Brent,
I'm not sure of the location of Hanging Grove, however, the Banta's were
mostly from Jefferson Twp. In looking over the History of Cass County
Indiana, 1913 Jehu Powell, this is what I found in the section on Jefferson
Twp.
p. 617
In 1830 Beaufort Banta settled in section 24, where he resided until his
death in 1888. He was born in Kentucky in 1808, was a man of fine
appearance, tall and commanding figure. He had marked individuality,
conviction and courage. In politics he was a Whig and later a Republican,
and often made political speeches. He had a large family, of which his
sones, Benjamin, William, Caleb and John Banta, are still honored residents
of the county.
In 1831 came Robert and Alexander Gray and located in the southern part of
the township. Robert became captain of militia and was known as Captain
Gray. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1796, and died in 1868, and lies at
rest in the Georgetown cemetery. He was a large and powerful man, was
justice of the peace for many years and often referee in disputes between
his neighbors. Politically he was an ardent Democrat. He was the father
of eight children, all of whom are now dead.
Alexander Gray was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, located in
section 33, Jefferson township, on land now owned by his son Harrison Gray.
He had dark curly hair, was a plain man, unostentatious in his demeanor,
a clean man with sturdy Christian character, and a leader in the Pisgah
Presbyterian church. He had an invalid wife for whom he cared like a
child. He greatly aided in the development of Jefferson township until the
time of his death in 1875.
James Gray, another brother, was born in Pennsylvania in 1802, married
Katharine Duncan in Pennsylvania in 1828, came to Jefferson township in
1839, and was a prominent pioneer farmer until his death. His children
were: John, James D., thomas, Alexander, Hamilton and Martha, all of whom
are dead except the latter, now the wife of Lemuel Powell, of Bethlehem
township.
p.618
FIRST BIRTHS
Elizabeth, daughter of Beaufort and Elizabeth Banta, born March 17, 1831,
and Barbara, daughter of Robert and Barbara Gray, born September 22, 1932.
EARLY DEATHS
Probably the first deaths that occured in the township were Barbara, the
four-months-old daughter of Robert Gray, who died December 26, 1832, and
Peter Price, who died in 1833, and were interred in the Georgtown cemetery.
p. 620
CHURCHES
The pioneers brought Christianity with them into the wilderness of
Jefferson and as soon as a few settlers could be gathered together they
began to hold religious meetings. It is reported that the first meetings
were held in the cabin of Robert Gray about 1833 to 1835, by the Christian
(Disciple) denomination......
3 other early churches (by 1843) are menioned in the pages that follow.
These include: Crooked Creek Christian (New Light) Church, Pisgah
Presbyterian (with mention of A.E. Gray and Caleb Banta), and the Baptist
church, which closed by 1843.
There is no set answer as to what happens to the church records when it
closes. I'm sure that some denominations may have archives where that sort
of item is kept. But many preachers kept their own records and took them
with them when they moved on to another church. Anything could have
happened to church records (if they even kept records.) I know that my
church has terrible records, because the pastors kept them and who knows
what happened to them after the pastors died. Sorry to be so pessimistic.
Debby
At 09:41 PM 02/14/2000 -0800, you wrote:
Can someone please help me identify the Protestant churches active
near
Hanging Grove, Cass Co around 1843?
My GGM, Sarah GRAY (1824-1889) married Frederick BANTA (1815-1868) in
Hanging Grove on 2 March 1843. Sarah moved to Cass Co around 1830 from
Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA. I have been trying to identify Sarah's
parents through civil records, but have been unable to obtain birth or
death certificates for her. Is it likely that church marriage records would
still exist ? When a church closes, is there any way to find out where its
records go?
Perhaps one of you can point me toward a published history of Cass County;
often these works mention churches. Thank you!
Best regards,
Brent Banta
San Diego
==============================
Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project:
Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time.
http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/