On October 20, 2018, the Kirk Family Reunion was held at the Bethel Baptist Church for the first meeting. Approximately 65 members attended.
The Kirk families go back to the early 1600's. To fast forward to 1825-1865. Dr. William Kirk and his wife, Rebecca, sold their property in Virginia and with their children, they moved in a covered wagon drawn by horses to Alabama. It was a long and treacherous trip.
After finishing medical school, they moved to Macon, MS. After a short while, they moved to Mascuhuliville, MS. Later, they moved to Winston County near the old post office of Perkinsville. This is where the family then decided to settle. They bought a farm and lived there for the rest of their life following the profession that Dr. William loved so well. He became a physician of great renown. He had a wonderful personality and a fine character and he was loved by all who knew him. It was said by his patients that had such a great love for him and had such faith in him, that they would rather just see him than have any other medication from any other doctors.
At the same time, his wife, Rebecca, establish an inn (hotel), for travelers and also managed the farm. She was a fine business woman with piercing brown eyes. They also raised acres of cotton which was sold for 50 cents a pound. They would give almost all of it away to the poor and needy.
Dr. Kirk was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from Winston County in 1863. His great grandson and grandson of Dr. Clement Kirk, Conner Clement McNeel was later elected Representative of Winston Co. in 1932
Charles White Stewart, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Stewart (Carrie White) was elected Representative in 1969-1970. Dr. Kirk's four grandsons soon became doctors of medicine, following the footsteps of their famous and noble father. Much more could be said of this fine man. He will truly go down in the history books as a noble man.
Rebecca not only was a smart business woman but also one of great faith. She established Bethel Baptist Church about ten miles east of Louisville on highway 14 going eastbound. Dr. William Kirk died February 21, 1885, at the age of 83. His wife, Rebecca Billingsley Kirk, died on September 8, 1889, at the age of 86. They are both buried in the Kirk Cemetery which is located just across from the Bethel Baptist Church. This brings me to the point that the cemetery is in need of a new fence. A committee was selected to oversee this project.
This is a place of rich history and was kept up for years, but now needs the new fence. Approximately 75 people of great and renown standing are buried here. We owe them great debt of gratitude to preserve this historical place. The committee chose were: Frances Ball - Chairman, Ben Kirk, Ben Kirk (Noxapater), Dianne Hicks, Billy Kirk, and Junior Stewart.
A Kirk Community Fund will be set up to accept funds for this project. Anyone interested in this project and would like to make a contribution to this may send your contributions to:
Mr. Ben Kirk
549 Boon Road
Louisville, Ms 39339
803-5102
or
Frances Ball
415 Ball Drive
Louisville, Ms 39339
803-2286
Any contributions will be most appreciated.
In addition, a book on the Kirk Family has been put together and will be on sale for $20. If you would like to purchase a copy, contact Mr. Ben Kirk at the number listed above.
