Carter Terrant Graham

• Updated from Ancestry Genealogy via brother Elijah F II Graham by SmartCopy: Oct 3 2015, 21:07:10 UTC

Biography, Carter Terrant Graham of Madison County, Missouri From R.S. Duncan, A History of the Baptists in Missouri, St. Louis: Scammel & Co., 1882, under “St. Francois Association:” [p. 625:] “CARTER TERRANT GRAHAM.* – This laborious Baptist preacher was a native of either North Carolina or Tennessee, and was born September 6, 1800. He moved to Missouri, settled in Madison County as early as 1822, and married Miss Agnes Henderson of that county in October, 1827. His conversion occurred when he was 34 years old, when he united with St. Francois Church, having been baptized by Eld. H. McElmurry in Big Creek, not far from his own door, and only about one hundred yards from the family graveyard, where his body was deposited after his death. He was one of the constituent members of Big Creek Church in 1835, and was soon afterwards put forward into the ministry by the same body, became its pastor, and so remained, for 22 years, until his death. Being raised on the frontier he had very little education, but was surpassed by few men in natural endowments. He was uncompromising in his ministry, opposed to pulpit affiliation and open communion, but was in favor of feet-washing as an ordinance. Though what was called a ‘farmer preacher,’ his ministry was quite successful in forming and building up churches in Madison County, where there were few when he commenced preaching. He was contemporary with Eld. W. W. Settle. They labored much together in this field, and under their labors the churches ‘grew and multiplied.’ Settle spent much time as an itinerant, Graham, spent most of his time with the churches, being pastor generally of four, some of which were twenty-five miles distant from home.

“He continued to preach until the last, declaring the whole truth under adverse as well as favorable circumstances. This made him to be highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

“His last sermon, preached at his home church – Big Creek – September 15, 1861, was one of his best and strongest efforts. On the following day he was taken sick, and continued gradually sinking until the fifth of the following month, when he gave up the ghost. His sufferings were very great, but he bore them with much fortitude and patience, often exhorting his family and the many friends who were gathered around to witness the triumphant death of a Christian soldier. So passed away one of the most useful men of South Missouri. He left an affectionate wife and eight children to mourn his departure.”

• By Eld. Pinkney Graham