JESSE ALBERT MARLEY was born in Chatham county, N. C., September 27, 1824. His father, Benjamin Marley, was born and raised in the same county. The family settled in three miles of Ozark. Benjamin Marley was a staunch missionary Baptist. He owned quite a large number of slaves. During the war he was brutally murdered while sick in bed in the presence of his wife and daughters by a set of ruffians, calling themselves “home guards.” At that time all of his four sons were away from home in the Confederate army. Jesse A. Marley saw four years of hard war service. He was in 18 state and 37 hard battles. Was never touched by a bullet. Was captured at Belliont, Ark., and was six months a prisoner of war at St. Louis, Mo., and Alton, Ill.
He has for a much longer time been engaged in another fare. We mean the Christian warfare. This conflict has been going on for 45 years, and instead of 37 battles, the fights with the enemy of souls have been more the number of days in which the long struggle has been going on. He was baptized into the fellowship of Prospect church, Missouri, in 1852 by Elder Ephram Wray; coming to Texas after the close of the civil war with his family, he spent one years in Grayson county, and in 1867 moved to Waco; ever since he has lived in McLennan county. Has held membership in East Waco, Caledonia, Rock Creek and Battle churches. Resides at present near Battle, where he is an honored member. On October 4, 1896, he buried his aged wife. For many years she has been the comfort and companion of his life. Bro. Marley has ever been true to his principles, his church and his God. He is now in his seventies, patiently waiting the Master’s call.
Source: J. L. Walker and C. P. Lumpkin, History of the Waco Baptist Association of Texas (Waco: Byrne-Hill Printing House, 1897), pp. 352-353.
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