| Probate | On 28 October 1846, the estate of Thomas R. Witherspoon was divide amoung his legal heirs by law of decents, since there was no will: Robert E. Witherspoon, William I. Witherspoon, Margaret J. Witherspoon, Ann E. Witherspoon, John M. Witherspoon, Mary Jane Witherspoon, Samuel L. Witherspoon and C. L. Witherspoon. - Lowndes Probate Records Book H, 1843-1849, page 8-14. FSL #5835945, images 314-317. |
| Biography* | From "Historical Sketch of the Bethel Presbyterian Church, Lowndes County, Miss. prepared for the Semi-Centennial Celebration, June 21, 1884", page 15.
Thomas R. Witherspoon, one of the original set of Elders, was the first who was called for by the Master. He died in 1837, after a service of three years, at the age of forty-five. He was a native of Williamsburg, South Carolina, belonging to that staunch Presbyterian stock of Witherspoons which has given so many eminent men to the ministry of our Church, and whose scions are to be found in all parts of the South and South-West; always Presbyterians in principle, generally professors of religion, and often office-bearers in the Church. Lineal descendants of John Knox, through his daughter, Mrs. Mary Welsh, and closely related to the Rev. John Witherspoon, D.D, L.L.D., who was President of the College of New Jersey, and a signer of the Declaration of American Independence, it is no marvel that they should be staunch in their principles and their Presbyterianism. Mr. Witherspoon had united with the Church in his native State; and when he removed, first to Green County, Alabama, in January, 1832, and afterwards in February, 1834, to Lowndes County, Miss., he brought his principles, his religion and his Presbyterianism with him. He located ten miles south from Columbus, and promptly joined with the other Presbyterian immigrants in arranging for the establishment of a Church, for the sake of himself and his family, then embracing eight children, and for the sake of his servants, of whom nine were communicants in the Presbyterian Church. To this end he visited the Presbytery of Tombeckbee at its meeting at Columbus, March 20, 1834, only about a month after his arrival at his new home, to secure a Minister to effect the organization, His devotion to the Church was great and it is still remembered how fervently he prayed for the prosperity of Bethel, which he always called, "a vine of the Lord's planting." His respected widow, Mrs. Margaret Ervin Witherspoon, who was a niece of Capt. Wm. Ervin continued her membership and her active interest in this Church for about twelve years after her husband's decease. On her removal to Columbus, she was dismissed to the Church at that place, March 24, 1849, along with her daughter, Miss Ann E. Witherspoon, who had been admitted on examination May 14, 18.p. Her son, Robert E. Witherspoon was admitted to the Lord's table, May 8, 1841. He died many years ago. |