Jarrel - Baptist Church Perpetuity - Landmark Baptist

Cooper River, and a short distance from Charleston. Here they were formed
into a church under the care of Rev. William Screven. Among the settlers
from England, the wife of Mr. Blake … and her mother, Lady Axtell, were
members of the Baptist church. Those who came from Piscataqua in Maine
were led hither by Rev. William Screven, who, with a considerable number of
his brethren, fled from the intolerant laws of the Pedobaptists of New
England. Charleston church, founded in 1683. This ancient community was
formed by the united labors of these two classes of settlers, under the
supervision of the distinguished man who presided over it, to the end of his
long and useful life. … Rev. William Screven, the founder of this church,
became its first pastor.” f919
We have seen that Massachusetts Baptists began according to the Baptist way
of beginning. In the following appears the origin of Maine Baptists, in which
we see where Mr. Screven, who originated the first church of South Carolina
Baptists, began his work in America.
“Kittery, the oldest town in the province, incorporated 1647, was selected as
the first place to raise a Baptist standard. … It was soon known that in Kittery
were several persons professing to be Baptists. From whence they came, is
now unknown. In the course of events, an opportunity offered to them the
privilege of church communion, agreeable to their own theological views. The
nearest Baptist church was at Boston, Mass., over which Rev. Isaac Hull then
presided. At the advice of Mr. Hull, these Baptists of Kittery united with his
church. William Screven, an early emigrant from England, was one of their
number. Being a man of more than common talents, and devoutly pious, he
officiated as leader in their worship. The brethren at Kittery and in Boston
were satisfied that the great Head of the Church had designed and called him
to preach the gospel of Christ. He was accordingly licensed by the church in
Boston to ‘exercise his gifts in Kittery, or elsewhere, as the providence of God
may cast him.’ The Baptists in Kittery, being now blessed with a minister and
situated at so great a distance from Boston, deemed it expedient for their own
spiritual advantage, and for the cause of Christ in new settlements, to unite in
a separate church.” f920 Backus says: “A Baptist church was also formed this
year from that of Boston, at Newbury.” f921
The first Baptist church in New York, of which we have any certain
knowledge, was organized by Rev. Valentine Wightman “about 1712.” f922 Mr.
Wightman was from the North Kingston church in Maine, thus: “From North
Kingston” he “went and settled at Groton,” and from Groton he went to New
York. f923 The North Kingston church originated in a revival in 1710, held by
Elder Baker, from Newport. f924 Thus, New York Baptist churches originated
from Newport Baptists, in the regular succession line.
Georgia Baptists thus began, in the regular succession from South Carolina
Baptists: