HOME

Updated September 4, 2011.

FROM SADDLE TO CITY BY BUGGY, BOAT AND RAILWAY by Rev. D. G. C. Butts. Published 1922.

August 13, 2011. PRINCESS ANNE CIRCUIT

D. G. C. Butts and Bride 1872

PERSONAL AND INTRODUCTORY

I am the only child of Col. Augustine Claiborne Butts and Anna Maria Claiborne. He was the son of Genl. Daniel Claiborne Butts and Elizabeth Randolph Harrison, of the "Berkeley," James river family. My mother was the daughter of Rev. John Gregory Claiborne, of “Roslin” Brunswick county, and Mary Elizabeth Weldon, daughter of Daniel Weldon of N. C. I was born at “Roslin” October 10th, 1848. Our home was at Lawrenceville.

My grandfather Claiborne was a Local Preacher on the old Brunswick circuit for sixty-two years. He died in 1887, at the home of his son, Dr. John Herbert Claiborne, in Petersburg.

In 1853 father removed to Hicksford, (now Emporia,) and in 1855 to Petersburg. My parents took me with them to High Street Methodist church, that being the nearest church to our residence on High St. We were living there in the great snow storm of 1857. In 1858 father bought a home on Lawrence St. This move brought us so near Washington Street church, that mother joined that church and placed me in that Sunday School. Mr Willie Cowles, the son of Rev. Henry B. Cowles, of our Conference, was my teacher. When Market Street church was completed, under Dr. John E. Edwards, my mother withdrew from Washington Street, and joined that church, and became a Leader of one of the Ladies’ Classes. I entered the Sunday School at the same time with Mr. W. C. James as my teacher.

I publicly confessed Christ during a great meeting held in this church by Dr. R. N. Sledd in 1862. I took up my studies for the work of the ministry in January, 1868, under Dr. (afterward Bishop) John C. Granbery, and, having secured the position of Station Agent at Stoney Creek on the Petersburg & Weldon R. R. in February, continued with the valuable aid of Rev. Jas. A. Riddick, then a retired member of the Conference. In the last week of September of this year I entered Randolph Macon College at Ashland, Rev. John Hannon entering the same day.

I was licensed to preach by the Fourth Quarterly Conference of the Hanover circuit, held at North Run Church, Henrico county, Va., March 6th, 1869, and the paper is signed by Jacob Manning, Presiding Elder. Dr. John Hannon was licensed the same day by the same body.

In the summer of 1869 I was employed by the Presiding Elder of the Richmond District to serve through the summer as junior on the old Gloucester circuit under Rev. E. M. Peterson, D. D., his patience, his courage, his wise counsel, his kindly care for all that concerned my improvement in knowledge and my growth in grace, had much to do with the success of my ministry in after years. He was a most valuable teacher.

When College opened in the fall of ’69 I returned to Ashland and completed my second year under the supervision of Dr. Duncan. The death of my father in August, 1870, and the breaking up of my home in Petersburg, led me to cast myself upon God absolutely for guidance, not knowing which way to turn. I returned to my room in Ashland, my only home, and waited for the answer to my prayer. It came in a very short while in a very singular way. Rev. Geo. W. Nolley had been taken from the Caroline circuit and made Agent of Randolph Macon College. Bro. P. C Archer, my roommate of the last session, had been selected to fill out his term on the charge. Archer wanted help, and sent for me. I went. At the Fourth Quarterly Conference, held at Hopewell church at Guinea’s Station, on the R. F. & P. Railway, Bro. J. H. Davis, the Presiding Elder, informed us that Bishop Pierce had written him that one of us must join Conference. The lot fell to me. I went to the Hanover Quarterly Conference which met soon after this, passed the required examination, was duly recommended for Admission on Trial, and went up to the Annual Conference at Lynchburg in November, with my papers in legal form.

Conference was held in the old Court Street church, and on Friday, November 11th, 1870, I was Admitted on Trial, Bishop Geo. F. Pierce, Presiding, the other members of the Class being joshua S. Hunter, James T. Lumpkin, and Geo. W. Matthews. Bro. Matthews was immediately transferred to Arkansas. He and Brother Lumpkin have long since gone to their great reward. Brother Hunter and I alone remain.

Of the one hundred and sixty-five members of the Virginia Conference living November 11th, 187O, the following remain October 19th, 1921:- Wm. E. Ludkins, John P. WoodWard, James O. Moss, S. S. Lambeth, Charles E. Watts, James C. Reed, J. Wiley Bledsoe, Richard Ferguson, Joshua S. Hunter, and Daniel G. C. Butts; Ten.

Much remains untold because the records were not within my reach. I regret that I have been unable to do better work on such an important task.

Note: His Diary of 36 years burned in a Parsonage fire in December, 1909.