Mt. Moriah Campground
Jefferson County | Organized in 1828
In the decades after the American Revolution, a wave of religious fervor known as the Second Great Awakening swept across the young nation. In Georgia, it inspired the growth of Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations, as well as the creation of camp meeting grounds where worshippers gathered in large numbers. Mt. Moriah, established in 1828, is one of the best surviving examples of this tradition.
Read more...The story of Mt. Moriah begins with a British soldier named Camel who fought against his own son during the Revolution. After the war, the son changed his name to Pharaoh and became a traveling preacher. By the early 1800s, he had made his way to Jefferson County, where he preached in a one-room schoolhouse on land owned by William Parker. In 1824, Parker donated thirty acres for a permanent church. A simple building was erected in 1825, and by the following year, the congregation organized a campground. Early meetings were held under brush arbors until the first tabernacle was built in 1828. Tragedy struck the next year when fire destroyed the church, tabernacle, and tents. Members quickly rebuilt, but fire struck again in 1856, followed by a tornado in 1875. Each time, the community restored Mt. Moriah, a testament to their faith and determination.
The tabernacle, built in 185,6 still stands today, making it one of the oldest landmarks in Georgia still serving its original purpose. For nearly two centuries, Mt. Moriah has welcomed families, neighbors, and visitors to worship and fellowship on these sacred grounds. Mt. Moriah remains a living link to Georgia’s past, a reminder of the endurance of faith and community. Thanks to generations of stewardship, its story continues to be passed down, as strong today as it was in 1828.
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10 responses to “Mt. Moriah Campground”
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The “Mini Tabernacle” at Mt Moriah Campground was built by my father, Walter A Templeton, Sr. My family owned the 200 acre farm surrounding the campground. The family still owns part of that farm. It was built in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. It was used as a “Youth Tabernacle!
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The “Mini Tabernacle” at Mt Moriah Campground was built by my father, Walter A Templeton, Sr. My family owned the 200 acre farm surrounding the campground. The family still owns part of that farm.
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I have written to you about this before. This is a brief history:
When Joshua Campbell Pharaoh was born on March 8, 1757, his father, Joshua Campbell, was 22 and his mother, Elizabeth Pharaoh (Campbell), was 22. He married Dice Baggett in 1780 in Saddletree, North Carolina. His father disinherited him at the beginning of the Revolutionary War because he fought for the colonists. His father was a loyalist. He later changed his name to Joshua Pharaoh (taking his mother’s name) legally in the N.C. legislature. He became a Methodist circuit rider and moved to Georgia. He and Dice had four children in 31 years. He died on October 19, 1836, in Richmond, Georgia, having lived a long life of 79 years.
Joshua’s familyThe Acts of the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina:
Passed During the Sessions Held in the Years 1791, 1792, 1793 and 1794 (Google eBook)
Chapter XXXVIII An act to alter the names of certain persons therein mentioned
II. And whereas Joshua Campbell, John Barrott, and Wright Barrott, of the county of Robeson have severally petitioned this General Assembly to have their names altered. Joshua to that of Joshua Pharoah; John Barrott to that of John Flowers; and Wright Barrott to that of Wright Leggett. Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid That forever hereafter they and each of them shall be called and known by the names of Joshua Pharoah, John Flowers, and Wright Leggett and that by the said last mentioned names they may sue and be sued plead and be impleaded and in every case under the names aforesaid, enjoy the same privileges, emoluments, and advantages as if they had been born under the names of Pharoah, Flowers, and Leggett.Children
Elizabeth Wallis Pharaoh
+ 3 Children
Francis Asbury Pharaoh
Barbara Pharoah
Mary PharaohJoshua Campbell Pharaoh
Spouse
Dice BaggettParents
Joshua Campbell
Elizabeth Pharaoh -
Robert Lee Parker, mentioned as the husband of Sarah Frances “Sallie” Hunter Parker in the caption for her tombstone, was also a grandson of William Parker who donated the land for Mt. Moriah. Robert Lee Parker later remarried and had two more children including my late grandfather. William Parker was my 3rd great-grandfather and I often attended church at Mt. Moriah when I was a small child.
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My ancestors were the people who built and first preached at Mount Moriah. The preacher’s name was actually Joshua Campbell changed to Pharaoh by petition to the North Carolina Assembly somewhere between 1791 and 1794. His father, Joshua Campbell Sr. came to America, a very young man, as an enlistee in what has become known as the Black Watch regiments (highlanders from Scotland) of the British Army and which fought in the French and Indian War. Many stayed behind when the regiment returned to England. Joshua Campbell Sr. settled in Currituck, North Carolina, and did in fact disinherit his son. In his will he left Joshua Jr. 1 schilling sterling. Joshua Jr. fought for the colonists during the war. His father, however, died in1776 but histories of these first “Black Watch” settlers has them being loyal to Great Britian during the Revolution.. Joshua took the name Pharaoh from his mother, Elizabeth’s, maiden name. He in turn had a daughter Elizabeth Pharaoh who married Alexander Avrett. My grandmother, Fannie Barbara Avrett, born in 1892, was Alexander’s granddaughter. She told me stories of the camp ground and Joshua Pharaoh when I was a child. I have subsequently researched these stories. I hope this information is useful to your historical records. I can furnish source material if needed.
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This is wonderful history Patricia. Yes it will now be attached to the Mt. Moriah site where it will it will be available to anyone to see.
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Hi Patricia. What a cool story! I would definitely love to see whatever source material you have. I am a descendant of Joshua Campbell Pharaoh myself and have been doing research on him. Any source material you might have would be a tremendous help!
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The Acts of the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina:
Passed During the Sessions Held in the Years 1791, 1792, 1793 and 1794 (Google eBook)
Chapter XXXVIII An act to alter the names of certain persons therein mentioned
II. And whereas Joshua Campbell John Barrott and Wright Barrott of the county of Robeson have severally petitioned this General Assembly to have their names altered Joshua to that of Joshua Pharoah John Barrott to that of John Flowers and Wright Barrott to that of Wright Leggett Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid That forever hereafter they and each of them shall be called and known by the names of Joshua Pharoah John Flowers and Wright Leggett and that by the said last mentioned names they may sue and be sued plead and be impleaded and in every case under the names aforesaid enjoy the same privileges emoluments and advantages as if they had been born under the names of Pharoah Flowers and Leggett.I have a pretty good history of Joshua on Ancestry. Let me know what you are looking for. His father is more difficult to trace but I think I sussed out how he got to the U.S. My grandmother, Fanny Avrett, claimed that Joshua Campbell Sr. was a younger son of a prominent Campbell family, but I can’t prove this. I hope to do further research. Would love to know how we are related! Feel free to email me at patriciabp@icloud.com
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Love the pictures and histories of the different churches.
There is a Campground you may not know about. It is the Hortense Campground located in Brantley County. It is still use. Camp meeting is held every August. It is Wesleyan Methodist. -
I love a good campground. Grew up going to salem campground near Conyers. It is a beauty too!
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