W. A. Cumbie: but which one?

Cumbie, W. A. (Rev.) (There are several men named W. A. Cumbie in this area of Alabama and at least two – an uncle and nephew – were also Baptist preachers.)

Cumbie, William Allen or Ansel (October 13, 1831—December 25, 1918) was born in South Carolina, the son of James Cumbie/Cumbaa and his second wife, Elizabeth Culpepper. James was a Baptist minister, and at least seven of his sons were. W. A. Cumbie married Elizabeth Ann Jackson (1836-1919) in 1853. He was a Baptist minister, a Mason, and a Confederate veteran (having served as a Lieutenant in Company B of the 33rd Alabama Infantry). He and his wife are buried at the Newton City Cemetery, Dale County, Alabama.

Cumbie, William Allen (December 13, 1836—September 13, 1906) was born in Pike County, Georgia, the son of Benjamin Riley Cumbie and Priscilla Malinda Buffington (Benjamin was the son of James Cumbie and his first wife Matilda [last name unknown). William married Mary Elizabeth Staggers in Alabama in 1866. His obituary in the Andalusia Times said he "was in his sixty-ninth year and had preached all over Southeast Alabama and the Northern part of Florida." Perhaps this may best match Cooper's description on page 284. Then again, he was deceased by the time two of the songs were printed. William Allen Cumbie and wife are buried at the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery in Covington County Alabama. His tombstone records his service in the Confederate Army: "2D LT CO F 17 REGT AL INF CSA". He was the co-author of at least one work, an 1875 discussion with R. T. Webb on the question, “Which are the Primitive Baptist Churches?”

153      Come and God with Me to Heaven

284      The Christian's Rest (arranged, based partially on Blooming Youth)

507a    I am Near the Shore (a variant of The Christian’s Flight; removed in 1992)