Adj. M.M.C. ch clk
May	Regular Church meeting. Preaching Covenant vc Very Large attendance. James Carey dismissed by letter. Adj. M.M. C. ch clk
June 11	Church Meeting. Pastor not present. Prayer and Converence. M.M. C. Clk.
July 9	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching vc. Adj. Clk
August 12	Regular Church Meeting. Covenant vc Pastor asked to be released from pastoral care of Church on account of health and pecuniary circumstances which was accepted provided said Pastor would continue to supply the church as health would permit.  Adj. M. M. Church Clerk.
September 9	Regular church meeting. Pastor sick
October 7	Regular church meeting. Preaching covenant vc
November 11	Regular church meeting. Preaching covenant vc
December 9	Regular church meeting. Preaching covenant vc.
1860
January 12	Regular church meeting. Preaching covenant vc
February 9	Regular church meeting. Preaching covenant vc. Matilda Koons received on her own statement Mary J. Harrison. Received on her baptism. Melissa A. Harrison received on her baptism Benjamin Jennings chosen to the deaconship. On motion resolved that we do most heartily appreciate the labors  of Brother Woodruff among us in preaching to us the Word of Life and in Sustaining the regular of the Church. 2. Resolve that we deeply regret that we have not been able to do more under the pressure of the times by our contributions to sustain him among us in his Labors of love toward us, and we deepley Sympathize with him in his afflictions and discouragements. 3. Resolved that we cordially invite and earnestly Solicit Brother Woodruff to again resume the pastoral care of our church and labor amongst us as much as his health and circumstances will admit of 4. Resolved that we pledge ourselves in good faith to cooperate with him through our prayers and sympathies and social intimacies and by our contributions to the extent of our abilities to sustain him in the future which was agreed to by the Pastor. On motion adjourned. M. M. Carson Ch Clk.
March	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant vc David Woodruff, Received by baptism Mary A. Woodruff, received by baptism Elisabeth A. Malaby, received by baptism Mahala M. Carson, received by baptism Wm Bates, received by baptism Caroline Bates, received by baptism
April	Regular Church meeting. Preaching covenant vc Parkis Woodruff, received by baptism Catherine Ludlow, received by baptism Lucetta Forbes, received by baptism Diantha Brown, received by baptism Alvira Phillips, received by baptism M.M. C. Church Clerk.
May	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant vc Milan Brownson, received by baptism Nancy Dowell (sp?), received by experience Mariam Merrill dismissed by letter M. M.C. Church Clerk
June 9	Regular Church Meeting Preaching vc Emma Jackson received by Baptism.  On motion resolved that Benj. Jennings, Joel Brownson, and James Woodruff be a comm. to obtain by subscription a support for our pastor dating back to Jan. 1st. ult. M.M. C. Clk
July	Regular Church Meeting Preaching tc vc Rebecca Haws, Received by Baptism Mary J. Ball, Received by Baptism. M.M. C. Clk
August 11	Regular Church Meeting Preaching vc. Asa Dowell, received by letter Seth Bouton, received by Baptism Mary Bouton, received by Baptism Emily Ludlow, Received by Baptism Ellen Ludlow, Received by Baptism Samuel Ludlow and M.M. Carson, Received by Baptism Eliza J. Wykert, Received by Baptism
September 8	Regular Church Meeting Preaching jc vc Mifflin Jeffreys, Received by Baptism
September 22	Joseph L. Paschal, Received by Baptism Elisabeth Gaily, Received by Baptism
October 13	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant jc vc Amanda Adye, Received by Baptism
October 28	Urzula Wells, Received by Baptism M. M. Carson, Clk P.S. It is well here to remark that all members are received by the Right Hnad of Fellowship which your transcriber thinks unnecessary to copy at the meeting above the below named were thus received. Amanda Adye(1) M. J. Ball (2), Rebecca Hawes (3), Seth Bouton(4), Ellen (5) Emily (6) and Samuel Ludlow (7) Eliza J. Wykert (8) Mary Bouton (9) Urzula Wells (10) J. L. Paschal (11) Mifflin Jeffreys (12) M. M. Carson Clk.
November 10	Our Pastor being Co. Superintendant of Schools was not present. Prayer and covenant meeting vc. Adj. M. M. Carson C.C.
December 8	Regular Church Meeting  Preaching vc J. N. Pierpont Received by experience Resolved that we proceed to the building of a meeting house as per past resolutions prvided $1200 can be obtained therefor by subscription and that June 1st 1861 be the time agreed to commence the same and that the house shall be enclosed by Nov 1, 1861. On motion J. J. Burgess, Benj. Jennings and Jas. Woodruff were chosen a committee to ciruculate subscription as above and were to report at next meeting (Jan 12, 1861) On motion Adjourned M. M. C. C. Clerk
1861
January 10, 1861	Regular Church Meeting (at Spring Run School House) A. Litsey, Received by Letter Harriet Litsey, Received by Baptism Emiline Litsey, Received by Baptism Aranetta Litsey, Received by Baptism Sitney Mickey, Received by Baptism Lucretia Jennings, Received by Baptism Delila Bedwell, and Melvina Paschal Received by Baptism The committee on subscription report that $1149 secured and were continued to raise it to at least $1200. On motion, the Trustees were elected to hold the church property and to oversee the work.  J. Brownson, J.J. Burgess, B. Jennings chosen for this work. Adjourned to meet in Columbus City, Tuesday Evening February 15, 1861. M. M. Carson, Ch. Clk.
February 15, 1861	Met as per above adjournment. On motion, J. L. Paschal elected to Board of Trustees, J. L. Paschal elected Secretary of Board of Trustees, J. J. Burgess elected President of the Trustees, Joel Brownson, was elected Treasurer of the Trustees.  The Board of Trustees are hereby empowered to purchase site for  Said house of worship and to make arrangements for the erection and inclosure(sic) of the said building according to specifications hereto set forth in regard to same. On motion adjourned to meet at Louisa Center Febr. 9th(19th?) 1861
February 19th(?)	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant vc. Taylor Jeoffreys (sic) Received by Baptism Joseph Price Received by Baptism Adjourned by M.M. Carson Ch. Clk.
March 9	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc...
April 13	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc.. Mary Parsons, Received by Baptism Isabell Durban, Received by Baptism.
May 11	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... Margaret Randolph, Received by Baptism. On motion adjourned. M. M. C. Ch. Clk.
June 8	Church meeting. Brother Woodruff having gone west. Rev. Crumley happening to be present was called to the chair.  After prayer and reading. J. L. Paschal was chosen Church Clerk. M. M. Carson excluded from Church Fellowship. Adj. J. L. Paschal Ch. Clk.
June 30,	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant vc Jane Carson excluded from Church Fellowship Sarah Carson Dismissed by Letter Delegates to Association. W. R. Woodruff, J. L. Paschal, Parkis Woodruff, Wm. Bates, David Woodruff, Ed Stewart, Newton Pierpont & S. E. Wilson Adjourned. J. L. Paschal, Clk
August	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc...
September	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... D. P. Mathews, Excluded from Church Fellowship
November	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... ------------- Jarboe was receivd by Letter, J. L. Paschal Clk
1862
January	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... On Sabbath January 8, 1862, the Church being assembled for worship at Pleasant Grove Schoolhouse. After sermon by the Pastor W. R. Woodruff. Sarah Stoddard was received by Baptism, Eliza Brown was received by Baptism, Ersula Wells Dissmissed by Letter, Lydia May Dismissed by Letter, Asa Dowell Dismissed by Letter Nancy Dowell Dismissed by Letter. J. L. Paschal Ch. Clk
February	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc...On mtion  Resolved that our Pastor Rev. W. R. Woodruff be appointed and authorised to solicit contributions from other churches at other places to assist us to finich our house of worship. Unanimously adopted. J. L. Paschal, C.C.
March	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc.. Smith Galey Received by Baptism O. Spafford Excommunicated from fellowship. Adjourned J. L. Paschal Ch. Clk..
April	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... Phebe Williams, Received by Letter. J. L. Paschal Clk
May	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc...Sermon by Brother Warrwn who being visiting remained over the day.  ---------- Foster Received by Letter Mary Alexander Received by Letter
June	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... On Motion resolved that the Church Trustees are hereby empowered to grant the use of this house on all special occasions for all moral and educational purposes on conditions they may judge proper. Unanimously adopted. J. L. Paschal Ch Clk.
July	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... Rev. W. R. Woodruff, J. L. Paschal were elected to write associational letter to that body to meet August at New London. On motion Resolved that the Church meetings hereafter be held in our house of worship at Columbus City On the Saturdays before the First Sunday in each month. Approved and Adopted. Adjourned J. L. Paschal, Clk.
August	Regular Church Meeting. Pastor Absent. Joel Brownson chosen Moderator. Delegates to Association at New London. Rev. W. R. Woodruff, Joseph Mickey, Wm. Bates, Joel Brownson, Br. Foster, James Woodruff, P.C. Brown, H. Jennings, and Brother Alexander. J. L. Paschal, Ch. Clk
September	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc...J. L. Paschal Ch.Clk
October 8	Church met at J. Brownsons as per adjournment (?) W. R. Woodruff moderation. Joel Brownson, Clerk pro tem.  Resolved 1st That we pay the indebtedness now due and contracted on our House of Worship and raise funds for its completion each member paying yearly in equal proportionment to his assessment of property. Unanimously adopted. Resolved 2nd That each one pay to the Trustees of Said House of Worship by January the amount paid as taxes for the year. Unanimously adopted. Resolved 3rdly That each one  pay to the Trustees of Said Church between Sept. 1st and Dec. 31st 1863 three fourths of one per cent on his or her assessment valuation for year 1862. Unanimously Adopted. Motion Adjourned to Meet a Louisa Center December 13th 1862
December 13	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc. J. L. Paschal our efficient clerk and dearly beloved brother having been taken away our society & from his labors & suffering by the hand of death we venerate his  ?? On motion J. J. Burgess elected Church Clk.
1863
Date  omitted	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc.
Date omitted	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc
Date omitted	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc. Motion Resolved to dedicate our House of worship during hte Association which is to meet here next month. Adoption. J. J. Burgess, Ch. Clk..
No date	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc... Dedication of House of Worship. J. J. B. Ch Clk
No date	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc. Fluvilla Daton Received by Baptism. J. J. B. Ch Clk.
No date	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc. J. J. B. Ch Clk
1864
April 2	Regular Church Meeting. Covenant, vc. Eliza Denton, Received by Letter Fish Received by Letter Brand Received by Letter
April 30	Regular Church Meeting. Covenant, vc...J. J. Burgess Ch Clk
June 3	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc...
July 1	Regular Church Meeting. Preaching Covenant, vc Hannah Rathbone Received by Letter Rev. W. R. Woodruff appointed to write the associational letter. Adjourned. J. J. Burgess Ch Clk
August 6	Pastor unable to be preent. Jas. Woodruff Moderator Associational Letter Read and received.  The delegates elected to the Association were S. E. Wilson, Benj. Jennings, Joel Brownson, John Morgan, Benj. Alexander, Andrew Jackson, Our Pastor. A communication from our Pastor was received asking release from Pastoral Care of the church on account of ill health and especially because of feebleness of voice was left till next meeting for consultation with him . On motion adjourned. J. J. B. Ch. Clk.
November	Regular Church Meeting.  Joseph Mickey excluded from Church Fellowship
1865
February 4	Church meeting. Prayer by Pastor unable to speak. Nancy Jarboe Dissmissed(sic) by letter. Anson Woodcock Dissmissed by letter On motion of Joel Brownson that each Sister is taxed 50 cents and each male member taxed $1.00 (one dollar) for church Repairs. Carried. J.J. B. Ch Clk
March 4	Church Meeting Prayer by Joel Brownson. Moderater James Woodruff. On motion of Joel Brownson Resolved that the Church purchase a dwelling house for Melvina Paschal and that the community be solicited to assist them with. Carried!!!!! On Motion J. Brownson Resolved that Benj. Jennings, Edward Welson, and P. C. Brown be a committee to procure money and purchase said hosue for Sister Paschal.  Carried!!!
April 1	Regular Church Meeting. Prayer Reading Exhortation. Wilson Received by Baptism. J. J. Burgess Ch Clk
May 6	Regular Church Meeting Preaching Covenant vc. Sands Received on experience. Edw. Foster excluded for dishonest dealing. Adjourned. J.J. Burgess Ch. Cl,
June 3	Regular Church Meeting. Pastor unable to preach. Pastor to write letter to the Association.
July 1	Regular Church Meeting. Paster unable to preach. W. R. Woodruff, Joel Brownson, James Woodruff, P. E. Brown, Benj. Jennings and D. Woodruff were appointed delegates to Association. J. J.Burgess, Ch Clk
August 5	Regular Church Meeting. Pastor present but unable to speak
Sept. 2	Regular Church Meeting. Pastor present but unable to speak
November 3	Regular Church Meeting. Reading, prayer & Exhortation by Pastor nearly in a whisper
December 2	Regular Church Meeting, Preaching by Pastor Covenant and Business Meeting. Attention being called by our Paster ot his request sent in August 6th desiring to be released from the Pastoral charge by the church. It was resolved that we retain our present pastor to labor for us as his health and voice may permit. Unanimously carried. On motion by the Pastor, Jowel(sic) Brownson, Benj. Jennings and J. J. Burgess were appointed a committee to correspond with other miinsters to the intent that the present pastor may be released from the pastoral care of the church. Carried On motion adm. J.J. Burgess, Ch Clk.