The church record books contain membership lists and accounts of weekly deacons' meetings that were chiefly concerned with matters of church discipline although they include infrequent references to cooperation with the local police force. Post Civil War records include more diversified church and community activities. The record book, 1865-1895, of the Reverend Henry Williams includes histories of black Virginia Baptist Churches, records of funerals preached and advertisements drafted for parishioners seeking family members separated by war and sales. The Beneficial Society record book, 1891-1897, lists the policy holders and recipients of a small insurance and burial expense society.
