OUR LEGACY FROM THE PAST - NCCUMC

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Page from Chaffin's Journal showing rent paid for his wife's room and board. It also
shows his collections from various churches on his circuit.
Reprinted by perrnlsston from Perkins Library Manuscript Collection Duke University
the east side of the Tar River, and Greenville on the west side; all
of that part of Beaufort County lying on the east side of the
Pamlico River, and north of the road running between
Washington and Jamesville on the Roanoke River; and up to
Scotland Neck in Halifax County! Due to the mobility of the circuit
rider preachers, and the fact that most of them were single, there
was no need for a parsonage. Chaffin was married however, and
in his account book for the year 1847, he lists $45 paid W. L.
Williams for boarding Mrs. Chaffin. Reverend Chaffin returned to
Williamston in 1861when most of his work seems to have centered
in Martin County. (See page 31)
Henry Gibbons, who came here in 1857, was born in Greene
County in 1818. He had great success in winning souls to Christ,
and records show a great surge in new members during his two
years in Williamston. His life ended quite tragically with the loss
of two sons, a daughter, and his wife within a five year period. His
last years were ones of mental anguish, as well as ones of physical
debility. Even though he was bedridden during his last days, his
faith never faltered, and he expressed sorrow at not being able to
stand in the pulpit to preach the Gospel one more time.
The minister appointed to follow Gibbons in Williamston was
the Reverend Isaac Keerans. According to Reverend William
Moore, a fellow pastor from Beaufort County, when Keerans
heard he was being sent to Williamston, he "walked the floor and