[note: the parentheses in the following sections are copied as they appear in the original] Church Record for the Year 1851 January 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs & after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed Bro. Wm. Edwards and Samuel Day to sell the stove and report to our next meeting. February 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Clary Gipson by experience. March 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. First open the door for the reception of members. On Sunday open the door for the reception of members and received Elizabeth Milice by experience. April 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st The door was open for the reception of members. May 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. June 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2. Read a petition from our sister church at Gap Creek praying us to send our ministry the 3rd Saturday of July next for the purpose of ordaining Bro. John Freeman to the word and ministry (Granted) 3rd Dismiss Bro. Joseph Preddy and wife by letter (Susanah Preddy) July 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Elder Hiram Hurst, James Johnston, Samuel Day and Daniel Shuemate. August 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Association letter read and approbated. September 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. October 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door and received Peggy Cooper by declaration. 2nd Read a petition from our sister church at the Mouth of Barren praying us to send our ministers and deacons to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Friday before the 3rd Saturday in October 1851 (granted) November 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. December 2nd Saturday 1851. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. January 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Tabitha Nun by the request of Bro. James Bunch was dismist by letter. February 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. March 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd The church agrees to have a new pulpit made and for Bro. Jesse Evans to make it and make his charge and the church agrees to pay him for the same to be made by May meeting next. April 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed Bro. Wm. Sanders and his wife Nancy Sanders to cite Sister Judith Lane to next meeting for her absence. 3rd The Brethren donated for the use of the church forty cents. May 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Excluded Sister Judith Lane for disobeying the order of the church and for declaring unfellowship with the church and for saying if she was at the church she would not take her seat on the account of the church excluding Bro. I. C. Lane her husband for joining the Freemasons. 3rd Bro. Wm. Marcum dismised by letter. June 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Rec'd. a petition from our sister church at Fall Creek praying us to send our ministry and deacons to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, their meeting to commence Friday before the 4th Saturday in July next. (granted) July 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Brethren Elder Hiram Hurst, Wm. Sanders, Wm. Edwards and Wm. Laffoon. 3rd The church agrees to petition for the next Association to be with us. August 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Association letter read and approbated. 3rd Dismised Brother Henry Nun and Sister Polly Nun his wife and Sally Smith by letter. September 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Spring and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Dismissed Sister Mary Tutle formerly Polly Predy by letter. October 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. November 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Sister Sally Smith returned her letter of dismission. 3rd. Rec'd. a petition from our sister church at Brawny Creek Harlin County Ky for Bro. Hiram Hurst for the purpose of ordaining Bro. Andrew Miracle to the ministry of the Gospel on the fourth Saturday in November 1852 whitch was granted. 4th The church agrees to buy a pare fire dogs. Apointed Bro. Jesse Evans to get them and pay him the full amount they may cost. December 2nd Saturday 1852. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1. Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Bro. Jesse Evans got and delivered the firedogs he was apointed last meeting to get for the church. Price $1.75. 3rd The church apointed her deacons to go and see Sister Conrad & Elder Hiram Hurst and report to our next meeting their needs of temporal things of this life. Record for the Year 1853 January 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd The reference of last meeting called for. Bro. Johnston not being present Samuel Day reported that Sister Conrad was in need of a pare of shoes. Orderd that Bro. Day get the shoes. Also Brother Elder Hiram and wife was objects of charity. The church then agreed to make a contribution for them acording to their several abilities. _______________________________________________________________________ Sister Isbel Bunch wife of James Bunch a member of this church departed this life January 2nd 1853. Sister Elizabeth Conrad departed this life February 3rd !853. February 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Bro. Day reported he had furnished Sister Conrad a pare of good shoes. March 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. Rec'd. from the church twenty cents. April 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Agree to cite Brother Jack Sanders to attend next meeting and answer a report about him for getting drunk and apointed Brethren Wm. Bartlet & Simpson Hurst to cite him to attend our next meeting. 3rd Agree to petition our sister churches at the Mouth of Barren & Cedar Fork for their ministerial aid to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and apointed Bro. Wm. Bartlet to bear one to cedar Fork and Samuel Day and Wm. Sanders to the Mouth of Barren. April the 25th 1853. Paid thirty cents for wine. May 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd The case of Bro. Jack Sanders taken up and Bro. Sanders gave full satisfaction to the church. 3rd Chose Bro. William Williams moderator for the day. 4th Received a petition from our sister church at Cedar Fork for our ministerial aid to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at their next meeting. Granted. 5th Rec'd. a petition from our sister church at the Mouth of Barren for our ministerial and deacons aid to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the third Saturday and Sunday in May 1853. Granted. 6th the church agrees to lift a charge against bro. Wm. Edwards for whipping his wife without any cause as stated by himself and for using profane language sutch as cursing and swearing. And the church by her act declares an unfellowship with him for the above mentioned conduct. June 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Bro. Jesse Evans charges four dollars and fifty cents for making the pulpit. 3rd A charge lifted against Bro. Joseph Predy who was dismissed by letter from us at June meeting 1851 and from information has not joined any other church and for other things and appointed Bro. Isaac McNew and James Johnston to cite him to next meeting. July 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching proceded to business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received James Hurst by experience. 2nd The refferance of June meeting relative to Bro. Joseph Predy continued to next meeting. Brethren Samuel Day & James Johnston apointed to cite him to attend. 3rd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: William McClenon, James Bunch, Samuel Day and Elder Hiram Hurst. 4th The church agrees to petition for the next Association. August 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1. Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Brother Joseph Predy case was taken up and on the information of Bro. Day, Bro. Johnston failing to cite Bro. Predy the church agrees to wait til next meeting. 3rd The Association letter read and approbated. 4th Received a petition from the arm of Grier Creek Church for Bro. Elder Hiram Hurst to aid in constituting them to a body on the 2nd Saturday in September 1853 at Harrison Atkins' in Grainger County Tenn. Which is granted by the church. Amount of money rec'd. by me for the use of the church and paid out by me Samuel Day all brought over to this page. April '52 rec'd. forty cents.................00.40 May 5th '52 paid for wine..................00.25 May 2nd '53 rec'd...........................00.20 April 25th '53 paid for wine...............00.30 August '53 rec'd from Bro. Bunch......00.25 May '54 Paid for paper and paste bord..00.20 May '54 paid Br. James Bunch...........00.10 September 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Invited visiting Brethren to seats with us. 2nd Made way for the reception of members. 3rd Laid over Bro. Joseph Predy's case to next meeting. 4th From report we understand Bro. Charles Hurst and wife who was dismised from us by letter over ten years has not joined nor laid in the letter in any church of the same faith and order. Therefore the church agrees to write a friendly letter to them to know the cause and apointed Bro. Samuel Day to write. October 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Took up Bro. Joseph Predy's case. Excluded him for the sin of drunkness and for not laying in his letter in any church. 2nd Christian Plank is excluded for leaveing his family and living in adultery and using profane swearing and for holding his letter several years. 3rd Bro. Jesse Evans agrees to get a wagonload of wood for the church against next meeting and the church agreed to pay for it. 4th The Church agrees to take into consideration at next meeting Bro. Wm. McClenon's and Bro. James Bunch's public gifts. November 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Brother Jesse Evans charged 80 cents for a wagon load wood. 2nd Took up the reference of last meeting relitive to Bro. McClenon and Bro Bunch. The church with one voice agrees to limit their gifts to singing and prayer. 3rd Received Noel N. Hutchinson by letter. 4th A charge lifted against Sister Hannah Hopson for usirping athourity over her husband and for other reports and apointed Brother James Bunch, Jesse Evans and James Hurst to cite her to next meeting in course. December 2nd Saturday 1853. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Took up the reference of last meeting relative to Sister Hopson and after hearing the report of the Brethren whitch was this: Sister Hopson refused to obey the voice of the church and said she would not come to meeting therefore the church excluded her from all the priviledges in the house of God. Church Record for the Year 1854 January 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. February 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. March 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Dismissed Sister Rachael Huddleston by letter. 3rd The church agrees to letter, and delegate to their sister churches at Cedar Fork and Big Barren for ministerial aid deacons aid to our next May Meeting to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wm. Sanders, Daniel Shuemate to Big Barren. Simpson Hurst and Wm. Shuemate to Cedar Fork. April 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1. Open the door for the reception of new members and received America Hurst by letter. Sister Clary Gibson departed this life 19th instance. May 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Received a petition from Cedar Fork Church for our minister and deacons to be with them at their communion season on the first Sunday in June next. (granted) 3rd Received a petition from the Mouth of Barren Church for our minister and deacons to be with them at their communion season the 3rd Saturday and Sunday in May 1854 whitch was also granted. __________________________________________________________________________________ Sarah Dunsmore a member of Big Spring Church has departed this life 3rd June 1854. __________________________________________________________________________________ June 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after singing and prayer chose Bro. James Bunch moderator for the day, then open the door & rec'd. Sister Phoebe Watkins by declaration. July 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed Delegates to the Association to wit: Elder Hiram Hurst, James Bunch and Samuel Day. The clerk to write a letter and to have it at the next meeting for inspection. August 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Dismissed Bro. Wm. McClenon by letter. 3rd The Association letter read and approbated. September 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Polly Bartlet by experience. 2nd Dismissed bro. James M. Hurst by letter. October 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. November 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Opened the door for the reception of members. 2nd Bro. Jesse Evans to furnish a wagon load wood and the church agrees to pay him his charge by next meeting. December 2nd Saturday 1854. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Took the reference of last meeting. Bro. Jesse Evans has furnished one wagon load of wood. Charged one dollar. Church Record for 1855 January 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs. February 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs. March 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs. April 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Opened the door for the reception of members. 2nd Excluded Sister Susanah Predy for moveing of and not calling for her letter. 3rd Received a petition form our sister church at Cedar Fork for our minister and deacon aid to attend them at their next meeting in course (a sacrament meeting) 4th We agree to petition our sister Cedar Fork Church for her ministry to attend us at our next meeting to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and apointed Brethren William Sanders & James Bunch to bear the same. May 22nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and on Sunday took the sacrament. June 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Nathan Dunsmore by experience and on Sunday Brother Nathan Dunsmore was baptized. July 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Brethren Isaac McNew, William Bartlet, Jesse Evans, Simpson Hurst and Elder Hiram Hurst and the church agrees to meet Thursday before the 2nd Saturday in August next on the account of the Association at Cedar Fork. 4th Excluded Sister Anna Lamb for joining the Missionary Church on Little Sycamore Creek from the testimony of divers members present. August the church met at Big Spring Thursday before the Second Saturday 1855 and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Association letter read and approbated. September 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Dismissed brethren by letters to wit: Noel N. Hutchinson, Lucy Hutchinson his wife, Arrenney Sanders & Elizabeth Milice. October 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Joab Cook by letter. 2nd Brother Jesse Evans & Brother Joab Cook agree to furnish a waggon load wood by next meeting for the church and the church agrees to pay them for the same. November 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Elizabeth Harell by letter. 2nd Brother Evans & Brother Cook charged one dollar for wagon load wood. 3rd Brother Hiram Hurst reported to the church that he had rented the stove to George Cheek for fifty cents per month last fall. 4th Apointed Brother Simpson Hurst to go and see Mr Cheek and collect what he owes for the stove and report next meeting. December 2nd Saturday 1855. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Paid Brother Jesse Evans one dollar for wood. 2nd The church agrees to give Brother Hiram Hurst the amount received for the rent of the stove which is now in the hands of George Cheek Esq. Church Record for Year 1856 January 2nd Saturday & Sunday 1856. No Meeting at Big Springs. February 2nd Saturday 1856. The Church met at Big Springs. March 2nd Saturday 1856. The Church met at Big Springs. 1st Brother Jesse Evans charged fifty cents for work done on the meeting house. 2nd By the request of Elder Hiram Hurst Sister Sarah Hurst dismissed by letter. Wife of Wm. H. Hurst. March the 16th 1856. John Sanders died a member of the church (or old Jacky Sanders) April 2nd Saturday 1856. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching by Bro. James Long the church agrees to petition by letter to her sister churches to wit: Mouth of Barren and Cedar Fork, for their ministerial aid. Brethren James Bunch and Richard Hopson to Cedar Fork & Daniel Shuemate and Wm. Sanders to M. Barren, to be with us at our May meeting to take the sacraments. May 2nd Saturday 1856. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Rec'd. a petition from Cedar Fork for ministerial aid deacons aid to be with them at their next meeting in course (sacrament meeting) 3rd Rec'd a petition from the Mouth of Barren Church for our ministerial aid for the purpose of taking the Sacrament at their next meeting in course which was granted by the church. June 2nd Saturday 1856. The church met at Big Springs. July 2nd Saturday 1856. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Elder Hiram Hurst, Wm. Sanders, James Bunch and Samuel Day. 2nd Rec'd a petition from Lone Mountain Church for our ministerial and deacons aid to be with them at their next meeting in course to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The same granted by the church. On Sunday open the door for the reception of members and received William Y. Hopson by experience. August 2nd Saturday 1856. The church met at Big Springs and after preaching open the door for the reception of members and received Eliza Rice & Hulda Hopson by experience. Association letter read and approbated. On Sunday William Y. Hopson, Eliza Rice and Hulda Hopson was baptized. The meeting protracted Monday and Tuesday. A door for the reception of members was open on Monday and received Leatia Carpenter and Melissa Bunch by experience. September 2nd Saturday 1856. The Church met at Big Springs, after preaching proceeding to business. Received Emly Simmons by experience. On Sunday Leata Carpenter and Melissa Bunch and Emly Simmons was baptized. Emly Simmons dismissed by letter Sunday. October 2nd Saturday 1856. Church met at Big Springs. November 2nd Saturday 1856. The church met at Big Springs. After worship proceeded to the business of the day. 1st Chose Bro. James Bunch moderator for the day and Bro. Simpson Hurst clerk pro tem for the same. 2nd Open the door for the reception of members. 3rd Dismissed Bro. Joab Cook and his wife Sally Cook by letter. December 2nd Saturday 1856. The church met at Big Springs. After worship proceeded to business of the day. 1st Open door for reception of members. 2nd The church agrees to administer to Sister Hulda Hopson some of their temporal things for the support of her and her family. Church Record for 1857 January 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Excluded Brother Drewery Gipson for moveing of without calling for his letter it being violation of church covenant. The meeting continued Sunday and Monday. On Monday the door was open for the reception of members and received Elmira Hurst by experience. February 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. March 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs. April 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open for reception of members and received Julian [Julia Ann] Hopson by experience. Sister Peggy Cooper died 1857. May 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. On Sunday Mira Hurst and Julian Hopson was baptized by Elder Hiram Hurst. June 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Nancy Killian by letter. July 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Emly Simmons by letter. 2nd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Elder Hiram Hurst, Simpson Hurst and Samuel Day. August 2nd Saturday 1857. The church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Ritta Dunsmore by experience. 2nd Association letter read and approbated. 3rd. Received a petition from Dotson Creek for our minister & deacons to attend the first Saturday & Sunday in September next (granted) September 2nd Saturday 1857. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Mary An Breeding by experience. 2nd Wm. Sanders & wife dismissed by letter. On Sunday Ritta Dunsmore and Mary An Breeding was baptize by elder Hiram Hurst. October 2nd Saturday 1857. Church met at Big Springs & after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Brother Simpson Hurst agrees to haul a load of wood by the next meeting and the church agrees to pay for the same. November 2nd Saturday 1857. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Bro. Wm. Bartlet furnished one cart load of wood. Charged forty cents for the load. December 2nd Saturday 1857. A few members met but no preacher. Church Record for 1858 January 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Bro. Simpson Hurst furnished some wood. Charged forty cents. February 2nd Saturday 1858. No meeting. March 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 2st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Dismissed Brother Elder Hiram Hurst by letter. April 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Dismissed Bro. Simpson Hurst and wife (Elizabeth Hurst) by letter and Sister Eliza Rice dismissed by letter. May 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After singing and prayer chose Bro. James Bunch moderator for the day. 2nd Apointed Bro. Jesse Evans door keeper. 3rd The church agrees to petition her sister at the Mouth of Barren for Bro. William Williams to be our pastor and moderator and apointed our beloved Brethren to wit to bear our petition Samuel Day, R. Hopson, James Johnston, Wm. Laffoon, Jesse Evans and James Bunch. June 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. James Bunch moderator for the day. July 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. James Hodges moderator for the day. 2nd Apointed the following Brethren delegates to the Association to wit: Jesse Evans, Nathan Dunsmore, Wm. Laffoon and Isaac McNew & the clerk to prepare a letter to next meeting. 3rd Received a petition from our sister church at Lone Mountain for our deacons to attend them at their next meeting to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Brother Jesse Evans clerk for today) August 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. James Bunch moderator for today. 2nd Association letter read and approbated by the church. September 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Mathew McDonald moderator for the day. 2nd Dismissed Sister Elizabeth Harell by letter. October 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. James Hodges moderator for the day. 2nd The church agrees to petition her sister church at Powder Spring Gap for Bro. James Long to take the oversight of the church & apointed Brethren Wm. Laffoon, James Bunch and Richard Hopson to bear the same. November 2nd Saturday 1858. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Noah Hurst moderator for the day. 2nd The church with one voice chose Brother Elder James Long pastor for the church. Brother Long being present. 3rd Brother William Laffoon agrees to furnish wood for the church this winter and the church agrees to pay him for the same. December 2nd Saturday 1858. A few members met at Big Springs. No business done. Sunday Brother James Long attended. January Church Record for the year 1859 January 2nd Saturday 1859. No meeting. February the 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Brother Laffoon charged one dollar for wood. Paid him same day fifty cents. March 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Paid Bro. Laffoon for all the wood he furnished the winter past. April 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Put of the communion from May until June meeting on the account of the absence of Bro. Long and agree to petition Big Barren & Gap Creek for Brother Williams and Bro. Freeman (Elders). Delegates to Barren Samuel Day and Isaac McNew and to Gap Creek Jesse Evans, James Bunch and William Laffoon. May 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Chose Bro. Mark Hurst moderator for the day. 3rd Rec'd. a petition from our sister church at Mountain Creek for deacons to attend them at the June meeting to commemorate the death and sufferings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at their next meeting. June meeting 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Sarah Hurst by letter. June 25th Sister Olla Cheek departed this life 8 o'clock in the morning. July 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Samuel Day, James Bunch, Wm. Laffoon and William Bartlett. August 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Association letter read and approbated. 3rd. Brother Isaac McNew dismissed by letter provided he makes it appear that he is justifiable for him and his wife parting so often as they do. September 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Bro. Laffoon (Wm.) and wife dismissed by letter. 2nd Isaac McNew got his letter. 3rd A charge lifted against Hulda Hopson for having a bastard child and excluded for the sin of fornication. October 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. November 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. 1st Brother McDonald mo. for the day. December 2nd Saturday 1859. Church met at Big Springs. 1st Chose Brother McDonald mo. for the day. Church Record for 1860 January 2nd Saturday 1860. No meeting. February 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching chose Bro. McDonald moderator for the day. March 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Chose Brother Mathew McDonald moderator for the day. April 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open door for reception of members. 2nd Dismissed Sister Patsy Edwards by letter. 3rd Received a petition from Cedar Fork Church for our ministerial and deacons aid to attend at their next meeting in May next to commemorate the Sacrament. Granted. James Long, moderator. May 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Postponed the commun. to our June meeting next. 3rd Church agrees to petition her sister churches for their ministerial and deacons aid to attend our next meeting to wit: Big Barren, Gap Creek and Cedar Fork. James Johnston and Samuel Day to Big Barren, James Evans to Gap Creek. Richard Hopson and William Bartlet to Cedar Fork. 4th Received a verbal request from Lone Mountain Church by Bro. Mathew McDonald for our deacons aid to their next meeting which was granted. James Long, moderator. June 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs and after worship proceeded to business. 1st Chose Brother Chesley Idol moderator for the day. 2nd Postponed the communion season until September next to our meeting in course on account of Brother Long not attending and agree to renew our former petition of May last and apointed the Brethren to bare the same. July 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs. After preaching set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Samuel D. Branson moderator for the day. 2nd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Nathan Dunsmore, Hiram Hurst, Samuel Day and James Bunch. 3rd Hiram Hurst returns his letter back to the church that he was dismist with the 2nd Saturday in March 1858. 4th Received Elder Samuel D. Branson by letter. 5th Dismissed Sister Rhoda Edwards by letter. August 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. 2nd Association letter read and approbated. 3rd Sister Julina Ashworth joined by letter. 4th Jesse Evans apointed a delegate to the Association. September 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st The church agrees to have all the members names set down in alphabetical order by next meeting. The clerk to select some members that he may choose to help him. 2nd Brother Wm. Bartlett and wife dismissed by letter (Polly Bartlett) On Sunday the church went into the ordinance of the sacrament. Ordain'd ministers present: James Long, Mark Hurst, S. D. Branson and Hiram Hurst. October 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. 2nd Received a petition from our sister church at Lone Mountain requesting our ministers and deacons to attend at their next meeting to assist in the ordinance of the Lord's death and sufferings. 3rd Received a letter from Hinds Church requesting us or any of us who are hurt with N. S. McDowell to attend on the 4th Friday in this month. Agreed to write & apointed S. B. Day to bear the same. A verbal petition from Big Barren Church for our ministry to attend at their October meeting to ordain Brother Chesley Idol to the ministry of the gospel. Granted. November 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1. Chose Brother Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. December 2nd Saturday 1860. Church met at Big Springs and after preaching set for business. 1st The church agrees to have wood got for this winter and Bro. James Johnston agrees to furnish a load by next meeting and the church agrees to pay him for the same. Elder James Long, moderator. Church Record for Year 1861 January 2nd Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs & after worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Elder S. D. Branson moderator for the day. 2nd Bro. James Bunch made acknowledgement that he had been drunk with spiritous liquor and after relating his mind to the church and agreeing not to drink any more the church agrees to bear with Bro. Bunch hoping he won't do so any more. February 2nd Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Elder Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. March 2nd Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. S. D. Branson moderator for the day. 2nd Bro. Elder Hiram Hurst produced a letter from Bro. James Bunch concerning reports about him being drunk. The letter was read in the church which seem to contain a denial of being drunk. Then on the testimony of Bro. Eld. Hiram Hurst that he was drunk the church lifted a charge against him for being drunk and for falsifying his word and apointed Brethren Nathan Dunsmore & Richard Hopson to cite him to attend next meeting in course. Apr. 2nd Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st The church took up the charge against Bro. Bunch. Bro. James Bunch being present denied the charge said that he was not drunk. And on the testimony of Elder Hiram Hurst and Sister America Hurst the church excommunicates Bro. Bunch from all the priviledges in the house of God. 2nd We agree to petition our sister church at Mountain Creek for their deacons to be with us at our next meeting in May at our communion season and Cedar Fork for Bro. Mark Hurst. Daniel Shuemate & Samuel Day to Mountain Creek. Nathan Dunsmore & Richard Hopson to Cedar Fork to bear the petitions. James Long, moderator. 3rd A petition from Cedar Fork for our ministry and deacons granted to be with them at their next meeting in May. May 2nd Saturday 1861. A few members met at Big Springs. No preacher attended. On Sunday the church went into the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Elder James Long and Elder Hiram Hurst being with us. June 2nd Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Elder Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. July 2nd Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs and after worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Apointed our next meeting on Thursday before the 2nd Saturday in August on account of the Association at Cedar Fork. 3rd Apointed delegates to the Association vis: S. B. Day, Hiram Hurst, S. D. Branson and Richard Hopson. 4th Dismissed S. D. Branson by letter. August Thursday before the 2nd Saturday 1861. The church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. 2nd Association letter read and approbated. [in the margin of the page that starts with September 1861 and ends with March 1862 is the following note. There is no specific date but the ink and writing seem to match most closely with March 1862] Sister Ginny Hopson a member of Big Springs Church departed this life. September Church met on 2nd Saturday 1861. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. 2nd Received a petition from Lone Mountain for our ministerial aid to ordain Mathew McDonald and James C. Hodges to the ministry of Gospel on the 4th Saturday in Sept. 1861. Which was granted by the church. October 2nd Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. Nov. 1861. No meeting on Saturday. Sunday Bro. Long attend. No business done. December Second Saturday 1861. Church met at Big Springs. After worship set for business. 1st Open a door for the reception of members. 2nd Received Bro. John Kersey and his wife Lucinda Kersey by letter. Brother Long, moderator. Record for the Year 1862 Jan. 2nd Saturday 1862. Church met at Big Springs. Bro. Hiram Hurst moderator for the day. Feb. 2nd Saturday 1862. Church met at Big Springs. No church business done. March 2nd Saturday 1862. No meeting Saturday or Sunday. Apr 2nd Saturday 1862. No meeting. Soldiers took possession of the meeting house. May 2nd Saturday 1862. No meeting. Volunteers campt in the house. June 2nd Saturday 1862. No meeting at Big Springs. Volinteers having it in possession (house) July 2nd Saturday 1862. Church failed to meet. August 2nd Saturday 1862. Church failed to meet. Sept. 2nd Saturday 1862. No church meeting. October 2nd Saturday 1862. No church meeting. Nov. 2nd Saturday 1862. No church meeting. December 2nd Saturday. No church meeting. Church Record for the year 1863 January 2nd Saturday 1863. No church meeting. Feb. 2nd Saturday 1863. No church meeting. March 2nd Saturday 1863. Part of the Big Springs Church met at the school house on Tyes Branch and agrees to hold monthly meetings there until they believe expedient to return to the old meeting house. April 2nd Saturday 1863. Church met at the school house on Tyes Branch. Bro. Mathew McDonald preached on Saturday & Sunday. Bro. Hiram Hurst moderator for the meeting. May 2nd Saturday 1863. Big Springs Church met at school house on Tyes Branch. Bro. McDonald preach and chosen moderator for the meeting. On Sunday Bro. McDonald preach. June 2nd Saturday 1863. The church met at the school house. 1st Bro. Hiram Hurst chose moderator for the meeting. 2nd The church agrees to write a friendly letter to Bro. James Long our moderator to show cause if any why he has been absent so long. Sent the letter by Bro. Mathew McDonald. July 2nd Saturday 1863. Big Spring Church met at school house. After worship set for business. 1st Lifted a charge against Bro. Young Hopson for leaveing his family and joining the enemy of his country to subjugate the South and the voice of the church taken he is therefore excluded. 2nd Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: S. Day, Hiram Hurst, Jesse Evans and Nathan Dunsmore. 3rd Bro. James Long attended on Sunday and gave satisfaction for his non-attendance. Hiram Hurst moderator for Saturday. August 2nd Saturday 1863. The church met at school house. After worship set for business. 1st Association letter read and approbated. 2nd The church agrees to petition our sister church at Lone Mountain for Brother McDonald as assistant moderator as Bro. Long says he cannot attend every meeting. Elder Hiram Hurst & Bro. James Johnston apointed to bear the letter to the next meeting at Lone Mountain in course. September 1863 no meeting. October 1863 no meeting. Nov. 1863 no meeting on Saturday. Bro. McDonald preach on Sunday. Dec. 1863 no meeting. Record for the Year 1864 Jan. 2nd Saturday 1864. No meeting. Feb. 2nd Saturday 1864. No meeting. Sunday Bro. McDonald preached. Elder Hiram Hurst closed. March 2nd Saturday 1864. Church met at the school house. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd Took up the reference of August meeting 1863 relative to Bro. McDonald. Bro. Johnston and Bro. Hiram Hurst report that our petition was granted for Bro. McDonald to attend us as assistant moderator. April 2nd Saturday 1864. No meeting. On Sunday Bro. McDonald attended and preached. May 2nd Saturday 1864. Church met at school house. Bro. McDonald moderator. June 2nd Saturday 1864. The church met at the school house on Tyes Branch. After worship set for business. Bro. McDonald mod. July 2nd Saturday 1864. The church met at Tyes Branch. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. 2nd The church agrees to letter and delegates to the Association. 3rd Apointed Brethren to bear the letter to wit: S. B. Day, James Johnston & Jesse Evans. Bro. McDonald mod. August 2nd Saturday 1864. Church met at Tyes Branch. After worship set for business. 1st Open door for the reception of members. 2nd The Association letter read & approbated. Bro. McDonald mod. Sept. 2nd Saturday 1864. Church met at Tyes Branch. 1st Open the door for the reception of members. Bro. McDonald moderator. October 2nd Saturday 1864. Church met at the school house on Tyes Branch. Bro. McDonald moderator. Nov. 2nd Saturday 1864. Church met at Tyes Branch. Bro. McDonald moderator. Dec. 1864. No meeting. Record for 1865 January 2nd Saturday 1865. No meeting. Feb. 2nd Saturday 1865. No meeting. March 2nd Saturday 1865. No meeting. April 2nd Saturday 1865. No meeting. May 2nd Saturday 1865. Church met at Tyes Branch. Sunday Bro. McDonald preach. June 2nd Saturday 1865. No meeting. Sunday Bro. McDonald preached. July 2nd Saturday 1865. Church met at Tyes Branch. After worship set for business. 1st Apointed delegates to the Association to wit: Samuel Day, Elder Hiram Hurst, James Johnston and Jesse Evans. 2nd The church agrees to rescind her act relative to Bro. Wm. Y. Hopson exclution at our July meeting 1863 and restore him back in the same standing he was in at his exclution. August 2nd Saturday 1865. Church at Tyes Branch. After worship set for business. 1st Open the [door] for the reception of members and received Elizabeth Evans by letter. 2nd The Association letter read and approbated. Mathew McDonald moderator. September 2nd Saturday 1865. Big Springs Church met at Tyes Branch. After worship set for business. 1st Chose Bro. Hiram Hurst Modr. for the meeting. 2nd Charge against Richard Hopson, W. Y. Hopson, Mariah Wells, Leata Carpenter, Jula Hopson, Sarah Taylor, Mira Ritter for a breach of church covenant for joining other churches without calling for letters from this church and for declaring an unfellowship with all Southern members for their principles for taking any part in the Rebellion. Therefore they are excluded from the fellow of this church. Elder Hiram Hurst Moderator. October 2nd Saturday 1865. Church met at Tyes Branch. Bro. McDonald, modr. Nov. 2nd Saturday 1865. Church met at Tyes Branch. Dec. 2nd Saturday 1865. Church met at Tyes Branch. After worship set for business. 1st Open the door for the reception of members and received Bro. James Smith by declaration. Brother McDonald moderator.