Location: NC 308 southeast of Rich Square
County: Northampton
Original Date Cast: 1950
A founder of the Kehukee Baptist Association, Lemuel Burkitt (1750-1807) was the most influential Baptist leader of his day. Born near Edenton, Burkitt considered studying law but was drawn to the ministry. Ordained in 1771, he served Sandy Run Baptist Church at Roxobel in Bertie County for the balance of his life. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention meeting at Hillsborough in 1788.
In 1774 Burkitt inspired a local fervor for revival and increased substantially the fold at Sandy Run. He travelled to Kentucky and, on his return in 1801, proclaimed that he has converted to the faith over 6,000 in eight months.
As leader of the Kehukee Association, Burkitt left a permanent imprint on Baptists in North Carolina. He was elected clerk of the association 29 times. Burkitt published in 1803 the history of the association.
References:
George Washington Paschal, History of Baptists in North Carolina, I (1930)
William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, I, 286-287—sketch by Hugh B. Johnston Jr.
Lemuel Burkitt, A Concise History of the Kehukee Baptist Association (1803)