Chambers County Alabama Photos......Hon. John C. Towles Grave
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Contributed by Don L. Clark Aug 2004 http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00014.html#0003384

Hon. John C. Towles Grave


Hon. John C. Towles
Born June 20, 1813
Died February 10, 1877
Alas, My Husband!

This grave is located in what is called the "Old Baptist Cemetery" in LaFayette. The cemetery is located on the east side of First Street S.E. (formerly Columbus Street) behind the LaFayette Community House. There are a number of graves in this neglected cemetery.


The tombstone of John C. Towles is beside a large water oak tree.
John C. Towles was an early settler of Chambers County. Here he established a successful plantation about two miles west of LaFayette. His first marriage was to Louisa Ann Darden, and after her death married Catherine W. Barber. His Last Will & Testament can be viewed at this link:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/chambers/wills/jctowles.txt

On June 27, 1835, he became a member and was appointed clerk of the newly formed Antioch Baptist Church. Two years later he was dismissed by letter and became a member of Enon Primitive Baptist Church. Enon Church dissolved in 1867, and on April 20 of that year he became a member of Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church, located seven miles NW of LaFayette at Marcoot.

The following memorial to John C. Towles is found in the Minutes of Macedonia Church, September 7, 1878:
"John C. Towles was born June 20th, 1813 in Edgefield District, South Carolina and died at his residence near LaFayette, Chambers Co., Ala, Feb. 11th, 1877. He joined the Baptist Church of Christ when he was nineteen years old and was baptized by Elder Jonathan Nichols in Meriwether County, GA. After his removal to this state, he united with the church at Enon, Chambers County, where he remained till that Church was dissolved. He then joined the church at Macedonia, Chambers Co., Ala., where he remained till his death. He was devotedly attached to his brethren and sisters at Macedonia, and, it was his intention to be with them the Sabbath on which he died, but instead of worshipping with them he was called (we trust) to join the Church triumphant, on high. He always spoke with much affection of his pastor, Elder A. B. Whatley, and his long tried brother, Elder Wm. M. Mitchell, of Opelika. He was an invalid for several years, but his death at last was sudden and unexpected, yet he expected himself willing and ready to depart. To his distressed family, he said "Trust in God. I have prayed for you." He was conscious to the last moment and shook hands with all who came to his bedside until too weak to move his fingers. When the clock struck he said, "It is three o'clock, and in a very few minutes after breathed his last without a struggle or agru on. So calmly, so peacefully, so sweetly, the soul took its exit to the climes of ultimate glory. Those who knew him best never distrusted the honesty and purity of motives. When he erred, it was not of the heart. His life was truly an exemplary one, characterized with the adorning characteristics of truth and integrity, love and good will to men and faithfulness to God and his cause. In him the church at Macedonia lost one of its most liberal and sincerely attached members. His family one of the kindest husbands and fathers and the family one of its most public spirited citizens."

Note: Macedonia Church Minutes transcribed by Mrs. Glenda H. Brack, Escondido, California.

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