1843
Marcus Morrison and Tolbert Atherton conversed with Presbytery on experimental religion and their internal call to the ministry and were received as candidates under the care of Presbytery. Bros. Morrison to prepare a written discourse from 2 Timothy 1 chapt & 15 vrs & Bro. Atherton from 2 Cor 5 ch and 17 vs to be read at our next presbytery.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 7, 1843, page 56]

1844
Candidate present - T. Atherton
Bro. S. Thomas and T. Atherton rendered excuses for being absent during the last session of Presbytery which were sustained.
Bros Atherton and Morrison read discourses from texts previously assigned them which on motion were laid on the table.
Bro. Fortner was ordered to prepare a written discourse from Romans 1 ch 16 verse. Bro. Atherton from Job 22 ch 21 verse.
The committee appointed to examine & report upon the written discourses of the candidates Respectfully report as follows Relative to J. B. Burn's piece your committee remark that they discover some inaccuracies in Grammar also Some in the use of capitals it is recommended however that his piece be sustained as part of trial & he be directed to write a sermon to be read at next Presbytery from Col. 3, 1, 2 verse. Your committee recommend that Bro. Dunaway's piece be sustained as popular preparatory to Licenture. On Bro. Morison's [Morrison's] your committee remark that he has blended his second & third propositions together, bad spelling, awkward and abstruse Philosophy. It is however (Page 91) recommended that it be sustained as part of trial and he be ordered to write a sermon to be read at next Presbytery from Luke 19th, 10. On motion Bro. Fortner's piece your committee recommend that it be not sustained & that he be discontinued as a candidate and recommended to the use of all possible diligence in the prosecution of knowledge so that if he may still feel it his duty to preach he may hereafter the better recommend himself to the favorable consideration of the Presbytery. Your committee recommend the same procedure relative to Bro. T. Atherton. All of which was received & adopted. Your committee appointed to recommend the Authors to be studied by the young men recommend the following. Kirkham's Grammar, Mitchel's Geography, Comstock's Philosophy, Wayland's moral Science, Gray's or Wilkins' Astronomy, Milner or Moshearn's history of the church. All of which is respectfully submitted.
D. P. Coffee [Coffey], Chair. which on motion was read & adopted.

[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 19, 1844, pages 74, 75, 76, 79 & 91]

1847
Elder representative from Pleasant Hill - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 27, 1847, page 119]

1848
Elder representative from Pleasant Hill - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1, 1848, page 139]

1849
Elder representative from Pleasant Hill - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 7, 1849, page 160]

1849
Elder representative from Pleasant Hill - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 6, 1849, page 168]

1850
T. Atherton gave a relation of his experimental acquaintance with Religion, of his internal call to the work of Ministry, and the Presbytery having testimonial of his good moral character and of his being in the communion of the church, received him under her care as a candidate for the work of the Ministry, and directed him to write a discourse from John's Gospel 10 chap. and 9 verse to be read at our next session of Presbytery.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 10, 1850, page 22-23]

1851
Candidate present - T. Atherton
On motion, the candidates for the Ministry were called on to read, whereupon Bros. B. F. Griffin and T. Atherton read discourses from texts previously assigned them.
On motion, of Bro. J. L. Pickens their discourses were laid on the table till Monday morning.
Bros. B. F. Griffin's and T. Atherton's discourses were received as part of trial, and other texts assigned them from which to prepare written discourses to be read at next session of Presbytery.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 4, 1851, pages 25, 26, 27]

1852
Candidate present - T. Atherton
On motion of Rev. D. P. Coffey, the candidates for the Ministry were called on, and Bros B. F. Griffin, T. Atherton, J. L. Winford and J. M. Flannigan read discourses from texts previously assigned them.
On motion of Rev. A. D. Thomas the discourses were examined in open Presbytery.
On motion of Rev. D. P. Coffey, the unfinished business of Saturday was taken up, and the examination of the written discourses was resumed, after some time, they were laid on the table for further consideration.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 2, 1852, pages 35, 37]

1852
Candidate absent - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 17, 1852, page 44]

1853
Candidate present - T. Atherton
On motion the discourses laid on the table were taken up, and, on motion, were considered popular to licensure.
The Presbytery did and do hereby license them the said J. L. Winford & T. Atherton to preach the gospel of Christ as probationers for the holy ministry within the bounds of this Presbytery as wherever God in his providence may cast their lot.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 4, 1853, pages 57, 61, 70-71]

1853
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 2, 1853]

1854
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 10, 1854, page 78]

1854
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 1, 1854, page 83]

1855
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 2, 1855, page 90]

1855
Licentiate absent - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 31, 1855, page 99]

1856
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, February 29, 1856, page 109]

1856
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 11, 1856, page 118]

1857
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 6, 1857, page 129]

1857
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 4, 1857, page 137]

1858
Licentiate absent - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 26, 1858, page 148]

1858
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 17, 1858, page 156]

1859
Licentiate absent - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 18, 1859, page 168]

1859
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 9, 1859, page 179]

1860
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 16, 1860, page 189]

1860
T. Atherton, Hazel Flat, Tenn.
Licentiate
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1860, page 100]

1860
Licentiate absent - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 7, 1860, page 199]

1861
Memphis Presbytery minutes for the spring session of 1861 are lost.

1862
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 14, 1862, page 226]

1862
Memphis Presbytery minutes for the Fall session of 1862 are lost.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, page 231]

1863
Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church filed to have a quorum at the Spring and Fall sessions of 1863. Hence there are no minutes of those sessions.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, page 231]

1864
Memphis Presbytery minutes for the Spring session of 1864 are lost.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, page 231]

1864
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 16, 1864, page 232]

1865
Licentiate present - T. Atherton
The following prayer was read and after much discussion was on motion granted -- We the Elders of Ebenezer Congregation thinking it would be for the glory of God and the good of the church that Bro. T. Atherton be set apart to the whole work of the ministry respectfully pray your Revd. Body to ordain Bro. T. Atherton and set him apart to the whole work of the Gospel Ministry.
On motion Rev. R. Burrow Jr. was appointed to preach the ordination sermon of Bro. T. Atherton at 11 Oclock this instant and Rev. I. S. Pickens preside and give the charge. Presbytery then proceeded to ordain Bro. T. Atherton at Ebenezer Church Tipton County Tenn. on March 20th 1865.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 17-20, 1865, pages 239 & 242-243]

1868
T. Atherton, Shelby Station, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, page 105]

1869
T. Atherton, Shelby Station, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, page 84]

1870
T. Atherton, Shelby Station, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, page 79]

1870
Minister absent - T. Atherton (1st day)
Rev. T. Atherton appeared and rendered reasons for tardiness, which were received as satisfactory. (2nd day)
Rev. T. Atherton, Rev. W. M. Ewing and Elder T. P. Slater were granted leave to be absent during the remainder of this meeting.
Mount Pisgah Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Pastor, T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 16-19, 1870, pages 3, 4, 7 & 11]

1871
T. Atherton, Shelby Depot, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 79]

1872
Atherton, T., Harrison's Store, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 119]

1872
Minister present - Rev. T. Atherton
Mount Pisgah Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Pastor, Rev. T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 23-24 & 26, 1872, pages 3 & 16]

1873
Atherton, T., Harrison's Store, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 96]

1874
Atherton, T., Harrison's Store, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 95]

1874
Minister absent - Rev. T. Atherton
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 21-22 & 24, 1874, page 3]

1875
Atherton, T., Harrison's Store, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, page 81]

1876
Atherton, T., Harrison's Store, Tenn.
Minister
Memphis Presbytery (Synod of West Tennessee)
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876, page 91]

DIED--At his own residence, in Tipton county, Tennessee, Rev. Tolbert Atherton, a member of Memphis Presbytery, on the 3d day of December, 1876, at 2 o'clock, P.M., in great peace of mind. Disease, pneumonia.

Peace to his ashes.

                  W. A. COTHAN.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 14, 1876, page 8]

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 27]

REV. T. ATHERTON died at his residence in Tipton county, Tennessee, of pneumonia, in the sixty-fifty year of his age. Bro. Atherton was born near Bowling Green, Ky. Came to Tennessee while a young man. Was married to Miss Sallie Cothran, in the twenty-sixty year of his age; professed religion in his thirtieth year. Became a candidate for the ministry under the care of the Memphis Presbytery about the year 1848. The time of his licensure is not known. Was ordained by the Memphis Presbytery in 1866. Continued in the active work of the ministry until a few years before he died, when his health gave way, and he was not able to preach. The fruit of his labors are now manifest in the bounds of this Presbytery; while he rests from his labors, his works follow him. He leaves in this world his aged companion and three children to mourn his absence. May they all again be reunited where there will be no more death nor sorrow.
   MASON, TENN.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 12, 1877, page 2]