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Archiver > LAWRENCE > 2000-04 > 0954964970


From: (Betsy DILL)
Subject: [LAWRENCE-L] Cullman Co.Al.
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 15:02:50 -0500 (CDT)


Found this article on the cullman county alabama page.I would love to
who these people are?

According to early records in the l850's a prayer meeting, called by the
Lawrence girls, led to the organization of the Lawrence Chapel Church
which was the first Methodist Church in this community. It was known as
the Methodist Episcopal Church North. Some ladies from the North,
perhaps missionaries, were responsible for helping to organize the
church. Land on which this church stood was donated by Mr. Willis
Lawrence. This building was a small one- room log building, and it
served for both a church and a schoolhouse. There were no windows and
only one door. Boards were placed along the sides to fill the cracks
between the logs. Benches of split logs were used for seats. The exact
time this building was built is unknown, but it was prior to the Civil
War. Among the names of the members of Lawrence Chapel Church are Willis
and Sarah Lawrence, Steven and Eliza Box, Darling and Rebecca Gardner,
Wesley and Cathryn Puckett, Squire Isaac and Lucy Oaks, "Doc" and
Alabama Butler, A. E. and Mary Lawrence, William and Malinda Martin,
William Cosby and wife, John and Amanda Gardner, Irene Puckett, and
Lucinda Lawrence. Another very interesting and influential member of
this church was Captain A. Donaldson who served in General Joe Wheeler's
Cavalry. He was not only active in the church, but the school and
community as well. He was a teacher in the school and he established the
first post office in this area. It was known as the Etha Post office. At
his death in 1900, his daughter operated the post office for about
fifteen years. The Captain's son, Robert Donaldson, was the first person
to be buried in the Lawrence Chapel Cemetery which is still maintained
because so many of the early settlers are buried there.    

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