The Wassonites- Cult or New Denomination?

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Reverend Joseph Wasson was my husband's 5th great grand uncle. Oddly enough, my husband's Posey County family did not come from this branch of Wassons, but from descendants of a sibling of Joseph. Joseph, a man of Scottish ancestors, was born August 1, 1782 in Iredell County, North Carolina. Joseph's parents moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky between 1795 and 1800. Joseph married Elizabeth 'Jane' Adams on September 30, 1801 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Jane was born in 1776 in North Carolina. She was a first cousin to our sixth President, John Quincy Adams! Joseph and Jane had 12 children.

At some point, the family moved to Maury County, TN. In 1812 they moved from Maury County, TN to Gibson County, IN. At that time, Joseph met a man named Alexander Campbell. Alexander was the leader of a religious group called the Campbellites. This religious reform was the start of many non-denominational churches, as well as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Alexander published numerous writings and participated in several public debates (despite his wariness to do so), one of which was against Robert Owen on socialism (an important figure for our small home town).

Joseph himself had a religious debate against Alexander Campbell over points of biblical doctrine. After this debate, Joseph decided to form his own independent religious group. This group became the New Light Christian denomination and were also known as "Wassonites". Joseph helped form the community of Liberty (no longer in existence), a short distance north of Cynthiana. The New Liberty Christian Church was the oldest congregation in the Cynthiana area with a continuous life. The church was first formed in a grove on Charles Carter's farm between Cynthiana and Haubstadt. The first building for the church, a large log cabin, was built in 1821 at an area called Mount Pleasant. It was said that this church held some of the greatest revivals in the area. The New Liberty Church merged with the Congregational Christian Churches in 1931. In June 1957, the Congregational Christian Churches became part of the new United Church of Christ.

Joseph and Jane were listed on the 1850 Census as living in Montgomery Township, Gibson County, Indiana. Joseph listed himself as a farmer. His real estate was valued at $2200. Jane died on May 17, 1852 in Gibson County, IN. Joseph married Elizabeth "Ella" Jane (Davis) Rutter on September 11, 1852 in Posey County, IN. Ella was born August 17, 1798 in Indiana. Their marriage did not last long, Joseph dying on July 13, 1854. Ella later died on March 14, 1872. Joseph and Jane are buried in Antioch Cemetery in Owensville, Gibson County, Indiana. Ella is buried in Liberty Cemetery in Cynthiana, Posey County, Indiana.

Some labeled Joseph as a leader of a cult; others saw his views as just another interpretation of the Bible. Either way, Joseph's story is the epitome of religious freedom in America. While Joseph's work may not have had a big impact on the overall changes of religious denominations, he was certainly impactful in Southern Indiana during his life time. 





Sources:

"History of Posey County, Indiana" by John C. Leffel 1903; pg 132-134, 168

"Genealogy Newspaper Columns of Robert E. Thurman"

"Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary" Sept 28, 1912, Evansville Courier and Press

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