I33815: John Wesley ALVIS (ABT 1870

Notes

"From "Early Churches of Culpeper Co., VA: Colonial and Ante-Bellum Congregations" edited by Thomas and Green, published by the Culpeper Historical Society, 1987.
Chapter III; "History of Crooked Run Baptist Church, 1772-1986" by William Spotswood Burwell and Elizabeth Valentine Garnett:

"Midst the rolling hills of Culpeper Co., halfway between the towns of Culpeper and Orange, stands the Crooked Run Church. Since 1772 this landmark has stood like a sentinel crowning a knoll which overlooks the adjoining cemetery and Route 15. The church gets its unusual name from Crooked Run, a stream that flows about half a mile from the church. The church was built on a land grant from the Crown to the Spotswoods from whom the Garnetts purchased it.

A 1770 petition asking acting Governor Robert Berkeley, Baron de Botetcourt, for a Baptist meeting house in Culpeper was answered in 1772, when, under the direction of Samuel Harris, James Read, and Elijah Craig, the Crooked Run Baptist Meeting House was constituted. This church was a daughter of Blue Run Baptist Church. James Garnett, Sr. (1743-1830) is called the organizer of the Crooked Run Church. He belonged to the Blue Run Church and decided to start a church nearer his home. He gave a corner of his farm as the site for the church.

Since he was still studying for the ministry, the church called Elijah Craig, who was pastor of the Blue Run Church, as it's first minister. This church produced two pastors in this early period-- James Garnett, Sr. , who was ordained to this office at Crooked Run in 1774, and Thomas Ammon, who was once imprisoned in the Culpeper jail for preaching the gospel. Thomas Ammon moved to KY where he served as the first pastor of Hickman's Creek Church.

When Virginia was a colony, the Anglican church was established by law. Baptists were often imprisoned for preaching without a license. ...

The early history of the Crooked Run Church, however, centers around the life of James Garnett, Sr. (1743- 1830), the son of Anthony Garnett and his wife , the former (Mrs.) Elizabeth (Jones) Boulware. James was the fourth proven generation of Garnetts in America.

James was born in that section of Orange County which became Culpeper County in 1749. The foundation of his parents' log cabin has been preserved in the elegant mansion known as "Horse Shoe" on a farm situated in the bend of the Robinson and Rapidan Rivers at their intersection.

His mother was a pious member of the Methodist Church. His father was a vestryman, church warden, and lay reader of St. Mark's Parish from 1758.

James Garnett, Sr. was called "Elder," a title often given to preachers in that day. He was twice married, first to Miss Rowe. His second wife's name is unknown. He reared 14 children. Two of his sons, Robert and John, became Baptist ministers. James Slaughter wrote:

"during his youth, and early manhood, he was very wild and thoughtless... giving no thoughts to the welfare of his soul until he was nearly 30 years old. But the Lord had mercy in store for him. About 1770, under the ministry of Elijah Craig, he received religious impressions which continued many months before he obtained a hope. His convictions were unusually severe and sometimes the agony of his soul was overpowering. ... He was baptized by Elder Elijah Craig."

Much has been written about his exemplary life, his ability to show men "the way," his total absorption with God's work, his faithfulness to duty, often despite poor health in his later years.

Under his pastoral care, the church at Crooked Run generally enjoyed much peace and harmony. It was blessed with large additions to her numbers.

Slaughter summarized Garnett's accomplishments:

"Elder Garnett's preaching talents were not of a high order, but the purity of his life, and the fervor of his appeals to the unconverted... made a deep impression on those who heard him. His preaching was blessed to the conversion of many."

During Garnett's pastorate, the first meeting of the Orange Baptist Association was held at Crooked Run on May 8, 1789. In 1791, the Orange Association was divided into three district associations. Crooked Run was the part known and the Culpeper Association, which was changed to the Shiloh Association in 1812.

According to Robert B. Semple, Crooked Run Church had a "glorious revival" in 1788 and 1789 during which 115 were added. In 1802 the church was again blesses with revival with about 30 baptized.

Elder James Garnett I died in the 86th year of his life on April 16, 1830. His funeral was conducted by his grandson, Elder James Garnett II (1792-1875), who succeeded him as pastor of the Crooked Run Church (1828- 1874)." (See the notes of James Garnett II for further history of the church)

From "Notes on the Garnett Families of Virginia" from Charles L. Garnett:

Deed Book E, page 213, Culpeper. Deed Packer and wife James Garnett of County of Culpeper. Dated November 20, 1765.

Deed Book E., page 214, Culpeper County. Deed by Benjamin Rowe to James Garnett, both of Culpeper County. "In consideration of natural love and affection which he (Benj. Rowe) hath and beareth to the said James Garnett as also for the better maintenance and permanent of the said James Garnett," conveyed 100 acres on Mountain Run, in Culpeper County. Dated November 20, 1766.

Although this deed describes the location of this property as Mountain Run, I think it must be close to Crooked Run, which is 7-8 miles south of Mountain Run. The Crooked Run area is where James resided for the rest of his life, and reportedly in about 1772, gave "a corner" of his farm for the Crooked Run Baptist Church. This deed however, does seem to correspond to a deed involving James' brother Robert from 1769, which describes property also purchased from Benjamin Rowe and also on Mountain Run. This might pertain to Cedar Mountain Run, which seems to be near to Crooked Run. It is possible that while living in the Crooked Run area, James purchased land near Mountain Run.

The following records were provided by Crystal Dingler from the LDS Family Library, Microfilm #2024517, Culpeper Co., VA: Personal Property Tax Lists (1782-1802).

From 1782 Personal Property Tax List of Culpeper County: James is listed with 1 white male over 21, 6 slaves (named: Michael, William, Henry, Abram, Lindy, Doll), 5 horses, 19 cattle, and paid taxes of 4 pounds, 4 shillings, and 9 pence.

From 1786 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: James is listed with 1 white male over 21, 2 slaves over 16, 4 slaves under 16, 17 cattle, 3 number of heads tythable, and paid taxes of 4 pounds, 16 shillings, and 3 pence.

From 1789 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: James is listed with 2 white males over 21, 3 blacks over 16, 2 blacks under 16, 9 horses, 5 tithables, and he paid taxes of 3 pounds, 8 and shillings."

Children:
2 Edmund GARNETT b: 25 APR 1765 d: 4 SEP 1826 + Sarah "Sally" GRAVES b: 6 SEP 1761 d: 15 SEP 1824
2 Robert GARNETT b: 7 JUN 1770 d: 11 SEP 1854 + Rhoda COCHRANE b: UNKNOWN d: 28 APR 1855
2 Elizabeth "Betsy" GARNETT b: ABT 1785 + Thomas LEWIS
2 Catherine GARNETT b: 2 DEC 1792 + Benjamin MITCHELL b: 25 APR 1762
2 Lucy GARNETT b: 3 DEC 1793 + William MITCHELL
2 Polly GARNETT b: 9 MAY 1798 + Reuben HUDSON
2 Elijah GARNETT b: 1799 + Nancy BRANHAM
2 James GARNETT , Jr. b: 1800 d: 1876 + Mary WILLIS

^[S2833] ^[S2833]

My Southern Family

John Wesley ALVIS

ABT 1870 - ____

ID Number: I33815

Sources

Judith ARMISTEAD

ABT 1700 - ____

ID Number: I3746

Notes

Sources

Gary Bruce DANIELS

Henry FLEET III

1695 - 1735

ID Number: I85115

Sources

Rev. James GARNETT

Nov 1743 - 16 Apr 1830

ID Number: I74881

Notes

Sources

Mathew GATEWOOD

ABT 1742 - BEF 1762

ID Number: I24532

Notes

Sources

Susan Marion GRAVES

ABT 1820 - ____

ID Number: I37136

Sources

WILLIAM PERCY

7 Apr 1428 - 1462

ID Number: I41052

Sources

Etta POWELL

1900 - ____

ID Number: I170

Sources

PONS Fitz_Ponce POYNTZ

ABT 1034 - ____

ID Number: I72511

Notes

Sources

Judith RANDOLPH

____ - ____

ID Number: I87485

Sources

Ann TYLER

ABT 1785 - BEF 11 Jun 1835

ID Number: I46419

Sources

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