EV. THOMAS E. JETER was born in Amelia county, Virginia, May 5, 1782, and died in Halifax county in the eighty-first year of his age. He was a member of the North Carolina and Virginia Conference.

      Elder Jeter received a fair English education in the neighborhood where he was reared. At the age of nineteen, he commenced teaching school. During this first year of his teaching, the Rev. James O'Kelly traveled that circuit and preached at his Uncle Pressley Jeter's in Nottoway county, Virginia. Young Thomas E. Jeter attended one of his appointments and was powerfully convicted under his preaching. A few days after, being the 12th of March, 1801, the Rev. Mr. O'Kelly preached again at Pressley Jeter's house, and young Jeter attended. The sermon was one of power, from the 116th Psalm, from 1st to 8th verses. During the evening services young Jeter was converted. He immediately arose and exhorted his young friends to flee the wrath to come. From this time the impression was upon his mind to preach the gospel. At the close of the first year, he discontinued his school, and entered the itinerant service with Elder William Dameron, in conjunction [74] with Revs. Rice Haggard and James O'Kelly. The next year he took charge of what was then called the "Mountain circuit." After this he made a tour into Fairfax county, and over the Blue Ridge to Winchester. A part of the time he was in company with Mr. O'Kelly. He returned and again traveled the "Mountain circuit," until his ordination, which took place at Shiloh meeting house on the line of Pittsylvania, and Halifax counties, at the General Meeting in 1805. The presbytery of ordination consisted of Revs. James O'Kelly, Clement Nance, Joseph Hackett, William Moore and Coleman Pendleton. He continued to travel until the 1st of December, 1806, and then located in Charlotte county, Virginia, where he lived eighteen years. He was pastor of Reece's chapel and other churches which have long since ceased to exist. During all this time he labored with ability and success. From there he removed to Halifax county where he remained until his death.

      In 1841, he sent a communication to the Conference held at Apple's chapel, "which in compliance with his request was deposited with Brother S. Williamson." As to the contents and purport of this communication, we have no knowledge. For some time after his removal to Halifax, he labored as a local minister. But during several years of the latter part of his life, on account of affliction he preached but little.

      Elder Jeter was twice married, and survived both of his wives, also his children except one, a son ten or twelve years old who bore his father's name.

      Elder Jeter was a true friend to the Christian Church and its principles, and while able to labor was very successful. He possessed good preaching talents, and in exhortation and prayer was a man of great power. The committee on memoirs at Damascus church in Orange county, North Carolina, in 1862, says, "We are pained to inform this body, that since our last meeting God in [75] his infinite wisdom has seen fit to remove from the toils and labors of earth to the reward of the righteous in heaven, our esteemed and much beloved" brother in the ministry Rev. Thomas E. Jeter. In his death, it further says, "the Conference has sustained a very great loss and the cause of Christ one of her most zealous advocates." The main work of this man of God was done in the church prior to the year 1840, and for the greater part of his life was that of the local preacher. He was among the last of the co-laborers of the Rev. James O'Kelly, but one or two, and now they all sleep.

[LCM 74-76]