One of the best-known baptist preachers of his section of South Georgia. He was born on the High Hills of the Santee near a village called Statesburg in the State of South Carolina. He was a pioneering baptist preacher in Liberty, McIntosh, Tattnall, Appling and Wayne Counties (Georgia). His ministry extended over a period of more than 50 years. He was said to have been a minister of great spiritual power and perception and was looked to by his brethren for guidance and counsel in church matters for many years. He was married to Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Robert and Eliza Byrd Brown from South Carolina. He may have also been married to Elizabeth Bennett. His children are: Josiah; Rachel; Noah; Amelia; Moses Jr.; Caleb; Jarod; Elizabeth Westebrry Strickland; Rabun; Julia Ann Westberry Harris and Joseph Furman. Moses Westberry is thought to be the son of Sarah Westbury (daughter of William Westbury) and Captain Josiah Furman, RS, older brother to Reverend Richard Furman of South Carolina for whom whose head KIng George had placed a ransom during the Revolutionary War. Reverend Moses Westberry listened to Reverend Furman preach at the High Hills Church as a youth and was probably inspired to become a preacher for this reason. Reverend Moses Westberry is buried at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Wayne County, Georgia. Information from private research; Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgis Volume 5 and www.westberry-moses.com

THE PREACHER MAN

I came to hear the preacher man-
Though his voice has long been stilled;
His tattered Bible, long since dust
- His pews no longer filled;
I came to ask the preacher man
For guidance on my search
-The quest that lead to where he rests
-Near a tiny Southern church...
I feel his ghostly presence there
-Near his tombstone where I pray;
I came to see the preacher man
-Though he sleeps beneath red clay...
I came to tell the preacher man
(As another century closes)
-How proud I'll be to tell my son
'Bout the preacher man named "Moses."

-Robert Westberry

Jones Creek Church

You sit, an ancient sentinel
Before a congregation of tombstones;
White paint blistered by hot Georgia sun.
Eternal is your faith, even in this age of utter chaos.
On unseen Truth, you continue to build,
Though calloused hand which created you
Shall never again lift hammer or nail.

-Robert Westberry
∼Reverend. Father of Noah Westberry 1804-1858. Husband of Elizabeth Brown 1783-____

From JoAnn Hagans Harris:

Suggested edit: Mases Westbury
in the 1850 United States Federal Census

View1850 United States Federal Census

Detail Source
Name: Mases Westbury
[moses]
[Moses Westberry]
[Moses Westbury]
[Moses Westberry]
[Moses Westbury]
[Moses Westbury]
[Mases Westberry]
[Mases Westberry]
[Moses Westbury]
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 79
Birth Year: abt 1771
Birthplace: South Carolina
Home in 1850: Militia District 583, Appling, Georgia, USA
Occupation: Preacher
Industry: Welfare and Religious Services
Real Estate: 300
Line Number: 24
Dwelling Number: 363
Family Number: 363
Inferred Spouse:
Elizabeth Westbury
Household Members (Name) Age
Mases Westbury 79
Elizabeth Westbury
67