Spice(d) Round

and other Nashville Christmas Traditions 

A visit to Andrew Jackson's Hermitage or Adelicia Acklen's Belmont, during the Christmas season, allows one to witness first hand what Christmas was like in antebellum Nashville.

Christmas at the Hermitage, 1825 - courtesy of TSLA

Other Nashville homes,  Belle Meade Plantation, Traveler's Rest and the Croft house at the Nashville Zoo are also decked out for Christmas and offer special tours at Christmas time. 

The following abstracts from various published works on Nashville history relate how Christmas was celebrated in Nashville in times past.

Miss Jane Thomas wrote in Old Days In Nashville,

"For weeks before the old-time Christmas the ladies of the house were preparing for the Christmas dinner: penning up the turkeys to fatten, preparing mince-meat for pies, and making all kinds of pickles, and saving eggs and butter for cakes, making spice rounds, and such things. The week before they would prepare for Christmas festivities by making the pies, jellies, cakes, and plum puddings. They had large fireplaces and burned wood altogether, and on Christmas eve a large backlog that would burn all night was put on the fire. They would all get up about four o’clock in the morning and make a large bowl of egg-nog, and there was merry making by trying to get each other’s “Christmas gift.” At nine o’clock they would have a big breakfast consisting of boiled spareribs, sausages, birds, hominy, light bread, biscuits, corn muffins, coffee, chocolate, and milk."

"A big dinner was always prepared for Christmas. A nice stuffed ham, a big fat turkey nicely roasted, spice round, and pickles and jellies of every kind, and every winter vegetable, and always a plum pudding with rich wine sauce, boiled custard, with whipped cream on it, fruit-cake, pound-cake, sponge-cake, apples, raisins and nuts, and wine, or cordial, and sweet cider, composed a part of most of the dinner. They had such dinners all Christmas week. The young people in the neighborhood would come together and have dances and exchange gifts. The young men would give handsome books to the young ladies, and they would knit the young men pairs of gloves, or give them something that they had made themselves. At night they used to bake apples and put them in sweet cider and ginger-cakes for refreshments. They would play all kinds of games."

"The refreshments at the parties were very different from what they are now: they were very bountiful. There was one table for meat only, and another for candy, cakes, fruit, etc. They always had sillibub and boiled custard. In the center of the table they made a large pyramid of jelly and custards, put up in beautiful glasses. They always had tea, coffee, and chocolate. There was always a large bowl of toddy with baked apples in it, called apple-toddy. Everybody sat down to the table, and at each plate there was a small pie, made in patty-pans. The crust was baked in scalloped patty-pans, and filled with preserves. We had no sardines then, but used chipped beef instead. What was left was given to the servants, and the amount given to them was much greater and much nicer than is prepared now to feed fifty or a hundred people at the parties. At the dinings they had the greatest abundance of everything: meats, vegetables, jellies, and desserts. Boiled puddings of all kinds, with rich sauce, were a favorite dessert."

In Journey to Nashville, Alfred Leland Crabb told a story steeped in the rich history of Middle Tennessee . He knew his characters as if he had walked with them. He brought them to life and instilled in many, a love of local history. Food was often a focal point in his books. Crabb's research uncovered just what sort of meal would have been served at various dinners over the first one hundred years of Nashville's existence.

Crabb sets the first big meal shared by the pioneer settlers on Christmas Day of 1799. As the scene begins to unfold at dawn on Christmas morning, we watch through Crabb's eyes. A group of hunters are returning to camp. They were carrying "one of the largest bears any of them had ever seen…."   Some of the men were sent ahead to build a roasting pit and light a fire, while others set about to dress the bear and get the meat ready for cooking. The meat was put on spits above wood that had burned to coals, over which was placed lengths of hickory wood. Salt and red pepper was found among the supplies and used as a rub for the meat. Several men take turns making sure the meat cooked properly and does not burn. One man had spied an herb known as "life everlasting" and gathered an armload, to make tea to accompany the meal. After many hours the bear meat was close to done. It was time to make the tea. Men laid stones in the fire and let them heat. A wooden keg was filled with water from a nearby spring. The life everlasting was placed in a second keg. Soon the hot stones were placed into the water and soon it began boil. The boiling water was poured over the herb in the second kettle. Large skillets of corn were being heated on the fire. The meat had been removed from the fire and was being sliced. The men walked up with their tin or wooden plates and were given a slice of meat, and a ladle of corn. Each man dipped his cup into the keg for tea, in which more hot rocks had been placed to keep the tea warm. There was enough meat and corn to fill the bellies of all the men and tea to warm them.

Harriet Arnow in Flowering of the Cumberland, tells us

"The Christmas season was marked by firecrackers, general jollity, and above all feasting-turkeys dressed with oysters, baked hams, plum puddings with rich wine sauce, and sillibub*. Country people seldom had the last two or even oysters but there were roasted geese and hams, plates of high stack-pies and cakes of all description, and shotguns and anvil blasts added to the firecrackers."
*(Sillibub, One quart of rich cream beat until frothy, grate one half nutmeg over it, add wine or rum.)

Nashville in the 1890's by William Waller shares this memory,

December 23, 1898, Christmas dinner menus from the Maxell House, Duncan, Tulane hotels… printed in Nashville American. And this, December 23, 1899. Christmas prices at the market house quoted; turkeys, 10 to 12 cents a pound; prime beef, 25 cents; potatoes 20 cents per peck; partridges, 15 cents each. Dinner at the Tulane, included Green Sea Turtle soup, Turkey with Chestnut Dressing, Sweet Breads, Frozen Eggnog and Mince Meat Pie. Click here to see a Maxwell House Christmas menu from 1879.

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SPICE ROUND

Nashville union and American, November 26, 1868

Nashville Union and American, December 1868

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The following description published in the Knoxville Argus appears in Old Times in Tennessee by Josephus Conn Guild. "Christmas is just upon us again," says the contributor to the Argus, "and its return will awaken in the recollection of many an old settler a melancholy reminiscence of the way it was kept in auld lang syne. What would you give, Mr. Editor, to see a real old-fashioned backwoods Christmas frolic? or a Christmas country dance? or a Christmas quilting? or best of all, a genuine Christmas wedding? I mistake you much if, with all your known appreciation of modern improvement, the bare mention of it has not excited your enthusiasm; and he must have little veneration, indeed, who can think of it without emotion. Why, your town parties, and balls, and soirees, and all that, are nothing in comparison. There is no heart about them—there is still less of nature. But the contrast makes me sad, and I leave it. . ."

Nashville union and American. (Nashville, Tenn.) December 27, 1871
Christmas Oysters.

Capt. Thatcher, the accomplished and obliging agent of the Adams Express in this city, presented the Union and American with a fine supply of choice, fresh Christmas oysters, which the tasting editor pronounced equal, if not superior, to anything ever imported, while others participating, decided them unsurpassed and entirely wholesome. For these and many other favors we gratefully acknowledge our obligations, wishing the Captain unbounded success and much happiness.

Christmas Festivals.

The Christmas Tree Festivals of the Presbyterian, Baptist and St. Anne's Sunday Schools, all of Edgefield, will take place on Thursday night. In connection with the Presbyterian Festival, there is also to be a Concert, in which the two hundred and fifty scholars belonging to that school, and one hundred of the Mission school in North Edgefield, will participate. This reunion will take place at McClure's Hall, and the other festivals at the respective churches.

Nashville union and American. (Nashville, Tenn.) December 24, 1872
Christmas Times

Yesterday was a busy day in Nashville. Although the mercury in the thermometer manifested a disposition to "get at the bottom of things," the streets were lined from an hour in the morning, with crowds of persons eagerly interested in buying all sorts of articles intended to play a conspicuous part in the festivities of to-day. Respectable heads of families might have been seen passing along the streets, homeward bound, heavily-laden with a heterogeneous collection, picked up at a dozen different establishments and all intended to bring joy and happiness to the hearts of the little ones at home. " Small boys were "abroad in the land" with their stock of stamps, the gradual increase of which has been closely watched for days and weeks past.

Dutiful sons and daughters, who have the good sense to keep in fresh remembrance the Bible injunction to "Honor thy father and mother," visited bookstores and, other establishments and secured the very things which father and mother needed, the gifts being duly presented at an early hour this morning.

Young men who have no homes, or family ties, feeling the instinct of giving strong within them, invested a certain amount of lucre in various and sundry articles to be presented to-day to somebody else's sister.

Then again, there were to be seen here and there upon the streets, an individual who had no thought of spending money upon any one but himself. These chaps required considerable room, as they walked, and it was interesting to observe the look of calm dignity with which they pursued their winding way. It was quite evident that they realized the responsible social position that they filled, and that they were not going to forfeit the respect and esteem of their friends by getting drunk, or doing anything Immoral. A large number of these individuals slept in the calaboose last night.

There was another class upon the streets young men who collected together in groups, as the day closed, for the express purpose of having a "high old time" "jolly young dogs," whose fathers are provided with a sufficiency of funds, which the sons know how to get hold of. These perambulated the streets, visiting this saloon and that, becoming a little more tipsy with each visit, until they were in condition to bring their "high old time" to a termination by indulging In a free fight, which would probably end in their being applicants for the unoccupied bunks in the lock-up.

LAST NIGHT.

Christmas eve was generally observed in the city, a vast amount of enjoyment being obtained from numberless entertainments, both private and public.

From the Tennessean Jan. 1, 1910

Spiced Round

Georgia boasts the roast 'possum; Virginia, its hoecake; and nearly every other State has some delicacy which is featured especially at holiday time.  In Tennessee spiced round is the dish that graces the bountiful Yuletide table.  It is essentially a Volunteer State dish.

Middle Tennessee is the home of this delicious meat, and though it has spread to other parts of the state, little is known of it elsewhere.  French chefs and schools of domestic science may never have heard of this rare dish, but if they haven't there is a great surprise in store for them.  They may well come to Tennessee and learn how to prepare the most delicious cold meat dish ever invented.

For the unfortunate who have never been privileged to combine slices of spiced round with their Christmas turkey, a description of how the meat is prepared may not be amiss.

Choose a select round cut of beef, four of five inches thick, and pickle in brine of salt and saltpeter for two weeks.  Prepare round strips of pure pork fat, rolled in spices.  With a hollow auger-like instrument force the strips of fat through the beef about an inch apart. The strips of fat are then cut off even where they project from the beef, and the entire piece of meat is sewed into a cloth and boiled until well done.  After the meat is thoroughly cooled, slice it thinly in such manner that the meat is dotted with the pork fat and spice.

Beef is not as delicious prepared in any other way.  As a matter of fact, spiced round runs good old sweet ham a close second.

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https://www.lehmans.com/product/larding-needle/butchering-supplies

 A larding needle or hook, similar to that used by Nashville butchers to pull spiced fat through a beef round roast.  The finished product had a checkerboard appearance.

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  The following essay appeared in "Our Food Heritage" Community Study Series, Nashville City Schools, originally published 1948, updated and republished 1976, Bicentennial Committee, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools.

A traditional food during the Christmas season in Nashville is Spice Round, a delicacy especially typical of Middle Tennessee.

There are several firms today that make Spice Round, one of which is the Jacobs Packing Company. Mr. William Jacobs who founded the firm came originally from Whittenburg, Germany. In 1865, at the end of the war, he received his discharge from the army and returned to Nashville, In 1870, he opened a stall in the old Market House. In the 1872 City Directory he is listed as one of the city's butchers.

Mr. George Jacobs tells us that the Jacobs Packing Company packs about 30-40 thousand pounds of Spice Round every season. His recipe came from Hart and Hensley, a packing house established by two Englishmen at lst Avenue and Madison. They packed only in the winter months. The city directory of 1872 lists them as one of two pork packers in the city and gives their location as 725 Market Street.

According to Mr. Jacobs the Maxwell House had Hart and Hensley's Spice Round on the menu around 1865. On the Maxwell House Christmas menu for 1879 there is listed "Hart and Hensley's Spice Round of Beef, en Sockle, Ornamented" and also "Hart and Hensley's (new) C.C.C. Hams."

Another firm whose name has long been a familiar one in the city as a packer of this delicious food is Alex Warner and Son . Today, the firm is operated by two grandsons of the founder of the firm.

The first Warner started in the meat business in Nashville about 1850. The great grandfather of the present owners having come over the-mountains from North Carolina after emigrating from Germany. He had six sons and one daughter who were also in the business with him.

One of the sons, Alex Warner, had married a Swiss miss from the settlement called Little Switzerland which was centered at Tenth Avenue, South and Caruthers Avenue, the present site of Waverly-Belmont School. In 1867, he established his own business at what is now 17th and Heiman Streets. Its large windmill was a landmark in the fast growing city. It was there Mr. Warner originated his famous recipe which is as yet a closely guarded secret by his two grandsons. There are only two people who have the recipe and it is kept under lock and key in the vault at the present location of the firm at 1609 Charlotte Avenue.

Mr. Howell Warner is of the opinion that his grandfather originated the recipe for Spice Round along the idea of the Boar's Head so famous in England. However, according to Mr. Warner there were other German families--the Jacobs, the Fehrs, and the Powers--who had settled in Nashville and had gone into the meat business. They were a closely knit group and possibly discussed together a method to cure and preserve beef.

Mr. Howell Warner says that the famous recipe was developed from necessity. In September of each year the butchers would get a long run on beef round. To take care of the over supply, the rounds were put in brine and as there were no refrigerators, stored in the potato cellar. Then in October at "hog-killing time," there was a run on pork resulting in a surplus of fat from the back-strip. So even in the early days of our city there were surpluses but, thanks to the ingeniousness of our frugal ancestors, the surplus resulted in new and different food treats.

Spice Round is made out of a round steak, not necessarily the choicest piece of beef, cut about ten times as large as a normal steak. The spices were ground in an old coffee grinder, the same method used today, the surplus fat larded throughout the spiced beef with horns, the same sized ones used today. The original recipe called for salt petre, sugar and-salt; however, a commercial curing agent is used today, the basis of which is sodium nitrate. The rounds are then cured, not in the old potato cellar, but in modern refrigerators, from two to three weeks.

The first Spice Rounds were given by Mr. Warner to his friends and customers in boarding houses, restaurants and hotels at Christmas time. Word of mouth advertising spread the praises of this unusual delicacy and people began to try to buy them for their Christmas dinner. This same type advertising has continued until now. The rounds are shipped regularly to Honolulu, England, Austria, Alaska, Canada and practically every state in the forty-eight.

One day the present operators of the business received a call from a prominent lady in the city who had just returned from an extensive trip to Europe. In Vienna, she had been visiting friends and had dined in the most famous restaurants of the city. One evening before attending the opera they decided to dine in the friend's home. To the surprise and enjoyment of the Nashville lady, the piece de resistance at the dinner was a Spice Round cured by Alex Warner and Son in her own home town.  (Transcribed by Debie Cox)

* * * * * * * * * * In the Nashville City Directory of 1872 the following advertisement appeared.
Hart and Hensley
Pork Packers
General Commission Merchants and Curers of the Celebrated CCC Hams
Bulk meats, bacon, lard, flour, etc.
Our Specialties
CCC Hams -- CCC Breakfast Bacon
"Rolled Spiced Beef" and the celebrated pastry lard in all the various sized packages.
Warehouse and Office #72 South Market Street
Pork House - Corner, Front and Madison Street
There was also in this directory a list of butchers in the city some of whose descendants are still making outstanding contributions to the food tastes of our city.

BUTCHERS LISTED IN NASHVILLE CITY DIRECTORY IN 1872
Coe, Adams - Stall #1 Market House
Coleman and Doubleday
Corbett, J. K.
Frith, J. H.
Grizzard, W. T.
Hagey, W.
Hagie, Charles
Hoff, George & John
Hoffman, A. J.
Houser, F. G.
Hawkins, Joseph
Jacob, W. M.
Johnston, L. H.
Kubu, T.
Lacroix
Laitenberger, C.
Laitenberger, C. C.
Linger, C.
Lopp, L. Lopp, Louis
Majors, W. T.
Miller, A.
Murphy, John
Park, Samuel
Power, C. P.
Price, C.
Scheirich, L.
Schutt, J.
Warner, Charles
Warner, L. A.
Warner, W. M.-Stall Central Market
Warner, W. M.-25 Market House
Warren, J. G.-Central Market
PORK PACKERS
Hart & Hensley-725 Market St.
Phillips, Hooper & Co.-56 S. Market

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This article was transcribed by Debie Cox and published on June 2, 2001
The article was published in the Nashville Retropect December, 2009 issue, by Debie Cox. Article was revised and updated for the Nashville History blog by Debie Cox December 2014. Copyright 2001 and 2014.

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Spice(d) Round and other Nashville Christmas Traditions by Debie Oeser Cox is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Copying of content on this website is prohibited.

Charity Church

Record of Baptisms of Rev. Robert Heaton 1812-1843

Transcribed from a photocopy of the original record in 2003 by Debie Cox. A photocopy of the Record of Baptisms of Rev. Robert Heaton (pronounced eaton) 1812-1843 was presented to Debie Cox by Linda Ross Lee. The original is housed in the Library of the Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville TN. The churches represented in this record are Zion Church on White’s Creek, Marrowbone Church and Charity Church all in Davidson County; Loes meeting house, Sycamore Arm of Zion Church and Good Springs meeting house all located in Robertson County; and Macadoo Church, called Macadoo Creek Church in the Nolin Kentucky Association Minutes. In the 1834 Tennessee Gazetteer, Macadoo Creek is described as being a North branch of the Cumberland in Montgomery County. Following is a transcript of the record.

June the 14 1812 following received and baptised Isaac Weakley, Alexander Lester & Sarah Hardin. On June the 15 1812 baptised Daniel Dar. On June the 12 1812 baptised James Martin, Elisebeth Martin, George Waters & Peggy Waters his wife, Elijah Husk, Enoch Kannaday, Jacob Wagoner & Littleton Green & on August the 16 1812 baptised William Cradock & Polly Cradock his wife, Felix Demumbro & Mary Demumbro his wife, George Cagle, Jacob Cagle, Hanah Fambro by letter.
September the 27 1812 baptised Enoch Heaton, Polly Berry & Polly Cagle. October the 11th 1812 baptised Elisebeth Hyde. June the 6 1813 Baptised Nansey Felts, October the 16 1813 baptised Elisabeth Wilson. June the 17 1813 Baptised P__ty Cagle, Elisebeth Cagle & Sally Wagoner. July the 25 1813 Baptised Benjamin Drake & Susanah Drake his wife, Thomas Heaton, William Heaton, Hanah Criddle, Susanah Lester & negro Sam.
August the 1 1813 Baptised Patsey Crain, received Sister Elisebeth Walker, Isom Felts, Mary Felts, Milly Lennex, Elisabeth Miles , Spencer Crane, Elisabeth Murphy , Elisabeth Daniel , all former members. August the 28 baptised Thomas Wats, September 25 chose Bro Benjamin Drake & Bro William Craddock Deacons in the Church & Thomas Heaton Clerk. September 26 baptised Sally Lester & negro Zitter. May the 21 1814, Licenced Brother Hurst to preach the Gospell.
August the 22 1814 Baptised Drury Felts. September the 25 Baptised Josiah League. June the 25 1815 Baptised Elizabeth Cagle. July the 2 1815 received by letter Brother Grifeth Williams & sister Peggy Williams. July the 23rd 1815 received & baptised Benjamin Odonely, Jiney Johnson, sister Lucy Odonely by letter. August the 6th 1815 received sisters Peggy Hunly & Frankey Ellit former members.
August the 20 1815 received and Baptised Charles Cagle, John Cagle & William Martin. Sister Hannah Criddle Died February the 23 1816 leaving behind her a disconsolate Companion with three little babes. Brother Elijah Hurst Died February the 26 1816. May the 5 1816 Baptised sister Polly Felts. July the 7 1816 Baptised Brother Joseph Felts & sister Hester Felts his wife. July the 7 received sister Elisebeth Hail by letter. July the 21 Baptised Brother William Hufman.
September the 1 1816 received Sister Patsey Brooks by reentation. September the 2 Baptised a Servant of Mr Vicks named Dicey. May the 2 1817 Baptised sister Polly Vick & received sister Mary Equils by letter. May the 11 1817 Baptised Brother Aron Deen & Brother Joab Vick . July the 20 1817 Baptised Sister Sally Deen, Sister Clary Vick & sister Patsey Vick. August the 2 1817 received sister Priscilla Stevens by letter. August the 17 1817 Baptised sister Mely Harris. August the 15 1817 return to the asociation 69 members in good standing. June the 7 1818 Baptised sister Rachel Huston.
August the 2 1818 Baptised Sister Nelly Felts. August the 12 1818 return to the South Kintucky asociation Seventy members in good standing. October the 25 1818 Baptised Sister Polly Lee. April the 25 1819 Baptised Brother Cordy Peoples. May the 1 1819 received Sister Boldry in Felowship who had been expelled not according to the gospel. May the 26 1819 received Sisters Susan Lester & Nancey Lester by letter & Sister Susanah Lester by recommendation & Baptised Negro Zaney a servant of Zachey Drakes. July the 4 1819 received and baptised Sister Pegey Grimes. July the 11 1819 Baptised Brother John Wagginer & sister Elizabeth Wagginer his wife likewise.
Brother William Fukewey & sister Polly Fukeway his wife 7 sister Lucindy Page. August the 15 1819 Baptised Brother Robert Vick & sister Elizabeth Vick his wife, Brother Joseph Vick, sister Phereby Hinson & sister Sally Durat. August the 20 1819 return to the asociation 88 members in good standing. September the 26 1819 Baptised sister Pennina Etheridge. October the 1st 1819 Baptised sister Dilcey Vick & Sister Aggy Page. October the 24 1819 dismised one by letter. October the 22 1819 received Brother Elexander Rascoe a preacher of the gospel by recomedation.
October the 30th 1819 return to the asociation 91 members. May the 21 1820 Baptised Nathan Bennit. June the 4th 1820 received Brother Able Williams by letter & sister Sally Williams his wife by recomandation. June the 25 1820 Baptised Brother Noel Watkins & sister Sally Watkins his wife. August the 27 1820 Baptised sister Sally Whoton & Brother George Waters reclaimed & received to fellowship again. September the 3 1820 received Brother Cothron by recommendation & appointed his as Clerk to the Sikemore arm of Zion Church. August the 27 return to the asociation ninety nine members.
June the 18 1821 received Brother Sam & sister Elsabeth his wife by letter both of them servants of Mr. Criddles. August the 5 1821 received & Baptised Brother Mathew Walker & Brother Hardy Felts, received Brother George Allin by letter May 1818 but negelcted to set it down till now. August the 20 1821 return to the Nolin Kentucky asociation one hundred 7 four members. October the 7 1821 received Brother Josiah Hunly by recantation. October the 14 1821 baptised Brother Joshua a servant of Nathen Bennit. November the 4 1821 Baptised Brother Nathan Williams.
May the 5 1822 Baptised my two daughters Sally Stewart & Susan Heaton. June the 2 1822 Baptised my daughter Moriller Heaton & sister Polly Stevens. August the 4 1822 Baptised Elisebeth Heaton my wife & Smith Heaton my son. August the 11 1822 Baptised Brother Thomas Smith. August the 24 1822 received Braxton Lee a former member. August the 24 1822 return to the asociation one hundred & fourteen members. October the 6 1822 baptised sister Polly Felts & sister Susan Lee.
October the 12 1822 baptised brother Wilson Gower & brother John B. Demumbron. October the 27 1822 Baptised Brother William Levy & received Brother John M. Chaudoin & Sister Sarah Chaudoin by letter. November the 2 1822 Baptised Brother Blaney Felts & sister Rody Williams. November the 4 1822 Baptised Brother John Smith. March the 2 1823 Baptised Sister Sinthy Smawl. May the 31 1823 received Brother John Baker by letter.
June 14 1823 We the Sykemore arm of Zion Church having petitioned the body of Zion Church for a devision & Constitution have this day met at Loes meeting house in Robertson County state of Tennessee & after singing and prayer we give our selves to god & to each other & on the Scriptures of the old & new testament was organised Constituted & pronounced a Separate & independent Church to ourselves with our former paster to wit Robert Heaton & is now known by the name of Sykemore Church at Sweet Spring meeting house Robertson County. Constituted by elder William Boldry of Macadoo Church ,elder John M. Chaudoin, Brother William Cradock, & Brother Benjamin Drake paster & deacons of Zion Church in Davidson County Whites Creek state of Tennessee.
August the 2 1823 Baptised Sister Mary Wills. August the 9 1823 Baptised Brother William Anderson, Brother William Cerny & sister Cagle. September the 7 1823 Baptised sister Elisebeth Wilson. September the 9 1823 return to the asociation seventy one members. Aprile the 4 1824 Baptised brother James Williams. June the 4 1824 Baptised sister Charity a black woman of Mr McGraws. July 4 Baptised Brother Kalop Winters.
Black Sam died July the 18 1824. September the 5 1824 Baptised sister Anny Pinkly. September the 5 1824 return to the Nolin asociation seventy four members. September the 12 1824 Baptised Brother Timothy Durat. On munday the 7 of September Brother Isom Felts died. October the 9 1824 Sister Elisebeth Vick died.
August the 13 1825 Baptised Sister Lucy Derro & sister Chaney a servent. September the 4 1825 return to the asociation Seventy three members. September the 11 1825 Baptised Sister Janey a Servent & received Brother John Wagoner & Sister Elisebeth Wagoner by letters. October the 22 1826 Baptised Brother Steven Lee. November the 12 1826 Baptised Sister Milly Vick & received Brother Nathen Williams. November the 18 1826 received Brother Cordy Peple. June the 10 1827 Baptised Sister Lucy Heaton.
Marrowbone Church was Constituted on the 10 day of January 1826 by elder Thomas Scaggs & elder Allexander Rascoe Constituted on 26 members William Fuqua decon, Polly Fuqua, Polly Equils, George S. Allin decon, John B. Demombron, Robert S. Heaton, Rubin Chaudoin elder removed by letter, Mary Equils, Joab Vick,
Dilcey Vick, Green Cato dismissed by letter, Fanny Chaudoin removed, Benjamin Hyde, Milly Hyde,Thomas Heaton, William Hufmon, Abel Williams, Sally Williams, Nathen Williams, Susan Williams, Rhody Williams, Colman Franum removed, Sally Franum removed, Archeble Fortune, Stephen Lee, Drury Felts, Nelly Felts, Thomas Wats, Cordy C. Peoples, William Cradock, Wilson L. Gower Clerk, Lucy Heaton, Colman Tranum removed, Umphry Doneven, Moriller Sanderson, John Waggoner, Elisebeth Waggoner,
Sally Stewart, Susan Porter, Sally Anderson, Clary Vick, Milly Crucher, Thomas Smith , Patsey Smith , Lucindy Gower , Mely Harris, Margret Williams diseased, Sally Jordin, Jane M Tire, Polly Richardson , Elisebeth Walker , Polly Cagle , Catrine Cagle removed, Black Jeny , Black Dicey , Black Peggy turned out, Black Chany diseased, Anney Pace removed, Benjamin Odonely , Jiney Johnson , Mary Wills , Elisebeth Cagle removed, Elisebeth Blankinship , Pherebe Hinson , Black Nelly .
January the 27 1828 received Brother Jessey Hulsey by letter. August the 24 1828 Baptised Brother Grifeth Williams & received Sister Lucy Donoly . August the 25 1828 return to the asociation sixty nine members. November the 9 1828 Baptised Sister Judy Cagle & November the 30 Baptised Brother Rubin Holt . August the 18 1829 return to the asociation fifty seven members. May the 16 1830 received Sister Susan Frensly .
May 16, 1830 Baptised Sister Nancy Frensly , Sister Sally Frensly & Sister Susan Frensly . June the 27 1830 Baptised Brother Henry Green . Sister Mely Harris Died June the 28 1830. August the 2 1830 dismissed Sister Sally Anderson by letter. return to the asocation on September the 6 1830 sixty members. October the 4th 1830 Sabath baptised Sister Susanah Coon .
October the 4th Sabath received Brother Antony Hinkle & sister Hinkle by recantation. May 16 1831 received Brother William Heaton & sister Moriah Heaton his wife by letter, July the 30th 1831 Baptised Sister Nancy Brumbelo & sister Lucindy Hinkle. October the 16 1831 received Sister Nancy Jackson . March the 11 1832 dismissed by letter Willson Gower & Lucindy Gower his wife & brother John B. Demunbra. Thomas Smith dismissed in disorder.
May 20 1832 Baptised Sister Sadler & Sister Lucindy Lain & received sister Elisebeth Green . Aprile the 21 1833 Baptised Brother Thomas Sadler & received Brother Noah Underwood by recommendation & Bro. George Cagle & Sister Elisebeth Cagle his wife. Aprile the 20 1833 Baptised Shadrick Coon. May the 12 received Brother Nathen Bennit by letter. June the 16 1833 received Sister Nancy Celly by recommendation.
July the 19 1833 received by experience & baptised Brother George Waggoner Sister Waggoner his wife, Brother Benjamin Powel, Brother Burril Sadler, Brother Babbit, Sister Crissy Cerny, Sister Elisebeth Martin, & Sister Susan Brinkly. July the 28 1833 received by experience & Baptism Bro. Thomas Felts, Sister Nancy Morris, Sister Leviney Pinkly & a black Sister belonging to Sqr. McGraw named August the 11 1833 received & baptised Sister Naomy Bennit & Sister Sally Williams. Brother William Cerny by letter. September the 1 1833 returnd to the asociation ninety members.
October the 14 1833 received & baptised Brother Cristifer Derrow & Sister Nancy Derrow his wife, Brother John Martin, Brother Ennis Cerny & Sister Catherine Brinkly. October the 20 1833 Received & Baptised Brother William Rolin & Sister Lily Rolin his wife, Sister Elisebeth Rolin, Sister Edeline Moses , Sister Mary Frensly & Sister Mary A. Frensly by letter. October the 20 1833 Baptised Brother Joseph Derrow , Brother Hirom Williams , Brother William Allems , Brother Jesse Clark , Sister Mary Felts by letter, Sister Nancy Felts by letter, Brother Blany Felts by letter, Brother David Herrington & Sister Charity Herrington his wife by letter. Baptised Sister Nancy Felts, Sister Lisey Pinkly & Sister brunetty Pinkly, &
Sister Elisebeth Felts. November the 11 1833 Baptised Brother Joseph Gower & Sister Polly Gower his wife & received Brother Joshuaby recommendation. December the 8 Baptised Sister Eveline Hufmon & Sister Liddy Best. December the 22 1833 Baptised Brother James Grimes & Sister Julise Pinkley . May the 11 1834 Baptised Brother James Martin& Sister Betsy Biggs & Sister Peggy Biggs. May the 18 1834 received Sister Catherine Smith by recommendation & Baptised Sister Powel. July the 22 1834 Baptised Sister Chamblis.
July the 13 1834 Baptised Brother Josiah Vick & Sister Rebecah Vick his wife & received Brother William Anderson. September the 14 1834 baptised Brother John Rolin . September the 29 1834 Baptised Brother George Hazelwood & Sister Smittick . June the 28 1835 Baptised Sister Clark & Sister Rachel a black woman. August the 23 1835 Baptised Sister Sally Binkly. August the 23 Baptised Brother George Head & Brother Joseph Barnet.
Brother Shadrack H Coon died May the 25 1836. July the 23 1837 Baptised Brother Joseph Walker. August the 13 1837 Baptised Sister Frances Williams. October the 14 1837 Baptised Brother Wiot Felts. May the 19 1838 Baptised Brother Joseph Bradley. June the 10 1838 Baptised Sister Tabitha Dar. July the 11 1838 Baptised Sisters Follis & Connil.
We the Church of Christ called Separate Baptis at Charity & Zion meeting houses in Davidson County being legally Constituted upon the ___bases of the Scriptures of the old & new testiment protesting against all humon rules or articles of faith and decorems believeing that the word of God is the only rule to govern the kingdom of Christ both in faith & practis.
We have now become attached to the Concord asociation & represent in that body sixty nine members. September the 24 1839. September the 6 1840 Baptised Brother John Clark & Brother Jacob Chaudoin. October the 25 1840 Baptised Brother James Allums & Sister Lucindy Chaudoin. September the 8 Baptised Brother Isack Carter. September the 9th 1841 return to the asociation from good Spring 53 members. September the 9 1841 return to the association from Charity meeting house 71 members. December the 5th 1841 Baptised Sister Mary Deen.
May the 15 1842 Baptised Brother Joseph Tucker & Sister Mary Tucker his wife Sister Hariet Brandon & Sister Francis Morgan. September the 15 return to the asociation from good Spring fifty three members. Return to the asociation from Marrobone Church September 10 1842 Seventy one 74 members. July the 23 1843 Baptised Brother John Doolin.
An account of the age of the Children of Amos Heaton & Elizebeth Heaton his wife.
Robert Heaton was born March the 15 1765.
Predence Heaton was born Jenuery the 14 1767.
Enoch Heaton was born December the 3 1768.
Elizabeth Heaton was born September the 30 1770.
Thomas Heaton was born Jenuery the 6 1773.
Isaac Heaton was born September the 19 1775.
Mary Heaton was born February the 25 1778.
John Heaton was born October 23 1780.
Joseph Heaton September the 1 1786.
Book of Record & names of the members of the church.
Rev. Robt. Heaton died age 78 Nov. 15, 1843 and his wife Elisabeth Died age 71 June 17, 1837. Elisabeth Heaton died the wife of Amos Heaton died May the 21 1805 it being the fifty ninth year of her age.
Robert Heaton
1843
1765
78
September the 23 1840 Ransom W. Eaton Started with his little family to move to Misoory.

End of Record

The churches at which Robert Heaton served belonged before Sept. 1819 to the South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists in Christ. By Oct. of 1819 they had become members of the Nolin Association of Separate Baptists. In Sept. 1840 they had joined the Concord Association. The South Kentucky Association of Separate Baptists in Christ is the oldest association in the General Association. It was organized and constituted in the year 1785, and her boundary was all south of the Kentucky river to Tennessee.
The Nolin Association of Separate Baptists was constituted in September 1819 They next met in October of 1802 at Loes (Lowes) meeting house in Robertson Co. TN. Robert Heaton was chosen moderator.
The letter below, written by Robert Heaton was recorded in the minutes of the Nolin Association.
As respects the Docinian Doctrine as taught by Docinus, we believe it says the foundation of every Christian's hope. So likewise doth the Armenian plan oppose the experience of every enlightened Christian, if it be what Calvinism says it is, but we believe Jesus Christ, our divine Saviour, in person tasted death for every man and thereby made an atonement for the sin of the whole world, or in other words, made salvation possible for all the fallen family, and that all men may be saved by repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, without which none can be saved. We earnestly contend that salvation is by grace without the deeds of the law, that grace devised the plan, put it into execution, gives power to accept it, carries on the work, and will in the end crown the whole, by which the standing of the Christian is secured against principalities, powers, men or devils. These are our views of the Gospel, which we believe a correct aisle of instruction to the children of men, for if Kings, Governors, or Magistrates, empires, kingdoms, and republics, were subject to it, happy would be our world, in this glorious system of instruction are, directions to husbands, wives, parents, children, masters and servants as well as to ministers, members and churches, this being the case we as your servants exhort you to observe these things, and delight of your hearts, that thereby your good may not be evilly spoken of.
Farewell.
Done by order of the Association the 2nd Monday in October 1820.
Robert Heaton, Moderator
Walter Williams, Clerk