Rev. John Shackelford
A Pioneer of the Baptist Faith
Rev. John Shackelford was born in Caroline County, Virginia, in 1750. A dedicated Baptist minister, he was ordained in 1774 and served the Tuckahoe Church in Caroline County for eighteen years. In 1792, he moved to Kentucky, where he succeeded Lewis Craig as pastor of the South Elkhorn Church in Woodford County, a position he held for nearly 40 years. He died in 1829 at the age of 79.
Ministry and Imprisonment
Like many Baptist ministers of his era, Rev. Shackelford faced significant legal persecution for preaching. On 13 March 1774, he was arrested alongside fellow preachers John Waller and Robert Ware in Essex County, Virginia, and subsequently imprisoned. He was later released on bond.
His ministry was marked by numerous revivals, including a notable event in 1788 at the Tuckahoe Church, where he baptized over 300 individuals. Following his move to Kentucky, he remained a prominent figure in the Elkhorn Association, though his later years were troubled by the theological controversies (including the "Craig vs. Creath" feud and the Campbellite controversy) that affected his congregation at South Elkhorn.
Research Context
While records of Rev. John Shackelford are extensive due to his prominent ministry, connecting him to other Shackelford family lines in the region remains an area of active genealogical research. Early records indicate other Shackelford men (Thomas, John, Zachariah, Ryland, and Carter) were present in the Lincoln and Franklin County areas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Compiled by:
Phyllis Shackelford Hedges (February 2001)
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