Churches in Hardin County, Tennessee Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church South [Source: "Ansearchin' News" 1959 - Transcribed by Dianna Gilbert] Minute Book of the Recording Steward for the churches comprising the Circuit in and around what is now Shiloh National Military Park and Cemetery. The book was found in the attic of a house in Adamsville, McNairy County, Tennessee. The records start in 1844 and go through 1860, then there is a blank during the terrible years of the War Between the States, and it again takes up in 1866 and ends in 1885. Page 1 - January the 20th, 1844. Recording Steward Book for Ham Berg Circuit. At First Quarterly Meeting held at Temple Hill on the 19th and 20th of January, 1844. Members present: M. Yell, P. E. L. F. Johnson J. W. Walkup, P. E. Joseph Berkes David Ross N. C. Riggs Josep Green On the opposite page is a list of Trustees, evidently for the Churches making up the Circuit. Several years later this is called the Purdy Circuit, Jackson District, of the Memphis Conference. On August 19, 1879, one of the Questions: Is there a Church Register belonging to this charge and has it been faithfully kept? Answer: Yes. Most of the business is routine, but at Prospect, March 26, 1858, came the question: Are there any complaints? Answer: Complaint against Rev. Jerdin F. Parker, a local Elder in M. E. C. South for disseminating false and erroneous doctrines. Brother David Cogdell stated . . . "I heard Brother Parker say in a sermon that Baptism is essential to salvation - is a prerequisite thereto". Brother J. N. D. Hale stated that he heard Brother Parker say that God was under no obligation to convert a man until he was baptized . . . and stated he saw him burn his parchment (?) and heard him denounce the Methodist as heretics. No defense was made and he was found guilty and expelled from the M. E. C. South. The writing is difficult to read, but I believe the following is the earliest List of Trustees: Rock Springs: H. W. Stratton Monroe Foster Rob. W. Foster Jno. W. Flatt C. S. J. Stevens Mt. Olivet: Wm. Cook Rev. Go. Atkins John Asbell Paton Atkins Union Ridge: Wm. Moore W. T. Bectall Nathan Moore H. B. Wade Morris Chapel: H. B. Wade P. L. Johnson W. L. Morris G. M. McFall J. B. Frazier Mars Hill: J. J. Clemons Denis Barnes J. W. Barns W. L. Cockrum Wisley Barnes New Salem: Jas. Suratt W. S. Wolverton W. F. Dollar C. C. Strown J. V. Worley Smith Chapel: J. A. Smith J. E. Templeton Joseph Barton Pisga: Jas. King Thos. Turner Dan Booker Shipps Chapel: M. T. Hoover P. Atkins Geo. Atkins J. C. Shipp J. E. Shipp Sulpher Springs: W. R. Frazier J. T. South Henry Davis J. E. Shipp Shilo: J. G. Burks John Burks Jos. Barlow G. W. Norris J. R. Duncan T. J. Hurley Henry Barlow Perry Canterell J. P. Atkins Good Springs: G. W. Sipes S. Cockrum J. B. Jimerson The called Adamsville Charge - Brownsville District Conference - Memphis, was the last entry in 1885 - November 15th: W. C. Johnson, P. E. in chair Present: Stewards W. F. Barrus, P. C. Dr. A. A. Jones A. B. Jones, L. E. A. W. Stratton R. M. Foster, L. P. H. L. Yancey G. W. Jones, L. P. Joe Wilkerson D. Yow Dr. G. W. Morris David Pickens, St. James Surratt Jesse Jones, C. L. Luther Mathews, Ex. G. W. Banks, Elected Sec.