A History of Kentucky Baptists, From 1769 to 1885, by J. H. Spencer, 1886,
Reprinted by Church History and Archives, 1976, Lafayette, TN.  Gasper
River Association. Logan County.

DAVID LOGAN MANSFIELD, next to Alfred Taylor, was the most prominent and
useful preacher in Gasper River Association, in his generation.  He was
Moderator of that body, from 1846, till the time of his death, and was an
active leader in all its benevolent enterprises.  His father, ELIJAH
MANSFIELD, was born in Rockingham Co., Va., June 13, 1775, when he was
brought by his parents to Kentucky, in 1779.  When he grew to manhood, he
married Susan Pierce, an orphan, raised by Hugh Logan.  Her parents and
their whole family, except Susan, had been killed by the Indians. 
Immediately after his marriage, Elijah Mansfield moved to Logan county and
settled near where the village of Auburn is now located, about 1796.  Here
he raised a family of eight sons and three daughters.  One of his sons,
David L. and one of his grandsons, J. W. C. Mansfield, became Baptist
preachers, and his son, Granville, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. 
The old pioneer lived to the age of 90 years.
     D. L. Mansfield, the oldest of eight sons, was born June 18, 1797. 
Tradition has it, that a piece of bark served him as a cradle, and that
the poplar tree from which it was peeled was still standing, at the time
of his death.  His early education was very limited; but being ambitious
to learn, he lost no opportunity, to improve his mind.  While a young man,
he was engaged as a chain carrier, in surveying the public land in
Missouri.  While thus engaged, he applied himself so assiduously to
studying the art of surveying, that he was soon appointed to a deputyship.
 On his return to Kentucky, he was married to Elizabeth Barnett, July 31,
1817, and settled near his birth-place.  He was a bold, caring youth, and
a great sinner, but possessed a high sense of honor.  He was convicted of
sin under the preaching of John M. Berry, known at that period, as a
Cumberland Presbyterian "circuit rider."  He went to meeting with the
avowed purpose of staring the preacher out of countenance, and, with that
intention, took a position near where Mr. Berry stood in the door of a
private house.  The preacher looked the impudent young man steadily in the
face, while he solemnly declared the gospel message.  Presently the daring
sinner began to tremble, his knees smote together, and he walked away. 
But the arrow of the Almighty stuck fast in him.  For about ten days his
soul was in agony of remorse.  Feeling, at last, that he must perish if he
did not obtain relief, he left his house, early on a Sabbath morning,
saying he would not eat, drink or sleep till he found the Savior, or died
seeking him.  About 9 o'clock, he returned to the house, praising God,
while his soul overflowed with joy.  At first, he was strongly inclined to
join the Cumberland Presbyterians.  But delaying till he could real the
New Testament, he became a decided immersionist.
     In August, 1820, he united with Stony Point church in Logan county,
and was baptized, probably by Daniel Barham.  A month afterwards, he was
elected clerk of the church, and the next month asked and obtained leave
to exercise a public gift.  He soon gave such indications of usefulness,
that the church sent him to Robert T. Anderson's Academy, at Glasgow, one
year.  In November, 1823, he was ordained to the ministry, by William
Warder, William Tatum, Phillip Warden, and Jacob Bower.  About this time,
he was called to preach, in connection with Phillip Warden, at Providence
church, in Warren county.  Two years later, he moved within the bounds of
Providence, and became sole pastor of that church, to which he ministered
the remainder of his earthly life.  He was, at different periods, pastor
of several other churches, three of which he was serving at the time of
his death.
     "Mr. Mansfield's preaching gift," says a colaborer, "was considerable
above mediocrity, and was diligently employed, when he was not compelled
to be in the school room as a means of support."  When hs soul was fully
enlisted for the salvation of sinner, his appeals seemed irrestistable. 
Going, on a certain occasion, to a meeting where he was not known, the
preacher who was conducting the services felt that courtesy required him
to invite the visiting brother to preach.  But seeing that he was young,
and supposing he would be awkward and unprofitable, the pastor resolved to
put him up first, and to have a more experienced minister to follow him. 
His brother, Rev. Granville Mansfield, who was present, related the
cicumstance, after the following manner:
     "He rose up, calm and self-possessed, and read for a text, these
words:  'It is well with thee; it is well with the child; it is well with
thy husband.'  His solumn appearance, his soul stiring manner, and his
conscience-dealing questions, put to the sinner about his spiritual
health, soon caused a great excitement.  David preached as long as he
could be heard.  I don't think he called for mourners.  They came into the
altar, of their own accord, and fell down, crying for mercy, till the
space was filled - two of my older brothers, I believe, among the rest.  I
do not know that I ever saw a more powerful time.  It seemed that heaven
and earth were coming together.  I could but look for the preacher that
was to follow.  He had thrown down his books, and was clapping his hands
and rejoicing.  There was no more preaching that day.  Many professed
religion during the day and night."
     In the fall of 1832, a revival of great power pervaded the churches
of which Mr. Mansfield was pastor.  This was before protracted meetings
came in vogue, and much of the preaching was done in private houses.  Mr.
Mansfield devoted himself to the work with great zeal.  He preached from
house to house, day and night:  The revival continued a year, and the
zealous young preacher baptized about 300 people.  To Providence church,
110 souls were added, during the year.  From some of the rude people, the
earnest minister met with violent opposition.  "At the house of Simeon
Shaw," says the venerable O. H. Morrow, "the wife of Sandy Spillman, and
two daughters of Williams Doors, came forward for prayer.  The husgand and
father of these two women became enraged, and threatened violence to the
person of the preacher, vowing, at the same time, that they would have
their women out of the house, if they had to drag them out.  Mr. Mansfield
replied in a conciliatory manner, that the moon would be up presently, and
then they would come out.  After some other threats of violence, the men
withdrew.  Next night, at the house of John Spillman, the outlaws were
still more violent in their threats.  Knowing that the men were
desperadoes, the friends of Mr. Mansfield were alarmed for his safety; and
some of them advised him to arm himself, for his defense.  He replied: 
'The weapons of our warfare are not carnal,' and added:  'I will pray for
them.'  The following night, while Mr. Mansfield was hitching his horse,
Doors approached him, and began to confess his sins, and to beg him to
pray for him and Spillman.  On his way to the house, he found Spillman on
his knees, praying for mercy.  Both of the men, the wife, and the two
daughters, were baptized a few days afterwards."
     Successful as this zealons [sic] servant of God in winning souls to
Christ, he did not neglect other duties of an enlightened minister.  He
warmly advocated education, Bible distribution and missions.  In this
work, as in preaching to sinners in the highways and hedges, he met with
determined opposition, as the following incident will show:  On one
occasion he had an appointment to preach at Woodsonville, in Hart County.
One of the Antimission preachers had a previous appointment to preach
there, at the same hour.  When the latter came in, he merely bowed to Mr.
Mansfield, and proceded to harangue the congregation.  At the close of his
discourse, he said to the people:  "What would become of you all if I were
to leave you? You would all go to the dogs, or, what is worse, to the
Missionaries.  (Pointing directly at Mr. Mansfield, he continued:)  There
sits one now, who has come to spy out our liberties."  Mr. Mansfield had
no opportunity to reply.
     This eminent servant of God was taken from the scenes of toil and
contention, in the vigorous strength of mature manhood.  He died of
cholera, in the Summer of 1849.  Just before his departure, his wife said
to him:  "Davy, what advice have you to give me?"  He replied:  "Live near
the Lord."  He manifested great anxiety for the welfare of his charges,
praying:  "Lord, have mercy on my churches, and send them a pastor who
will be more faithful than I have been."  His last words were:  "In the
broad ocean of thy love, I file my plea for mercy, O Lord!"  His
physician, Dr. R. Curd, said of him:  "D. L. Mansfield died more like a
christian philosopher than any other man I have ever seen die."

Mansfield Taylor Pierce Logan Barnett Berry Barham Anderson Warder Tatum
Bower Shaw Morrow Spillman Doors Curd
=
Rockingham-VA MO Glasgow-Barren-KY Warren-KY Hart-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/logan/mansfield.dl.txt