History of the Restoration Movement

Augustus Browder "Buck" Fears
1810 - 1879

        A.B. Fears was the son of William Fears by his second wife Nancy Browder (Thrasher). He was born in August 9, 1810 in Greene County and came to Henry County with his half-brothers, Jesse and William S. Fears and their relatives. he married Mary A. Griffin, a daughter of William and Mary (Barnett) Griffin in Henry County. She was a first cousin to his half-brothers, but was not related to her husband.

        Nathan W. Smith, long-time evangelist in Georgia,  spoke of the conversions of "Buck" Fears and his step-brother William in the Christian Standard, May 24, 1879 as follows:

The two Brothers Fears, A.B. and Wm. S., came to the knowledge of the Scripture truths as taught by the Disciples, by reading our publications, and they have been great workers. I receive them into a small congregation I had gathered in Fayette County. They rode 25 miles from their home to have and enjoy church privileges; as an evidence of their faithfulness. I used to preach in a school-house in their vicinity in passing, but so great was the prejudice and opposition, could not get more than half dozen hearers. And in 1845, while Bro. Hook (Dr. Daniel Hook) was with me, Bro. Wm. S. Fears made an appointment for us to preach at his house, and gave the appointment publicity through the neighborhood. The time came and we were on hand. Now for our hearers. Two neighbors, young men, and Bro. Fears' family of whites and blacks, all told.

Bro. Hook, always ready to do all he could, preached, doubtless, a good sermon. I was tired an sleepy, and I confess I took a short nap. Now for evidence that these brethren with what aid they have had, were good workers. There is one among the best and largest congregations of Disciple in that neighborhood in our State. Good and substantial citizens, people of intelligence and influence. Brother Wm. S. Fears is, I think, one of the most untiring workers I have known in the State. Bro. A.B. Fears was a good man and preacher - more of a pastor than an evangelist. He has closed his earthly pilgrimage and gone to the rest that remains for the people of the Lord.

        Before Fears was converted in 1844, he served as a Methodist preacher. Later he wrote frequently to church papers. In 1845, he reported to the Bible Advocate, (Jan. 1846 Issue, page 21f.)  that there were then only two other Disciples in the area, both aged women and 10 miles distant. One, Susannah West, held membership with the Fears brothers at a Fayette County church, 30 miles away, but usually attended the monthly meetings.

        Fears had preaching appointments "among those who oppose the truth, calling us by most opprobrious epithets, and using their utmost endeavors to keep the people from hearing." (Bible Advocate, Feb., 1846, pages 36ff.) He went on to explain that he was hopeful of success because some people were, "beginning to read and investigate."

        In a letter written to a Brother Eichbaum in 1850, Dr. Daniel Hook wrote, "In Henry and in Pike (counties) I had with me A.B. Fears, a man of whose prudence firmness and courage in the discharge of duty, I feel wonderful confidence. The Lord sustain him!"

        In a Georgia Cooperation meeting in 1851 it was resolved to send out two evangelists in 1852 as state evangelists. The two selected were Dr. Daniel Hook and A. B. Fears, according to Christian Magazine, Dec., 1851, pages 375ff.

          During the Civil War A. B. Fears enlisted in the C.S.A. and was in the 30th regiment of the Georgia Infantry. A confederate marker is displayed at his grave.

            In the 1860 Census in Campbell County, Georgia, Augustus is registered as being at the age of 48, and his wife Mary at the age of 42. They had a son, Walter - 14 yrs. old; a daughter, Athela - 18 yrs.; a daughter, Cassella,  12 yrs. old; a daughter, Antonett, 11 yrs. old; a daughter, Mary N. - 8 yrs. old; & Ada O. - 1 year old.

            Records also showed that on 5/13/1853 Fears purchased 575 acres in LL#113,11,10,12 and #112. This is was found on page 386 in Deed Book E, Campbell County Land Records - 1828-1854.

            Death came to Augustus Browder "Buck" Fears February 11, 1879 at his home in Red Oak, Georgia, in Campbell (now Fulton) County.

Note: Much of the above information was found at a number of different places. A great deal of the information comes from the book, Disciples Of Christ In Georgia, by J. Edward Moseley, The Bethany Press, St. Louis, Mo. 1954

Directions To The Graves Of A.B. and Mary A. Fears

In Southwest Atlanta, Georgia take SR. 14 Spur off Hwy 85 South. (Access can also be made to SR 14 Spur from I-285). Take the first exit, Buffington Rd. and turn right. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right on U.S.29 (Roosevelt Hwy.). Go two blocks on the left you will see the Red Oak Cemetery (no sign, but the first cemetery you come to on the left). You can't miss it. This is a busy road, so you might park just south of the graveyard on  Newnan Rd. The cemetery is fronted by a cement wall with stairs up into the cemetery on both ends. The Fears plot is closest to the northeastern set of stairs. From the the northeastern stairs you will come up to a mausoleum. Go left about two or three rows in and look for a Confederate Marker. Both A.B. and Mary's markers have been knocked over and are laying flat. 

GPS Coordinates
88° 37.367' x 84° 29.715'
Acc. to 18' / Graves Face East

Marker Inscriptions

Be Sure To See The Site of William S. Fears

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