| Notes |
- History of middle Tennessee Baptists
John Harvey Grime
Elder Henry Bass (Photo included)
Few Men have been more consipicous in the church life among the Baptists of this secton thatn Elder Henry Bass. He was the son of Ezekiel Bass, who was the first settler in the community where Watertown now stands. He came to this State, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, from the State of North Carolina. He made his way from that State to this in a crude conveyance composed of a tar-wheel cart drawn by one horse. The trip was long and perilous, and little did he know of the heritage he was to open up to future generations. At last, worn and fatigued, he struck camp one mile north of where Watertown now stands and eight miles, at that time, from the nearest settlement. He built a rude log cabin on the bank of Round Lick Creek and applied to it that endearing title of ?home.? He was soon joined by two brothers, from whom have sprung the large generation of Basses. The hills and valleys were then covered with cane, and the turkey roamed at will, while the deer were wont to gambol in the sun?s morning rays, and the finny tribe in every brook presented a tempting scene to the angler.
Such were the surroundings when this cabin first furnshied shelter for this child, whose life was to be so long and eventful. He was born April 8, 1812.
The surroundings of his youth gave him a rustic air, which followed him through life. His education was very limited so far as letters were concerned, yet he had an education which was paramount to any received from text-books. He studied nature?s book and received instructions from nature?s God.
When he was nineteen years old he was mightily convicted of sin. For twelve months he struggled with those impressions, attending meetings far and near for a radius of twenty-five miles. But is was not until May, 1832, that he found peace by believing in Jesus. While plowing in the field on day the Lord spoke peace to his troubled soul. But, feeling his unworthiness, he delated attaching himself to the church till September, 1841, when he united with Round Lick Church and was baptized by Elder John Wiseman. He was elected deacon in June, 1843. In September, 1854, he was licensed to preach. He operated as a licensed minister two years, when he was ordained in August, 1856, by the following Presbytery, viz.: Elders E. B Haynie, John Bond, John Phillips and John Wiseman.
His ministry was pushed with that same energy which characterized him through life. Most all his ministry was in destitute sections. He was never pastor of a church he died not organize. The following churches were mainly organized through his ministry: Providence, Beech Grove, Sycamore Fork, Mount Pleasant and Poplar Hill. He preached for most of them years after they were organized. He received very little for his ministry, working with his own hands for a support, while he preached the gospel to the poor. The following, taken from the minutes of Salem Association for 1896, will give some estimate of the esteem in which he was held by his brethren:
?We, the brethren composing the Salem Association, now in session with Sycamore Fork Baptist Church, Cannon County, Tennessee, with the brothers and sisters in attendance: The Elder Henry Bass, greetings.
?It is with profound gratitude to God that we extend to you this greeting. It makes it all the more befitting, because that twenty-five years ago this church with which we are assembled was organized under your ministry. In a quarter of a century this church has grown from the little nucleus gathered by you under God to be the strongest church in the Association. It stands to-day as a mighty army, battling for God and truth, and worshiping in a large new house, while many of those you gathered at the beginning have fought their battles, conquered the last enemy, and gone home to glory.
?Well do we remember, as an Association, when you and your fellows, Elders Cates, Martin, Bethel, Bowen, Barrett, Brien, McNabb, Jarrad, Suite, Hunt and Dies, held the helm and guided the work of this Association. But they have been gathered to the Father-land, while you alone remain till the shadows are a little longer grown. It would have been a rpfound pleasure to have greeted you at this sitting of this body, but the touches of time remind us that many of us shall see your face no more till we shall greet you in thtat sainted throng in the Father?s home.?
He was large and strong, and could undergo untold fatigue. As a preacher, he was not great, but his piety, zeal and consecration made him abundantly useful, and many will rsie up in the coming glory to call him blessed. He, perhaps, did more preaching, as well as other service, for Round Lick Church than any other one man.
He wa married the first time to Miss Sinah Phillips, November 4, 1830. This union was blessed with five children, three of whom still remain. She died October 21, 1886. He was again married, to Mrs. Adaline Greet, March 26, 1889, who still survives him. He fell on sleep Septmeber, 22, 1989, in his eighty-seventh year. He was familiarly known as {Uncle Henry.? He was a brother of Elder A. Bass. Two things he was especially noted for ? as a temperance worker and his liberal hospitality. He had a fine farm near Watertown, and a good living; and I would not exaggerate to say that he fed another good living away to his guests. Al lhail to those who love the cause more than riches or honor.
His dust sleeps one mile west of Watertown in the old family graveyard.
Philips Family History, Chapter XIII
Francina Philips (Mrs. Henry Bass)
Francina Philips, daughter of John and Mary, was born April 12, 1810. The marriage bond for her wedding to Henry Bass was executed October 29, 1830 by Henry Bass and his brother, Archamack Bass, and the nuptials were solemnized November 4, 1830.
Francina and Henry lived on the John Philips home place throughout their lives. Henry Bass was one of the prominent Baptist ministers of his day. Born April 8, 1812, he joined the Round Lick Missionary Baptist Church in September 1841, and was baptized by Elder John Wiseman. He was elected deacon in 1843 and in September 1844 was licensed to preach. His ordination took place in August, 1856, byh a presbyterycomposed by Elders E.B. Haynie, John Bond, John Phillips and John Wiseman.
In his ?History of Middle Tennessee Baptists,?, Elder J.H. Grive gives this description of Henry Bass:
?Few men have been more conspicuous in the church life among the Baptists of this section then Elder Henry Bass. He was the son of Ezekiel Bass, who was the first settled in the community where Watertown now stands. He came to this state in the latter part of the eighteenth century from the state of North Carolina. He made his way from that state to this in a crude conveyance composed of a tar-wheel cart drawn by one horse. The trip was long and perilous, and little died he know of the heritage he was to open up to future generations. At last, worn and fatigued, he struck camp one mile north of where Watertown now stands and eight miles, at that time, from the nearest settlement. He built a rude log cabin on the bank of Round Like Creek and applied to it that endearing title of ?home?. He was soon joined by two brothers, from whom have sprung the large generation of Basses.
?His (Henry Bass?s) ministry was pushed with that same energy which charactgerized him though life. Most of his ministry was in destitute sections. He was never pastor of a church he did not organize. The following churches were mainly organized through his ministry: Providence, Beech Grove, Sycamore Fork, Mount Pleasant and Poplar Hill. He preached for most of them years after they were organized. He received very little for his ministry, working with his own hands for a support, while he preached the gospel to the poor.
?He was large and strong, and could undergo untold fatigue. His piety, zeal and consecration made him abundantly useful, and many will rsie up in the coming glory to call him blessed. He, perhaps, did more preaching, as well as other service, for Round Lick church than any other one man.?
Francina was better known as ?Sinah?. She and Henry reared five children: William, Ezekiel, Nancy, Thomas and John A. Francina died October 21, 1886, and Henry died September 22, 1898. They have 242 descendants, 207 of whom are living.
Baptist And Reflector, 15 December 1898
Elder Henry Bass
When is was announced September 22, 1998, that ?Uncle Henry? was dead, all hearts in the Watertown community stood still to recount the deeds of a long and eventful life.
This venerable brother first saw the light of day April 8, 1812. Let us call back more than four-score years when this section of country stood in all of its pristine beauty, before the works of nature had been deformed by the hand of man, and we will discover the agencies which contributed so much to the greatness of this fallen hero.
In the latter part of the 18th century, three brothers, names respectively Ezekiel, John and Dred Bass, left the old North State and plunged into the wilds of the great West to seek their homes and fortunes in what was then Western Northern Carolina, but now Middle Tennessee. As a mode of conveyance each family possessed a tar-wheel cart drawn by one horse. In there crude conveyances were placed their families, together with their goods and chattels, and they turned their faces towards the setting sun. For many long and weary weeks they wended their way through forests, crossing mountains and fording streams amid wild beasts and savage Indians.
The nearest residence to Watertown at that date was near Grant, Smith County, some ten miles north. From this point Ezekiel (father of the subject of our sketch) rode in the bed of Round lick creek to the site of his future home, just north of Watertown, and made arrangements to construct the first house ever built in this community. Joined by his two brothers, they settled a valley contiguous to each other and began anew the battle of life. It was this humble pioneer home that Father bass was born, while the deer were yet wont to gambol upon the hillsides, and fish and smaller game were in great abundance.
The surroundings of his youth gave him a somewhat rustic air. he has carried with him through life that stern, unfaltering, unassuming disposition which would naturally b born of such surroundings. His education was very limited so far as letters were concerned, yet he had an education which was paramount to any acquired from text books. he studied nature?s book and received instructions from nature?s God.
When nineteen years of age he was mightily convicted of sin. For twelve months he struggled with those impressions, attending preaching far and near for a radius of twenty-five miles. But it was not until May, 1832 that he found peace. While plowing in the field one day, in great agony, the Lord spoke peace to his troubled soul. But feeling his unworthiness he delayed attaching himself to the church till September, 1841, when, during a great revival, he united with the Round Lick Church was baptized by elder John Wiseman. He entered at once actively into the work of the church. He was elected a deacon in June, 1843, which position he held, and did only hold, but executed, till September, 1851, when he was licensed to preach. He operated as a licensed minister two years, when he was ordained by a presbytery consisting of Elder E.B. Haynie, John Bond, John Phillips and John Wiseman. His ministry was pushed with the same energy which had characterized him through life. Most all of his ministry was in destitute sections. He was never pastor of a church he did not constitute. The following churches were mainly constituted through his ministry, viz, Providence, Beech Grove, Sycamore, Mount Pleasant and Poplar Hill. He preached for most of them years after there were organized. He received very little for his ministry, working with his own hands to make a support while he preached to the poor. Yet he had his reward. These were his crown of rejoicing.
The following taken from the minutes of Salem Association for 1896 will give some estimate of the work of this brother, and the esteem in which he was held.
?We, the brethren composing Salem Association, now in session with Sycamore Baptist Church, Cannon County, Tennessee, with the brethren and sisters in attendance. To Elder Henry Bass, Greeting: Is is with profound gratitude to God that we extend this greeting. It makes it all the more befitting, because that twenty-five years ago this church with which, we are assembled, was organize under you ministry. In a quarter century this church has grown from the little nucleus gathered by you under God to be the strongest church in the Association. It stands to-day as mighty army, battling for God and truth and worshiping in a large, new house, while many of those you gathered at the beginning have fought their battles, conquering the last enemy, and gone home to glory. Well do we remember, as an Association, when you and your fellows, Elders Cate, martin, Bethel, Bowen, Barnett, Brien, McNabb, Jared, Sutt, Hunt and Dias, held the helm and guided the work of this Association. But they have been gathered to the Fatherland, while you alone remain till the shadows are a little longer grown. It would have been a profound pleasure to have greeted you at this sitting of this body, but the touches of time remind us that many of us shall see your face no more till we shall greet you in that sainted throng in the Father?s Home.?
Besides the work done in these destitute sections, he did a vast amount of preaching for his home church (Round Lick). A careful study of the records of this church would, perhaps, show that he has done more preaching for this church and been instrumental in more accessions to the church than any other one man. He was indeed a great man, yet no what the world would call great.
He was a successful business man, gathering about him abundance of this world?s goods for comfort. While nearly half of his long life was given in actual service for the Lord, yet probably fifty dollars would have covered all he ever received for same. His hospitality was unbounded. ?His house was ever open to Jesus and his friends.?
He was one of the great moral factors in the community in which he lived, leaving his impress upon the social life. In this section he will be quoted for years to come. His hatred toward the whiskey traffic was undying; and in the temperance reform movement in Salem Association from the time he united with the church to the day of his death he threw himself into the breach and fought beside its staunchest advocates, Elders R.W. January, J.D. D. Cale and J.W. Bowne, till he saw them all lay their armor by, and now he leaves it under God in the invincible hands of Elder T.J. Eastes. He was first married to Miss Sinah Phillips, Nov. 4, 1830. This union was blessed with six children, three of whom still live, one died in infancy, one preceded him to the better land only a few weeks and one fell in battled in the old North State and his ashes sleep in the land of his fathers.
The wife of his youth went home Oct. 21, 1881. He was again married to Mrs. Adaline Greer, March 26, 1886, who still lingers to mourn her loss. His friends and relatives are counted by the thousands. There is perhaps a progeny living and dead of three thousand souls from the three Bass patriarchs who first settled in this community. He had a brother (Archie) and a cousin (Sion Bass) who were ministers. He is a father-in-law of Elders J.T. Oakley and William Shelton. He lived to b almost 87 years of age and peacefully breathed his last at his home, near Watertown, Tenn., in one mile of where he was born and reared. His type of men are fast passing away. O, that God would give us more such. He was one of the few who dared to do right regardless of the smiles of friends or frowns of foes. Peace to his ashes. he rests from this labors while his works follow.
Dr. T.O. Bratten
Dr. W.R> Seay
W.W. Patton
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Bassett Family Association Database
1812 - 1898 (86 years)