You asked for more information about the conflict between James Patton and Rev. John Craig that soured Craig's affiliation with the Tinkling Springs Church. All hearsay, of course, but here is some of it. First, refer to http://lady3248.tripod.com/jamespatton1692.htm for more information about James Patton. Lillian Kennerly Craig, descendent of Rev. John Craig, in her book REVEREND JOHN CRAIG 1709-1774 His Descendants and Allied Families gives several references to the conflicts. Page 31 "The direct cause for the trouble appears to have been the enmity between John Lewis and James Patton who were business partners (my ancestral farm "on the Calf Pasture" was first sold them jointly on July 16, 1745. See Orange County records) as well as church brothers. Each was determined to control the preacher and use him for his own ends. But John Craig was not a man to be controlled by anyone. So these men seem to have taken turns trying to get rid of John Craig with the idea of getting a pastor who would be easier to manage." Page 11 refers to John Craig's arrival in the Valley. "This john Lewis was the most important man around, but the men who had come to beg him to accept the call had told of a new man who had moved in -- a Colonel James Patton, who felt his importance and was trying to boss Lewis. But Lewis refused to be pushed around and the two men didn't like each other. That was bad. It could mean trouble for the minister" Page 12 "The other important event in his work that year was that his congregation divided into two church bodies, as they had planned, even before he was called, to do so as soon as possible. And now his troubles with "the South Side of Beverly Manor" began -- and what trouble he was to always have with them! These were the richer of the two groups. These were the men whose sons and daughters his children would marry" You should know that Patton and Lewis were kin, through the Lynns of Scotland. Kin folks soften behave differently, so hard to predict unless the relationship is understood. Benjamin Burden (Borden) was also a relative, as was Michael Woods. Also William Thompson, from whom they acquired land. John Craig was apparently a very resolute man, but also very kind. Unusually kind for the time. He opposed severe punishment for the crimes against the church, such as working or not attending. And a word about Lillian Kennerly Craig. She was like her ancestor. I enjoyed meeting her. She pulled no punches, was very objective and had and enjoyable sense of humor. I value her correspondence with my father.