Person:Mark Sumner (1)

Research notes

• First appeared in Whitley Co., KY about 1819

1.   .

   Taken from 1990 Annual South Union Baptist Association Kentucky, 175th Anniversary book from 1815-1990:
   
   Elder Mark Summer departed this life September 15, 1869. He was born October 1, 1796. We mingle sympathy and condolence with the bereaved widow and family. He and his wife joined the United Baptist Church at Red Bird in 1833, and he soon commenced preaching. His influence and usefulness were soon felt among the churches of South Union Association, and he was ordained to the ministry of the Gospel- was directly called to the pastoral care of four churches which he served faithfully until a short time before his death.
   
   We believe that the Lord was with him in turn by blessing his labor. He lived a poor man. His education was limited. His manners were plain and humble, which suited the common people. He never studied the graces of education as taught in schools, nor practiced any studied form of speech - yet the clear vivid conception of ideas and the earnestness in his address showed that what he said came from his heart, and that God had marked him as one of his heralds of the cross. He often said that he intended to preach the truth without dread or fear of successful contradiction.
   
   He honored his profession and held out faithful to the end. The brethren visited him while he was on his death bed and asked him about his future prospects. He said that he was not afraid to die: that he still had that hope as an anchor for his soul both sure and steadfast. He presently turned over and said, "Though I walk through the valley and the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
   
   His beloved wife who waited on him so patiently says that the last words he ever spoke in a plain voice were: (He said) " O the sunny banks of sweet deliverance where my soul shall be at rest."
   
   In another part of the book they were talking about how all the ministers present would set on a long bench behind the pulpit. No matter how many preachers were present, each would preach. Our most loved preacher in those days was Elder Mark Sumner from McCreary
   County. He went into high gear almost as soon as he got into the pulpit. After preaching hard and fast for about an hour he would pull a shinny pocket watch out of his vest pocket. He would hold the watch up in front of the worshippers and say, "It's almost 1:00 by the Sethering (Southern) Railroad time, and I'm soon goina wind out."

2.   .

   1830 census - Whitley Co., KY 2xxxx1 12xx1
   2 males under 5 Wayburn John & James
   1 male 30-39 Mark
   1 female under 5 Mahala
   2 females 5-9 Nancy & Galene
   1 female 20-29 Lucy
   
   also listed was James <age 60-70> and female <Mahala?> aged 60-70.. His parents???

3.   .

   1840 Whitley Co, KY pg 14 1221xx1 xxx1x1
   1 male under 5 Peter
   2 males 5-9 Nehemiah & Soloman
   2 males 10-14 John & James
   1 male 15-19  ?
   1 male 40-149 Mark
   1 female 15-19 Galene
   1 female 30-39 Lucy
   
   NOTES: Nancy was married and not living w/ parents
   No female indicated that would be Mahala's age of 9 or 10 <deceased?>
   1 male 15-19 - who? possibly John, if so - then I have one missing age 10-14.
   There was another Mark Sumner in Whitley Co. on pg 17 <1xxx1 2xxx1>

4.   .

   1850 Census Whitley Co., Kentucky visit 465
   Mark Sumner, age 56, B M Gospel, $800 real estate, born VA
   Lucy, age 54
   John, age 22
   Nehemiah, age 20
   George, age 18
   Nicholas, age 16
   Mark, age 10 or12 ??
   Mary, age 12
   
   NOTE: Most of the ages are off by at least 2 yrs - but the order of children is correct
   Lucy should have been 44 not 54.
   Is Nicholas same as Peter P ?
   Who is Mary? possibly Lucinda ?
   at visit 466 is Nehemiah Sumner <63> wife Polly <55>
   at visit 467 is James Sumner <21> wife Catharine <21>
   at visit 467 is Peter & Nancy Freeman

5.   .

   1860 census - Williamsburg, Whitley Co., KY 7/27/1860 pg 68 visit 487
   Mark, age 65, born VA, B Preacher, $800 real estate, $400 personal property
   Lucy, 54, born KY
   Lucinda, 19, born KY
   Joseph J, 15, born KY