EDWIN R. SHAPARD: SOURCES 1

1. 1849 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
List of Quarterly Meetings
Murfreesboro District December 8-9, 1849 – Fayetteville Station
December 15-16 – Lincoln Circuit
December 22-23 – Murfreesboro Station
December 29-30 – Stones River
January 5-6, 1850 – Rock Creek Circuit
January 12-13 – Middleton Circuit
January 19-20 – Shelbyville Station

Report of Sunday-schools: Fayetteville Station – 1 school, 1 superintendant, 4 teachers, 25 scholars

2. December 14, 1849 (E.R. Shapard Memoirs)
 Edwin R. Shapard joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South on December 14, 1849, and three days later, the day after his 11th birthday, on December 17th, 1849, he experienced conversion.

3. January 4, 1850 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Revival for the Nashville Christian Advocate
When I left Fayetteville, last Friday morning, there was a very gracious revival of religion in progress in that station. About twelve converts up to the time I left and the altar crowded with weeping penitents. Brother Petway went Saturday morning to help out Brother Smith. We have great hope of an extensive revival there, heaven grant it.
Thomas W. Randle, Fayetteville, Tennessee

4. January 18, 1850 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Revival
In addition to what Brother Randle said about the revival in Fayetteville, in the Advocate of January 4, 1850, allow me to say further, that up to this present time some 43 have been converted, and 36 added to the Church. The work is still going on among the colored people, or was before Christmas, but we fear it is drowned under the balls and parties of Christmas times.
A.W. Smith, Fayetteville, Tenn., January 7, 1850

5. May 1856 (Southern College Magazine) (for a glimpse of life as a college student in 1856 at FWU)
College Life
We’ll do well to remember when a humble Fresh, with what feelings of despair we revered the long journey before us. They were something similar to those of a traveler when entering the confines of a great desert and beholding the wide waste of sands stretching as far as the eye can reach, without a tree or flower to change the monotony… While the end of our college course was the bright oasis with silvery brooks murmuring over beds of pebbles and gems. About two weeks before the end of his first year, the Fresh may always be found in his room cramming all the day and half the night, in order that he may be a successful candidate for a higher class. He generally stands a good examination, often far better than he ever does afterwards, however is he out of the examination room before he is shouting at the top of his voice, “Sophomore,” and immediately hastens to receive the congrats of his numerous friends. After spending two months at home he returns to college and assumes his hard earned dignity. Well does he now deserve his name – he cocks his hat on the side of his head as only Sophs can do, looks down with contempt on the whole tribe of Freshs and Preps. He spews forth bombastic sentences interlarded with Greek and Latin words, and endeavors to forcibly impress his hearers with the profundity of his knowledge, by frequently quoting from Homer and Horace. This year is his year of study, and if he is any kind of student by the end of his term he has learned enough about the classics, and acquired a taste for mathematics. Now he is prepared to sustain his position with honor and credit as a Junior…”

6. 1858 (Membership list for Florence Station church from Private Records of Rev. W.L. McDonald)
No. 51. State of Grace – Baptized; Members name - E.R. Shapard; State of Life – single; How joined – by letter; Notes – dismissed per letter June 1, 1859.

Note: The membership list is for 1858 and lists Rev. R.H. Rivers as “stationed pastor” for Florence Station.

7. February 1859 (Bibliotheca Americana Vol. 21-22)
The Southern College Magazine. Editors: WH Belton, JW Bynum, WH Cook, Dialectical Society. PW Nash, W Richardson, E.R. Shapard, Lafayette Society, Florence Alabama. EG Eastman and Co. Printers – office Union and American, Nashville, TN. Vol. IV Feb. 1859. No. III, Published by the students of Florence Wesleyan University.

8. February 16, 1859 (Florence Gazette)
Quarterly Conference
The second Quarterly Meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church South is postponed due to sickness in the family of the Presiding Elder until a month hence.*

*Note: The second Quarterly Meeting was originally scheduled for February 12 and 13, 1859. The Presiding Elder was Rev. W. Doss. This meeting was finally held on March 12, 1859 where Edwin was licensed to preach.

9. March 12, 1859 (E.R. Shapard memoirs)
E.R. Shapard was licensed to preach on March 12, 1859

10. March 17, 1859 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Course of Study
For the Itinerant Probationers and Deacons of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, to be uniformly [adopted] in all the Annual Conferences, as provided for by the General Conference.
First Year
The Bible as to Doctrines, with reference to Wesley’s Notes, the Bible Dictionaries and Commentaries of our own publication; Concordance, and Gaston’s Collections of Sacred Scripture; Wesley’s Sermons; Fletcher’s Appeal, and Christian Perfection; English Grammar and Composition.
Second Year
The Bible as to Ordnances or Sacraments. Reference Books the same as the first year. Watson’s Life of Wesley; Watson’s Apology; Fletcher’s Christian Perfection, reviewed; Methodist Discipline; Geography; Composition.
Third Year
The Bible as to History and Chronology; the first and second parts of Watson’s Institutes; Gregory’s Church History (Ruter’s); Rhetoric; Written Essay, or Sermon
Fourth Year
The Bible generally; third and fourth parts of Watson’s Institutes; Powell on Apostolic Succession; Old Christianity contrasted with the novelties of Popery; Logic; Written Essay, or Sermon.

11. March 24, 1859 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Florence Wesleyan University
This institution has just entered into its fifth year at this place. It may not be uninteresting to the readers of the Advocate to have a brief history of its success from one who has been a close and intimate observer from the beginning.
According to our printed catalogues, we have had under the influence, and in direct connection with the University, not less than three hundred and fifty young men, excluding the preparatory department. Of this number, several have been preachers of whom two are members of the Alabama Conference, one of the Tennessee, one of the Missouri, formally of the Memphis, and one has gone to Texas to labor in that interesting field. We have sent out many teachers, who, in this profession, are doing a great work. Among lawyers and physicians, our old students are already taking a high stand.
Of the one hundred young men now connected with the college, some six are preparing for the ministry, two of whom have already received license to preach. One of these is already reported to the Bishop for foreign mission – he is anxious to strengthen our corps of missionaries in China. We have not had less than four gracious revivals, in which the students have been largely partakers.
The college was opened without a building suitable for the purpose, without libraries, apparatus, etc. We have erected a building which is the admiration of all that see it, and is certainly not surpassed in beauty and convenience by any structure in the country. The societies have elegant balls, and finely furnished libraries, embracing most of our standard authors, and amounting to some two thousand volumes, have been obtained….

Note: In 1855 the professors were: Oscar Casey – Ancient Languages; Thos. Hatch – Natural Science; Bennett Ross – Mixed Mathematics; Septimus Rice – Pure Mathematics and principal of the Preparatory Department; Norman Briggs – Assistant to Professor Rice in the Preparatory Department. 

Note: In the Fall of 1859 the professors were: James B. Dodd – mathematics; J.N. Temple (replaced Oscar Casey who died) – Ancient Languages; Septimus Rice – Civil Engineering; Norman Briggs – Natural Science; S. Desoto was leaving for Germany.   

Note: From 1855 to 1859 there had been only one death of a student at Florence Wesleyan University. The population of Florence in 1857 was 1,444.

Note: In 1855, tuition for 10 months was $25, and there was a $5 chemical fee. In 1859, tuition for 10 months was $25, with a incidental fee of $1, for seniors there was a $5 chemical fee. Board, washing, fuel, room rent, and servant’s hire for 10 months was $70.

Note: Wesleyan Hall was completed in 1856 and housed the college until 1871. There was a white-washed fence around the campus. There was a large cistern located behind Wesleyan Hall, and a negro janitor would fill up water buckets and line them up on a bench for the student’s use. The only other building on campus was a barn south of Wesleyan Hall, which housed the horses of the faculty and local students. The town slaves were often hired out in the winter to care the animals. Florence town officials helped to support the integrity of the school by passing ordinances against the sale of liquor, playing of billiards, ball or nine-pin, also no students were allowed in the street after dark. All students were required to attend the church of their choice in Florence every Sunday. They were also required to attend chapel daily, which was held in an auditorium on the second floor of Wesleyan Hall. The ministers assigned to Florence Station were: 1856/7 – John Mathews; 1857/8 - William P. Warren and Willis G. Davis; 1858/9 – James D. Barbee (there were 125 white members and 110 black members in 1858/9).

12. April 27, 1859 (The Florence Gazette)
The birthday of Gen. LaFayette was celebrated, on Monday last, at the Florence Wesleyan University, by the members of the Society bearing the name of that brave General, whom the American people have long, and will longer, remember. The ceremonies were appropriate and beautiful. – The members of the Dialectical Society participated in the exercises.
At about 10 o’clock, the young men formed in a double column line, in front of the Court House, with the Excelsior Brass Band in front, mounted on their new Wagon. As the soul-enlivening strains of music broke forth upon the breeze, the procession was immediately put in motion. The entire line moved off nicely, passing in front of Crow’s Hotel, thence on to the front of the Female Institute, where they halted. – After a short lapse of time a large portion of the young ladies marched out in double file, fell into line after the young men. This being done, the entire procession moved off in beautiful order, proceeding directly to the College.
After arriving at the College, and the audience all seated, the Excelsior Brass Band proceeded to lay one of their beautiful tunes. The Rev. Dr. Mitchell then addressed a Throne of Grace, in which he invoked Heaven’s choicest blessings upon the citizens of Florence, and especially the young and rising generation, who are attending the institutions of learning in Florence. Another tune was now played by the Band, after which Mr. Wm. Richardson, a member of the LaFayette Society, arose and delivered a beautiful address, in which he spoke of the pure patriotism which induced the brave LaFayette to leave his native land, and make his way to America, and aid its people in casting off the yoke of British Tyranny, and of his deeds of patriotism, after returning to his own “vine and fig tree.” Want of space forbids us following the youthful speaker throughout his address, but suffices it to say, that the tribute paid to the gallant LaFayette, was appropriate and well-received, as the frequent applause proved.
At the close of the address, the speaker was enthusiastically applauded, during which time, a perfect shower of the most beautiful bouquets fell around him. Bouquets, composed of the richest and most beautiful flowers, and arranged in a manner, indicative of exquisite taste, - in a manner only known to the fair being who arranged them;  - in a manner not to be surpassed by the ladies of any other locality.
Before the Benediction, the two Societies requested the ladies, through Prof. Rice, to visit their Halls*, and inspect the beautiful paintings which are to be seen in such rich profusion, on all side; the door of which were thrown open for their admission.
Benediction announced, the ladies repaired to the two Halls, and after feasting the eye to full satisfaction, the crowd dispersed, with smiling faces, and we suppose, well pleased with the pleasures incident upon the occasion. 

*Note: The Halls were rooms assigned to the two literary Societies located on the 3rd floor of Wesleyan Hall. The LaFayette Society decorated their walls with life size paintings of the “Lady of the Lake”; whereas; the Dialectical Society had paintings of British war themes. Both rooms had one wall outfitted with shelves to retain their large collection of books. The LaFayette Society wore blue ribbons and Dialectical Society wore red ribbons. The Societies would debate each other over the issues of the day. Public debates were attended by the towns people who cheered and hollered to support their favorite contestants. The Societies would even write to government officials and statesmen for advice on supporting their positions.

13. June 1, 1859 (The Florence Gazette, Florence Alabama newspaper)
 “E. R. Shapard from Tennessee” was listed by the Gazette as a guest of Bailey Springs sometime between May 4th- 31st, 1859. Bailey Springs was a popular health resort and mineral springs located 5 miles Northeast of Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Between 1850-1860, the Florence Gazette published lists of the guests staying at the resort.

Note: Bailey Springs resort provided carriage shuttle service that would bring people to the hotel from boats on the Tennessee River.

14. July 28, 1859 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Commencement Exercises of Florence Wesleyan University
The Commencement Exercises of Florence Wesleyan University have just closed. The writer was present on the occasion and took great interest in the exhibition. The attendance was very large, persons from various States in the South being present; and we may safely say no similar occasion ever afforded the same people a greater amount of high intellectual enjoyment.
First in order was the exhibition of the Sophomore class, in declamation, on the evenings of the first and second inst. To excite a laudable emulation among the young gentlemen, and to incite all to proper effort, the magnanimous President of the University gave two golden medals to be awarded to the two best declaimers of the class. The contest was sharp, and for a while victory poised in the balance between many of the speakers…
The next scene which invites our gaze is laid at the Methodist Church in Florence, at half an hour after ten o’clock Sunday morning. Rev. F.G. Ferguson, A.M., of the Alabama Conference, is in the pulpit, and a dense auditory is before and above him, listening with rapt attention, while he is ably filling the place of the editor of the Nashville Advocate, who has been elected to preach the Commencement Sermon.
Sermon over, Dr. Rivers rises and announces the inexplicable absence of the preacher who had been expected to occupy the pulpit at that hour; but for which announcement, most of the congregation had gone away under the impression that they had heard the venerable Dr. McTyeire. At night Dr. R., per request of the senior class in the College, delivered a discourse defining the model young man… The Doctor raised a high standard for the young man, and defined the legitimate path of his feet to be no broader than that which leads to eternal life.
Monday morning we are in the College Chapel, and at half-past nine o’clock the curtain rises on Professor S.P. Rice, surrounded by the students of the Preparatory School connected with the University, who during two or three hours, regale the auditory with declamation unsurpassed even by the Sophomore exhibition of Friday and Saturday evenings previous. Boys, so diminutive as scarcely to be visible upon the rostrum, spoke like young Ciceros…
Monday evening and Tuesday evening the first and second divisions of the junior class delivered original orations. These evinced much reading and close thought… We must not omit to notice, in this connection, that Hon. Mr. Benton, of Holly Springs, Miss., addressed the two literary societies of the college, on Tuesday morning…
Wednesday morning, the 6th, was commencement day**. It was the day of the occasion – big with the burden of future hopes to many, and full of thrilling interest to all. At an early hour the members of the senior class (twenty in number – the largest class ever graduated in this institution) began the delivery of their graduating speeches, and finished at one o’clock in the afternoon; when marshalling in quartettes before the President of the College, they were presented by him with their diplomas, and descended from the stage bachelors of the liberal arts, to commence their several parts in the great drama of life.
…Forty thousand dollars endowment have been secured upon the institution, its fame becoming widespread, and its popularity is increasing every day. The number of students in attendance during the session just closed was greater than ever before, and still a greater number is expected to attend the next session…
…They say the college is the creature of the Methodist Church. The property is deeded to that Church; Methodist preachers’ sons are educated here free of tuition, and young men in the ministry free of both board and tuition. Therefore, Methodism throughout, at least the Tennessee Conference, ought generally to join the people of Florence in endowing a Methodist college…     

*Note: The Florence Gazette of July 13, 1859 remarked that, “The hour arrives for the opening of the Commencement Exercises. The College Chapel is soon filled, yea; literally jammed full, and a large number are unable to secure seats. The Excelsior Brass Band now treats the audience to a short and musical feast, the Throne of Grace is addressed in a short and beautiful prayer, by the Rev. Dr. Mitchell, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of this place. The Band played again, after which the speaking, by the graduating class, began. The Salutatory was delivered by Mr. John H. Crowell, of Villala, Ala. – This address is invariably delivered in Latin, consequently, many are deprived of understanding it…”
The Florence Gazette of July 1, 1859 also reported that there would be a party after the closing exercises on Wednesday evening, of which all were invited. Ladies free and Gentleman $2. Tickets to be had at the Drug Store.

15. October 12-20, 1859
48th Annual Tennessee Conference held at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Colombia, Tennessee October 12-20, 1859. E.R. Shapard was admitted on trial and appointed to Murfreesboro District; Middleton,** along with Joseph G. Myers*. Alex L.P. Green was the Presiding Elder. During the Conference a revival was held at the Corinthian Hall attended by the pupils of the Tennessee Conference Female College, where many professed conversion. The aged Bishop Soule was also present at the Conference and gave the benefit of his wise and godly council.

*Note: Rev. J.G. Myers was from German descent, his parent’s spoke German.

**Note: Murfreesboro District included churches in Rutherford County, Bedford County and Marshall County. Middleton Circuit was located in Bedford County, between the towns of Murfreesboro and Shelbyville.

16. February 25 – March 19, 1860 (Receipts for ‘Educational Repository and Family Monthly’ a magazine of the educational institute of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Feb 1860, Vol. I, No. 2, Atlanta, GA.)
Rev. E.R. Shapard subscribed to the magazine for $2.

17. August 2, 1860 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit. – Revs. J.C. Myers, E.R. Shapard, July 26, 1860.
The Lord has blessed Middleton circuit during the last three weeks. There have been ninety-two conversions and about sixty accessions to the Church. Our third quarterly meeting (at Concord), being protracted four days, resulted in twenty-four conversions. On the Saturday following, we commenced a meeting at Thompson’s. There were sixty-two conversions at this place. On Friday morning, Brother Shapard and several of the local brethren commenced a meeting at Hickory Ridge Chapel, which closed last night, (Wednesday).  We return our thanks to the local brethren for their assistance. Glory be to God! This is but the beginning of a more glorious time on this circuit. God save the people.”

18. August 30, 1860 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Murfreesboro – Rev. J.G. Myers and R.E. Shapard August 18, 1860; ”Our meeting at Walnut Grove closed last night. The result was glorious; 70 conversions, 51 whites and 19 blacks. Thanks to Brothers Fagan and Lawrence for help in our time of need.”

19. September 27, 1860 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit – Revs. J.G. Myers and E.R. Shapard, September 18, 1860; “On the 4th Sunday in August, we held a meeting at Lebanon which resulted in 60 conversions, being protracted for 9 days. Forty-four accessions to the church. We were at Glade School-house on the 1st Sabbath in September. There were five conversions and nine accessions to the church. We were at Blankenship’s on the 2nd Sabbath and the meeting was protracted until Saturday. It resulted in 26 Conversions and 13 accessions. The Lord has gloriously revived this membership.”

20. October 11, 1860 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit. – Revs. J.C. Myers, E.R. Shapard, October 1, 1860.
We have just closed a meeting at Steele’s Camp-ground which resulted in forty two conversions. It lasted nine days. This finishes our work for the year. During the year there have been three hundred and thirty one conversions on this circuit. At Steele’s Camp-ground a man who was seventy-one years old professed religion; several over the age of forty have professed to be converted and are now rejoicing on their way to heaven. The young, the middle aged, the old men, have all alike been made to feel the influence of the spirit of God to the conviction and conversion of their souls.

21. October 10-18, 1860
The 49th Annual Tennessee Conference held at Clarksville, Tennessee October 10-18, 1860. E.R. Shapard is still on trial and appointed to Murfreesboro District; Middleton** with C.C. Mayhew. There were 192 members in attendance.

**Note: Murfreesboro District included churches in Rutherford County, Bedford County and Marshall County. Middleton Circuit was located in Bedford County.

22. January 10, 1861 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit – Revs. C.C. Mayhew and E.R. Shapard, December 28, 1860. “The Lord has been with us on the Middleton Circuit during the Christmas days. We closed a meeting at Hickory Ridge Chapel on the night of 26th, inst. which resulted in eleven conversions. The membership was greatly revived and Christmas day of this year will be long remembered by many persons around Hickory Ridge. Instead of celebrating the days as it is generally celebrated by many, in dancing and plays, the neighbors collected together at the church and worshiped God aright, and several found him precious to their immortal souls, and praised him for the first time in their lives.”

23. April 4, 1861 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit. – C.C. Mayhew, E.R. Shapard, March 23, 1861.
The Lord has been with us in converting power. During the last week we held a protracted meeting at Thompson’s Ford Church. Ten were converted to God, and the membership of the Church were greatly revived. Sixteen joined the Church. We are glad to see all who profess to be converted join the Church; it is the place for professors of religion, and also for those who are seekers of religion. May God continue these persons in their enjoyment of his love.”

24. April 18, 1861 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit – Revs. C.C. Mayhew and E.R. Shapard, April 3, 1861. “The lord is still reviving his work in our bounds. At Foster’s, near Middleton, we commenced a two days meeting on Saturday last, which meeting is still going on. Up to this time there have been eight conversions, with the same number of accessions, and the prospect is flattering for an extended revival. The congregations are large for this place, and attentive. There have been no revival at Foster’s for the last ten to twelve years. So you would be inclined to the opinion that a revival was needed.”

25. May 18, 1861 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit. – C.C. Mayhew, E.R. Shapard, April 17, 1861.
It is again our privilege of announcing to the friends of Christianity that the Lord has blesses us with an outpouring of his Spirit. During the last week we held a protracted meeting at Friendship; twenty-two persons were converted to God, and there were the same number of accessions to the Church.
P.S. – There is also a gracious work going on in Shelbyville Station. Brother Graves informs me that there have been fifteen conversions, and an increasing interest.
May 2. – The Lord is still working with us on the Middleton Circuit. Our second quarterly meeting came off on the 20th and 21st April, which continued some ten or twelve days, resulting in the conversion of some twenty souls, eighteen of whom united themselves to the Church. We are expecting and praying for a general revival.

26. May 30, 1861 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit. – Revs. C.C. Mayhew, E.R. Shapard, Shelbyville, Tenn., May 22, 1861.
We are now in the midst of a fine revival at Greenwood. The meeting was held for the benefit of the volunteers. Some fifteen or sixteen of them from the Fosterville company were at the altar on last night, and one made a profession of religion. May the Lord continue to work by his Spirit until all are converted.

Note: Fosterville is about 10 miles north of Shelbyville and 4 miles northwest of Bell Buckle.

Note: The other articles in the Nashville Christian Advocate show how the War effort has increased and how their world was changing and uncertain; The Confederate flag was flying over the Capital at Nashville, All the women were making uniforms for the soldiers, the South had a new government and president, under Jefferson Davis. The Tennessee Bible Society gave small pocket editions to the soldiers. By July 1861, the mail was greatly affected by the War. The mail carts and horses had been absorbed for military use, the movement of troops and supplies caused disruption, as well as the changes in the railroad schedules. The presence of the enemy troops would cut off all mail routes in the vicinity. When Tennessee was invaded In February of 1862, the Methodist Episcopal Church South Publishing House closed down and the publisher and editor of the Nashville Christian Advocate fled the state. The Advocate ceased production until after the War, resuming publication in 1867.

27. June 20, 1861 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit. – C.C. Mayhew, E.R. Shapard, June 14, 1861. “We closed a protracted meeting at Oak Grove on May 14, at which place there were 14 conversions and 16 accessions to the church. Last week we were at Burn’s holding a protracted meeting. There were 15 conversions and 12 accessions to the church. This week we have been at Unionville. Four have professed faith in Christ and there are eight mourners at the altar. Six joined the church.  The Lord is still willing to visit his people although the world is excited upon the affairs of government. Now when religion is most needed, the members of the church are less disposed to work for God’s glory and the good of souls. If we lose sight of God and cease to pray and preach what is to become of the Church? May God take care of us and continue the revival influence in our midst.”

28. September 12, 1861 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Middleton Circuit. – C.C. Mayhew, E.R. Shapard, Shelbyville, Tenn., Sept. 5, 1861.
We have closed our work on Middleton Circuit for this year. Our last appointment was a camp meeting at Steel’s Camp Ground. We have spent an agreeable and pleasant year among the people of this circuit, and we have had some success for the Lord. During the year about two hundred and fifty have professed faith in Christ, and there have been about two hundred accessions to the church. As far as paying us for our allowances is concerned, our circuit has done well. When we leave them, we leave those Christian friends whose kindness we will never forget, while many clever people, not in the church, have treated us with such affection as we would expect alone from a brother. May God save them all. May the blessings of God rest upon our successors as they have upon us, only more abundantly.

29. October 2-8, 1861
Tennessee Annual Conference held at the Baptist Church in Athens, Alabama on October 2-8, 1861. E.R. Shapard admitted into full connection and ordained Deacon.  E.R. Shapard is appointed to Tuscumbia District; Tuscumbia Station**.

**Note: Tuscumbia District was located in Alabama and included churches in Colbert County, Lawrence County, Morgan County and Limestone County. Tuscumbia Station was located in Colbert County, Alabama. It was noted that this station had a high negro population of whom to preach. Tuscumbia is located south of the Tennessee River on a high bluff with rolling hills. There are lots of trees – oaks, hickory and pine. The railroad runs about ¼ of a mile north of the town, between it and the river. Florence is located across the river from Tuscumbia and is also on an elevated bluff of rolling hills.

Note: From the book, History of the First Methodist Church Tuscumbia Alabama 1822-1976, page 20, “By 1862 milltary operations in North Alabama made it impossible for life in Tuscumbia, including the religious activities of its citizens, to continue to function in anything like a normal manner… After the first year the Tennessee Valley was occupied alternately by Confederate and then Federal troops throughout the War Between the States; the armies of both North and South lived off the people.
The Church buildings were no more immune to damage and destruction than was other property. A sworn statement in 1863 by L.B. Thornton, a citizen of Tuscumbia stated: “…the (Union) soldiers broke open the churches, took the carpets – other things out – took the cancel around the Episcopal church – raised the United States flag on the Methodist Church and made a common necessary of the Methodist and Episcopal Churches…”

30. October 11, 1861 (Republican Banner)
The __ session of the Tennessee Conference began in the Baptist Church, Athens, Ala., Wednesday, October 2d. Bishop Early was in the chair. The venerable Bishop Soule also, now in the eighty-first year of his life, though “in age and feebleness extreme” was in attendance, ready still to bestow the invaluable aid of his councils and prayers in behalf of the Church of God.
The session was opened with reading from the Holy Scriptures, singing and prayer led by Rev. Dr. Green.
At the calling of the roll, an unusual number of the members were absent; though, of these, many have since made their appearance**. Among the absences, quite a number are now in the Southern army of defense, as chaplains, or other officers, and soldiers. The Secretary informs me that about thirty members, besides a host of local preachers from the bounds of the Tennessee Conference are enlisted for the defense of our altars and our homes. The brethren now acting as chaplains, will be appointed as such by the Bishops, if judged suitable for the office. The peculiar relations of the others, serving as officers and privates, will be considered and determined hereafter during the session. By the way, we have with us several of the chaplains, on furlough, Revs. F.E. Pitts, Joseph Cross, S.G. Cherry, B.M. Stephens, and probably others, who in their army dress, give quite a militant appearance to the body ecclesiastical…

**Note: it appears that there were 89 members in attendance.

31. October 15-20, 1862
Tennessee Annual Conference held at Cornersville, Tennessee October 15-20, 1862. ER Shapard is a Deacon of one year and was appointed to Lebanon District; Sumner Circuit**.

**Note: Lebanon District included churches in Wilson County, Sumner County, Williamson County and Macon County. Sumner Circuit was located in Sumner County. From 1860-1861, the Nashville Christian Advocate lists Sumner Circuit as encompassing the churches of Pleasant Hill, Center Point, Goodlettsville, Saundersville, Bethel, White Hill, Cages Chapel and Salem.

32. January 29, 1863 (Civil war service records, Union, 5th Cavalry Tennessee; from Fold3 for Robert A. Shepard)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, January 29, 1863
General,
On hearing of the shooting affray last evening between Lieutenant Shappard and Private West of “C” Co. 1st Mid. Tenn. Cav’y, I directed the immediate arrest of the officer mentioned and had the witnesses brought before me an their sworn statements taken. The sum of these statements is that yesterday at a courier post on the Shelbyville pike where this officer met West and five or six other privates were stationed, an altercation arose in regard to a canteen of whiskey between the two parties mentioned, in which West finally accused Lieut. S. of having stolen the liquor. This he did twice – the second time Lieut. S. asked him if he was in earnest. West answered that he was, whereupon the officer fired his pistol at him twice, both shots taking effect. Lieut. S. had been drinking from the canteen and offered it to West and the others. All the witnesses agree that the parties were both quite drunk. Not knowing what disposal to make of him, I send him to you for such action in the case as you may deem best.
I am General, very respectfully your obt servt,
Wm. M. Wiles, Capt. & PMG

Note: R.A. Shapard enlisted on July 25, 1862 as a Private, was commissioned as Lieutenant on September 2, 1862. He was arrested on January 28, 1863 for shooting another soldier while drunk. He was court marshaled and Cashiered and mustered out of service on March 17, 1863.
On April 11, 1863, Lt. Col. Robert Galbrailh, an acquaintance of R.A. Shapard sent a letter vouching for his character to Headquarters…”I have known him for a number of years, he having been reared in the same community with myself. And he was the only one of five brothers, who espensed the cause for which we are now fighting. Prior to his enlisting regularly in the Army, he rendered quite efficient Service to the Federal Commander in the Section of Country South of this, in the capacity of guide and Scout. And as are evidences of his dedication to the Union, when Col. Stokes announced the fact that he intended to raise a Regiment, Lt. Shapard and myself were the first to respond to the call, having enlisted the day after the Col. Received his authority, and up to the time the Regt. Commenced active service, he labored earnestly on its behalf. And to the day of the unfortunate trasaction his conduct had been exceptional, and was a good example to his fellow officers, None were ever more ready or prompt to obey orders, than he….”
On January 31, 1863, Col. W.B. Stokes also vouched for Robert A. Shapard’s character; “I take great pleasure in making it known that I have always regarded Lieut. Shappard as good officer, always willing and ready for duty…”

33. 1864-1865 (History of Methodist Churches and Institutions in Middle Tennessee 1787-1956, C.T. Carter)
“E.R. Sheppard” is listed as serving on the Clarksville District; Red River Circuit**. The Clarksville District included Clarksville Sta., New Providence, Montgomery Ct., Dickson, Antioch, Asbury, Red River, Springfield and Clarksville Female College. Springfield was an appointment on the Red River Circuit, as well as, Mount Zion Methodist church. Rev. D. Ogburn is listed as the Superintendent of the Clarksville Female College during the time Rev. Shapard was on this circuit.

 NOTE: This may be an error from the historian and most likely attributed to ERS when he was appointed to Springfield in 1866. Rev. Ogburn was listed as Sup; however this may be linked to 1866 when he was supernumerary, and not superintendent.

**Note: Clarksville District included churches in Montgomery County, Dickson County, Robertson County and Davidson County. The Red River Circuit was located in Robertson County. The church at Springfield was organized in the 1830s. In 1837 a wood frame church house was erected. The old frame church was replaced, in 1856, by a new building. The new wood framed church had an auditorium that was constructed high off the ground and a basement where a school was conducted. The Clarksville Female Academy was established in 1848, and conducted in a wood frame building that was located next to the Springfield Methodist church on the west. Both the school and the church faced Spring Street (Seventh Avenue).
Mount Zion Methodist Church was located a few miles south of Springfield on the Zion Road. This church is the oldest church in Robertson County, Tennessee, organized in 1798. In 1804 a rough log meeting house was constructed which was replaced in 1844 by a larger better building of hewn logs. This structure lasted until 1882 when badly damaged by a storm, and a new frame church was constructed.

34. October 4-11, 1865
Tennessee Annual Conference held at Edgefield, Tennessee October 4-11, 1865. ER Shapard is listed as Supernumerary yet was elected and ordained a traveling Elder. E.R. Shapard was appointed to Murfreesboro District; Shelbyville Station**.

**Note: Murfreesboro District included churches in Rutherford County, Bedford County and Marshall County. Shelbyville Station was located in Bedford County. The first Methodist Church of Shelbyville was organized in 1820 at the Salem Camp Ground which was where religious meetings were held as early as 1808. The first church building was a frame construction located on Depot Street and was destroyed by a tornado in 1830. The next church building was of more substantial construction. A brick building was erected at a cost of $3,000 and was located two blocks down the hill from the town square on what is now North Main Street. This church building lasted until 1880 when the church moved to a new location on the Northwest corner of the town square. David Green Shapard and Evander Shapard are listed as Trustees of the church on the deed of the new church from 1879. The first Shelbyville Sunday school was established in 1845 and the first missionary society was founded in 1846 and was composed of all men. David Green Shapard was the Sunday School Superintendant in 1884, and Evander Shapard took the job in 1889.

Note: From the book, Norton’s Religion in Tennessee, during the Yankee occupation of Shelbyville, the Federal Secretary of State had directed that the ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church South be replaced with Northern preachers of known loyalty to the Union cause. Shelbyville was mentioned by name as having received one of these Northern missionaries. In 1855 the church had 171 members (about 80 whom were slaves). In 1866 there were 155 members. The Weekly American Union (Shelbyville newspaper) of September 22, 1866 reported that, “A protracted meeting under control of Rev. W.Z. Ross of the Methodist Episcopal Church, has been in progress several nights past in this place. Some interest is being manifested, but as to the successs thus far we have not been advised.” Rev. Ross was a “Northern Methodist preacher” that was placed at Shelbyville from 1866 to 1867. The American Union (Shelbyville newspaper) of August 5, 1865 reports that “the Methodist congregation at this place have re-organized the Sunday-school and is being well attended by the young ladies and gentlemen together with a large number of children…”

35. October 24-30, 1866
Tennessee Annual Conference held at the Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama October 24-30, 1866. The conference opened with the reading of 2 Corinthians chapter 4, followed by song and hymn #654. According to the minute book of the Tennessee Conference, E.R. Shapard was not present the first day of the Conference. ER Shapard was appointed, with Rev. Samuel D. Ogburn*, to Clarksville District; Springfield Station**

*Note: Samuel D. Ogburn was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee on May 27, 1833. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South as a child, and became a minister in the Tennessee Conference about five years before the Civil War. He resided in Springfield Tennessee from 1860-1917. During the War he refused the request of a Federal Colonel who demanded he should pray at his dictation or vacate the pulpit. Rev. Ogburn rejected the dictation and retired until the Colonel vacated the town. Due to his sickly physical condition, he stayed near his home in Springfield – “an infirmity of the body made him a minister of the locality.” After the War, he became a businessman by entered into the milling business, eventually operating many successful mills. He married Mary Ann Hutchison in 1859. He was reported to have an alert mind, effective businessman, religious, earnest and enthusiastic. (From History of Tennessee and Tennesseans by Hale, page 1125; Nashville Christian Advocate 1917)

**Note: Clarksville District included churches in Montgomery County, Dickson County, Robertson County and Davidson County. Springfield Station was located in Robertson County. The church at Springfield was organized in the 1830s. In 1837 a wood frame church house was erected. The old frame church was replaced, in 1856, by a new building. The new wood framed church had an auditorium that was constructed high off the ground and a basement where a school was conducted. The Clarksville Female Academy was established in 1848, and conducted in a wood frame building that was located next to the Springfield Methodist church on the west. Both the school and the church faced Spring Street (Seventh Avenue).
From the Clarksville Weekly Chronicle, November 2, 1866, “During the war, Clarksville, as every other place in the south, suffered severely from the occupation of its public and private buildings by the soldiery of each army, as well as from almost every other evil attending such a war. The Female Academy was used by every army as a hospital, and when the war closed it was in the worst possible condition. The male college was also occupied by soldiers, and was badly damaged. So with the Court House. As soon as peace was delivered the people at once commenced he course of repairing what before had been so badly damaged. The court house was first put in order, and most of the other public buildings were again soon made inhabitable.”

36. November 9, 1866 (Clarksville Weekly Chronicle)
First round of Quarterly Meetings for the Clarksville District, Tennessee Conference:
New Provence Station – November 17-18; Springfield Station – November 24-25; Red River Circuit at Cedar Hill – December 1-2; Springfield Circuit at Well’s Valley – December 8-9; Asbury Circuit at Williams Chapel – December 15-16; Montgomery Circuit at Bethel – December 22-23; Dixon Circuit at Charlotte – January 5-6; Clarksville Station January 12-13.

The Methodist Episcopal Church in our city (Clarksville) has undergone thorough repairs and regular services will commence there again next Sabbath, prayer meeting in the church every Friday night. 

37. December 23, 1866 ERS preached “Perfection” H eb. 6:1 at night in Springfield, Tennessee

38. December ?, 1866 ERS preached the sermon “Heavenly Rest” Hebrews 4:9

39. February 15, 1867 (Clarksville Weekly Chronicle)
To the official members of the Clarksville District Tennessee Conference. There will be a meeting of the traveling and local preachers, stewards, class leaders, S.S. Superintendants and exhorters of the Clarksville District at Springfield, Tennessee on Friday, March 1, 1867. Bishop McTeire will preside. The opening sermon will be preached by Rev. J.B. West…
R.S. Hunter, Feb 8, 1867

40. February 21, 1867 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Robertson County, --S.S.  I Certify that I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between Robert Bigber and T.R. Mourlining the parties named in the within License on this 21st day of February, 1867.
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

41. March 21, 1867 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Robertson County, --S.S.  I Certify that I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between James Holmon and Lesti Fisher the parties named in the within License on this 21st day of March, 1867.
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

42. May 7, 1867 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Robertson County, --S.S.  I Certify that I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between E.B. Rust and C.W. Smith the parties named in the within License on this 7th day of May, 1867.
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

43. August 4, 1867 ERS preached “The Abounding of Grace” Rom 5:20-21 at 11:00 a.m.
at Springfield

44. October 23-30, 1867
Tennessee Annual Conference held at the Methodist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee October 23-30, 1867. The conference was opened at 9 o’clock a.m. by Bishop Paine by reading Paul’s first chapter to the Colossians; then there was the singing of hymn #252 and prayer. E.R. Shapard was present, being listed as in attendance on the first day of Conference in the Tennessee Conference minute book,  and was appointed to McMinnville District; Manchester Station**. F.E. Pitts was the Presiding Elder.

**Note: McMinnville District included churches in Warren County, Coffee County, Franklin County and Bedford County. Manchester was located in Coffee County.  Manchester Methodist church was established in 1815 and was on the corner of Fort and Church Streets. The original church house was a log structure that lasted until 1852. A new frame church was built which lasted from 1852-1883, until a larger brick church was constructed at the same location. 

45. November 1, 1867 (Republican Banner)
Tennessee Conference – List of appointments for the ensuing year. The annual meeting of the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was held in Clarksville from the 23d to the 30th inst. Bishop Paine presided, and delivered a very able sermon on the “Unity of the Church.” The conference was very largely attended by both church and lay members, who were hospitably entertained by the citizens of Clarksville.

46. November 24, 1867 ERS preached “The Works of Men Perish but Those of God Shall Endure”
1 Peter 1:24-25 at night at Manchester

47. November 28, 1867 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Coffee County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named parties (M. Hill and Mary M.M. Hill) on the 28th day of November, 1867. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

48. December 25, 1867 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Coffee County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named parties (A.J. Lane and Virginia Timmons) on the 25th day of December, 1867. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

49. December 26, 1867 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Coffee County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named parties (John West and G. Ann Frissell) on the 26th day of December, 1867. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.


50. January 5, 1868 ERS preached “Intermediate Place” Luke 23:43 at 11 o’clock at Manchester
51. February 23, 1868 ERS preached “Tyre, Sidon and Sodom ”Matt. 11:24 at night at Manchester
52. March 8, 1868 ERS preached “The Works of Men Perish but Those of God Shall Endure”
1 Peter 1:24-25 at 11 o’clock at Springfield
53. March 15, 1868 ERS preached “The Abounding of Grace” Rom 5:20-21
  at 11:00 a.m. at Manchester

54. March 26, 1868 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Coffee County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named parties (S.E. Carney and Ellen Hill) on the 26th day of March, 1868. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

55. April 5, 1868 ERS preached “Measure of Righteousness” Matt. 5:20 at 11 o’clock at Manchester
56. April 19, 1868 ERS preached “Divinity of Christ” Matt. 1:23 at 11 o’clock at Manchester
57. May 31, 1868 ERS preached 1 Cor. 1:21 at 11 o’clock at Manchester
58. June 7, 1868 ERS preached “Talents Without Religion” 1 Cor. 13:1 at night at Manchester

59. September 10, 1868 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Coffee County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the above named parties (Milton Woodby and Laura G. Flemming) on the 10th day of September, 1868. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

60. October 14-21, 1868
55th Tennessee Annual Conference was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Bishop McTyeire presided and Rev. R.A. Young was elected Secretary. The first day began at 9 o’clock a.m. and consisted of singing and prayer and Bishop McTyeire preached the 5th and 6th chapters of Saint Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians. Hymns # 272 and #904 were sung, followed by prayer. Roll was called and 101 members were present, 22 of who were lay-members. It was decided that they would meet daily for the duration of the conference from 8:30 a.m. until noon. E.R. Shapard was present, being listed as in attendance on the first day of Conference in the Tennessee Conference minute book, and was elected to the Committee of Public Worship. At the end of conference Rev. Shapard was appointed to the Nashville District; Hobson’s Chapel**. The railroads gave free passage to the ministers attending the Conference. It was reported in The Republican (Shelbyville newspaper) of October 16, 1868 that there were 300 ministers and laymen in attendance.

**Note: (Information gathered from Nashville Tennessean, December 12, 1909 and Methodist Churches and Institutions in Middle Tennessee by Carter, Cullen T., 1956) Hobson’s Chapel was completed and dedicated on October 3, 1853. It was named after Jeannette Hobson, the mother of Nicholas Hobson who was the church’s primary donor, and was located at the northeast corner of Tenth and Main Streets in Nashville, Tennessee. The church was seized when the Federal Army occupied Nashville in February of 1862. The church was desecrated when the Federal troops used it for a Negro smallpox hospital, a slaughter house and finally a horse stable. The old building was sold at the end of the war to Hughes & Mims, as it was so damaged it was unfit for future ecclesiastical use, and was used as a school for a number of years. The proceeds from the sale and private subscription were used, in 1867, to purchase land and build a new house of worship. The new church was built in a beautiful 5 acre grove, near the residence of Professor George G. Hughes, approximately one and a half miles from the river in Edgefield at Brownsville, near the Gallatin Pike. The cornerstone of the new Hobson’s Church was dedicated on Friday June 5, 1868 at 4:30pm by the Masons of Edgefield. The church was finished and dedicated on Sunday, November 29, 1868 and was one of the largest, best designed and architecturally aesthetic Methodist churches in Middle Tennessee. It was a brick construction with two balconies in the rear and a large auditorium in which Sunday School classes were held in the corners. There were two large stoves in the center and coal-oil lamps on the walls. The first Presiding Elder at the new Hobson’s Chapel was A.L.P. Green, and the first pastor was E.R. Shapard. This structure lasted until 1929, when the congregation constructed a larger church, on the same grounds, to accommodate their growing membership. 

Note: Rev. Shapard’s older brother Rev. William Shapard was pastor appointed to Edgefield (including Hobson’s Chapel) in 1853-1854.

61. November 1868 (Register of Members from Hobson’s Chapel)
List of new members added during Rev. Shapard’s term:
Thomas Pearl Received by Certificate November 1868
A.P. McFerrin, Jr. Received by Certificate November 1868
George D. Hughes Received by Certificate November 1868
Alice Hill Received by Certificate November 1868
George Holmes Received by Certificate November 1868
Mattie Litton Received by Certificate November 1868
Mollie Lofton Received by Certificate November 1868
John McKinney Received by Certificate November 1868
Robert McKinney Received by Certificate November 1868
F.G. Herrick Received by Certificate November 1868
H.R. Herrick Received by Certificate November 1868
Frank Weakly Received by Certificate November 1868
W.H. Weakly Received by Certificate November 1868
James N. Cartwright Received by Certificate November 1868
A.J. Cartwright Received by Certificate November 1868
E. Hickman Received by Certificate December 1868
William Wagner Received by Certificate December 1868
John Payne Received by Certificate December 1868
Mary Ella McKinney Baptism
James B. Pitts Received by Certificate December 20, 1868
Elmore D. Pitts Vow
James E. Owen Received by Certificate January 25, 1869
Mary V. Owen Received by Certificate January 25, 1869
James W. Hunter Received by Certificate January 25, 1869
Isabella V. Sattiffe Received by Certificate January 25, 1869
Hennetta Hill Received by Baptism August 25, 1869
Dieltha McKinney Received by Baptism September 5, 1869
Daniel Harbin Received by Baptism September 5, 1869

List of members which were removed during Rev. Shapard’s term:
Nicholas Hobson Removed by certificate August 21, 1869
Sarah Hobson Removed by certificate August 21, 1869
Susan Whalers Removed by certificate September 12, 1869
Sallie McGavock Removed by certificate November 1868
Cynthia McFerrin Removed by certificate November 1868
Mary E. Cakil Removed by certificate September 12, 1869

62. November 1, 1868 ERS preached 1 Cor. 1:21 at night at Hobson’s Chapel
63. November 15, 1868 ERS preached “The Yoke Easy for All” Matt. 11:30 at Hobson’s Chapel

64. November 20, 1868 (Nashville Union Dispatch)
The ladies of Hobson’s Chapel will furnish a supper at the Edgefield Male Academy on Friday evening, November 20, 1868, the proceeds to be expended in fitting up the new church. (A supper and a concert were provided as means to raise money for the new church).

65. December 1, 1868 (Republican Banner (Nashville)
Edgefield – Dedication of Hobson’s Chapel, located a short distance from Edgefield, two miles from town, near Gallatin Pike, at Brownsville, last Sabbath on November 29, 1868 at 10:30 a.m. Music was performed from Professor Steinhagen along with the choir from the Tulip Street Church. Dr. R.A. Young of McKendree Church conducted the services and fittingly preached the parable of the grain of mustard seed. Dr. J.B. McFerrin offered a consecration prayer. The members were asked for $1750 to cover the balance of what was owed on the church. $1400 in subscriptions were offered by the members, and the balance was covered by P.W. Maxey and the Trustees.

66. January 31, 1869 ERS preached “Every Christian a Teacher” 1 Cor. 14:1 at night at Hobson’s Chapel
67. March 7, 1869 ERS preached “Measure of Righteousness” Matt. 5:20 at night at Hobson’s Chapel 
68. April 25, 1869 ERS preached John 17:15 at night at Hobson’s Chapel
69. June 6, 1869 ERS preached “The Works of Men Perish but Those of God Shall Endure”
1 Peter 1:24-25 at night at Hobson’s Chapel

70. June 15, 1869 Edwin married Jennie Hall in Davidson County, Tennessee.

71. June 17, 1869, Edwin’s younger brother, Evander, married Emma Lipscomb in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

72. June 19, 1869 (Republican Banner (Nashville))
Marriage Licenses – The following is a list of the marriage licenses issued by the County Clerk during the past week:
E.C. Shapard and Jennie Hall

73. June 19, 1869 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
June 15, 1869 at the residence of the bride’s father, Dr. Sumner S. Hall in Davidson County, Tennessee by the Rev. B.F. Ferrell, the Rev. Edwin R. Shapard, of the Tennessee Conference, to Miss Jennie Hall.

74. June 24, 1869 (Fayetteville Observer)
Married – In Davidson county, at the residence of the bride’s father, Sumner S. Hall, Esq., by Rev. B. F. Ferrell**, Rev. E.R. Shapard, of Tennessee Conference, M.E. Church, South, and Miss Jennie Hall.

**Note: Rev. B.F. Ferrell was appointed, in October of 1868, to the Nashville District on the Shady Grove Circuit.


75. July 24, 1869 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Missions and Church Extension
The Tennessee Conference apportioned to the District to be raised during this year for missions, $1000. Of this amount, McKendree has paid $185.75; Elm Street, $21.00; Tulip Street, $40.00; Hobson Chapel. $66.05; Goodlettsville, $13.06; Harpeth, $130.00; Franklin Station, $120.00; Nashville Circuit, $18.00. Total, $587.80. We feel assured that the amount which has been assessed to this District will be paid in due time. The City Mission has done well since our last meeting. As to Church-extension, we do not hesitate to assert our right and duty to occupy all the ground within our Conference-lines. Since our last meeting three churches have been built – Hobson Chapel, North Nashville, and one on Harpeth Circuit. Two others will be completed on Harpeth Circuit within a few months. There is a field for operation in West Nashville which should be occupied as early as possible; two or three places on Harpeth Circuit, and also much territory in the bounds of the Nashville Circuit, are ready and inviting our preachers to preach to them. The preachers in charge of this work find it impossible to occupy these fields, while there remains so much for them to do in their regular work. Your Committee submit the following resolution:
Resolved, That we recommend to the Bishop who shall attend the next session of our Annual Conference, to furnish ministerial supplies equal to the demand in these fields.
E.R. Shapard, A.F. Lawrence, W.D.F. Sawrie, Isaac Paul

76. August 8, 1869 ERS preached “Value of the Soul” Matt. 16:26 at Hobson’s Chapel
77. August 13, 1869 ERS preached “Tyre, Sidon and Sodom ”Matt. 11:24 at night at Hobson’s Chapel
78. August 15, 1869 ERS preached “Divinity of Christ” Matt. 1:23 at 11 o’clock at Hobson’s Chapel
79. August 19, 1869 ERS preached “Evidences of the New Birth” John 3:8 at night at Springfield
80. August 22, 1869 ERS preached “The Abounding of Grace” Rom 5:20-21 at night at Hobson’s Chapel

81. August 22, 1869 (Republican Banner)
Bishop Payne will preach at Hobson Chapel, Edgefied, at 10:30 a.m. today.

82. September 12, 1869 ERS preached “Intermediate Place” Luke 23:43 at 11 o’clock at Hobson’s Chapel

83. 1869, According to his journal, ERS sent a large number of books to be cared for by his brother, Evander Shapard, until called for; Dwight’s Theology, Watson’s Exposition, Pierson on the Creed, Suddard’s Brittish Pulpit, Reander’s Planting and Training of___?, Suminus Works, Mashien’s Church History, Finney’s Sermons, Mollers Life of Trust, Bascon’s Sermons, Paines Theological Works, Life of Stonewall Jackson, Alexanders Evidences of Christianity, History of the Discipline, Butler’s Analogy, Methodism in Kentucky, Early Dawn, Mirefred Bestram, Tracts, Paley’s Works, Manuscript – Moral Philosophy.

84. September 15-23, 1869
Tennessee Annual Conference held at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Rev. A.L.P. Green presided over the conference the first day, as the Bishop arrived late. Conference was opened by reading the 11 chapter of Isaah and singing hymn #272, followed by prayer. Rev. Shapard was not in attendance when roll was called the first day of conference; however, he did attend the conference, as he was appointed to the Committee on Public Worship and assigned to preach at 11:30 a.m. at Temperance Hall on the 6th day of Conference. At the end of Conference, the Bishop appointed E.R. Shapard to McMinnville District; Bellbuckle & Wartrace Station**. According to ERS’s journal, Wartrace had approximately 52 members and Bellbuckle had approximately 179 members.

**Note: McMinnville District included churches in Warren County, Coffee County, Franklin County and Bedford County. Bellbuckle and Wartrace station was located in Bedford County. Bellbuckle Church was first located on the Bell Buckle Creek at the Salem Church Camp ground which was established around 1807. The original church, known as “Salem,” was made of logs and was eventually replaced by a frame structure. The railroad came to Bell Buckle in 1852. It was reported that in 1875, the church was moved one mile to the town of Bellbuckle, which had developed around the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad depot. The Church at Wartrace was originally of wood construction and was reconstructed in brick in 1925.

**Note: The July 31, 1869 issue of The Nashville Christian Advocate had an interesting article about the establishment of the Wartrace church. “Bellbuckle and Wartrace Station, July 20, 1869 – At the beginning of this Conference year there was no Methodist church-orgaization in Wartrace; but C.C. Mayhew, with myself [R.W. Bellamy], held a meeting for two weeks at that place, a short time ago, and established a church of 45 members, with very good prospects for the future.

85. 1869 ERS had a subscription to Baltimore Christian Advocate while at Bellbuckle.

86. September 26, 1869 ERS preached 1 John 3:8 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
87. October 3, 1869 ERS preached John 17:3 at 3 o’clock at Wartrace.
88. October 4, 1869 ERS preached “Divinity of Christ” Matt. 1:23 at night at Shelbyville, C.P. Church
89. October 8, 1869 ERS preached Matt. 1:23 at night at C.P. Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee.*
90. October 10, 1869 ERS preached Rev. 22:9 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
91. October 17, 1869 ERS preached Matt. 4:1 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
92. October 24, 1869 ERS preached 2 Peter 1:5 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Rom. 14:7 at night at Wartrace.
93. November 4, 1869 ERS preached Psalm 73:24 at 4 o’clock at Allan Wallace’s, near Bellbuckle.*
94. November 7, 1869 ERS preached Psalm 104:4 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
95. November 14, 1869 ERS preached “Practical Atheism” Psalm 14:1 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
96. November 21, 1869 ERS preached Rom. 14:17 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
97. November 28, 1869 ERS preached “Eating and Drinking Unworthily” 1 Cor. 11:29 at 11 o’clock at Wartrace.
98. December 12, 1869 ERS preached Rom. 11:17 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
99. December 12, 1869 ERS preached John 14:23 at night at Wartrace.

100.      December 16, 1869 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Bedford County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within named parties (Thomas J. Peacock and Casia M. Fugitt) on the 16th day of December, 1869. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

101.      December 19, 1869 ERS preached 1 Peter 2:21 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.

102.      December 21, 1869 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Bedford County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within named parties (Zachariah Crouch and Jennie M. Thomas) on the 21th day of December, 1869. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

103.      December 26, 1869 ERS preached Matthew 27:35 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Rom. 8:26 at night at Wartrace.

104.       January 9, 1870 ERS preached Matt 18:20 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.

105.      January 15, 1870 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Bellbuckle, Tenn., December 28, 1869
I write to renew our subscription for the Advocate, “the dear old Advocate,” as good Dr. McFerrin says, whose visits we can never resign. How I often ask myself, in wonder, can any member of our beloved church once scan its pages so replete with interest and consent to do without? From almost every part of the world it brings us news. In its perusal we are home borne to that great empire beneath us, and to that people who sit in the region of the shadow of death. When we would have forgotten the patient, toiling missionary, sacrificing life and happiness for the sake of bringing souls to Christ, the Advocate, faithful herald on the walls arouses sluggish memory, and we blush at our complaints and the earnest thrilling voice of a Munsey is Gods instrument and that sends a glow of missionary zeal across our souls, teaching us to make some new self denial that we may add a fresh mite to aid the cause. Surely, our Advocate is the grand receptacle into which the genius of the church empties her choicest treasures. I cannot longer refrain from thanking the editor and contributors for the mental and spiritual feasts they so often spread before me. To the poor itinerant who each week plods his weary way over the roads of mud and mire, it is a sweet solacer on his return. When he reads of the success of brethren in more cultivated fields of labor, he represses the rising sigh, thankful for their success, their neatly-paved streets, close, warm churches, and abundant facilities for doing good; and he reads on and on, each moment growing more interested, until muddy roads and dilapidated houses of worship and shivering worshipers are all forgotten. Its visits are no less dear to the itinerant’s wife, far from home and loved ones, and the dear home-church in whose bosom she was reared. It whiles away many an hour of monotonous country life, each week giving glimpses of the world and Church beyond our solitary hills; telling of the labors and successes of loved friends in other parts of the great vineyard; telling of the blessed Sabbath-schools, making our hearts long for the budding spring that we may plant some heavenly nurseries, being labor in our Sunday-school, our almost world it has ever been.  While on the subject of Sabbath-schools, you will allow me to ask, through your columns, if the article upon which appeared several weeks since over the signature of B.T. Kavanaugh has been forgotten by your important readers. Each week since its publication I have sought and hoped for some response in our Advocate. For once I have wished for importance and influence – have almost wished that I were a “delegate elect.” I would not hesitate to respond with alacrity, and tell the good Sunday-school man my willingness to concur in his projected plan, which, if carried out, would, (in my humble opinion), open a new and glorious era in the history of Sabbath-schools. I have heard that Dr. Summers is a great Sunday-school man. Had I not believed it, his Conference sermon would have cleared all doubt from my mind. I know that, like the German philosopher, he loves God and little children. Then he must be interested upon the subject, he must have an opinion; will we ever hear what it is? I send subscription for a copy of the Visitor. On our circuit, a Sabbath-school is well-nigh impossibility during the winter season. So I can only send for a single copy now, to bless the family circle with its sweet stories and “Crumbs gathered here and there.” Later, I hope to obtain a large subscription for our tidy little friend.
A Preachers wife [Jennie Shapard]

106.      January 16, 1870 ERS preached Matt 18:9 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
107.      January 23, 1870 ERS preached Matthew 12:36 at 11 o’clock at Wartrace.
108.       January 30, 1870 ERS preached Jude 6 at 11 o’clock at Wartrace.
109.       February 6, 1870 ERS preached “Intermediate Place” Luke 23:43 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle
110.       February 13, 1870 ERS preached 2 Peter 1:5 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
111.       February 13, 1870 ERS preached 2 Cor. 3:18 at night at Wartrace.
112.       February 27, 1870 ERS preached Matthew 6:33 at night at Wartrace.
113.       March 13, 1870 ERS preached 2 Tim. 2:19 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
114.       March 20, 1870 ERS preached 1 John 3:11 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
115.       March 13, 1870 ERS preached Rom. 5:1 at night at Wartrace.
116.       April 3, 1870 ERS preached 2 Tim. 3:16 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
117.       April 10, 1870 ERS preached 2 Tim. 3:16 at night at Wartrace.
118.       April 24, 1870 ERS preached 1 Thes. 5:22 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached 2 Cor. 4:17 at night at Wartrace.
119.       May 1, 1870 ERS preached Heb. 13:8 at 11 o’clock at Burns Middleton Circuit.*
120.       May 1, 1870 ERS preached Rom 1:17 at 3:30 o’clock at Hart’s Chapel.*

*Note: Hart’s Chapel and Burn’s were located in Bedford County about 5 miles from Shelbyville. It is unknown when theses churches were established, however, in 1882, the congregations of these two churches voted to unite themselves into a single church. Whiteside church was established at a location between the two churches. 

121.       May 8, 1870 ERS preached Psalm 34:15 at night at Wartrace.
122.       May 15, 1870 ERS preached 1 Thes. 5:22 at 11 o’clock at Bellbuckle.
123.       May 22, 1870 ERS preached Psalm 46:1 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Gal. 6:2 at night at Wartrace.
124.      June 3, 1870 ERS preached “The Abounding of Grace” Rom 5:20-21 at night at Bell Buckle
125.      June 4, 1870 ERS preached Job 13:15 at night at Bellbuckle.
126.       June 5, 1870 ERS preached Rom. 5:20-21 at night at Bellbuckle.

127.      July 21, 1870 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
The 4th McMinnville District Conference was held at McMinnville on July 21, 1870. It was presided over by A.S. Riggs P.E.

128.       August 9, 1870 (Census Bedford Co., TN)
R.P. Shapard is listed as a merchant and farmer, worth $2,000 in real estate and $4,000 in personal estate, age 65, born in North Carolina and living in District 7 of Bedford County, Tennessee. His household consists of: Parthenia Shapard age 61 female born in North Carolina and keeping house; David Green Shapard age 24 born in Tennessee and is working as a clerk; Sallie Shapard age 21 born in Tennessee; Bell Little black female age 25 born in Tennessee and is working as a domestic servant who could not read or write; Henry Little black male age 4 born in Tennessee; Edwin R. Shapard age 31 born in Tennessee and is working as a M.E. Minister of Gospel possessing $200 in personal estate; Jennie Shapard age 19 born in Tennessee and is ‘boarding’ at the residence. 

129.      August 13, 1870 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
The fourth McMinnville District Conference convened at McMinnville Tenn., July 21, 1870. …The traveling preachers were all in attendance except for Brother Tribble…Bishop McTyeire presided…The next session will be held at Tullahoma.

130.      September 11, 1870 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Bell Buckle by Rev. ER Shapard: Edgar Newsom Wallace (infant), Mary Jane Marsh, Alf Townsend Fugitt, Edgar Newsom Wallis (infant. Parent: Allen Wallis).

131.       September 18, 1870 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Bell Buckle by Rev. E.R. Shapard: William L. Brown, John A. Nichols, Betrice Norton, Alice Prueit, Adah E. Fugitt, John L. Jacobs, Maddie Knott, Mary Jacobs, Maggie J. Norvel, Leroy J. Taylor, Mary A. Lowe, Charles Runnels.

132.       September 20, 1870 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Bell Buckle by Rev. E.R. Shapard: Lina Ann Daves,
George Washington Daves, Jason Fidela Daves (Infant. Parents: George W. & Lina Ann Daves), William Luster Daves (Infant. Parents: George W. & Lina Ann Daves), Thomas Reed Daves (Infant. Parents: George W. & Lina Ann Daves), Margaret Ester Nicholes (Infant. Parents: David A. & Eliz. Nichols), Jason Russell Nichols (Infant. Parents: David A. & Eliz. Nichols).

133.      September 22, 1870 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Bell Buckle by Rev. E.R. Shapard: Lizzie L. Crawford, Willis Crawford, Henry C. Bowers, Thomas R. Nichols, David A. Nichols, Charles F. Lowe.

134.      September 23, 1870 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Bell Buckle by Rev. E.R. Shapard: Meredith Lynch, Betty Ann Smalling.

135.      September 24, 1870 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
The Rev. E.R. Shapard is expected to close his years’ work to-morrow on the Bellbuckle and Wartrace Station, Tennessee Conference. This station has been wonderfully blessed under his ministrations . He has not only been very successful, but has been well supported, and all the finances are in good condition. There is a gracious work now in progress at Bellbuckle. Brother Shapard writes, Sept. 20: “I held a meeting at Wartrace, commencing second Sabbath in August, which resulted in eighteen conversions and twelve accessions. I was assisted by Brothers Mayhew, Crawford, and Hinson. The Church is not only revived, but is now an organized, active Church. For two weeks and more, Brother Crawford and I have been conducting a meeting at Salem (Bellbuckle). This is the birth-place of several of the McFerrins, among them Dr. J.B. McFerrin and his sainted father. It is an historic place in Methodism. Thus far during the meeting, forty-eight have professed faith in Christ, while thirty-five have joined the Church. The altar is crowded with penitents, and we trust that many more will be converted before the meeting closes. The Church here has been blessed, strengthened, and its prospects are brightened. We are grateful to God that the efforts of the year have been so abundantly blessed. The old and young are alike converted to God.” 

136.       September 24, 1870 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Bell Buckle by Rev. E.R. Shapard: William G. Davis, John W. Davis, Jeffie E. Davis, Judith A. Chambers, Martha A. Ninnett, Tabitha J. Ninnett, Mary Ninnett.

137.      September 25, 1870 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Bell Buckle by Rev. E.R. Shapard: Simpson Manos, Marg M. Manos.

138.      October 5-13, 1870
Annual Tennessee Conference held at Pulaski, Tennessee. Rev. E.R. Shapard was listed as in attendance the first day of Conference. Rev. Shapard’s brothers, David Green Shapard and Evander Shapard, were listed as lay-members also in attendance during Conference. E.R. Shapard was appointed with W. Witchen and A.W. Smith to finish Examining the Class of Third Year. Rev. Shapard was also appointed with Orman, Green, Gaston, Hill, Ezell, Barton, Hurst and Bellamy to the Standing Committee for Sunday Schools. Rev. Shapard, J.H. Cullon and J.H. Barton brought a motion and resolved for ‘Rev. Pitts to preach a sermon to the preachers at the next session of Conference.’ David Green Shapard was elected to Bible Cause. At the end of Conference, the Bishop appointed E.R. Shapard to McKendree District; Fountain Head**. According to ERS’s journal, Fountain Head had approximately 104 members, Ebenezer Church had approximately 55 members, Oak Grove had approximately 60 members, Pleasant Hill had approximately 65 members, Mt. Carmel had approximately 19 members.

**Note: McKendree District included churches in Sumner County and Robertson County. Fountain Head was located in Sumner County.

139.      October 24, 1870 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Bedford County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within named parties (J.T. Whillock and Laura Hobbs) on the 24th day of October, 1870. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

140.      October, 1870 until October, 1871 (ERS Journal)
ERS seems to be acting accountant for the Hall family farm (Neely Farm) for October 1870-October 1871. In his journal, he records in detail transactions made between owners of the farm (ERS, S.S. Hall, Joseph. A. Hall and Edwin E. Hall), employees of the farm (Bob Taylor, Green Koogler and Amos Walker) and hired out work for miscellaneous chores, purchases, etc. (W.F. Gray for threshing Rye Feb. 15, 1871, John O’Malley a grocer in Nashville, Tenn. for June, 1871, etc…)

141.      November 6, 1870 ERS preached Rom. 1:17 at 11 o’clock at Fountain Head.
142.      November 10, 1870 ERS preached Rev. 22:9 at night at Pleasant Hill.
143.      November 12, 1870 ERS preached John 14:23 at night at McMunns(?).
144.      November 13, 1870 ERS preached 2 Tim. 3:16-17 at night at McMunns(?).
145.      November 14, 1870 ERS preached Rom. 14:7-8 at night at Mt. Carmel.
146.      November 20, 1870 ERS preached Rom. 8:26 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
147.      November 27, 1870 ERS preached 1 Peter 2:21 at 11 o’clock at Oak Grove.
148.      December 4, 1870 ERS preached John 17:3 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Heb. 13:8 at night at Fountain Head.
149.      December 11, 1870 ERS preached John 4:14 at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?).
150.      December 11, 1870 ERS preached Rom 5:1-2 at 3 o’clock at Mt. Carmel.
151.      December 15, 1870 ERS preached John 3:7 at night at Paine’s School House.*

152.      December 17, 1870 (Nashville Union and American)
Real Estate Transfers
The following are the transfers of real estate, as recorded for the week ending Friday December 16, at 12 p.m. – E.R. Shapard and wife to Moran & Stratton, as heir of Hadassa Hall…$532.56

Note: This was when ER Shapard inherited a share in the Neely Farm from Jennie’s Grandparents, William and Jane Neely. William was born in 1772 and died  on May 27, 1842. Jane died June 6, 1889. Both are buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery, Davidson County, Tennessee.

153.      December 18, 1870 ERS preached Col. 3:3 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
154.      December 18, 1870 ERS preached Rom. 12:1 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
155.      December 25, 1870 ERS preached Luke 2:10-11 at 11 o’clock at Mt. Carmel.
156.      December 25, 1870 ERS preached “Divinity of Christ” Matt. 1:23 at 3 o’clock at Ebenezer

157.      January 1, 1871 ERS preached 1 Cor. 11:26 at 11 o’clock at Fountain Head.
158.      January 1, 1871 ERS preached John 14:23 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
159.      January 8, 1871 ERS preached Nahum 1:3 at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?).
160.      January 15, 1871 ERS preached Luke 23:43 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
161.      January 15, 1871 ERS preached John 3:17 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
162.      January 18, 1871 ERS Preached “Intermediate Place” Luke 23:43 at 11:00 at Pleasant Hill
163.      January 22, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 4:1 at 11 o’clock at Mt. Carmel.
164.      January 22, 1871 ERS preached John 6:34 at 3 o’clock at Ebenezer Church.
165.      February 5, 1871 ERS preached 1 Cor. 15:19 at 11 o’clock at Fountain Head.
166.      February 5, 1871 ERS preached Heb. 3:19 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
167.      February 19, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 27:35 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
168.      February 19, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 5:4 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
169.      February 19, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 6:33 at night at Fountain Head.
170.      February 21, 1871 ERS preached 1 Tim. 3:16 at 11 o’clock at Mt. Carmel.
171.      February 26, 1871 ERS preached Job 19:25 at 3 o’clock at Ebenezer Church.
172.      March 5, 1871 ERS preached Rom. 11:17 at 11 o’clock at Fountain Head.
173.      March 5, 1871 ERS preached Heb. 12:1 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
174.      March 5, 1871 ERS preached Rom. 5:20-21 at night at Fountain Head.
175.      March 12, 1871 ERS preached 1 John 3:8 at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?).
176.      March 19, 1871 ERS preached 2 Peter 1:5 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
177.      March 19, 1871 ERS preached Jude 6 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
178.      April 2, 1871 ERS preached Col. 3:1 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached 2 Cor. 4:17 at night at Fountain Head.
179.      April 9, 1871 ERS preached Psalm 73:24 at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?).
180.      April 16, 1871 ERS preached Luke 2:11-12 at 11 o’clock at Oak Grove.

181.      April 20, 1871 (ERS journal)
Member baptized at Pleasant Hill by Rev. ER Shapard: Catharine Mitchell.

182.      April 22, 1871 ERS preached Rom. 10:4 at night at Pleasant Hill.
183.      April 23, 1871 ERS preached 2 Cor. 4:17 at night at Pleasant Hill.
184.      April 30, 1871 ERS preached Matt 4:1 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Col. 3:1 at night at Gallatin.*
185.      May 14, 1871 ERS preached John 17:15 at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?).
186.      May 14, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 13:31-32 at night at Mt. Carmel.
187.      May 21, 1871 ERS preached James 5:16 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
188.      May 29, 1871 ERS preached 2 Cor. 3:18 at 11 o’clock at Mt. Carmel.
189.      May 29, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 12:36 at 3 o’clock at Ebenezer Church.
190.      June 4, 1871 ERS preached Heb. 11:24-26 at 11 o’clock at Fountain Head.
191.      June 4, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 13:41 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
192.      June 11, 1871 ERS preached John 17:15 (or Psalms 34:15) at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?)
193.      June 16, 1871 ERS preached Gen. 50:22 at night at Fountain Head.
194.      June 18, 1871 ERS preached Heb. 3:19 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
195.      June 25, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 13:41 at 11 o’clock at Mt. Carmel.
196.      July 2, 1871 ERS preached Gal. 6:2 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
197.      July 9, 1871 ERS preached Exodus 20:3 at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?).
198.      July 9, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 5:20 at night at Mt. Carmel.
199.      July 16, 1871 ERS preached Heb. 6:1-2 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
200.      July 16, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 18:20 at 3 o’clock at Oak Grove.
201.      July 23, 1871 ERS preached Rom. 2:4 at night at Ebenezer Church.
202.      July 25, 1871 ERS preached 1 Cor. 15:19 at night at Ebenezer Church.

203.      July 25, 1871 Edwin’s sister, Sarah, was married in Shelbyville.

(Fayetteville Observer, August 3, 1871)
In Shelbyville, Wednesday 26th ult,. at the residence of the bride’s father, by Rev. T.H. Hinson, Mr. Thomas C. Whiteside, Jr. and Miss Sallie Shapard, daughter of R.P. Shapard, formally of this place.

(Nashville Union and American, July 29, 1871)
Our young friend Thomas Whiteside, of the firm “Ely & Whiteside” of your city, has captured and carried off one of our brightest jewels; in ___ he was married to Miss Sallie Shapard at the residence of her father, R.P. Shapard, Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock and one “twain” having been made “one” took the Nashville bound train and “went on their way rejoicing.” “Friend after friend departs!” Miss Sallie S. is one of the best of “God’s best gift to man.” And we congratulate you upon such a delightful addition to your community. Joy go with them, may they know no days of darkness, “morn of toil nor night of walking.” 

204.      July 26, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 5:3-6 at 11 o’clock at Ebenezer Church.

205.      July 27, 1871 (ERS journal)
Members baptized at Ebenezer church by Rev. ER Shapard: Lucy J. Groves, Ann E. Barnard, Elvis Tennie Barnard, John H. Barnard, Sarah Patience Barnard – Baptized child (Parents are Elvis & Mary P. Barnard), Susan Elmarine Barnard – Baptized child (Parents are Elvis & Mary P. Barnard), Lula Bell Barnard – Baptized child (Parents are Elvis & Mary P. Barnard).

206.      July 30, 1871 ERS preached John 1:1 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Heb. 10:31 at night at Mt. Carmel.
207.      July 31, 1871 ERS preached Titus 2:11 at night at Mt. Carmel.

208.      August 2, 1871 (ERS journal)
Member baptized at Mt. Carmel by Rev. ER Shapard: Mary Jane Crafton.

209.      August 5, 1871 ERS preached 1 Peter 5:7 at night at Fountain Head.
210.      August 6, 1871 ERS preached Titus 2:11 at night at Fountain Head.
211.      August 8, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 18 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Matt. 11:28 at 11 o’clock at Fountain Head.
212.      August 18, 1871 ERS preached John 3:17 at 11 o’clock at New Chapel, Red River Ct.*

*Note: New Chapel originally was a log house used for worship prior to 1868, however, a new church building was constructed in 1868 which lasted until 1908 when another building was erected.

213.       August 26, 1871 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
M’Kendree District Conference
The McKendree District Conference was held at New Chapel, Red River Circuit, about three miles from Springfield, Tenn., Aug. 18-21. The Rev. J.E. Ray, the Presiding Elder, presided to the entire satisfaction of all present. Four of the seven pastoral charges were represented, and all ___ through a close investigation. Brother Ray conducted it in class-meeting style, and no interest escaped attention. The members present meant business, and they did it. The reports of the committees were succinct and to the point, and the discussions were free and faithful. Brothers Hart, Ogburn, Orman, Duncan, the Editor of the Advocate, and others, were among the visiting brethren of the ministry, and a large multitude of the laity, men, women, and children, were in attendance. It was in the country, and the neighbors brought abundant provisions, and we had all things in common. We enjoyed the special hospitality of Brother Fiser and his excellent family, who live near the church. A number of sermons were preached on the occasion, to crowded congregations, many more than the church could accommodate; and the Lord’s-supper was administered to a great many devout communicants. We left in the evening to worship with our friends in Springfield at night, and to enjoy the hospitalities of Brother Hart’s family; but the meeting at New Chapel is to be protracted, as there were tokens for good, and promise of success. We hope the pastor, Brother Saunders, will be able to furnish us a cheering report of the result. We were gratified   to see that the crops in that part of the country are good, promising to reward the tiller’s toil. We deeply regret to learn that  there are many distilleries in that region, to  which much of the corn will be sent to make, what  Robert Hall called, ”liquid fire and distilled damnation,” to roll over the land; the ruin of the bodies and souls of men.  And yet we are asked if a Christian man may not engage in this cursed business. The delegates elected to the Tennessee Annual Conference are J.W. Davis, T.O. Tarpley, R.M. Covington, and the Rev. H.L. Covington. Reserves – O.P. Butler, B.G. Hilliard. Wartrace was chosen as the place of the next session. The spiritual condition of the District is improving – though “there is much land to be possessed.” The finances are far behind – though not so far as heretofore. They must be improved, and that greatly and speedily.  The conference ventilated this subject, and adopted the following report to publish in the Advocate and the preachers were instructed to read it from all their pulpits. It will reach them better in this way than in any other.
Report of Finance
 Four charges have reported the number of churches, sittings, and the amount of money paid for different purposes. The other three charges made no report, except a partial one through the Presiding Elder. Only one appointment upon the District has paid its full amount, viz., Red River Circuit. From these partial reports we come to the following conclusion; the finances of the District have been very inefficiently attended to.  We do not think that there is a single appointment that cannot support the minister who is sent to them, if they would use the proper exertions.  There is a fault somewhere.  The question is, Where is it? If it can be found it ought to be corrected. Is it the fault of the preacher in charge? We might suspect this if the same complaint had not been continued under the ministry of several preachers. Either the members have not been aroused to the importance of the support of the ministry, or they are wantonly negligent of duty. The first thing to be done is to impress upon the minds of the members the importance, yea, the necessity of their supporting the ministry. The next thing is to adopt some plan by which every member may have an opportunity to pay. Frequently the fault is with the steward. He either neglects to collect at all, or he defers his collection until the fourth quarterly-meeting, when he finds it very difficult to collect. We would urge upon the stewards to collect quarterly, and if he should fail, we would advise the preacher in charge to present at the next Quarterly Conference, under the question, “Are there any complaints?” a complaint against said steward, and if there is no proper excuse have him removed from office. An inefficient steward may embarrass the progress of the church almost as much as an inefficient preacher. We should have some system in our operations; we regard a bad system as better than no system at all. If a plan does not meet with the hearty approval of the members of the church, they should at least submit to it for the sake of unity and uniformity. Every member, in joining the church, promises to support its institutions. He also promises to conform to its laws. The law of the church is for the Church Conference to decide upon some plan to raise the amount due for the support of the ministry. The ministry is an institution in the church – no member has the right to nullify the actions of the church. His duty is to conform to what every the Church Conference directs. In view of the above, we would urge the following:
Resolved. 1. That we urge upon the Church Conference to apportion to every member the amount  which they think that he ought to pay for the support of the ministry, then urge the stewards to collect this quarterly.
2. That we regard it as the duty of every member to conform to whatever requirements the Church Conference should make of him.
3. That this report be read by the preachers to every congregation upon his work, and that the Secretary furnish to every preacher in charge a copy for this purpose.
E.R. Shapard, Wm. Coleman, J.T. Jernigan, Wm. N. Farmer, W.T. Alabrock
(Committee, Aug. 19, 1871)

214.      September 2, 1871 ERS preached Rom 2:6 at night at Oak Grove.
215.      September 3, 1871 ERS preached “Practical Atheism” Psalm 14:1 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Rom 8:26 at night at Oak Grove.
216.      September 4, 1871 ERS preached Rom 5:1 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Rom 11:17at night at Oak Grove.
217.      September 9, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 5:3-20 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Rom. 10:8 at night at McMunns(?).
218.      September 10, 1871 ERS preached Rom. 11:17-18 at 11 o’clock at McMunns(?).
219.      September 11, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 27:35 at night at McMunns(?).
220.      September 16, 1871 ERS preached 1 Cor. 10:31 at night at Pleasant Hill.
221.      September 17, 1871 ERS preached Matt 18:20 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.
222.      September 18, 1871 ERS preached Prov. 11:30 at 11 o’clock and
ERS preached 1 Cor. 15:19 at night at Pleasant Hill.

223.      September 18, 1871 Edwin’s father died in Shelbyville, Tennessee
224.      September 19, 1871 (Funeral Invitation)
The funeral for Edwin’s father was held at 3:00 P.M. at the M.E. Church, South by Rev. T.H. Hinson. The burial was held at Willow Mount Cemetery.

(Nashville Christian Advocate, October 14, 1871)
Robert P. Shapard, born Caswell County, North Carolina on January 9, 1805 died in Shelbyville Tennessee on September 18, 1871. He left several children. A Tribute of respect for him by the Sabbath school group will be held at Shelbyville, Tennessee on October 1, 1871*
*Note: ERS preached in Shelbyville on October 1, 1871

(Fayetteville Observer, September 28, 1871)
Mr. Robert P Shapard died in Shelbyville on Monday 18th inst., of erysipelas, after only two days illness. Age 66 years, 8 months, 9 days. He lived in Fayetteville for many years preceding 1855 and was largely instrumental in causing the erection of the Methodist church in this place.

(Nashville Union and American, September 22, 1871)
Lamented Death in Shelbyville
R.P. Shapard, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Shelbyville, was buried at that place Tuesday last. He was a brother of the late W.B. Shapard of this city (Nashville), had attained a ripe old age, in a long and upright business career, dying in the midst of the tears of his family and mourned by the community at large. The people of Shelbyville testified their respect and esteem by suspending business and attending his funeral in a body. 

225.       September 19, 1871 ERS preached Titus 2:11 at 11 o’clock at Pleasant Hill.

226.      September 20, 1871 ERS preached Rom. 5:20-21 at 11 o’clock and
“” ERS preached Matt. 11:28 at night at Pleasant Hill.
227.      October 1, 1871 ERS preached Matt. 18:20 at 11 o’clock at Shelbyville, Tennessee.*

*Note:  that on October 1 and 15, Edwin was in Shelbyville attending to the needs of his father’s estate, who passed away on September 18th. He did go to Annual Conference between these dates.

228.       October 4-9, 1871
Annual Tennessee Conference held at Lebanon, Tennessee. Conference was presided over by Bishop Pierce who opened the session by reading Chapter 14 of Acts, then singing Hymn #907, followed by prayers. Rev. E.R. Shapard was not listed as in attendance the first day of Conference. At the end of Conference, the Bishop appointed E.R. Shapard to Lebanon District; Gallatin Circuit**.

**Note: Lebanon District included churches in Wilson County, Sumner County, Williamson County and Macon County. Gallatin was located in Sumner County. The Gallatin Church was established in 1828 in a one-room log cabin. During the Civil war the church was used as a hospital. A new building was constructed in 1874. 

Note: The Nashville Christian Advocate reported on February 18, 1871 that Gallatin had a large congregation and due to a custom of that area, the Presbyterians joined them in the service and the Lords Supper. It also had a large Sunday-school with singing and an organ.

229.       October 5, 1871 (Republican Banner)
Meeting of the Tennessee Annual Conference at Lebanon – The Tennessee Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South convened at Lebanon yesterday at 9 o’clock a.m., Bishop G.F. Pierce presiding. It has been some time since such an array of ministerial intelligence has assembled together in this state. The sessions of the Conference is being held in the Baptist Church on Main Street, and will probably continue until next Sabbath. Matters of grave importance to the church are to be considered, and many interesting questions will be deliberated. The best of harmony and good feelings prevails, and all seem to be deeply interested In the proceedings. The following is a list of members comprising the Conference, who were in attendance yesterday….E.R. Shapard (in attendance).

230.      October 6, 1871 (Bedford County Tennessee Probate Court Books, Bonds, Settlements, 1861-1877, image 178)
We, E.R. Shapard, E. Shapard, Thos. Lipscomb and Thos. C. Whiteside are bound to the State of Tennessee in the penalty of eight thousand dollars. Witness our hands and seals this sixth day of October A.D. 1871. The condition of this obligation is such, that whereas, the above bound E.R. Shapard and E. Shapard have been appointed administrators of the estate of R.P. Shapard. Now if the said E.R. Shapard and E. Shapard shall well and truly perform and discharge their duties which are or may be required of them by law, as such administrators this obligation shall be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Acknowledged in and approved by the Court. (Signed)  E.R. Shapard, E. Shapard, Thos. Lipscomb and Thos. C. Whiteside.

231.      October 15, 1871 ERS preached James 5:7 at 11 o’clock at Shelbyville, Tennessee.*

232.      October 16, 1871 (from Bedford County Tennessee Will Book and Inventory)
An inventory of the personal estate of R.P Shapard deceased. Claim good. Anoint in hands of E. Shapard (Evander) trustee after satisfaction of trust about two Templee (sp?) bonds in hands of CG Mitchell surviving partner one half interest in 15,00 of current bank bills. One half interest in the notes and accounts and payments favor of Shapard and Mitchell and in the hands of CG Mitchell surviving partner.
Claims doubtful. One note on James Calhoun dated June 19, 1860 for $100. The above is a witt perfect inventory of all the good and chattel, rights and credits of the said R.P Shapard deceased which have come to our hands, possession or knowledge or the hands of any other person for us to the best of our knowledge and belief this 16 day of October, 1871
(Signed) E.R. Shapard and E. (Evander) Shapard

Note; money values listed off to the left of this entry indicated “$2000, $1400, $1000, $100.

233.      October 22, 1871 ERS preached Heb. 3:19 at 11 o’clock at Cairo.
234.      October 29, 1871 ERS preached Rom. 1:17 at night at Cairo.

235.      November 6, 1871 Edwin’s brother, Robert (30 y/o), dies in Memphis, Tennessee.

(Fayetteville Observer November 16, 1871)
Death in a Cup, Bob Shapard no more, From Memphis Avalanche Tuesday 7th. When the chambermaid employed at the Central hotel, on Adams Street between Second and Third, entered the room of Mr. R. A. Shapard, a boarder in the house, about 10 o’clock yesterday morning, she was surprised seeing him still in bed, he being in the habit of rising very early. Calling him two or three times, and receiving no answer, she went up to the bed to wake him. He was lying with his face from her, and placing her hand upon him, she was horrified upon discovering that he was dead. Terror stricken, she ran from the room and roused the house with her cries.
An investigation showed that Mr. Shapard had committed suicide by taking laudanum. Two small bottles filled with the deadly opiate, and another, the contents of which he evidently drank, were found in his room. He was seen by the night clerk of the Central passing in and out of the house several times the night previous and was last noticed going up-stairs about 11 o’clock, after which time he was never seen again alive. Within the last eight to ten days he had frequently remarked that he intended on taking laudanum, but as he was drinking, no attention was paid to his talk.
The deceased was a man of about 28 years of age, and formally lived in Shelbyville Tennessee. He was of an excellent family, his father being a well-to-do merchant, who died a few weeks since, while a couple of brothers are engaged in the ministry. During the war he served in both armies, first the Confederacy and afterwards the Federal. At the cessation of the hostilities he located in this city (Memphis) where he shortly  after married a daughter of J.B. Hill. Engaged with the Memphis Transfer Company for a while and then with different railroads, he remained in the city for several years, returning to Shelbyville  about a year ago. For a long time he was an addict to strong drink, so much, in fact, as to almost unfit him for any position. At the death of his father he signed the Temperance Pledge, but soon after returning to this city (Memphis), broke it about two weeks since. From that time he seemed discouraged and melancholy, but no idea was entertained by his friends of ever contemplating the rash act by which he ended his own life.
Coroner Moffett was notified and held an inquest, the jury returned a verdict of death from the effects of laudanum, administered by his own hand. No letters or papers of any kind were found.

236.      December 14, 1871 Edwin’s brother, David Green, is married.

(Fayetteville Observer, December 21, 1871)
In Shelbyville, Thursday 14th inst. by Rev. Wm Shapard of Mobile Alabama, Mr. David G. Shapard, formally of this place, and Miss Mattie J. Allen.

(Nashville Union and American, December 20, 1871)
Last Thursday at 4 o’clock p.m. our friend D.G. Shapard, of this place, was united in holy wedlock to Miss Mattie Allen, daughter of Maj. William Allen, one of Bedford’s best men. David is a boy of solid worth and has chosen for his wife one well worthy to walk by his side, and be the love-light of his heart and home. Long may they live and love each other.

237.      December 16, 1871 (Nashville Union and American)
Joseph A. Hall to Edwin R. Shaphard, deed to land in the 19th district…$600.00

238.      December 17, 1871 (Republican Banner)
Real Estate Transfers – The following transfers of real estate are acknowledged before the County Court Clerk during the past week:
J.A. Hall* to E.R. Shapard, interest in land in 19th district**, $600.

Note: This was when ER Shapard purchased one share in the undivided Neely Farm (upon which his father-in-law, S.S. Hall lives, near Madison, Davidson County Tennessee) from Joseph A. Hall.

*Note: J.A. Hall is ‘Joseph Addison Bowman Hall’, brother-in-law to E.R. Shapard. Joseph was a soldier in the Confederacy, having entered in 1862, but was soon after taken prisoner and was taken to Camp Morton Indianapolis, Ind., where he remained until the surrender of the Confederate Army in 1865. He remained a bachelor during his life and lived with his parents on the Neely Farm. He assisted in the operation of the farm. He was a member of the Frank Cheatham Bivouac and of Center Star Lodge, F. and A.M. He died on November 7, 1897, after a brief illness, and is buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Davidson County.

**Note: The land referred to in the 19th District was the 300 acre Neely Farm.

239.      January 14, 1872 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Sumner County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within named parties (William Jerrigan and Mary Barnes) on the 14th day of January, 1872. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

240.      February 21, 1872 Edwin and Jennie have their first child, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Mitchell Shapard.

241.      April 20, 1872 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Teacher Wanted.
The Choctaw school for girls – New Hope – in the Indian Nation will need a Superintendant in July next. The present incumbent – Rev. J.Y. Brice – will retire at the end of the present session.
New Hope Academy is about 20 miles west of Fort Smith, Ark., and within a mile of Scullyville, C.N. The situation of the buildings are healthful and agreeable. The opportunity to do good is inviting. The Superintendant must be a married man; and an ordained minister would be preferred, other things being equal. A life-work may be done here to purpose. Address me at Nashville, Tenn.
H.N. McTyeire

Note: There was a meeting of the Board of Missions on May 7, 1872 at 9 o’clock am. It was attended by Bishops Paine, Pierce, Kavanaugh, Wightman, Marvin, Doggett, McTyeire and Keener; by Drs. Summers, Young, Haygood, Kelley, Rush, Cunningham, Redfor; and Revs. J.B. McFerrin, A.P. McFerrin and M. Hamilton. Bishop Paine took the chair and they discussed the status of the Indian Mission Conference. They would have reviewed the applications for the Superintendant position at New Hope and made a decision at this time. Therefore, Bishop Wightman and Bishop Doggett would have both know who would fill the superintendant position at Conference.

Note: The Nashville Christian Advocate of February 3, 1872 printed a letter from J.Y. Bryce stating that New Hope Seminary had 43 students and several day scholars. Bishop McTyiere had receintly been there and preached 2 Kings chapter 5, which resulted in a religious influence pervading the school and 12 students joined the Church.

242.      April 25, 1872 (Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002)
State of Tennessee, Sumner County.  I solemnized the Rites of Matrimony between the within named parties (Thomas H. Higgason and Mariah J. Parker) on the 25th day of April, 1872. 
E.R. Shapard, M.G.

243.      April 28, 1872 Edwin’s mother dies

244.      April 28, 1872 (Nashville Union and American)
Undelivered Dispatches – The following telegrams remain at the Western Union Telegraph Saturday night. Office hours Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.
…[telegram for] Rev. E.R. Shapard (care McFerrin, Hunter & co.)

245.      May 9, 1872 (Fayetteville Observer)
In Shelbyville, Saturday 27th ult. after a long illness, Mrs. Parthenia Shapard, relict of R.P. Shapard, deceased, formally of this place, age 63 years. She was an excellent lady, of gentle manners and “having kept the faith” was ready to go.

246.      May 18, 1872 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
              The Lebanon District Conference convened at Saundersville, Sumner Co., Tenn., on Friday, May 3, 1872, Bishop Doggett presiding.

247.       June 1, 1872 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Parthenia Shapard was born in Person County, North Carolina on January 12, 1809. She is the daughter of William and Elizabeth Mitchell. She died in Shelbyville, Tennessee on April 27, 1872. She married Robert P. Shapard on November 12, 1829, who died 7 months before she died. Her family had moved to Rutherford County, Tennessee when she was young. She joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1831.

248.      September 21, 1872 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Gallatin Circuit, Sept. 13, 1872. – The preachers in charge had preached at Liberty for a number of years, because a few old and faithful members lived in the neighborhood. Faith has at last triumphed, and God has converted 11 souls at this place – has encouraged the few, and has increased their number from ten to twenty-four. Salem (once Douglass’s camp-ground) was for many years the center of Methodism for the surrounding country. The number of members decreased, the zeal and spirit had almost gone, until it was cut off from the circuit, and they had no preaching for several years. Five years ago it was restored to the circuit; a few members were collected together. Since the 24th of August God has converted 22 persons; 24 have joined the Church. Better times can be looked for in these two Churches. Every appointment upon this circuit has a Sabbath-school, and they have operated more successfully during this year than heretofore.
E.R. Shapard

249.      October 16-23, 1872
The Tennessee Annual Conference held at Nashville, Tennessee transfers E.R. Shapard to the Indian Mission Conference as the Superintendent of the New Hope Seminary in the Choctaw Nation.

250.      October 16, 1872 (Nashville Union and American)
The Tennessee Annual Conference of the M.E. Church, South assembled in this city today. Below will be found a full list of the members comprising this body now in the city….E.R. Shapard [in attendance].

251.      October 17, 1872 (Nashville Union and American and Republican Banner)
The Methodist Conference – 226 Delegates Present – First Days Proceedings.
The Methodist Conference met at McKendree Church at 9 o’clock yesterday morning (October 16, 1872). The Conference was opened by the reading of the 12th Chapter of St. Luke and singing of Hymn #38. Then after a short and eloquent prayer had been offered by Bishop Doggett, who occupied the chair, the roll was called by Dr. R.A. Young, the old Secretary, by request, who announced to the Bishop when he had gone through the list that there were 226 members present.
…Joint Board of Finance – the following named were selected as a Joint Board of Finance for McKendree District – clergymen – E.R. Shapard.
…layman listed on the Committee on Education – Van Shapard (Evander Shapard).

252.      October 18, 1872 (Nashville Union and American and Republican Banner)
The members of the Tennessee Conference assembled yesterday morning, October 17, 1872, at 8:30 a.m. in McKendree Church, for second day of Annual Conference.
E.R. Shapard of the Lebanon District was listed as having his character passed without objection.
E.R. Shapard is listed as having been transferred to the Indian Mission Conference as Superintendent of the New Hope Seminary during the second day of the meeting on October 17, 1872.


253.      October 19, 1872 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
The Rev. E.R. Shapard, as will be seen by the appointment of the Indian Mission Conference, has been appointed Superintendent of New Hope Seminary in the Choctaw District. Brother Shapard has been an estimable member of the Tennessee Conference – a graduate of Florence Wesleyan University, he is the brother of Rev. W. Shapard, pastor of St. Francis Station., Mobile. We consider this a happy appointment. Brother Shapard will carry with him the kind regards of a host of friends.

254.      October 19, 1872 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Indian Mission Conference
The Indian Mission Conference was held at Okmulgee, Oct. 2-6. Bishop Wightman presided. D.T. Holmes was Secretary. Dr. McFerrin was in attendance, and brings the Minutes. He says the session was delightful and profitable. J.S. Miller, A.S. Smith, admitted on trial. G. Battiest, J. Denton, continued. T.K.B. McSpadden, J. Sevier, admitted into full connection. W.G. Davis received by transfer from Trinity Conference; J. Denton, from White River; E.R. Shapard, from Tennessee. J.S. Miller 9travelling), A Bosin, S. Bradley (local), elected and ordained deacons. A.S. Smith (local) elected and ordained elder. S.P. Willis, supernumerary. D.B. Cummings, J.C. Robinson, T.B. Ruble, superannuated. T.W. Mitchell, died. The statistics are gotten up in clerkly style. The arithmetic correct – the Recapitulation drawn up in order for the General Minutes. Good for the Indians! Increase – whites, 45; Indians, 260; colored, 20; local preachers, 21; infants baptized, 507; adults, 511; Sunday-schools, 15; teachers, 49; scholars, 475. Collected for missions, $488.35. The next session is to be at Tahlequah.

Note: E.R. Shapard is listed as appointed to “Schullyville” in the Choctaw District, with J.Y. Bryce as his Presiding Elder. Rev. Shapard was also appointed at the Superintendant of the New Hope Seminary.

Letter from Dr. McFerrin
Okmulgee, the capital of the Creek Nation, is about fifty miles west of Fort Gibson. Having completed the District Conference, we left Fort Gibson on Monday morning – the Bishop, Brother Harrell, Brother Ewing, and myself, being in a nice spring-wagon drawn by a good team, Brother Ewing being the charioteer. Crossing the Arkansas River, we drove to Pecan Creek, where we enjoyed and excellent lunch kindly prepared by Sister Lipe. On horseback, Brothers McSpadden and Ruble were accompanied by five Cherokee brethren, thus swelling our company to eleven. An hour before sunset, having passed the Creek Agency, we drew up to the gate of “Cow Tom,” a colored gentleman of African descent, who hails from South Alabama. Tom is a farmer, a hotel-keeper, and a member of the “House of Kings,” the Senate of the Creek Legislature, or Council. Our fare was comfortable, and charges moderate. We had every attention the family could bestow. Tuesday about noon, we arrived at Okmulgee where we were kindly received by Chief, Col. Checote, and others, who were awaiting our arrival. We were provided with comfortable quarters, and took our meals at a boarding-house procured by the Chief and the merchants of Okmulgee. They displayed great hospitality and a large liberality, allowing none of the members of the Conference, clerical or lay, to incur expenses. The Chief is a preacher in our Church, a fine specimen of humanity, being over six  feet in height, well proportioned, and weighing over two hundred pounds. He speaks English, preaches in the native tongue, has a fine, intelligent face, and is very popular with his people.
The Council was in session: it consists of two departments – the “House of Kings,” and the “House of Warriors.” Many of the most distinguished men of the Nation were present. Of the number several are preachers. The President of the House of Kings, Mr. Perryman, is a Presbyterian minister. James McHenry, a member of the Indian Mission Conference, is a member of the Council, and a chaplain to both Houses. He is a  fine preacher, and is doing much good as a traveling minister. The Baptists, too , are represented in the Council. The sessions are opened with prayer every morning. I saw the two brothers McIntosh: the elder, Chilla, came from Georgia when he was about twenty years of age. He is a Baptist preacher. The journals of both Houses are kept in English, and explained by interpreters. This Nation, as well as those of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw, has established a system of public schools, where the children are taught in English. The school-houses are generally used as churches. Religion is greatly respected by the leading men of the Nation.
The Council and Chiefs offered to the Conference the use of the Council-house for its deliberation and preaching. It was singularly interesting to see the Council of the Nation and a Conference of Christian ministers and laymen in session at the same time under the same roof. The preaching was well attended every evening in the Council-house, and large assemblages convened day and night at the camp-ground, about two miles from Okmulgee, near the house of the Chief. The natives came in wagons and tented on the ground. The order was excellent, and I hope much good was done. The proceedings of the Conference were marked by kindness, and I think the plan for the work the present year is more satisfactory than any time since 1865. There was an increase of members, as you will see from the statistical report. All went to their work in good heart, praying for success in the work of the Master. Our brethren in the Indian Mission Conference are faithful laborers. The members of the Conference pledged $150 – a handsome contribution – to aid in building the Publishing House. The brethren are beginning to lift collections in all their charges in aid of our missionary work. The two schools – Asbury Manuel Labor School, in the Creek Nation, and New Hope Seminary, In the Choctaw Nation – are both promising. Brother Holmes has charge of the former, and our Brother E.R. Shapard is to take charge of the latter. Here is a good field, and you know Brother Shapard is well qualified for the position. He will succeed. Bishop Wightman was delighted with his first visit to the Indian Territory. His sermons at Fort Gibson and Okmulgee made a deep spiritual as well as intellectual impression on the public mind. The Church has reason to take courage in the prosecuting her missionary work among the Red Men of the West. I learned that the wild tribes still farther and are becoming anxious for preaching, and the education of their children. May God speed the day when all these sons of the forest shall hear the tidings of salvation.
From the Minutes furnished you will be able to select such items of interest as you may judge suitable for your columns. I returned home in good health, thanking God that I have enjoyed one more opportunity of preaching the gospel to the children of the wilderness.

Note: Dr. John Berry McFerrin, D.D. was very well known during his era. He was born in Rutherford County, Tennessee on June 15, 1807. He felt the call to become a preacher at age 18 and became a licensed minister of the Tennessee Conference in November of 1825. He traveled circuits in Alabama and Tennessee and for two years was a missionary among the Indians. During the Civil War he was a missionary for the Tennessee Confederate army. He was the Editor of the ‘Nashville Christian Advocate’ magazine from 1840 – 1858. He was a Book Agent for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South for 18 years. He was Secretary of the Board of Missions for 12 years and was a member of every General Conferences from 1836 – 1886. He wrote the book, ‘The History of Methodism in Tennessee.’ He attended the Ecumenical Conference which met in London, England in 1881. He married twice. His first wife was Miss A.A. Probart of Nashville in 1833; his second wife was Miss Cynthia T. McGavock of Nashville. Dr. J.B. McFerrin died on May 10, 1887.

255.      October 31, 1872 (Fayetteville Observer)
The Tennessee (Methodist Conference in session in Nashville last week made the following appointments: ER Shapard to Indian Mission.


INDIAN TERRITORY: NEW HOPE SEMINARY, SKULLYVILE, CHOCTAW NATION

NOTE: Skullyville. also known as ‘Old Town’ and ‘Oak Lodge’ was settled by the Choctaws in 1832 when they were removed from their homelands in the southeastern United States. Since the Choctaws were the first to arrive in Indian Territory, Skullyville was one of the first communities in Oklahoma. As a center where federal annuities were paid to the Choctaws, it became the site of the first Choctaw Agency and the capital of the Choctaw Nation as well as a political and education center. Fort Coffee was established nearby on the Arkansas River in 1834 to protect the tribe, however, it was abandoned about 1845, and became the Fort Coffee Academy for Boys and operated until the Civil War. Another Methodist school, the New Hope School for Girls, lasted from about 1845 until the Civil War, then reopened in 1871 and operated until 1896. The Skullyville Constitution of 1857 established a stable government for the Choctaw Nation here. During the Civil War, the town was a Confederate outpost and suffered Union attacks that destroyed many buildings. Although Skullyville was the first stop in Indian Territory on the Butterfield Overland Mail route in the late 1850s, it never regained its former importance. When the railroad bypassed the area, Skullyville slowly faded.

256.      New Hope management info:
From A Brief History of the Missionary Work in the Indian Territory of the Indian Missionary Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South by F.M. Moore
J.Y. Bryce had been placed in charge of New Hope, superceeding S.P. Hicks as Superintendant, due to the fact that Rev. Hicks, who was appointed P.E. of the Choctaw District in 1870, was not well qualified for that type of work. In 1872, “some complaints were made against Bro. Bryce’s management of the business of the school. A committee appointed to look into the matter reported their inablility to reach an adjustment and by agreement of all parties it was submitted to Bishop Pierce for settlement. The Bishop went over the whole matter, wrote an opinion which seemed to be satisfactiory to all concerned. J.Y. Bryce transferred from this conference to the Trinity, Texas conference [in 1873].” He then returned to the Indian Mission Conference in 1875.
From Histoy of Methodism in Oklahoma by Babcock and Bryce: “The school had been closed since 1862 as were all the schools during the war. Father (J.Y. Bryce) moved from Ft. Gibson to Skullyville in the summer of 1871 and had the school in operation before the session of the conference. Bishop McTyeire visited the school.”

257.      October 30, 1872 (ERS Journal)
Louisa McKinney and John Meryman commenced work at New Hope. John Meryman quit on November 29th.

258.      November 1872 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in November for New Hope: ironing, washing, soap, sugar, coffee, spellers (books), shoes, sorghum, beef, flour, corn, nails, cotton, bacon, pork, lard, onion sets, sage, coal oil, cord wood, fabric. 
ERS purchased 26 gallons of sorghum, purchased 13 lbs of bacon, cut 5 cords of wood.
Eliza Hall* is employed at New Hope for washing, ironing and chores.
Rev. James Y. Brice provides New Hope with flour, corn and sides,
John Pearson is paid as a handyman for cutting cords of wood and paid for order at Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
Reuben Krebs commenced work on November 20th at New Hope for $20 per month.
John Powell** commenced work on November 30th at New Hope for $20 per month.

*Note: Eliza Hall was a former slave of the Hall family of Skullyville (no relation to Jennie Hall’s family)
**Note: John A. Powell was a single white man with a permit to reside in the Choctaw Nation. He lived at or near New Hope Seminary and was employed for heavy labor tasks in the operation of the school and maintenance of the grounds.

259.      December 1872 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in December at New Hope: Fabric, shoes, ironing, washing, coal oil, coffee, thread, turnips, sorghum, blanket, hat, bridle, turpentine, molasses, glass lantern, Christmas tricks (gifts), table fabrication, towel rollers, cord wood, coffee, flour, sugar, axe helve, pepper,  books( practical arithmetic, geography, speller).
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
ERS purchased turpentine, molasses, glass lantern, Christmas tricks (gifts) on Dec. 22
Louisa McKinney commenced work on December 4th at New Hope for $12 per month.
John Powell, on December 7th, agrees to do all the work devolving upon men at New Hope from now until March 1st, 1873 at $40 per month. Paid for order at Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
Eliza Hall paid for ironing and washing and chores.
Easter Thompson and Jane Hays paid for shoes.
Walker Folsom paid for coal oil.
W.P. Merryman** paid for making table.
Philip Kegs paid for cutting cords of wood.
Ruben Krebs paid for services.
**Note: W.P. Merryman was a white man who had married a Choctaw woman and lived near the New Hope Seminary.

260.      December 14, 1872 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Letter from the Choctaw Nation:
Mr. Editor: - Nothing unusual occurred during our trip to this country. Fast trains – quick time – St. Louis Southwestern Publishing House – all might be spoken of. Your readers have already learned that the cars run fast – that St. Louis is a large city – that Brother Dameron is a clever, Christian gentleman – that Brother Finney is a fine editor, etc., etc. There is no use of my telling you these things. Where I am, what I am doing, the prospects for doing good, and the future of the Church here, are subjects which would probably be interesting to your patrons.
I, with my wife and babe, are at New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation. If you will turn to a map, find Fort Smith, Arkansas, then measure about fourteen miles south-west, you will strike about where I am. We are near an old Indian town, Scullyville, which was formerly the place where the United States Government paid to the Choctaws their annual annuities. My work is to superintend the school, teach, and preach. The Choctaw Nation is to send fifty scholars to the school, appropriating an amount of money to board and clothe them. I am to receive this money and use it in that way. We have houses which are extensive enough to board that number, and also we have a large school-house. We now have only thirty-five boarders, and seven or eight day-scholars; the rest of the fifty are expected soon after the adjournment of the Council. Our duties to these are numerous. The objects to be accomplished are: The religious and literary education of the children, as well as instruction in every thing which pertains to the duties of women in the house. I will give you a programme for one day, and you can form an idea of what is to be done. At 4 o’clock the bell is rung; every person is to rise – some go to the cloak-room, some to their
Studies, some to washing clothes. At 6 the bell is rung again; and, after prayers, we breakfast. At 7 some go to the sewing-room, while others remain in the dining room to clean up. At half-past 8 all are called to the school-room, where they remain until 12; then one hour for dinner; in the school-room again at 1, where they remain until 4; then to sewing, cooking, washing, making soap, molding candles, knitting, amusements, etc., until 6. After supper every one goes to her room; at 8 they retire. On Sunday they attend preaching in the neighborhood, and Sunday-school in the school-room. Thus you have an idea of what is to be done, while at the same time there are many other things which come up in the duties, which I have not mentioned. A great deal can be done when we have willing hands, and work by some system. My assistants are a teacher and seamstress, both educated Choctaws, though not full-blood. Mrs. Shapard attends to the duties of matron. We are all busy, and have not much time to think about the change of our associations.
Our society here is not such as we can find in Davidson county, while there is a great deal of Davidson county where the society is not as good as it is here. Here, all are peaceable. There is no drinking of ardent spirits. In fact, the whole Choctaw Nation is one grand temperance society, rendered so by the United States Government prohibiting the introduction of spirituous liquors into the Territory. There are quite a number of white families within two miles of us, who are merchants, traders, preachers, and doctors. Not one-half of the natives speak Choctaw at all. We have hardly realized that we are among Indians. Occasionally some one comes in, and I am compelled to call for an interpreter.
Many of your readers are farmers, and they would like to know something of the country. Immediately in this neighborhood the land is poor, being a ridge between the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers. Within three to five miles of us there are fine black lands in the river bottoms. Thirty or forty miles west of here the rich prairies begin, which continue for two or three hundred miles. The bottoms near here are uncultivated, the trees, cane, and other undergrowth, having never been cut off. Very little of the land here is in cultivation; here and there, there is a small farm, with an Indian occupant, the white men following some other occupation besides farming.
We have fine freestone water, and fine health. The climate cannot be excelled by any country in America. It is high and dry, between the cold of the North and the heat of the South, with out the sudden changes to which Texas is subjected. If a Tennessean was to move out here he would find no difficulty in becoming acclimated. My own little family has had no sickness whatever, and we have been comfortable as in our old room in Davidson county. We are here separated from the associations of childhood and youth, among strangers; but we come in the name of our Master, and here we find many of his servants whom we can claim as brethren and sisters in Christ. If we can do some good, more than we could in our old home, we are contented, and are willing to work and to wait until God shall reward us in a better world. I did not come here in any wild, enthusiastic spirit, nor did I come in search of rich lands and wealth, but I came to do some good, to serve the interests of the kingdom of God. I know nothing of the political world. It has been now eight days since the political elections with you; I have heard nothing of the result. We have a mail here twice a-week, but it comes around by cars, stage-coach, and “buck-board,” until the Advocate is twelve days old  to your city subscribers when it reaches here. So you see that we cannot keep posted to date. Now, Doctor, if any of your patrons are desirous of doing good, and are ready to endure poverty and privation, they can find a field here; if they are seeking wealth, and a comfortable and pleasant home, they had better stay away from here. This country is not open for immigrants; the white man is not invited to settle here. The lands are not for sale. Within ten miles of here, within the Arkansas line, they can find good lands, which are cheap; but such taxes, such a government, and such liberty as they have there, I do not covet.
With regard to Church matters, our Church here has the vantage-ground, having commenced first, and continued foremost. If we are faithful to our trust, perform our duties well, and watch and wait, we shall some day be the Church of this country. I preach every Sabbath, having my regular appointments; the congregations are good, attentive, and in every way ahead of the country generally.
My post-office is Oak Lodge, Scullyville co., Choctaw Nation
E.R. Shapard
November 13, 1872     

[We hope Brother Shapard will favor us with many more letters like the foregoing. His numerous friends in Tennessee will be glad to hear how he is coming on among the red brethren, and the Connection at large would like to know how the cause is prospering among them. – Editor]

NOTE: The Southwestern Book and Publishing Company was formed in St. Louis, Missouri at the St. Louis Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in September of 1869, through the efforts of Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Finney.  The publishing house was established to produce the St. Louis Christian Advocate, which had originally been established in 1849, yet had been disrupted during the Civil War. Mr. Logan D. Dameron was appointed president of the company in 1869, and Dr. T.M. Finney as editor. The company quickly fell into debt, and in 1873 was sold to other parties who continued publication of the magazine under a new management and editors. During the course of its history, the paper occupied seven different buildings.
Logan D. Dameron was born in Caswell Co. North Carolina on October 31, 1827. His family moved to Missouri in 1833. Mr. Dameron became employed as a clerk in a dry goods store at the age of fourteen. Later he became a steamboat captain and had interests in a number of steamers on the Missouri river. In 1859, he moved to St. Louis and established a commission house under the name of Nanson, Dameron & Co. In the 1869, Mr. Dameron was elected president and manager of the Southwestern Book and Publication Co., which produced the St. Louis Christian Advocate as its main publication.
Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Finney was born in 1827 in St. Louis and graduated from Yale. He practiced law for a short time before joining the ministry. He was strong in his faith, had a commanding personality and a genial sprit. He loved all good people. He was not a popular minister due to his unimpassioned preaching however he excelled in administrative tasks. He was known as a man that could get things done. He edited the St. Louis Christian Advocate for a number of years and helped establish the Southwestern Publication Company. He was best known for writing the biography of Bishop Marvin. Rev. Finney died on October 1, 1900.

261.      January 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, lard, coffee, thread, cord wood, paper, shoes, salt, oats, meal and corn.
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
Eliza Hall paid for ironing, washing and getting food.
Louisa McKinney paid for miscellaneous purchases, services
John Powell paid for order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
John Culberson paid for cutting cords of wood, order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
Philip Kegs paid for getting paper, salt and cutting cords of wood
Silas Ward paid for cutting cords of wood, order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
John Pearson paid for bringing salt

262.      February 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, coffee, meal, knitting needles, corn, cords wood, flour, book (speller), fodder.
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
ERS bought knitting needles on Feb. 5th; washing on Feb. 15th.
John Powell paid for shoes, coffee, cutting cords of wood, order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
Eliza Hall paid for ironing, washing and getting food.
Philip Kegs paid for cutting cords of wood, buying meal and corn.
Silas Ward paid for cutting cords of wood, order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
John Culberson** paid for cutting cords of wood, splitting rails, order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
John Pearson paid for order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
Nancy Jane Collins paid for purchase of 1 speller for Lizzie
Louisa McKinney paid for buying fodder

**John Culberson was a Choctaw Indian who traveled the Trail of Tears when he was 10 years old. His wife was named Lucy. He was a very religious man and died in 1884.

263.      March 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, coffee, fodder, potatoes, bringing cows, knitting needles, axe helve, cords of wood, books (4th reader, Mitchell primary geography, speller, arithmetic, atlas, grammar, hymn book), paper, bottle of ink, feet plank for coffin.
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
Eliza Hall paid for ironing, washing and getting food.
John Powell paid for services, postage
Philip Kegs paid for cutting cords of wood, books (4th reader, Mitchell primary geography), paper, bottle of ink, speller, arithmetic
Jane Hays paid for order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
Jerry Ward paid for books (4th reader, Mitchell primary geography) paper, bottle of ink
William Merryman paid for books (geography, atlas, grammar), feet plank for coffin
Easter Thompson paid for hymn book.
Frank Kerns paid for 16 days work.
Louisa McKinney paid for buying fodder
T.J Bond, superintendent of the public schools of Choctaw Nation received from Judge Thompson $2000 for New Hope school.

264.      April 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, cords of wood, bringing cows, corn, rice, sides, cream skimmer, stamped envelope, postage, beef cow, sow and pigs, lumber for Mrs. McElwan (sp?) coffin.
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
Eliza Hall paid for ironing, washing.
Mrs. Williams paid for sides
Easter Thompson and Jane Hays paid for domestic work.
John Powell paid for postage, order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co.
**Dr. Fannin paid for beef cow
William Merryman paid for pig, hog, lumber for coffin.

**Dr.  Henry William Fannin (1834-1904) was a physician that tended to the faculty and students of New Hope Seminary. He moved his family from Canada to Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1867. He planned on traveling to Texas but was motivated to settle in Skullyville where his services as a physician were badly needed at New Hope Seminary and the surrounding country. He remained in Skullyville for 12 years until eventually moving to Hackett, Arkansas. During his stay in Skullyville he also acted as Postmaster. His wife was named Adeline Watson (1836-1906) and he had a daughter named Ida, who attended New Hope Seminary. He had a son named Elijah Watson Fannin (1858-1918) who married Johanna Ainsworth. He had a son named Fred H. Fannin (1870-?) who married Eliza Kerr in 1900.

265.      May 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, bacon, shoes, fish, hog jowl, coffee, bringing horse, shoeing horse, mouse traps, undershirt, bowls, lard, killing hog, strawberries, shoes, steak, cords of wood.
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
ERS paid for bringing horse, shoeing horse, mouse traps, bowl, killing hog, strawberries
America paid for ironing, washing, bacon, meal, flour, meat, sides
Mrs. Williams paid for corn.
John Powell paid for shoes, undershirt, steak
Easter Thompson paid for fish
Phebe paid for washing, hog jowl, coffee, bacon,
Jane Hays paid for shoes
Philip Kegs paid for cutting cords of wood, order on Tibbetts, Parke & Co.

266.      June 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, meal, cords of wood, coffee, books, medical services,
ERS paid for ironing and books
Phebe paid for washing, meal and sugar
Philip Kegs paid for cutting cords of wood and coffee
America paid for ironing, meal and coffee
John Powell paid for miscellaneous services
Dr. H.W. Fannin paid for medical services
George Collins paid for meal

267.      July 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, salt, sides, meal, stones, bean dipper, wooden bowl, dress, plaster trowel, sieve, oats, wagon and team rental, sugar, lathes, lime, vinegar, tobacco, flour, stamped envelopes, stamps, chickens, prizes, lard, coffee 
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
ERS paid for stones, bean dipper, wooden bowl, dress for Kittie Ellirs (sp?), plaster trowel, sieve, chickens, prizes 
William Merryman paid for salt
America paid for meal, sides, ironing, sugar, flour, lard, coffee
Easter Thompson paid for oats, use of a wagon and team for a day
B. Baer paid for lime, vinegar
Frank Kernes paid for tobacco
G.W. Collins paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co, meal
Eliza Hall paid for flour
C.H. Kerns paid for postage stamp
John Powell paid for chickens

268.      August 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, lumber, meal, flour, lard, plastering, sugar, sieve, coffee, drop skirt, beef, chickens, bed stead, paper pins.
ERS paid for lumber, stamps, bed stead, painting
C.H. Kerns paid for 24 days work
G.W. Collins paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co, meal, flour, plastering, sieve
America paid for lard, washing, ironing, meal, sugar, drop skirt
John Culberson paid for meal
John Powell paid for coffee
W.P. Merryman paid for beef
Mariah (cook) paid for chickens, meal,
J. Folsom paid for meal,
Mrs. Nickels paid for paper pins
Mrs. Collins paid for clean-up work

269.      September 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, meal, thread, speller, coffee, sugar, knife, saw, books, beef, knitting needles, meal, salt, flour, fabric, tobacco, stove polish, ferriage, putty, horse feed, smoothing irons, candle sticks, pink irons, twine, mattress needles, shoes, candy, lavender, amaranth, splitting rails, 
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
ERS paid for beef, tobacco, shoes, candy, lavender, amaranth
America paid for washing, ironing, meal, coffee, sugar, flour
Mrs. E. A. Nickells paid for spools of thread, fabric
Mrs. Collins paid for meal
W.P. Merryman paid for speller
C.H. Kerns paid for 4 days work, drawing knife, saw, books
Silas Ward paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co
John Culberson paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co, cords of wood
Mariah (cook) paid for knitting needles, meal, salt, coffee, cooking
David Merryman paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co
Phebe paid for washing, coffee, sugar
Dr. H. W. Fannin paid for services, wheat
John Powell paid for shoes
Brad Folsom paid for cords of wood, splitting rails, order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co
J. Folsom paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co,
T.J Bond, superintendent of the public schools of Choctaw Nation paid New Hope $3000 for 1872-1873.

270.      October 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, meal, coffee, sugar, paper, books (Butler’s Grammar, Practical Arithmetic, dictionary), paper, pen, ink, lard, stamped envelopes, ferriage, cords of wood, corn, dried apples, fabric
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
ERS paid for corn
America paid for washing, ironing, meal, coffee, sugar, lard, sides
W.P. Merryman paid for paper
Dr. H. W. Fannin paid for books (Butler’s Grammar, Practical Arithmetic), paper, pen, ink
Mrs. Esther Thompson paid for ferriage, fabric, corn.
John Powell paid for services for 7 months, hauling.
Mrs. Shapard paid to Sept 1st.
John Culberson paid for cords of wood
David Merryman paid for cords of wood
W.P. Merryman paid for dictionary
Brad Folsom paid for cords of wood
Philip Kegs paid for cutting cords of wood and coffee
Silas Ward paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co, cords of wood
Mrs. S.E. Nickells paid for fabric

271.      October 20, 1873 (1844-1877 Minute Book of IMC, page 339-340; OCU archives)
To the Bishop and members of the Indian Mission Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South, convened at Tahlequah Cherokee Nation, October 23, 1873. The undersigned Superintendant of New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation, submits the following report.
I took charge of the school (New Hope) October 30, 1872. There were 32 scholars in attendance besides several day-scholars. The number increased until January 13, 1873 when there were 45 scholars. At the close of the session on June 25, there were 48 scholars in regular attendance. During the present session the students are very slow in coming to the school – today, October 20, 1873 we have only 32 – this is owing to two causes – viz. – There has been a great deal of sickness within the bounds of the Choctaw Nation, and there was a misunderstanding with regard to the time that school would commence.
The monies due from the Choctaw Nation were not paid punctually – I borrowed by authority of the Superintendent of Public Schools of the Nation – in March last – two thousand dollars. The balance of three thousand dollars was not paid until the 18, September last. This made it necessary for me to buy all my goods and supplies upon time. I do not now owe any debt contracts September 1. I have assurance that hereafter I will not be left so long without monies.
I have made some improvements upon the place. My order of exercise is as follows – the bell rings at 4 O’clock a.m. for all to rise. We breakfast at 6 and a half O’clock having religious exercises at the table. At 7 O’clock the girls are collected into the serving room where they remain until 8:45. At 9 O’clock a.m. school commences which continues until 4 O’clock p.m. with an intermission of one hour from 12 O’clock to 1 O’clock. After the adjournment of school, they are called into the serving room, remaining there from one hour to one hour and a half. My assistant teacher has been faithful to the discharge of her duties. I [teach] from two to four hours in the school room. The children are advancing in their studies though not as rapidly as I would desire. They are prohibited from speaking the Choctaw language while at school. It is difficult to prevent them but I consider that is necessary to their advancement that they do not speak it.
The health of the school has been very good. We have had no death at the school during the last 12 months. One of the pupils died while on a visit to her home during the vacation, nor have we had any serious case of sickness.
The pupils are generally obedient and cheerful. During the year 20 of them have been received into the church. A Sabbath School is in connection with the school and all of the pupils are required to attend. The assistant teacher and Matron are the officers of the Sabbath School.
We have had the hearty cooperation of the brethren who are connected with the Conference. By the blessing of God in giving health and strength to the minds of the pupils we have worked through the year without any serious difficulties. Feeling that good is being done for the cause of God and trusting in Him for a continuance of his blessing, we have no reason to complain.
Respectfully Submitted,
October 20, 1873 New Hope, Choctaw Nation
E.R. Shapard, Superintendent New Hope Seminary
272.      October 23-27, 1873
28th Annual Indian Missions Conference held at the Council House at Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, October 23-27, 1873. ER Shapard elected Conference Recording Secretary. ERS appointed to Choctaw District: Skullyville and as Superintendent of New Hope Seminary.
Thomas Yotah was listed as a local preacher who was ordained a deacon (duly recommended by the quarterly conference of Long Creek Circuit, Choctaw District. (see entry for Oct. 9, 1880 about Yotah)

(Indian Mission Conference Minute Book)
Clerical members present on the first day of Conference, October 23, 1873; Ewing, McSpaddin, Sevier, Duncan, Sanders, Bryce, Shapard, Walker, Davis, Harrell, Hicks, Ruble, Cummings, Bryce.

Note: There were also lay members present as well as clerical members that may have arrived late. It is of interest to note that the order of their names was probably the order of how they seated themselves, and may reflect with whom they were better acquainted.

273.      November 1873 (ERS Journal)
Items purchased in January at New Hope: ironing, washing, coffee, beef, books, fabric, thread, turnips, flour, grinding corn, sorghum, apples, meal, wheel barrow, shovel, pick, cutting cords of wood,
Orders made through Tibbetts, Parke & Co (Ft Smith, Ark. store)
ERS paid for ferriage,
Dr. H. W. Fannin paid for beef, book (Intermediate Geography)
John Powell paid for order through Tibbetts, Parke & Co, washing
Isaac McClure paid for fabric, thread
America paid for washing, ironing, flour, meal, beef
J.R. Leard paid for turnips, books
David Merryman paid for coffee, flour
William Schall paid for grinding corn
R.S. McCarty paid for sorghum, apples
B.F Atkinson paid for wheel barrow, shovel, pick
Tibbetts, Parke & Co paid for hauling 3 trunks
Philip Kegs paid for cutting cords of wood and coffee, beef
B. LeFlore paid for cutting cords of wood
Muskokee Thompson paid for books (reader and spelling books)

274.      December 8, 1873 (New Hope Seminary, Foreman Collection, OHS)
To Rev. E.R. Shapard, Superintendant of New Hope Seminary
Sir,
 In compliance with a resolution passed at the last General Council of the Choctaw Nation, on the 22nd day of October, 1873, a certified copy of which you will find enclosed, I do hereby transfer Fort Coffee to New Hope Seminary – and you are hereby authorized, by virtue of said resolution, to take possession of the premises known as Fort Coffee, and to apply the same to the use and benefit of New Hope Seminary.
Respectfully,
 T.J Bond, Superintendent of Public Schools, Choctaw Nation.

275.      January 1874 (from The Oklahoma Chronicles; New Hope Seminary)
It developed that the occupants of Ft. Coffee (Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln) failed to give possession of the premises to ERS. On January 29, 1874, Mr. Bond wrote to Circuit Judge Jerry Ward that he had been contacted by ERS and needed assistance in carrying out the resolution that had been passed in October 1873. Judge Ward on Feb 20, 1874 replied to Bond that he should take up the case with the attorney general or the district attorney. It came to pass that Mr. Lincoln was still in possession of Ft. Coffee in 1876. The General Council, on October 28, 1876 ordered the superintendent of the public schools to make a verbal or written demand for the premises. If Mr. Lincoln refused to vacate, he was instructed to have the trespasser served with a writ of ejectment by the sheriff. If still in violation of the order after 20 days, the sheriff was to take forcible possession of the premises, turning it over to the superintendent of New Hope (ERS).

276.       January 4, 1874 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom** at OHS)
I went over and heard brother E.R. Shapard January 4, Sunday at New Hope Seminary on the Skullyville Circuit.

** Rev. Willis Franklin Folsom was a half-breed Choctaw Indian born in Mississippi in 1826. His parents brought him to Indian Territory when he was a boy. He married at the age of 17. He was a Student of Spencer Academy where he was converted. He met John Harrell who encouraged him to work for the Lord, eventually placing him on a Circuit. He became a minister and served as an interpreter for the white preachers in the Choctaw District. He traveled with Rev. Shapard for 9 years as his interpreter.

277.      January 21, 1874 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
I paid what I owed Shapard, Tibbetts and School to this date.

278.      January 25, 1874 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Sunday morning at Folsom’s Chapel I attended Sunday school and heard brother Shapard preach and was very much delighted, comforted in his preaching, etc., etc. Bless the Lord oh my soul.

279.      January 29, 1874 (New Hope Seminary, Foreman Collection, OHS)
Mr. Jerry Ward, Circuit Judge
Mooshulatubbee District – C.N.
Dear Sir,
I obedience to a resolution passed by the General Council of the Choctaw Nation, on the 22nd day of October 1873, a copy of which you will find enclosed, I transfer Fort Coffee to New Hope Seminary, a copy of said transfer, you will find enclosed. And whereas, it does appear that Mr. and Mrs. George T. Lincoln have failed to give possession as you will see by enclosed letter from Rev. E.R. Shapard, therefore in compliance with the said resolution, I do hereby call upon you , as directed, to carry into effect the intentions of the aforementioned Resolution.
Respectfully,
T.J. Bond, Supt. Pub. Schools C.N.

280.      February 20, 1874 (New Hope Seminary, Foreman Collection, OHS)
Mr. T.J. Bond, Supt. Publ. School Choctaw Nation
Dear Sir,
I received your communication of January 29th, 1874, in regard to the transfer of Fort Coffee to New Hope Seminary. In reply would say that in my capacity as Circuit Judge I could only set on it when brought into open court. As the resolution orders you to make a demand on Mr. and Mrs. G.T. Lincoln for possession I think it should be done by you in  person and in case of refusal then you have the Atty. General or Dist. Atty. For your council and not the circuit Judge.
Respectfully yours,
Jeremiah Ward, Judge of the 1st Judicial Circuit, Choctaw Nation

281.      March 29, 1874 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
I went to James Fork at Union Hill and heard brother McNabb and E.R. Shapard preach.

282.      April 6, 1874 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Brother Shapard preached at Folsom’s Chapel.

283.      April 17, 1874 (Shapard Family Bible) 
     infant daughter of ERS and Jennie was born and died.

284.      April 18, 1874 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Saturday, this day I attended brother Shapard’s child’s funeral at New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation.

285.      July 11, 1874 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
New Hope School, Choctaw Nation.
You will permit me to say a few things in regard to New Hope School, Choctaw Nation, Indian Mission Conference. The school is under the supervision of E.R. Shapard, formally of the Tennessee Conference. I look on him as a high-toned Christian gentleman, and in every way well qualified to fill the position he is now occupying. He manages every part of the business of the business of the institution with wisdom and discretion; and every part of it so far has succeeded in his hands. The same may be said in truth of his most excellent wife. She has the love and confidence of every one. The institution is in a prosperous condition, with all the expenses of the same fairly met up to this time. The discipline exercised is of the very best grade – mild, but firm. The outside pressure at times is considerable, and attempts are occasionally made by young men to force their way through the restraints of the school-laws, and avail themselves of the company of the young ladies. These attempts have always been met promptly, and turned aside without any serious trouble. Consequently the morals of the young ladies are scrupulously guarded. Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Shapard’s principal teacher, is a lady of experience, and of a good reputation, both as to morals and management. She seems to know pretty well how to manage her own kind of folks, and consequently she has the confidence and love of the girls. Mrs. Nickel, who has charge of the Sewing Department, is a lady of some refinement and taste, is full of good works, and knows not only how to fit a garment, but where to put a kind word. And these, working together, as they do, to carry out the wise plans of the Principal, are accomplishing as much good as is likely done in any institution of learning of no greater advantages. Every part of the proper training of the girls is looked after with care. They cleanse their own linen, keep their own rooms, and, in turn, assist in every other duty pertaining to a household, both in and out of doors. The Bible is the daily companion of all, its sacred pages are frequently consulted, and prayer, morning and evening, is offered up for the good of all.
The past session closed on yesterday, June 24. The examination was well conducted, and the recitations evinced the fact that the girls had not been idle, but had evidently improved in their studies. Premiums in several departments were awarded, with evident satisfaction, and among them a beautiful copy of the Bible to the young lady who had committed to memory and recited the greatest number of verses in the Sabbath-school. An ample dinner was prepared by Mrs. Shapard, and all without distinction were invited to partake of it. All had enough, and of that was good. The exercises closed about 4 o’clock P.M., and very soon the large crowd of visitors and most of the girls were on their way to their several homes. Without farther words of praise, we say to the friends of education everywhere and especially to “the poor Indian,”  that we think this to be a school that is doing a great and good work for this (the Choctaw) people, and is a great help to us who are doing missionary work in this country. May the Lord seal with his blessing every effort that is made “to spread scriptural holiness over these lands.”
W.G. Davis
Skullyville, Choctaw Nation, June 25, 1874

286.      October 19, 1874 (1844-1877 Minute Book of IMC, page 359-360; OCU archives)
During the past year New Hope Seminary has experienced no change worthy of special notice. The teacher employed by the Mission Board has been faithful to her duties. All the members of the Conference have rendered whatever assistance was in their power to render. The health of the school has been very good. No death has occurred among the students, nor has there been any case of serious sickness. The rooms are comfortable and we have had no difficulty in supplying food and clothing for the children. The children are generally obedient and cheerful. Every one of them understands English well enough to receive whatever instruction you may desire to communicate to them. They can let you know what they want in their ordinary transactions about the school premises. The religious instruction is through lecture, preaching and the Sabbath School. Every child is furnished with a bible and is required to attend prayers, Sabbath School and preaching. Morning and nights we collect in the school room for prayers. They are also required to be in the school room for one hour from 7 to 8 O’clock p.m. which time is devoted to study. About 20 of the children are members of the church.
The expenditures of the school have been kept within the amount appropriated by the Nation for its support. We have also been enabled to use about $400 in improvements upon the place. We have received only half of the appropriation for the last year and none for this year. We shall be enabled to pay all the indebtness due, before the first of last September, with the amount of last years appropriation. So far we have experienced very little difficulty on account of this delay, but a continued repetition of it will soon force us to beg for credit.
The present session commenced September 7, 1874. The children were more prompt than ever before in reaching the school. We now have 47 in attendance, leaving three vacancies. Two teachers are now employed; Miss Millie McAlister and Mrs. Esther Thompson. Besides these two who are employed by the Mission Board, our seamstress teaches the children to sew, knit, spin and other things which are necessary to prepare their clothing. In management of the school, I try to keep the children busy at something all the time. Recreation consists in a change of labor.
Respectfully submitted,
October 19, 1874                 
 E.R. Shapard, Supt. New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation

287.       October 22, 1874 (1844-1877 Minute Book of IMC; OCU archives, J.Y. Bryce Collection; OHS)
Photograph taken of the clerical members and lay delegates of the 1874 Annual Conference. Members present in photo (back row left to right); 1. Negro servant (not a member) of G.W. Stidham; 2.G.W Stidham; 3. A.B. Collett; 4. G.B. Hester; 5. E.H. Culbertson; 6. T.B. Ruble; 7. E.R. Shapard; 8. S.P Hicks; 9. T.K.B. McSpadden; 10. W.S. Derrick; 11. Isaac Sanders; 12 Joseph Coody; 13. Judge E.R. Lerblance; 14. D.L. Berryhill; (Front row left to right); 15. W.M. Keith; 16. R.S. McCarty; 17. Unknown; 18. J.H. Walker; 19. John Harrell; 20. Bishop Kavanaugh; 21. D.B. Cumming; 22. unknown; 23. James McHenry; 24. John Mann; 25. Unknown; 26. Willis F. Folsom; 27. Young Ewing.

Note: The Minute Book of the Indian Mission Conference for this year lists the members in attendance for conference as;  Young Ewing, TKB McSpaddin, John Sevier, Isaac Sanders, ER Shapard, Jessie H. Walker, Willis Davis, John Harrell, SP Hicks. Calvin M. Slover was announced as a transfer from the Little Rock Conference. Cherokee district lay delegates were: J.F. Thompson, David Taylor, Sanders Choat, Joseph Smith. Choctaw district lay delegates were: John H Mann, TJ Ryan, Robert S McCarty, JW Kitchens. Chickasaw district lay delegates were: GB Hester, EH Culbertson, Brazile LeFlore, William M. Keith. Creek district lay delegates were: Samuel Chicote (Frank Guaden was present as stand in for absent Chicote), George W. Stidham, Joseph McCoodey, EH Lerblance. Bishop was HH Kavanaugh.

Note: Chicote was a Creek Indian. Sevier and Sanders were both full-blooded Choctaw Indians.

288.       October 22-24, 1874 (Indian Mission Conference Minute Book)
29th Annual Indian Missions Conference held at the Asbury School at North Fork, Creek Nation October 22-24, 1874. ER Shapard elected Conference Recording Secretary and appointed as Presiding Elder (P.E.) of the Choctaw District and as Superintendent of New Hope Seminary.

Clerical members present on the first day of Conference, October 22, 1874; Ewing, McSpaddin, Sevier, Sanders, Shapard, Walker, Davis, Harrell, Hicks.

Note: There were also lay members present as well as clerical members that may have arrived late. It is of interest to note that the order of their names was probably the order of how they seated themselves, and may reflect with whom they were better acquainted.

289.       October 31, 1874 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Mrs. Lucinda Thompson.
Religion is the same among all classes and nations of people. It is the same in its effects upon the life and in its triumph over death. This truth is forcibly impressed upon our minds in the life and death of Mrs. Lucinda Thompson (formerly McKinney), wife of Judge James Thompson, of Scullyville, Choctaw Nation. The citizens of the Nation considered her a model Christian woman. She was modest, retiring, and meek, but firm in her devotion to Christ. For several years she had been a member of the Church in the enjoyment of religion. She was called upon in her bad health to cultivate the grace of patience. Without a murmur she suffered for years. Her last sickness was of short duration. On Monday she was in better health than usual – on Wednesday, July 21, her spirit was with the happy beyond death. She used many expressions which indicated her triumph over death. No doubt nor fear caused her to dread death – having lived a Christian life, she was ready to die. Her associations having been good, she was more refined and polished than most of her Nation. She was loved by all who knew her; the rudest sinner and the refined Christian were alike her friends. She leaves a husband and one child, with many relations, to mourn her loss. We miss her in this neighborhood, in the Church, and at her home.
E.R. Shapard

290.       December 5, 1874 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Choctaw Nation.
The Rev. E.R. Shapard, of the New Hope School, Choctaw Nation, writes that the pupils are advancing, and that the institution is more prosperous that at any previous period during his connection  with the school. The Board needs funds to sustain this important enterprise.

291.      June 26 - 27, 1875 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Quarterly meeting at New Hope Seminary

292.      July 8, 1875 Sumner Shapard is born at New Hope Seminary

293.      July 10, 1875 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Wolf Creek quarterly conference. I interpreted twice for E.R. Shapard

294.      September 21, 1875 (article in Ft. Smith Herald)
ERS wrote article on September 21, 1875, Oak Lodge.
We do something else besides quarrelling and murdering in Indian country. We are quite civil and hospitable set generally, though we acknowledge that when aroused, the people of this country do some fighting. There is one characteristic among the Indians that should be commended that is – they are very quiet and orderly at all public gatherings. Among many illustrations of this fact, we had one last week at a Teacher’s Institute, a synopsis of the proceedings is presented below. The institute met at Rock Creek on September 13, 1875, with Trustee Edmund McCurtain presiding; Houston McCurtain was elected secretary; E.R. Shapard, upon motion of B.C. Heard, was elected Chaplin with the privileges of a teacher. The meeting was called every morning and opened with prayer and singing. Committees were appointed, speeches were delivered; several teachers favoring and encouraging the efforts of the teachers of the district. Among the various talks made on the best methods of teaching Choctaw children were: ‘Progress in learning without being able to speak the English language’, by Peter Folsom; ‘Mode of teaching English grammar’ was discussed by ERS, who also spoke on methods of teaching geography.
ERS, C.C. Holmes and Peter Folsom were appointed an executive committee to give publicity to the proceedings of the institute through the Fort Smith Herald and Choctaw Vindicator (Atoka). 

295.      September 21, 1875 (Court document held in personal collection by Nathan Shapard of Oklahoma City) 
Change in award at second meeting of arbitration
1. The Cotton Tax claim is allowed say of $303 with interest from may 1866
2. The “Y.M. Coldwell entry” is regarded by us as correct and shall remain as charged
3. The allowance for use of wagon and team are offset against the services of E.R. (Edwin Ruthven), R.A. (Robert Addison), and E. (Evander) Shapard amounting to $800 as hereinbefore provided.
The Bill of Complaint of C. G. Mitchell filed in the Chancery Court at Shelbyville against Evander Shapard and E.R. Shapard Administrators of R.P. Shapard deceased. The Hon. A.S. Marks Chancellor, humbly complaining…(torn)…orator, at present a resident of the County of Rutherford would most respectfully show to your Honor that for some years he and his brother-in-law R.P. Shapard were partners doing business in the town of Shelbyville under the firm name of Shapard and Mitchell that at the time of the death of R.P. Shapard and the firm business was unsettled, that he died in Bedford County on the _ day of _ that the defendants Evander Shapard and E.R. Shapard qualified as his administrators in the county court of Bedford County. The defendant Evander still resides in the county of Bedford while the defendant E.R. Shapard sometime since left the State of Tennessee and is at present a resident of Indian Territory. That the firm of Shapard and Mitchell did a large business and after dissolution of the firm assets were mainly controlled by R.P. Shapard…(torn)…will be found and owing him as respondent …(torn)… about the sum of $2249.64 on the cash as kept and received by R.P. Shapard on the books of the firm as kept by R.P. Shapard. Subject to the credit hereinafter set out, and also due him some additional matters hereinafter set out, as shown in this Bill the complainant and defendants are related and differing about some credits and charges agree to submit the same to arbitration, accordingly on the 21 day of September 1875 it was agreed by and between the parties, the same being reduced to writing, that the differences between them were to be referred to W.A. Ransom, William Frierson and a third man to be selected by them. It was agreed in the award that the statements of the parties oral or written might be taken, and they objected themselves to abide by and perform the award of the arbitration, it being signed by Evander Shapard and C.G. Mitchell, E.R. Shapard, as before stated, being a resident of the Indian Territory. These arbitrators declining to act A. Frierson and James M. Elliot were selected in their room and stead and they selected Mr. Dromgoole as the third man. The submission is herewith filed marked “Ex. A” and is made a part of the Bill accordingly the arbitrators met and awarded as follows. 1. That the claim of the complainants for Cotton Tax paid was postponed for further proof and was subsequently allowed in the sum of three hundred dollars. 2. The sum of $618 with interest from 1st July, 1858 was allowed Complainant. 3. The W.M. Coldwell claim was held open for further proof and was finally decided adverse to Complainant. 4. The claim of complainant for $375 the hire of boy with interest from the first day of October 1858 was allowed. 5. That the cash account should be charged to R.P. Shapard and with interest from the determination of these suits, that the accounts of the partners should bear interest from the 1 January, 1868.
The claim of the administrator for the services of the sons in the store was in part allowed and in part disallowed, and were offset by a claim of the complainant for the use of the wagon, a claim of the administrators for error of $296 was disallowed while a claim of $85.91 for error was allowed with interest from March 1856.
The Court thus sees by the written award of the arbitrators the disputed matters between the parties has been settled by arbitration leaving the true amount to be ascertained and determined by the usual reference and adjudications in partnership cases. But not withstanding this the administrators refuse to settle and accept the conclusion of this mutual arbitration and with that as a guide to enter on the settlement of the partnership. Your complainant insists that these conclusions of these disputed matters are a finality as to them, and that upon that basis a settlement should take place. There being no final settlement or amount as due found his only [remedy] is in the Chancery Court to settle the partnership. Your orator shows and asserts that the claims so adjudged by the arbitrators are correct and just and the claims found as these are correct. The amount due him is entitled to a credit of a note for _ dollars given him by Evander Shapard and transferred by Complainant to William Mitchell. Your Orator further shows your Honor that after the death of R.P. Shapard the defendants too charge of a large amount of the notes, assets, obligations, and bonds of the firm of Shapard and Mitchell and appropriated and distributed the same to the payment of the debts of R.P. Shapard alone and divided the same in distribution among the heirs, and as to these assets so appropriated the Administrators are individually responsible to the complainant.
The premises considered they pray your honor to make the parties as named in the Bill defendants thereto that process issue as to the resident and publication for the now-resident defendant and that they answer and on the hearing will you settle adjudge and determine the rights and equities of the parties enforce the award and give your orator a decree against them as administrators individually for the true amount found due and all such other and further relief as the nature of the case admits of. 


296.      October 6-9, 1875 (Indian Mission Conference Minute Book)
30th Annual Indian Missions Conference held at the Methodist church at Atoka, Choctaw Nation October 6-9, 1875. ER Shapard elected Conference Recording Secretary and appointed as Presiding Elder of the Choctaw District and as Superintendent of New Hope Seminary.

Clerical members present on the first day of Conference, October 6, 1875; Harrell, Sevier, Derrick, Shapard, Walker, Bryce, Slover, Thompson.

Note: There were also lay members present as well as clerical members that may have arrived late. It is of interest to note that the order of their names was probably the order of how they seated themselves, and may reflect with whom they were better acquainted.

297.      December 18, 1875 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
First quarterly meeting at Pine Ridge. I interpreted two sermons for E.R. Shapard during quarterly conference.

298.      December 26, 1875 (Dawes Packet, Choctaw by Blood, for Thomas Ainsworth)
Rev. E.R. Shapard married Thomas D. Ainsworth (a Choctaw) to Martha A. (a white woman) on December 26, 1875 in the Choctaw Nation.

299.      1876 (OHS, CTN 4, Document 13589, Choctaw Census of Skullyville County, undated but was after Sumner’s birth on July 8, 1875 and before the death of Rev. John Page on April 10, 1876)
E.R. Shapard is listed as living at the New Hope Seminary with wife and two children all of whom had license or permit to reside in the Choctaw Nation. He is listed as having 3 acres of grain in cultivation, having 3 horses, 19 cows and 20 hogs.

300.      January 19, 1876 (postcard mailed to E.R. Shapard)
Rev. E.R. Shapard
Oak Lodge, Choctaw Nation
Your subscription to the St. Louis Christian Advocate expired January 13, 1876. We hope you will remit for another year.

301.      January 19, 1876 (receipts)
Rev E.R. Shapard made a purchase from Tibbetts, Parke and Co, (J. A. Tibbetts and Frank Parke) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Items consisted of; trimming, lace, spools of silk, knitting cotton balls, slippers, etc.

Rev E.R. Shapard made a purchase from B. F. Atkinson in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Items consisted of; a 3 X 7 door and lamp wicks.

302.      January 22, 1876 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Choctaw District
[To] Rev. J.B. McFerrin, Sec.
I have been one round on Choctaw District. Fifteen persons joined the Church; Baptized 4 adults and 4 children. In some places the Church is improving, while in others there seems to be very little life in it. New Hope Seminary is doing as well as could be expected. We have 47 girls, with 4 yet to come. The health of the school is good. We had one death during this quarter, which was the first since the school has been in operation.
E.R. Shapard, January 3, 1876

       302.5  May 4, 1876 (On the back of a receipt from Joseph Adler Wholesale Dealer from Fort Smith, Arkansas)
(ERS handwriting – possible names of students and if baptized or not?)
Melissa LeFlore (B), Emma Haskins (B), Lula Watkins, Artemissa McClure (B), Mary Stewart (B), Cordilia McCarty, Eliza Sunny (B), Rose Fisher (B), Ada Griffith (B), M__ Turnbull, Mel___ Durant, Josephine Gardner (B), Lucy Tobler (B), Winny  Dixon (B), E___ Nanomatuby(?), Lizzie Tims(?) (B), Esa Teragis(?) (B), Rosie Durant (B).

303.      March 10, 1876 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
At night E.R. Shapard preached at Log Town on the Sans Bois Circuit second quarterly conference.

304.      March 13, 1876 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
At Becks on Canadian [river] E.R. Shapard preached. I exhorted after him. We traveled 150 miles this trip.

305.      March 18, 1876 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Spring Hill on Long Creek Circuit, second quarterly conference, Saturday morning E.R. Shapard preached and I interpreted. 17 [people] joined the church during this meeting. Sunday morning it snowed 6 inches deep.

306.      March 29, 1876 (Vindicator, Atoka newspaper ‘From Skullyville’)
E.R. Shapard reported that he operated New Hope in 1875 with a surplus of funds (profit) at the end of the year. Among the Choctaw girls, New Hope also was educating the children of Dr. Fannin and Miss Ida Davis. The article, written by a Choctaw Indian, questions whether it was appropriate for these white children to be educated in a school established for Choctaw girls.

Note: Dr. Fannin was the school physician in residence.

307.      April 1, 1876 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Skullyville second quarterly conference held at New Hope Seminary. On April 2nd, 16 pupils joined [the church] on probation.

308.      April 8, 1876 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Folsom Chapel two-day meeting. At night brother E.R. Shapard preached. At 11 o’clock E.R. Shapard preached brother A.V. Penoyer’s (sp?) funeral.

309.       April 29, 1876
Rev E.R. Shapard made a purchase from Tibbetts, Parke and Co, (J. A. Tibbetts and Frank Parke) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Items consisted of; pants, hat, etc.

310.      May 27, 1876 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
A Teacher Wanted
A teacher – a single lady – with a missionary spirit, who is willing to teach among the Indians. Home in the boarding school with a pleasant Christina family. Address Missionary Secretaries, Nashville, Tennessee, or the Rev. E.R. Shapard, Oak Lodge, C.N. Indian Territory.

311.      July 7, 1876
ERS make a purchase from Manlove and Meadors of Nashville Tennessee. Items consisted of; fabric (edge, calico, muslin) and two toothbrushes.

312.      July 12, 1876
Rev E.R. Shapard made a purchase from Tibbetts, Parke and Co, (J. A. Tibbetts and Frank Parke) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Item consisted of; 10 yards of Lonsdale fabric.

313.      August 1876 (Report, Commissioner Indian affairs, 1876 pp 63, 64)
August 31, 1876 Agent Marston reported that there were 50 pupils at New Hope. The Choctaw nation is still appropriating $5000 per annum, while the Methodist Board of Missions paid the salaries of the teachers and all other expenses beyond the appropriation. The number of white missionaries had greatly decreased since the Civil War, and religious instruction was being given by native preachers directed by white missionaries.

314.      October 21, 1876 (1844-1877 Minute Book of IMC, pg. 390; OCU archives)
In obedience to custom, I submit the annual report of New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation. During the last we had 51 girls – 50 by appointment of the trustees of the Choctaw Nation and one, a former pupil, whom we retained on account of the desires of her parents, and with the consent of the Trustees. We also had two day-scholars, thus making 53 scholars in the school, during the last term.
In finances, we have been enabled to pay off all debts contracted previous to September 1st, 1876, to pay all employees to October 1st, 1876 and have about $300 remaining in my hands.
About half of the children are members of the church and some of them enjoy a considerable degree of the spirit of religion. We have Sabbath School every Sabbath, and the S.S. (Sabbath School) papers of our publication are used. Besides the children are preached to by some one two to three times every month. The children are becoming more easy to control every year and I think that they are improving in morals, manners and knowledge. The authorities of the Nation and the parents of the children express themselves as satisfied with the food and clothing of the children.
The health of the school has been tolerable good. We have had only one death among the scholars since the school resumed operations six years ago – we have evidence that she died in bright prospect of heaven.
At present we have 48 scholars besides ten day-scholars – four of the day-scholars are English children and all of them know only the English language. It is profitable to have these among us for [helping] the Choctaw speaking children more easily learn the English language. Our teachers and other employees have been faithful to the performance of their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
October 21, 1876
E.R. Shapard, Supt. New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation

315.      October 26-29, 1876 (Indian Mission Conference Minute Book)
31st Annual Indian Missions Conference held at the Public Academy of Vinita, Cherokee Nation October 26-29, 1876. ER Shapard elected Conference Recording Secretary and appointed as Presiding Elder of the Choctaw District and as Superintendent of New Hope Seminary.. A special committee consisting of ER Shapard, James Bryce, Young Ewing honored the work of Rev. John Harrell. (Harrell was 71 y/o and would die later that year).

Clerical members present on the first day of Conference, October 26, 1876; Harrell, Daily, Sanders, McSpaddin, Ewing, Shapard, Walker, Persons, Bryce, Francis, Cummings. Rev. McFerrin the Missionary Secretary was present.

Note: There were also lay members present as well as clerical members that may have arrived late. It is of interest to note that the order of their names was probably the order of how they seated themselves, and may reflect with whom they were better acquainted.

John Harrell and E.R. Shapard proposed a resolution that “the first Friday in December next be set apart as a day of fasting and prayer for the success of the Gospel through the Indian country and throughout the earth.”

316.      October 28, 1876 (New Hope Seminary, Foreman Collection, OHS)
Bill #20. An Act Authorizing the Superintendant Public Schools to transfer Fort Coffee to New Hope Seminary.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Council of the Choctaw Nation assembled, That it shall be the duty of the Superintendant of Public Schools, of this Nation, to proceed in person  to Fort Coffee, In Skullyville county, in this Nation, and make a verbal or written demand for the place and improvements of George T. Lincoln, or the persons acting in lieu of him, or his agent; and in the event of Lincoln’s refusal or failure to deliver the said place and improvements to the charge of the said Superintendant in a reasonable time, then the  said superintendant shall make application to the county judge of Skullyville county, either in vacation or term time for a writ of ejectment, to be placed in the hands of the sheriff, to be by the said sheriff served upon the said Lincoln, notifying the said Lincoln to vacate the premises within twenty days from the date to the service of the writ.
Section 2. Be it enacted, That in the event of the said George T. Lincoln refusing to accede to the notice of the sheriff, the sheriff shall proceed to take forcible possession of Fort Coffee, and turn the same over to the Superintendant of Public Schools, giving the Superintendant of New Hope Seminary written instructions to take charge of Fort Coffee, and to hereafter deem the same as a part of New Hope Seminary.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the National Secretary to furnish  one copy of this act to the Superintendant of Public Schools, with which to arm himself before proceeding to make the demand as mentioned on the first section of this act.
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That all acts or parts of acts, hereto fore passed, coming in conflict with this act, be and the same are hereby repealed; and that this act take affect from and after its passage.
Approved October 28th, 1876   Coleman Cole, Principal Chief, Choctaw Nation

317.      November 9, 1876 (Indian Journal newspaper)
New Hope School – A few days since I had the privilege and pleasure of visiting and examining the New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation, where I found quite a few number of intelligent looking Choctaw girls preparing themselves to be beneficial to their Nation and a blessing to their race. Each department of the school, I think, will compare favorably with similar schools in the Sates. It is successfully conducted by the following  faculty. Rev. E.R. Shapard, Superintendant; Miss Lochie Rankin from Milton Tennessee, Principal Teacher; Miss Serena Folsom, from Skullyville, Choctaw Nation, Assistant Teacher; Mrs. S.E. Nickel, from Ft. Smith, Matron; Mrs. E.R. Shapard, Nashville Tennessee, Housekeeper. May it continue to send forth its stars to illuminate our Nation.
A. Frank Ross, Skullyville, C.N.

318.      November 11 - 12, 1876 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Saturday and Sunday at Double Spring on Pine Creek Circuit. First quarterly conference. I interpreted for E.R. Shapard during this meeting.

319.      November 11, 1876 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
The Indian Mission Conference was held at Vinita, Cherokee Nation, Oct. 26-29. Bishop McTyeire presided. E.R. Shapard, Secretary. Tecumseh Enner and Moses Mitchell, Muskogee Indians, were admitted on trial. Judson Dwight Collins, Tecumseh Enner, James Berryhill (local) were elected, and ordained deacons, and W. Burgess was ordained. N.E. Parsons, W.S. Derrick, J.F. Thompson, elected and ordained elders. D.B. Cumming, superannuated. T. B. Ruble, J.C. Robinson, died. R.N. Francis, withdrawn from the ministry of the M.E Church, South. The next session is to be at Stringtown, Choctaw Nation.  The Secretary writes, Vinita, C.N. Oct. 30, 1876:
The Indian Mission Annual Conference adjourned Sunday night, Oct. 29. You will find the Secretary’s General Minutes full, except documents accompanying Questions 19 and 21, which I will furnish you with as soon as possible. The conference was pleasant- rendered very pleasant by the extreme kindness and hospitality of the people. Bishop McTyeire presided with his usual ease, and to the satisfaction of the people. Dr. McFerrin was welcomed by his many Indian friends, and by his wise counsels endeared himself to the members of the Conference and people. So much did they appreciate his visit that the new church, which Bishop McTyeire dedicated, was called McFerrin Chapel. I suppose the Doctor will give you an account of the Conference.
There was an increase in white membership, 169; decrease in Indian members, 17; decrease in colored members, 100; making an increase in all of 52 members; an increase in local preachers, 5; adults baptized, 438 – increase, 145; infants baptized, 459 - increase 167; increase of 11 in Sunday-schools; missionary money collected, $282.95 – increase, $95.95.
Our people have paid upward of one thousand dollars for the support of the preachers. Some churches have been built during the year. We had our oldest member, the Rev. D.B. Cumming, with us, who in his feebleness visited us. We were also visited by the Rev. Edmund Wright, District Superintendant for Missouri, of the American Bible Association. The preachers go to their work with renewed energy and love for the work which, in the providence of God, is assigned to them.
E.R. Shapard [Vinita, C.N. Oct. 30, 1876]

320.      November 25, 1876 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Inclosed I send you the remainder of the report of the Indian Mission Conference. All, I think, is now up, except memoir of Thos. B. Ruble, which was handed to Dr. McFerrin, who was to fill it out from the General Minutes and publish, so that I might copy into our Conference Minutes. We were visited by the District Superintendant of the American Bible Society, from Missouri, the Rev. Edmund Wright; through him we made arrangements to procure some Bibles and Testaments, in both English and the native tongue. You also received resolutions concerning the action of the Commission on Fraternal Relations. The first Friday in December is set apart as a day of fasting and special prayer for the prosperity of the Church among the Indians.
E.R. Shapard, Oak Lodge, C.N., Nov. 3, 1876

321.      December 2 - 3, 1876 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Long Creek quarterly conference. Sunday morning brother E.R. Shapard preached Nannie (Nancy) LeFlore’s funeral.

322.      December 8, 1876 (Obituary of Rev. John Harrell written by E.R. Shapard, a close variation of this was published in the Nashville Christian Advocate on January 27, 1877)
Our leader has been called away. Rev. John Harrell, Superintendant of the Indian Mission Conference of the M.E. Church, South, died at Vinita, Cherokee Nation, December 8th, 1876. Brother Harrell was born in [Perquimons Co.,] North Carolina October 21st, 1806. Removed to Tennessee while a child. Was licensed to preach and joined the Tennessee Conference in 1827. In 1832 he with six others were transferred to the Arkansas District Missouri Conference. From that time until his death, he was an active itinerant preacher. He remained in the Arkansas District during the changes of the name of the Conference, from Missouri to Arkansas, etc. His appointments during this time, we cannot give as we have not the minutes of these Conferences.
In 1850 he was transferred by Bishop Paine from the Arkansas to the Indian Mission Conference and placed in charge of Fort Coffee and New Hope Schools. To this place he was appointed for four consecutive years. Then for one year 1854-1855 – Presiding Elder of the Choctaw District. For seven consecutive years he was Presiding Elder, Cherokee District. For three years – Superintendant of Army Missions. In 1865-1866, he was again Presiding Elder of Cherokee District. In 1866-1867-1868 he filled the appointment of Superintendant Indian Mission Conference, during which years he traveled from one district to another from one part of the United States to another part, using all his powers to sustain, arouse and revive the then drooping spirits of the church in Indian country.
In 1869 he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Choctaw District. In 1870, Superintendant of Asbury Manuel Labor School and Superintendant of Indian Mission Conference. The houses at the school had been burned, a mass of ruins was to be built up. His influence with the authorities of the Creek Nation, and the confidence which the church placed in him, caused him to be fixed upon as the man to resuscitate the institution. He did it, and the institution stands as a monument of his industry and energy.
1871 – he is Presiding Elder of Cherokee District. 1872 he is Presiding Elder of Creek District. 1873-1874-1875 – 3 years – he is Presiding Elder Cherokee District. During the year he was removed from the Cherokee District and appointed to the charge of Asbury Manuel Labor School. At the last Conference, October 1876, he was reappointed to Asbury Manuel Labor School. I the Indian work, he was in charge of schools – 6 years; Presiding Elder of different Districts – 15 years; Superintendant of Army Missions - 3 years; Superintendant of Conference without other appointments – 3 years. He was a member of General Conference 1862, 1866, 1870, 1874. He was more generally known than any other man who has labored among the Indians. Almost every church from Red River to the Kansas line – and from Arkansas lines to the farthest west has been visited by him.
He loved to preach the Gospel, any where, every where, and at any time he was ready and willing to preach. His appointments were sometimes many miles apart, through prairies, forests, mountains, and over streams. He met those appointments, never missed but two in his life. Two years ago he told me that sickness or bodily weakness had not prevented him from making more than a dozen appointments. No railroads, no ___boats, no stages, but on horse-back he traveled from place to place, for forty-nine years. He did not realize that he was an old man until last year. He was interested in and was a party in every religious, or educational movement in the Indian Country. He had baptized more children than any other person in the country. The widows and orphans of preachers looked to him for assistance. He seemed indifferent with regards to his own interests so that he might serve the church. No day was too cold, or hot, too wet or too dry for him to travel. Others might hesitate because the road was too long, but distance was a small item with him. No obstacle could deter him from undertaking what he thought to be his duty. He was social, never light in conversation, serious, but never repulsive with his seriousness. He was conscientious in the discharge of all his duties. His powers as a preacher are known in this country by almost every one. The fruits of his labors are scattered all over this country. The last text indicates the spirit of the man “Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
He was married to Miss Eliza Williams, who preceded him only a few days. Seven children also preceded them. Two are left, who honor the memory of their parents by a Christian life. Brother Harrell never possessed much of this worlds goods. To secure the spiritual welfare of those to whom he preached was his great aim. Every one loved him. Many characteristics were prominent in his life, all or any of them contain a lesson for us all.

323.       February 1877 (Christian Advocate, Nashville, February 3, 1877)
Letter written by E.R. Shapard who told of preaching the funeral sermon of Nancy LeFlore, “whose life and character was an exhibition of the good which is being done in this country by the grace of God, using the ministry and schools as means. Nancy was a pupil at New Hope for four years…One year ago the Superintendent of Public Schools asked me to select some young ladies whom he proposed to send away to receive a more advanced education…she was among the number selected. Every one expected that she would, if spared, return to honor and benefit her people. Her Heavenly Father took her away to himself last April, while she was in Columbia, Mo…” ERS

324.      February 3, 1877 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
The second quarterly meeting was held at New Hope Seminary.

325.       February 3, 1877 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
To Rev. J. B. McFerrin, D.D., Sec. - The first round of Quarterly-meetings on the Choctaw District is over. The preachers appointed are all at work. On the District, since last quarterly –meeting, 28 adults have been received into the Church, and 12 infants have been baptized. One brother was licensed to preach, and four were licensed to exhort. The weather was very cold for this country in November. I preached several times in the open air when the thermometer stood at about 23 degrees. The houses are too small for a good congregation. The Choctaw build enough houses, though they are too small, and too frequently are never finished. Last Sabbath I attended to the funeral-sermon of Nancy Leflore, whose life and character was an exhibition of the good which is being done in this country by the grace of God, using the ministry and schools as means. Nancy was a pupil of New Hope for four years. Obedient and studious, she had advanced from the alphabet under the eye of the Mission-school. she was kind and affectionate – loved by every one; a Christian , giving undoubted evidence of her enjoying the witness  of the Spirit. One year ago the Superintendant of Public Schools asked me to select some young ladies whom he proposed to send away to receive a more advanced education than the Mission-schools generally give to them. She was among the number selected. Every one expected that she would, if spared, return to honor and benefit her people. Her Heavenly Father took her away to himself last April, while she was in Columbia, Mo. A few hours before death, while dying, she sung “O how I love Jesus!” Her last letter was written about two weeks before she died. She seemed conscious of her approaching death, and spoke of death, giving advice to her brothers and sisters, and words which served to comfort the mother and all others. If, Doctor, you had known her, or even could read her affectionate Christian letters, it would have done you good to know that your efforts were for the benefit of the Indian. Hardly a dry eye was seen in the crowd, as some selections from her letters were read and interpreted – for she wrote sometimes in English and sometimes in Choctaw. A circumstance I will relate: A brother, raised on Shoal Creek, Giles Co., Tenn., while moving last week to Texas, camped in the Nation’s line, and went up to a house close by, where he found two Choctaw preachers on their way to quarterly-meeting. They, in broken English,, asked him to remain during the family-worship. He did so, and as he would reach the meeting grounds on Saturday evening, he remained with us on the Sabbath. Sabbath evening he asked me; “Who lives across the creek?” pointing to the residence of a member of the Church.  I told him. He says; “I went there this morning to get some beef for my family to eat; her answer was, “I will not sell it to you on the Sabbath; I will give you some, if you need it, though I will not sell it on the Sabbath.” He was reproved, and accepted of enough for one meal for his family, but no pay could he give her. I think his soul was fed by looking at the examples of Christians around him. A young lawyer, a native, told a lady, who was standing near me, Good-by. Something was said which pleased my interpreter, which I could not understand. “What was said?” Brother Folsom – “That young man is starting to an adjoining county to attend court to-morrow. The lady reproved him, and told him that, ’you, an educated man,’ ought to set us ignorant Choctaws a better example than to travel on Sunday.” He felt the force of the reproof, and I hope that good may result. The school is now full and crowded. I have more scholars than our contract requires of us, though I will find no difficulty in supporting them, if there should be no unusual hindrance. I hope that, some time during the Conference-year, a Bishop, Secretary, or some such official personage, will visit us in this country, to attend District Conferences, examinations, etc.
E.R. Shapard

326.      February 18, 1877 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Chickasaw Creek on Sana Bois Circuit held second quarterly conference. During this meeting I interpreted two sermons for brother Shapard.

327.      February 24, 1877 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
New Hope Seminary, Oak Lodge, C.N., Feb. 13. [To] Rev. A.H. Redford, Agent – Dear Brother: - You will please balance my account, charging me with the amount due me, as donation to the Publishing House. I do not know how much it is. Please inform me. If the money or check for first quarter of Choctaw District has not been started to me, please retain $10 and appropriate for relief of Publishing House – a donation from Miss Lochie Rankin, teacher at New Hope. If it has been started I will return that amount by mail. Yours truly,
E.R. Shapard

328.      March 1877 (Star-Vindicator newspaper, McAlester, March 24, 1877)
An account of New Hope by Superintendent of Schools Edmund McCurtain and District Trustee Green McCurtain, Their arrival at the school was unexpected by ERS. “We therefore had the satisfaction of knowing that we saw the daily routine of the seminary. We were more than pleased with its management. Everything was in perfect order. Every department had its head, and the head of every department seems to devote all of his or her energy to that department. The school is under the management of two accomplished and energetic ladies, and the students are progressing rapidly in their studies. The sewing room is also under the management of a competent instructress who has long filled that position with credit to herself and benefit to our young ladies.
The dining room and kitchen are under excellent control, and all is ably presided over by Rev. E.R. Shapard, the efficient superintendent. We were especially pleased with the cleanly aspect of every place we visited. The students are required to keep themselves and clothes clean and neat. They are also taught economy – nothing is wasted, but everything, even the scraps in the sewing, are utilized. The sick are also well cared for, and are daily visited by a physician. There were three sick when we arrived – I feel sure that they could not have had better attention at home.
In truth we have a right, and ought to be proud of New Hope under its present management, and I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to its able superintendent and his efficient corps of assistants.

329.      May 31, 1877 (Newspaper clipping – unknown, found in Foreman Collection OHS)
New Hope Seminary is our High School for girls, in the Choctaw Nation, about 20 miles southwest of Fort Smith Arkansas. It is presided over by the Rev. E.R. Shapard, and is doing an excellent work by training the Choctaw women of the future in Christian arts as well as Christian literature. The specimens of handiwork referred to have been received, and are appreciated. Indeed, the tidy has made the paleface girls surrender the palm in that exquisite embroidery line.
Brother Shapard writes “New Hope Seminary, Oak Lodge, C.N., May 31, 1887 --- Dear Bishop --- Some time ago I mentioned to the girls of the mission-school the interest which the Secretary, Dr. McFerrin, and Bishop McTyeire manifest in the school, and I though that some token from them would be acceptable. In a day or two they sent in something for Dr. McFerrin--- several points for collars. Yours was delayed, I knew not why, until to-day they sent the enclosed tidy, which is the work of several of the girls together, made, as you will see, from spool thread… They present it as an evidence that your interest in them is appreciated… The work is an evidence of what they are taught to do from cheap materials. The girls do any and all kinds of work connected with the school---card, spin, cut, sew, knit, cook, wash, iron, milk, churn --- as well as study, sing, etc.”

330.      June 3, 1877 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Spring Hill quarterly conference for Moshulatubbee circuit. I interpreted two sermons for brother Shapard. Six [people] joined the church and two infants were baptized.

331.      June 11, 1877 (Letter to ERS from his brother William)
To Rev. Edwin R. Shapard at New Hope Seminary at Scullyville, Oak Lodge C.N.
…We have made a visit to cousin Joshua Shapard** and family…He is a large land owner, owning about 20,000 acres and is still buying and selling…
Will (Rev. William Shapard), Galveston, Texas

** Joshua Harrison Shapard was the son of James Paine Shapard (Edwin and William’s uncle). Josh was born in 1827 and married Isabella Brusher. He was a lawyer in Texas.

332.      July 3, 1877 (Milan, Gibson Co. Tennessee, Letter from Lochie Rankin to ERS)
Mr. Shapard,
Dear Sir, Would have written ere this had I been able. Have persuaded my parents to allow sister Dora to return with me. We – sister and I – have resolved to do all we can to make the subsequent year one of great success; and are well assured of the earnst prayers of our church. Several young ladies here seemed more than anxious to offer themselves, but I feel surer of sister’s ability to please you, and assist me than of any other’s. Have been quite indisposed ever since my return; therefore not able to think or act coherently. Our Sabbath School has a new collection of songs; many of which are very pretty; we will bring a copy of them with us, from which the pupils can transcribe for committing to memory which will be less expensive than purchasing so many books. If there is anything you wish me to do during vacation, I shall take pleasure in doing it; only let me know. Remember me most kindly to Mrs. Shapard, Sumner and Lizzie. I think of them often and wish very much, they could enjoy a homegoing this vacation as well as I. Though there is surely some of the poet’s bitter sweet in coming home and finding “Its not all home.” I miss my brother and sister more than I had thought possible; but suppose such are the usual though disagreeable results of having brothers and sisters. With kindest regards to yourself, family and all inquiring friends. Your etc.,
Lochie Rankin

333.      July 17, 1877 (Madison Tennessee, Letter from S.S. Hall (Jennie’s father))
ER and Jennie Shapard
Dear  Children,
Warm weather, laziness and other things have caused me to get considerably behind in the way of letter writing; and though warm today I will try and muster up the energy enough to scribble off a few lines to my Chocta (Choctaw) children, lest they might scratch me off the list of their correspondence, having received two letters from them since my last. Also a paper containing a recount of the commencement of New Hope Sem. Also received since a picture of the house and grounds – now neatly framed and hung up in the parlor. …(miscellaneous about crops, and news of Hall family and friends)…Kiss the little ones who I want to see mighty bad. God bless you is the prayer of your father,
                     S.S. Hall

334.      July 27, 1877 (Vindicator (Atoka newspaper); Indian Journal (Eufaula newspaper); Ft. Smith Herald)
The Annual Examination of New Hope Female Seminary took place on June 20, 1877 the schoolhouse, which is located tree-fourths of a mile east of Skullyville. The exercises were held in a beautiful grove near the school, and were opened with prayer by Rev. J.Y. Bryce (the chairman of the Conference Committee); after the pupils sang several appropriate airs. An address of welcome was then read by Miss Serena Folsom which formed a very credible essay. Examinations were held in Arithmetic, Algebra, Geography, and other studies which were conducted by Miss Lochie Rankin, who gave evidence of their knowledge of the subjects handled. Many pupils were called upon to demonstrate problems on the blackboard, and by their ready answers and correct work, they proved that their studies had not been neglected.
About 12 o’clock announcement was made to the people present, which numbered 300, that dinner awaited them. They repaired to the large dining hall and found ample preparations had been made for all. The substantial food furnished to the visitors prepared them for the afternoon exercises. At 2 o’clock all returned to the grove where the examination of pupils resumed. After a short time spent here, the rain commenced falling, when the audience and scholars repaired to the school building. Prizes were then awarded for best work; a bible, a hymn and tune book, an album work-box, a framed wreath.
After the distribution of premiums (prizes), addresses were made in the Choctaw language by Hons. Edmund McCurtain, Green McCurtain and C. Nelson. Remarks in English were made by Rev. E.R. Shapard and Smedley Forrest, esq. (The following visitors were noted in the audience; Mr. And Mrs. B.Gannaway, Mr. and Mrs. F. Parke, Col. H.A. Rogers of Ft. Smith, Edmund McCurtain, Judge James Thompson, Green McCurtain, Senator Jacob Jackson, Rev. J.Y. Bryce, C. Nelson, Dr. and Mrs. H.W. Fannin, ex-Chiefs Olasechubbe and Nana-mantubbee.)
New Hope Seminary is under control of the Mission Society of the M.E. Church, South. The teachers are Rev. E.R. Shapard, Superintendent; Miss Lochie Rankin, Principal of teachers; Miss Serena Folsom, assistant; Mrs. S.E. Nickell, matron; Mrs. E.R. Shapard, in charge of the culinary department; Dr. H.W. Fannin, physician in attendance.
This school is supported by $5000 per annum from the Choctaw Nation and $1,100 per annum from the Mission Board, fifty pupils are sent by the trustees of the Choctaw Nation, who are taken in charge of by the superintendent, boarded, clothed and taught the ordinary English branches that are usually taught in high schools. They are also instructed in sewing, spinning, knitting, cooking, and such work as is necessary in household economy.
New Hope was established in 1842 but the school was suspended during the War and was not reopened until 1870. The sessions usually last 10 months and then close until the first Monday in September. Rev. E.R. Shapard has been the Superintendent for the past 5 years and by his energy and perseverance has contributed much to the advancement of the pupils.
Dr. H.W. Fannin has been the attending physician at New Hope for over seven years during which time but three deaths have occurred. This proves that, besides being a good chess player, the doctor is also a successful practitioner.

335.      July 28 – August 5, 1877 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Choctaw Academy Lawson Co. Choctaw Nation I preached Matthew on July 28 - 29. Attended Choctaw District Conference held at Black Fork August 2 - 5.

Note: In all of Rev. Folsom’s diary, there is only one mention of Choctaw Academy dated July 28, 1877. The entry before is from July 8, at Short Mountain and the entry after is from August 2-5 at the Choctaw district conference held at Black Fork. Though this entry does not mention ERS, this entry may help to date the story told by E.R. Shapard “Incidents in a Preachers Life” written in Our Brother in Red dated October 1, 1887 and October 8, 1887. It is believed that Choctaw Academy was located around the town of Rufe, in southeast Oklahoma.

336.      August 4, 1877 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
New Hope School. This flourishing institution for females is located near Scullyville, in the Choctaw Nation. It is under the supervision of the Rev. E.R. Shapard, formally of the Tennessee Conference. He is assisted by competent teachers. The girls are taught, in addition to their literacy training, the domestic arts of life. We have before us several articles of needlework, which exhibits skill and good taste. We have a report for the late annual examinations, which speaks in high terms of the proficiency of the pupils, as well as of the industry and success of the teachers.


337.      September 20, 1877 (1844-1877 Minute Book of IMC; OCU archives)
The condition and operation of the New Hope Female Seminary are about as they were at the last Annual Conference. The school has been full almost all the time, the teachers and other employees have been faithful in the performance of the duties imposed upon them. The advance of the pupils in their studies has not been as rapid as would be desired, but I think that their knowledge has been more thorough. There are some things which have prevented us from improving the grade of our school. Instead of being a High School, we can claim only to be a Preparatory. We are prepared to advance the pupils in those studies which are usually taught in a High School. Though the defects in the system of the Nation prevents us from having the students of proper advancement. The improvement of the young ladies with the needle and other work which belongs to the household, has been considerable.
The religious interest has also been attended to. The children have been preached to two Sabbaths in every month, besides lectures almost every day, Sabbath School in conducted every Sabbath by either the Superintendent of the school (ERS) or one of the teachers. A number of the pupils are members of the church and some of them are advancing in a spiritual life.
The financial condition of the school is good. We owe nothing and have supplied the necessary demands – we have made some improvements upon the place and are now making improvements, all of which we are able to pay for from the funds now due to the school.
Respectfully submitted,
E.R. Shapard, Supt. New Hope Seminary, Sept. 20, 1877

338.      September 20-24, 1877 (Indian Mission Conference Minute Book)
32nd Annual Indian Missions Conference held at Stringtown September 20-24, 1877. E.R. Shapard elected Conference Recording Secretary and appointed as Presiding Elder of the Choctaw District and as Superintendent of New Hope Seminary.

Note: from the J.Y. Bryce Collection. E.H. Culbertson (b. Dec 28, 1824 - d. Jan 28, 1902) in 1869 with the assistance of a few neighbors constructed a small church and school house near Sulpher Springs – the place was given the name Stringtown during the stage coach days. It was at this church that the 1877 Conference was held. An arbor was built under a shade tree close to the church for the purpose of holding the conference. About 100 people attended the conference and stayed day and night until it was over. 

Clerical members present on the first day of Conference, September 20, 1877; Ewing, Sanders, McSpaddin, Derrick, Sevier, Shapard, Walker, Parsons, Keith, Bryce.

Note: There were also lay members present as well as clerical members that may have arrived late. It is of interest to note that the order of their names was probably the order of how they seated themselves, and may reflect with whom they were better acquainted.

Rev. E.R. Shapard convened the 32nd session of the Indian Mission Conference at 9:00am on September 20, 1877, due to the fact that Bishop Marvin was not present and would not arrive until later that evening. Young Ewing was elected president for the first day.

E.R. Shapard conducted the religious exercises at 9:00 am on September 21, 1877, to begin the second day of Conference.

E.R. Shapard, Ewing, Duncan and Thompson who were the Committee of Memoirs gave an account of the life of Rev. John Harrell.

339.      September 29, 1877 (Indian Journal)
The thirty-second session of the Indian Mission Conference convened at Stringtown, Choctaw Nation, September 20th, 1877. The Bishop not having arrived the conference was called to order by the Secretary (ERS) of the former conference, and organized by electing Rev. Young Ewing President and Rev. E.R. Shapard Secretary. The usual religious exercises were conducted by the President, when the conference adjourned to meet at 2 o’clock. In the meantime Bishop Marvin arrived, and the various interests of the church were carefully inquired into, and adjusted in a strictly business manner; all the claims against the conference were fully met. The religious interest was more than usual for a conference occasion; the preaching was deeply spiritual. The memorial service in memory of Rev. John Harrell was a solemn time ; preachers and people wept, and felt with a bereaved family  the loss of a father. Truly a good and great man has fallen, may his mantle fall on the preachers of the Indian Mission Conference. Bishop Marvin came to us in tears, his brother, the last of his father’s family (save himself), had only a few days previous gone to the spirit land (as he very beautifully expressed it) was spending his first Sabbath in Heaven. Bishop Marvin had greatly endeared himself to this people, and no doubt the prayers of many kind hearts will follow him in his future pilgrimage. This meeting of the conference will long be remembered by the citizens of Stringtown and its vicinity, and certainly they will not be lightly esteemed by the members of the conference. Every preparation had been made by them for the entertainment of the conference, and a genuine hospitality was dispensed from commencement to the close. May rich blessings both temporal and spiritual abide with them. In a few hours we receive our appointments, sing our parting song and leave this quite retreat for the duties and toils of another year.

340.      October 20, 1877 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Indian Mission Conference. You  will find enclosed the statistics, Report of Committee on Education, also Reports of Superintendants of Asbury and New Hope Schools, and a Report of Committee on Memoirs. I suppose that Dr. Redford has been informed that the balance accessed to this Conference was assumed by individuals how have paid, or will soon pay, it. So we pay our pro rata to the Publishing House. We are very desirous to have more white preachers, and Bishop Marvin says he will send them before the Conference year is out, if he can. The memoir of Brother Harrell, which is here enclosed, may be considered too long to be published in the Advocate. The Conference requested me, as Secretary, to insist upon its being published in full, although part has been published before. It is the composition, except quoted parts of a native of this country, who breaths in it the sentiments of the whole Nation:
E.R. Shapard, Sec. Ind. Miss. Conf.
New Hope Seminary, Oak Lodge, C.N., Oct. 2, 1877

341.      October 27, 1877 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Long Creek, Moshulatubbee circuit, first quarterly conference, I interpreted two sermons during this meeting for brother Shapard. We traveled 110 miles this trip. Got water bound by Lourche Maline (sp?).

342.      November 3, 1877 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Pine Ridge, Sans Bois circuit, first quarterly conference. I preached twice and interpreted one sermon for brother E.R. Shapard.

343.      November 10 - 11, 1877 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Skullyville circuit, first quarterly conference held at Short Mountain. Sunday night November 11, Brother E.R. Shapard and S.G. Harrell were present.

344.      1878 (Interview of Susan Gregory Powell, Indian-Pioneer Project. OU Western History Collection)
In 1878 Susan Gregory was united in marriage to Julius Augustus POWELL. At this wedding, Doctor Shapard, who as superintendent of the New Hope Academy had directed her school life for five years, officiated.

345.      April 5, 1878 (Letter to ERS from his brother William)
To Rev. Edwin R. Shapard at New Hope Seminary at Scullyville, Oak Lodge C.N.
…Rev. C.R. Shapard* of S.W. Texas writes me and received a letter from cousin Annie**, daughter of uncle Thomas Shapard. Hope to meet them. Robert Mitchell, son of Uncle James_____(?) and his two sons Ed and Chas. Live in this place…
Will (Rev. William Shapard), Austin, Texas

*Charles R. Shapard, born in 1844, was a Methodist minister. He was the son of James Paine Shapard (Edwin and William’s uncle).
**Ann “Annie” Shapard, born in 1852, was a teacher in Texas. She was the daughter of Thomas Paine Shapard (Edwin and William’s uncle).

346.      April 6, 1878 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
New Hope Seminary, Choctaw Nation. The school is prospering as well as could be expected. I have 52 scholars, two over the number. They enjoy better health than ever before. The religious exercises of the school are conducted by myself and teachers, and there is a good religious interest all of the time.
E.R. Shapard

347.      May 11, 1878 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
A woman appointed to China.  After months of prayer and carefulness a woman has been found for our China Mission, who as we believe, combines those rare characteristics which will fit her for the work – linguistic talent, which has been tested in the acquisition of English, Latin, Greek and German – mental equipoise and sufficient individuality to enable her to be aggressive – youth, which fits her for learning to speak a new and difficult language, yet experience in the very field which most of all others would prepare her for this work. For two years she has been a teacher in our New Hope Indian Boarding School. Dr. Guilford Jones, Dr. Sullivan, of Sardis, Miss., and Brother Shapard, of New Hope School, give us every ground for confidence…
Note: Lochie Rankin was the daughter of a Methodist Minister and also had a brother that became a Methodist Minister.

348.      May 19, 1878 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
At Mr. Hoyt on Canadian River. This day brother Shapard preached twice.

349.      May 25 - 26, 1878 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Holitusha third quarterly conference. I did not preach, brother Shapard preached twice.

350.      June 12, 1878 (Dawes Packet, Choctaw by Blood, for Nannie Parke)
This certifies that Joseph Lanier, of Skullyville County State of Choctaw Nation and Nannie Berry of Scullyville County Sate of Choctaw Nation were united in holy matrimony by me, according to the Ordinance of God and the Laws of the State of the Choctaw Nation at James Thompson’s near Scullyville on the Twelth day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Eight.
E.R. Shapard, Minister of the Gospel
Witness: Mary C. Thompson

351.      October 17, 1878 (Minute Book of the IMC at OHS)
Report on New Hope Seminary. It offers me great satisfaction to report the school in a prosperous condition. It commenced the first Monday in September, 1877 and continued without intermission until June 26, 1878. The health of the school has been good. There was no death during the year. The students have pursued their religious course of study under Miss Lochie Rankin and Miss Dora Rankin, who have been fruitful teachers. In addition to their regular studies, some of the pupils have been taught to perform some upon the organ. Though we have not found it possible to introduce regular music lessons.
The religious exercises have been preaching, prayers and Sabbath school. A class is organized in the school which consists of some twenty fine members and all my assistants are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In the absence of the Superintendent, the teachers conduct the Sabbath school. The number of pupils has been 53. At the last session of the Choctaw Council, three additional pupils were sent in consideration of the rents upon Fort Coffee Farm. I experience no very great difficulty in supporting the school from the appropriations of the Nation and the Mission Board.
I have made improvements upon the place during the last twelve months to the value of six to eight hundred dollars. These improvements have been necessary for we have not had room enough for our pupils. In the use of these means, I may frequently err. I can only say that my books have never been examined by anyone in authority and I am entirely dependent upon my own judgment and the council of my teacher for all that I do. I would ask the Bishop to appoint a committee to make a thorough review of everything and make a full report, for I have felt that the responsibility without examination was a little too much.
The girls are taught to sew, knit, spin and also take lessons in embroidery, crochet, etc. Too great praise cannot be given to Mrs. S. E. Nickel who teaches the girls such things. The food for the school is healthy and well cooked. In the cooking, the girls do a great deal of it. The dining room is watched over by Mrs. Shapard who is seldom away from it while the girls are in it.
For the lesson which commenced September 11th, I have employed Miss Dora Rankin and Miss Julie R. Holmes and under their care the school promises to be successful during this year. The Fort Coffee Farm, which is now controlled by the Superintendent of the school has been in cultivation during this year and has produced in rents about 1000 bushels of corn. This farm promises to supply the school in corn and meat after this year. In the garden around the school we are supplied with vegetables.
I would say to the Conference that I have not met a single member of the Conference during the year. By the favor of God, my own health has been preserved and the lives of my family. Respectfully submitted,
E.R. Shapard, Supt. of New Hope Female School

352.      October 17-20, 1878 (Indian Mission Conference Minute Book at OHS)
33rd Annual Indian Missions Conference held at The Presbyterian church at Muskogee October 17-20, 1878. ER Shapard elected Conference Recording Secretary and appointed as Presiding Elder of the Choctaw District and as Superintendent of New Hope Seminary.

Clerical members present on the first day of Conference, October 17, 1878; Ewing, Derrick, Thompson, Shapard, Walker, Bryce, Chicote, Coward, Keith.

Note: There were also lay members present as well as clerical members that may have arrived late. It is of interest to note that the order of their names was probably the order of how they seated themselves, and may reflect with whom they were better acquainted.

E.R. Shapard, J.F. Thompson and Samuel Chicote were appointed a Committee to frame and present resolutions on a Creek translation of the Acts of the Apostles, which had been presented to the Conference for consideration by Rev. W. Robertson. On October 19, 1878 this Committee responded, “Whereas a translation of the Acts of the Apostles in manuscript in the Creek language now in the hands Rev. W.L. Robertson which has met with the approval of different approved and competent interperators. Therefore, resolved, that we here by join the Presbyterian Brethren in asking the American Bible Society to publish this as approved by the Indian Mission Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Resolved again, that the preachers of the different circuits be urged to call the attention of the members to a more attentive study of the scriptures.”

Special thanks was given to Rev. Elliott who was so kind to allow the Indian Mission Conference to hold its session at the Presbyterian Church at Muskogee.

353.      November 22, 1878 (Kobe Japan, Letter from Lochie Rankin to ERS)
Dear Friend, I wrote Dora from Yokohama and now beg that you say to her and my former pupils that I have come safe so far. We left Yokohama wed. 4 p.m. under the most favorable auspices. Yesterday ran into a storm and were sea sick again. We would not have offered the least resistance had any one proposed throwing us overboard. We stopped with Dr. Kaetay (sp?) of the M.E.C. Met a host of missionaries, visited the American Japanese school. We are going ashore presently and will have no opportunity for further writing. It is very cold here and I don’t like riding in a Jinrikisha. Had a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Lambuth (sp?) who have kindly provided for my comfort at the various stopping places. Tell all to write me for mine will be a lonely life at first. Give my best love to  Mrs. Shapard and the dear children. Write soon to yours in Christ,
Lochie Rankin

354.      1879 (The Annual Report of the American Bible Society)
E.R. Shapard of Oak Lodge, Indian Territory raised $7.50 in sales from bibles that were donated to him.

355.      March 8, 1879 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Skullyville District second quarterly meeting.

356.      June 20, 1879 (Newspaper clipping - name of paper missing – found in Foreman Collection, OHS)
“You have a large family here, Brother Shapard?” “Yes: Just sixty-three is our regular number, but this year we have three extra ones. There are fifty-three Indian girls…this year fifty six…three teachers, one cook, one house-maid, one young man, gardener, hostler, etc., and my own family of four: and very frequently the circuit rider (Pittman was the circuit rider) stops with us to feed his horse and play with the children. I don’t know what else he does. He says he wants to study; but I don’t think he hurts himself.
Brother Shapard, if you must know, is E. R. Shapard, a transfer from the Tennessee Conference, Superintendent of New Hope school for girls and young ladies; moreover, presiding elder of the Choctaw District, Indian Mission Conference, and I  am the aforementioned circuit rider, appointed by the Indian Mission Conference to look after and report concerning the workings of said school.
 Here we are, situated upon a lofty elevation, though it does not appear so from its surroundings; for its level, slightly rising in front (south) and west of us, while behind and to the east, although the yard and grounds rapidly decline, yet we see some higher ground a short distance north, toward the Arkansas; while east, toward Poteau, it continues to descend for three miles; beyond Poteau are some hills. South of us, some twelve miles, a huge mountain Caveniel (Cavenall), rises abruptly and grandly some 500 or 600 feet above the level of the prairie. Out west , up the Arkansas, broken ranges of hills, one back of the other, each higher than the last, bound the horizon sixteen miles away. Just across Poteau (a small river or large creek), east and south-east is the Devil’s Backbone, a low range of hills four and ten miles away. Farther away, twenty miles to the south-east, is the loftiest peak of all, Sugar Loaf, and it derives its name from shape, a bug potato-hill out of rocks, with a short row of smaller ones tied to its eastern side, terminating in a rounded peak, higher than any of the others, except the western most. The line dividing the state of Arkansas and the Indian Territory passes across the second one from the west. But haven’t we run off from New Hope? Only now it seems to be in a valley, in the V bottom of the Arkansas and Poteau rivers on the east, north and west, and shut in on the south by the mountains; but it is a high dry place for all that; sandy too. The Timber around it is scrubby oak, so thick the ticks can well get through, but it makes a splendid, big fire after the leaves are all dead. The open places, old fields and prairies, are covered with stiff, rough, frowsy-looking grass, which burns finely, too, when it gets dry; and makes the cattle fat when green. Much of it gets upon the New Hope table in the shape of buttermilk and beef, and some in the barns as hay. So we have not wandered from the subject. We have stood right here at New Hope and seen all of this, except the butter and beef, and if you will just wait till dinner-time I will show you that.
Mr. Editor, this is the queerest school you ever saw, and the best. It isn’t a school – it is a family. I am not making this; it is already made, and I am only picking it up. I will first show you the shell, and then we will “look” at the kernel.
You must not think New Hope is not a pretty place. You just step into the sanctum of the Missionary Secretary and look at it. But it is prettier than the picture. And you ask Dr. Wilson if it isn’t a pleasant place. I know he would like to come out here again. He is coming, and you are coming with him.
 Look there at that large rock building (retreating as it were out of the yard, sliding down the hill), two-stories twenty feet high, forty-four feet long, twenty-four feet wide, with walls two feet thick. Step in. Such an air of neatness, cleanliness, and comfort seldom ever greets you in a public building. Three rows of desks, and such desks! You never saw the like – Superintendent’s. own invention. He ought to have a patent. He has drawers in them, but they are nailed up. The seats are chairs. And what a rattling the girls do make with them when they are dismissed! You would think the house was tumbling down. One end, the west, is for the black-board. Just over it an open Bible needle-work, with the inscription, “ Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,” and a needle-worked motto, “God bless our school.” And see all around you, on the white washed walls, mottos – a harp, the ten commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles Creed, and other attractive and instructive objects – needle-work by the girls. Look at those beautifully embroidered white curtains, the girls’ own handiwork, under the kind and skillful supervision of Mrs. Nickell. But we are examining Mrs. Nichol’s work in Miss Rankin’s department – no slight intended. We were supposing the school room empty; but here are 48 girls engage in studies ranging from ABC to algebra, French, and music. Let me introduce you to Miss Dora Rankin, another Tennessee recruit, who is in place of her sister, Miss Lochie,  lately gone to China, who after trying the red  man a while, turned to the more difficult (what does she say about that?) task of teaching John Chinaman.
Attached to the west end of the building is an 18-foot by 16-foot room, capable of accommodating 12 girls, where Miss Holmes lately of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, hears recitations. This room is also the library, containing a good and varied assortment of books for school purposes and general reading. The scholars are drilled, thoroughly drilled. Explanations of difficult subjects are made, and they are required to  go through with the explanations. The Indian girls are good at mechanical execution, following copies, needle-work, memorizing, and such like; but abstract reasoning is hard, one teacher said impossible (I don’t think so) to inculcate.
 Any girl under the age of 14 is allowed to enter New Hope school for six years; over 14, only four years. The Indian Government has a system of public schools in operation all over the nation. The Choctaw Nation is divided into 17 counties, each of which sends a certain ratio of its population. The school receives them in all grades, from ABC up, and carries them just as far as they will go. There is no fixed limit to the course of study. With kindness and patience, tact and ability, the teachers persistently instruct, and the girls learn.
But let’s go up stairs. The stairway is in the east end of the building – the main entrance is in the south side. Let us go up. What a busy scene! Seated on benches before you is quite a number of girls busy, some sewing, some knitting, some working card-cords; here in one corner is one carding and another spinning; there the sewing machine is rattling away, while Mrs. Nickell is busy with chalk and scissors, marking and cutting. All around on the shelves are piles of goods, some garments just finished, some raw materials to be worked up. The girls make their own dresses and all articles of wearing apparel, piece and quilt their own quilts, and in everything act as if they were at home, as indeed, they are. The material for their clothing, their books, provisions, medicine, medical attendance, etc., are all paid for out of the public fund, at the discretion of the Superintendant; so that is truly a large family. It has a kind and wise father. All goods and supplies are bought at wholesale through Mr. Tibbetts, an accommodating merchant of Skullyville.
But where does all this large family eat and sleep? Do you see those two long one-story buildings, 25 feet from the school room, the north end  of each in line with the south side of the school room, extending 100 feet south in front, and at each end of the school room? Well, the building at the east side of the yard is the sleeping department, and in an ell of two rooms at the southern end the teachers stay. The western building is occupied by the Superintendant and family, and the laborers on the school grounds. In it is also the dinning room, 60 foot by 20 foot, and back of it towards the west, is the kitchen, smoke house, and well, while north of it, 30 foot distant, is the ironing room, 18 foot by 18 foot. Back, north of the school room, are the crib and stable, with their enclosures. About 150 yards north, down the hill, is a fine spring of good water, with milk house, wash house, etc. West of the yard containing about four acres, is a garden of three acres, where the vegetables are raised, and we always have an abundance. East is a potato patch, a place to raise oats, millet and the like, a field of seven or eight acres. Just in front of the school room, and between the 100 by 20 foot sleeping and dining rooms, is the flower garden, under special direction of Mrs. Nickell and the girls. The circuit rider aforementioned digs sometimes. The soil is very sandy, easily cultivated, and not very productive except in vegetables. Potatoes do finely, with no especial pains, oftentimes growing to the weight of three and five pounds. They will not be quite that large, Mr. Editor, when you come out here in September to Annual Conference, but we can mail you one when we dig, even if we have to cut it in two. You come and look at the vines and the ground. We will feed you on potatoes at Conference. They sometimes make pies of them. Will they hurt you?
It is morning, four o’clock. Mary is rattling the grate (we burn native coal) in the cooking stove; all else is stillness around. Five and a half o’clock. Ding dong, ding dong sound the big bell in front of the Superintendent’s room. He isn’t up yet. One of the girls, assistant cooks is ringing it and right lustily she rings to wake us all up. At six the bell taps three times, decided taps; the Superintendent’s hand is on the rope now, and we all march to prayers in the school room. That is our first labor. Six and a half, at four taps we go to breakfast. Four long tables --- Mrs. Nickell presides over one, Miss Rankin over another, and Miss Holmes over the third…while at one end of the fourth is seated Mrs. Shapard, and at the other the Superintendent. At her left is Sumner in his high chair and on her right is Lizzie (Shapard children); on his left are the hired men and visitors, the other side of the table being occupied by the girls of the school. Everything is placed conveniently on the table. In about ten minutes the mischief is done, and the chatter gradually dies away; then comes the ominous silence. Sixty persons in a room and not a word said. The Superintendent raises his eyes and looks around, and then taps a small silver bell at his right hand. Table at the left of him rises – no, the girls – and passes out; extension of the same rises, table in front of him ditto, then the girls on his right. Several of the girls remain in to assist collecting and assorting the scraps and gathering the dishes into one place.
Shortly after passing out the big bell taps twice, and Mrs. Nickell takes the girls into the sewing room to remain until a quarter to nine. In about half an hour a small bell rattles for the dish-washing class to come to the dining-room. They come. Two girls a week are detailed to assist in cooking – not to interfere with their recitations. There is a milking class, a house-cleaning class, a class to carry water (sometimes from the spring, sometimes from the well), an ironing class, which rotate in their duties, as housework is a part of the instruction, and diminishes the expenses. No work interferes with school duties. The washing is done by extra help.
You ought to see Mrs. Shapard in the household department. She acts as a mother among her girls, and they regard her as such. The whole establishment moves like clock-work – the weight of the Superintendent hidden away on the side, but moving powerfully nevertheless.
At 8:45 one tap of the big bell commands a suspension of all labors till nine, when three taps call them to the school-room until twelve. An hour and a half for dinner and recreation, then school until four, when after fifteen minutes recreation, they again repair to the sewing room until dark sets in. After supper and cleaning up, three taps recall them to the school-room, where they engage in study, reading, singing, and any thing profitable and interesting, until 8:30, when the establishment is summoned to prayers, where thanks are returned to the Giver of all good, and his protection implored for the night. Soon all is stillness. The inhabitants are wrapped in slumber.
Preaching is regularly attended to once a month, and irregularly still more frequently, in the school-room; and oftentimes the girls are taken to preaching at a church a mile distant. Sabbath-school every Sunday afternoon.
Every modern appliance suitable and available is used in the daily and Sabbath-schools, and Mrs. Nickell is up with the times in her department, though she doesn’t try to “keep up” with the “fashions.” The teachers and all are thoroughly competent for their situations, and improve their talents. The Lord will abundantly pour out his Spirit unto them.
The health of the school is remarkably good. Every precaution is taken to ensure health and comfort. It is a large family in which the whole man is looked after – physical, mental, and spiritual – and looked after assiduously and wisely. God has given us a noble opportunity here, and blessed us with persons suitable to improve the opportunity. This is the work of the Mission Board.
The Choctaw Nation has set apart $5000 to furnish the school. The amount is entrusted to the Board, which employs Superintendent and teachers at its own expense, and so well is it managed that all the expense of the institution – tuition, books, board, doctor’s bill, etc. – is only $115 per scholar per year; and by strict economy something is left over for repairs and improvements, which are being made every year.
There are a couple of mules for hauling and plowing. Hogs and cattle are raised to supply the school with meat, milk and butter. Fort Coffee farm --- about 100 acres in Arkansas bottom --- is attached to the school, the rents of which are sufficient to fatten the hogs and feed the cows and mules.
This is the 20th of June; school is closed, the girls are gone, and the grounds are comparatively lifeless. The parents or friends of the girls have come one and two hundred miles with horses and wagons to take them home. Now for a ride across the hot prairies. Soon the teachers will leave us, and hammers of the carpenters will be busy.
I will put down a . , and subscribe myself your humble servant,
John Pittman, Oak Lodge, I.T

357.       June 27, 1879 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Folsom Chapel, Friday morning. This meeting continued for 12 days. A funeral sermon of my son [was preached] by E.R. Shapard.

358.       June 27, 1879 (Milan Tennessee, letter from Dora Rankin to ERS)
Rev. E.R. Shapard,
Ours was an enjoyable trip from New Hope to Humboldt, Tennessee, where Miss H. (Holmes) took the train to Union City. Leaving Ft. Smith at break of day we greatly enjoyed the rapid transit through the country which possessed no particular charm. Found no part of the country from Ft. Smith to Little Rock that was at all inviting, in fact, should judge from the surroundings that the Arkansas farmers have no thought or expectations of anything beyond a scanty support. Arrived in L.R. at two p.m.  – Left for Memphis at Three; had a fine view of Grand prairie over which we passed in the day. The conductor on the Memphis and L.R. train proved to be an acquaintance of mine; and it is useless for me to  say I was then relieved of further trouble in regard to baggage, cheques, etc..
Miss Holmes could not make direct connection between Memphis and Union City and came on to Humboldt, where I remained with her until Wed. at four p.m. when she left for U.C. Imagine my surprise when informed before reaching Memphis that one-fourth of the business portion of Milan was burned a few nights before; also the additional shock I received when, on reaching Humboldt, was informed that my brother’s office was burned and his losses heavy. When I reached home, found greatly to my relief, that this report was exaggerated, all valuable papers and money being saved.
My return to New Hope is doubtful as late letters from “sister” (Lochie) report her health failing rapidly and I feel it my duty to go and aid her if I can. Sadness and sorrow are depicted on the face of each one since this sorrowful news. I trust you will write and give me your opinion upon this step.
Hope Mrs. Shapard was pleased with my purchase; though I greatly fear she was not. Much love for the dear children, and Mrs. S. (Shapard) and N. (Nickel). Respectfully yours,
Dora Rankin

Note: Chronicles of Oklahoma, Vol. 11, No. 2, June 1933 has an obituary of Anna DeWees Fears (1847-1932) and states that she was sent by Bishop Pierce to be a teacher at New Hope school in the Choctaw Nation for one year (1880), after which she was transferred to Chilocco. – the only place where her employment would fit the record is after Dora Rankin left and before the first record of Virginia Wendell teaching in April of 1880. Therefore, she may have taught the first semester of 1879 and was transferred to Chilocco before April of 1880.

359.      June 30, 1879 (Nantsiang China, letter from Lochie Rankin to Lizzie Shapard)
Miss Lizzie Shapard,
Little darling, one year ago today was the last I spent at New Hope. Do you remember it? You , Mama, and little brother came over to my room and we had a grand head-washing; though it was the Sabbath. This year there will be no homegoing for me, and I can’t but feel it since it is the first year I have ever missed. Today I am at the ‘Louise Home’ Nantsiang and just now am about as warm as I ever was. We have no thermometer up here but I think if there were it would stand  in the nineties…send your letters to Shanghai, and I will be sure to get them wherever I am. Give my love to your mother, kiss Sumner a hundred times for me, and remember me kindly to your father. Your loving friend,
Lochie Rankin

Note: Lochie Rankin remained in China until ordered to return from Shanghai by the Board of Missions on May 7, 1927, due to the dangerous war conditions that were developing in that country (Kingsport Times May 8, 1927). She returned from China in 1885, and lectured in the Methodist church in Marshall, Texas, on September, 17, 1885 (Galveston Daily News, September 18, 1885).

360.      July 7, 1879 (Letter postmarked Murfreesboro July 8, 1879 to Mrs. E.R. Shapard at Oak Lodge, Choctaw Nation I.T.)
Murfreesboro Tenn.
July 7, 1879
My dear Mrs. Shapard
No doubt you have looked for word from me…would have written but for want of time was compelled to defer the pleasure till now. I did not deliver the package at Nashville on account of the close connection of trains, though I will be at Mrs. Hills in a short while and will attend to it there. My father was taken ill on the way home, and I was anxious to continue travel. I hope that the failure of sending the package will not cause any inconvenience.
Our trip home was very pleasant, had no difficulty whatever. I remained in West Tennessee one week. Enjoyed my visit very much. Have been at home almost a week and am ready to return to New Hope.
I am not at all partial to life in the States. While my mother lived with us, I loved my home, seldom left it; now that she has gone, leaving a dark, cheerless vacancy, I have no desire to remain here. Of course it is a pleasure to be with father, brothers and sisters, yet it is hard to remain even among these, indeed I had much rather stay at N.H. (New Hope) away from the scene of sorrow, than mingle with Murfreesboro’ fashionable circles. I attended services yesterday morning, afternoon, and night. Enjoyed the privilege so much. The Sunday School is not as flourishing as it might be, if I mistake not, little interest seems to be manifested. I like Brother McFurin very much. He preached a splendid sermon at morning and evening in regard to literature of the present day, its influence on youthful minds, etc. As I have other letters to send off tomorrow, I must close, yet with reluctance, Love to yourself, Lizzie, Sumner, Mrs. N. (Nickol), etc. My kindest regards to Mr. Shapard. Hoping to hear from you at an early date.
I remain as ever, yours, Loulie R. Holmes

361.      August 8 - 10, 1879 (from the diary of Rev. Willis F. Folsom at OHS)
Lillokey, Canadian [river] fourth quarterly meeting for Sans Bois Circuit. Saturday night brother Shapard preached. I interpreted twice for him. During this meeting a drunkard disturbed the congregation. Dismissed. I did not preach here.

362.      September 10, 1879 (Minute Book of the IMC at OHS)
During the past year New Hope Female School has been conducted by me, under your appointment. There has been nothing which call for special notice. Our numbers have averaged 55. Under the original contract there were fifty scholars. Three were sent because of the use of Fort Coffee Farm, one received without any appropriations, and one was received whose expenses were paid by her parents. The health of the school has been very good. We have had no death during the year and only a few cases of serious sickness. There has been some improvement in the mind of every pupil in the school, some have advanced rapidly while others not so fast. The improvement in the manners and habits of the girls is more marked than has been any previous year. They have been supplied with the ministry of the Word two times every month, with an occasional service from some visiting brother. Sabbath school has been conducted every Sabbath by the Superintendent or one of the teachers. I have had two competent teachers employed who had charge of the school rooms. They have been faithful in the discharge of their respective duties. One of them, Miss Dora Rankin has been selected by the Women’s Mission Society as female missionary to China. Every employee of the school has endeavored to perform his or her duties to the best of their ability.
We have supplied the school with wholesome food and comfortable clothing. The sewing department is under the management of Mrs. S.E. Nickel, whose long experience and sound judgment qualifies her to fill the place well. Every pupil in the school is enabled to make her own clothing.
Financially I have been embarrassed during the year. The payments by the Nation have not been prompt and now the Choctaw Nation is indebted to me as Superintendent $4500 on the year 1878-1879. I shall be compelled to commence the next session September 22 with the Nation indebted to me this amount. Of this amount, I am indebted to different persons to the amount of $4200.
We have on hand corn, horses and beef enough to run us for another year if no unusual disease visits our stock. Every year the necessary expense of the school has been less than the year previous, which fact enables me to make some improvements upon the premises or within the school. I think I can safely say that the school is in as healthy a condition as could be expected under the financial pressure which is upon it. I have notified the Superintendent of Public Schools of the Nation that the school cannot be run unless there is some better arrangements made with regard to the supply of funds.
To God we are grateful for sustaining us under all circumstances and our trust is in Him for we feel that we are laboring in His cause. It will be necessary before the meeting of another Annual Conference to renew the contract for the management of the school or to decline conducting it any longer. I would be pleased to have some explanation from the Conference to the Missionary Board in regard to the renewal. Respectfully submitted,
E.R. Shapard, Supt. New Hope Female School



363.      September 10-14, 1879 (Indian Mission Conference Minute Book)
34th Annual Indian Missions Conference held at Double Springs September 10-14, 1879. E.R. Shapard elected Conference Recording Secretary and appointed as Presiding Elder of the Choctaw District and as Superintendent of New Hope Seminary.

Note: (From the records of Bishop Pierce) Accommodations for the ministers at Double Springs were very rough and they slept on blankets. They had a stormy night with heavy rain and wind. The conference was held in the woods amid a large gathering of Indians, half-breeds and a few whites. There many hundred Indians present for the religious services and the ministers marveled at the number of horses, mules, ponies and dogs that roamed the campground.

Clerical members present on the first day of Conference, September 10, 1878; Ewing, Sevier, Derrick, Thompson, Coward, Shapard, Pittman, Walker, Bryce.

Note: There were also lay members present as well as clerical members that may have arrived late. It is of interest to note that the order of their names was probably the order of how they seated themselves, and may reflect with whom they were better acquainted.

E.R. Shapard, Walker and W.F. Folsom were appointed by the Bishop as the Committee of Pubic Worship.

The Committee of Investigation in the case of Rev. J.T. Pittman (Circuit Rider for Skullyville area) made its report and they judged that a trial was necessary. The Bishop appointed a Committee of Trial, consisting of Thompson, Sevier, Derrick, Fishburne, Shapard, Walker, Bryce, Chicote and Coward. On September 13, 1879, the Committee found Rev. Pittman guilty of immorality. He was suspended from the ministry for twelve months. The following year at Conference, after his punishment had expired, the Bishop transferred Rev. Pittman to the Tennessee Conference.

E.R. Shapard, Thompson, Walker and Chicote were the Committee on Publishing House and recommended support to the Nashville Christian Advocate.

The citizens of Double Springs and vicinity were thanked for having subjected themselves to such prividations by leaving their homes and exposing themselves to the hardships of tent life, and contributing to the support and entertainment of the Conference.

364.      October 4, 1879 (Nashville Christian Advocate)
Indian Mission Conference. The Indian Mission Conference met Sept. 10, and closed Sept. 14. Bishop Pierce presided. E.R. Shapard was Secretary. There were a number of visiting brethren from other Conferences who did  a good share of preaching and exhorting to the Indians. A large collection of people, estimated at from one to two thousand, were upon the ground for several days, camping in tents, wagons, houses, or out-of-doors.
An increase of four hundred and ten was reported in the number of members. Missionary collections increased until they were three times as much as last year. Besides, one hundred and four dollars for missionary purposes were collected on Sabbath morning. A revival among whites and Indians was result of meeting…

365.      November 5, 1879 (Acts, Bills and Resolutions of the Choctaw Nation 1879)
An act for the relief of New Hope Seminary was passed by the General Council of the Choctaw Nation on November 5, 1879 due to the fact that the Nation was one year delinquent in paying the annual $5000 to the Superintendant. The act allowed for $2500 to be paid immediately to the Superintendant through the Royalty Funds which had accrued under the unfinished business from the National Agent. Steps were further made to ensure prompt future payment as good business principles in order to run the school efficiently.

366.      November 6, 1879 (The Indian Journal, Muskogee)
(New Hope Academy)
Bishop Pierce of Arkansas thus writes of his late visit to the New Hope Academy at Skullyville Choctaw Nation: “we moved on the New Hope Academy, in the Choctaw Nation. Found hearty welcome from Rev. E.R. Shapard, the superintendant. This school is doing a great work for the rising generation. It is a school for girls only. The “Council” appropriates annually five thousand dollars for its support. The Board of Missions, by contract, is bound to board, clothe and teach 80 pupils, and to supplement the appropriation as may be necessary. It costs the church about $650 a year. The investment pays and will pay more as the tribe sees and feels the elevation of their people. In social life the influence must be salutary. The girls are taught cleanliness of person, neatness in apparel, propriety of manners, learned to cut and sew and cook and [keep] house in order.