The Dunkards

The term "Dunkard" comes from the German word "tunker" meaning to immerse. The Brethren, according to Matthew 28:19, baptize by immersing the candidate three times in water, in the name of the Father, and then in the name of the Son, and finally in the name of the Holy Ghost. The term “Brethren” comes from the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:18 where He said, “…for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.”

The Church of the Brethren has origins in the Schwarzenau Brethren organized in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany.  Alone with the Mennonites and Moravians, it is an Anabaptist church. Holding the New Testament as its only creed, the church is strongly pacifist along with the Mennonites and Quakers.

Originating in Germany where they were persecuted for their beliefs some relocated to the Netherlands and then to Pennsylvania here in the United States.

By 1925 there were 1,036 churches with 3,500 clergy and 120,103 members. In 1980 there were 418 members in Pittsylvania County, VA.

 

The man in the photo top left is my husband's great grandfather, Jacob Julius.   Jacob was born 2 May 1822 on his parents farm on BearSkin Creek in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.  He outlived 6 wives and died 2 June 1887 in Beecher City, Illinois.  He was the son of Jacob Julius Sr and Eve Ann Decker who were both born in York County, Pennsylvania and moved to Pittsylvania County, Virginia by 1817. 

For more information:

The Arda

The Dunkard Brethren Church