Rev. William Hamilton Dowling, Sr

Birth: Aug. 4, 1842 Death: Sep. 11, 1924

Family links:

Spouse:

 Clara Louisa Dowling (1844 - 1923)*

Children:

 M. Ruth Dowling (1875 - 1897)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription: A messenger of Christian love from life's green spring till the golden autumn of his days when he was called to his reward

Burial: Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery Hampton Hampton County South Carolina, USA

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Created by: Tricia Record added: May 24, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 90685450

Rev. W. H. Dowling, of Hampton, South Carolina, was born near the same community, in which he now resides, on the 4th day of August, 1842. In 1858 he made a profession of faith in Christ and was baptized by Rev. John M. Hoover. In July of the next year, 1859, he taught school in the Bethel community of Barnwell County, where he manifested much zeal for the educational social, moral, and religious uplift of the entire community. Mrs. Clara Johnson Hitt, author of the “History of the Barnwell Baptist Association," referring to the years 1860-61, names W. H. Dowling as the only surviving delegate that attended that association in 1860, and the only surviving charter member of the Barnwell Baptist Sunday School Convention, organized in May, 1861.

In November, 1861, Mr. Dowling joined the Confederate army and served under Butler and Hampton until the surrender in 1865.· He participated in twenty-five of the great battles of Virginia and North Carolina, in which he distinguished himself as a brave Confederate soldier and Christian gentleman. General U. R. Brooks, in his history, "Butler and his Cavalry," places Mr. Dowling's photo in the center of a cluster of the bravest of the brave. Mr. Zimmerman Davis, colonel of the Fifth South Carolina Cavalry Regiment, sent him a cross of honor from the Charleston Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and in requesting him to wear it, said: "None deserves it more than you; you were loyal to the banners of the Confederacy, and loyal to the cross of Christ.” Judge Robert Aldrich said of him: "I have seen him upon the battle fields and in the dusty marches of Virginia, and I have never seen him since but always in the path of duty."

Mr. Dowling's piety and Christian character were such that his company and regiment never had any other chaplain. Under his influence a large number of his company was converted and baptized, especially while encamped in North Carolina. Officers and men attended his prayer-meetings and other services, and he was honored, loved, and esteemed by them all. General Butler referred to him tenderly on his dying bed, and General Hampton esteemed him highly. When the war was over, Mr. Dowling felt that he had been spared for a holy warfare, in which he would not lose the victory. The country had been laid waste by Sherman's army, and the churches were unable to pay pastors living salaries. Somebody had to preach, and Mr. Dowling, with burning zeal for the salvation of souls, and prompted by the Holy Spirit, consecrated himself to the work and was ordained by a presbytery composed of J. M. Hoover, M. B. Boynton, and W. H. Shuman. With him a soul was a soul, and the first year after hit ordination he baptized one hundred and thirteen converts. His first pastorate were at Mt. Pleasant, Steep Bottom, St. John's, Bethel, Allen's Chapel, Canaan, Seven Pines, and Bethesda. In connection with these pastorates he visited many destitute places, sometimes on foot, where he conducted meetings and held the country for the Baptists.

On account of the impoverished condition of the country as a result of the war, ministerial support was very meager. Mr. Dowling, therefore, taught school for a living. He maintained a Bible and catechetical department in every school he taught, and he baptized many of his pupils, and some of them became distinguished in both church and State. In the early seventies he accepted calls and served the churches at Peniel, Doctor's Creek, Smoaks, Antioch and Edisto. At each of these places many souls were saved and baptized.

In 1878 he moved back to his old Hampton County home, and since then has served twenty-seven churches in the Savannah River Association. During this period he has baptized many hundreds of converts. At the present time he is pastor at Black Swamp, Sandy Run. Dry Swamp, and Mill Grove churches, and is the faithful clerk of his association. Mr. Dowling, in connection with his long and faithful ministry, has served his county two terms as Superintendant of Education, and two terms as Probate Judge. In accepting these positions he felt that it would not injure, but rather would be helpful to him in his ministry. These positions put him in touch with the young, and in a sense made him the guardian of the interests of widows and orphans. In both offices Mr. Dowling demonstrated his faithfulness and efficiency as a public official. Later he was a member of the Board of Education of his county for many years, and as president of the Anti-Saloon League he led his county to prohibition victory. Mr. Dowling has not been without honors in his denomination. He was president of the Barnwell Sunday School Convention for four years, and he has served the Savannah River Convention, which he organized in 1878, for more than twenty consecutive rears.

Few if any living ministers have married as many couples, preached as many funerals, written as many obituaries, organized churches, built houses of worship, and baptized as many persona as has Rev. W. H. Dowling. From his youth he has been considered a model in morals. He has never been intoxicated, never used tobacco in any form, never danced a set, never engaged in gambling even to the amount of one cent, and does not know one card from another. As a Baptist he is sound in the faith, and though seventy-four years of age, he still loves to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

In his young manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Louisa Ruth, a daughter of Hon. A. Y. Ruth, a distinguished citizen of old St. Peter's Parish, of old Beaufort district, South Carolina, a man of the old Carolina type of the ante-bellum days. This union has been fruitful in many ways. His wife has proven a helpmeet to him indeed in all his work. Their home has been blessed with eleven children, three of whom have passed away. The eight surviving children are all members of Baptist churches and occupy positions of honor and trust. W. H., Jr., is sheriff of Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida; D. B. holds a position with the National Exchange Bank, Augusta, Georgia; G. G. is engaged in the insurance and real estate business in Greenwood, South Carolina; J. F. is in the railroad business at Taylors, South Carolina; and Harry is with the United States Army. His daughters are Mrs. W. H. Turner, of Atlanta, Georgia; Mrs. Charles D. West, of Greenville, South Carolina, and Mrs. Edward Crouch, of Alabama, three most excellent Christian women and active workers in Baptist churches. Besides their children, there is a galaxy of bright and promising grandchildren devoted to their venerable grandparents.

Rev. W. H. Dowling is the efficient clerk of the Savannah River Association, a position which he has held for fifteen years. He still does some work for the State Mission Board of South Carolina, and is a contributor to the papers, both secular and religious. Few men who suffered privations in material things and education on account of the ravages of the Civil War have made a nobler record for their country and for their denomination.

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jul 8 2018, 3:03:05 UTC

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• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 26 2021, 22:53:39 UTC

Served as SGT in Co. B, 5th SC Cavalry,Butler's Brigade, Hampton's Legion, in the Civil War.

Baptist Minister

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 27 2021, 1:08:17 UTC