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Elder John Martin Blackstone
was an exceptional man, not only a preacher of the Gospel, but a
leader of men. He Migrated to Crawford County in 1822. His good
sense, quick perception, honesty and integrity soon won for
him the confidence and esteem of all who knew him and placed him in the front rank as a
representative man of his county.
He was a member of the first Inferior Court organized in Crawford County, as records
will show, and at the first election held in the county for Representatives to
the Legislature or General Assembly, he was chosen as their Senator. He was
reelected annually for nine successive years.
While Elder Blackstone was faithful to the best interest of the State and County, he
was faithful to his obligation as a Minister of the Gospel. He helped organize
several churches, to wit: Mt. Paran, Salem, Mt. Carmel, Providence, Abilene and
Union; also Old Mt. Pisgah in Monroe, now Bibb County, later known as Calvery.
He assisted in the organization of the Echeconnee Association, of the
Primitive Baptist Church and was the first Moderator at Mt. Paran in 1825.
In 1925, Salem Church erected a monument in memory of Elder Blackstone and his
wife. Present day researchers are led to believe that he is buried in Salem
Cemetery. The truth is, John and his wife are buried in Mt. Paran Cemetery unmarked.
We have no positive proof , other than the fact that he and his wife were
living with their daughter and
son-in-law, Nathan and Icy Fowler, who lived across the road from the church.
Records show that he was dismissed from the Church Roll the year of his
death. To those who knew him, he was deemed a
"Remarkable Man"
( above material was extracted for the May issue of the Baptist Messenger in the
year 1887, and was written by his grandson, Zephaniah Fowler.) |