The history of this church, the oldest one in this Association, is highly interesting. It appears that in 1745, a company of Sabbath-keepers, including one John Davis, removed from Rhode Island, to a place called Square, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Here they organized a church, and sent said Davis back to Westerly to be ordained, which was done in 1746. They remained here nearly forty years, when the whole church, men, women, and children, emigrated to the place that their descendants now inhabit in Virginia. They went in wagons, drove their cattle, and the cavalcade was many days in performing their journey. Their venerable minister continued with them for many years. He was also assisted by one Jacob Davis, who was esteemed as a very amiable man and worthy minister.
Rev. John Davis his son and successor, was installed about 1800, and continued to serve the church for a number of years. Zebulon Maxson, Peter Davis, and Lewis A. Davis, were likewise associated with him in the ministry at different times, and
Rev. Peter Davis finally succeeded him in 1834, in which relation he still continues.
Ezekiel Bee is a licentiate in connexion with this church.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, LOST CREEK, VIRGINIA.
This church was constituted in 1805, and the large and respectable family of Bonds—its first originators—appear to be still its principal supporters. Richard Bond, while a resident in Maryland, became convinced of the sacred character of the seventh day, from reading the Bible alone. Once convinced of his duty he was not slow in performing it; but embracing the Sabbath, he instituted weekly religious meetings in his family, and was, for a long time, the priest of his household. Subsequently he emigrated to Virginia, and became the founder of the Lost Creek Church. This church has never been large, and for a great proportion of the time it has been without the services of a stated pastor, but the fact of its steady and uniform course amidst these privations, affords conclusive evidence of the valuable materials of which it is composed.
Richard C. Bond, the present incumbent, was installed in 1843.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, HUGHES RIVER, VIRGINIA.
This church, a branch of the former, was organized in 1833. It is in a very weak and depressed condition, containing only seven members.