Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers

Sketches Of

Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers

JOHN DAY

(page 135)

John Day was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., January 15, 1795. He was a son of John, who was also a son of John Day, of Virginia. John, being a favorite name in the family, has been handed down from sire to son, or grandson, there being only one missing link in the chain of namesakes for seven generations. The latest John is a live and promising youngster who is a grandson of a certain John who is an efficient deacon of the First Baptist Church of Knoxville.

John Day was married to a Miss Fannie Holdway, of Jefferson County. To this union were born thirteen children, two of them dying young, eleven living to raise families of their own. The fifth child, Mrs. Elizabeth Haynes - "Aunt Betsy," we call her - now in her 94th year, well preserved, and having been a Baptist for seventy years, has been a great help to the writer in his work.

Most of his life Brother Day lived in Hawkins County. Making a profession of religion, he joined War Creek Church, and was ordained by the same, by the "laying on of the hands of the presbytery," Hughes 0. Taylor and Woodson Taylor.

He was pastor of War Creek, Richardson's Creek, Bean's Creek, Blackwater and other churches. His "rule was, four churches at a time to serve as pastor, and fifth Sundays for funerals." One of his associates in the ministry and his helper in protracted, or "revival," meetings was Daniel P. Morris. He was also a fellow-helper and co-worker with James Lacy, James Greenlee and the Taylors.

His labors were in the bounds of the Nolachucky and Mulberry Gap Associations. He stood for righteousness, New Testament teaching and example, and when the denominational "split" over missions and methods came he remained with the "missionaries."
In March, 1853, Brother Day closed his earthly career. having fought the good fight of faith and finished his course with joy he wears the victor's crown.

Burnett, J .J. Sketches of Tennessee's Pioneer Baptist Preachers. Nashville, Tenn.: Press of Marshall & Bruce Company, 1919.

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