Rev. Joseph Breed Sr.
Rev. Joseph Breed Sr. Born 4 Oct. 1708 Stonington, Conn. Christened 2 Jan.1709 at the First Congregational Church in Stonington. Conn. Married Priscilla Avery the 2nd of June 1737 at Groton, Conn. By Justice Luke Perkins. John and Gershom Breed were witnessed. Joseph died ca. 1778 Washington, Co. Ga. Priscilla Avery Born 29 April 1715 Groton, New London, Conn. Died 28 August 1786 Washington, Co. Ga.
Children:
Joseph -- Born the 8th of April 1738 in Stonington, New London, Conn. (See Joseph Breed Jr)
Avery – Born 21 Nov. 1739, Groton, Conn.
Priscilla -- Born 14 Oct. 1742 in Stonington, New London, Conn.
Prudence – Born 7 Dec. 1744, Groton, Conn. Married James Wood
Phebe -- Born 11 Aug. 1746, Stonington, Conn. Married John Wood
Nathan – Born Oct. 1742 in Stonington, New London, Conn
Hannah – Born 1755 in Frederick County, Va.
Sarah – Born in Union County, S.C.
Anna – Born in Union County, S.C.
Joseph4 was born 4 October 1708 in Stonington, New London, Conn. He was christened 2 Jan.1709 at the First Congregational Church in Stonington. The majority of the church members were farmers. Joseph4 met, in all probability, at this church, Priscilla Avery. The Averys were also members of this church. Joseph4 and Priscilla were married the 2nd of June 1737 at Groton, Conn. By Justice Luke Perkins. John4 and Gershom4 Breed witnessed the marriage.
Joseph4 was still living in Groton, Conn. On the 11th of August 1746 as evident by deeds executed during this time. Morgan Edwards states that Joseph4 Breed and Daniel Marshall moved with their families into a town called Onnaquaggy, NY at the head of the Susquehanna river about 1752 and there began a missionary with the Mohawk Indians. These men remained there for 18 month and then moved to Connogogig, PA. for a short stay.
Joseph4 next appears in Frederick County, Virginia on the 15 April 1754. He is shown signing papers selling his land in Groton, Conn. Joseph4 buys 149 acres of land in Frederick County, Virginia 15 June 1755, as shown by a patent granted him at that time. Joseph4 was in Virginia as he was a member of a group led by Shubal Stearns of Boston called “Separatist”.
After British General Edward Braddock's Defeat during the French and Indian War near Fort Duquesne in July 1755, the frontier of PA, VA and MD was left unprotected and many settlers moved further south. On the 22 November 1755 Shubal Stearns, Daniel Marshall, Joseph Breed and families departed Opekon, VA traveling about two hundred miles south to Sandy Creek, to what was then Orange County, North Carolina and established Sandy Creek Baptist Church.
Morgan Edwards, in his notebook, gives this description of the Sandy Creek Church. “So called from a creek running into Deep River, a branch of Cape Fear, in the county of Guilford, 250 miles northwest of Newburn and about 960 miles from Philadelphia. This house is 30 feet by 26 feet, built in 1762 on land of Seymour York. About 40 families, with no ordained ministers but exhorters.” Daniel Marshall and Joseph4 Breed, though not ordained as pastors of the Baptist Faith, were already preaching.
The Separatist Baptist became associated with The New Light Baptist Association of Philadelphia, Penn. And for two years their representative, Mr. Gano, had full opportunity to learn about the Separatists from their most able minister, Daniel Marshall, then pastor of Abbott’s Creek Church. Mr. Gano met with the ministers of the Sandy Creek Assn. In 1754.
His chief concern was the uneducated ministers of the association; he made no mention of such able ministers as Daniel Marshall, Phillip Mulkey, Joseph and William Murphy, Dutton Lane, Samuel Harris, Joseph4 Breed or Joseph Read. The Congregation at Little River already had a meeting house built in 1758 and in that year was represented at Sandy Creek Assn. Meeting by their minister, Joseph4 Breed.
The movement to establish churches now becomes a way of life for Joseph4. The churches of the Sandy Creek Assn., now well established, Joseph joins Phillip Mulkey and moves to the Broad River section of South Carolina in August of 1760 to help establish Fair Forest Church there. Phillip Mulkey was elected pastor of this church. Those who formed the Church were Phillip Mulkey and his wife, Stephen Howard and his wife, Joseph4 Breed Sr. and his wife Priscilla Avery Breed, Obadiah Howard and his wife Priscilla5 Breed Howard daughter of Joseph4 Breed, Benjamine Gist and his wife, Charles and Thomas Thompson and Rachel Collins.
Fair Forest Church was the first Baptist Church planted in upper South Carolina. Located near the town of Union, South Carolina with 4 other branches being in that general area of the state. One at Catawba, 100 miles northwest, established in1770. One at Thickety, 25 miles northeast, established in 1770. One at Enoree, 25 miles southeast, established in 1771. One at Lawson’s Fork 35 miles northwest, established in 1772.
Joseph4 received a land patent in Craven County, South Carolina, now Union County, the 17th of June 1763. The 4th of July 1768 Joseph4 grants Power of Attorney to his friend, John Hayes of Frederick Co., Va. to sell the land he still owned in Frederick Co., Va.
The dedication and energy of this little group of thirteen was amazing. To get an idea of their tremendous sacrifices, hardships, difficulties and dangers connected with the establishment of these churches, we must remember that the Country was almost unbroken wilderness and man could only travel by boat, on foot or horseback. There were no real roads only trails. There were no bridges, streams were crossed by fording or swimming. These men had the backing of no one.
Their pay was the satisfaction they gained from serving their God. They farmed to support their families and preached to support their soul. Occasionally they receive food for their horse and a meal for themselves. Maybe a roof over their heads, most times the sky was their roof.
Joseph4 now moves into Georgia and shows up in Warren and Washington Counties. The Sandy Creek Church records show that Joseph4 refused to take sides in the Revolutionary War. This possibly being the reason he moved into Georgia. Joseph4 later supported the Revolution as it is shown that his wife, Priscilla Breed, received payment after the Revolution for beef they gave to the Rebels.
The year is 1773 and the little group of 13 is on the move again. This time the group consist of Phillip Mulkey and wife, Obadiah and Priscilla5 Breed Howard. Joseph4 and Priscilla Avery Breed, Benjamin Gist and wife, Taswell Thompson and wife, Stephen Howard and wife and Miss Rachel Collins. These being listed as charter members of the Mill Creek Church in Monroe County, Kentucky.
Phillip Mulkey was elected first pastor of the Mill Creek Church. By 1778 the church had 128 members. By 1804 a larger meetinghouse was erected on a new site 200 yards east of the first building. The church was located near what is now Thompkinsville, Ky. Today it is a state park and listed as a Kentucky State Shrine. The church today is called the Old Mulkey Meeting house.
The graveyard, located by the side of the church, contains some of the descendants of Joseph4 Breed Sr., such as: Elizabeth5 Breed, wife of Tolbert Thomas, Nathan5 Breed, and Priscilla5 Avery Breed wife of Obadiah Howard. As of yet, we do not know where Joseph4 Breed Sr. is buried. Different sources gave different places. One says Warren Co., Georgia another says Washington Co., Georgia. It is possible that he never made the trip back from Kentucky and is probably buried near the Old Mulkey Church in Monroe Co., Kentucky.
References and Sources:
DAR Magazine—December 1940, page 48
Payments of Claims Against South Carolina, Growing out of the Revolution. Published by the Historical Commission of South Carolina.
History of Southern Families---by Boddie--- Volume 10 pages 132-137 Volume 13 page 158
History of the First Congregational Church---by Richard A. Wheeler published 1875.
Warren County, Georgia, Early Marriages Records.
The Second or 1807 Land Lottery of Georgia.
Morgan Edwards Notebook.
Tennessee Cousins---by Worth S. Ray, copyright 1950
The Story of the First Baptist Church Planted in Upper South Carolina
By Rev. J.D. Bailey. (Philip Mulkey and James Fowler).
A History of North Carolina Baptist.
Newspaper: The Tompkinsville News 50th Anniversary Edition
Tompkinsville, Monroe County, Kentucky.
South Carolina Treasury Stub Entries to Indents, Book X Part II page 99.
South Carolina Revolutionary War Claims, Box X part I page 142.
Deed – Frederick County, Virginia, Book 12 page 609.
Wilkes County, Georgia Land Grants, Book HHH page 539 and 636.
Deed – Union County, South Carolina, Book B page 419.
Land Survey – Union County, South Carolina, Plat VIII page 57
Children:
Joseph -- Born the 8th of April 1738 in Stonington, New London, Conn. (See Joseph Breed Jr)
Avery – Born 21 Nov. 1739, Groton, Conn.
Priscilla -- Born 14 Oct. 1742 in Stonington, New London, Conn.
Prudence – Born 7 Dec. 1744, Groton, Conn. Married James Wood
Phebe -- Born 11 Aug. 1746, Stonington, Conn. Married John Wood
Nathan – Born Oct. 1742 in Stonington, New London, Conn
Hannah – Born 1755 in Frederick County, Va.
Sarah – Born in Union County, S.C.
Anna – Born in Union County, S.C.
Joseph4 was born 4 October 1708 in Stonington, New London, Conn. He was christened 2 Jan.1709 at the First Congregational Church in Stonington. The majority of the church members were farmers. Joseph4 met, in all probability, at this church, Priscilla Avery. The Averys were also members of this church. Joseph4 and Priscilla were married the 2nd of June 1737 at Groton, Conn. By Justice Luke Perkins. John4 and Gershom4 Breed witnessed the marriage.
Joseph4 was still living in Groton, Conn. On the 11th of August 1746 as evident by deeds executed during this time. Morgan Edwards states that Joseph4 Breed and Daniel Marshall moved with their families into a town called Onnaquaggy, NY at the head of the Susquehanna river about 1752 and there began a missionary with the Mohawk Indians. These men remained there for 18 month and then moved to Connogogig, PA. for a short stay.
Joseph4 next appears in Frederick County, Virginia on the 15 April 1754. He is shown signing papers selling his land in Groton, Conn. Joseph4 buys 149 acres of land in Frederick County, Virginia 15 June 1755, as shown by a patent granted him at that time. Joseph4 was in Virginia as he was a member of a group led by Shubal Stearns of Boston called “Separatist”.
After British General Edward Braddock's Defeat during the French and Indian War near Fort Duquesne in July 1755, the frontier of PA, VA and MD was left unprotected and many settlers moved further south. On the 22 November 1755 Shubal Stearns, Daniel Marshall, Joseph Breed and families departed Opekon, VA traveling about two hundred miles south to Sandy Creek, to what was then Orange County, North Carolina and established Sandy Creek Baptist Church.
Morgan Edwards, in his notebook, gives this description of the Sandy Creek Church. “So called from a creek running into Deep River, a branch of Cape Fear, in the county of Guilford, 250 miles northwest of Newburn and about 960 miles from Philadelphia. This house is 30 feet by 26 feet, built in 1762 on land of Seymour York. About 40 families, with no ordained ministers but exhorters.” Daniel Marshall and Joseph4 Breed, though not ordained as pastors of the Baptist Faith, were already preaching.
The Separatist Baptist became associated with The New Light Baptist Association of Philadelphia, Penn. And for two years their representative, Mr. Gano, had full opportunity to learn about the Separatists from their most able minister, Daniel Marshall, then pastor of Abbott’s Creek Church. Mr. Gano met with the ministers of the Sandy Creek Assn. In 1754.
His chief concern was the uneducated ministers of the association; he made no mention of such able ministers as Daniel Marshall, Phillip Mulkey, Joseph and William Murphy, Dutton Lane, Samuel Harris, Joseph4 Breed or Joseph Read. The Congregation at Little River already had a meeting house built in 1758 and in that year was represented at Sandy Creek Assn. Meeting by their minister, Joseph4 Breed.
The movement to establish churches now becomes a way of life for Joseph4. The churches of the Sandy Creek Assn., now well established, Joseph joins Phillip Mulkey and moves to the Broad River section of South Carolina in August of 1760 to help establish Fair Forest Church there. Phillip Mulkey was elected pastor of this church. Those who formed the Church were Phillip Mulkey and his wife, Stephen Howard and his wife, Joseph4 Breed Sr. and his wife Priscilla Avery Breed, Obadiah Howard and his wife Priscilla5 Breed Howard daughter of Joseph4 Breed, Benjamine Gist and his wife, Charles and Thomas Thompson and Rachel Collins.
Fair Forest Church was the first Baptist Church planted in upper South Carolina. Located near the town of Union, South Carolina with 4 other branches being in that general area of the state. One at Catawba, 100 miles northwest, established in1770. One at Thickety, 25 miles northeast, established in 1770. One at Enoree, 25 miles southeast, established in 1771. One at Lawson’s Fork 35 miles northwest, established in 1772.
Joseph4 received a land patent in Craven County, South Carolina, now Union County, the 17th of June 1763. The 4th of July 1768 Joseph4 grants Power of Attorney to his friend, John Hayes of Frederick Co., Va. to sell the land he still owned in Frederick Co., Va.
The dedication and energy of this little group of thirteen was amazing. To get an idea of their tremendous sacrifices, hardships, difficulties and dangers connected with the establishment of these churches, we must remember that the Country was almost unbroken wilderness and man could only travel by boat, on foot or horseback. There were no real roads only trails. There were no bridges, streams were crossed by fording or swimming. These men had the backing of no one.
Their pay was the satisfaction they gained from serving their God. They farmed to support their families and preached to support their soul. Occasionally they receive food for their horse and a meal for themselves. Maybe a roof over their heads, most times the sky was their roof.
Joseph4 now moves into Georgia and shows up in Warren and Washington Counties. The Sandy Creek Church records show that Joseph4 refused to take sides in the Revolutionary War. This possibly being the reason he moved into Georgia. Joseph4 later supported the Revolution as it is shown that his wife, Priscilla Breed, received payment after the Revolution for beef they gave to the Rebels.
The year is 1773 and the little group of 13 is on the move again. This time the group consist of Phillip Mulkey and wife, Obadiah and Priscilla5 Breed Howard. Joseph4 and Priscilla Avery Breed, Benjamin Gist and wife, Taswell Thompson and wife, Stephen Howard and wife and Miss Rachel Collins. These being listed as charter members of the Mill Creek Church in Monroe County, Kentucky.
Phillip Mulkey was elected first pastor of the Mill Creek Church. By 1778 the church had 128 members. By 1804 a larger meetinghouse was erected on a new site 200 yards east of the first building. The church was located near what is now Thompkinsville, Ky. Today it is a state park and listed as a Kentucky State Shrine. The church today is called the Old Mulkey Meeting house.
The graveyard, located by the side of the church, contains some of the descendants of Joseph4 Breed Sr., such as: Elizabeth5 Breed, wife of Tolbert Thomas, Nathan5 Breed, and Priscilla5 Avery Breed wife of Obadiah Howard. As of yet, we do not know where Joseph4 Breed Sr. is buried. Different sources gave different places. One says Warren Co., Georgia another says Washington Co., Georgia. It is possible that he never made the trip back from Kentucky and is probably buried near the Old Mulkey Church in Monroe Co., Kentucky.
References and Sources:
DAR Magazine—December 1940, page 48
Payments of Claims Against South Carolina, Growing out of the Revolution. Published by the Historical Commission of South Carolina.
History of Southern Families---by Boddie--- Volume 10 pages 132-137 Volume 13 page 158
History of the First Congregational Church---by Richard A. Wheeler published 1875.
Warren County, Georgia, Early Marriages Records.
The Second or 1807 Land Lottery of Georgia.
Morgan Edwards Notebook.
Tennessee Cousins---by Worth S. Ray, copyright 1950
The Story of the First Baptist Church Planted in Upper South Carolina
By Rev. J.D. Bailey. (Philip Mulkey and James Fowler).
A History of North Carolina Baptist.
Newspaper: The Tompkinsville News 50th Anniversary Edition
Tompkinsville, Monroe County, Kentucky.
South Carolina Treasury Stub Entries to Indents, Book X Part II page 99.
South Carolina Revolutionary War Claims, Box X part I page 142.
Deed – Frederick County, Virginia, Book 12 page 609.
Wilkes County, Georgia Land Grants, Book HHH page 539 and 636.
Deed – Union County, South Carolina, Book B page 419.
Land Survey – Union County, South Carolina, Plat VIII page 57
