Sketches Of

Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers

JONAS B. CASTILLER

(pages 99 - 101)

Jonas B. Castiller was born in North Carolina in 1814. He was married three times. His first wife was Rhoda Solomon, a daughter of James Solomon, of Cocke County. To this union were born a son and a daughter, William and Isabelle.  His second wife was Mrs. Betsy Solomon, widow of John Solomon. This second wife had a daughter, Molhe, by her first husband. His third wife was Mrs. Sarah Solomon, widow of Howard Solomon.   Brother Castiller lived near Point Pleasant Church, Cocke County. He was pastor of this church for a number of years, also of Clay Creek, Pleasant Grove, and other churches. He spent a great deal of his time holding meetings about over the country, frequently associated in his work with Elder John Russell, of Sevier, County. He held a memorable meeting with Bethel Church, which greatly helped to establish the church in its feeble beginnings. In looking over the records of the old Friendship Church,  I see Jonas B. Castiller was frequently "Moderator pro tem." When the beloved C. C. Brown was a young man, and clerk of the Friendship Church, he was a great admirer of Brother Castiller. Brown was inclined before and after his conversion, to the Presbyterians,. and but for Castiller's influence would likely have been a Presbyterian preacher. Castiller was constantly prodding him with some difficult question with regard to the Presbyterian system: "Crocket, what will you do with this? and this? and this?" until he got Brown to reading the Bible for himself, and then led him down into the waters of baptism.