In 1934 the Liberty branch of Latter Day Saints first president was Lum Thomas Beasley, the husband of Duck descendant Martha Louella Lilly. However, the church had been organized and active for several years prior to this date with Duck descendants taking an active part in its early formation. It is apparent LDS church missionaries came to Amite at least by 1908 from looking at some of the early baptisms within the church. The below early baptism list shows Duck descendants and those connected by marriage to our family.
Mary Jane Merchant Beasley-1908
Katherine DeLee McGraw -1909
Delillia J Beasley-1909
Lum Thomas Beasley-1909
Martha Louella "Ella" Lilly Beasley-1909
Elois Morgan Callender -1912
Claude E. Morgan, Sr.-1912
Alice O Beasley Morgan-1912
Claude E. Morgan, Jr.-1915
Thelma Jearldine Welch Morgan-1917
Lloyd P Callender-no date given
Carrie Blalock Lilly-1917
Edgar Lilly-1922
Lonnie Lilly--1924
In the early years some church sermons where held in the "Old Brush Arbor" which was built out at the "Old Landy Lilly Place". A little more than three miles outside of Liberty it was here dinners were held on the ground and missionaries that came from outside of Amite spoke. In a letter dated December 11, 1931 from the church in Atlanta to Thelma Welch Morgan we can see how active the Morgan family was in the early years of the church. Below is an edited version of this letter
Dear Sister,
In your letter, which I am glad to receive, you state that you have five children whom you are desirous bringing up in the fear of the Lord. It seems there are twenty-five to thirty members in your neighborhood and that you want a Sunday School for the benefit of your children and other children. It seems that you have three boys who are baptized. I like the spirit of your letter.
I gather from your letter that for the present you could carry on the Sunday School yourself. This is the better way. Until we ordain men unto the Priesthood it will be alright for you to carry on the Sunday school yourself. You will be doing a great work.
With only two automobiles in the early church membership the dedication of Lloyd Callender who drove his school bus over unimproved roads was an important contribution. Clarence Morgan was also a member held in high esteem for his faithfulness. Unfortunately, there was some persecution of members in the early years including those that may have been perceived as helping the church. Among Duck family descendants there were some family divisions which touched close and more distant relations. The first church built of wood was dedicated in 1937 by Stephen L. Richards and Duck descendants contributed much to this effort. In 1962, the new church structure was completed, and Duck descendants again contributed their labor and financial support. LDS members in the Morgan, Blalock, Lilly, Callender, and Beasley families have worked for years gathering and preserving much of the family history. They have been generous in the sharing their research to which I am most grateful.
