TITLE:  Isaiah Stalvey

SOURCE:  Southern Christian Advocate, Tuesday, May 28, 1878

SUBMITTED BY:  Linda Merwald, April 26, 2001

FORMATTED BY:  Kim Grissom, Apr 2001

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The REV. Isaiah Stalvey fell asleep in Christ at his residence in Socastee, Horry County,
South Carolina, on the morning of the third of April, 1878, in the sixty-fourth year 
of his age. -- Mr. Stalvey joined the Methodist Chruch when quite a boy, and was 
converted at the age of sixteen; since which time he has at different times served
in almost every capacity practicable for one moving in his sphere.  First an
exhorter and class leader, then a steward and licentiate, Early, and Elder by Bishop
Andrew, at Charleston, SC, in 1858, and "used the office well, ruling his own house"
and taking care of the church.  With very little advantage in the way of education, 
he yet became a plain, instructive, and somewhat interesting preacher; and occasionally 
his efforts were attended with considerable manifestations of divine power.  In 1867
he supplied the pastoral want of Waccamaw circuit and mission, embracing the present charges
of Little River and Waccamaw, for which he received very little compensation; but he made a
good crop at home.  In his neighborhood he as the friend and physician of all, who will
long remember his self-sacrificing kindness to them in their afflictions.  Nineteen (error 18)
children survive him, all of whom of mature age are members of the Church; three
sometime preachers, a lodgin place for strangers, and a welcome retreat for visitors. 
It is not amiss to note that his industry was proverbial.  The losses consequent upon
the collapse of the Confederacy called forthall his energy and strength--he would
rather die working for his family than live to see them suffer.  During his last
illness, which was quite painful, he often expressed his readiness to depart out of 
this life, and rejoiced with the prospect of entering into eternal rest.  Surely a
faithful preacher, a good neighbor, and an affectionate husband and father has
been removed from among us. --L. Wood

Other indications of the character and personality of Isaish Stalvey are manifold
in the records of his time.  The few quotations following are typical:

...upon the instance of Noah B. (Cooper), his Uncle Timothy allowed him to go and stay
at the home of Rev. Isaiah Stalvey.  Rev. Stalvey's family treated him finely...While
staying at the Rev. Stalvey's, he and the Stalvey bouys often went down to the beach 
to swim.  The oceanwas only a few miles away...at Rev. Stalvey's he went to school, 
studing reading, writing, and arithmetic, the three great elementary branches.  He
learned to write a very fine, legible hand.  Rev. Stalvey was a highly educated man,
and association with his family was part of a good education.
(From: Sketch of Noah B. Cooper and Wife, Lucinda Jenerette, by Noah W. Cooper 1912-1947)

Brother Isaiah Stalvey was recommended by the preacher in charge, Bro. I. H. Chandler, from 
the Society at Socastee for License to preach: - And after examination had, he was licensed 
to preach. (20 July 1850) Bro. Isaiah Stalvey applied for a renewal of his license
to preach, Character examined and passed and license renewed.  (15 & 16 July, 1853)
(From Record, Quarterly Conference, Waccamaw-Conwayboro Methodist Episcopal
Circuit, 1826-55, NOW in South Carolina Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia.

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