Excerpted from the December 30, 1889 Creswell Letter:

On Saturday, 28, inst., the Missionary Baptists held their last Union meeting, for the year, in this place.  The meeting closed Sunday 29, and was well attended.  The congregation would have been much larger but for the fact that the Rev. Mr. Wm. PETTIGREW also held divine services at St. David’s church 1/2 mile from town the same day. We learn that his congregation was also quite large, and that he preached a most excellent sermon.  Two young men were baptized at St. David’s church yesterday, Mr. Jno. R. ROWE of our place, and Mr. Claud SPRUILL of Tyrrell county.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 3 January 1890.  Available online at digitalnc.org.