HISTORICAL SKETCHES

CANE CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

Number 6: June 2004 www.canecreek.org 6901 Orange Grove Rd., Hillsborough, NC 27278

Personal Histories

Have you ever looked at the names on your family tree and wondered about those who died so long ago that all that is left are names and the dates for birth and death? Don't you wish that you knew just a bit about those people? How they lived? What they liked and disliked? What happened to them during their stay here on earth? I would like to make a pitch for the older folks in our congregation to make a stab at writing a sketch of their own lives that could become a part of your family's history.

At Homecoming, we displayed a 160-year-old Bible that had belonged to Nash Cheek, a distant relative of Margaret Miller. Along with it came a life-sketch. Sadly, it was not written by Nash Cheek himself -- that would have been much more interesting. It was written by J. J. Lansdell, a friend, just after Cheek's death in. Here it is [with a bit of editing]:

Nash Cheek was born on the 29th of August 1823, professed faith in Christ when 16 years of age. Was 17 years of age when he joined Cane Creek Baptist Church. Both he and Margaret Bishop, who afterwards became his wife, were baptized at the same time by Rev. George W. Purefoy in the year 1840. They were married in 1844, she being about 19 years of age.

Six sons and four daughters were born as a result of their life-long union, and five sons and two daughters [in another place, three daughters] still survive, along with their aged mother and quite a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. His mother lived to the age of 102. All his brothers and sisters lived to a ripe old age.

A few years later, he moved his membership to Chapel Hill Baptist, remained there two years, was superintendent of Sabbath School at Merritt's Chapel during that time. Moved from there to near Mt. Pisgah Church where he joined and was superintendent of the Sunday School two years.

Moved to Durham in 1874 [in another place, 1883]. Joined the church there. Was chosen Moderator several times. Received members into that church. Traveled around Durham conducting prayer services and Sabbath Schools. Was elected delegate to Mt. Zion Assoc. several times. . Was a delegate to two state conventions. Delegate to Sandy Creek Assoc. many times. Was in the first meeting of the Mt. Zion Assoc. held at Mt. Morriah.

Helped in protracted meetings at the following places, Cane Creek, [Chestnut] Ridge Methodist Church, Bethel, Antioch, Damascus, Mt. Carmel, Merritt's Chapel, Lystra, Berea, Mt. Pisgah, Sandy Level, Yates, Rose of Sharon where it is now, Martha's Chapel, Mt. Herman, Bethenden, and several school houses and one church in Nash County.

While at Chapel Hill, he was instrumental in leading some to Christ, among them, P. H. McDade, who was clerk of the church there for many years. [line missing] the university and who is now president of the Baptist State Convention.

Moved to Durham to the homestead on the Durham-Chapel Hill road in 1883. Joined Mt. Morriah Church. Was licensed to preach in 1886 but being then well advanced in years, he never got fully into the work of the ministry. And being a man of limited means was obliged to give most of his time to manual labor to make a support for himself and family. He was a man of medium stature and never weighed more than 140 pounds.

Taught vocal music in Durham, Orange, Chatham, Wake, and Harnett Counties. Traveled thousands of miles and walked many as a laborer in the Lord's vineyard. His greatest desire was to live for and serve Him. He never let anything prevent his doing what he thought was required of him. . His greatest pleasure was talking to a brother in Christ about salvation. His prayer from early manhood was to was to learn his duty and be given strength enough to perform it. Being gifted in exhortation, singing, and prayer, he was very useful in revivals and his help was much sought after in protracted meetings.

I knew the deceased about twenty years and during that time regarded it a privilege to be in his company, if it was no more than to step out on the street and shake hands with him and to exchange the ordinary salutation. When opportunity served to engage in conversation with him I always felt benefited by it. If I am any judge, he was a man whose life was "hid with Christ in God."

He died Tuesday, November 22 1904 about half past twelve o'clock in his eighty-second year. His children were all with him in his last illness except two who were not able to attend His mortal remains were laid to rest in the city cemetery of Durham, the funeral service being conducted at the grave by Pastor Parker of the Second Church of Durham. The day was an ideal one and quite a large crowd assembled to pay their respects.

Thus one after another of the old landmarks is falling. There are quite a number in and around Durham who have passed their four-score. Who next? A solemn question

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with those whose hearts are specially smitten by this dispensation of divine providence. Signed: J. J. Lansdell, Durham, N. C. ("Memorial of Nash Cheek" privately printed in 1904. Copy in UNC Library; Copy owned by C. N. H. and D. M. C.)

**************

This life sketch is much better than a newspaper obituary but it surly falls short of what Nash Cheek himself might have written if he had spent just a few days early in 1904 putting down his own recollections on paper. What a nice legacy to leave to one's descendents. Think about it.

Ed Johnson