A sketch of C.A. Tharp's life. I was convinced of sin from the time I was 5 or 6 years of age. My parents being religious and my father a Baptist minister, the Rev. Vincent A. Tharp but I was on the legalish order. I had displeased God by my sins and now must please him by my good works & thus I went on praying some and living a good deal. I had such clear views of my sinful state and nature that I envied the beasts and the fowls and would gave gladly swapped stations with them for they had no souls to be saved or lost but I had one and that was to be lost. I was willing for an African to pray for me thus I was made so humble that I lay prostate in the dust, pleading with God to forgive and save me and at last in the 22nd year the good Lord was pleased to show himself to me in the pardon of my sins. In 1812 in the early part of this year there as an Earthquake. I think in the Island of Corsica which produced a great shaking of the Earth so great was the alarm among all classes that we all supposed that the world was coming to an end and I felt like a prisoner at the Bar of God and justly condemned and no hope. I dreamed that the judgment day had come. On waking suddenly my agony was all most indescribable and suddenly these words applied to me. "I have loved with an Everlasting love and with loving kindness I have drawn thee," recorded in the 31st Chap. Of Jeremiah which words gave me great relief though the tempter I suppose suggested to me that this was too great for me such a sinner. The above words were apparently repeated to my mind the second time I have - and it was like electricity through my whole frame. I was filled with joy that was unspeakable and full of glory my - and trouble left me. I then felt that God for Christ's sake had forgiven my sins and I have never lost that hope yet. I soon joined the church and was so happy that I desire to die and be with Christ. But this - appeared to my mind, "Go home and tell thy friends what great things the Lord has done for thee" and from then till now I have felt it my duty to preach and I have endeavored to do so. On one occasion under heavy affliction I went to secret prayer three times for the same object. On the third prayer I prostrated myself on the ground my soul was immediately filled with the love of God and my tears flowed freely, the pain was removed instantly. On two other occasions in time of great drought I was led to pray for rain and before night plenty of rain came and at other times I have prayed for sick persons and they recovered. Thus the Lord encouraged me in prayer and I wish to encourage others.

A Sketch of Charnick A. Tharp's life, son of Vincent A. Tharp written by his own hand in 1835. Near the close of his life as he supposed from the debilitated state of his health. I was born as the record of my parents say on the 27th of February 1790 in the State of Georgia, Warren County, shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War. My parents, being poor in early life, though not in old age, consequently I received a limited education, though I was a considerable lover of books and read considerable in the middle and latter part of life. I had tender religious impressions from the early part of my life. My Father moved to Twiggs County in 1811, though I came 2 years previous with my oldest brother with some hands (slaves) to make improvements against the rest of the family coming. My absence from home served to increase my conviction; until in 1812 when I hope I obtained a pardon of my sins. I think I never shall forget long at a time whilest I live the peace and feeling that I then had which was the 22 year of my age (these words gave me relief: "I have loved them with an Everlasting love") I united myself with the Stone Creek Baptist Church and through the goodness of the Lord I am yet an unworthy member of that church it has been about 23 years ago. I was married about 4 years after to Elizabeth Jefferson who made me a kind wife. We have had now 17 children. Shortly after I was united to the Church I felt strong impression of a public work and occasionally would sing and pray and sometimes - but in consequence of my unworthiness & inability as I thought, I could not enter upon doctrine for near 12 years. Early in 1825 I commenced preaching & in the latter part of the same year was ordained & my Father dying that same year I was called to fill the vacancy in the churches ______ by his death & all though I engaged in the ministry with much trembling & yet labour through much fear, yet I take courage, since I seem to have a high seat in the affection of my Brethren, from the appointments that they have seen fit to give me, clerk & deacon of the church, clerk & moderator of the association, the minutes will show how many years. I also have had great encouragement from the world for I have had generally large congregations to preach to & although I have now been (more than) eleven years in the ministry I think I yet feel a greater desire this year for the promotion of the gospel than ever I have in all my life before, I feel like I had but little time to do a great & good work in. I have felt it pressed upon me of late to visit my neighbours & pray with them. I visited & prayed with some and can say for the encourage of others that I never felt happier than when in the discharge of that duty. The Lord is good and I know that he hears and answers prayers likely if my life should be spared longer I shall add to this sketch.

1835 The commencement of this year Religion was at a very low ebb and I concluded that I might all most as well quit trying to preach however about the latter end of June feeling as above stated much impressed to visit neighbours and pray with them & in answer to prayer & in the discharge of duty (not for it) the Lord seemed to come down by his spirit in the churches & monthly added to the church such as should be saved & I have Baptised in the last three or 4 months in all the churches that I attended nearly 100 this is now October 1835 & if I am spared I will add to this at the end of the year.

1836 October another associational year is over - nothing very materially has turned up this year only I am of the delegates from seven churches which drew off from the associations and account of the Missionary Temperance and other benevolent societies. Alleging that they are inconsistent with the gospel & the articles of the Faith of our association & when the question was taken and decided by a large Majority these 7 were not willing to submit to the Majority & have left to form an association of their own. It is a great pity that Brethren will give way to prejudice so much. I also attended the first Ministers meeting this year in Forsyth that was ever held in the State & it was a delightful season. I think I shall not be at the next meeting of the kind. I find my constitution failing fast but none of us died this year - but the oldest daughter married.

December 1837 Another association year past, had a very pleasant time of it this year. The Brethren still appointed me moderator. This year formed a domestic Monitor in our bounds which we have been trying to do for several years met with no opposition in it this year. Nothing remarkable this year only another daughter married, none of us died as yet. I wonder that my unworthy life is yet spared as I live so little for the Lord though I try to keep up family prayer night and morning yet I pray too little & that my children may pray much more than I have done. My health still on the decline.

April the 2, 1839 Omitted to write anything last year in this memorandum. Attended the ministers meeting at Macon last year and two Associations but did not go to the convention but I expect to attend this year, had a great Revival of Religion last year, felt happy. Several persons have died this year. Very lately but none of our own family. Should feel thankful that we are spared lament that I live so little for the Lord all though the ______ brethren have not complained of that I know of. I intend to live nearer if possible. Preached more last year than usual and it appeared to have a good effect, had a pleasant association. Our eldest son married this year I think , Dec. the 24th, 1840. The Lord has been very kind to us this year though many have died yet we are all spared. I have attended 3 associations this year and also the State Convention, a tolerable pleasant time at all of them, was still appointed Moderator. The Brethren still seem to have confidence in me though I feel very unworthy. I have preached considerable this year and attended several constitutions & ordinations.

Oct. the 6th, 1841 Another Associational year has passed, had a pleasant time of it though I was considerable unwell on my way home and on my driving home found that my dear Bro. Wm. Tharp was dead. Nothing very remarkable has turned up this year only we have had considerable sickness and the loss of one of our children, an infant and several Black children but the Lord has been very good to us for which we should be very thankful. Oh that we could live more to his honor and praise.

Oct. 1842 The Association this year was held with us at Stone Church, had bad weather and not so much company as I expected though we had a harmonious meeting. We had a good preaching but little effect felt, though in the conclusion on Tuesday and there was considerable effect the churches generally speak of coldness though a fire has been revived. Have been sick this year, hardly expect to live to see another association. Much sickness and many deaths this year generally.

(No date for the following entry) Nothing very materially has occurred this year only one daughter joined the church for which I felt happy - feel like I am ready and waiting when the Lord shall say come up higher. Oh that I could live more to his praise.

Nov. 1845 Nothing very materially has occurred among us until this year. In the Early part of this year I was low in spirits, the churches old children growing up wicked apparently but as the good Lord would have it in the latter part of this year our church was revived greatly. Baptized more this year than in any year of my ministry and among other 4 of my own sons & 4 or 5 servants. Health better than usual and - association. May the good Lord continue with us.

January 1847 Nothing materially occurred during 1846 until late in the Fall. Health not very good. Failed to attend last association, the first in about 15 or 20 years but in the spring a little better in health and attended the State convention. The churches have again become cold and lukewarm and thought I best to give up all of my churches except Stone Creek where my membership is but Bro. Jas. Person assists me some. Bro. J. Campbell has moved into the county now and will be of use to the churches. Bro. Jeremiah married this winter to the Widow Hughes. I have much regretted the course that our association has pursued for many years in its opposition to the cause of Benevolence but now feel much gratified that our association has become a component member of the G B L Convention which I have been labouring to bring about for many years as I have all ______ have been in favor of missions from the first effort that was made but have had strong opposition. This fall have been enabled to attend the association and was again appointed moderator, was glad to find that the Brethren had not lost confidence in me not withstanding all my imperfections; and infirmities had a very pleasant association. Some of the ____ considerably revived.

(No date given for the following entry) Nothing very materially occurred in 1848 or in 1849 in our associational matters. I was unable to attend them both now in 1850. But in 1851 and the ___ we have had a great revival in our new house of Worship about such a one as we had in 1845 and in the early part of 1852. Had a hard spell of sickness, was very low and desired to die very much as I thought the Savior was quite sufficient to save me but claimed no merit of my own and up to this date 1853 have been an officer of the association about 20 years and now in my 64th year I attend 2 churches and preach nearly every Sabbath when I am well enough - in 1854 and 1855 was at our association and was again moderator but nothing very material occurred in those years.

In 1856 was unable to attend our association of which I have been a member 29 years by reason of affliction and infirmity of age. This fall gave up the care of Stone Creek from age and infirmity. We have considerable increase to the church this year under Bro. Landrum. I feel very small and unworthy. I trust that I am willing to go or stay just as the Lord would have me do and should the Blessed Lord say come up higher I feel a little like the Apostle Paul who said, "I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished my course and henceforth there is laid up for me a crown which the Lord Jesus will give which is laid up for us all" - and after Bro. Landrum's time was out Bro. G. R. McCall attended 5 years and now the good Lord has called my 6th son Washington to the ministry. I trust who is now serving us in the year 1863 in my 74th year and I am now laid aside from the ministry and have been for several years but don't enjoy myself as well as I did when engaging in it.

Other entries were more business related.

The Shackle Ford lot of Land in the 28 District of Wilkinson is 107 which I wish to purchase & C

My agent to give in my land in Pike County. Issaiel Hill and Mr. N. Wheeler is to give in and pay for the Land in Barber Co., Ala. And 2.50 is left with each (Nearest date 1842). Wheat 1.00 per bu. Corn 50 cents to 75 cents

Thos. Jefferson, Pleasant Hill, P.O.Dallas Co., Ala.

(1845) Lumber 2.50 per thousand for weatherboarding

(1846)My agents in Alabama are Noah Wheelan in Barber Co. and Richard R. McCluen in Pike Co. are to give in pay of land (Note: The fact that Rev. Charnick A Tharp of Twiggs Co., Ga., owned land in Barbour and Pike Counties in Alabama, though he never lived there, will be confusing to the Tharp descendants of Charnick Tharp who did live there)

(1846) Write Bro. Tharp at South Newgate, Mackintosh Co.

(1854) $35.00 to pay expenses to Savannah in May.

Received 585 feet of Planks of Nofflit & Night Parker and paid them $5 on the same July, 1848.

1849 Cotton brought $2,590.00
1851 71 bales sold for $3,112.00

Persons wishing the Home and Farm Journal for 1854 James M. Champion, Botsford's P.O. of Sumter Co., Ga. And Elias L. or (S.) Chamption, Griswolds P.O. Jones Co.

My crop in 1849 was $2,590.00 and in 1851 (made in 50 but sold in 51) I sold 71 bales for $3112.00

In 1852 mad 64 bales and sold for $2651.35

And my crop in 1853 was 53 bales sold for $1,850 (dry year)

Guardian for Adelia Tharp 1826-1839

Amts received in notes & money from F.A. Test. $915.00

1829 Money from Davies Est $ 46.12
1830 Money from Davies Est $ 24.66 Money from Davies Est Sal of boy Mose $192.25 1/3 part

1837 Boarded her at Clinton this year
Tuition & Board $ 83.28
Spending Money $ 5.00

1839 Adelia A. Tharp's account continued to cash paid through Wm. Tharp $10.00 To V.A. Hill's Acc. For 1839 at Hambliton, Harris Co.

Jno. Jefferson's orphans no. of their Land No. 22 in 17 District Sect. 2nd Cherokee Co. containing 160 acres

About 1855 B.B. Buchanan lives near Hernando Town, DeSoto County Mississippi State Write to Bro. H.B.Standley

1855 Write to Hulda Buber, Mississippi S. Oktibbeha Co. Choctaw Agency

Crop 1857 some over $3,000 averaging over 12 cents

1858 $4,000 at 11 cents

Cotton 1861 sold for $3,448

Mrs. Mary Wamack's address or Post Office is Butler Springs, Butler Co., Alabama

Rev. Jesse Campbell left with me ten (10) of his books with me to sell in 1847, the last of the year, C.A.T.

About Write to Allen Windham
1861

About Brozier Parish
1861 Rocky Mount P.O.

Bro Ryal is P.O. Copelands, Telfair Co.

1853 shoes $1.15 and 1.10 for Allen

A Cheap paint

1 bushel of Lime add 20 lbs of Spanish whiting, 17 lbs. of salt and 12 lbs. of sugar. Strain the mixture through a sive, make it of a proper thinning with cold water. Put on 2 coats with a brush giving sufficient time for each to dry. This is said to be a very durable for the outside of Building. But for inside Whitewashing to 1 bushel of lime add 3 bu of sugar and 5 lbs. of salt. This mixture apply as above and put on with a brush on the inside to make a lead color put in Lamp black, for Blue add Indigo. If you wish yellow put in Yellow ore instead of whiting. This mixture is said will not cost more than ¼ as much as paint and oil. To make it more brilliant add a little rice flower and a little burnt alum and a little glue or varnish this said to be exquisitely beautiful and will last many years.