Washington's First Methodist Church Legacy in Arkansas
The article recounts Methodism arriving in Arkansas around 1814 via a Missouri emigrant group led by John Henry and brothers Shook, founding Henry's Chapel near Washington and marking the cradle of Methodism in the state. It notes early ministers, family lineages, the 1822 conference, and subsequent church growth, including the old Baptist church and other congregations with details on founders, buildings, and wartime use as hospital. It also covers the Presbyterian, Marlbrook, Greenwood, Columbus, and Richmond church histories linked to Washington.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arkansas
Missouri
Mound
Moound Prairie
Henry
John Henry
God's Word
Washington
Arkasas
J. D. Jenkins
Washington Church
James Lowery
John Lowery
Little Rock
G. S. Inglish
Stamford Leader
Stamford
Texas
C. R. Inglish
Bonham
Lee
Presbyterian Church
A. R. Banks
W. 5. Lacy
J. W. Hannah
J. L. Spence
Williams C. Elder
Grandison D. Royston
Martha Shaer
Marthe Pryor
Julia Davies
Samuel Williamson
D. D
Davidson Colege
N. C
Byington
AR. Banks
Greenwood Church
Thomas G. McVadden
Sarah Muldrow
FE. O. Morgan
Hope
Columbus
Richmond
Lloyd and
McKee
C. C. Williams
Cumberland
Masonic Fraternity
Confederate Capitol in 1863 Photo Revives Arkansas Memory
The Star captures a Confederate state capitol scene as Union forces neared Little Rock causing Arkansas to move the capital to Washington. The Hempstead County courthouse, once a Confederate seat from 1861 to 1865, has been restored after a special legislative appropriation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Star
Little Rock
Arkansas
Washington
Hempstead County
The Old State Capitol a Century of Silent Service
A tribute to the Old State Capitol in Washington, a sentinel of time. The verse recalls its steadfastness through winter and summer, its role in Texas memory, and the notable figures who passed its eaves. It honors battles, independence, reconstruction, and the enduring symbol of trust.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Capitol
Washington
Washington Telegram’s Early Washington Officers and War Years
Washington’s early statehood era featured figures like Albert Pike John W Cooke Augustus Garland and E W Gantt taking oaths as attorneys in the old courthouse. It recalls Sam Houston’s council meeting before the Texas war, Bowies knife maker James Black, Bowie’s last stand at the Alamo, and Washington as a Texas war mobilization hub with troops from Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. The Washington Telegraph, established in 1899 by Col W H Etter, remains the state’s oldest weekly paper west of the Mississippi.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edward Cross
Thomas Hubbard
Allen M. Oakley
Daniel T. Witter
Simon T. Sanders
Grandison D. Royston
Albert Pike
John W. Cooke
Augustus H. Garland
E. W. Gantt
Dan W. Jones
Joel D. Conway
A B. Williams
Washington
James Black
Bowie
Alamo
Texas
Mexico
Col
Archibald Yell
United States Senate
Arkansas
United States
Mississippi
Tennessee
Kentucky
Major Gaines
Old
Washington Favern
Nick Trammell
Arkansas Regiment
K" Fata Pike
Road Layout Ordered in 1826 by Court
In 1826 the court ordered James Moss and William Simms to lay out a road from Mine Creek to Washington and James Moss with James Madding to mark a route from Saline Landing by W M Bagley’s old place near Morris’ still to Andrew Caldwells’ and on to Washington. A license to keep a tavern at Saline Landing was granted to Joseph Caldwell on December 27 1820 after paying 15 dollars. The route also included Washington to intersect Mound Prairie road and other connections toward Bois d Arc Prairie and Edens.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Moss
William Simms
Mine Creek
Washington
James Madding
Saline Landing
W. M. Bagley
Old Place
Morris’ Still
Andrew
Mound Prairie
Shaw's Creek
Edens
John Williams
Bois d’Arc Prairie
Washington Lodge Officials and Grand Lodge Sessions in 1863
Washington Lodge officers include treasurer W H Tyler and secretary R C Stuart with members Andrew S Martin and Warren McElroy. In 1863 and 1864 Grand Lodge of Arkansas sessions met at Mount Horeb Lodge No 4 Hall in Washington. The Telegraph claims a near 100 year milestone in 19.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
W. H. Tyler
R. C. Stuart
Andrew S. Martin
Warren McElroy
Charles B. Mitchell
J. M. Kilgore
C. B. Mitchell
Grand Lodge of Arkansas
Mount Horeb Lodge No. 4
Washington
When Hempstead Men Seized Boat
An 1864 Hempstead county company action follows the capture of the gunboat Petrel on the Yazoo river. Captain Jett led about 30 picked men, with Major Jett, Colonel Griffith, and Sim Morris among others, in a night maneuver that disabled the vessel, killed or wounded some pursuing troops, and secured the flag. The Petrel crew surrendered after Col. Griffith’s party boarded. the flag later went to General Bowie and to Captain Fremont. The boat was burned by order of General Adams.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlenn Moss Wildins Thorne
Petrel
Ladd
Fd Jet
Wey Eunson
J. Thomas
T C. Smith
A.D. Monroe
D. E. Alexander
B. P. Jett
Washington
MB. Arned
J. B. Simms
D. M. Goodlet
City
Wilson Wallace
Ovan
James Wilson
Columbius
James Tong
Wallaceborg
Ben Wheat
Lewisville
Jett
Stinger
Penn Jott
Vicksburg
Port Hudson
Wirt Adams
Big Black
Yuzoo
Canton
General Adams
Yuzoo River
Adam Af
Yuzoo City
Drew
Griffith
B. B. Chism
Sim Morris
Adams
Howel
Petite Gulf
Yazoo
Meally
Hempstead County Company
B. B. Schism
Col
Jense
Howell
Shelly
Mat Sanders
Morris
McElroy
Col. Griffith
D. M. Goodlett
Mat Sandely
John Stuart
Cal. Griffith
Evuart
Yankees
Bowie
Adam
Freemont
United States
Natchez
Mise
Mississippi
Mobile
Chism, Morris
Sundewidh Goodlett
Griffins
Uwth
Also Mentioned on This Page
State
Dudax
Rio
Old State Capitol
Rosa Polk Shipley
Sam Huston
Austin
Texas Independence
David Crockett
James Bowie
Moss
Clark
Stuart
Etter
Witter
Cross
Williams
Garland
Royston
Eakin
Battle
Jones
Carrigan
Simms
Black
Conway
Judkins
Kingsworthy
Iran
Rediver
The
Washington Telegraph
W. H. Etter
Sate
Misissippi River
Hempstead
Ee - Boy
W H Etter
Pennsylvenia
Telegraph
Yazoo River
First National Bank, Hope
Arkaas
R. G. McRae
N. P
Lloyd Spencer
Syd McMath
Roy Stephenson
Mies Genie Chamberlain
J. W. Franks
Chas. C. McRae
E. P. Stewart
Jas, R. Henry
Ambrose Hanegan
Memure
Federal Reserve System
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!