In the previous note, there was a reference to a young women's association to educate ministerial students. The nature of this is just what the name says. A group of young women organized to raise money to help the Virginia Baptist Seminary in Richmond, which was training ministers. (This school later became the University of Richmond in 1840.) The Jeffersonton ladies were effective, and held some of the annual records for the amount of money raised (as compared to similar organizations in other towns).
As the discussion on the list here showed, the early Baptist ministers were filled more with spirit than with education. After a period of time, the church began to feel the need for better educated ministers, and so a school was established. This is what the ladies were supporting.
Looking at some of the early names in the community, the first trustees for Jefferson were John Fishback, Thomas Spilman; John Dillard; Philip Latham; John Spilman, Sr.; Robert Freeman; Francis Payne; William Ferguson; and Thomas Freeman. In Springfield, Thomas Spilman; John Spilman, Sr.; John Fletcher; William Tapp; and Elisha Matthews. In Wealsborough, John Fuller, Thomas Spindle, Thomas Spilman, John Fishback, and William Tapp.
In 1825, the legislature appointed new trustees for Jefferson, who were William Freeman, Jr.; William Helm; Thomas Read; Peter B. Bowen; and Conway Spilman. Then in 1835, the new trustees for Wealsborough were Frederick Fishback, Daniel Ward, Conway Spilman, William Hurt, Pickett Withers, and George W. Latham. According to Woodford Hackley, none of these surnames were in the community in 1932.
In 1974, when Hackley updated his earlier remarks from 1932, it was believed that the Jeffersonton Baptist Church had occupied five buildings. The first two were on the other side of the Rappahannock River. Some believe that the church first received permission to build a church in 1775, after having met in homes for a period of time. (Without any particular proof, the church organization is dated from 1773.) This was in Fauquier County. This was on the lands of John Kelly, and would seem to be located close to Kelly's Ford. The second location in Fauquier County was near Freeman's Ford.
Then the big move was made to Jeffersonton, where the first building there sat in front of the present Baptist Church. The fourth building was built behind the first church. It burned down in 1877 when the church was being warmed for a Sunday service. The fifth church was built on the same foundation and is still to be seen today.
(09 Apr 03)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.