250 Persons Including Descendants
Witness Dedication of Burkitt Marker
Roxobel- An estimated 250 persons attended the memorial service here Sunday at Sandy Run Baptist Church
and the dedication of a marker to Lemuel Burkitt, pioneer Baptist leader in this area.
Included in the congregation were 38 descendants of Burkitt,
including a number from out of state.
The Rev. Oscar Creech gave a brief talk on "Why We are Here," and the introduction of the speaker
was by the Rev. J. B. Dailey of Jackson, chairman of the Burkitt Memorial Committee.
Dr. W. W. Barnes of Waco, Texas, a research professor of Baptist history,
gave the main address of the service, on "What Mean Ye By These Stones?"
The unveiling of the monument to Burkitt was by two descendants,
Mrs. Moni Burkitt Hall, Raleigh, a great-great-granddaughter
and Miss Peggy Vick of Roxobel, a great-great-great-great-granddaughter.
Dr. Lemuel Hall of Oteen, a great-great-great-grandson of Burkitt, gave the prayer of dedication.
Joel Cook Holland of Murfreesboro, soloist, gave special music.
Descendants of Burkitt present for the services and dedication were:
Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Albert Hall and son, Stephen A., Arlington, Va.;
Sarah Burkitt Gayle, Sedley, Va.;
Mrs. Z. W. Davis, Norfolk, Va.;
Peggy Vick, Roxobel; W. H. Peele, Plymouth, Mrs. C. R. Baker, Roxobel; Jimmy Baker, Roxobel;
Mrs. G. C. Butler, Jr., Newport News, Va.; Bennie F. Burkitt, Rich Square; Charles E. Burkitt, Jr., Ahoskie;
Cecil G. Burkitt, Hampton, Va.
Mrs. Mildred Burkitt Jernigan, Ahoskie; Mrs. Mabelle Burkitt Outlaw, Aulander;
Mrs. Lucy Burkitt Shoulders, Rich Square; Miss Rebecca Outlaw, Aulander; Miss Elizabeth Burkitt Outlaw, Aulander;
Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Hall, Asheville; William C. Hall, Raleigh; Mrs. J. L. Reynolds, Roxobel;
Mrs. T. A. Blythe, Sedley, Va.; Carlton Cullifer, Norfolk, Va.; Gary Cullifer, Mrs. W. H. Vick, Roxobel;
James "Jeff" Burkitt, Lakewood, Ohio, Jeff Burkitt, Lakewood, Ohio, Vera Burkitt, Lakewood, Ohio, Garrett Burkitt, Se., Ansonia, Conn.;
Mary Agnes Pearce, Jackson; Mrs. W. L. Barnes, Windsor; Robert E. Holley, Jr., Colerain;
Mrs. Robert Shield Holley, Colerain.
Mrs. W. D. Pearce, Jackson; Clara M. Baisey, Roxobel; Donald Cullifer, Roxobel.
"The Gates County Index", Gatesville, [Gates County], N.C.
Thursday, August 4, 1955
a picture was provided of the monument followed by the following caption:
Monument to Burkitt- This marker was dedicated to Lemuel Burkitt at Sandy Run Baptist Church Sunday and
contains the following inscription: LEMUEL BURKITT, 1750-1807. Eloquent Preacher, Evangelist, Author and Wise Leader.
Pastor of Sandy Run Baptist Church, 1773-1807. Clerk Kehukee Association, 1773-1805. Delegate to the Hillsboro Convention, 1785.
Preached in great Kentucky Revival, 1802, and to 4000 in Meherrin Revival, 1803.
Co-author of "History of Kehukee Association."
Married first Hannah Bell, later Prudence Watson, both of Virginia.
For a third of a century "He was the most influential man among the Baptists in North Carolina and gave direction and character to
Baptist development in the eastern half of the state." (Paschal.) His grave is one-half mile west.
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