Abstract:
During the early 1800s the Primitive Baptists were establishing churches throughout Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, and Davidson Counties and the Rocky River Baptist Church was founded sometime between 1775 and 1776. John Culpepper of Anson County preached at the Ansonville church during the early 1800s until he was elected to Congress. After he left for Washington, his slave only known as Ralph replaced Culpepper at the pulpit and preached to a mixed congregation until his death in 1838. Ralph's tombstone can be found in the Bethlehem Cemetery in Ansonville.