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- Married Sarah Menzies (February 6, 1778 - October 11, 1830) on December 16, 1806.
Married Catherine Blakey (August 18, 1793 - October 4, 1843) on January 15, 1837.
"History of Georgia Baptists with Biographical Compendium," 1881, p. 8 gives his picture and this article:
Anselm Anthony was born on the 9th of June 1778 in Campbell County, Virginia. He was the son of Joseph Anthony and his wife Ann Clark, daughter of Col. Clark, an officer in the Revolutionary War. Shortly after that war, Joseph Anthony moved to Georgia and settled in Wilkes County. Here Anselm obtained educational advantages only as were afforded by country schools, but being fond of books, he devoted all his leisure hours to reading, and amassed a great fund of information. Even at that age, he was calm and dignified in his deportment and gentle and courteous toward his associates. He began to preach about 1810 or 1812 and was licensed by Fishing Creek Church, Wilkes Co., GA., in 1814, and for a while had charge of that church. Then he became pastor of the Baptist Church at Madison, GA., for several years in that place, serving also, other churches in Morgan Co. In 1824, he moved to Gwinnett Co. where he served various churches. He was married in 1806 to Sarah Menzies of NC. who died in 1830. Seven children, 2 boys and 5 girls were the result of this union. After remaining a widower for five years, he was United in Matrimony to Miss Catherine Blakey, of Wilkes Co., GA. About 6 years after his second marriage, a stroke of paralysis, which affected one entire side of his frame, and from which he never fully recovered, put an end to his ministerial work . In 1843, his second wife died, and he lived alone until 1858, when he was induced to break up housekeeping and reside with his son in Meriwether Co. While on a visit to his daughter in Polk Co. in Jan. 1859, he became helpless and remained so until Jan. 1868 when he died in the 89th year of his age. When informed that his departure was near at hand, he said, "I know it, but I feel that the Lord is with me and that he will never leave me." Calm and peaceful was his departure from earth. Never did evening set more softly and gently, than this way-worn pilgrim fell asleep in Jesus. Without a struggle, he closed his eyes in death -- "Like one who draws the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." His body was taken to Gwinnett Co. and rests in the grave at Bethabara Church, beside the remains of his wives and daughters. Mr. Anthony was a hard student, and with him the Bible was the book of books. For its study, he set apart a portion of each day and permitted neither business nor friends to cause neglect of this duty. As a preacher, he was plain and pointed, ever reproving sin regardless of praise or censure; and as long as he could converse, he admonished to holiness of life, and to earnestness in performance of Christian duty. He would sometimes tell how a couple of sisters encouraged him on the day of his baptism, saying, "I was sorely tempted by the devil, and almost ready to yield when they came to me and exhorted me to be faithful. They did much to strengthen me. Sisters," he would say, "go and do likewise, you may encourage and strenghten many who are weak, and ready to faint." To the last, he was deeply concerned for the interest of Zion, and even when memory failed to such an extent that he did not recognize the members of his family, he never forgot the name of Christ nor that of Christ Church. He would inquire to all he saw how the cause of the Savior was progressing and how Zion was prospering. As a man and as a minister, he was slow to form an opinion and give expression to his sentiments, in regard to either men or measures, but when his opinions were settled and his judgment formed, he remained firm and unyielding. He was a large man and of muscular proportions weighing 240 lbs. with raven hair and large black eyes, but with a weak voice and soft-spoken, he commanded the respect and attention of his audiences. Without a doubt, he did much good by wholesome advice he was in the habit of bestowing on the young, many of whom, even in old age, remember and often respected the judicious instructions received in youth from him. Upon more than one boy's mind was a lasting impression made by this saying of his: "When angry bottle up thy thunder and lightning lest thee kill someone!" As a minister, he was in the hands of God, an instrument for turning many from the evil of their ways, to the path of righteousness and peace, and no doubt, in the great day, many will call him blessed. As a Baptist, he was sound in faith and practice and strong in his doctrinal convictions and did much to establish wavering brethern. "Reprint of Official Register of Land Lottery of Ga., 1827", Houston, p. 186: Gwinnett Co., : Anselm Anthony, soldier, Wartons."
In Anselm's will, said to have been recorded in Polk Co., he mentions a walnut armchair which "belonged to my father and grandfather, Joseph."
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1779 - 1868 (88 years)
