"A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 
1844-1943" by Wendell H. Rone.  Probably published in 1944 by 
Messenger Job Printing Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky, 
pp. 349-350.  Used by permission. [McLean]

WILLIAM J. STEVENS:  The subject of this sketch was born in the state 
of Tennessee on July 4, 1823.  When converted he united with the 
Methodists and soon began to preach.  After preaching in the Methodist 
denomination for over ten years, at about the age of 47, he was led to 
a more careful study of the subject of baptism by the request of his 
sixteen-year-old daughter, who had been converted, for the Scriptural 
authority for effusion.  His investigation led him to a belief in 
immersion and further study into a vigorous and strong belief of every 
article of Baptist Faith.  He, with his daughter, was baptized on July 
14, 1867, by Dr. J. S. Coleman.  In October, 1867, he was ordained to 
the Gospel Ministry by Elders J. S. Coleman, A. G. Davis, and J. M. 
Peay.  From this time until his death on May 19, 1891, he remained a 
useful, honored and loved member of Buck Creek Church.  Most of his 
useful ministry was spent in missionary work and protracted meetings, 
of which he conducted some 73.  Some of these were meetings of 
extraordinary power and productiveness [sic].
	His daughter, Lydia, who later married J. Warren Hipsley, was 
witnessing the baptism of a young girl by Dr. Coleman when she 
determined to learn of the Scriptural authority on baptism.  She went 
to see Brethren Coleman and Peay baptize about 100 persons.  She saw 
one only, and was so impressed that she sat down, thought and wept 
until the baptizing was all done, and then went home and made, with 
God's help, Baptists of the whole family.
	Bro. Stevens served his home church, Buck Creek, in the years 
1872-1873.  Also the following: Mt. Moriah 1868; Mt. Liberty, 
1872-1874; Brushy Fork, 1872-1878 and in 1882; Mt. Pleasant, 1876; 
Glenville, 1877-1880.  He bore his last great suffering with perfect 
patience and resignation and on the date mentioned above passed up to 
glory through the gateway of death.  He and his wife, Malissa, are 
buried in a private cemetery about one mile north of the present site 
of Old Buck Creek Church.

Stevens Coleman Davis Peay Hipsley
=
TN

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/mclean/stevens.wj.txt