A Short Bio Of Thomas Wood

Thomas Wood was born on Aug. 5, 1779. He grew up on his fathers farm in Washington County, North Carolina (later Tennessee). At age 18. he served in the state militia. Afterwards, he accompanied his brothers, William, Samuel, John and George to a new life in Kentucky. He recorded 200 acres on Spring Creek, near present-day Albany, on December 18, 1798. He worked as a chain carrier on important surveys done by his brother, William. When his father died in 1800, Thomas returned to Washington County to take care of family matters. While there, he met his future bride, Mary Bayless. After marriage, they joined Thomas' brothers in Kentucky.

Thomas and Mary joined Clear Fork Baptist Church by letter in February of 1804. Thomas took an active part and filled in as church clerk when his brother, William, was in Frankfort serving in the State Legislature. Thomas was appointed deacon in July of 1811. Over the next two decades, Thomas faithfully served in his church. Then, in 1834, he went to Illinois to visit his brothers, James and Samuel. While there, he bought 160 acres intending to relocate. But, upon returning to Kentucky his boot rubbed a blister on his foot, resulting in blood poisoning that caused his death eight days after returning home.

Thomas' daughter, Mary, was the wife of well-known preacher, Isaac Tipton Reneau. Before he became a preacher in 1835, Reneau taught school at Clear Fork. He started doing that in 1830.

Thomas' son, Reuben Wood, was murdered by Champ Ferguson during the civil war. It happened on December 1, 1861 at Wood's home. Ferguson shot Reuben in his stomach, but Reuben was able to go inside his house, where he grabbed a hatchet. The two men scuffled for several minutes. At one point, Ferguson dropped his pistol onto a bed, where it got lost in the covers. Ferguson ran from the house leaving the wounded a wounded man behind. Reuben Wood died three days later on December 4, 1861.

Deacon Pleasant Smith

"Do not weep for me, for my hour is near..."

Pleasant H. Smith as born on July 12, 1818 and died on February 15, 1892 at the age of 73. He was married to Irene Wood Smith. Both of them grew up at Clear Fork Baptist Church. Their families were very involved and extremely devoted church members from the very beginning of the church's existence. For instance, Pleasant's father, Jesse, and Jesse's brother, Phillip, installed the first floor in the original church meeting house. Phillip was a deacon. Pleasant's grandfather, George Smith, was a charter member. Irene's grandfather, Thomas Wood, was a church deacon, as was his brother, Samuel. Their brother, William, was a charter member of the church and served as clerk from 1802 to 1850.

So, it isn't any wonder that on December 28, 1873, Pleasant Smith was ordained a deacon of his beloved church. He served his church faithfully. When he died in 1892, his family had been members of Clear Fork for nearly a century. Pleasant was so thought of that at his death, a committee was formed to write his obituary for a memorial page that would be added to the church minutes. The committee was comprised of deacon J.E. Reeves, trustee Hile Upchurch, clerk John Wilson and James Pittman. The obituary was published in the April 23, 1892 minutes.

"The silent messenger of death has come in our midst and removed one of our trusted sentinels from His high place in Zion."

"Obituary of P.H. Smith"

"Tribute of respect by the members of Clear Fork Church of Christ to the memory of brother P.H. Smith. Dearly beloved brethren and sisters, we have no words by which we can express the gratitude due from us to our heavenly Father for sparing the lives of the dear brethren and sisters who are letting their light shine that others might be constrained to glorify our Father in heaven. Yet, the silent messenger of death has come in our midst and removed one of our trusted sentinels from His high place in Zion. And, we feel that his long life of usefulness secured for him the confidence of our entire brotherhood and entitles him to a memorial page upon the Clear Fork Church book. He joined the Clear Fork Church the fourth Saturday of October 1871. He lived a religious life in which he enjoyed uninterrupted fellowship and served as deacon 'til his death. His faithfulness entitles him to more than a passing notice. Bro. P.H. Smith was ordained deacon the fourth Sabbath in December 1873 by elders J.B. McCallon, John Garrett and Joseph Denton. Bro. P.H. Smith departed this life February 15, 1892, aged 73 years, 4 months, and 3 days, but the labors of love with him have ended and his works following him. We believe our loss is his gain, hence we ought to submit to the will of our Heavenly Father who called His child (our brother) from labor to the rest of the good, and bind us more strongly in the bands of unbroken brotherhood. Nearly at deaths door, he tells his friends "do not weep for me, for my hour is near." Then, he entered into that sweet sleep from which none ever wake to weep. While we pay this last tribute of respect to the memory of him, we would shed tears of sympathy and Christian condolence with his grief smitten widow who was languishing on the bed of affliction at the time of her companion's death, and to his bereaved children."

Respectfully submitted,
J.E. Reeves
Agile Upchurch
James Pittman
J.A. Wilson
- Committee

Done and signed by order of the church.
Alvin Bertram, moderator
J.A. Wilson, clerk

Pleasant and Irene Smith are buried at Irwin Cemetery.

Note: Regarding the phrase used in the obituary, "Clear Fork Church of Christ." The church has always been Baptist. For years, Clear Fork Baptist Church used the phrase, "The church of Jesus Christ on Clear Fork Creek."

Soldiers of Stockton Valley

It was the fall of the year when the call for volunteers went out at the outbreak of the War of 1812. There was no question that residents of Stockton Valley would be first in line. They were, after all, veterans, or sons of veterans, who had fought the British in the American Revolution, and would eagerly take up arms to defend their country once again.

In the latter part of July, Kentucky Governor Isaac Shelby issued a proclamation calling for 2,000 mounted riflemen to meet him at Newport within thirty days. The soldiers would march to Lake Erie to assist General William H. Harrison in a fight with British troops and their Indian allies, including the great Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh. On August 31st, Company 53, led by William Wood of Stockton Valley, reached Newport, and the company's 47 men, including 36 rank and file, 11 commissioned officers and nine rifles, prepared for battle.

On the appointed day, 4,000 men, double the number Governor Shelby had asked for, assembled at Newport. With the Governor leading the way, the Kentuckians crossed the Ohio River at Cincinnati, and headed for Lake Erie. On October 5, 1813, General Harrison and his forces crossed over into Canada where they fought and won the decisive Battle of the Thames. It is said William Wood was present when Richard M. Johnson killed Tecumseh.

The soldiers of Stockton Valley returned to their settlement on November 13th. They had left their home and families to defend their country, and had returned as heroes.