William Sadler Fears
(1807-1903)
W. S. Fears was born January 31, 1807. He was the youngest son born to William and Mary (Griffin) Fears, his first wife. They lived near Scull Shoals on the Oconee River in Greene County, Georgia, near Oglethorpe County line and just across the river from old Franklin-Clark county. William S., along with his older brother, Jesse Griffin Fears, and his younger step-brother, Augustus Browder "Buck" Fears grew up on the American frontier.
In April, 2010, Virginia (Ginny) Fields, a family descendant, wrote that William was married twice. His first wife was Levicy Smith whom he married on December 25, 1828. The old family Bible records that to them were born, William Thomas Fears, born 18 November, 1828; Jesse L. Fears, born 28 June, 1831; and Mary Griffin Fears, born 12 September, 1932. It would appear that Levicy died either in childbirth or from complications, for on December 31, 1834. William then married Sarah Kleckly Whitsel, the
widowed wife
of John Whitsel. Fears, along with his brothers, accompanied an emigration of
relatives in the 1820s to Henry County where William settled in the Third
District on a plantation east of Bear Creek on the Locust Grove Road.
According to family sources, the Fears brothers accumulated land through buying and selling to the great total of over 4,000 acres between them. William's older brother Jesse, lived in the home of William and Sarah all his life, never marrying. A descendant, Jack Fears, of Hampton, Georgia, tells the story that his old uncle Jesse was somewhat of elusive character. Jesse was not a professed Christian, like his two younger brothers. He helped them build the original church building of the Christian Church in Hampton, but never attended on a regular basis. It was said that Jesse attended a Revival meeting on one occasion, and he told his brothers that it was the last time he would attend, that religion was not for him. The only other time he went, was when his funeral was held, January 2nd, 1901.
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 Disciples 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."
The first meeting of the of the Church of Christ in Henry County was in the home of William S. Fears in 1845. Through the influences of men like Dr. Daniel Hook and Nathan W. Smith, William became the minister of the congregation and helped to organize the Berea Christian Church in 1854. He was committed to the sound principles of New Testament Christianity all the days of his life. After the Civil War when innovations like, American Christian Missionary Society's Louisville Plan, it was William S. Fears who though in a minority stood against such organization.
According to J. Edward Moseley, in Disciples Of Christ in Georgia the controversy over the addition of musical instruments caused splits in fellowships among many Georgia churches, not so with Berea, though it's first gospel preacher was against it until his death. Moseley wrote:
"The Berea Church of Henry County illustrated an enlightened way to solve the organ dispute. Christian liberty of opinion, in the best tradition of the Disciples, was extended to all concerned. William S. Fears, founder of the church and its spiritual guide until his death about 1903, opposed instrumental music in worship. The church did not divide, but members differed with Mr. Fears though they respected his convictions. Near the end of his life, unable to attend worship some elders talked with him about the use of the organ. The veteran preacher replied that he could not worship with an instrument, but he did not wish to hinder others by imposing his views upon them. After his death, the organ was placed in the church." (page 269,270)
According to the Christian Standard, Dec. 3, 1870, p. 386, it was William S. Fears who attended the 1870 Georgia State Convention and stated, "There are crushing strifes, contentions, feuds, and hair-splittings, among our brethren. The time may come that we will divide."
William Sadler Fears died at his home in Hampton, Georgia, January 3, 1903, at the age of 95 years, 11 months, and 3 days. He is buried in the cemetery that is adjacent to the old Berea Church building, on the property that he had contributed to the church years earlier for the construction of an edifice of worship. Some years later the building was sold and the congregation moved to the southwestern part of the town of Hampton.
-Scott Harp, 04.23.2010
Reports To Gospel Advocate
Gospel Advocate March 3, 1859, p.95
Gospel Advocate, September 25, 1879, No. 39, p.619
Gospel Advocate, September 9, 1886, No.37, p.37
Gospel Advocate, August 14, 1889, No.33, p.526
Gospel Advocate, September 9, 1891, No.36, p.572
Gospel Advocate, January 20, 1898, No.3, p.37
The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia
Sunday, July 25, 1886, page 2
The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia
Wednesday, January 7, 1903, page 3
Memorial Card for the funeral of Mrs. Sallie Fears
Courtesy of Virginia B. Fields, Great-Great Grandaughter, 04.2010
Obituary For Sallie Fears In The Gospel Advocate
Gospel Advocate, February 25, 1897, Issue 8, page 25 - TRANSCRIBED BELOW
FEARS.
A beloved old mother has fallen asleep. The morning of the 10th day of January, 1897, opened up with beauty and sunshine; still there were dark shadows that fell on many a devoted household. Among the many homes enshrouded in sadness was that of our beloved old father and brother, Elder W. S. Fears. His aged and greatly beloved companion passed over the river, to rest under the shade of the trees. Many of the Advocate readers have long been familiar with the name of our good old Brother Fears, who has been for more than forty years an earnest worker in the cause of the Christian church. Often has he left his dear companion with the children at home while he was gone to proclaim the tidings of the glorious gospel to the poor, wayward sinner. But our dear old brother is now bereft of his long faithful companion; who stood by him at the marriage altar more than sixty-three years ago. To enter upon an extended detail of the life work of this good old mother would be but a repetition of many similar stories that have been written of many who have passed over the journey of life. None but those who were intimate with this good woman know how to estimate her goodness of heart. Whatever deficiency may have existed in Sister Fears' mental attainments was more than counterbalanced in her loveable disposition. Her heart was without guile; that of itself is an encomium that is awarded to but few.
Going backward to gather up some immaterial points, we would say that the maiden name of Sister Fears was Sarah Kleckly. She was born in South Carolina on the 25th of August, 1809; moved to Georgia in the fall of 1826; was married to Elder W. S. Fears in 1833. She was the grandmother of F. L. Adams, who is known to many readers of the Advocate.
Brother Fears has an older brother, Jesse G. Fears, who has well nigh attained to his ninety-second milepost down his life's long journey. Uncle Jesse has never married, but has lived with his younger brother for nearly seventy years; but the end of their long pilgrimage is close at hand.
Let me say to you, my dear old cousins: Fall not under a cloud of deep despondency, but fall under the shadow of the central cross. It will not be long till you will be called to go over to the other shore. Your beloved companion and sister will be at the pearly gate, waiting—yes, waiting—for you; and, O children and grandchildren, get behind the cross, that you may follow on. When springtime shall have come, go plant sweet flowers that shall bloom over grandma's grave; but think not that she is there in that grave. Look up, away up, toward our Father's house of many mansions. It was only the old casket that fell off, and was left in the Berean Cemetery. At the sounding of the trumpet you will see her again; she will be waiting and watching for you. "He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live again." It was long ago when Aunt Sallie believed and obeyed her Lord and Savior.
Sweetly let her sleep.
W. T. G.
Hampton, Ga.
Directions To The Graves Of William Sadler and Sarah Fears
William and Sarah "Sallie" Fears were buried in the Berea Cemetery in Hampton, Georgia. South of Atlanta on I-75 go past the I-285 interchange, and continue another 3 or 4 miles until you see the Tara Blvd. State Hwy. 19/41 Exit. Travel about 15 miles south until you come to the Atlanta International Raceway. Pass the main entrance and continue to the next traffic light and turn left on SR-20. Travel about a mile into the downtown area, (you will pass the new location of Berea Christian on the right), and follow SR-20 across the Railroad tracks and turn right (Old SR-3/20) then turn right back to the left on Rosenwald (Continuation of SR-20). Go to the first stop sign. Immediately ahead of you will be the old Berea Christian Church Building (now a Church of God) and Cemetery. To find the Fears plot, go immediately behind the church building into the cemetery. William S. Fears is buried within two feet of the back of the building. The actual GPS location of the grave is: 33°22'59.7"N 84°16'35.1"W / or D.d. 33.383256, -84.276426
Second Building Of Berea Christian (The first burned)
W.S. Fears
Born
Jan. 31, 1807.
Died
Jan. 3,
1983.
Dear Father, Though we miss
you much
We know you rest with God.
Sarah Kleckly Whitsel Fears
wife of
W.S. Fears
Aug. 29, 1809
Jan. 10, 1897
Memory Of
Jessie Griffin Fears, Older Brother Of W.S.
Born
Feb. 13, 1805
Died
Jan. 2, 1901
Photos Taken - 07.02.2001 & 06.02.2009
Website Produced - 06.27.2005, Updated 04.23.2010 / 01.30.2023
Note: Your webproducer lived in the next town over from Hampton, Georgia, in Fayetteville, 1996-2006. During those years, it was my privilege to visit old Berea Cemetery in Hampton and the graves of W.S. and Sallie Fears.
Augustus B. Fears, Brother of W.S. Fears