No Marker

Parents are William Bailey (1775-1816) and Winifred Lee (1778-1858) of Hawkins County, TN. Married to Mary "Polly"Acton (1796-1868), daughter of John James Acton (1773-1819) & Jane "Jennie" Roberts (1773-1845). Bailey & Acton families moved to Shelby County from Hawkins County, TN in 1816.

NOTES ON REV. ROBERT BAILEY

(From the Notes of Will Franke, Bailey file, Will Franke Collection,
Special Collection Department, Samford University Library, Birmingham AL)

Transcribed by Scott A. Martin

Rev. Robert Bailey professed religion at a camp-meeting in McMinn County TN one mile below Athens September 1824 and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church called "Jerusalem." Robert Bailey and his wife returned to Alabama fall of 1827 and attended the Shiloh camp meeting. In 1829 they were charter members of the New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church (organized 1 March 1829). Rev. Robert Bailey was also elected a ruling elder.
Rev. Robert Bailey was the first elder to represent the New Hope CP Church in the old Alabama Presbytery. He was present at the meeting held at Shiloh, now Leeds, Tuesday, October 3, 1829.
Rev. Robert Bailey was instrumental in the formation of the Bold Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church, organized 1843. He was also the church's first pastor. His name is on the cornerstone of Bold Springs Presbyterian Church near Lake Purdy in Shelby County AL.
The Rocky Ridge Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized 5 June 1854 by Rev. Robert Bailey and Rev. Emberson Acton. Rev. Robert Bailey's wife, Polly Ann Bailey is listed as a charter member. Henderson Bailey is admitted December 1868. The first church was constructed across the road from the present location of the church at the intersection of Altadena, Old Rocky Ridge and Acton Roads.
Rev. Robert Bailey was also the first pastor of Acton Memorial Presbyterian Church, now Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church, PCA, on Caldwell Mill Road, Birmingham AL.
Rev. Robert Bailey was also a blacksmith and wagon builder, he made shoes, wagons, made his own nails for horseshoes. Had a shop and plenty of tools. Henderson Bailey was with him when he married the Hooker woman. Lived about where new Florida Highway crosses the Valley Road.
Hail Bailey once said he ran a wagon made by Robert Bailey for twenty years before he ever had to carry it to shop. Sometimes he took as much as six months in driving spokes. He had no teeth – they always cooked him biscuit. He never took money for preaching – sometimes presents, socks, etc. Albert Vandergrift said he would come up to St. Clair County to preach, and when he would ride up he would say,
"Sister, now don't cook your biscuit too hard."

"Rev. Bailey, how do you know we are going to have biscuit?"

"Oh, you always have biscuit when the preacher comes."

Rev. Robert Bailey died in Cahaba Valley at or near Bold Springs and is buried at Old New Hope – Rev. Bailey preached at New Hope CP Church. The death of Rev. Robert Bailey is recorded in the Minutes of The Alabama Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1855-1887. It reads:

"We have been advised of the removal by death, of two of our beloved co-laborers in the great harvest field, viz: Rev. Robert Bailey, of the Elyton Presbytery, and Rev. J.M.B. Roach, of the Alabama Presbytery. The former fell asleep in Jesus at his residence in Shelby County, Alabama, on the 6th day of August 1868, A.D. His life and talents, from early manhood, had been earnestly consecrated to the great Master's work. Many, very many, will rise up to call him blessed, in the great day of final reckoning, as having been turned to righteousness by his faithful, persevering energies."

Rev. Robert Bailey had black-brown eyes, fair skin and brown hair (as noted by Mrs. L.L. Wilson).