John Davis

John's Find A Grave Memorial

DAVIS, THE SETTLERS OF SALEM, WEST VIRGINIA, by Susie Davis Nicholson, Salem, West Virginia, 1992. p. 43, 94

Stephen Mumford was the first Seventh Day Baptist that set foot on American soil. He came from London to Newport, RI ,in 1664. Six years after his arrival several members of the First Baptist Church of Newport embraced his views of the Bible Sabbath, and on the 23d of December 1671 they covenanted together and became a Seventh Day Baptist Church. The Welton Church was organized on the 7th of January 1855 under the officiating hands of Elders L.A. and John Davis The following are the names of the constituent members: L.A. Davis, Pastor; John Babcock, Deacon; Leven Hurley, Clerk; John Davis, Elder; Elizabeth Babcock, Rebecca Davis, Marvel Davis, Mariah Davis, Permilia Davis, Anna Davis, Mary Ellen Davis, Sarah Davis, Martha Babcock, J. 0. Babcock , Sarah Hurley , Uriah Davis, Vianna Davis, Luther Davis, Abel Davis, Permilla Davis, 2d, Gilbert Hurley.

Some of the doctrinal points: They believe that the observance of the first day of the week as the Sabbath or a day of rest, is of Romish origin, and a direct violation of the fourth commandment; therefore they observe the seventh or last day of the week, believing it to be the only Sabbath or day of rest established by Jehovah or mentioned in any way in the Bible. They have no fellowship with persons who use intoxicating liquors as a beverage, nor with slaveholders and their abettors. Card playing or gambling in any form is not countenanced by the Church.