July 14, 2 pm: Red Hill Baptist Church clean gravestones

Clean Bussey family gravestones at Red Hill Baptist Church, Edgefield, South Carolina.

Red Hill Baptist Church, The First 100 Years

Information for this article was gleaned from the Edgefield Advertiser of 12 Feb 1937, "History of the Edgefield Baptist Association 1807-1957," by Hortense Woodson, and Edgefield Baptist Association Minutes.

Red Hill Baptist Church was constituted 20 Jun 1835 by Elders Samuel Cartledge and William Watkins. The pastor was William Watkins and the church clerk was Levi McDaniel. Reuben Johnson and Erasmus McDaniel were deacons. Other constituting members listed were: Martin Rose, Sr.; Frederick McDaniel; William Roberts, Sr.; Thomas Ford; Calvin Cox; Eady Rose; Judy Johnson; Henry Baugh; Anna McDaniel; Emilia McDaniel; Obedience McCary; Sealy Shinall; Carolina McDaniel; Elizabeth Holmes; Clarracy Roberts; Martha Cox; Orpha Forde; Lydia Parkman; Lucy Holmes, Elizabeth Collins; and Patience Blalock. Delegates to the Edgefield Baptist Association in 1835 were L. McDaniel & W. Roberts.

The original congregation worshiped first in a brush arbor, then a log church, and in 1882 completed a frame church building. This building was replaced in 1906 with the present building. William Watkins served as pastor until 1841. Rev. James Morris was elected as pastor in 1841, but resigned in 1843 and the Rev. D. D. Brunson was called.

Other pastors is the first 100 years were: Rev. David Bodie; Rev. W. L. Hawes; Rev. W. B. Shaw; Rev. G. W. Bussey; Rev. W. A. McCracken; Rev. E. W. Sammons; Rev. J. J. Getsinger; Rev. W. H. Hart; Rev. J. T. Littlejohn; Rev. J. W. Kesterson; Rev. W. R. Barnes; Rev. H. H. Gregory; Rev. G. C. Seidensp inner; Rev. C. R. Pennington; and Rev. Joseph S. Dukes.

The congregation experienced a "great revival" in 1845. During this revival meeting the pastor was assisted by Revs. S. P. Getzen, Arthur L. Kennedy, Rev. M. M. Abney and a Rev. Hughs. In the early days the revivals were known as "protracted meetings" and they lasted usually a week or more. In 1851 Red Hill held a protracted meeting that lasted seven days in August and several days into September. Fifty-one persons were added to the church membership by baptism as a result of those services.

Deacons mentioned in church records during the first 100 years were: Reuben Johnson; Erasmus McDaniel; Lewis Collins; William Holmes; E. Bartley; W. L. McDaniel; R. M. Johnson; J. H. Bussey; Wyatt Seigler; A. J. McDaniel; James Bodie; W. L. McDaniel; Walter Holmes; L. G. Bell; J. W. McDaniel; Jesse Bailey; L. H. Eubanks; J. N. Crafton; M. G. Whitlock; D. B. Wates; H. H. Smith; D. C. Bussey; L. J. McClendon; Glenn Bussey; Fred Bailey; and Fred Wates