Robert Sheffey Birth House

Robert Sheffey (1820-1902), ministered in the Appalachian region, often seen as ‘unique’ by other parts of the country. But no matter what stereotypes Appalachia had, Sheffey was the most unique of all.

Born into a respectable family and having attended some college, Sheffey was born again at a revival meeting and became a Methodist minister of sorts. Of sorts, because his attempts for a license to preach were unsuccessful for many years.

And his ministry was not exactly what you expected from a traditional clergyman: “He was the most powerful man in prayer…he couldn’t preach a lick.”

When his meetings in Ivanhoe, Virginia were unsuccessful, allegedly Sheffey cursed the town. One resident in 2011 stated, “Whether you believe in it or not, after that happened, we lost everything.” Many claim that sinkholes that claimed entire homes were God’s judgment on that town.

He was as solicitous of creatures as he was of the people – moving bugs out of the way of an oncoming wagon, or caring for a wayward toad.

Many legends persist of his imprecatory prayers on the alcohol trade, keenly aware of the devastation it created.

Sheffey was a prominent figure at the Wabash Camp Meetings – opportunities for the rural folk to come together for a time of music, preaching, and general socialization. According to legends, he would disappear into the mountains for days, simply praying, then return into the camp meeting shouting and testifying. While his preaching wasn’t as exegetical as today’s homileticians would prefer, his concern for the common man was evident.

In his older years, when he entered the “big city” and came across a house of ill repute, he was alleged to have chucked a bee hive into the place.

His tombstone records this epitaph, “The poor were sorry when he died.”

Sheffey would probably be forgotten if it weren’t for Jess Carr coming across a procession to his grave, and writing a biography of him, referring to him as the “St. Francis of the Wilderness.”

Katherine Stenholm, director of Bob Jones University’s Unusual Films, came across the work and produced a feature length film on his life in 1977, simply called, Sheffey.

Over 40 years old, the film has ministered to untold numbers with the story of the eccentric circuit riding minister.

Near Staffordsville are two historical markers, one on camp meetings, and the other on Sheffey. You can visit the Robert Sheffey Memorial Campmeeting, located near the Wesley Chapel Church where Sheffey is buried. The log cabin where he was born in, was moved from Ivanhoe, Virginia, to the site in Trigg, Virginia, in 2003.

Featured Image Credit: SneakinDeacon. “BIRTHPLACE OF REV. ROBERT SHEFFEY.” Flickr, www.flickr.com/photos/sneakindeacon/43890266091.