This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: DAVIS, HOLCOMBE, PETTY, THOMPSON Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/VS.2ADE/795 Message Board Post: "Job was brought from Africa to Charleston, S.C. in 1806; there he was sold to Mr. Edward Davis and brought to Old Jonesboro in Jefferson County, Alabama in 1822. Mr. Davis lived near Canaan church which was organized in April of 1818. Job died in Pickens County, Alabama in 1835. "On the 25th day of May 1822, a number of members from Canaan Church was dismissed and soon afterwards were organized into a church called Bethel (Rock Creek) situated about 10 miles from the mother church. "Job, an African slave and a licensed preacher, was received into this church in 1823; he was an acceptable preacher, a man of deep thought, sound judgment, and well skilled in the Scriptures of divine truth. "He was dismissed from this chruch with twenty other members in 1827 to form Roupe's Valley Church. Later he reunited with Bethel Church for convenience; and finally his master, Mr. Davis moved to Pickens County in the Western part of the state, and Job became a member of the church called Pilgrim's Rest, under the care of Rev. Henry Petty; here Job died in the bosom of his church on the 17th day of November 1835. "Job was purchased as a slave by Mr. Davis and was owned by him as long as he lived; and he faithfully served his master until death. He professed religion in 1812; soon he learned to read and taught a Sabbath School for two summers in Abbeville District, S.C. under the care of James Thompson, Esq.; he was licensed to preach in 1818 and came to Alabama in 1822; he resided with his master in Tuscaloosa county until 1833, when Mr. Davis removed to Pickens County, where Job died. "His wife followed him in less than a year and a hlaf aterwards. The last words she ever uttered were, 'O tell me no more of this world's vain store, etc.' (*). As soon as she had finished the verse, she closed her eyes on the world. "Few better preachers were to be found in Alabama in those days than Job. He lived the Christian and died the saint. He was generally loved and respected by all who knew him." -- Holcombe's(**) HISTORY OF BAPTISTS IN ALABAMA _____________ * 1. O tell me no more of this world's vain store, The time for such trifles with me now is o'er' A country I've found where true joys abound, To dwell I'm determined on that happy ground. 2. No mortal doth know what Christ will bestow, What life strength and comfort! go after him, go! Lo, onward I move, to see Christ above, None guesses how wondrous my journey will prove. 3. Great spoils I shall win from death, hell and sin, 'Midst outward afflictions shall feel Christ within; And still, which is best, I in his dear breast, As at the beginning, find pardon and rest. 4. When I am to die, "Receive me," I'll cry, For Jesus hath loved me, I cannot tell why. But this I do find, we two are so joined, He'll not live in glory and leave me behind; 5. This blessing is mine, through favor divine, And O, my dear Jesus, the praise shall be thine In heaven we'll meet in harmony sweet, And glory to Jesus! we'll then be complete. composer William Walker, Mercer's Cluster p. 236, Southern Harmony #59 ______________ ** see also "Rev. Hosea Holcombe 1780-1841 Baptist Historian on Lincoln Co. N.C." board (biography) posted on Feb. 2, 2000 and July 21, 2001 _____________ Mary in Asia