REVEREND JOSEPH HAWKINS
JONES
1ST PASTOR OF BARNESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
(1871)
a
document-based biography
The
missionary labors of Joseph H. Jones, whose field extended from Occoquan
[Virginia] to Brownsville, Washington County, Maryland, resulted in the formation
of Barnesville Church in Montgomery County, the last year of his life. He called it his “Monument”. Several of the early members were his
relatives who withdrew from Upper Seneca, where he was revered for his faithful
services of many years in that church…The church was organized September 24,
1871, with twenty-two members who elected:
—Rev.
Joseph Hawkins Jones—Pastor
H.
Marvin Flinn, Pastor.
Rose V.
Griffith, Church Clerk.[1]
Mr. Jones was of Irish
parentage. His father, Charles Jones,
was a captain in the Irish Rebellion, for whose arrest a reward of 200 guineas
was offered. [2]
…Charles
Jones, of Ireland, who, espousing the cause of American independence, raised an
Irish brigade, and fought gallantly in the American cause.[3]
…Charles
JONES… came from Drogheda, Ireland in 1793 and settled in Alexandria, Virginia…
who married Prudence HAWKINS of Providence, Rhode Island, in 1795. [4]
He escaped and came to
America, where he married Prudence Hawkins, a widow of Providence, R. I. He
lived for some time in Fairfax Co. Va., where Joseph Hawkins Jones was born,
Dec. 3-1798. The family afterward moved
to Washington City. Joseph’s father
died when he was about 12 yrs. old, soon after that he was apprenticed to a
silver plater in Baltimore.[5]
He served his time and
returned to Washington, where and while yet a boy he became acquainted with
Rev. O. B. Brown, pastor of the Baptist Church, who took much notice of his
young friend and often pronounced a blessing upon him. Such attention drew forth his confidence. The mutual attachment never waned. [6]
Joseph was converted at 18
yrs. of age and was baptized by Mr. Brown and united with his church. He studied under Rev. Mr. Breckenridge at
Rockville Academy, about a year, and this, with the little schooling he had in
his father’s life time, constituted all the education he enjoyed. [7]
There was not in 1816 in
the Baltimore Baptist Association a single church or a single minister opposed
to the principles of mission or missionary labor, and those ministers with
“horse and saddlebags” would leave home and family and for weeks travel and
preach, constrained by the love of Christ. [8]
|
BALTIMORE ASSOCIATION. |
About 1818 he began to
exercise his gifts in preaching, soon after this he was licensed to preach by
the Church, was ordained 1820. In 1821
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Clagett of Montg. Co. Md. He settled in Rockville, worked at his trade
and engaged in the sale of merchandise.
But his heart was in the ministry. [10]
[Elizabeth Clagett’s father was]… Joseph CLAGETT of Montgomery County which
goes back thru Henry and two Thomases to Thomas CLAGETT who came from England
to St Leonard's Creek in Calvert County. [11]
|
The
area at North Adams Street and Middle Lane has four of the oldest surviving
Rockville homes: 101, 106, and 5 North Adams, and the Beall-Dawson House. Planner Kebba located the subject property on a map and
stated that the house at 106 North Adams Street, The Jones/Peter/Muth House,
is a log-framed, clapboard-covered house and one of only three remaining
frame houses in Rockville constructed prior to 1830. Reverend Joseph H.
Jones, the first Baptist minister in town, purchased the eastern half of lots
83 and 84 fronting on Adams Street in 1825 to build this residence. Later,
the house was owned for 80 years by the allied Peter and Dawson families.
George Peter served as the president of the Maryland Senate while living in
this house.[13] |
[Elder Plummer Waters]’
sermons about this time were very denunciatory against Missions and Missionary
men. This was the cause of the division
in Old Seneca Church, and the formation of the Bethel Church, of Montgomery
County. This Bethel Church, with their
declaration and all the attendant circumstances known to the Association, was
unanimously and cordially received in 1822, when it was also known that most of
its constituent members had been excluded from the Old Seneca church for this
very act. How strange that an
Anti-mission Association should receive into her body, such a church, giving as
her reason, the denunciation of Missions and Missionary men for her act in
withdrawing from the Old Seneca Church. [14]
|
Maryland was one of the original thirteen states of the
Union. Churches were established here long before the American
Revolution. An early minister in
Maryland, Elder Plummer Waters, wrote a book, which was published in 1838,
which gives an account of the opposition which he and others had to the
introduction of the modern mission system into the churches in Maryland. The
Baltimore Association divided over this issue in 1836; but Elder Waters and
others had withdrawn much earlier. SENECA (DAWSONVILLE, MONTGOMERY)(1773) Seneca Church was
organized in 1773, through the labors of Elders Daniel and William Fristoe,
Richard Major, and Jeremiah Moore. It was located near Seneca Creek. Daniel
Fristoe served for one year, until his death. Elder Jeremiah More then served
for forty years. Elder Plummer Waters then served about the same length of
time.[15]
|
The members of the Church
at Seneca resided so widely apart that it was difficult for them to meet
together, there was also a difference of views between some of them and their
pastor, Elder Plummer Waters. The
latter was not only an uncompromising opponent of missionary enterprises; but
denounced all who sympathized in that work.
The consequence was that 8 of the members withdrew from the Church and
organized in Oct. 1821 and were recognized as a regular Bapt. Church by a
council of ministers, viz: Rev. Jno.
Healy, of Balto., Revs. O. B. Brown and Thos. Barton, of Washington. The new church chose Rev. Jos. H. Jones as
their pastor, with the Rev. Wm. Sedgwick, assistant. In May 1822 they were received into the Balto. Association. They reported 18 members, having doubled
their numbers in 6 months.[17]
On the 19th of
August, 1821, the following persons withdrew from the Old Seneca Baptist
Church, which was under the pastoral care of Elder Plummer Waters, assigning,
among other reasons, their dissent from the views on the pastor on the subject
of missions: William Clingan,
Jesse Leach, Willie James, William Brewer, William Chiswell, Mary R. Braddock,
Mary R. Brewer, Sarah Chiswell; and these, with Joseph H. Jones, William
Sedgwick, Martha Jones, Prudence Jones, Sarah Leach, Abraham Stallings, Sarah
Stallings, were constituted a regular Baptist Church, Oct. 20, 1821, by Rev.
John Healy, pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Baltimore; Rev. Obediah B.
Brown, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Washington, D. C.; and Rev. Thomas
Barton, pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Washington, D. C. Elder J. H. Jones was elected pastor of the
new congregation, and William Sedwick assistant. The latter was afterwards regularly ordained by request of the
church, and Jesse Leach and William Chiswell were elected deacons, and Willie
James clerk. [18]
By a formal resolution a branch of this church was established
near Dr. William Brewer’s to be called Upper Bethel. The name under which the church was organized in Rockville was
“Bethel Baptist Church.” The first
addition after the organization was Edward Anderson. [19]
First
Baptist Church of Rockville History
Rich
in history, our church is almost 200 years old. In the year of 1821 fifteen
people met to form a new church, then named the Bethel Baptist Church. The
church called Rev. Joseph Jones to serve as their first pastor. The church
initially had two branches, one in Rockville and the other in the
neighborhood of Brother Rev. William Brewer on Poolesville Road. The church
continued its ministry with two branches until December 30, 1831, when it
decided that the two branches should separate into individual churches. The
"upper branch" retained the name Bethel Baptist Church, and the
lower branch took the name of Rockville Baptist Church. In June 1863, the
church incorporated under the laws of Maryland and took the name of the
Baptist Church of Rockville. Later the name changed to the First Baptist
Church of Rockville. When the Southern Baptist Convention formed, the church
became a member of that organization. [20] The
present Poolesville Baptist Church was built in 1984. Over the years there
were a number of Baptist Churches in and around Poolesville. Some of these
were known as "Old School or Primitive" Baptist Churches.[21] |
1822. Received
letters from Bethel Church, Montgomery County…petitioning for admission into
this body, both of which were cordially admitted.[22]
[Rockville]
Baptist Church.—The church edifice was erected in 1823, and rebuilt in
1861. The church joined the Baltimore
Association, and reported in their first letter a membership of eighteen. Miss Margaret Pierce, who is still living,
was received and baptized Oct. 20, 1822. [23]
His appointments were
chiefly at Bethel and Rockville, and he went to Upper Seneca, and to Linganore,
Frederick Co. He was ordained in 1820
by request of 2nd Baltimore church.
[24]
1826. The
Association met with the Harford Church, Harford county, Elder J. P. Peckworth,
moderator, J. H. Jones clerk, 11 churches represented….[25]
1827 Pleasant Valley, Washington county, J. H. Jones
clerk.[26]
Upper Seneca: Elder Francis Moore continued in the
pastorate until 1828, when he resigned, and the church chose Elder J. H. Jones,
as their pastor, who continued to the present time. The church was blessed in one with whom I [Joseph H. Jones] was
intimately acquainted, who in this respect was like Paul, willing to spend a be
spent, spent thousand of dollars in the support and education of his family and
the maintenance of the cause; for many years, averaged upwards of four thousand
miles a year in travel, not in steam boats or railroad cars, but on horse back
or in sulky; having from 15 to 20 appointments in a month for preaching, and
very seldom failed to meet those appointments.
How pleasant for such an one to be classified with
anti-missionaries. Paul has said, “As
we slanderously reported and as some affirm, that we say, let us do evil that
good may come;” I suppose it was to him a consolation, that the report was a
slander and the affirmation false”.[27]
Rev.
Jos. H. Jones…retained the [Upper Seneca Baptist Church] pastorate there for
over forty years and until his death, preaching once monthly. [28]
1829 The circular letter, written by Bro. J. H. Jones, was
read: subject, “The work of the Holy
Spirit.” [29]
1830 Upper Seneca, Mont. County, Md. Bro. J. H. Jones
moderator.[30]
Under Jones the [Bethel
Baptist] Church gradually increased in members and influence. As the members were widely scattered it was
agreed among themselves that while asknowledged [sic] as one church in the
Association, they would form 2 branches, one meeting in Rockville and the other
near Poolesville. The former was known
as Lower and the latter as Upper Bethel.
Business meetings were held at each place in the name of the whole. In Dec. 1831 by mutual agreement the upper
branch became “Bethel”—a separate organization, while the lower branch took the
name “Rockville.” The latter gradually
increased to a membership of 54, in 1834. [31]
Dec. 30,
1831, by a resolution, the [Bethel Baptist] church resolved that the upper
branch be called “Bethel,” and the lower, “Rockville” Baptist Church. The last record by the clerk (Willie James)
was May 4, 1837. [32]
1831 Fredk. Town Church, J. H. Jones clerk.[33]
1832 Warren Church, Balt. Co. J. H. Jones clerk. The Rockville Church, Montgomery County,
formerly the lower branch of Bethel, J. H. Jones, pastor, was received into the
Association [34]
[Primitive, or
anti-missionary Baptists] were now ready to oppose all those inventions of men,
denouncing Missionary, Bible and Tract Societies, Sunday Schools, &c., as
being the progeny of Arminianism. As
soon he concluded, I [Joseph H. Jones] addressed the meeting…as to every
society he had mentioned, I was their decided advocate and supporter. I wish my children, and all who know me, to
know that J. H. Jones, was the first man in Maryland to protest against “Black
Rockism,” and that in its conception, in its birth, and to the present,
persuasion and flattery, defamation and slander, have not had any effect upon
him in turning from his conscientious convictions. [35]
|
Primitive Baptist The division of
"Primitive Baptists" and "Missionary Baptists" cannot be
recognized as occurring at one particular time. The Baptists of the early 19th
century were separated by distance and lack of communication. In addition to
this, each congregation was independent and autonomous. Though some confusion
still existed as late as the 1840s, the declaration now known as the Black
Rock Address clearly defined the issues and marked the separation of the two
different philosophies. Representatives convened at Black Rock, Maryland on
September 28, 1832 and set forth the "Primitive" position on tract
societies, Sunday Schools, Bible societies, missions, theological schools,
and protracted meetings (revivals).[36] |
1834 Black Rock Church, J. H. Jones clerk. At this Association Bro. J. H. Jones was
appointed to write the circular letter for next year; query: could he at this time have been in bad odor
with the Baltimore Baptist Association. [37]
1835 Ebenezer
Church, Baltimore, J. H. Jones clerk. Bro. J. H. Jones was appointed to preach
the introductory sermon next year…[38]
1836 Black Rock, Baltimore
County. Bro. Eli Scott is published as
chosen moderator. He was not even
appointed by the church as a messenger, had no right in the body but by special
invitation. On Friday morning the
following resolution was offered by Bro. Polkinhorn. “Whereas, a number of churches of this Association have departed
from the practices of the same, by following cunningly devised fables, uniting
with and encouraging others to unite in worldly societies, to the great grief
of other churches of this body, as there cannot be any fellowship between such
churches, and all that have done so be dropped from our minutes.” In the minutes of that body claiming to be
the Baltimore Baptist Association, it is said, after preaching, the above
resolution was further discussed, and was adopted, by a vote of 16 for, 9
against. Whereupon the following
churches withdrew: Rockville, Pleasant
Valley, Linganore, second Baltimore, Mt. Zion, and Frederick Town. [39]
At this date [ca. 1872],
therefore, we have two bodies claiming to be the Baltimore Baptist
Association. The one which met in
Washington City September 1st 1836, continued for a few years, when
several of the churches united with the Maryland Baptist Union Association, and
several have remained unassociated, but will probably at some future time unite
with that body. The Black Rock body
still continues, but is not very large, and if it has one of its own sons in
the ministry in Maryland, I am unacquainted with him, though there may be
many….I have thus given to the best of my ability a true and faithful history
of the Baltimore Baptist Association. [40]
Minister
Joseph Jones’s conclusions regarding the winning party in a nineteenth century
Baptist controversy in Maryland should give all zealots—Baptist and
otherwise—pause. Jones wrote: "I believe they acted from conscientious
views, thought they were doing God service, as Paul did when putting the Saints
to torture and to death, but were not as scrupulous as they should have been in
the use of means to attain their end."[41]
He served 4 churches, spending one Sunday in a month
with each Church, they were Rockville, Upper Seneca, 14 miles from Rockville,
Linganore-28 mi. in Fredk. Co; and Pleasant Valley-40 mi. in Washington Co.
making a monthly trip of 164 miles besides frequently attending funerals, and
weddings , and associations. These
journeys were made on horseback, after some years he resigned the charge of
Pleasant Valley and transferred his labors to Ebenezer Church Loudon Co. Va. to
which he had been invited. Some time
afterward Frederick City Church was added to his field.[42]
In 1845 after 24 years of
service Mr. Jones resigned his pastorate [of Rockville Baptist Church] and
moved to Frederick, Md. [43]
Prior to
1851, Elder Jones resigned, having served as pastor for about twenty-four
years, during which time the church reached a membership of about sixty-nine,
by letter and baptism, as shown by the records.[44]
Much of this time he was
actively engaged in missionary work in Frederick County distributing Bibles
among the destitute and needy and preaching at other regular appointments. [45]
from the Primitive (anti-missionary) Baptist perspective:
|
Elder Charles H.
Waters wrote an article entitled "When Brethren Introduce New Things
which was printed in Zion's Advocate, 1889, and was subsequently reprinted in
the Advocate and Messenger, 1996. The text of Elder Water's article is very
fitting for our time (l990's) Hopefully it will serve as a reminder to our
Primitive Baptist family of the danger associated with the introduction of
new things into the church. The value of the article's contents dictates that
it be quoted in its entirety. "Years ago there were nearly a score of
Old Baptist churches in Montgomery County, Maryland. One after another they
began to be liberal, and as their liberality in practice increased they got
nearer and nearer to the Arminians, and in each case they landed the whole
crew into the conditional stream; finally, when there were about ten churches
left, a man by the name of Joseph H. Jones, a sound preacher, thought our
people too slow in practice and he, taking the progressive fever, got more
and more liberal in his views, until his people could no longer tolerate
'hard-shell stupidity,' and upon his death the churches he served went off,
not without some struggle, into the most advance seat in the New School
synagogue, leaving but three churches holding the faith and practice of the
apostles.[46] |
In 1845 he moved to
Frederick, while living there he preached at Barnesville in school houses
&c, and after the close of the Civil War a church was organized at that
place and regularly supplied by him, and a meeting house was built under his
auspices.[47]
1773 Frederick Town was received into Ketoctin
Association VA. First pastor Absolom
Brainbridge-later Plummer Waters and Jos. H. Jones[48]
|
FREDERICKTOWN (1773)
Fredericktown Church was organized in 1773 and united with the
Ketocton Association the same year. The first pastor was Elder Absalom
Bainbridge. He was followed by Elders William Parkinson, William Gilmore,
John Welch, Plummer Waters, and Joseph H. Jones.[49] |
In 1864 his wife, who had
been a help-mate in all his labors of love for more than 40 years, departed
this life. This severe trial, with a
rather delicate state of health, induced him to spend his winters with his
son-Judge Clagett Jones of King & Queen Co., Va. [50]
J. H. C.
Jones. This eminent lawyer was born in
Frederick City, and was son of Rev. Joseph H. Jones, the eloquent Baptist
preacher, and a brother of Hon. Spencer C. Jones, clerk of the Maryland Court
of Appeals. He was in 1870 appointed
circuit judge of the district composed of King and Queen and Middlesex
Counties, Va.[51]
|
JONES, Spencer Cone, banker and lawyer |
About 1871 the house of
worship near Barnesville was erected as a monument to his faithful life work.[54]
[Barnesville]
Baptist Church.—Its edifice, a two-story frame building, was erected about
1869. Its pastor [1878-1886] is Rev. [H].
E. Hatcher.[55]
The Covenant and church
record of the Baptist Church of Barnesville—dedicated, organized, and set apart
on September 24, 1871. Twenty-six
persons signed the covenant. On
Saturday, October 21, 1871, a majority of all members then belonging to the
Barnesville Baptist Church assembled in the said church. Rev. Joseph H. Jones was called to the
pastoral care of the church for one year.[56]
There
are six churches in the [Montgomery Baptist] Association which were founded in
the 18th century and are still active. These churches were instrumental in
founding the Assocation. The oldest church is Upper Seneca Baptist Church,
formerly known as Cedar Grove Baptist Church. It was founded in 1802. It is the
second oldest Baptist church in the state of Maryland. First, Rockville was
founded in 1821, Wildwood was founded in 1862, Germantown was founded in 1864,
Barnesville was founded in 1871, and Travilah was founded in 1894.[57]
Thence he was called home
to his Father’s house on above, Dec. 31, 1871.
[58]
He was a man of strong faith and untiring energy. Where ever a sense of duty led, there he was
bound to go and do his best. He was
never known to fail in meeting his appointments, unless something beyond his
control prevented. His was a remarkably
kind heart, with a strong tenacity for what he conscientiously believed, and he
candidly proclaimed his convictions of what was right.
His preaching and conversations seemed more bent on instructing
and comforting Christians than the converting of sinners.
His style of preaching was similar to that of the venerable
Jeremiah Moore—“well versed in scripture, often giving lucid explanations of
different passages.
Christian experience was with him a favorite theme. His life was an ornament to religion as a
man, a Christian, a preacher, he was an honor to his Country, the Church, his family
and himself.
He was cheerful even when suffering and joyful during his last
illness, his last words were “Happy, happy, happy.” [59]
[2]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 5.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[3] Western
Maryland History, Montgomery County, Volume I, Page 737.
[5]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 5.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[6] ibid.
[7] ibid.
[8] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part V, Early History of the Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[10]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 5.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[14] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part V, Early History of the Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[15]
http://www.carthage.lib.il.us/community/churches/primbap/Maryland.html, Church
and Family History Research Assistance for Primitive Baptist Churches in the
State of Maryland
[16] http://speccol.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/speccol/catalog/religion/cfm/dsp_select.cfm?denomin=Primitive%20Baptist
[17] Rockville
Baptist Church, 1821, Page 4. From the
Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[18] Western Maryland
History, Montgomery County, Volume I, Page 751.
[19] ibid.
[20] http://www.fbc-rockville.org/info/history/history.htm,
First Baptist Church of Rockville
[22] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part III, Early History of the
Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[23] Western
Maryland History, Montgomery County, Volume I, Page 751.
[24]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 6.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[25] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part III, Early History of the
Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[26] ibid.
[27] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part I:
Early History of the Churches
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[28] Letter
from J.T. Griffith to Rev. L.R. Milbourne, September 30, 1904. From the Barnesville Baptist Church
archives.
[29] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part IV, Early History of the Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[30] ibid.
[31] Rockville
Baptist Church, 1821, Page 4. From the
Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[32] Western
Maryland History, Montgomery County, Volume I, Page 751.
[33] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part IV, Early History of the Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[34] ibid.
[35] ibid.
[37] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part IV, Early History of the Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[38] History
of the Baltimore Baptist Association, Part V, Early History of the Association
by Rev. Jos. H. Jones, published 1872
[39] ibid.
[40] ibid.
[41] “Doing
God’s service?” http://www.mercer.edu/baptiststudies/Bulletin/oct02ARC.htm
[42]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 6.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[43]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 5.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[44] Western
Maryland History, Montgomery County, Volume I, Page 751.
[45] Letter
from J.T. Griffith to Rev. L.R. Milbourne, September 30, 1904. From the Barnesville Baptist Church
archives.
[46] http://www.carthage.lib.il.us/community/churches/primbap/PreacherSchools4.html,
Reply From Elder Dennis H. Jones. The
Cincinnati Preacher's Meeting - "A Little Fox" Part Two. (From the "Advocate and
Messenger," June 1998.)
[47]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 6.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[48] Early
Baptists in Baltimore and Maryland. From the Barnesville Baptist Church
archives.
[49] http://www.carthage.lib.il.us/community/churches/primbap/Maryland.html,
Church and Family History Research Assistance for Primitive Baptist Churches in
the State of Maryland
[50]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 6.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[51] Western
Maryland History, Montgomery County, Volume I, Page 416.
[54] Letter
from J.T. Griffith to Rev. L.R. Milbourne, September 30, 1904. From the Barnesville Baptist Church
archives.
[55] Western
Maryland History, Montgomery County, Volume I, Page 731.
[56] History
of the Barnesville Baptist Church
--Barnesville Baptist Church archives
[58]
Rockville Baptist Church, 1821, Page 6.
From the Barnesville Baptist Church archives.
[59] ibid.