CHAPTER I

(The giving of this History at the Home Coming June 30, 1946 brought many requests that it be published, to which request, Mr. ROGER PRIDE, publisher of this paper, has kindly consented. The author suggests that these articles be saved and made into a scrapbook, and urges all who could add to these articles to send such information to him, so that a complete justice can be done to all who should be so honored.)

The first Protestant Preacher in any part of what is now Alabama, was Lorenzo Dow, claimed to be a Methodist Preacher, and who passed within a few miles of what is Georgiana, as he traveled the Old Federal Road from Georgia to the Tombigee River Settlements in Alabama from 1803 to 1812. In 1808 Mathew Parham Sturdivant, of the South Carolina Conference, volunteered as a missionary to the Tombigee Settlements, which marked the first Methodist appointment in what is now Alabama. There is a monument to Sturdivant at La Place Church in Macon County, near Tuskegee, placed 1935 by the Alabama Conference Historical Society.

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Little's History of Butler County states that South Butler Methodist Church built 1827 was the first Church of any kind built in this section of the country. This Church was about five and a half miles south of the present Georgiana, and three and a half miles south of the present New Hope Church (established 1902). On July 4, 1904, the Quarterly Conference Records show that Old South Butler Church had been abandoned as a preaching place, and voted to sell the old building and apply proceeds at McKenzie, where most of the members were then attending. The old Cemetery is all that remains of the mother Methodist Church of this section of Butler County.

McKeizie Church, as the rightful successor to Old South Butler Methodist Church, could call 1947 the one hundred and twentieth birthdate of their Church. Early settlers at South Butler, according to Little, were John Wheeler and Jesse R. Hinson, who came in 1823. We doubt, many people from what is now Georgiana section, attended church at Old South Butler, although the public road from Georgiana to South Butler was not opened until 1862. South Butler dates back to the early days of Alabama, which was made a territory March 1, 1817 out of the Eastern part of the Mississippi Territory, capitol at St. Stephens, with William Wyatt Bibb as governor.

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Alabama became a state December 14, 1819 with the capitol at Cahaba. Butler County, created December 13, 1819, out of Conecuh County, was named for William Butler, who had been killed by the Indians in 1818 near Butler Springs.

Georgiana section was settled in 1824 by settlers from Georgia, says Little, who gives these as the first to come: John Sheperd, Peter Mason, Michael O'Brien, Dr. Clements, John R. Keene, Miles and Peter Simpson, John W. Wheeler, and the Stockton family. Rev. Pitt Sanders Milner (1806-1873), Baptist Preacher, settled here 1855, and appears to be the real founder of the town of Georgiana, the founder of the Baptist Church, the first postmaster, the first railroad agent, and also the first lawyer hereabouts. In 1858, Milner opened a general store near station and had town name changed from Pittsville (in his honor) to Georgiana.

CHAPTER II

July 25, 1946

Georgiana's first school opened in 1856 in a log house with Miss Eunice Eskew as teacher. In 1857, Milner organized a Baptist Church with twenty members. The church building was not started until 1865 says an article dated September 12, 1912, that the Smith Church (probably Morman Church) had been

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dissolved and that a Baptist Church was being organized 1865, where the present Church now stands. The 1831 article says the present Baptist Church was built in 1903.

The first saw mill and grist mill was built 1858 by Captain E. C. Milner, son of P. S. Milner. The first train into Georgiana July 4, 1959, with a big barbecue and political speaking to celebrate the occasion, says S. M. Henderson's article. The public roads from Georgiana to Oakley Streak, South Butler and Bear's Store were opened in 1865. In 1857 Kincey Lewis Davis (1828-1912) moved to Georgiana from Columbus, Georgia, with his wife and small children. More will be given later about him.

South Butler Methodist Church, the mother Methodist Church of the south part of Butler County, and the first church of any kind in this part of the County, was strong enough December 2, 1863, to give its name to the Circuit and be listed in the Alabama Conference Journal. It was in the Lowndesboro District, James Wilson Shores, Presiding Elder: with William H. Morris, Preacher in Charge. On December 13, 1864, J. K. Tansey was appointed pastor. All this was while the Civil War was in progress 1861 to 1865. The November 21, 1865 appointment was Montgomery Conference: Orion District, Joseph B. Cottrell,

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P. E. Sepulga, W.W. Graham. P. C., no doubt the first pastor who had Georgiana Methodist Church as part of his circuit.

Little's History of Butler County, gives 1866 as the year of origin of Georgiana Methodist Church, and the Greenville Advocate (1931) says the first church, a wooden building, was built 1866, on land donated by Jerry Fail, one of the earliest residents of Georgiana. A record of July 16, 1867, Book 28, Page 409, Greenville Court House, shows that Jeremiah Fail and wife Eliza, through their attorney, P. S. Milner, deeded a 100' lot on Jones St.., facing 124' on meeting St., and 100' on Jones St., this being the present 1946 swimming pool lot. The Methodist Trustees at Georgiana then were: Kincey Lewis Davis, John McMichael Henderson (1829-1890), and Duncan Thomas Sellers (born 1844). The original lot was deeded to the city in April 1901, but the deed became lost, so the church again deeded the property to the city August 8, 1914.

K. L. Davis, Jr. now of Montgomery, says that his father gave the lot and sawed the lumber at his mill and donated same to build that first Church. No doubt, K.L. Davis, Sr., was greatly assisted by J.M. Henderson, D.T. Sellers, A. L. Palmer, H. J. Feagin, and other original members of the church.

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The first church building was a log house, which was later replaced by a better building, which was used until a third building was built about 1890 or 1891, on the present site. The present Church is the fourth building and was built 1913-1914 after the third building had burned March 17, 1912, the day of the death of K. L. Davis. Earliest names on the Georgiana Methodist Church Records are: Adams, Atkinson, Ninion, Bush, Brackin, Barrow, Brown, Burch, Bryan, Calhoun, Carpenter, Davis, Feagin, Foster, Fundaburk, Glenn, Hammond, Henderson, Hall, Hardie, Halman, Larkin, McLeod, McMillian, Mason, Miller, Palmer, Powell, Peavy, Sellers, Stott, Torrance, and York.

Other names on the roll soon after 1866 are: Baldwin, Brunson, Barfield, Clarke, Cheatum, Christopher, Campbell, Edwards, Flowers, Garrett, Grace, Hill, Howell, Harbin, King, McCane, McGlaun, McLendon, Martin, Moore, Motes, Oates, Perkins, Purnell, Rye, Sartin, Shreiber, Stewart, Wagnon, Watson, Windham, and Zeigler.

The Pastors for Georgiana Church with appointment dates as shown in Conference records were: 1865 Hillard J. Hunter; 1867 Stephen Fatherly Pilley (1804-1873); 1869 Benjamin LaFayette Selman (1831- 1910); 1870 G. W. Perry; 1871 Hillard J. Hunter; 1872 S. F. Rilley; 1873 Neil Gillis (1834-1907); 1874 Malcolm M. Graham (1828-1902); 1877 James Leonard Skipper(1835-1904); 1878 William Hargrove Morris (1841-1910); 1879 A. J. Colman (1822-1888); 1880 LaFayette Patterson (1823-1881); 1881 A. J. Coleman; 1883 Charles D. Jordan; 1885 Leander Cotton Calhoun (1848-1926); 1887 Alexander Bascom Brown (1850-1929); 1888 William Ira Powers( 1825-1906); 1891 Benjamin LaFayette Selman (1831-1910); 1894 Wesley Barnwell Dennis (1837-1902); 1896 Augustus Henderson Moore (1847-1929); 1897 George Monroe Sellers(1860-1904); 1898 William D. Taylor (1855-1902); 1899 John Peter Sanders (1850-1939); 1901 W. T. Rencher; 1902 James L. Mathison (1843-1918); 1906 George Peter Cosby Fontaine (1836-1919); 1909 Walker Bancroft (1861-1928); 1912 Joseph Fredrick Price (1871-1925); 1916 B. M. Herlong; 1920 James Clendinen (1868-1941); 1921 John Allen Whitsett(1877-1942); 1924 Douglas Lawrence Folsom; 1928 J. L. White; 1929 Charles H. Seibert; 1935 David Magruder Pearson; 1936 Charles W. Northcutt; 1938 U. L. Martin; 1940 Haley Lisenby; 1941 John Bransford Nichols; 1945 F. S. Moseley. You will note that in early days preachers served churches more than once.

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CHAPTER III

August 1, 1946

Georgiana was incorporated as a town in 1869 and as a city in 1872. On December 9, 1873, South Butler Circuit became Georgiana Circuit, no doubt because Georgiana had a stringer Church. Neil Gillis (1834-1907) was appointed Pastor that year, no doubt, the first pastor to live in Georgiana. His son, John F. Gillis, prominent Methodist of Grove Hill, was small baby when his father lived here.

The earliest record of anyone joining Georgiana Church is from the Obituary in the December 221, 1883 Alabama Christian Advocate by Rev. A. J. Coleman, of Washington Davis Palmer, who was born April 13, 1861, in Butler County and died September 12, 1883. He joined Georgiana Methodist Church in 1874 under Neil Gillis, according to his obituary.

Georginia Church has changed districts thirteen times in eighty years. It was first in Orion District and the December 6, 1866 Annual Conference changed it to Union Springs District; then in 1869 Camden District; 1874 Prattville;1875 Union Springs again; 1876 Prattville again; 1878 Pensacola; 1808 Troy; 1912 Evergreen; 1913 Andalusia; 1930 Pensacola again; 1936 Greenville; and 1940 Selma District.

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Malcom M. Graham (1828-1902), Pastor 1874-1876, reported to the December 12, 1876 Annual Conference, that he had six churches, eight Sunday Schools, six local preachers, three hundred and ninety seven members, no colored members and no parsonage. South Butler and Wesley Chapel were two of the six churches. Wesley Chapel has had a long and useful history and the circuit was called Georgiana-Wesley Chapel Circuit in 1879.

On December 5, 1881, A. J. Coleman (1882-1888) was appointed pastor for the second time and on December 18, 1882 reported to annual conference one parsonage, value seven hundred dollars. Book 1, Page 369, at Greenville Court House, shows that James H. Stewart and Wife (Maragaret J.) deeded present parsonage lot to Rev. A. J. Coleman for Forty five dollars, and that A. J. Coleman and wife (M.E.) deeded same lot with improvements for one hundred and seventy three dollars on Oct. 25, 1883, to these circuit trustees; Robert S. Pilley, Robert B. Mills, James Rufus McGlaun, P. D. Rigsby, J. P. Arant, John Wesley Hammer, Julius W. Stewart, and Amasa Lazarus.

Georginis Sunday School is first mentioned March 10, 1883 in A. J. Coleman's Report to the Quarterly Conference, when he states that South Butler had a flourishing Sunday School, J.P. Arant,

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Superintendent; and that Georginia had a sickly Sunday School, Thomas E. Atkinson, Superintendent. Wesley Chapel was the only other church on the circuit that year and appears to have had no Sunday School.

Superintendent of the Georgiana Sunday School as far as we have the records were; A. L. Palmer 1844-1846; R. C. Shell 1887; William B. Barrow 1888; John L. Henderson 1889; A. L. Palmer 1890-91; R. S. Pilley 1892-95; A. L. Palmer 1896-99; R. S. Pilley 1900-12; Ulay W. Black 1912-23; No Records from 1924-1931; T. Jacob Shell 1931-35; H.E. Jackson 1936-37; Herman Pride 1838-46. He is our present superintendent, with Ned D. Houston as Associate, James Henry Johnson, Treasurer, and Thomas Miller Lynn, Secretary.

In resolutions seploring her death Feb. 21, 1901, Mrs. Mary Pilley Selman is referred to as one of the oldest and most efficient teachers of the Sunday School. Mrs. Kate Demas Shell, daughter of Robert Coleman Shell, who died October 31, 1901, was another esteemed teacher. Mrs. Mary J. Motes (1837-1915) was another outstanding teacher of former years, and a memorial window to her was arranged just before Home Coming Day (June 30, 1947). Mrs. H. Y. Leysath and Miss Ola Weathers are among our present teachers who have labored long and faithfully with our Sunday School.

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The Sunday School report for June 25, 1992 says the Georgiana Sabbeth School is well conducted; that there are seventy enrolled, with attendance at eighty five percent, and that punctuality is a promonent feature, and that the lessons are well prepared by both teachers and pupils. The Pastor says "We commend the school especially for its intelligent Christian management; there is a manifest improvement since the beginning of the year and the outlook promises still better results." Pastor Benjamin Lafayette Selman.

The Sunday Scholl report for July 20, 1902 shows that the Sunday School time was taken up with the Love Feast of the District Conference, which apparently was meeting at Georgiana. The report for July 19, 1908 refers to the District Conference being in session, apparently again in Georgiana. (The History of the Sunday School was given at Home Coming by Herman Pride, the present Superintendent).

CHAPTER IV

August 8. 1946

Charles Daniel Jordan was appointed Pastor December 17, 1863 and March 1, 1884 had Georgiana, Wesley Chapel, South Butler, Garland and New prospect Churches, five in all, which were assessed six

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hundred dollars that year for Pastor's support. The trustee's report Nov. 15, 1884 gave value of Georgiana Church as one thousand dollars and its seating capacity as two hundred fifty people. This was the second building most likely and the one that later turned into a school house at present swimming pool location.

Jordan was pastor August 24, 1885 when the first church conference was held at Oak Grove to organize a church and choose the name for that church. Leander Cotton Calhoun (1848-1926) became Pastor of the circuit December 21, 1885. It was in September 1887 during a weekday morning service, while Rev. Emmette Wales Solomon was holding a revival at Georgiana, that Otis Vaughan Calhoun, then a lad of eight, joined the church. Brother Calhoun and Brother Solomon were so happy they lifted Otis over the Rail. Ottis is now one of the leading Ministers of this conference.

On December 9, 1889, William Ira Powers (1825-1906) was appointed Pastor of Georgiana Circuit of six churches and reported four hundred dollars paid him for the year's work. He was Pastor when the present Church lot was purchased August 11, 1891 for seventy dollars from John C. Kirkpatrick and wife (Dola).

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Trustees then were: S. D. Majors, P.D. Rigsby, A. L. Palmer, Julius W. Stewart, C. L. Arant, R.S. Philley, W. W. Rye, and W. A. Presley. Brother Powers lived at Georgiana after superannuation in 1895 and a memorial window was placed to him in the present church built 1913-1914. His widow (Louberta Moody) lives with her daughter Frances, wife of Rev. J. F. McLeod of Mobil. Frances Powers McLeod joined this Church by vows December 4, 1898. Her father was active in the establishment of the old Pensacola District High School which was operated the Methodists in the old Church building, to which an upper story was added. A report of August 12, 1891 refers to the High School and to the new church which has been built on the present location under Brother Powers. On August 7, 1892 the church donated its old organ to the Pensacola District High School of which J. B. Adams was principal.

On December 3, 1892, Robert S. Pilley, Chairman Board of Trustees, reported a neat, comfortable, commodious, new, unfinished church at Georgiana, lacking belfry, window shades, enough seats, etc., but seating five hundred people. The Church was valued at thirteen hundred dollars. He also says the former school building had been enlarged and used as a school, valued at fifteen hundred dollars.

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The old Pensacola District High School operated by the Methodists was begun about 1891 in the old church building, which later burned and was replaced by a brick building, which also burned, An August 15, 1908 report says the school had run the full nine months and had over a hundred students. Students came from far and near. Many had an active part in Georgiana League, Sunday School and Church.

CHAPTER V

December 21, 1891, Benjamin LaFayette Selman (1831-1910) was appointed to Georgiana Circuit and served three years, but he had formerly served here 1869-70. He lived at Georgiana after superannuation and his name is in one of our memorial windows. His wife Mary, was daughter of Rev. Stephen Fatherly Pilley, and sister of Rev. Charles B. Pilley and of Rev. Stephen A. Philley and of Robert S. Pilley (1848-1912), a long time active member here.

Wesley Barnwell Dennis (1837-1902) was appointed Pastor December 17, 1894, and both the Women's Society and the Epworth League are first reported by him. On May 25, he reports one missionary society on the circuit, doing efficient work and distributing missionary literature, but no officers or members names are given. This evidently was the Gerogiana Society and was organized that year.

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Mrs. Diadena Browning (Graham) McGlaun, who joined Georgiana Church in 1891 from Wesley Chapel, was supposedly the first president of the society. She was the mother of Rev. James Rufus McGlaun, Mrs. J. T. Porter and of Miss Willie Diadena McGaun, one of our oldest members. She was grandmother of Rev. Harvey Coleman Porter of Marlinton, W. Va., who gave our sermon Home Coming Day. She was great grandmother of Mrs. Newton Milliagann Haynes, who gave the history of the Woman's Society Home Coming Day.

On Nov.11, 1896, Brother Dennis reported the collections for missions small, as some were indifferent and others took refuge behind the proverbial fallacy that "Charity begins at home." The women not only had to combat this indifference and opposition but had to combat the prejudice that existed against women taking an active part in the church work. In those days they were required to sit on one side of the church and the men on the other. Even their names were on separate roll from the men's names.

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On October 2, 1897, Pastor Augustus Henderson Moore (1847-1929) reported one Woman's Missionary Society and one Ladies' Aid. This Aid Society had a memorial window in the rear of the auditorium. It looked after the parsonage and local activities and did much excellent work. On February 15, 1898, Pastor Goerge Monroe Sellers (1860-1904) reported quite a good Missionary society and on May 28, 1898, reported that a juvenile missionary society had been organized. It was under Moore that a Church was organized at Dunham in 1897 and so the circuit was called Georgiana and Dunham Circuit under Sellers. He was Uncle of Mrs. H. Y. Leysath and of Mrs. J. L. Leysath.

The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society report for September 15, 1906, gives fifteen members and seventy three dollars raised since last report. "Our meetings are intensely spiritual and helpful. Many good papers are read; many good resolutions are formed and we are happy in our work, and looking forward for better things to come. Pray for Us." Mrs. F. H. Ziegler, Secretary; Mrs. A. S. Pilley, Treasurer.

The November 13, 1909 report showed a membership of 35, an increase of seven over the previous report.

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They reported regular meetings, and that they had raised the present year one hundred and sixteen dollars, including fifty dollars for a Bible Woman in the foreign field. Another 1909 report showed eighty nine dollars sent to the general board of missions and sixty dollars sent to support a Bible Woman in Korea during 1908. Complete records of the Society do not exist but the Greenville Advocate article of 1931, lists these as early ardent members: Mrs. R. S. Pilley (later Mrs. Deer), Mrs. R. C. Shell, Mrs. Ulay W. Black, Mrs. Ida Mae Fulford, Mrs. Pearl D. Brock. Some past presidents with approximate dates of service were: Mrs. Joseph P. Langham 1931; Mrs. C. R. Rankin 1932-35; Mrs. Tully E. Mason 1938; Mrs. Robert Epsey Black 1939; Mrs. Ruth Zuber Tatum 1940; Mrs. Charles Henry Shepard 1943; Mrs. Ned Douglas Honston 1944 and Mrs. E. David Middleton 1945-46. Mrs. H. E. Jackson and Mrs. H. S. Rhodes, the two Circle Leaders at present, represent families long connected with the Goergiana Church.

Mrs. Robert S. Pilley (nee Sarah Jane Johnson) later married Mr. Deer. She was called Aunt "Duckie". Her sister Mrs. Robert Coleman Shell (nee Mattie V. Johnson) was another of the early ardent members, and Mrs. B. L. Selman (nee Mary S. Pilley) sister-in-law of Aunt "Duckie", was another loyal early member.

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Robert S. Pilley came to Georgiana Church December 1, 1892 by certificate; Robert Coleman Shell came Jan. 4, 1896 by certificate; Robert Jackson Mills came May 18, 1898 by certificate and Harvey Coleman Porter was received by vows in August 1906 by J. L. Mathison.

CHAPTER VI

August 22, 1946

The Charter of the Epworth League is dated October 29, 1895 and gives the name as the Hightower League. Pastor W. B. Dennis reported October 31, 1895 that the League had thirty members but no names of officers or members is given. The January 30, 1897 Quarterly Conference confirmed these officers: President C. S. Ellis; 1st. Vice President J. B. Adams; 2nd Vice President E. L. Kelly; 3rd. V.P. George A. Pilley. The Pastor's report for November 11, 1897 said the League had forty two members and was in good condition.

The Pastors reported no League from April 3, 1903 until July 11, 1907 when Brother Peter Cosby Fontaine (1836-1919) reported that the League had recently been reorganized with forty members. The officers were: A. B. Hope, Cora Goodwin, Marguerite Clements, Bertha Richardson, Mrs. Fannie Hale, Ada Mills, Herman Rhodes, and Hugh Hall.

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In 1908 the League reported over seventy members and the officers were C. H. Warren, Ulay W. Black Mary Fulford, Willie Brunson, Ola Weathers, Vera Martin, Jake Shell and Norman Rhodes. There was also a Junior League then.

The March 6, 1909 report shows that the Senior League raised ten dollars for missions and eighty one dollars for other purposes. Officers in 1909 were: T. Jake Shell, Julia Mills, Ruth King, Mrs. Ulay W. Black, E. L. Stough, Vivian Parker, Ruth Rhodes and Nell Martin. Officers in 1911 were R. Clifford Fulford, Ola Weathers, Julia Mills, Mamye Bancroft, J. S. Mills, T. J. Shell, Edna Callaway and Clara Feagan.

In 1912 Harvey Coleman Porter was President of the League, also in 1919. Herman Pride was president 1920; Elnora Majors in 1925; Vernell Salter in 1931; Sarah Weathers 1932-1935. Joyce Dean and Edward Dismukes served just before Eugene Landham, who is president now. Mrs. Newton Milliagan Haynes is Counseler, succeeding Mrs. Helen Hawkins Hartley.

An interesting clipping from the Butler County News tells about J. T. Porter entertaining the Senior League of Georgiana Methodist Church September 6, 1912, at his beautiful country home near Georgiana, assisted by Misses Jessie and Lucy Porter, and by the Misses Bancroft and Robert Rigsby

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Many young people from Georgiana have attended the youth assemblies at Montgomery each summer. In 1943 a youth caravan was held here and again July 14-19, 1946. Rev. Robert Jackson Mills, Rev. Harvey C. Porter and Mrs. Lenna Arant Rose are among former Epworth Leaguers who have made outstanding contributions to the Methodist Church. A memorial window in the front of our auditorium with the League motto " All For Christ" testifies to the activity and high goal of this group. The pulpit bible is now in use was presented to the Church in 1924 by the League. Ennis George Sellers, great grandson of Duncan Thomas Sellers, Trustee in 1867 of this church, one of the present active members of the M.Y. F. gave the History of the Young People for Home Coming June 30, 1946.

CHAPTER VII

August 29, 1946

On December 10, 1906, George Peter Cosby Fontaine 1836-1919, was appointed Pastor, and served three years. On April 20, 1907, he reported to the Quarterly Conference that "if there be a single case of bickering or strife between any members of the church, I am not aware of it." He had Georgiana,

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McKinzie, Wesley Chapel, Good Hope, Bolling and Oak Grove Churches. On December 13, 1909, Walker Bancroft 1861-1928, was appointed Pastor and served three years. He was pastor when the Church burned March 17, 1912, with a loss of twenty two thousand and fifty dollars. This fire occurred the day Kincey Lewis Davis died.

On December 9, 1912, Joseph Fredrick Price 1871-1925, was appointed and served four years. The present building (the forth since the church was organized) was built 1913 and 1914 under Price's pastorate. The cornerstone gives Dr. James Crawford Watson, Robert Coleman Shell and O. H. Warren as building committee and Herman A. Dohring as architect. Quarterly conference records April 8, 1912 also listed J. B. Johns and W. J. Weathers as being on that committee. Aaron Hicks Feagin was recording steward and Stephen Douglas Fulford secretary of that conference.

On December 4, 1916, B. M. Herlong was appointed pastor and served four years. He is now retired and living at Clayton, Ala. Dec. 14, 1920, James Clendinen 1860-1941 was appointed and served one year. His wife Janie K Moore, who had also lived here 1896-97 while her father (Augustus Henderson Moore) was pastor. Brother Clendinen reported November 18, 1921 that a church had been organized at Chapman.

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November 28, 1921, John Allen Whitsett 1877-1942 was appointed pastor and served three years. Under him the parsonage was remodeled, the committee was appointed January 16, 1922 and consisted of Ulay W. Black, chairman; A. H. Feagin, Allen Rigsby, M. D. Majors, H. K. Tippins, and J. A. Whitsett.

November 17, 1924, Douglas Lawrence Folsom was appointed and served four years. Red Level Church was on the circuit then. On November 24, 1928, J. L. White was appointed and served one year November 25, 1929, Charles H. Seibert was appointed and served six years, the longest of any pastor here. Under him the present very useful log cabin was built. His churches were Georgiana, Red Level, River Falls, and Mt. Carmel. November 24, 1935, David Magruder Pearson was appointed and served one year, having only Georgiana Church, which had become station for the first time.

November 23, 1936, Charles W. Northcutt became pastor and served two years. November 27, 1936, [should be 1938] U.L. Martin became pastor and served two years. November 24, 1940, Haley Lisenby was appointed and served one year.

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November 30, 1941, John Bransford Nichols was appointed and served four years. Under him the fine custom of ringing the bell at 9 A. M. daily to call people to prayer, was begun, and many other improvements inaugurated. He served Friendship and New Home Churches the last year he was here.

November 18, 1945, Franklin Shakelford Moseley, the compiler of this history became pastor of Georgiana, Friendship, and New Home Churches. This history was prepared for the eighteenth birthday home coming June 30, 1946, and read by him then, and is printed in this paper at the request of many people. It is hoped that you will preserve these articles for future references.

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Montgomery, Alabama

May 1, 1946

Rev. Franklin S. Moseley
Georgiana, Alabama

Dear Brother Moseley;

This is in reply to your letter of March 19.

My father, Kincey Lewis Davis, went to Georgiana in the year 1857, moving from Columbus, Georgia. When he fulfilled his contract with the railroad, which was building bridges, he put up a saw mill on the spot where the hardware store stands today. He began cutting and shipping lumber, and as he made money, he bought considerable amount of property around Georgiana.

The Town began to build up and they decided they needed a Church. He gave a lot and sawed the lumber at his mill and gave it to the church, which is the schoolhouse now. They built another church where the Methodist church stands now and the day my father died, this church burned down between Sunday School and Preaching. This was the year 1912. All of his children belonged to this church at one time or another.

My mother and father were married in Columbus, Ga. about 1853. My mother's maiden name was Harriet Pattillo Piggott.

There is only 2 of our immediate family living today. Myself and one brother, W. B. Davis, Montgomery Ala.

The names of the rest of the children, all of whom are deceased, are, James Edward, John Malachi, Arthur Lewis, Mary Josephine, Hattie Eugenia Davis Foster, Joseph Kemp, Kattie Louella, Lillie Davis Sheats, Mrs. Mattie MeLeod Davis was the wife of A. L. Davis, who is also dead. Mrs. L. W. Wells, Pensacola, Fla., is her daughter.

Mrs. A. H. Fagan Could probably tell you more about the older members of this church than I can.

We appreciate the invitation to your Home Coming Service, but due to the health of me and my wife, it is most likely that we will not be able to attend.

Yours truly,

K. L. Davis

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