Rev. Samuel Taylor Porter, familiarly known as "Tounce," was born near Crocker's Springs, Davidson county, Tenn., January 15, 1839. He attended camp meetings at Mt. Sharon, in Robertson county when a small boy, professed religion and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church there in 1856. He joined Nashville Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry in the early sixties, and was ordained by that presbytery at Goodlettsville, Tenn., in April, 1865. He was married to Mary E. Bainbridge May 30, 1865, with whom he lived near Goodlettsville until December, 1865, when they moved to Robertson county, near Springfield. This union was blessed with five children--Mrs. Caroline Parker, Doctor William Wallace, John Wellborn, Miss Tennie and Lillian May Porter. Lillian May was born January 11, 1873, and died September 15, 1876. Brother Porter's living brothers and sisters are James Porter, of Bakers, Tenn.; Mrs. Mary Jones and Mrs. Elizabeth Cummings, of Whites Creek, Davidson county, Tenn.; and Mrs. Sallie J. Anderson, of Springfield, Tenn. His dead brothers and sisters were John Gill Porter, Nashville, Tenn.; William Wallace Porter, Arkansas; Mrs. Amanda Gilliam and Mrs. Nancy M. White, Robertson county, Tenn. He moved to Springfield, Tenn., in December, 1893, and lived there until December, 1895, when he moved back to his old home south of Springfield, where he lived until he died, January 20, 1903, aged 64 years and 5 days.
He took charge of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Mt. Sharon in the spring of 1866, and was its pastor continuously until October, 1902. There were 173 meetings or sittings of the church session for this period, and Brother Porter was present 145 times. During this time he added to this congregation about 345 members. He was actively engaged in 42 or 43 annual revivals at this church, his last one being in August, 1901. The last time he administered baptism to any one was by immersion in Carr's creek, near his home, the first Sunday evening of October, 1901. He preached his last sermon at Mt. Sharon the fourth Sunday of December, 1901. The last time he met the session was Saturday evening, May 24, 1902, not being able to preach. Then part of his appointments were filled by Brother Molloy, of Springfield. His last meeting with his congregation was on Children's Day at Mt. Sharon the first Sunday in June, 1902, when he delivered his last public address. He admonished the congregation to take special interest in the training of the children. This address was touching, and his voice trembled with emotion as he stood, for the last time, in the midst of the people whom he had loved, honored, served and preached to from his early manhood till his head was silvered and his form bent with affliction and age, almost two-fifths of a century. Few men hold successfully the pastorate of one church for so long a time.
Rev. Geo. L. Johnson, of Cumberland University, became his successor as pastor of this church. Brother Porter served the churches of Salem, Pleasant View in Cheatham county and McKissack in Robertson county as pastor for a number of years. He organized the church at Mt. Denson, Robertson county, and was its pastor for a great many years. The funeral service was conducted at Mt. Sharon by James M. Gill, D.D., Elkton, Ky. The church was filled to overflowing by relatives and friends, who listened to an interesting and impressive discourse. Brother Gill having been intimately acquainted with the deceased for perhaps more than forty years, knew how to love and appreciate him. After the funeral the remains were carried by the elders of the church, who were selected as pallbearers, and laid to rest in the cemetery facing the church. This cemetery contains the remains of the two preachers who preached to the people of this church for almost all of the time since its organization, in 1823-24--Rev. Benjamin Rawls and Rev. S. T. Porter, both now of sainted memory. The former, a while before he died, requested the latter to succeed him as pastor. To say that Brother Porter was a perfect man would be saying that he was not human. A while before death he said he had not been a perfect man, but that he had done the vest best he could under the circumstances. His pathway through life was not strewn with flowers all the way through; but take it all in all, his life was a grand success. It can be truly said that the world is better by his having lived in it. He is gone, but he has left behind him a rich legacy, an influence for good that will live through ages to come. His general make-up was something wonderful. Providence seems to have favored him. Nature endowed him with a strong mind, a smooth temper, a loving and forbearing disposition and a grand and noble personality. His society was sought and admired. He was interesting and entertaining. As to both religion and morals, his example towered above that of any in the community. He was a loyal Christian and a loyal citizen. He loved his church and was true to all its interests. Alas! we did not know how to appreciate him fully until he was gone. Physically he was not at all times a strong man. About twenty-eight years ago he was afflicted with hemorrhages of the lungs, and later he was afflicted with nervous prostration and stomach trouble. He was a good parliamentarian. As a preacher, he was not what some called a brilliant pulpit orator, but his sermons in the main were sound, earnest and effective. As a revivalist he had great persuasive power. As a pastor he was a good shepherd, and as the head of his family, he was all that could be desired. He ruled well his household. This he accomplished by love and affection. To appreciate him fully one had to know him in his home. In no family circle that the writer ever entered did he see such love and enjoyment as in Brother Porter's home. he was, as it were, the idol of his family. They honored him, they loved and adored him, as all should. His will was their pleasure, his joy their joy, and his sorrow was their sorrow. During his last illness they were untiring in their efforts to administer to his wants. No groan, no sign of his escaped the ear of his ever faithful companion. She would not take the rest that nature called for; but ever faithful to love and duty toward him, she was constantly at his bedside, more than anxious to comfort him and do all in her power to relieve him.
To his family we would say, "Look up." You will see
him again, but not as you last saw him. He will be in perfect
health. You only said goodbye for a little while. Some sweet day
we will all meet him on the shining shores of eternal deliverance,
there to roam the elysian fields of glory forever and ever.
Springfield, Tenn.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, March 26, 1903, pages 412-413]
? Porter
wife: ? ?
Children of ? Porter and ? ?:
1. Samuel Taylor Porter
Cumberland Presbyterian Minister
[son of ? Porter and ? ?]
born: 15
January 1839 - near Crocker's Springs, Davidson County, Tennessee
died: 20 January 1903 - Robertson County, Tennessee
buried: Mount Sharon Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Cemetery - Robertson County, Tennessee
married:
30 May 1865
wife: Mary E. Bainbridge
[daughter of ? Bainbridge and ? ?]
born:
died:
buried:
Children of Samuel Taylor Porter and Mary E. Bainbridge Porter:
1.1. Caroline Porter
husband: ? Parker1.2. William Wallace Porter
1.3. John Wellborn Porter
1.4. Tennie Porter
1.5. Lillian May Porter
born: 11 January 1873 - Tennessee
died: 15 September 1876 - Tennessee
2. James Porter
3. Elizabeth Porter
husband: ? Cummings
4. Sallie J. Porter
husband: ? Anderson
5. John Gill Porter
6. William Wallace Porter
7. Amanda Porter
husband: ? Gilliam
8. Nancy M. Porter
husband: ? White