EV. NICHOLAS J. BARHAM lived in Southampton county, Virginia. He was itinerant preacher for a number of years. He attended the General Meeting at Union, Orange county in 1828, and as executor of the estate of Thomas Green was directed to pay such funds as were left to the church over to the Treasurer, Brother James Phillips. In 1882, he was present at the at the General Meeting at Lebanon, in Surry county, Virginia, and was chosen Moderator. he was also appointed on a committee to examine the Treasurer's accounts. The Conference this year being held late in the fall and the weather being cold, Dr. Graves offered the use of his office in which to hold the sessions of the Conference and his generous offer was gladly accepted. In 1833, the General Meeting was held at Kedar (Mt. Auburn), in [107] Warren county, North Carolina, at which Rev. Mr. Barham was present.

      He was a member of the church at Mars' Hill, in Southampton county. In 1888, he was in attendance upon the Conference, or General Meeting as the conference was then called, at Pope's chapel in Granville county, North Carolina. To the committee appointed to investigate and reconcile the matter between him and Rev. T. J. Drumwright and the church at Mars' Hill, he returned this answer: "That he is compelled to withdraw from the Christian Church in consequence of a solemn promise he has made to God." Before this meeting they had been admonished by their brethren to settle their differences. But on account of this misunderstanding with Mr. Drumwright, he withdrew from the North Carolina and Virginia Conference, and in 1889, united with the Methodist Protestant church.

      He had married a Mrs. Holmes of Southampton county, and became the heir of considerable property. In 1840, he is spoken of as being the owner of a good estate, and carrying on an extensive trade with the community. In 1844, W. B. Wellons was engaged to assist in the transaction of his business. After his withdrawal from the Conference, no further mention is made of him. He had a determined mind, and was a preacher of considerable prominence. He labored in Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties, in North Carolina, and also in the south-side counties of Virginia.

[LCM 107-108]