The following are transcripts of the final quarterly sessions of the Midway Congregational Church following the Civil War, from July 1865 to October 1867, after which the Church building was leased to a group of its formerly enslaved members.
These post-war sessions are extremely helpful for individuals searching for their African-American ancestors who attended Midway Church, as for the first time in these records surnames are used for these members. People searching for their white ancestors may also find them mentioned here, especially if they applied for letters of dismission to move to another church after the war.
In these records, white members are referred to with the prefixes “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” and “Miss”; no prefixes are used for the African-American members.
These quarterly sessions had been held more or less continuously since the Church was established in 1756, and were primarily concerned with admitting new members, discipline cases, and granting letters of dismission to members who wished to move to new churches. Generally the only distinction made between the white and African-American members in the records was use of the full name for the white members.
These transcripts were made from a copy of the original records that had been digitized and placed online at FamilySearch.org, in addition to a digitized, typed transcript made by WPA workers, also on FamilySearch.org. To find these records on FamilySearch.org, use the links below or search for film numbers 007578447 (the typed transcript) and 007578449 (the original).
Sessions, 1865-1867
Page source: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XF-HND1?i=631&cat=137339
Typed Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-4QP?i=637&cat=137339
[Transcriber’s Note: The last quarterly session of the Church Deacons before the Civil War ended was in October 1864. The following are transcripts of the session records from their resumption on April 8, 1865 through the last recorded session in October 1867, prior to leasing of the Church to its African-American members.]
On account of the appearance of the enemy in the County & the consequent dispersion of the Congregation there was no session of the Church at Midway until July 1865.
The Session of Midway Church met at Flemington Church April 8th 1865.
Present the Moderator the Rev. D.L. Buttloph.
The clerk not being present, Mr. S.A. Fraser was requested to act.
Miss Lauretta Mann presented herself for Church membership. After examination she was received into the Church.
Mr. John E. Mann an Excommunicated member came forward & made full acknowledgement & was on motion restored into full communion with the Church.
The session was then adjourned to meet again on tomorrow at 11 o’clock A.M.
Flemington Church, Sabbath morning, 11 o’clock A.M. Session met pursuant to adjournment.
Miss J. King presented herself for Church membership after examination & on motion she was received into the Church.
S.A. Fraser Clerk Pro Tem
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9XF-HNNJ?i=632&cat=137339
Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-4QP?i=637&cat=137339
Session Midway July 1865
Rev. D.L. Buttolph presiding. The minutes of the Church at Flemington were read, approved & ordered to be registered.
On motion of Rev. R. Way the third Sabbath in August was set apart as a day for communion at Jonesville.
It was decided that when Session does adjourn, it adjourns to meet at Flemington Saturday next if necessary. Also that the next regular Session of the Church be at Midway as usual.
L. J. Mallard Clerk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9XF-HNNJ?i=632&cat=137339
Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9XF-43K?i=638&cat=137339
Session Oct. 1865 Midway
Rev. R. Way presiding. Minutes read & approved.
On motion the meeting was resolved into a Session.
Mr. Walter O. Cassels was admitted to Church membership by certificate from Presbyterian Church at Thomasville.
No delinquents being present the same order was voted to be observed in relation to them.
Mr. Thomas Cassels presented a memorial from the members of our Church at Flemington. They desire to dissolve their connection with us, that they may make a separate Church organization. The following persons were therefore dismissed:
Mr. Ezra Stacy
Mrs. Maria Stacy
Miss Sarah A. Stacy
Mr. Thomas Q. Cassels
Mrs. Mary A. Cassels
Mr. L. M. Cassels
Mr. Robert Q. Cassels
Mr. Irwin Rahn
Mrs. Sarah Rahn
Mr. Samuel Rahn
Mr. John S. Norman
Mrs. Susan W. Norman
Miss Mary S. Norman
Mrs. Ann Way
Miss Elizabeth S. Way
Mr. W. John Way
Mrs. Jane Way
Mr. Robert Quarterman
Mrs. Mary E. Quarterman
Mrs. Sarah Fraser
Mrs. Isabella Bradwell
Miss Margaret Fraser
Miss Mary Bradwell
Miss Elizabeth Clark
Mrs. Marion Sheppard
Dr. Alexander Fraser
Mr. John E. Mann
Mrs. Elizabeth Mann
Miss Eugenia Mann
Miss Harriet L. Mann
Mrs. Josephine E. Palmer
Mr. Simon A. Fraser
Mrs. Mary W. Fraser
Miss Flora E. Fraser
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-HN61?i=633&cat=137339
Mrs. Louisa J. Norman
Mr. Walter O. Cassels
Mr. William W. Winn
Mrs. Claudia Winn
Miss E. Winn
Mrs. Annie Ladson
Mr. William B. Trask
Mrs. Jane Trask
Miss L. Trask
Miss Catharine Trask
Mr. William E. Quarterman
Mrs. Lydia Quarterman
Mrs. Harriet Thiess
Mr. William Harison [alt Harrison]
Mrs. Sarah Harison [alt Harrison]
Mrs. W. G. Martin
Mrs. Mary J. Way
Miss Laura A. Martin
Miss S.E. Martin
Mr. J.B. Martin
Mr. John E. Martin
Miss Rosa Norman
Miss Mary A. Norman
Mr. C.V. Winn
Mrs. Sarah Ann Way
Miss Florence Way
Mr. Graves Way
Mrs. Graves Way
Mrs. Ann Smith
Mr. John Girardeau
Mrs. E.Q. Way
Mr. John W. Stacy
Mrs. L.J. Norman
Mr. James Laing
Mr. Thomas G. Stacy
Mr. Joseph H. Norman
Mrs. C. A. Stacy
Meeting adjourned.
L.J. Mallard Clk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-HN61?i=633&cat=137339
Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9XF-436?i=639&cat=137339
Session Jan. 1866
Rev. D.L. Buttolph presiding.
Meeting opened with prayer.
Jacob Allen colored man examined & received.
On motion of Dr. S. Way it was voted that it be announced from the pulpit the election of one or more Deacons at next session.
L.J. Mallard & Mr. O. Varnedoe were appointed a committee to cite all delinquents to next session.
In consequence of the death of Tony [alt: Toney], Charles & Paris were appointed temporarily to look after the conduct of the colored members & to report any who have gone out of the way.
Meeting closed with prayer.
L.J. Mallard Clk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9XF-HNH4?i=634&cat=137339
Session May 1866
Rev. D.L. Buttolph Moderator
Meeting opened with usual religious exercises.
Lucy Cay examined & received upon recommendation of Charles.
No delinquents present.
Charles & Paris report Mary (at Mr. Q. Fleming’s) difficulty with husband. Paris directed to cite her to next session.
Also reported James Bacon (at Capt. Laws). Mr. A. King appointed to cite.
On motion Rev. R. Way Charles & Paris were continued to act in their appointed capacity.
The following dismissions were granted. Mr. S.M. & Mrs. C. Varnedoe to join Presbyterian Church at Valdosta. Mr. Joseph Spencer & Mr. Bristow to join Church at Madison, Florida. Also to Mrs. C.A. Parsons to join Presbyterian Church at Thomasville.
On motion of L.J. Mallard the election of Deacon was postponed to next session.
Meeting closed with prayer.
L.J. Mallard Clk.
No session in August.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9XF-HNH4?i=634&cat=137339
Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-4QV?i=640&cat=137339
Session Oct. 1866
Rev. D.L. Buttolph presiding. Meeting opened with prayer.
Miss Alice Mallard examined and received into Church membership. Upon application Mr. & Mrs. Henry Stevens dismissed to Presbyterian Church at Thomasville and Mr. Harden to 1st Presbyterian Church in Savannah.
Session adjourned to Nov. 3d.
Session Nov 3d 1866.
Rev. D.L. Buttolph Moderator. Meeting opened with prayer.
The following persons received in the Church viz — Caesar Bacon, Cyrus Coleman, Thomas Farmer, Brister Dunham, Pompey Williams, Milly Andrews, Patty Jones, Peggy Drier, Diana Quarterman, Middy Baker, Simon Fraser, Edward Quarterman, Charlotte Bacon, Marlborough Bacon, Sharper Way, George Lawson, Henry Anderson, Ida Powell, Chloe Miller — all colored.
Discipline
Harry Winn Restored
James Bacon case dismissed
Mr. J.O. Varnedoe was chosen as Deacon by vote of Session.
Meeting closed with prayer.
L.J. Mallard Clk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-HN69?i=635&cat=137339
Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-4QV?i=640&cat=137339
On account of the inclemency of the weather Session was postponed to Sabbath morning Feb 1867 at which time the following persons who had been previously examined by the moderator were recommended & received viz:
Margaret Spenser, Bina [alt: Bena or Binah] Baker, Cela Roberts, Ellen Goulding, Samuel Quarterman, William Roberts, John Lambert, Isaac Baker, Susana [alt: Susanna or Susannah] Baker, Phoebe Baker, Virginia King, William Wilson, Rose Williams, Ann Goulding, Julia Graham, Sandy Stevens, Israel Way, Stephen Bacon, Peter Stevens, Aberdeen McIntosh, Madaline [alt: Madeline] McIntosh, Grace Stevens, Susan Way, Amanda James, Georgia Maxwell, Rachel Stevens, Mary Lambert, Susan Miller, Thos. Way, Bina Quarterman, Rachel Alexander, Eliza Bacon, Bella Dunham, Eliza Stevens, Eliza Cay, Leah Jones, Abby Goulding, Ann Harden, John Wilson, Tenah Bacon, Gilbert Lawson.
Dismission granted to Mr. James Kottman to Presbyterian Church at Thomasville. Miss Georgia Way dismissed to church. [SIC]
Also letters of dismission granted to Peter Goulding (colored).
Session adjourned.
L.J. Mallard Clk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-HN69?i=635&cat=137339
Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XF-4WX?i=641&cat=137339
Session April 26th 1867
Rev. D.L. Buttolph presiding.
Meeting opened with prayer.
The following persons were received into the Church. Mr. R.Q. Baker by certificate from Walthourville Ch. & the following colored persons upon examination: William Lambert, Phoebe Ann Bacon, Molly Bacon, Mary Ann Wright, Penelope Stevens, Kate Catlin [or Catline], George Bacon, Hercules Sharper, Rose Bacon, Mary Bacon, Chanty [or Charity] Reed, Lancaster Fraser, Lucy Fraser, Jane Andrews (excommunicated) restored to church membership.
Dismissions granted to Mr. Darwin McConnell to join Church at Ocalla Florida.
The Clerk was directed to cite Mr. C.S. Mallard to next session that inquiry might be made into his christian character, he does not commune & feels that he is no christian.
Meeting closed with prayer.
L.J. Mallard Clk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9XF-HNZB?i=636&cat=137339
Session August 1867
Rev. D.L. Buttolph Moderator
Opening prayer by Mr. J.O. Varnedoe.
Raymond Cay & Reeta [alt: Rita] Jones (colored) were received upon examination into Church membership. Margaret Walthour (colored) was also received from Methodist Church upon recommendation.
Phillis/excommunicated member restored.
Discipline
Will Goulding (who was under suspension) restored.
Rev. D.L. Buttolph instructed by session to cite Mr. N.J. Varnedoe, Mr. W.A. Way & Mr. W.J. Way; these gentlemen do not partake of the sacrament & give cause to doubt their christian character.
Mr. C.S. Mallard absent from county.
Sam McIver & Tony Goulding presented a request on the part of the colored membership of our Church. They desire to dissolve their connection with us to form a separate church organisation & also ask for the use of the Church building. Resolved by session that when the committee presents the names of those wishing to withdraw, the Clerk be empowered to give letters of dismission to said members.
Meeting closed with prayer.
L.J. Mallard Clk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9XF-HNZB?i=636&cat=137339
Transcript: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-4S2?i=642&cat=137339
Session Oct. 1867
L.J. Mallard presiding.
Opening prayer by Mr. J.O. Varnedoe.
The following persons received viz. Jane Cay, Edmond Monroe. Also William & Rina from Baker County Presbyterian Church.
Kate Catline exommunicated for very bad conduct.
Ned Lambert suspended (offense Adlt).
Dismission granted to Dr. & Mrs. Stacy & to Mrs. Laura Camp to join Central Presbyterian Church Atlanta.
Session adjourned.
L.J. Mallard Clk.