It is impossible to separate my family history from religious institutions and I'm finding more family information in religious history than in prestatehood era Missouri history. It's been a while since I've posted an inquiry. My gggp Noble Johnson and his brother Davis Johnson represented the Little Vine Baptist Church from Madison County Missouri at the St. Francois Baptist Association annual meetings from its founding in 1850 through at least 1863. The printed history of the Bethel Baptist Church at Jackson mentions that William and Daniel (likely a mistranscription of David or Davis) Johnson represented the Turkey/Turtle/Dry Creek Church at the first Bethal Association meeting in 1816. Further that history says David and wife (Margaret), along with Davis and wife (Betsy Cato) and William and wife (Jane McGehee) joined at intervals in 1812 or 1814. I know Davis and William were married in Christian County KY in about 1808. I have seen microfilm of the original marriage documents and while the Christian County printed marriage book says David, I am sure it was Davis with a tall script s. What church did the family belong to in Christian County KY? Is there a set of church minutes available for study for more details? Since they joined Bethel by letter, they came from some prior church membership, not in Missouri since Bethel at Jackson was the first Baptist Church in Missouri. Where did they live before they moved to Kentucky? Davis said he was born in SC in the 1850 census, Noble said NC in 1850, SC in 1860. Gerald J.