"John Houston Bobbitt and his wife Mahala Bobbitt were active church workers and leaders in the building program of the Oak Gro

The Bobbitt Family In America

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"John Houston Bobbitt and his wife Mahala Bobbitt were active church workers and leaders in the building program of the Oak Grove Baptist Church of Monroe County. Reverend James Patrick Campbell was the first pastor. Mahala Bobbitt died at Hinton, on Sunday morning, October 21, 1917, at the age of 72.

"The land on which the Oak Grove Baptist Church now stands was deeded to the Baptist Church by John Houston Bobbitt and his wife Mahala Bobbitt. Houston Bobbitt had included in the deed a provision that the church could be used for the worship of any denomination. The first grave in the church yard was prepared for Ada Bobbitt, the young daughter of Robert Wellington and Harriet Bobbitt. The second grave was prepared for her sister, Laura Bobbitt. Both of the daughters died of scarlet fever.

"Some of the first sermons given in the church were by the Right Reverend Mason, an Episcopal clergyman from the Parish Church in Union. Reverend Mason was a close friend of John Houston Bobbitt and often visited in his home.

"Robert Wellington Bobbitt, was born September 15, 1852 and died on April 14, 1929. He was the sixth son of Gibson and Elizabeth Bobbitt. Robert married Harriet C. Duncan, a daughter of William Duncan of Waiteville, in Monroe County. Their first born child was a son, named Charles N. Bobbitt (1872-1947). Charles Bobbitt married Ada N. Johnson, a daughter of William 0. and Mary Johnson of near Gates. There was several sons and daughters in this family, including Keith D. Bobbitt and Sybil Bobbitt. Sybil married M. 0. Givens, but is now deceased. Ada Bobbitt is deceased and buried in the Oak Grove Church cemetery. Willie, the second son, was married twice. His first wife was Lillian. They were the parents of a daughter named Faye, who died while very young. Baxter is the fourth son and his first wife was Annie Peters of Gates. Roscoe was the fifth son of Robert and Harriet Bobbitt. He married Pearl Shirey and lived near Keenan.

"The oldest living daughter of Robert and Harriet is Hattie, who married Andrew McCoy of Union. They had four children.

"Mary Bobbitt married S. B. Leach and Cora Bobbitt married Russell Tomlinson.

"Robert Wellington and his wife Harriet were model Christians, and were charter members of the Oak Grove Baptist Church. Robert was deacon for many years and the main financial support of the church. Robert Wellington was said to have been a very generous person, He was always looking for those who needed care, and his purse strings were open to all in distress. No weather was ever to severe to prevent him from attending church services. Often in his prayers he requested a peaceful hour in which to die. He died one morning before breakfast, quietly and suddenly.

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