AMY SHERFIELD BROWN LEMLEY

Amy (Amie) Alatha Sherfield was born 03 Dec 1837 in Nashville, Tennessee, to Isom Sherfield and Alatha Laxon.

She married ca 1856 to Joseph Brown. They were the parents of one child, Virginia Elizabeth Brown, born 1858 in Searcy, White, Arkansas. Virginia married John Mack Roberts, son of Benjamin Roberts and Anna Lemley.

Joseph Brown died, and Amy moved to the Weatherford, Texas area with her parents. Amy married Samuel Lemley as his second wife about 1863.

Children of Amy Sherfield and Samuel Lemley: 1) Frank Lemley, 1865-1934; 2) Smith Lemley, 1867-1935; 3) Matilda Evaline Lemley, 1873-1959; 4) Jacob Evan Lemley, 1876-1955; 5) Georgia Lemley, 1881-1954.

This picture is shared with the Lemley researchers by Steve Lemley, a grandson of Smith Lemley. A strong looking lady, she looks to be in her late 60s when this picture was taken. The book lying in her lap is likely her Bible. An associate of Steve's came across some references to Smith Lemley and Amy Sherfield in the Gospel Advocate, Firm Foundation, and Christian Leader, publications of the Church of Christ. The letters written by Smith and Amy to these publications in 1887, tell us much about their strong characters, and the current events.

The letters were in a publication called the American Christian Review, produced in Ohio, and were written between January and August 1887. These letters are about a period of history, not only in Eastland County [Texas], but all of the plains of the midwest, when there was a terrible drought. John McClung, historian, specializing in the history of the frontier and the west, says that this drought broke the range cattle business forever and made the cattlemen decide that the only way they could produce steady income was to learn to feed large numbers of cattle in enclosed areas.

The first letter appears in January, 1887 (the date of writing the letter is not mentioned, and spells out the problem): "Dear Bro. Treat: Will you please allow me space in the Review to report the condition of the brethren here at this place. We are in a sad condition. We have not made anything this year, except some few have made some cotton, and we will have to suffer before crops are made again, if we don't get help. So, dear brethren, please do not let this pass with noticing. There are not many of us that will have bread for very long. When it is gone, we do not know how we will get any more; and we are very scarce of clothing. Brethren, will you not lend us a helping hand? Send all money by registered letter. (signed) Smith Lemley, Ranger, Eastland, Texas"

His appeal began to produce some results right away. His next letter tells about some money coming in. In the February 3, 1887, American Christian Review, his letter is printed under the magazine's heading, "Help for Texas."

"Ranger, Eastland County., Tex., Jan 20 1887 Bro Treat: We have received for the relief of the brethren of this place since December 24 [which makes me think he had sent out the appeal for help earlier to some other papers--December 24 is before the date of publication of the first appeal] the following sums: The church at Dawson, Fayette Co., Pa., $5; a Sister, Paxton, Ind., $5; H. S. Powell, Superior, Neb., $5; the church at Beeber's Station, West Va., $5.15; the church at Oaktown, Sullivan County, Ind., $10; the church at Fayette City, Fayette Co., Pa., $25; a Brother, Leona, Brown county, Kan $10; Ben Rosenberg, Lisbon, Ottawa Co., Mich., $5. Total $70.15. We are very thankful to these kind brethren and sisters for what they have aided us with, in our destitute condition. We have divided it equally according to the family, there being $1.25 for each adult and 65 cents for each of the children. If we had divided it by the members, some eight families with but two or three children and four members, would have got more than some families with but one or two members and five or six little children to divide with. We are very needy yet, and will other brethren that are able please lend us a helping hand, as perhaps these brethren have done all for us that they can? Dear brethren, if we did not need help we would not call on you to help us; we would rather give than to receive if we were able. Done by order of the church this 20th day of January, 1887. .......Smith Lemley."

The next letter in the May 3, 1887 issue of the Christian Leader. This time the writer is Amy Lemley who was always called 'Grandma Lemley' by my father and his sisters. My father remembers her sitting with 'Poppa' by the fire reading these church publications and discussing them at great length. She was apparently a very strong woman and it makes me wonder how Poppa and Momma lived in the same house with her for many years--but that's the way things were done in those days. I have it that she died in 1927 and her grave is in Russell Creek cemetery. Here is her letter: "Ranger, Tex., April 17. Dear Bro. Rowe: --Allow me space in your most valuable paper, which is gladly received in my house every week, to report the condition of the brethren who meet to worship at this place. Some of the members have moved away on account of the drought. The Government sent money to buy bread enough to do us six weeks, which was some help to us; but that will not last us til we can make a crop. It will only last a few days, and then I fear that some will suffer. The County Judge send us word last night that, if we were depending on the Government supporting us, we might as well be getting away. The most of us have homes here, and if we were to try to sell our places we could not realize enough to bear our expenses away. We had a good rain last night. We think it is best for us to remain at home if we can get some help while we are making a crop. The money that Bro. Smith Lemley received from the good brethren kept us from suffering through the winter, for which we are truly thankful. If the brotherhood can only help us enough to keep us from suffering for three months, we will be very thankful. The money that was sent to the members was divided, and all the brethren that meet with us here are well satisfied. We do not want to be stuck up in the least; we only want to live. Our great desire to remain here is to keep the church together, for it would be heart-breaking to us to have to part with brethren we love so well; and as I am the oldest member that belongs to this congregation and know the necessities of the brethren here, I thought I would ask the kind brethren who hear of our circumstances not to overlook this and let us suffer. If we can get bread, we will not starve. We hope we will be remembered by those that are able to help us. We will soon be getting milk, so we will be content if we can get bread and milk. Yours in hope of eternal life, Amy Lemley, P.S.--Send all money to Smith Lemley, Ranger, Eastland Co., Tex."

Amy Lemley was a prime mover for the Church of Christ in Eastland County. In Stephen Eckstein's book, A History of the Churches of Christ in Texas, when he comes to Eastland County, he suggests that she was actually an organizer who invited an evangelist, invited members of the community, and got things going. The first time, there were no baptisms, but the second time there were and the names of those people are inscribed in a book that my mother has, I think. Amy Lemley was quoted as saying, after the baptisms, "My cup runneth over!" Now, here she is in the "Christian Leader" of June 14, 1887, writing in behalf of one of the evangelists who worked around the region which included Eastland County: "Bro. Rowe: --Bro. Castleman wrote a piece for the Leader while here holding us a meeting, and it has been misplaced during the meeting, and I thought I would write it over, as he requested me to send it up with the report of the meeting. He read the letter to me, and I will write as near as possible what he wrote. He stated that he was one hundred and fifty miles from home, preaching the gospel to the drouth-stricken portion of Texas. "I myself also am one of the sufferers of the drouth-stricken portion of Texas, and the brethren are not able to help me any, and I have got five orphan children to support. If the brethren will help me so that I can preach the gospel, send the money to J. L. Castleman, Pella P.O., Wise Co., Texas. ............. Amy Lemley."

In that same issue of the Christian Leader and just below Amy's letter, there is another letter from Smith Lemley which further deals with relief money sent by people around the country. There must be an earlier letter in the Christian Leader which contains an appeal, but I haven't seen it.

"Ranger, Tex., June 3. Bro. Rowe: --I will report through the Leader the money that has been received for the suffering brethren worshiping at this place, which was gladly accepted: The church at Wever, Lee Co., Iowa, $13; sent by E. W. Green. Sarah E. Willison, Belmont, Ohio, $2. Edrow Friend, Lancaster, Mo., $10. The church at Arnot School-house, $20; per S. W. Ried. Bro. J. H. Cain, $1. Total $46. We are very thankful."

Just below that, and also with the date of June 3, there is another which must have been written by Smith Lemley but on the copy I have, it is cut off after a few lines. I have have lost the second page of this and will look for it myself, but in case I don't, here are those lines, sounding a bit more hopeful: "Ranger, Tex., June 3. Bro Rowe: --I want to report the condition of the brethren at the present time. We had had very good rains since the 17th of April, and we are in hope of making a good crop. If the rains will con-"

But it was not over yet. The next letter is from the Octographic Review, which was renamed from the American Christian Review, in the June 30, 1887 issue. The date on the letter is from about six weeks previous and suggests that while there were still problems, they may have been less severe since things had moved on to another level of interest for Smith Lemley. Life went on. A real surprise here is that he mentions his grandmother! I had never heard mention of her, but she is apparently Nancy Laxon Shuffield, born in 1822, the mother of Amy Lemley. Keep in mind that the events of this letter occurred just a few days before Smith Lemley's 21st birthday. The heading assigned the letter by the Review is "Good News". "Ranger, Texas, May 13, 1887. Bros. Treat and Sommer: --Will you please allow space in the Review to report a meeting held here at this place (Russell Creek), commencing on Friday night before the third Lord's day, ending with eleven added to the Church worshipping at this place. Eight came by faith, repentance, confession and baptism; one was reclaimed, and two took membership. One of the two that took membership was my grandmother, who is sixty-five years of age. Bro. Castleman hele the meeting. He has been preaching here occasionally ever since the year 1880, and has baptised fifty-two during that time. Bro. Castleman does not shun to declare the whole counsel of God; he preaches the gospel of Christ, which is 'the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth'. On the fourth Lord's day in May, the writer was set apart to the ministry with prayer and fasting. When he was ordained, his mother was sitting by his side, and his grandmother by the side of his mother. Bro. Castleman read Timothy, 1st chapter, 1st verse, 'When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice,' and he also read Paul's charge to Timothy: 'I charge thee therefore before God, who is ready to judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing, preach the word; be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. . . .

'[I'm leaving only about a third of the quote in -- he went on for several more verses]. Now let me say to you, dear brethren, let us preach the word, nothing but the word, for Paul says if any man preach any other gospel that that which he had preached, 'let him be accursed.' Dear brethren, let us endure hardships as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, never getting weary in the good work we have to do. Then when we are done with earthly things and bid farewell to this low ground of sorrow, then we will hear that welcome plaudit, 'Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of the Lord.'

Now I will say a few words about the brethren worshipping at this place. We meet every Lord's day to commemorate the death of the dear Savior, who died that we might live. We have had good rains lately and are now in hopes of making a crop, but do not know we will get bread till crops are made. Dear brethren, will you that are able please lend a helping hand? We are now getting milk, and if we can get bread, we will be satisfied. We do not want any to impoverish themselves by helping. Brethren, please do not let this pass unnoticed, if you think we are worthy, please lend us a helping hand. We are very thankful to the brethren who have aided us in our destitute condition. Any amount from five cents up will be thankfully received and acknowledged. Send money to the writer, Ranger P. P., East County, Texas. Yours in hope, Smith Lemley"

Things were still difficult in the last summer of 1887. In the Octographic Review of August 18, 1887, Smith Lemley wrote the following: "Ranger, Eastland County., Tex. July 23. Dear Bro. Sommer: -- I want to acknowledge through the Review the money that has been received since the last acknowledgment of the brethren at this place; the Sunday school at Bradley, Montery Co., Cal.; $6.55 sent by Sister Clara Huesley, Price Hill, Cincinnati, O.; $1 two little children, Lutie and Reeder Hathaway, Cincinnati, O.; $1 a faithful sister Pittsburg Pa.; $4.99 sent by H. K. Pendleton; Wash. Boxia, Syracuse, Hamilton Co., Kan. $5. We are thankful to these kind brethren and sister for the aid they have given us in our destitute condition. May we meet these dear brethren on that beautiful shore where all our troubles will be over. If any of the brethren see fit to send us any thing more to help us along, we will thank them very much. So I remain yours in the one hope, Smith Lemley"

Just below this letter, there is one from someone in Jacksboro, Texas. It is cut off and I don't have the second page, but he is also thanking people for sending money and says, "The drought still continues. we have not harvested and wheat or oats in the county . . . . "

The final letter I have is also from the Octographic Review but is in March of 1888. This is about two months before Smith Lemley's 22nd birthday and he has been recognized as a preacher of the gospel less than a year. But he is trying to make his mark by participating in a discussion that taking place at the time, basically led by the editors of the Firm Foundation in Austin and the Gospel Advocate in Nashville. The controversy of the time was over whether someone coming from outside the Church of Christ had to be baptized regardless of whether they may have been baptized by immersion at the hands of those of another church, i.e., Baptist. The Gospel Advocate position was that if someone came from another church and wanted to become a member of the Church of Christ, if he understood that he had been baptized by immersion for the right reasons, he should be accepted. The Firm Foundation maintained that he should be baptized again. I must say that Smith Lemley misses the point of the discussion just a hair, probably in his youth not quite understanding the complexities of the arguments, but he lines up with the Firm Foundation position and even uses the phrase, 'we cannot make them Christians by a shake of the hand,' which was often used by Austin McGrary, editor of the Firm Foundation. So here it is: "Ranger, Texas, February 23, '88 Brethren of the Review: -- I thought I would drop you a few lines as it has been some time since I have seen anything from this part of God's vineyard in the Review. We meet on the Lord's day to commemorate the death and suffering of our Lord. Bro. S. N. Thomas held us a meeting beginning on Friday night before the fourth Lord's day in November, resulting in twelve additions to the one body by faith, repentance, confession and baptism. That is the only way by which sinners can be added to the Lord. If there be any other way, the word of God is silent concerning that way. We cannot shake people into Christ. Paul says we are baptized into Christ; and if people in the sectarian churches are Christians, why not let them alone where they are? And if they are not Christians, we cannot make them Christians by a shake of the hand. There is one thing that some of our preachers have not thought of. Do the sectarian preachers tell sinners to confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus Christ before they are baptized? Paul says in the 10th chapter of Romans that with the mouth confession is made unto salvation; and in the 8th chapter of Acts, when the Eunuch asked what hindered him from being baptized, Phillip said, 'If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest, and he said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Then they went down into the water and he baptized him.' Phillip did not baptize him til he had made the confession. And if we follow the divine record we will not baptize anyone until after they have made the confession. To become a child of God, one must believe with all his heart that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and then be buried with him in baptism. The sinner must be baptized for the remission of sins as Peter told the Pentecostians in Acts 2nd. This is the only was that sinners can become Christians. If there be any other way, let come one tell us where it is. ........Smith Lemley"

So, this adds up to something interesting and significant to me. Here we have a picture of an area that was suffering famine and having real difficulty even getting enough to eat. Starvation is mentioned as a possibility. We are proud people and self-sufficient and we have been blessed with a great deal of material wealth and a supply system that includes grocery stores abundantly stocked with food whether we are in a drought or not. They had the fruit of their labors, what they could get from their farms and what they could trade for. It was a different kind of existence altogether. Further, there was not any real support from the government for these kinds of problems, people were on their own. Because there was a small church which was aware of a larger brotherhood, there was a means of asking for and receiving some help. And the help came, rather generously for that day, from places far away from Eastland County. There is a scrupulous honesty in showing appreciation and accounting for the use of the money, even explaining exactly how it was distributed. I wonder whether during this time there were more deaths from disease than usual because of nutrition and lack of modern medical care. Our ancestors seemed pretty strong and assertive and they took responsibility for the problem for the whole church community, reaching out for help in ways they were equipped to do. We can also see that these were people of strong faith. They were at the heart of the development and growth of the region in which they lived and significant in the establishment and growth of the church in the region. In many ways, they leave gifts to all of us, even though were in poverty some of the time. I'm thankful for our heritage. .......Steve Lemley