Chambers County Alabama Photos......Hon. John C. Towles Grave
************************************************
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://theusgenweb.org/al/chambers/
************************************************
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.
