Chapter 14

Maryland

Monday, January 3, 1785. The conference is risen, and I have now a little time for rest. In the evening I preached on Ephes. iii, 8, being the first sermon after my ordination: my mind was unsettled, and I was but low in my own testimony.

Virginia

Tuesday, 4. I was engaged preparing for my journey southward. Rode fifty miles through frost and snow to Fairfax, Virginia, and got in about seven o'clock.

Thursday, 6. We had an exceeding cold ride to Prince William-little less than forty miles, and were nearly two hours after night in getting to brother Hale's.

Friday, 7. A calm day. I had brother Hickson for my companion. We passed Fauquier court house; came to the north branch of Rappahannock, which we found about waist high, and frozen from side to side; we pushed the ice out of the track which a wagon, well for us, had made, and got over safe. Pursuing our journey, we came to a little ordinary kept by one Whitehead: here were some wagonners at cards in the front room; this did not prevent our having prayers in the one adjoining: we slept in peace, and had only nine shillings and six-pence to pay in the morning.

Saturday, 8. Rode to brother Fry's to dinner, where I met with brother Willis, who had stopped there on his way to the conference.

480VIRGINIA January 9, 1785

Sunday, 9. We read prayers, preached, ordained brother Willis deacon, and baptized some children. I feel nothing but love. I am sometimes afraid of being led to think something more of myself in my new station than formerly.

Tuesday, 11. In the morning I discovered that my horse was very lame; after some time he grew better. The adversary tries to get me into a fretful spirit-our journey was attended with some difficulties; but I do not murmur. I had dreaded the ice in James River, but we crossed with the greatest ease. We directed our course to Staunton River; and here we waited some time at Hunt's landing. Mr. Hunt was so kind as to insist on our staying with him; and we were tired enough to want rest. I lectured in his family night and morning.

Saturday, 15. Preached and administered the sacrament at Royster's church; then rode to brother Phelps's, where I was pointed, on Rev. xvii, 14.

Sunday, 16. Although there was only a probability of my coming, a few people met at Doby's store, where I preached with some life, on John iii, 19-21.

Tuesday, 18. Brother Willis was ordained elder at Carter's church: the Lord was with us in this, the sacrament, and the love feast; and all was in life.

North Carolina

Thursday, 20. My horse was lame. I rode with patience to A. Arnet's,1 and was blest: we rejoiced in the Lord together.

Friday, 21. After preaching at Thompson's,2 and baptizing some children, we set out for Short's.3 Travelling onward we came to a creek:

it was so dark by this time that we could not find the ford; we rode back a mile, and engaged a young man who undertook to be our guide, but be himself was scarcely able to keep the way. We rode with great pain to Waggoner's chapel, and after pushing on through deep streams, I had only nine hearers; this was owing to the carelessness of the person who should have published the notice of our coming.

Sunday, 23. I had about one hundred hearers; to whom I spoke on Josh. xxiv, 15. We lodged with F. C., who was very kind, although he could afford but one bed for three. The horses fared well. Next morning we set off, and came to Old Town instead of Salem :4 by the evening, we

1 Amet must have lived in Rockingham County, North Carolina. Asbury again stayed there on March 1, 1786.

2 Thompson lived in Forsythe County. Short lived in Rowan County.

Salem was a Moravian community in Forsythe County, founded in 1766. It was one of the communities of the "Wachovia Tract," an area of 100,000 acres secured by Bishop Spangenburg in 1753. George Washington visited the community in 1791. It

NORTH CAROLINA January28,1785 481

reached brother Hill's, on the Yadkin circuit. Thus far the Lord has led me on; and I still hope to get along according to appointment.

Friday, 28. My horse being unfit to travel, I borrowed another, and went on seventeen miles to Fisher's River, where I met with a few poor people. Thence we rode through the barren mountains, and crossed the frequent rivers in our course, and came to W-'s: 29th, next day I preached at Heady's, and rode on to Herndon's5 in Wilkes county: here we were kindly entertained, although there were few people to preach to. Nothing could have better pleased our old Church folks6 than the late step we have taken in administering the ordinances; to the catholic Presbyterians it also gives satisfaction; but the Baptists are discontented.

Thursday, February 3. Rode twenty miles to Witherspoon's: here was a large assemblage of people; some to pay and receive taxes; some to drink; and some to hear me preach: I gave them a rough talk on Rev. ii, 5-8. From this place we rode to Allen's. The people here are famous for talking about religion: and here and there is a horse thief.

Sunday, 6. Yesterday some were prevented from offering their children to God in baptism, by a zealous Baptist: to-day brother Willis spoke on the right of infants to baptism; our opposer soon took his leave.

Monday, 7. I preached at Elsberry's, and rode thirty-one miles to Morgan Bryan's. The weather has been cold and uncomfortable. I have ridden on the horse I borrowed, nearly three hundred miles in about nine days.

Tuesday, 8. I observed this as a day of abstinence. I preached and administered the sacrament; held a love feast-our friends were greatly comforted. Here I plunged four adults,7 at their own request, they being persuaded that this was the most proper mode of baptizing.

Thursday, 10. Rode to Salisbury,8 where, as it was court time, I had

was later united with Winston, which was chartered in 1851 to become Winston-Salem. (Silvers: Forsyth County, 14-18.) Old Town is a community a few miles north of Winston-Salem.

Colonel Joseph Herndon lived in "a hospitable mansion on the headwaters of the Peedee," or Yadkin, River in Wilkes County, North Carolina. (Shipp: Methodism in South Carolina, 152.) Jesse Lee, who had not attended the Christmas Conference, came from Salisbury and joined Asbury here. The party now consisted of Asbury, Henry Willis, Woolman Hickson, and Lee. Asbury was wearing "black gown, cassock, and band," and Lee objected to this dress as unbecoming to Methodist simplicity. Asbury laid it aside and seldom wore it again. Strickland says he wore gown and bands when he dedicated Cokesbury College, but Smith denies this. (Lee: Life and Times of Jesse Lee, 149; Strickland: The Pioneer Bishop, 163; Smith: Francis Asbury, 89, 94.)

6 The "old Church folks" were the former Anglicans.

"in one of his letters Asbury declared that owing to the encroachments of the Baptists in Virginia, baptism by immersion was practiced, but abandoned at the end of the year." (Tipple: Heart of Asbury's Journal, 234.)

8 Methodism was introduced in Salisbury in 1783 by Beverly Allen, and a circuit was formed with thirty members. An account of the first sermon preached in a schoolhouse there was written by a convert and is preserved in Lednum. (Op. cit., 372-76; Grissom, op. cit., 245-47.)

482 NORTH CAROL1 NA February 15, 1785

but few hearers; and some of these made their escape when I began to insist on the necessity of holiness-a subject this which the Antinomians do not like to hear pressed too closely.

Tuesday, 15. I gave up my horse, and borrowed one of Mr. Randall.' I fear my horse will lose his eyes. I visited B-; one who has departed from God; be appeared to be sensible of, and lamented it; yet, he said, he had not power to pray and seek.

South Carolina

Thursday, 17. We set off for Charleston, South Carolina. When at the Cheraw Hills,10 we thought of going to -'s, but he was not at home. A family which had moved from Virginia sent after me with an invitation to come and dine ;11 I accepted their kindness, and arriving, found that they had been Methodists: after spending some time in the church in prayer,'2 we prepared to pursue our journey, but being pressed to stay until the morrow, we remained with them. Came to the Long Bluff court house13-found few people: thence journeying on, we arrived at John Kimbro's,14 and were kindly entertained.

John Randall lived in the present Stanley County, North Carolina, a few miles north of Norwood. Jesse Lee, traveling the Salisbury Circuit, preached in his home in 1784. "The man of the house was always deaf and dumb," said Lee, but "he is esteemed as a pious man." The community became a regular preaching place and Asbury stopped there on numerous occasions (February 15, 1785; April 3, 1789; December 20, 1793; November 16, 1798; February 23, 1800; December 8, 1804.) Services were first conducted in the Randall house and then in a brush arbor. A church was erected before 1800. Randall Church is now the oldest in Stanley County. (Grissom, op. cit., 248.)

10 The Cheraw District was one of the seven judicial districts into which South Carolina was divided in 1768 and included the present Marlboro, Chesterfield, Darlington, and parts of Florence and Lee Counties. Its name was derived from the Cheraw Indians. The town of Cheraw, or Cheraw Hill, was on the west side of the Great Pee Dee River. The name was for a brief period changed to Chatham in honor of the Earl of Chatham, but anti-British feeling engendered during the Revolution caused the old name of Cheraw to be retained when the town was incorporated in 1820-21. (See Gregg: History of the Old Cheraws; Bulletin of the First Methodist Church, Cheraw, S.C., 1953.)

11 Their host at Cheraw was a merchant who had in his employ a young man from Massachusetts who described the low state of religion in his native state. This so impressed Jesse Lee that he resolved to go to New England. (Lee: Life and Times of the Rev. Jesse Lee, 150.) Lee became the virtual founder of Methodism in New England, preaching first under "the old elm" on Boston Common on July II, 1790.

St. David's Episcopal Church was built in 1770-73 and is still in use. There was a hiatus of thirty-four years, 1785-1819, when it was dormant because of anti-British feeling. (Bulletin of Saint David's Church, 1953.)

13 Long Bluff Court House was on the west side of the Great Pee Dee River and was the first business center in the colony, founded around 1735 or 1740. It was ten or twelve miles south of Cheraw, about where Society Hill in Darlington County now stands. A lot had been purchased at Cheraw, but the location was changed in 1770

SOUTH CAROLINA February22,1785 483

Tuesday, 22. I beard of that impostor, T-y-t,'6 who was fleecing the people of one hundred guineas per annum: were he a good man, I doubt if they would supply him thus. The greatest consolation I bad was whilst alone in the woods. I was comfortable in brother Jesse Lee's company.

Wednesday, 23. We crossed Lynch's Creek, Black Mingo, and Black River, and arrived at Georgetown,10 where we met with a kind reception. I felt my mind solemn, and devoted to God, but was in great doubt of success. If God has not called us by his providence into these parts, I desire and pray that we may have no countenance from the people; although we have ridden four or five hundred miles, and spent our money.

Thursday, 24. I preached in Georgetown on 1 Cor. ii, 14, to a serious people. A Mr. William Wayne, a nephew of the celebrated General [Mad Anthony] Wayne, introduced himself to us,'7 with whom we took breakfast; on parting, be showed us the way to the ferry, and paid our ferriage. I found the Lord had brought him through deep exercises of soul. We travelled on through a barren country, in all respects, towards Charleston.'8 We came that evening to Scott's, where the people seemed to be merry; they soon became mute: we talked and prayed with them: in the morning, when we took our leave of them, they would receive nothing. We met brother Willis; he had gone along before us, and had made an acquaintance with Mr. Edgar Wells, a respectable merchant of the city, to whom he had carried letters of introduction, from Mr. Wayne, of Georgetown: I jogged on, dejected in spirit, and came to Mr. Edgar Wells's. We obtained when a committee from the lower part of the district made an appeal to the General Assembly for a more nearly central site. (Williamson: "Historical Sketch" in Bulletin of the University of South Carolina, No. 196, February 1, 1927.)

14 John Kimbrough went from Wake County, North Carolina, and settled in the central part of Darlington District south of Cheraw in 1756. (Gregg: History of the Old Cheraws, 90-91.)

15 Miss Cora Page Godfrey suggests that this may have been Governor Tryon who was regarded as a tyrant.

16 Asbury went southward through Darlington, the present Florence, Williamsburg, and Georgetown Counties to Georgetown on the coast. Lynch's Creek formed the boundary between Darlington and Williamsburg Counties (Florence County had not then been formed). Black Mingo Creek rises in the upper part of Williamsburg County and flows southeast into Black River near the northern border of Georgetown County. Black Mingo community was about four miles above the junction of the two streams and ten miles north of Andrews. It was an important rural travel and trading center which was later called Wilitown. Black River flows through central Williamsburg County to the sea near Georgetown.

17 Asbury's party first lodged at another house in Georgetown. As they were leaving for the meeting, their host excused himself to attend a ball, whereupon Jesse Lee prayed that another home might be opened to them. The prayer was answered by the approach of Wayne. (Lee: Life and Times of the Rev. Jesse Lee, 151.)

18 The party doubtless crossed Santee River at Myzack's Ferry near Honey Hill and over the Cooper to Charleston.

484 SOUTH CAROLINA February28,1785

the use of an old meeting house belonging to the General Baptists,1' in which they had ceased to preach: brother Willis preached at noon-brother Jesse Lee morning and evening. I first went to the Episcopal Church,2 and then to the Independent meeting-house :21 at this last I heard a good discourse.

Monday, 28. The Calvinists, who are the only people in Charleston who appear to have any sense of religion, seem to be alarmed. Yesterday morning [Sunday], and again at noon, the congregations were small; at night we were crowded. There is a great dearth of religion here; some say, never more so than at this time.

The people were a little moved while brother Lee preached to them on Sabbath evening. My first sermon was on Wednesday, the second of March, on 2 Cor. v, 20. I had but little enlargement. I preached again the next day on Eccles. xi, 9; the people were solemn and attentive. I find there are here who oppose us--I leave the Lord to look to his own cause. I told my hearers that I expected to stay in the city but seven days; that 1 should preach every night, if they would favour me with their company, and that I should speak on subjects of primary importance to their souls, and explain the essential doctrines taught and held by the Methodists.

Friday, March 4. I gave them a discourse on the nature of conviction for sin, from John xvi, 8; many serious people attended, and some appeared to feel.

Saturday, 5. I spoke on the nature and necessity of repentance. The

- ministers, who had before this held meeting at the same hour with us, and had represented our principles in an unfavourable light, and striven to prepossess the people's minds against our doctrines-even these ministers came to hear. This afternoon Mr. Wells began to feel conviction; my soul praised the Lord for this fruit of our labours-this answer to our prayers.

"Chreitzberg (Early Methodism in the Carolinas, 41-43) says this was the old Seaman's Bethel in which Joseph Pilmoor twelve years earlier preached the first Methodist sermon in Charleston, but this is refuted by the old Baptist records. The Calvinistic or Particular Baptists organized first. Then the Arminian or General Baptists came in. Both used the same house until the former tried to oust the latter. The colonial courts gave equal rights to each group, and the Particular body bought the Seaman's Mission where Pilmoor preached. After the Revolution the General Baptists dwindled, and Asbury and his party used the original house which they abandoned. The Particular congregation later reclaimed the property, which was on the site of the present First Baptist Church. Asbury, Lee, and Willis used it during this visit to Charleston. The Methodists were later ejected, the seats were thrown into the streets, and the doors and windows barred. Mrs. Stoll, grandmother of Bishop William W. Wightman, then opened her home for Methodist worship until the services were moved to an unfinished house on Wentworth Street. (Betts: History of South Carolina Methodism, 481-82.)

20 St. Phillip's Church.

21 Circular Congregational Church, called the "White Meeting House." (Shipp:

History of Meothdism in South Carolina, 164.)

SOUTH CAROLINA March6,1785 485

Sunday, 6. I had but few hearers this morning; these few appeared to have feeling hearts: in the evening I preached to a large, wild company, on Acts xvii, 30, 31. My soul is in deep travail for Mr. Wells-I hope God will set him at liberty. The sore throat and scarlet fever prevail in this city, yet are the inhabitants vain and wicked to a proverb. I bless God for health.

Wednesday, 9. I had a good time on Matt. vii, 7. In the evening the clouds about Mr. Wells began to disperse; in the morning he could rejoice in the Lord. How great is the work of God-once a sinner, yesterday a seeker, and now His adopted child! Now we know that God hath brought us here, and have a hope that there will be a glorious work among the people-at least among the Africans.

Thursday, 10. This day I delivered my last discourse on 1 Pet. iii, 15. I loved and pitied the people, and left some under gracious impressions. We took our leave: and had the satisfaction of observing that Mrs. Wells appeared to be very sensibly affected.22

We had rough crossing, in going over the Bay to Hadrell's Point.23 J baptized two children at Mr. Scott's,24 for which I was offered a great reward-but it was by persons who did not know that neither my own feelings nor the constitution of our Church permitted me to receive any compensation for such services.

We reached Georgetown time enough to give notice for preaching in the evening.

Sunday, 13. The people generally attended and were serious. We found Mrs. Wayne under deep distress of soul.

From Georgetown25 we came by Kingstree26 and got to Mr. Durant's,27

22 Asbury left Henry Willis as preacher in Charleston, taking him from Holston Circuit to which he had been appointed at the 1784 conference. He formed a society and was the first pastor, though John Tunnell appears in the minutes. The explanation is that Willis served only a few weeks between conferences. At the conference at Green Hill's soon to follow Willis was given oversight of the Yadkin and Holston circuits, and Tunnel! was assigned to Charleston. (Betts: History of South Carolina Methodism, 55.)

28 Asbury crossed the harbor eastward to Hadrell's Point, now Mount Pleasant, and followed the old King's Highway to Georgetown.

24 Perhaps the Scotts with whom Asbury stayed on the night of February 25.

25 Woolman Hickson was doubtless left in Georgetown since he was appointed to that circuit the following April. It became the Pee Dee Circuit a year later.

26 This was doubtless Kingston instead of Kingstree, since a visit to the latter would have involved a wide detour without apparent reason. Chreitzberg (op. cit., 42) noted and queried the contradiction, and Betts agrees in thus correcting the Journal. Asbury went via the Yuahannah Ferry to Kingston, the present Conway in Horry County.

27 Durant lived forty-five miles northeast of Georgetown and six or seven miles beyond Kingston (now Conway) where Durant's Church now stands. Several Durant families are indicated on old maps of the region. (Henry Mougon's map, 1773, published by Robt. Sayer and j. Bennett, London; Series of County Maps by Robert Mills, 1825.) There were meetinghouses in Horry County and the lower neck of Marion County

486 NORTH CAROLINA March 19, 1785

who, I bad heard, was a Methodist: we found him, in sentiment, one of Mr. Hervey's28 disciples, but not in the enjoyment of religion: I delivered my own soul before I took my leave of him.

North Carolina

Hearing of brother Daniel at Town Creek,29 I resolved to make a push for his house; it was forty miles distant, and I did not start until nine o'clock. I dined at Lockwood's Folly,80 and got in about seven o'clock. 0, how happy was I to be received, and my dear friends to receive me! I have been out for six weeks, and ridden near five hundred miles among strangers to me, to God, and to the power of religion. How could I live in the world if there were no Christians in it!

Saturday, 19. After preaching at Town Creek, I rode in the evening to Wilmington ;81 night came on before we reached there, and from the badness of the causeway, I ran some risk; we went to -, but lie was not prepared to receive us; afterward to -, where we had merry, singing, drunken raftsmen; to their merriment I soon put a stop. I felt the power of the devil here.

Sunday, 20. The bell went round to give notice, and I preached to a large congregation. When I had done, behold, F. Hill came into the room powdered off, with a number of fine ladies and gentlemen. As I could not get my horse and bags, I heard him out: I verily believe his sermon was his own, it was so much like his conversation. I came away well satisfied that I had delivered my own soul.

near Bradley's Ferry where Asbury probably crossed the Great Pee Dee. (Geographical, Statistical and Historical Map of South Carolina, 1823, by J. Wilson, reduced by J. Drayton.)

28 James Hervey was one of the original Oxford Methodists who broke with the Wesleys and became a Calvinist.

" Town Creek is in North Carolina about ten miles south of Wilmington, near the South Carolina line.

30 Lockwood's Folly was the present Supply, North Carolina, thirty-seven miles below Wilmington on Lockwood's Folly River. The settlement was established by and named for a Mr. Lockwood from Barbados, who was driven away by the Indians. (A New Voyage to Georgia, in Georgia Historical Society Publication, Vol. II, quoted in the Wilmington Messenger, August 22, 1897, 16.)

31 The Methodists had difficulty in establishing a permanent society in Wilmington, North Carolina. A class was formed on the Cape Fear River near Wilmington before the Revolutionary War by Philip Bruce and James O'Kelly, but it did not endure. In 1784 Beverly Allen and James Hinton were sent to form a circuit, but their small classes were not permanent. They reported only eighty members in the whole Cape Fear area, and in 1786 Wilmington was merged with the Bladen Circuit. The first class of white people was formed in Wilmington in 1797, and it was said that "the blacks were much more attentive to religion than the whites." (Lee: History of the Methodists, 209; Grissom, op. cit., 219, 224.)

N 0 RT H CAR 0 LI N A March 21, 1785 487

Monday, 21. On my way I stopped at A-'s and baptized some children: the poor mother held out a piece of gold to me. This is the pay of the priests here for such service: Lord, keep me from the love of honour, money, and ease.

Wednesday, 23. I had a few hearers at the Lake Waccamaw chapel. There has been much injury done here to the cause of religion by some who promised much in this way, and performed little. I lodged near the Waccamaw Lake, which is seven miles in circumference, fed by several streams running through the adjacent marshes, and surrounded nearly on all sides by a sandy beach: this is a desert country; has few inhabitants, and fewer still who have any deep sense of religion.

Tuesday, 29. Rode to Elizabethtown, crossing the north-east branch of Cape Fear River. I called at S-'s and offered baptism to his sick wife, which she declined accepting; after I came away she was distressed at her refusal, and sent her son four miles after me; myself and my horse were both weary, but I returned and had a solemn time.

Wednesday, April 6. I preached at Swansboro32 in sight of the sea. Here are a wicked people indeed; nevertheless, a few have joined society. Monday, 11. Preached in the court house at Kinston. I was entertained very kindly by Governor Caswell.33

Tuesday, 19. Preached at the Cypress chapel, and had many people to hear. I met Doctor Coke at Green Hill's that evening: here we held our conference in great peace.34

Monday, 25. 1 rode to Doctor Peets: this man has given up family and private prayer, and yet is in distress about his soul.

32 Asbury had followed a roundabout route from Wilmington, turning back westward to Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County, northward to Elizabethtown in Bladen County, and then eastward on a long ride to Swansboro.

33 Richard Caswell (1729-89) was governor of North Carolina in 1776-80 and served a second term in 1785-87. (Dictionary of American Biography, III, 571.) The capitol of the state was at New Bern. Caswell lived at Kinston and is buried there.

This conference which Asbury mentions so briefly was the first conference of the newly formed Methodist Episcopal Church and the fourteenth in America. It represented the Carolinas and Virginia, in which there were 31 circuits and 9,063 members. Ft was held in the home of the Rev. Major Green Hill, one mile from Louisburg, North Carolina. Hill was a man of prominence, a large holder of slaves, a member of each Provincial Congress, treasurer of the state, and a major and chaplain in the Provincial Army. The house in which about twenty preachers were entertained at this conference LS still standing and occupied. Hill later moved to Tennessee, and in his home near Nashville, called "Liberty Hill," Bishop McKendree held the first Tennessee conference

Ln 1808. At the 1785 conference Coke spoke harshly of slavery and was rebuked by Jesse Lee, whereupon Coke objected to the passage of Lee's character, although he repented and apologized. The few ordained elders were placed over groups of circuits at this conference and thus originated the office of presiding elder, although the term was not used until 1789. Here also Beverly Allen was ordained deacon and elder, probably the first Methodist ordinations in North Carolina. (Lee: Life and Times of rhe Rev. Jesse Lee, 159; Smith: History of Georgia Methodism, 27-28; Shipp: History of Methodism in South Carolina, 157.)

488 NORTH CAROLINA Apr1126,1785

Tuesday, 26. I preached at Bridge Creek chapel.35 I was very ill, and was tempted to think the Lord was about to lay me aside, or take me away, and detain Doctor Coke in America.

Virginia

Saturday, 30. I am much better in health-my sickness was made a blessing to me. Rode to W. Mason's, where we are to meet in conference. I found the minds of the people greatly agitated with our rules against slavery, and a proposed petition to the general assembly for the emancipation of the blacks. Colonel Bedford and Doctor Coke disputed on the subject,36 and the Colonel used some threats: next day, brother O'Kelly let fly at them, and they were made angry enough; we, however, came off with whole bones, and our business in conference was finished in peace.

Thursday, May 5. At Robert Jones's, I found a blessing in my labours.

Spent the evening with William Graves; I am weak in body, but I have a

constant sense of the presence of God. Rode to Lane's chapel, where I

found a serious, loving people.

Sunday, 8. Rode to Ellis's chapel-read prayers and preached. It appears to be low times here. I was happy with brothers Nichols and Spratley in the evening.

Monday, 9. Set off for James City, came to James River, and missing the house where the ferrymen stay, I was detained some time before I found them.

Tuesday, 10. Had a large congregation at Chickahominy church.37 I administered the sacrament to a number of communicants, and we had a very gracious season.

Thursday, 12. Rode to Yorktown, lately the seat of war. Here Lord Cornwallis surrendered to the combined armies of America and France. The inhabitants are dissolute and careless. I preached to a few serious women at one o'clock; and, at the desire of the ladies, again at four o'clock; I came to Mrs. Rowe's: the son was once on our side ;38 he has left us, and now we have the mother. I lodged in the poor-house.

35 Bridge Creek Chapel in the old colonial precinct of Bertie was an Anglican chapel and a regular preaching place for the Methodists. (Historical Papers of Trinity Historical Association, 9-13, 57.)

36 This is one of several occasions on which Coke aroused animosity by his opposition to slavery. He urged the conference, which met at Mason's May 1-4, to send a petition to the Virginia Assembly for the emancipation of the slaves, and this was done.

37 Chickahominy Church was the upper church in James City Parish. It stood at a country crossroads two miles south of Toano and has long since disappeared, having been burned some time after the Civil War. Asbury refers several times to preaching there. (Mason, op. cit., 22.)

38 Samuel Rowe entered the itinerancy in 1779. He desisted from traveling in 1785 and became a preacher in the Protestant Episcopal Church. (Lednum, op. cit., 244-45.)

ViRGINIA May 14,1785 489

Saturday, 14. I directed my course for Urbanna. I was apprehensive of a gust, while crossing the Rappahannock; but I reached the other side in safety, lodging with Colonel Gordon and Captain Owings. I waited on Colonel Carter, a Baptist; a man of a most excellent spirit: we had much free conversation on the subjects of religion, Churches, and slavery.

Maryland

We crossed the Potomac at Hoe's ferry, and found the people vulgarly wicked, drinking and swearing: we paid a dollar for our ferriage, and Left them. Perhaps the providence of God led me this way, that I might see and learn to pity the state of the people in the northern Neck of Virginia; and those also of Charles and St. Mary's counties in Maryland-I have been sensibly affected with their situation.

Thursday, 19. Preached at Gabriel Childs's, and at David Weems's; at which last place they are building a chapel. I hasted on to Annapolis; but Lhrough neglect, the people had no notice of my coming. Brother William Gill was here a few weeks past, when one S-, a barber, came to mock; and, it is said, stood up to preach, and said his sins were forgiven: he was soon seized with sickness, and made a sudden exit; here we will eave him.

Sunday, 22. Notwithstanding it rained, many attended, of both rich and poor: but in the afternoon, the wind, or the rain, kept the gentry away; many of the common people heard gladly.

Virginia

From Annapolis, we rode to Alexandria, to meet Dr. Coke; he did not come, however, until the next day.

Thursday, 26. We waited on GENERAL WASHiNGTON, who received us very politely, and gave us his opinion against slavery.39

Maryland

Friday, 27. We returned to Annapolis. The Doctor preached at six o'clock, to a crowded congregation: thence, passing through Baltimore, we came to Mr. Gough's.

39 At this famous meeting Washington informed Coke and Asbury that he shared their sentiments on emancipation but that he did not think it proper to sign the petition; however, he stated that he would signify his sentiments by letter if the Assembly considered the subject. The General invited the two preachers to spend the night with him, but they could not accept because of an engagement at Annapolis the following day. (Coke: Journal, 73; see letter to George Washington, April 24, 1786.)

490 MARYLAND May3O,1785

Monday, 30. We went to Abingdon, to settle our college business ;40 and took a bond for the conveyance of the ground: we then returned, and fixed our plan for the approaching conference.

Wednesday, June 1. Our conference began.4' I was unwell during the session, a blister running, applied for a pain in my breast. On Thursday the Doctor took his leave of America for this visit. We parted with heavy hearts. On Friday we rested from our labours, and had a love feast.

Saturday, 4. 1 spent three hours profitably, in reading the printed minutes of the conference.

I left Baltimore at three o'clock to take a little breath after such a press of business.

Sunday, 5. I rode to Abingdon, to preach the foundation sermon of Cokesbury College: I stood on the ground where the building is to be erected, warm as it was, and spoke from Psalm lxxviii, 4-8. I had liberty in speaking, and faith to believe the work would go on.

Monday, 6. From Abingdon I returned to Perry Hall, and there continued until Friday.

Saturday, 11. Preached in Baltimore, on "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." In the town I spoke three times, and at the Point once. Friday, 17. Preached at the Garrison church to a dull, backsliding people.

Friday, 24. I crossed the mountains to Sharpsburg, and preached to some honest Germans.

West Virginia

Came on to Shepherdstown.

Tuesday, 28. Rode to the Springs called Bath; now under great improvement. I preached in the play-house, and lodged under the same roof with the actors. Some folks, who would not hear me in their own neighbourhood, made now a part of my audience, both night and morning. Leaving Bath I came to brother Dew's (on the South branch of the Potomac) very unwell.

Sunday, July 3. The day was rainy: nevertheless I preached, administered the sacrament, and baptized some children.

40 On January 5 Coke "gave orders that the materials should be procured for the erection of the College." An item of business was the purchase of four acres of ground from Josias Dallam for sixty pounds sterling. (Coke: Journal, 53, 74; Lee: A Short History of the Methodists, 112-18; Bangs, op. cit., I, 229-40.)

41 This conference, held in Baltimore, was one of three this year. It was presided over by Coke, who after the second day sailed for England, whereupon the burden fell upon the ailing Asbury. At this conference St. Mary's Circuit in southern Maryland was created. (Coke: Journal, 76.)

WEST VIRGINIA July 9, 1785 491

Saturday, 9. Rode to Peter Dewit's,42 where I had many to hear, and some to have their children baptized.43

Sunday, 10. My congregation was large. Hard labour has almost overdone me. I rode to Simpkin's," where I found some life among the people. A long, dreary ride, brought us to Morgantown.45 I preached and baptized, and was much spent.

Pennsylvania

Thursday, 14. I was taken with an inflammation in my throat: I preached at Col. Charles Martin's :46 afterward I went on, in the night, and very unwell, to Seaton's.47

Friday, 15. I had a high fever; I however bore up to ride eight miles, and preached and baptized.

Saturday, 16. Rode to Litten's,48 but could not preach.

Tuesday, 19. Came to Besontown;49 gave an exhortation, and rode on to

West Virginia

Thursday, 21. Went to Mr. John Jeremiah Jacob's,50 Old Town; he and his wife appear to be much engaged.

42 Peter Dewit was a prominent man who lived in present Mineral (then Hampshire) County, West Virginia, about seventeen miles from Colonel Barrett. (See note under Journal entry for July 12, 1782.) He later moved to Clarke County, Kentucky. (Ayres manuscript, February-March, 1788; Glade Star, Oakland, Maryland, March 31, 1945.)

48 Between July 3 and 9, for which there is no record, Asbury made his second crossing of the mountains to the headwaters of the Ohio. This is the record of the first Methodist baptisms west of the mountains by Asbury.

44 Judge, or Squire, John Simpkins was a noted innkeeper on the Braddock Road.

His inn was on what was called the Bear Camp on Mill Run, thirty-two miles from

Uniontown. (Glade Star, March 31, 1942; March 31, 1946; September 30, 1947; March

31, 1950; June 30, 1950.)

45 Morgantown, in present Monongalia County, West Virginia, had no Methodist meetinghouse as late as 1794, although there was one five years later. (See the Ayres manuscript; Smeltzer, op. cit., 70; Smith: Recollections of an Old Itinerant; Journal entry for July 24, 1790.)

46 Colonel Charles Martin lived just south of the Pennsylvania-West Virginia line and a little west of the Monongahela River. He erected in 1788 the sixth chapel in this region west of the mountains. It is in West Virginia, half a mile south of the state boundary and a mile or more west of the river. (Smeltzer, op. cit., 68, 69.)

Seaton lived across the line in Pennsylvania, in which state Asbury spent the next several days. He probably spent the nights of July 19, 20, at John Simpkins (see note under Journal entry for July 10, 1785) and continued down the Braddock Road through western Maryland and back into present West Virginia on July 21.

48 Samuel Litten lived about two miles southeast of Bentleyville, Pennsylvania.

49 Besontown was the present Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

50 John Jeremiah Jacob (1757-1839) was a merchant, Revolutionary officer, and local preacher who lived across the river from Old Town, Maryland, in present West

492 WEST VIRGINIA July 24, 1785

Sunday, 24. As an appointment was made for me to-day, I read prayers and preached with some pain, and to little purpose.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Very unwell, with a relapse of an inflammatory complaint in the throat; or some time 1 could get no relief; honey, a remedy so excellent in such cases, was not to be had: meantime I ate with pain, and was called to the exercise of patience.

Thursday, 28. Being in a good degree recovered, I felt thankful. My spirit is grieved at so much vanity as is seen here at Bath, by the many poor careless sinners around me. The living is expensive, four dollars per week. Capt. - is here, raised almost from the grave: I feel tenderly for him; I hope God will convert his soul.

Sunday, 31. Mr. Keith gave us a sermon; very legal and to little purpose. In the afternoon I gave them my last discourse on Rom. i, 16.

Maryland

Monday, August 1. Rode thirty miles: 1 was almost spent; I ate a little, and was glad to get to bed.

Tuesday, 2. I felt better: the weather is very warm.

Wednesday, 3. I rode fifty miles: I felt weary, but better in health.

Thursday, 4. Reached Baltimore. Our friends here have bought a lot, and are building a new chapel thereon, seventy by forty-six feet: it is well fixed for entrances and light.5'

Sunday, 7. From preaching so frequently in the evenings, and consequent exposure to night air, I have suffered a relapse, and the inflammation of my throat has returned: to this was added a bilious lax; so that I was laid up at Mr. Gough's until Saturday, the 20th inst. During my stay, Mrs. Chamier has departed this life, and is gone, I trust, to Abraham's bosom. It has been a school of affliction to me; but I am thankful that in my sufferings, I had a skilful physician, and constant attendance from my

Virginia. In early life he lived with and conducted stores for Captain Michael Cresap (see notes under Journal entries for July 12, 1782; June 28, 1784), and in 1781 he married Cresap's widow. Asbury stayed often in his home, held a conference there in 1793, and ordained him on August 25, 1813. In 1826 Jacob wrote A Biographical Sketch of the Life of the Late Captain Michael Cresap, and a letter to Asbury in 1803 was printed in Letters to Bishop Asbury and Whatcoat, which was published early in the nineteenth century. (See Journal entries and notes for July 12, 1782; June 28, 1784; July 13, 1784; July 11, 1786; June 25, 1808; August 25, 1813; Stevens, op. cit., II, 136, 137; Cresap: The History of the Cresaps; Heads of Families, 1784.)

51 This was the first Light Street Chapel, which stood on the northwest corner of Light Street and Wine Alley, Baltimore. It was built to accommodate the congregations that had become too large for Lovely Lane Meeting House. (Roberts: Centenary Album of Methodism, 76; The Methodist Quarterly Review, July, 1856, 445.)

 

kind nurses, and I was in a house where prayer was wont to be made. I have been taught the necessity of walking more holily and humbly with God; to pray more fervently, and to preach more faithfully.

Sunday, 21. I was just able to perform the funeral rites of Mrs. Chamier. I preached to about one thousand people, and had a very serious time.

494 PENNSYLVANIA August23,1785

Pennsylvania

Tuesday, 23. I set off, very weak, for Philadelphia, and reached there on Thursday the 25th.

Sunday, 28. Preached a sacramental sermon on Rom. viii, 32. Our congregation was large in the evening, to whom I enlarged on Joshua xxiv, 19.

New York

Wednesday, 31. Reached New York; and preached the three following days, although weak in body, and languid in spirit.

Sunday, September 4. Notwithstanding I was very unwell, I preached thrice, read prayers twice, and held a love feast :52 my flesh went heavily along. Our society here has increased in number and grace; our congregations also grow larger. 1 feel deeper desires to be given up to God. My friends here have been liberal indeed in supplying my temporal needs ;53 may they be abundantly rewarded in spirituals!

New Jersey

Wednesday, 7. After preaching, this morning, I left the city: overstaying the hour, the stage left us, and we found ourselves under the necessity of walking six miles.54

I dined with Mr. Ogden, and preached in Elizabeth,55 in the unfinished church belonging to the Presbyterians.56

52 As a bishop Asbury probably administered the sacraments and used the Sunday Service sent over by John Wesley. See the Discipline and Prayer Book published in 1785. The preachers in New York at this time were Thomas Chew and John Hagerty, with Ezekiel Cooper, who had just been received on trial, assigned to Long Island and assisting occasionally at New York. (See Minutes.)

53 In addition to his entertainment Asbury was given four pounds. (John Street Church Records, I, for September 5, 1785.)

54 Asbury took the ferry to Paulus Hook (Jersey City) and evidently missed the stage, necessitating the walk of six miles to Elizabeth, New Jersey. Asbury's horse had been injured. (See Journal entry for August 15, 1786.) The bishop was accompanied by "Black Harry" Hosier, whose preaching was commented upon in the New York Packet on September 11, 1786, one of the first references to Methodist preaching in any New York newspaper. The John Street society had paid two pounds for Harry's travel expenses. (John Street Church Records, I, for these dates; Seaman, op. cit., 92 if.; see note under Journal entry for June 29, 1780.)

55 Methodism was introduced in Elizabeth, New Jersey, this year. It was on the Newark Circuit on which John Haggerty was stationed. One of the leaders was Elias Crane, who was converted by Uzal Ogden. He was a descendant of Stephen Crane, a founder of Elizabeth, and a relative of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1791 he

NEW JERSEY September9,1785 495

Friday, 9. Heard Mr. Woodhull57 preach a funeral discourse on "Lord, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth." In my judgment he spoke well.

Saturday, 10. I had liberty in preaching to the people at Monmouth,58 on Josh. xxiv, 17, and felt much for the souls present.

Saturday, 17. Quarterly meeting at Morris's River our house was not quite covered, and it was falling weather; the people, nevertheless, stayed to hear me preach; afterward brother Abbott and brother Simon Lucas 60 spoke to them.

Sunday, 18. We had a great time; the people spoke freely of the dealings of God with their souls.

Wednesday, 21. Rode to brother Fisler's. I received my wagon for forty-four pounds. Will it not bring me into trouble in travelling, and in getting horses

Saturday, 24. Preached at Salem and at Stow Creek,6' with some consolation: many attended, although it rained, and we had a comfortable time at sacrament. I plunged H. T. and S. M. in Salem Creek: this unusual baptismal ceremony might, perhaps, have made our congregation larger than it would otherwise have been. Lord, help me to keep on, under all my troubles of body and mind! From Salem we proceeded on thirty miles through a great storm; we were glad to stop at Gloucester, where we had

moved to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he became a class leader and local preacher and where he entertained Asbury, Coke, and Whatcoat. In 1813 he moved to Leesburg, where he opened his house for preaching and became instrumental in building a church house. He died on June 4, 1830. (Atkinson, op. cit., 318, 319.)

56 The First Presbyterian Church on Broad Street in Elizabeth was founded in 1664. Burned during the Revolution in 1780, it was at this time being rebuilt. (Historic Roadsides in New Jersey, 104.)

57 The Rev. Mr. Woodhull was the successor of William Tennent, Jr., at the First Presbyterian or Old Tennent Church. (See note under Journal entry for September

14, 1782.)

58 Monmouth or Freehold was three miles from the Tennent church. Asbury probably preached in the courthouse. However, a society must have been formed there about 1780. In that year Job Throckmorton was converted there by the Rev. Richard Garrettson. (Atkinson, op. cit., 345.)

59 The church on Morris, or Maurice, River was doubtless at Mauricetown in Cumberland County, although Atkinson (op. cit., 344) thought it was at Port Elizabeth. Here lived the Fisler family from which came the Rev. Benjamin Fisler. Asbury returned here a year later. (Gordon, op. cit., 175; Lednum, op. cit., 295; Atkinson, op. cit., 344.)

60 Benjamin Abbott was one of the most noted preachers of New Jersey. Lucas had been a captain in the Revolution, after which he became a local preacher. According to tradition he was converted by the Rev. John Brainerd and for more than twenty years preached in the old Brainerd Free Church. (Heston: South Jersey, a History, II, 762; Lednum, op. cit., 295-96.)

61 Stow Creek flows through Salem and Cumberland Counties to Delaware Bay. A township bears the same name. There does not seem to have been a church there. (Gordon, op. cit., 244.)

496 PENNSYLVANIA September26,1785

a room to ourselves, enjoying our Christian privileges, and were comfortable.

Pennsylvania

Next morning we came on to Cooper's ferry,62 and although the wind blew violently in the morning, when we came to the ferry all was calm. We breakfasted in Philadelphia early enough for church.

Monday, 26. Set out for the south; and arrived at Chester. Next day preached at Matson's;63 arriving at Wilmington, I preached there on James i, 27.

Delaware

Friday, 30. At Blackiston's chapel. I felt the necessity of watching against the spirit of politics, and of being more in the spirit of prayer: the people's minds are agitated with the approaching election of delegates to the assembly.

October 1. Came to Dover. I had the court house full of people, but I was not in possession of liberty of mind or strength of body to preach. The election is not yet over.

Monday, 3. We had a gracious season at the sacrament at Purdin's. That evening I rode to brother White's, and was closely occupied with temporals.

Maryland

Saturday, 8. We had an open time, and the souls of the people were stirred up at Angiers; the Lord was also with us at Worton chapel in the afternoon.

Sunday, 9. I preached at Kent Old Chapel, on, "Ye have said it is vain to serve God :"-in the afternoon and at night in Chestertown. I always have an enlargement in preaching in this very wicked place: the people to-day were very serious and attentive.

62 Cooper's ferry was between Camden, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, across the Delaware River.

63 Aaron Matson lived at West Branch near Rockdale, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. His father, Morris Matson, had opened the house to preaching a few years after Captain Webb preached in the Marcus Hook area. Mount Chapel was built there in 1797. It is now Mount Hope. Hailman (Garden of Methodism, 116) says that Matson lived north of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and that the present Mount Pleasant Church was formerly called Matson's Chapel.

MARYLAND October 10, 1785 497

Monday, 10. Came to Brown's Chapel; there was a spirit of life among the people, and my own soul felt comfortably. Some of our principal members here are men who have not been successful; had they prospered in their pursuits, perhaps they never would have sought the Lord: being now in possession of religion, there is the less of danger in prosperity; I therefore counselled them to go to the western country, where the means of rearing a family, and advancing in the world, were more within the reach of the inhabitants.

October 24. Set off from brother White's, for Dorset circuit. I preached at brother William Frazier's64 in the evening. After visiting the societies in this quarter, I came on Saturday to Caroline quarterly meeting, at the widow Haskins's; here we had a gracious season.

Rode to Dover quarterly meeting. Our brethren preached and exhorted, and I administered the sacrament.

Wednesday, November 2. I preached on Caleb's following the Lord fully. I left Dover, and felt some pain in parting with my friends.

Saturday, 5. I crossed the Chesapeake, and found some difficulty in getting my wagon over: I missed my appointment at the college, and came late to Mr. Gough's.

Sunday, 6. Came away early, and arriving in Baltimore, preached at noon, on Heb. xi, 2-8; and at night, on Caleb's fully following the Lord. I found the means of conveyance by my carriage, or Jersey wagon, would not do.

Tuesday, 8. I preached at Annapolis to a multitude of people, part of whom were serious.

Wednesday, 9. 1 was under considerable exercise of mind about my carriage; I at length resolved to decline travelling in it, and buying a second-hand sulky, left it to be sold. I now travelled light and easy, and came to Childs's church.65

Being disappointed in crossing at Holland's Point,66 I shaped my course for Alexandria. I preached on the Sabbath evening on my way, to an attentive congregation, and reached town on Monday, 14.

64 Captain William Frazier, a wealthy and influential convert to Methodism, lived near Preston, Caroline County, Maryland. From his family Frazier's Chapel, second Methodist meetinghouse in Caroline County, took its name. In the churchyard of Bethesda Methodist Church is a memorial to Captain Frazier, which in 1953 was one of the four historical markers in Caroline County. (Lednum, op. cit., 265; Hallman, op. cit., 112, 282, 288; Federalsburg, an Historical Souvenir.)

65 This is the first mention of a church named for the family of Gabriel D. Childs. In 1781 Nelson Reed, when on the Calvert Circuit, discussed the prospects of erecting a church. (Manuscript Journal of Nelson Reed, June 11, 1781.)

6 Holland's Point on the east side of the Patuxent River opposite Benedict in Charles County derived its name from the custom of travelers wishing to cross "hollering" for the ferryman. William Colbert while on the Calvert Circuit refers to the "Hollowing Point Meeting House." This was replaced by Asbury Church at Barstow, one-half mile from the original site. (See Journal of William Colbert, March 14, 1790.)

498 ViRGINIA November 15, 1785

Virginia

Tuesday, 15. I dined with Dr. Samuel Smith and Mr. M'Kendree, at General Roberdeau's.67 Our conversation turned upon slavery; the difficulties attending emancipation, and the resentment some of the members of the Virginia legislature expressed against those who favoured a general abolition. I preached in the court house. I took cold by coming out into the open air whilst in a profuse perspiration; and this I seldom fail to do, if I preach to a large congregation in a close, warm place. In the afternoon I set out, and spent the evening with brother Foster,68 at Mr. V-'s: it rained, and the house was like a sieve-they could not even keep the beds from the wet.

Thursday, 17. The morning was very damp, and I imprudently set out an hour before day; I thus increased the cold I had caught in Alexandria, and brought on a regular attack of my old complaint-an inflammation in the throat. The day was very cold, and we suffered much: we stopped at a very indifferent house, where there were no beds fit for use, and no candles: we had to wait about two hours for some boiled milk. My fever and inflammation increasing, I rode on thirty-three miles, to Collins's, in Caroline county, where I became indisposed indeed.

Saturday, 19. I could not think it safe to stop here; I went on, passing by Hanover court house, Hanover and Newcastle towns,69 anxious to get into a good lodging and amongst kind people. I called at one tolerable house; plain people they were, but ill as I was I could not stay here. Journeying on, I came to a petty ordinary, where the host recommended me to a widow Chamberlayne, who, he thought, would receive me and use me well: it was growing late, and it was cold; and it was still five miles to her house; on, however, I went; the Lord opened the heart of this widow, and she kindly received me under her roof: I found her to be a motherly woman, and to have some skill in my complaint. I was doubtful whether it were best to bleed or blister; my throat inflamed and ulcerated. In this situation I continued with little amendment, until on Wednesday morning the 23d, one ulcer broke; and on Thursday the other. I was now

67 General Roberdeau introduced Asbury and Coke to General Washington. (See Lednum, op. cit., 419.)

68 This evidently was Thomas Foster, presiding elder of the district which included Redstone, Allegheny, Berkeley, Fairfax, St. Mary's, Lancaster, and Calvert. The districts were not named in the Minutes at that time. (See Minutes, 1785.)

69 These two towns were flourishing ports on the Pamunkey River. The former was known first as Page's Warehouse, being about fifteen miles from the present bridge on the Tappahannock Highway, and New Castle Town was a short distance below it. Both are now abandoned. As late as 1830 New Castle was an important shipping point for tobacco. In the debates which preceded the removal of the Virginia capitol from Williamsburg to Richmond, Hanover Town came within a few votes of being made the capitol of the state. (Gwathmey, op. cit., 86-88.)

VIRGINIA November 25, 1785 499

in a fair way for recovery; but having taken cold by frequent bathing my feet, a violent pain and swelling settled in the joint of my great toe, to which I applied a bath and poultice of bitter herbs. My spirits have not failed. I find myself humbled before the Lord; and hope that this affliction will be for his glory and my good.

Friday, 25. This day I rode to James City.

Sunday, 27. I went to Chickahominy church, where conditional notice bad been given for brother Reed: I preached on Acts vi, 31, and spent the evening at Mr. Welden's. My foot continuing in such a state as to prevent my going to my appointments, I was led to reflect on this dark providence.

Unwilling to be idle, I wrote to the preachers to do what they could in collecting money to carry on the building of our college. For some time past, I had not been quite satisfied with the order and arrangement of our form of discipline; and persuaded that it might be improved without difficulty, we accordingly set about it, and during my confinement in James City completed the work, arranging the subject-matter thereof under their proper heads, divisions, and sections.

December 4, 5. I felt somewhat better, and had a great desire to go on my way. We set out and came to the James River; after long waiting we got over, but with difficulty-the high wind meeting the tide, made so rough a sea that the water came with great violence into the boat, as we beat out of the creek's mouth to get into the river: thus exposed, I took cold, which brought on a slight inflammation, and next day increased, and produced a fever.

North Carolina

Saturday, 17. Having proceeded on, I arrived at brother Reddrick's, in Gates's county, North Carolina, where I spoke a little.

Sunday, 18. I had more hearers at Winton70 than I expected; they were attentive to what I said on Joshua xxiv, 19.

At Wicocon the glory is departed. A few Baptist women stood at a distance and wept, whilst I administered the sacrament: they dared not come to the table, lest they should be discovered by their own people.

On Thursday last we made an attempt to cross the Roanoke at Cashie71 but could not get a flat; we then made for Oliver's ferry, and having no knowledge of the way, I waded through Rock West twice, and wet my books. The river was rising rapidly, and we had still six miles to Long Ferry: I was very unwell, and my spirits greatly sunk. After getting over, our difficulties did not cease; we had to wade several deep and dangerous

70 Winton is across Chowan River in Hertford County, North Carolina.

71 The Cashie River flows into the Roanoke. The present crossing is at Windsor in Bertie County, North Carolina.

500 NORTH CAROLINA December2l,1785

swamps: we, at length, by kind Providence, were brought safely to brother Currell's, where we met brother Morris.72 The two following days we went on in the same manner, both horses and riders sometimes in danger as they worried through the swampy wilds.

A solitary day this !-plenty of water, if nothing else. We employed a black man to ride our horses, and we took to a canoe; being remounted, and journeying on, we came to a stream that was impassable-we found ourselves under the necessity of going round by Martinsburg, and thus got into the road, and now pushed forward with spirit, until we came to Swift's Creek;73 here the causeway was overflown, and the logs most of them afloat; my horse fell, but I was preserved by his securing a fore-foot hold on the timber after falling: thus we toiled over our swampy routes and crazy bridges, till seven o'clock; and about that time arrived at Neuse Ferry, having ridden about forty tedious miles.

Came to Newbern.74 Found brothers Allen and Baldwin75 in the church; I preached at three o'clock, on, "The world by wisdom knew not God." The assembly was in session, and some of the members were friendly.76

Wednesday, 21. Sailed down to Beaufort, and preached in the church :77 the people are kind, but have very litthe religion. On the same evening I pushed down to the Straits,78 and the next day preached at the Straits chapel; thence I returned to town, and preached again; after which we sailed back to Colonel Bell's,79 whence we first started.

72 Edward Morris was one of the preachers on the Roanoke Circuit which extended into this section of North Carolina. (See Minutes.)

73 Asbury probably reached Swift's Creek in Pitt County. Since entering North Carolina he had proceeded through the present Gates, Hertford, Bertie, and Edgecomb counties. This whole section was a "swampy route" traversed by the Roanoke, Tar, Neuse, and Pamlico rivers, Swift and Fishing creeks, and other streams.

74 New Bern in Craven County was laid out by Baron Christoph von Graffenried shortly after 1710 and named for the capitol of his native Switzerland. Here was established in 1762 the first school authorized by legislative enactment in North Carolina. Pilmoor preached in New Bern at Christmas in 1772 and stayed with William Wood there. Methodism flourished in the town during the early period, and Asbury frequently visited it. (Account of the Founding of New Bern; Grissom, op. cit., 7, 37, 169, 320.)

75 John Baldwin was serving the Wilmington Circuit. Beverly Allen had been on that circuit the previous year and had remained in North Carolina in 1785 even though he had been appointed to Georgia. (See Minutes; Betts: South Carolina Methodism, 55.)

76 New Bern at this time was the capitol of North Carolina.

77 The church at Beaufort was an Anglican church which was used by preachers of various denominations and also for school purposes. (Grissom, op. cit., 149.)

78 The Straits was a mainland conmmunity fourteen miles by land from Beaufort, bordering the straits of Core Sound. The Straits Chapel was Tabernacle Church, an Anglican meetinghouse.

79 Colonel and Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Bell's sister were the first Methodists in the New Bern area, and Bell's Chapel was one of the first meetinghouses for Methodists. Colonel Bell's two sons, Caleb and Jacob, became Methodist preachers. (Grissom, op. cit., 150.)

NORTH CAROLINA December24,1785 501

Saturday and Sunday, 24, 25. We held quarterly meeting at Swansboro; many people-little religion.

We came to Ford's ferry on Drowning creek.8 The waters had risen, and extended far outwards from the banks of the stream; here we were brought to a full stop: providentially, we found a man there who was waiting for his brother to fetch him over; the brother came, and we ahi crossed over together; not, however, without danger-bushes would strike the horses, and their capering about had well-nigh overset the boat.

80 Drowning Creek rises in Moore County and flows through Scotland and Robeson counties. East of Robeson it is known as Lumber River. Asbury probably crossed in Robeson County.