John Bays to Trustees of Methodist Episcopal
Church, South
Russell County, Virginia
Deed Book 13, Pages 18-20
Executed 24 Oct 1851, Recorded 03 Feb 1852
This Indenture made this 24th day of October in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty one, between John Bays of the County of
Russell and State of Virginia of the one part and James G. Martin, John W.
Martin, Thomas S. Johnson, Arch'd C. Vanhook, William Martin, John Grace,
James H. Bays, Branson Dye and James Folkner, trustees in trust, for the
uses and purposes herein after mentioned all of the County of Russell and
State of Virginia aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth, that the said
John Bays for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar & 35 cents
specie To the said John Bays in hand paid at and upon the sealing and
delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath
given, granted, bargained, sold, released, confirmed, and conveyed and by
these presents doth give, grant, bargain, sell, release, confirm and convey
unto them the said James G. Martin, John W. Martin, Thomas S. Johnson,
Arch'd C. Vanhook, John Grace, William Martin, James H. Bays, Branson Dye
and James Folkner and their successors (trustees in trust for the uses and
purposes herein after mentioned and declared) all the estate, right, title,
interest, property, claim, and demand whatsoever either in law or equity.
Which he the said John Bays hath in to or upon all and singular a certain
lot or piece of land, situate lying and being in the County of Russell and
State aforesaid on the North side of the South fork of Cedar Creek and
between it and the War Gap Branch near their junction bounded and butted?
As followeth to wit: Beginning on a forked Cedar on the east side of said
War-Gap branch, and standing on its bank, thence near an East Course 6
poles and 10 feet passing a black walnut tree in a cluster of sand rocks to
a sand rock fixed in the earth near the foot of the hill; thence nearly
North 7 poles to a black Walnut, cedar & locust saplings; thence a little
South of West 4 « poles to a beach on the east bank of said branch; thence
a little W of South 2 3/4 poles to two cedars; thence nearly South along
the base of said bank down the east side of the said branch 5 poles & 3 «
feet to the beginning, containing and laid out for one rod? or fourth part
of an acre of land, together with all and singular the houses, woods, water
ways (some thru? gates) privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or
in anywise pertaining; to have and to hold all and singular the above
mentioned and described lot or piece of land situate lying and being as
aforesaid together with all an singular the houses, woods, water ways, and
privileges thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining with them the
said James G. Martin, John W. Martin, Thomas S. Johnson, Arch'd C. Vanhook,
John Grace, William Martin, James H. Bays, Branson Dye and James Folkner
and their successors in office Forever in trust that they shall erect and
build or cause to be erected and built thereon a home or place of worship
for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
according to the rules and discipline which from time to time may be agreed
upon and adopted by the ministers and preachers of the said Church at their
General Conferences and in further trust and confidence that they shall at
all times, forever hereafter protect such ministers and preachers belonging
to the said Church as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the
General Conferences of the minister and preacher of the said Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, or annual Conferences authorized by the said
General conference, to preach and expound God's holy word therein; and in
further trust, and confidence that an often as any one or more of the
trustees herein before mentioned shall did or came to be a member or
members of the said Church according to the Rules and Discipline, then and
in such case it shall be the duty of the stationed minister or preacher
(authorized as aforesaid) who shall have the pastoral charge of the members
of the said Church, to call a meeting of the remaining trustees as soon as
conveniently may Be and when so met, The said minister or preacher shall
proceed to nominate one or more persons To fill the place or places of him
or them whose office or offices has (or Had) been vacated as aforesaid
provided the person or persons so nominated shall, have been one year as
member or members of the said Church immediately proceeding such
nomination, and be at least twenty one years of age, and the said trustees,
so assembled, shall proceed to elect and by a majority of votes approved
the person or persons so nominated to fill such vacancy or vacancies in
order to keep up the number of nine trustees forever and in case of an even
number of votes for and against the said nomination, the stationed minister
or preacher shall have the casting vote --- Provided nevertheless that if
the said trustees or any of them or their successors have advanced or shall
advance any sum of sums of money or and or shall be responsible for any sum
of sums of money on account of the said premises and they the said trustees
of their successors be obliged to pay the said sums of money, they or a
majority of them, shall be authorized to raise the said sums or sums of
money by a mortgage on the said premises of by selling the said premises
after notice given to the pastor preacher who has the oversight of the
congregation attending divine services if the money due be not paid to the
said trustees, or to their successors within one year after such notice
given; and if such sale take place the said trustees or their successors
after paying the debt and other expenses which are due from the money
arising from such sale, shall deposit the remainder of the money produced
by the said sale in the hands of the steward of stewards of the society?
Belonging to or attending divine services on said premises which samples of
the products of such sale so deposited in the hands of the said steward of
stewards shall be at the disposal of the next annual conference authorized
as aforesaid which said annual Conference shall dispose of the said money
according to the best of their judgement for the care of the said society
--- And the said John Bays doth by these present warrant and forever defend
All and singular the before mentioned and described lot or piece of land
with the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto (the said) James G. Martin,
John W. Martin, Thomas S. Johnson, Arch'd C. Vanhook, William Martin, John
Grace, James H. Bays, Branson Dye and James Folkner and their successors
chosen and appointed as aforesaid from the claim of him the said John Bays
his heirs and assigns.
In testimony whereof the said John Bays hath hereunto set his hand and seal
the day and year aforesaid.
/s/ John Bays {Seal}
This Indenture of bargain and sale from John Bays to James G. Martin &
others was acknowledged before me in the Clerks offices of Russell county
on the 3rd day of February 1852, by the said John Bays to be his act and
deed and admitted to record.
Teste, James P. Carrell, C.R.C.
This file contributed by: David L. Hanna
Note from David Hanna: Here is a deed for a church lot in the "Loop" area of Russell County. I believe that this is the church that is still standing their called Loop United Methodist Church.
visitor since July 28, 1998
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