Uncertain weather, hard work, family deaths, and a large family made Gibson Bobbitt totally dependent on the blessings of God.

The Bobbitt Family In America

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Uncertain weather, hard work, family deaths, and a large family made Gibson Bobbitt totally dependent on the blessings of God. He became a devout Christian and devoted the time and labor he could spare to the development of the Christian way of life in Monroe County. He was frequently called upon to speak at religious services and make prayers for important community gatherings.

On January 9, 1853, Gibson Bobbitt was one of the leaders in establishing Wolf Creek Baptist Church. It was located six miles south of Alderson at Wolf Creek, in Monroe County. In 1855 the name of the church was changed to Broad Run Baptist Church. The Reverend Lewis A. Alderson was the pastor. Among the 58 charter members were:

Gibson Bobbitt Newman H. Ellis Margaret Jones

Elizabeth Bobbitt Anne E. Ellis Salina R. Taylor

Lewis H. Bobbitt Oliver Skaggs Elizabeth Miller

Virginia Bobbitt Mary Skaggs Nancy Massie

Eliza Ann Bobbitt Lewis Skaggs David J. Skaggs

John Burdette Clara Skaggs Minerva Skaggs

Elizabeth Burdette Isaac Skaggs Elizabeth Skaggs

Madison Burdette Joseph Thomas Mary Martha Lemons

Caroline Burdette Rebecca Skaggs William A. Marshall

Katherine Skaggs Sarah Ellis Deliah Marshall

Sarah Murdock Jesse Jones S. A. Woodson

William Dodd Sarah Burdette Sarah Woodson

Malinda Dodd William DeHart Mary Foster

Mary Miller Samuel Parker Mary Vance

Elizabeth M. Skaggs Sarah Howard

Oliver Skaggs, Gibson Bobbitt and John M. Skaggs were the first deacons of the church. Jesse Jones served as church clerk for twenty one years. The first trustees were Jesse Jones, Jackson Burdette, John M. Skaggs, and Peter Miller. Peter Miller bought the lot and gave it to the church.

The first janitor was a slave boy named Wilson Swope, he was owned by George W. Swope. Wilson Swope cut the wood and built the fires for the church and was given $ 1.50 a year for his service.

In 1855 the church voted to admit six Negroes as members, they were Samuel Nickell, Eliza Miller, Bettie Deaburn, Sarah Ellis, Agga Chambers and Mary Hinchman.

Following Rev. Lewis A. Alderson, the first pastor, was Rev. Martin Bibb, Rev. Silas Livermore, Rev. Willis Tinsley, Rev. Matthew Ellison, Rev. William Fisher, Rev. Theodore Given, and the Rev. W. F. Hank. Rev. Willis Tinsley served during the Civil War Period. The Rev. T. H. Fitzerald served the longest pastorate from 1882 to 1890. For the Bobbitt family the most famous pastor was Dr. George Foster.

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