Cheryl: Well, there are a couple of Blantons, but they lived in the 1900's. So I guess there's no help here. My suggestion is that you try to find out if the Cumberland Presbyterian Church anywhere has such a resource. D. A. D. A. Sharpe Executive Administrator for the Senior Pastor Highland Park Presbyterian Church 3821 University Blvd. Dallas, TX 75205-1710 Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 FAX 214-559-5322 _www.hppc.org_ (http://www.hppc.org/) Home: 805 Derting Road East Aurora, TX 76078-3712 Home 817-638-5560 Cell D.A. 214-418-6230 Cell Suz 214-418-6232 _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/)

I'm sure you're right. The matter is totally inconsequential, but curiousity took over my comon sense for a few minutes! Thanks for your patience and knowledge! -joanne ----- Original Message ----- From: <DASharpe@aol.com> To: <TXWISE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 10:13 AM Subject: Re: [TXWISE-L] First Presbyterian Church in Texas > I doubt that the results of a revival meeting would be a matter of church > records, and archives of church newsletters from that era probably do not exist, > at least any where that I would know. I suppose if one knew the particular > church when such took place, you could go to that church to see if they have > private records. But if the revival was just a community tent meeting, I > doubt that such records are preserved. > > D. A. > > > >

Dear Cheryl Blanton Paul I consulted the Ministerial Directory of the Presbyterian Church, U.S. 1861-1967 and it has only two pastors with a last name of Paul. Dr. Lamartine Houchins Paul, born Aug 20, 1857, Died February 9, 1927. Howard Cochran Paul, born July 12, 1929, father was John Dollar Paul, mother was Barbara Grace Metzler, wife was Joan Parish Cope. He was still alive when this directory was published in 1968. D. A. D. A. Sharpe Executive Administrator for the Senior Pastor Highland Park Presbyterian Church 3821 University Blvd. Dallas, TX 75205-1710 Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 FAX 214-559-5322 _www.hppc.org_ (http://www.hppc.org/) Home: 805 Derting Road East Aurora, TX 76078-3712 Home 817-638-5560 Cell D.A. 214-418-6230 Cell Suz 214-418-6232 _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/)

Dear D. A. Sharpe Actually Paul is my married name. Would you be so kind to check for Blanton. I apologize for not making myself clear. Thank you, Cheryl

I doubt that the results of a revival meeting would be a matter of church records, and archives of church newsletters from that era probably do not exist, at least any where that I would know. I suppose if one knew the particular church when such took place, you could go to that church to see if they have private records. But if the revival was just a community tent meeting, I doubt that such records are preserved. D. A.

I am happily surprised at the Wise Co. messages relating to Presbyterians. My gggrandfather listed in census records as John or Jacob b. July 1809 in Virginia and married to Sarah Donnell (sp?) was according to obituaries, tombstone and family history a physician and minister, possibly Presbyterian. I have my mothers notes, obituary and some other info on his son John Burgess b. February 24, 1839, Civil War Surgeon. J. B. was my ggrandfather however my family is unable to "find" Jacob or Sarah. I would be so grateful for any information that any of you have on John or Jacob. Thank you LaDarla and Sue. Cheryl Blanton Paul

We are always so glad to help, as we want people to think of us as Wise people! D. A

I was interested, not only that my great, great grandfather, Felix Benedict Dixon of San Augustine, Texas, was a Presbyterian, as am I, but that his Bethel Old School Presbyterian Church was the very first mainline Presbyterian Church established in Texas. That was June 2, 1838. In the book about the history of that church, Felix is cited as being a church member who served as a Captain in the Confederate Army. So, from what we know of his arrival in Texas, he must have joined the church anywhere from 1840 up to 1862, the date cited by the pastor writing that history. Citing the Bethel Church as the first mainline Presbyterian Church is a qualifying statement. Actually, just a little earlier, at nearby Shilow, a Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized, and over the years has finally become a member of today's Presbyterian Church USA denomination. However, back in its organizing days, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was an off shoot from mainline Presbyterianism, splitting over the issue of whether the ordained clergy should be required to have a seminary education. That was a real issue in the early 1800's, as seminary education meant a trip back to Europe. So, today there are two Presbyterian Churches that claim being the first Texas Presbyterian Church. D. A. D. A. Dwight Albert Sharpe 805 Derting Road East Aurora, TX 76078-3712 Home 817-638-5560 Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 FAX 214-559-5322 Cell 214-418-6230 _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/) Dallas Genealogical Society (Life Member) Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Texas Society #6,157, National Society #131,981 University of Texas Ex-Students Association, Life Member #742 Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas Noxubee County (Mississippi) Historical Society National Association of Church Administration South Wise County Chamber of Commerce Boggess Family Association Wise County Republican Party Chapman Families of America Sharp Families (Palentines) of America

Thank you, D.A.! I now know which direction to go! I know for sure that Robert Stanfield had a church in Keller, Tx, in 1888, but I'm not sure whether later he had one in Rhome, Chico, or Bowie, Texas. I'm pretty sure it was one of those places, because his daughter, Ruby, (my grandmother (1888-1986) ) spoke of growing up and/or visiting those places when she was growing up. Also, I'm not entirely sure of the denomination, although I assume it was Presbyterian--Ann Laura McFarland nee Stanfield (1843-1881) was very active in the church. In a family history, it states; "Rev. W.J. Gregory was holding a revival meeting at Aurora and 20 girls between the ages of 12 and 20 were converted in one service, and all my sister's class (Ann Laura)." I don't suppose anything of that sort was documented? -Joanne DeShong ----- Original Message ----- From: <DASharpe@aol.com> To: <TXWISE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 8:42 AM Subject: Re: [TXWISE-L] First Presbyterian Church in Texas > I was interested, not only that my great, great grandfather, Felix Benedict > Dixon of San Augustine, Texas, was a Presbyterian, as am I, but that his > Bethel Old School Presbyterian Church was the very first mainline Presbyterian > Church established in Texas. That was June 2, 1838. In the book about the > history of that church, Felix is cited as being a church member who served as a > Captain in the Confederate Army. So, from what we know of his arrival in > Texas, he must have joined the church anywhere from 1840 up to 1862, the date > cited by the pastor writing that history. > > Citing the Bethel Church as the first mainline Presbyterian Church is a > qualifying statement. Actually, just a little earlier, at nearby Shilow, a > Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized, and over the years has finally > become a member of today's Presbyterian Church USA denomination. However, back in > its organizing days, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was an off shoot > from mainline Presbyterianism, splitting over the issue of whether the ordained > clergy should be required to have a seminary education. That was a real > issue in the early 1800's, as seminary education meant a trip back to Europe. > So, today there are two Presbyterian Churches that claim being the first Texas > Presbyterian Church. > > D. A. > > > D. A. > > Dwight Albert Sharpe > 805 Derting Road East > Aurora, TX 76078-3712 > > Home 817-638-5560 > Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 > FAX 214-559-5322 > Cell 214-418-6230 > > _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/) > > Dallas Genealogical Society (Life Member) > Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, > Texas Society #6,157, National Society #131,981 > University of Texas Ex-Students Association, Life Member #742 > Highland Park Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas > Noxubee County (Mississippi) Historical Society > National Association of Church Administration > South Wise County Chamber of Commerce > Boggess Family Association > Wise County Republican Party > Chapman Families of America > Sharp Families (Palentines) of America > > > >

Thanks, Billy! Good information! -Joanne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Billy G Albritton" <bil.dot-alb1404@juno.com> To: <TXWISE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 7:41 AM Subject: Re: [TXWISE-L] Presbyterian Church > The first Protestant Church in Texas was a Presbyterian, it is located > close to San Augustine, Texas. > Billy > > >

Thought some of you might find this interesting, memories from a lady named Mrs. Nettie Kraft about the (1860-1865)Civil War: "When my brother was five years old and I was six and a half, our greatest trouble came to us. Father, the bread-winner, was drafted for the Civil War and mother was left to fight the battle of life alone for herself and two small children. Food was not hard to get, as she rented the land on shares, but shoes and clothing were, with eggs 5¢ a dozen and butter 15¢ a pound. How mother did everything she had to do, I don't know, she must plant and care for potatoes for the year's use, plant and care for the garden, milk the cows, churn the butter, care for horses, cattle, and hogs. And every evening she must go for the cows, which sometimes wandered far up the river bottoms. We little tots would stand at the north window and watch her go across the cultivated ground; when she reached the prairie where the grass grew so tall we could see her no more, we would cry and cry and finally crawl into bed and cry ourselves to sleep, for it was often very late before she returned, wet almost to her arms from the grass that grew so tall. How her heart must have ached when she was forced to leave us there alone. In memory of my mother, I want to say that those lone women on those lonesome Iowa prairies, and in other states as well, had the harder part of the Civil War to live through. Their husbands and sons had hardships to bear, many of them, but they had companionship and excitement to keep them up, while these brave women fought their battles alone. Many men gave their lives in the war. Can anyone say how many women's lives went out because of sorrows too great, of burdens too heavy? No record has been kept of these; no monuments erected for them."

Forwarded Message: Subj:Churches Date:6/21/2004 9:20:13 PM Central Daylight Time From:jdeshong@nctv.com To:LaDarlaK@aol.com Sent from the Internet (Details) Hi LaDarla, Could you put me in touch withwhoever could tell me when the first Presbyterian church came to Wise county? Also, when or if there was a Presbyterian church at Rhome, Chico, or Aurora? My great-grandfather (Robert Wilshier Stanfield) was a Presbyterian preacher whose parents were early settlers of Aurora, and I believe he had a church for a while in those places, or nearby. The years would have been sometime between 1880-1910. Thanks! -Joanne DeShong

Hi D A, Thanks so much for your reply. Really appreciate you guys making this such a friendly, helpful list for each other. Very best regards, La Darla Keith Listowner Bridgeport, Texas

Thank you so much for your efforts and help! Actually, the father of Robert was William Wall Stanfield, one of the early settlers of Aurora, and definitely not a preacher! You people connected to the Wise County website to d agreat job! Thanks, -Joanne DeShong ----- Original Message ----- From: <DASharpe@aol.com> To: <TXWISE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 21, 2004 10:03 PM Subject: [TXWISE-L] Robert Wilshier Stanfield > I live in Aurora, Wise County, and am a Presbyterian, though a member of a > church in another county. However, I may be able to help. > > I have in my library the Ministerial Directory 1861-1951 of the Presbyterian > Church in the United States. That was the name of the portion of the > Presbyterian Church that disassociated itself from the North in the time of the War > Between the States. So, it is known as the Southern Presbyterian Church or > the PCUS. > > It is not an exclusive listing of Presbyterians, just a fairly comprehensive > list of those in the Civil Wary and post time that were in that particular > Southern denomination. > > That being said, there is not a listing for Robert Wilshier Stanfield in > that Directory. He possibly could have been of the Cumberland Presbyterian > denomination which did have a presence in Texas in those years and still does > today. However, I do not have that information with me. You might seek it out > in a library. > > I did find a listing for a Stephen Anderson Stanfield who was a pastor born > Feb. 20 1823 and he died January 15, 1874. That is all found in the listing. > It does not give any history of where he served. However, he may have been > the father of the Robert Wilshier Stanfield you are seeking. > > I hope this is helpful. > > D. A. > > D. A. Sharpe > Executive Administrator > for the Senior Pastor > Highland Park Presbyterian Church > 3821 University Blvd. > Dallas, TX 75205-1710 > > Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 > FAX 214-559-5322 > > > _www.hppc.org_ (http://www.hppc.org/) > > Home: > 805 Derting Road East > Aurora, TX 76078-3712 > > Home 817-638-5560 > > Cell D.A. 214-418-6230 > Cell Suz 214-418-6232 > > _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/) > > >

The first Protestant Church in Texas was a Presbyterian, it is located close to San Augustine, Texas. Billy

My grandmother (Zuma Melissa Stevens Durst) was the daughter of one of the traveling revival preachers.......her mother, Myrtle Ann Ledbetter Stevens. Grandma Zuma attended the Presbyterian Church out here in Laton, California. One might assume that her mother was of that faith? Wonder if she preached in Wise county, as that is where Zuma was born, as were other siblings. ear

Thanks Edna, I'm your distend cousin, Billy Albritton. Billy

THANKS FOR TRYING . ELEANOR HEMBREE ----- Original Message ----- From: <DASharpe@aol.com> To: <TXWISE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 5:21 AM Subject: Re: [TXWISE-L] Robert Wilshier Stanfield > The only Hembree listed in my PCUS Ministerial Directory cited earlier is a > Rev. Charles Carleton Hembree. He was a pastor who was born October 22, 1853 > and who died September 4, 1937. He was received into the denomination from > the Baptist Church in 1909 by Potosi Presbytery. That Presbytery no longer > exists, apparently having been renamed and/or merged with some other > Presbytery. So my listing of current Presbyteries does not contain that entry, which > keeps me from knowing in what state or geography Potosi was located. It could > be researched, but I don't have that resource close at hand. > > Hope this helps. > > D. A. > > D. A. Sharpe > Executive Administrator > for the Senior Pastor > Highland Park Presbyterian Church > 3821 University Blvd. > Dallas, TX 75205-1710 > > Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 > FAX 214-559-5322 > > > _www.hppc.org_ (http://www.hppc.org/) > > Home: > 805 Derting Road East > Aurora, TX 76078-3712 > > Home 817-638-5560 > > Cell D.A. 214-418-6230 > Cell Suz 214-418-6232 > > _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/) > > >

The only Hembree listed in my PCUS Ministerial Directory cited earlier is a Rev. Charles Carleton Hembree. He was a pastor who was born October 22, 1853 and who died September 4, 1937. He was received into the denomination from the Baptist Church in 1909 by Potosi Presbytery. That Presbytery no longer exists, apparently having been renamed and/or merged with some other Presbytery. So my listing of current Presbyteries does not contain that entry, which keeps me from knowing in what state or geography Potosi was located. It could be researched, but I don't have that resource close at hand. Hope this helps. D. A. D. A. Sharpe Executive Administrator for the Senior Pastor Highland Park Presbyterian Church 3821 University Blvd. Dallas, TX 75205-1710 Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 FAX 214-559-5322 _www.hppc.org_ (http://www.hppc.org/) Home: 805 Derting Road East Aurora, TX 76078-3712 Home 817-638-5560 Cell D.A. 214-418-6230 Cell Suz 214-418-6232 _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/)

I live in Aurora, Wise County, and am a Presbyterian, though a member of a church in another county. However, I may be able to help. I have in my library the Ministerial Directory 1861-1951 of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. That was the name of the portion of the Presbyterian Church that disassociated itself from the North in the time of the War Between the States. So, it is known as the Southern Presbyterian Church or the PCUS. It is not an exclusive listing of Presbyterians, just a fairly comprehensive list of those in the Civil Wary and post time that were in that particular Southern denomination. That being said, there is not a listing for Robert Wilshier Stanfield in that Directory. He possibly could have been of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination which did have a presence in Texas in those years and still does today. However, I do not have that information with me. You might seek it out in a library. I did find a listing for a Stephen Anderson Stanfield who was a pastor born Feb. 20 1823 and he died January 15, 1874. That is all found in the listing. It does not give any history of where he served. However, he may have been the father of the Robert Wilshier Stanfield you are seeking. I hope this is helpful. D. A. D. A. Sharpe Executive Administrator for the Senior Pastor Highland Park Presbyterian Church 3821 University Blvd. Dallas, TX 75205-1710 Office 214-526-1766, ext. 1254 FAX 214-559-5322 _www.hppc.org_ (http://www.hppc.org/) Home: 805 Derting Road East Aurora, TX 76078-3712 Home 817-638-5560 Cell D.A. 214-418-6230 Cell Suz 214-418-6232 _www.dasharpe.com_ (http://www.dasharpe.com/)