Minutes of the "Watchmen's Meetings" (1840-1845, 1857-1859)
The Reverend Charles Colcock Jones, as part of his evangelization of African Americans in Liberty County beginning in the 1830s, instituted a monthly “Watchmen’s Meeting” in March 1840. The watchmen were appointed Black church members – enslaved men – who stood in the position of deacons for the African-descended population of particular plantations or areas of Liberty County. Most were members of the Midway Congregational Church, which has had both European-descended and African-descended documented members since its inception in the 1750s, but Jones included watchmen from the other Liberty County churches, such as the Sunbury Baptist Church and the North Newport Baptist Church.
Dr. Erskine Clarke’s book Dwelling Place: A Plantation Epic describes the origins, practices and purposes of the meetings, and is an essential source for understanding them and the antebellum history of Liberty County.
Charles Colcock Jones kept minutes of the meetings, and those minutes for 1840-1845 and 1857-1859 have survived. Dr. Clarke donated his papers to Columbia Theological Seminary’s C. Benton Kline, Jr. Special Collections and Archives in early 2020. A copy of the watchmen’s meeting minutes were among those papers, and Brian D. Hecker, public services archivist there, was kind enough to provide a copy for use on this website via a July 2020 email. It is believed that the originals are held at Tulane University’s Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library. In October, 2018, the head of Tulane University’s Lousiana Research Collection confirmed via email that Tulane no longer gives nor denies permission to publish based on its holdings. My very deep gratitude to Brian Hecker for his willingness to copy these documents for me during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to Dr. Clarke, both for his continuing encouragement and for letting me know that his papers had been donated.
These documents should be considered in conjunction with the index already provided on this site for the Midway Church quarterly sessions, in which the white deacons met to consider membership applications, issue discipline decrees, and provide letters of dismission for members to move to other churches — for both white and black members. Please see that page for more information on the Church’s processes. See also the transcription of Rev. Jones’ 1846 census of all African-descended church members in Liberty County’s 15th District.
Following is my transcription of the document, which is provided here for purposes of allowing descendants of the people named to find them. It begins with the founding document by Rev. Jones, followed by minutes of the meetings from March 1840 through August 1845. There there is a list of the watchmen for 1843, followed by lists of enslaved people who were proposed for membership in the Midway Church from December 1857 through May 1859. This is a remarkable list, because only those who passed the watchmen’s meeting vetting were sent forward to the Midway Church quarterly session to be proposed as members, which means that many of these names do not show up in the Midway Church records referred to above.
Rev. Jones frequently abbreviated the names of the slaveowners, and those names are critical in being able to find records for the African-descended people identified only by first names in the minutes, so a separate list of the abbreviated names with an equation, where possible, to the full name, including birth and death dates, has been prepared. For any of these slaveowners who died before 1865, there is likely to be an estate inventory naming enslaved people on this website.
The document is transcribed exactly as seen. If you would like a PDF copy of this transcription, please email me at jnscole@yahoo.com.
Minutes of Watchman’s Meeting for Midway Church
Instituted March 8th 1840
By the consent and order of the Church
C.C. Jones
Chairman etc.
———————-
Midway, March 8, 1840
Meeting of Selectmen and watchmen, organized today. Object of meeting explained.
To receive Reports of the State of Religion from the different Plantations under their watch & care.
To receive Reports of Cases of Discipline & such as may be disposed of by this meeting to be attended to. Such as may not be to be prepared regularly by collecting all the facts in the case for the action of the Church Session.
To consult about the best means for the support & prosperity of Religion. To take advice in cases of difficulty with watchmen in discharge of their duty.
To stir up watchmen to duty, appoint new ones when & where needed.
To report cases of poor members that may need some [word illegible]
To engage in united prayer to God for a blessing upon the Church & congregation.
Advantages of the meeting
State of the Church understood by all every meeting
Cases of discipline disposed or early; those for Church action prepared, & discipline not delayed. Be a great assistance to the Ch[urc]h session.
Watchmen awakened to a sense of responsibility & duty & themselves [word] under supervision & their interest in religion increased. Assisted in discharge of duty etc.
The names of the Selectman & Watchmen are the following
Selectmen
Toney – Regularly appointed minister
Stephen (Mr. Dunwody) Toney’s assistant
Charles (Mr. G.W. Walthour)
Joshua (Est. Q. Way)
Pompey (T. Mallard)
Cuffee (Est. J. Quarterman)
Watchmen
Major (T. Mallard)
Prince (O. Stevens)
Ishmael in Ned’s place [written in smaller writing]
Ned (W.S. Baker)
Brister (A. Winn)
Sandy (Est. Thos. Baker)
Sampson (Dr. B.B. King)
Dembo (Thos. Fleming)
Isaac (James Winn) [written above July]
July (S. Spencer) [July’s name crossed out]
Moses (Q. Baker)
Toney (Est. Q. Way)
Frank (Est. J.S. Quarterman)
Peter (Est. John Bacon)
John (Rev’d R. Quarterman – Goshen)
William (Mrs. Lang)
Will (Est. N. Way’s)
Harry (Wm. Martin)
Jupiter ([hard to read but probably G.W.W., for G.W. Walthour])
Jacob (G.W. Walthour)
July (J. Girardeau)
John (N. Varnedoe)
Sam (Norman Way)
Nero (Thos. Q. Cassels)
Warwick (John Norman)
Reported today. No other business. Meeting adjourned.
Midway, March 29 ‘40
Reports received from all present. State of religion rather encouraging but a decline in Zeal in Church members perceptible.
Toney, Pompey & Major [appointed] a committee to inquire into & report at next meeting on cases on Mr. W.S. Baker’s place.
Closed with Prayer.
C.C.J.
Midway Apl 12 1840
Meeting opened with Prayer. Reports called for & given in from all present. Some watchmen absent.
Committee on cases at Mr. W.S. Baker’s reported in part.
Case of Betty – Crim. Con. [criminal conversation, alternate term for illicit intercourse] before marriage, with present husband Cupid
Witnesses: Joshua (selectman), Nancy (Cupid’s sister) on Maj’r [Major] Porter’s place & Harry the Driver. Fact proved – to be carried before Ch[urc]h session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, Betty, belonging to W.S. Baker, suspended on August 15, 1840 for adultery. Excommunicated on December 5, 1840, for adultery.]
Adjourned.
C.C.J.
Midway May 3, 1840
Opened with Prayer.
Reports received: on the whole favorable.
Toney – a committee to inquire about a watchman on Mr. W.S. Baker’s place, in room [place] of Ned: to report next meeting
Case reported: Isaac – Louisa & Miley (first Mr. B.A. Busby – two last Capt Maxwell)
Crim. Con. [Criminal connection] Isaac & Louisa since in the Ch[urc]h (Isaac is Miley’s husband) All three implicated. Case to be inquired into and prepared by C.C.J. for Church Session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, Isaac, Mr. Busby, Absent 1840-05-16. Mentioned repeatedly as being absent and having suspension continued. Excommunicated 1842-05-14.]
Difference between Pompey (T. Mallard) selectman and Peter (Q. Baker) Driver. Committee appointed to hear & if possible settle it in private. Committee – C.C.J. Toney – Charles, & Joshua. Committee met. Peter was heard. Pompey was heard. The difference then considered & reconciled.
Adjourned
C.C.J.
Midway May 24, 1840
No meeting today – this being Communion Sabbath.
Midway June 21 ‘40
No meeting today, in consequence of rain preventing the attendance of the people.
Midway July 19, 1840
Meeting opened by prayer by Toney.
Reports received from watchmen & selectmen present. Some reported for absentees; reports favourable. No new cases for discipline or attention. Cato, member of Methodist Church on Canoochie presented a note from his Master, Mr. G.W. Walthour, requesting to be received in Midway Church. Note laid by & Cato to be apprised of meeting of Church Session for admission of candidates. He to be present. Necessary if possible for him to get a dismission from his own church first. Closed with prayer.
C.C.J.
Midway Oct. 11, 1840
Meeting opened with prayer, by C.C.J.
Present 9 watchmen 4 selectmen & Preachers Toney & Stephen. The watchmen & selectmen reported on the whole favourably of the state of the church members in their respective charges.
Some statement made that for want of attention some of the inquirers had remained stationary or gone back. [Transcriber’s Note: Inquirers appeared to be candidates for membership.]
Ishmael watchman reported a difficulty between himself & wife. To be inquired into by Toney & C.C.J. Reported to Ch[urc]h Session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, Ishmael, Mr. W.S. Baker, and his wife Sarah fighting 1840-12-05. Excommunicated on 1842-05-14 for leaving his wife, theft, etc. Readmitted 1846-05-17. Admonished and restored 1850-05-18 for theft]
A brief exhortation to care & fidelity. Adjourned to this day three weeks.
C.C.J.
Midway Nov 1 1840
No watchman meeting today; interrupted by late coming of people in morning.
Case reported by Toney for attention: Sam – belonging to Mr. Wm. [William] J. Way – has parted with his wife and taken another. Reported to Ch[urc]h session. [No listing in session records]
Newport Nov 8, 1840
Pompey Mallard reported a case for discipline privately today: Isaac (T. Mallard’s): Crim. Con. [criminal connection] with Mr. W.S. Baker’s girl, whom he was addressing. Child born.
Midway Feb 7th 1841
Meeting assembled in afternoon after service. Present 14. Opened with prayer by C.C.J.
Watchmen & selectmen called upon to report. Reported in order, from which we gathered that the Church was rather in a cold state.
Cases reported: Nanny & Toney, Mr. A. Winn’s, husband & wife – quarrel & fight. Committee to examine report – Toney minister & Brister watchman, on the place.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, Nanny in 1846-02-14 for refusing to live with Toney (he left in good standing) & she excommunicated in 1846-05-17 for leaving her husband and living irregularly with another.]
Sibby (Mr. G.W. Walthour’s) parted from her husband, this case we believe already reported to Church session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, Sibby, G.W. Walthour, suspended on 1842-088-20 for adultery, and excommunicated in 1851-05-16. ]
Mariah (Mr. G.W. W’s) in a family way – Charles, selectman, to examine & report.
Mariah & Rachel – Rev’d R.Q. [Robert Quarterman] & Lindy, Est. Moses Way: Dancing at Boro [probably Riceboro] on Christmas. Pompey has seen the two first – Toney Stevens to see the last.
Simon (Mr. Ed’d Quarterman) improper connection with Celia at Rev’d R.Q.’s.
Brief exhortation and closed with prayer.
The case of Peter (Mr. W.Q. Baker’s driver) & Paris (Mr. G.W. W.’s driver) was then taken up in a committee & amicably settled. It was a quarrel.
Midway Apl 11 1841
Watchmen met; opened with prayer. Number present small.
Reports not very favourable – a general coldness.
Docket of cases – Reported today & before not disposed of:
Mariah – (G.W. Walthour) in a family way; Charles to report.
Simon – (Edw’d Quarterman) Improper connection with Celia at Rev’d R. Quarterman’s place.
Tenah – (Col. Bradwell) has an infant – remarried.
Charles – (T.E.W. Baker’s) Stephen watchman – committee to report.
Peter (J. Dunwody’s) Taken up with another woman, since his wife went away – Penda.
Frank – (A. Winn’s) stealing
Windsor & Harry – Carpenters – difference about money etc.
Toney & Bess – Difference as husband & wife.
Closed with prayer
C.C.J.
Chairman & Clerk
Midway June 13 1841
Opened with prayer – G C.C.J.
Proceeded to call for reports from members present. Reports given. No new cases reported. Number present smaller than usual in consequence of communion at Newport today.
Took up docket.
Mariah (G.W.W.) Charles the committee reported – Child born! Case to go before Ch[urc]h Session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, Mariah, Mr. Walthour, suspension for adultery continued 1842-05-14 – no resolution.]
2. Tenah – similar case – child born – belongs to Col. Maxwell – to go before Ch[urc]h Session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, case not listed in church session (unless owner is different).]
Charles (J.? Baker) Stephen committee to report – case settled & dismissed.
Peter – (Mr. J. Dunwody’s) taken up with Penda (Miss S. Fabian’s) His wife removed to White Bluff. Witnesses testified that he was constantly there – carried his allowances there – she did for him. He confessed the fact of being with her before Cuffee & Stephen Selectmen. Cuffee gave in the report. Stephen the committee being sick. There is no mistake; case to go before Ch[urc]h Session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, Peter, Mr. Dunwody, to be cited on 1842-02-26, to be investigated on 1842-05-14 for adultery. Reprimanded & restored from suspension 1843-05-20.]
Frank’s case of stealing confessed to Toney – seems sorry: to lie over to be reported. C.C.J. to see him in meantime.
Bess & Toney – Quarrel as man & wife. Each heard – case decided – satisfactorily settled.
Harry & Windsor – Harry not present. Pompey to cite Harry this day three weeks.
Simon’s case, entered upon & postponed to next meeting this day three weeks. Major & Pompey, to cite witnesses in the case, viz – Tenah, Tom, Violet, Bram & Toney – and Dembo & Linder continued as witnesses also.
Concluded with prayer.
C.C.J.
C & Clerk
Midway July 4, 1841
Watchmen met; opened with prayer, ? C.C.J.
Watchmen in attendance 12 Selectmen 4. Toney & Stephen preachers – in all 18.
Reports called for. Reports on the whole more favourable.
One new case, reported today: Prince (Mr. A. Winn’s) connection with Eliza. Toney & Brister Watchman on the place to examine & report at next meeting.
Harry & Windsor’s case – deferred: no opportunity of citing Harry. Pompey to cite for next meeting.
Simon’s case taken up.
Charge: long & continued Crim. Con. with Celia, on Rev’d R. Quarterman’s place.
Witnesses:
Sinder: (1) Simon generally staid at Celia’s house at nights when he came there.
(2) Celia mends & makes for him; he gives her things.
(3) Celia’s child favoured Simon (Sinder a midwife) – child dead.
(4) Simon continued to go to Celia’s house after evil reports got about.
(5) Celia never goes to Simon’s place.
(6) Now lives with Simon’s brother but was considered enciente [SIC, enceinte (pregnant)] before.
Dembo (Sinder’s husband): Simon told Dembo, when his wife went away, he intended to have Celia.
Tenah: Invited to stay with her aunt Celia at night. Simon came, Celia told him then the bed was too small. She slept in the hall. Heard talking in the room at the night.
Violet: Confirms the general fame on the place respecting Simon & Celia: had seen nothing.
Tom: the same
Bram: the same
Toney (watchman): Has known of his staying all night in C’s house & confirms general report. Hear of it 3 years ago.
Titus (Driver) confirms general report. Celia parted with her husband on Simon’s account. Her husband William belongs to T. Quarterman Sen’r. All the witnesses confirm the fact that Celia & her husband parted on account of Simon.
Several witnesses present said Sinder (not present to say) told them she had seen Simon go undressed into Celia’s room.
Simon has no witnesses but his wife & daughter, who testified that they gave Celia clothes etc to make for the family & always paid her for so doing.
Simon said the same & totally denies criminality but admits he did tell Dembo or did say if [it] so happened he would take Celia to wife: that he has staid over night at her house & generally visited there: that he has carried things to her to make & has paid her for so doing.
The evidence on both sides being summed up – it was put to vote: “those who believe Simon guilty hold up your right hands:” all but one did so. “Contrary minds”: only one.
So the case, with evidence to be handed over to Church Session.
[Transcriber’s Note: According to the Midway Church quarterly deacons’ sessions, 1843-02-26 – to be investigated – “Mr. J. Girardeau & S. Spencer to inquire into certain facts respecting certain things said about conducting Celia home – bribing witnesses etc.”]
Closed with prayer.
C.C.J.
Chairman etc.
Midway Aug. 15, 1841
Watchmen met in vestry. Opened with prayer by C.C.J. Present 13. Reports, fair: no new cases.
Case of Windsor & Harry taken up: heard: decided: settled: dismissed. Points ?produced? wherein they were both wrong. Harry to pay Windsor what’s owing to him, which he is willing to pay – $1.
Time expended. Closed with prayer: G C.C.J.
C.C.J.
Chairman
Midway Oct 24, 1841
Watchmen met in vestry. Present Toney & Stephen, and some others.
Mr. John Girardeau in the chair. Opened with prayer.
The following new cases were reported & acted upon, as follows.
Prince — Mr. O. Stevens & Hagar – Mr. T. Mallard } Husband & wife: separated on account of dispute about property – a horse. Committee appointed to examine & report Pompey & Major.
Prince – Maj. Cyrus Mallard & Betty – Est. J. Winn: Criminal connection – adultery. Committee to report Mr. Girardeau next Sabbath.
Ishmael – Mr. Wm. S. Baker & Sarah – Mr. O. Stevens } Husband & wife – separated on account of theft. Committee to report Mr. Girardeau next Sabbath.
Closed with prayer.
C.C.J. for
J. Girardeau
March 20, 1842
Watchmen have met several times since our last meeting & reports generally favourable. Some cases handed in and duly laid before session or disposed of. Meeting today generally well attended. Opened & closed with prayer.
Midway Oct. 9, 1842
Watchmen met. Opened with prayer by Stephen.
Present 13 in all. Toney sick and absent.
Reports were received and generally favourable, although religion rather low, on some places better than others.
Took into consideration the religious instruction of the Negro children on the plantation. Commended the matter to their attention & efforts.
A pleasant & I trust profitable meeting.
Since our last meeting we have lost by death Dembo, one of our oldest & best men in the county. Universally lamented.
Closed with prayer.
C.C.J.
Ch.
Two or three watchmen’s meetings held & there being nothing official no record has been made of them.
Midway Oct 22 1843
Watchmen met. Opened with prayer.
Since our last meeting, Stephen Dunwody – next to Toney, the assistant preacher – died after living for 40 years the life of the righteous – the death of the righteous.
The watchmen gave in reports – some favourable & some unfavourable. On the whole, a cold state – although the number of inquiries would not indicate it.
Two cases for investigation reported: Joe & Fancy (Mrs Winn’s) & Violet (Rev’d R. Quarterman’s) & Charles (Mrs E. Way) – difficulties in their marriage relations.
Toney Quarterman – Pompey & Major Mallard to examine & report this day three weeks.
Adjourned.
C.C.J.
Midway Oct. 13, 1844
There were 12 watchmen present today. No cases reported. From reports, we find things a little more favorable than they have been.
Several meetings have been held previous to this but nothing transpired worthy of record.
Midway July 20 1845
Present 5 with Toney.
Cuffee Norman – appointed watchman at Mr. Wm. Norman’s place & Toney Stevens & Cuffee Quarterman appointed to go and see him set in his office. [Transcriber’s Note: Dr. Clarke had annotated this record to explain that “set in his office” meant “ordained.”]
Resolved to have a meeting of church members – this day three weeks. Watchmen to give notice.
Several of our meetings have failed for want of attendance & other circumstances.
C.C.J.
Midway Aug 10, 1845
Opened with prayer. Present 11. All reported & although the reports not altogether favourable yet meeting more encouraging than the last.
No cases reported. Church meeting this morning & sermon preached to members.
Adjourned.
C.C.J.
———————-
Watchmen in Midway Church
1843
Selectmen
Tony Stevens, Preacher
Stephen Dunwody Assistant d[itt]o.
Cuffee – Quarterman
Charles – Walthour
Joshua – Way
Pompey – Mallard
Watchmen
Major – T. Mallard
Jupiter – G.W. Walthour
Prince Oliver Stevens
Harry Wm. Martin
Moses W.Q. Baker
Tony Est. Q. Way
William, Mrs. Lang
John Rev’d R. Quarterman
Jacob Est. Jon’n Bacon
Sandy Est. Thos. Baker
———————-
Frank Est. J.S. Quarterman
Sampson, Dr. B.B. King
John N. Varnedoe
Bob W.S. Baker [Ned crossed out, and Bob written above]
George A. Winn [Brister crossed out, and George written above]
Sam N. Way
Dembo Thos. Fleming
July Sam’l Spencer
Nero T.Q. Cassels
Toney Rev’d R. Quarterman
Yorick Q. Norman
Peter Est. Jack Bacon
Jim W. Winn
Anthony Jos [or Jas] R. Bacon [word] present
Cuffee J.?. Norman [this line crossed out]
Isaac W. Winn dec’d
———————-
Watchmen in Newport Church
1843
Peter J.S. Fleming
Paris R. King Jr
Scipio Est. Thos. Bacon
Stepny Mrs. Axson [alt: Stepney]
Jimmy N. Varnedoe
Frank M.L. Jones
Harry Maj’r [Major] Porter
Tamerlane Wm. LeConte
Jack P. Fleming
Pompey Wm. LeConte
Tom G.W. Walthour
Cato C.C. Jones
Frank R. Hutchinson
———————-
Watchmen in Sunbury Church
1843
John J.E. Maxwell
Trim D[itt]o
Buck Est. Screven
Barruch S. Mallard
James Mrs. A. Maxwell
Ben Mrs. Kell
———————-
Watchmen 6 December 1857
Midway Decem. 6 1857
Tony Stevens – Minister
Yorick – Flemington and vicinity
Nero – C. Hines & vicinity at Mr. T.Q. Cassels
Newton – [word] Bacons Hinesville
Peter – Mr. S.A. Fraser’s Hutchinson vicinity
Shadrach – J.B. Mallard’s & Jos. Quarterman’s
Cuffee – Mr. Ed. B. Way
Mingo – Est. J.W. Winn
Jupiter – G.W. Walthour
Charles Jr. – R. Cay
Charles Senr – G.W. Walthour
Prince – A. Winn
Philip – B.A. Busby
Jack – Est. J.W. Winn – Pine Barren place
Inquiries
At Midway Dec’r 27 [18]57
[Transcriber’s Note: The names were compared against the spreadsheet containing the names of those admitted to membership in the Midway Church via the quarterly deacons’ sessions, and any findings are in the last column, which is not part of the original documents of the Watchmen’s Meeting Minutes.]
Jan 10 [18]58
Jan 17 [18]58
Jan 31 [18]58
Feb 14 [18]58
Feb 21 [18]58
May 9, 1858
New List Inquirers
March 13, 1859
Twenty present at Inquiry meeting, Midway March 13 1859
March 27 [18]59
Midway Apl 24 1859
May 8 1859