Constituted in 1790, Bethlehem Baptist’s congregation is thought to be the oldest in Washington County. It was first known as the Church of Christ on Cag Creek [now Keg Creek]. It later relocated and was known as Williamson Swamp Meeting House. When they finally moved to Warthen in 1795, they welcomed the members of Paley Church and the old Cag Creek Church and became Bethlehem. The old wooden church burned in 1890 and was replaced with the present structure.
Warthen Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
In doing some further research into my Washington County GA ancestors, I found this page after having discovered some information about my 3-Great Grandfather, John Mills. It seems that in 1840-something (couldn’t make it out), as a church member, he had asked forgiveness for having become angry enough to having “struck a fellow human being.” He was forgiven.
My research has found many of the Mills Family having lived in the Warthen area for many years, beginning with John’s father William. My question has to do with John’s wife, who is listed in Census forms with the given name of Keziah. I found one possibility of her maiden name having been Hooks. However, this is mostly conjecture. Any information is greatly appreciated.
In addition, my 2-Great Grandfather, William Seborn Mills, married Mary Frances Garrett, daughter of Asa Garrett Sr, so I am also related to the Garretts and their lines.
Many Thanks,
Charles Bauch
Hello Charles, I am also related to John Mills and would love to share information with you.
Pam Mills Pittman
Montgomery, Al
Hello, just saw your reply and comment. I’m always looking for information about ancestors, so thank you. John was my 4-Great grandfather’s brother, James William.
Your name Pittman is interesting, too, as my Great-Great Grandfather William Mills, moved to Muldoon in Fayette County, Texas after his mother passed there in Warthen. All four of my grandparents were born in that same county, with one at Muldoon. There is a Pitman Cemetery there in which some of my people are laid to rest. Henry Pitman and his wife and son are buried there. Henry’s father was James Marsden Pitman. All were born there around Muldoon. Don’t know if those names mean anything to you as the spelling is one T off.
Anyway, I look forward to sharing information and maybe plugging up some gaps.
Charles Bauch
Hello again. I thought I had answered your last question, but do not see it in the thread. Yes, I have two pages on Ancestry: Chazlyn99 Family Tree and C Bauch Family Tree.
So far, I have been unable to locate anything on the death, burial, etc on my Mills families – Charles and Martha, or Charles’ parents John and Keziah.
However, I did make a connection for you with the Pittman Family. It seems that the Pittman buried in Muldoon, Fayette County, Texas – James Marsden Pittman (1853 – 1895) – was the son of Wright Pittman, Sr. (1822 – 1905) of Robeson County, NC. (This is according to Geni)
I made an error in my original post. My direct line is to/through James and Keziah. John was James’ brother. Lo ciento mucho…
Charles B.
I am related to John Mills and wife Mary Gilchrist. I do have James Mills wife as Keziah Hooks. I’m thinking that William Mills was their father. James and Cela Mills was administrator of William’s estate. I have seen where John Mills family came the Peedee area of N.C. but the PeeDee area is also in S.C. I need to find more information on William to connect to John and James.
On the Pittman side: My husband’s family is from Robeson Co N.C mostly in the Lumberton area. Henry Pitman 1827 married his cousin Helen Pitman. I don’t think any of them went to Texas. Are you on Ancestry? I have my family tree there and it is public.
Probably more than one Henry Pitman out there. Yes, I’m on FB.
Do you have a tree on Ancestry?
Sorry, Anthony. My post mistake. Please delete.
Hello Rev. Baker. Sir, it is an honor to meet you. My third great uncle was Rev. Isaiah Hales, who was one of the founders of Bethlehem in 1802 . If you have any minutes that mention Isaiah, some of the sermons he preached, or other interactions recorded, I would cherish having copies of them.
I am the pastor of Bethlehem. If you have any historical question, I do have access to the business meetings of the church going all the way back to 1790.
My great-great-great-great grandparents are buried in your cemetery. We were there last week and took photos. I am wondering if there are any records of them being members or Sunday School teachers, etc,… I am looking for any additional info you may have. Or, if you can point me to a historical society or library to try to find more information. Their names are John Glen Fulghum born Sept. 20, 1814 died Oct. 2, 1873 and his wife, Elizabeth Harrison Fulghum born June 16, 1814 and died Dec. 13,1885.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank You!
Oops! I just realized that her parents are buried there too. I missed that. Their names are Joseph Washington Harrison born Feb. 24, 1783 and died June 6, 1857 and his wife , Pheraba Harrison born Feb 13, 1785 and died May 20, 1861.
Any way if you find any information on them, that would be great!!
I am a descendant of BRYAN BOROUGHS SARGENT and STELLA VENESSA WASSON SARGENT. On Bryan’s death certificate it says he was a minister and he is buried there in the church cemetery. I think he may have been a past minister for the church. Do you have access to past ministers of the church? Could you verify this or send me any information you might find on these two ancestors? Bryan 1846-1932 Stella 1859-1937
Cathy Harmon
Cathy, BB Sargent Sr and wife are buried at Bethlehem in the same graveside as AA and Virgie Sargent. Also Lonnie and Bertie McDonald. BB Sargent Sr was not a pastor at Bethlehem to my knowledge. He may have been a pastor at Pine Hill Methodist church in Warthen. I’ll ask Stella Sue.
Ken McDonald
I am looking to find the grave site of my second great grandfather, Allen Atkinson Walker, born in the first decade of the 19th century to John Daniel Walker who had a homestead on Keg Creek near the junction of Lindsey/Mills School Road and Union Church Road in the Warthen district. The family moved to Washington County in 1819 from Pitt County, North Carolina. Allen died in 1852 in Washington County and had connections to Bethlehem Chruch and the Academy thereof. I have found the family cemetery where his father and second wife are buried on Keg Creek, but he is not there, nor is his wife Chloie Harrison Walker. My Mother’s Walker family is related to Harrisons, Duggans and Iveys of Washington County. Any help finding Allen’s grave will be greatly appreciated. Jesse M. Bookhardt, 1415 McIntire Road, Rock Spring, Georgia 30739
Hi Rev. Baker! I’m looking for information on my great-great grandmother, Nancy Garner, and her father, Reddick Garner. Nancy was born in 1810 and joined Union Baptist Church when it was founded in 1844. I believe she attended Bethlehem Baptist church until that point. I would love any details on her or her parents, Reddick Garner and Hannah Cook Garner.
Thank you for providing this forum!
Hello Pastor Baker, any early Bethlehem minutes mentioning Isaiah Hales or his ministry there, my 3d great uncle, please send me the information. Thank you for your kindness. Lewis Hales, M.A.,M.A.
I have an image of my great-grandfather's house in Pelham. It waas originally built in 1876, burned and rebuilt in 1908, and torn down in the 1960s for a public housing site. He and Judson Hand knw each other and did some business together.It passed out of our family in the Panic of 1922. Anecdotal stories say that the family lawyer wound up with it.Particulars: John J. Mize home, Mize Road, Pelham Georgia.If you would like me to sent the image, please reply.Roy MizeMountain View, CA
I’d love to see it, Roy. I’ve seen an antique postcard of the house but can’t locate it now.