Lebanon Cemetery is on Old Molino Road near Harms. To get there leave Fayetteville going west on Highway 64.Just as you get past town take a left onto Old Elkton Pike (Highway 273) and continue southwest. About a mile past the Harms Methodist Church roadside sign (perhaps about 3 miles from Highway 64) you will come to Old Molino Road. Take a left, crossing the Elk River on an old bridge. Molino Cemetery is about 3/4 mile on your left. It is a very pretty spot. The history of the congregation of Lebanon is very interesting. Here is the history I discovered: "History of the United Presbyterian Congregation of Lebanon, Tenn. "During the rebellion of the Southern States, which resulted in a cruel fratricidal war between the North and South, which spread terror and desolation throughout the Southern portion of our country, there was a very respectable number of the members of the Associate Reformed Congregations of Prosperity, New Hope and Bethel in Lincoln County, Tennessee, who were strongly opposed to the rebellion of the Southern States and were steadfast in their loyalty to the government of the United States, and because of their loyalty to the government and their unwillingness to help destroy the same, and help to establish a confederacy, a very prominent feature of which was human slavery, they were reproached from time to time publicly and privately by ministers and leading members of the congregations; and were accused of being enemies of the section of the country in which they lived; and were deemed unworthy to live in the same. "They bore these reproaches patiently for some time but finally concluded that they could not conscientiously hold fellowship with those who differed with them so materially and were entertaining such views concerning them, and who they believed were entertaining views and following a course which they believed contrary to the spirit of Christianity. These were very trying times; there many things said and done that tended to widen the breach, so that any effort to reconcile the parties proved futile. After several unsuccessful efforts by the aggrieved party to obtain preaching by any of the ministers of the Associate Reformed Church, they applied to Rev. John T. Pressly, D. D. of Allegany City, Pa., who in compliance with their request visited them in the spring of 1865, and preached to them four Sabbaths [John T. Pressly, D.D. was undoubtedly known to many of the congregation from his service at the Cedar Spring and Lower Long Cane churches earlier in the century. See the notes section of William Pressly for more information on his pastorate there. At this point in history, the northern branch of the A. R. P. Church had united with the 'General Assembly' Church and he was undoubtedly representing the United Presbyterian Church during his visit]. And after considerable consultation with the leading members of the party aggrieved, he rather advised them to endeavor to become reconciled and remain in the Associate Reformed Church if possible, but if a reconciliation could not be effected satisfactorily, the United Presbyterian Church would be pleased to receive them under her care. "After an unsuccessful attempt to become reconciled they applied to the United Presbyterian Church preaching, the Rev. A. S. Montgomery was appointed to visit, who came and preached the Sabbath and in the meantime organized them into a congregation the 15th day of Sept., 1865 consisting of 80 members; and held communion. The congregation was named Lebanon. The following persons were elected elders, Dr. Wm. Stewart, Wm. Fife, J. E. English, John Dale, J. R. McCown [John Robert McCown, Thomas' older brother] and S.H. Taylor. "The congregation was next supplied by the Rev. John C. Steele, who came to them in the fall of 1865, and preached for them about two months. The Rev. James McNeal came to them in the beginning of 1866, and preached for them six months. The congregation was next supplied a few Sabbaths by Rev. H. Allen, who was succeeded by the Rev. J. S. McHenry, who preached to the congregation about five months. The congregation made out a call for Rev. J. S. McHenry, which was moderated by the Rev. James McNeal on the 24th of April 1867, which after some delay he declined. "The General Assembly of 1867, which met in Henia, Ohio, appointed the Rev. A. B. Coleman to the congregation for one year, who came to the congregation about the middle of July 1867. The congregation had a call moderated for Rev. A. B. Coleman in the month of March 1868, which he accepted on the 4th of the following April, and was installed over the Congregation by the Presbytery of Tennessee, July 10th, 1868. The Rev. James McNeal proposed the questions and addressed the pastor, and Rev. J. G. McKee addressed the people. "The congregation after making several unsuccessful attempts to secure on reasonable terms one of the church buildings from the Associate Reformed people, held a meeting about the first of the year 1867, and resolved to build a house of worship, and the following persons were appointed a building committee viz. James I. McCown, A. M. English, Robert Drennan, John Dale and William Sleeth. "Mr. J. E. English gave the congregation a suitable building site, which was thankfully accepted. The work of building was commenced immediately and carried forward with a great deal of zeal and energy until the building was completed in less than one year from the time it was commenced, and the opening sermon was preached the first Sabbath of 1868 by the Rev A. B. Coleman from Gen. 28:17 last clause, 'this is none other than the house of God, this is the gate of heaven.' "At a congregational meeting held in Jan. 1868 the following persons were appointed trustees of the congregation viz. J. I. McCown, Robert Drennan, A. M. English, John Dale and Thomas McDill. "When we got into our new building the whole congregation was organized into a Sabbath school, which was entered into with great unanimity and zeal, and which has been kept up with a commendable degree of interest from that day to this. In its early history the congregation was composed largely of young, growing families and they, that is the members, manifested almost unexampled zeal and energy in getting themselves and their children to Sabbath school and church. "It was the misfortune of the congregation to be widely scattered and divided by a river, which was much of the time not fordable and much of the time half of the congregation came to the river and crossed in a canoe and walking nearly a quarter of a mile to the church. This was endured for more than twenty years, before a bridge spanned the treacherous river. In its early history the congregation was not only in the midst of these difficulties of nature but it was as a speckled bird (Jer. 12:9) surrounded by an unwarranted degree of prejudice and hatred, which made it quite hard [and] difficult to do work outside of our limited number. Yet notwithstanding these difficulties the congregation grew and prospered until it numbered at one time about 170. But owing to various causes that number has been greatly reduced, especially by removals to Lincoln congregation. "It was very gratifying that before many years had passed in the history of the congregation, by forbearance and kindness, very much of the ill feeling engendered by the war ceased to exist, or at least to be manifested, so that many who had for years been greatly alienated came together again, and lived together as friends and neighbors and Christians [can't read] . . . . Rev. A. B. Coleman and the people of Lebanon congregation formed in 1867 continued until the 2nd Sabbath of October 1902, on which Sabbath he preached his farewell sermon from the text 'And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.' And among many tears, he bid farewell to those among whom he had labored so long and most of whom he had baptized and received into the church. "Prepared by Rev. A. B. Coleman at the request of the session of Lebanon congregation. Also this was read at a congregation meeting, by a member, March 21, 1903." Mason Blake

Mr. Blake Do you have any more information on the Lebanon Cemetery? I understand that some many years ago it was hit hard by a Tornado, is this ture? Do you anyone out there pictures or article on the devisation of the destruction? By the way way A. M. English is my g-g-grandfather. I would appreicate any information or the names or names of anyone who might help me pursue this matter. Thank you Sheryl Smith [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mason Blake" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 5:42 PM Subject: [TNLINCOL] Lebanon > Lebanon Cemetery is on Old Molino Road near Harms. To get there leave Fayetteville going west on Highway 64.Just as you get past town take a left onto Old Elkton Pike (Highway 273) and continue southwest. About a mile past the Harms Methodist Church roadside sign (perhaps about 3 miles from Highway 64) you will come to Old Molino Road. Take a left, crossing the Elk River on an old bridge. Molino Cemetery is about 3/4 mile on your left. It is a very pretty spot. > > The history of the congregation of Lebanon is very interesting. Here is the history I discovered: > > "History of the United Presbyterian Congregation of Lebanon, Tenn. > > "During the rebellion of the Southern States, which resulted in a cruel fratricidal war between the North and South, which spread terror and desolation throughout the Southern portion of our country, there was a very respectable number of the members of the Associate Reformed Congregations of Prosperity, New Hope and Bethel in Lincoln County, Tennessee, who were strongly opposed to the rebellion of the Southern States and were steadfast in their loyalty to the government of the United States, and because of their loyalty to the government and their unwillingness to help destroy the same, and help to establish a confederacy, a very prominent feature of which was human slavery, they were reproached from time to time publicly and privately by ministers and leading members of the congregations; and were accused of being enemies of the section of the country in which they lived; and were deemed unworthy to live in the same. > "They bore these reproaches patiently for some time but finally concluded that they could not conscientiously hold fellowship with those who differed with them so materially and were entertaining such views concerning them, and who they believed were entertaining views and following a course which they believed contrary to the spirit of Christianity. These were very trying times; there many things said and done that tended to widen the breach, so that any effort to reconcile the parties proved futile. After several unsuccessful efforts by the aggrieved party to obtain preaching by any of the ministers of the Associate Reformed Church, they applied to Rev. John T. Pressly, D. D. of Allegany City, Pa., who in compliance with their request visited them in the spring of 1865, and preached to them four Sabbaths [John T. Pressly, D.D. was undoubtedly known to many of the congregation from his service at the Cedar Spring and Lower Long Cane churches earlier in the century. Se! > e the notes section of William Pressly for more information on his pastorate there. At this point in history, the northern branch of the A. R. P. Church had united with the 'General Assembly' Church and he was undoubtedly representing the United Presbyterian Church during his visit]. And after considerable consultation with the leading members of the party aggrieved, he rather advised them to endeavor to become reconciled and remain in the Associate Reformed Church if possible, but if a reconciliation could not be effected satisfactorily, the United Presbyterian Church would be pleased to receive them under her care. > "After an unsuccessful attempt to become reconciled they applied to the United Presbyterian Church preaching, the Rev. A. S. Montgomery was appointed to visit, who came and preached the Sabbath and in the meantime organized them into a congregation the 15th day of Sept., 1865 consisting of 80 members; and held communion. The congregation was named Lebanon. The following persons were elected elders, Dr. Wm. Stewart, Wm. Fife, J. E. English, John Dale, J. R. McCown [John Robert McCown, Thomas' older brother] and S.H. Taylor. > "The congregation was next supplied by the Rev. John C. Steele, who came to them in the fall of 1865, and preached for them about two months. The Rev. James McNeal came to them in the beginning of 1866, and preached for them six months. The congregation was next supplied a few Sabbaths by Rev. H. Allen, who was succeeded by the Rev. J. S. McHenry, who preached to the congregation about five months. The congregation made out a call for Rev. J. S. McHenry, which was moderated by the Rev. James McNeal on the 24th of April 1867, which after some delay he declined. > "The General Assembly of 1867, which met in Henia, Ohio, appointed the Rev. A. B. Coleman to the congregation for one year, who came to the congregation about the middle of July 1867. The congregation had a call moderated for Rev. A. B. Coleman in the month of March 1868, which he accepted on the 4th of the following April, and was installed over the Congregation by the Presbytery of Tennessee, July 10th, 1868. The Rev. James McNeal proposed the questions and addressed the pastor, and Rev. J. G. McKee addressed the people. > "The congregation after making several unsuccessful attempts to secure on reasonable terms one of the church buildings from the Associate Reformed people, held a meeting about the first of the year 1867, and resolved to build a house of worship, and the following persons were appointed a building committee viz. James I. McCown, A. M. English, Robert Drennan, John Dale and William Sleeth. > "Mr. J. E. English gave the congregation a suitable building site, which was thankfully accepted. The work of building was commenced immediately and carried forward with a great deal of zeal and energy until the building was completed in less than one year from the time it was commenced, and the opening sermon was preached the first Sabbath of 1868 by the Rev A. B. Coleman from Gen. 28:17 last clause, 'this is none other than the house of God, this is the gate of heaven.' > "At a congregational meeting held in Jan. 1868 the following persons were appointed trustees of the congregation viz. J. I. McCown, Robert Drennan, A. M. English, John Dale and Thomas McDill. > "When we got into our new building the whole congregation was organized into a Sabbath school, which was entered into with great unanimity and zeal, and which has been kept up with a commendable degree of interest from that day to this. In its early history the congregation was composed largely of young, growing families and they, that is the members, manifested almost unexampled zeal and energy in getting themselves and their children to Sabbath school and church. > "It was the misfortune of the congregation to be widely scattered and divided by a river, which was much of the time not fordable and much of the time half of the congregation came to the river and crossed in a canoe and walking nearly a quarter of a mile to the church. This was endured for more than twenty years, before a bridge spanned the treacherous river. In its early history the congregation was not only in the midst of these difficulties of nature but it was as a speckled bird (Jer. 12:9) surrounded by an unwarranted degree of prejudice and hatred, which made it quite hard [and] difficult to do work outside of our limited number. Yet notwithstanding these difficulties the congregation grew and prospered until it numbered at one time about 170. But owing to various causes that number has been greatly reduced, especially by removals to Lincoln congregation. > "It was very gratifying that before many years had passed in the history of the congregation, by forbearance and kindness, very much of the ill feeling engendered by the war ceased to exist, or at least to be manifested, so that many who had for years been greatly alienated came together again, and lived together as friends and neighbors and Christians [can't read] . . . . Rev. A. B. Coleman and the people of Lebanon congregation formed in 1867 continued until the 2nd Sabbath of October 1902, on which Sabbath he preached his farewell sermon from the text 'And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.' And among many tears, he bid farewell to those among whom he had labored so long and most of whom he had baptized and received into the church. > > "Prepared by Rev. A. B. Coleman at the request of the session of Lebanon congregation. Also this was read at a congregation meeting, by a member, March 21, 1903." > > > Mason Blake > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message