A deed for property wasn`t given by N. M. Williams until 1897. Perhaps before the
house was built they held services at neighbors` or schools for a few years. A note was
found in Laura Williams` Bible at Ruie Williams` home, that said N. M. Williams deeded
land to the church.
Trustees were John Holbrook, W. A. Williams and Wayne Williams. The first
moderator elected in 1887 was Samuel Hamilton and W. A. (Guber) Williams was the
first clerk.
Charter members of the church were H. H. Williams, Elizabeth Williams, Barton
Williams, Myran Williams, M, M, Franklin, L. M. Salyer, W. H. Barker, W. A. Williams,
Sarah E. Williams, Vernie L. Williams, Mary Wright, Annie Fyffe, Wayne Williams, N.
M. Williams, Nancy Skaggs, Nancy Stumbo, Catherine Barker, Henry Hay, Dicie Hay,
Alice Barker, Ellen Williams, John Johnson, L. S. Williams, Sarah Bailey, Millia
Williams, Jane Estep and Lydia Williams. Also, Hampton Brickey, Elizabeth Estep, Jane
Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Lydia Johnson, Nancy Skaggs, Sebra Kimbler, C. L. Franklin
and Jack Estep.
Other early members of the church were Samantha Estep, Henry Estep, John Griffith,
Emma Griffith, Manerva Williams, F. M. Blanton, B. L. Blair, Sarah Johnson, Merta
Willims, Luke Ferguson, J. C. Barker, W. F. Skaggs, Frances Skaggs, Mettie Skaggs,
Manus Williams, Lara Williams, Lamaris Skaggs, Celia Skaggs, Charlie Wright,
Samantha Perry, Ada Giventon, Lexie Williams, Almera William, Carmon Blanton,
Margie Stapleton, Lucy Salyer, W. W. Smith, W. V. Smith, E. L. Smith brothers came by
letter from Elk Fork Church, also Lydia Smith, wife of E. L., Sanford Johnson, Ethel
Johnson, Harmon Burton, J. D. Cockran, Nora Daniel, Liddie Skaggs Wright.
Moderator in 1888 was William Henry Harrison Fyffe, father of Porker Jim, and the
clerk was John Holbrook. Moderator in 1889 was H. H. Williams and W. A. Williams
was clerk; 1890-moderator, John Holbrook, clerk, W. A. Williams; 1891-moderator,
Haden F. Hamilton, clerk, W. A. Williams; 1892-moderator, W. A. Williams, clerk,
Samuel Hamilton. Samuel Hamilton was elected moderator in 1892, with W. A.
Williams as clerk.
1893-moderator, H. F. Hamilton, clerk, W. A. Williams; 1894 moderator, H. F.
Hamilton, clerk, W. A. Williams. In 1894 a split formed the Enterprise Association, the
moderator was Samuel Hamilton and N. M. Williams was clerk; 1895-moderator,
Samuel Hamilton, clerk, N. M. Williams; 1896-moderator, R. L. Skaggs, clerk, N. M.
Williams; 1897-moderator, W. H. H. Fyffe, clerk, N. M. Williams; 1898-moderator,
Jacob Johnson, clerk, N. M. Williams; 1899-moderator, R. L. Skaggs, clerk, N. M.
Williams; 1900- moderator, Jacob Johnson, clerk, N. M. Williams.
1901-moderator, R. L. Skaggs, clerk, N. M. Williams; 1902-moderator, P. L.
Williams, clerk, N. M. Williams; 1903-moderator, W. H. H. Fyffe, clerk, N. M. Williams;
1904-moderator, W. H. H. Fyffe and N. M. Williams both served until 1907 when
William Walker Smith was moderator and N. M. Williams was clerk;1908- Rubin Ison,
moderator, N. M. Williams, clerk; 1909- W. H. Hay, moderator, N. M. Williams, clerk;
1910- W. H. H. Fyffe, moderator,, N. M. Williams, clerk; 1911- W. H. Hay, moderator,
N. M. Williams, clerk;1912- J. H. Skaggs, moderator, N. M. Williams, clerk; 1913- W.
H. Hay, moderator, N. M. Williams, clerk; 1914- L. H. Skaggs, moderator, N. M.
Williams, clerk;
1915- moderator, Williams Skaggs, clerk, N. M. Williams; 1916 and 1917- W. W.
Smith, moderator, N. M. Williams, clerk; 1918, 1919 and 1920- John E. Burchwell,
moderator, N. M. Williams, clerk; 1921 through 1932- W. W. Smith, moderator, N. M.
Williams, clerk; 1933- W. W. Smith, moderator, E. L. Smith, clerk through 1935; 1936-
Dudley Williams, moderator, Daniel Skaggs, clerk; 1937-moderator Dudley Williams,
clerk, E. L. Smith; until 1940- moderator, W. W. Smith, L. D. Skaggs, clerk; 1941- W.
W. Smith, moderator, E. L. Smith, clerk; 1942- W. W. Smith, moderator, E. L. Smith,
clerk; 1943- W. W. Smith, moderator, H. U. Burton, clerk.
The Johnson County Historical Society meets the first Sunday of each month at 3:00
p.m. in the Johnson County Public Library. Anyone interested in family and local history
is invited to attend the meetings and become a member.
This article was published in The Paintsville Herald, Wednesday, March 2, 1983.
Article by W. H. Pelphrey, Keaton, KY.
Picture of Red Bush Church by Bill Jackson 1998
Red Bush Old Regular Baptists Church was organized November 22, 1887. It was
organized by H. F. Hamilton, Wayne Williams, Otis Skaggs, L. D. Holbrook, J. H.
Franklin and George Pennington.
