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JIM & MIKE WATSON: Notes on Egypt, Adair County

By Mike Watson & JIM

Having been privy to the conversation in which the question on the naming of Egypt surfaced, I then replied, and now confirm, that I haven't been able to find the source. However, with due diligence, and some help from Brother-Cousin Jim and his eagle eye, these historical bits are offered in place of a true answer...until one is unearthed, in due time, of course.

However, it is important to note the antiquity of the name in our county's history. Egypt was a school district, and thus, a school house, as early as 1863, likely in the same general location as the Egypt Christian church is today. There was no Egypt school in the 1851 list of districts, so the genesis of that name came between the two dates. - AUTHORS of this Compilation



Charity Baptist Church, located in the Absher community, was organized 29 August 1868 by Rev. John James, William Henry Harrison Absher and William W. Bernard. Brother Absher was the first pastor, with Johnson Watson and J.L. Absher as first deacons, and S.L. Fisher as clerk. Originally, the congregation used the Egypt school building for services. After some years, they moved to the Jerico school building and used it until 1914, when the frame church was erected under leadership of Rev. W.S. Dudgeon. Charter members in 1868 were: William J. Bottom, William W. Bernard, T. Bottom, Jacob Brockman, W.H.H. Absher, Elias B. Bottom, S.H. Fisher, Nancy F. Brockman, Sarah H. Bottom, Sarah I. Absher, Jane Absher, Florence Bernard, Mary B. Absher, Frances F. Absher, Nancy I. Rexroat, Mary J. Bottom and Elizabeth Bottom.

Absher --The community and post office were named for the Absher family of whom William Henry Harrison, a minister of considerable talent, was a well known member. Absher post office was established 20 June 1884 with Samuel M. Humble as postmaster. He was followed by: William J. Cooley, 19 December 1884; Philip T. Cooley, 19 December 1884; John D. Absher, 21 January 1904; Robert A. Cooley, 16 December 1904; Henry Cooley, 29 December 1912; Lacie G. Weatherford, 2 June 1913; Robert A. Cooley, 12 May 1914; Robert O. Dillingham, 28 October 1927; and discontinued 14 January 1955, with mail to Columbia.

The Grange meets at Egypt Hall - The farmers' organization commonly known as the "Grange" spread across the nation in the early 1870s. A unit was organized in Adair County at a fairly early date. The State Grange of Kentucky authorized a county grange in Columbia, to be known as Grange No. 48. The Adair County Grange met at Egypt Hall on 7 January 1876 with Worthy M. Bernard as chair. Degrees were conferred on the following "Brothers and Sisters:" T.P. Jeffries, W.T. Willis, W.F. Jeffries, A.C. Jeffries, A.T. Troutman, A. Cox, H.J. Beard, H.P. Willis, J.N. Williams, J.H. Reynolds, David Harden, W.R. Faucett, C.P. Banks, G.A. Bradshaw, Zachariah T. Williams, J.D. Royse, J.H. Young, M.A. Robertson, Elizabeth Cooley, Zerilda Jeffries, Nannie Cooley and R.M. Banks. After an election, the following were made officers: W.W. Bernard, Master; A. Troutman, Overseer; W.T. Bottoms, Lecture; Jesse Hood, Steward; Willan T. Willis, Assistant Steward; W.W. Waggoner, Chaplain.

Egypt Christian Church - Egypt was organized in April 1876 by members from the Mt. Pleasant Church. Charter members were: Abner Brockman, James S. Thomas, Allen Brockman, Jobe Arnold, W.H. Thomas, Losson Robertson, Lusby Robertson, Jarome Hardwick, James H. Young, M.A. Robertson, Elizabeth Cooley, Louisa B. Robertson, Zerilda Royse, Nancy E. Cooley, Melissa Rice, Sarah F. Arnold, Salisa Arnold, Rebecca Brockman, Permilia L. Thomas, Mary R. Thomas, S.R. Thomas, Mary F. Hardwick, Sarah M. Grant, Eliza Breeding, M. America Breeding, Louisa Breeding, Louisa Bottoms and Josephine Breeding. A white frame building on highway 551.

A Big Picnic at Egypt, 1902 - The people living in the neighborhood of Egypt School-house covered themselves with glory last Saturday by spreading a bountiful dinner in honor of Hood Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, which meets at that place... (Adair County News, 13 August 1902) "The Adair county Sunday School Convention met at Egypt church on last Saturday with a large crowd present. President S.L. Frogge opened the convention...Be it resolved...3d, That it (the convention) further extend its thanks to the people of the Egypt community for their most excellent entertainment." (Adair County News, 24 May 1905) - MIKE and BROTHER-COUSIN JIM


This story was posted on 2013-04-14 10:48:51
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