Chapter 16

Virginia

January 1, 1787. Preached at brother Moss's 1 on 2 Chronicles xv, 12, 13, on the people's entering into covenant with God.

Tuesday, 2. We rode near fifty miles on our way to Westmoreland; next day, by hard riding, we came to Pope's, in Westmoreland; but I have not been more weary many times in my life.

Saturday and Sunday. Attended the quarterly meeting in the Northern Neck: there were many simple and loving testimonies delivered in the love feast.

Thursday, 11. Rode through the snow to Fairfield.2 Here a Captain R. had turned the people out of the barn in which worship was held, and threatened to take brother Paup to jail if he did not show his authority for preaching; after all this vapouring of the valiant Captain, when the affair was brought before the court, Captain R- found it convenient to ask pardon of our brother, although he sat upon the bench in his own cause:- so the matter ended. The Lord is at work in the Neck: more than one hundred have been added to the society since conference, who are a simple, loving, tender people.

We had a good time on Friday, the 12th; I spoke on Acts xxvi, 18. 1 think God has spoken by me to S-s, a wild man-but the Lord can tame him. 0 Lord, speak for thyself!

1 John Moss lived in Fairfax County, Virginia. (Heads of Families, 17.)

2 Fairfield was in Northumberland County, near Heathsville. Asbury was passing down the Northern Neck of Virginia. (Butts: From Saddle to City by Buggy, Boat, and Railway, 52.)

532 VIRGINIA Januaryl4,1787

Sunday, 14. We had a crowd at the Presbyterian meeting house in Lancaster, to whom I delivered a very rough discourse: it was a close and searching time, and we had many communicants, both white and coloured.

Tuesday, 16. Preached at the church on the love of Christ. I find it hard to the flesh to ride fifteen or twenty miles every day, and perform the duties of my station; especially when indisposed and suffering therefrom the bodily pain incident thereto. Lord, give me patience! I feel uncommon affection for the people here.

Wednesday, 17. I had a crowd of careless sinners at Mrs. Agatha Ball's, who is a famous heroine for Christ. A lady came by craft and took her from her own house, and with tears, threats, and entreaties, urged her to desist from receiving the preachers, and Methodist preaching; but all in vain. She had felt the sting of death some years before, and was a most disconsolate soul; having now found the way, she would not depart therefrom.

Thursday, 18. Rode ten miles to the ferry; but being unable to cross, I returned to Mrs. Ball's: next morning I came away before day, and reached Shackelford's.

Saturday, 20. Preached at Douglas's3-very low in body and spirit.

Sunday and Monday, 21, 22. Cold times in religion in this circuit, (Gloucester), compared with the great times we have had in Lancaster.

Tuesday, 23. Came off early, and preached in Yorktown to some well-behaved women. Dined with Mr. Mitchell, and went on to dear brother Weldon's,4 whose heart and hands were open.

Wednesday, 24. According to appointment, I attended at Williamsburg. I had about five from the country, and about fifteen hearers from the town, besides a few blacks and children. I spoke with freedom on, "They made light of it." I returned through the rain, but hope to receive no harm.

"He guards our souls, he keeps our breath,

Where thickest dangers come;

Go, and return; secure from death,

Till God commands thee home."

Friday, 26. We waited four hours in the rain before we could cross the ferry at old Jamestown; it was two hours after night when we came to brother Mooring's.5

Tuesday, 30. We held a quarterly meeting at Craney Island; the weather prevented many from attending. I was blessed in the company of the preachers.

2 Douglas lived in Gloucester County. Asbury had passed through Lancaster, stopping at Ball's, and at Shackelford's, King and Queen County.

4Weldon lived in James City County.

Mooring lived in Surry County. Out of this family came Christopher S. Mooring, the Methodist preacher. (Heads of Families, 43.)

VIRGINIA January3l,1787 533

Wednesday, 31. I enlarged on, "What shall the end be of them who obey not the Gospel of God" I observed to them that the Gospel bad once been taken away from them; and that they ought to lay it seriously to heart, lest it should be the case again. We had some quickening in the sacrament and at the love feast. Thence I went through Portsmouth, and preached on, "Ye are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

Saturday, February 3. Visited my old friend Fullford:6 he is feeble in body, and not much at ease in his worldly possessions, yet happy in God.

Brother Poythress7 frightened me with the idea of the Great Swamp, the east end of the Dismal; but I could not consent to ride sixty miles round; so we ventured through, and neither we nor our horses received any injury. Praise the Lord! Our passing unharmed through such dangers and unhealthy weather, feelingly assures me that I am kept by the immediate interposition of His providence. I preached in the new chapel. I hope not in vain. I am now surrounded with waters and hideous swamps, near the head of the Pasquotank River.

North Carolina

Thursday, 8. Came on, wet and unwell, to Proby's.

Went on to Nixonton,8 where I had many to hear, and was blessed in my own soul, and, I think, spoke to the cases of some of my audience.

Friday, 9. I had a long ride of nearly fifty miles to Gates county. We stopped at one Newby's, one of the Society of Friends, who entertained us kindly. We reached sister Gipson's,9 cold and weary The poor flesh complains, but my soul enjoys peace and sweetness.

Sunday, 11. We had a large congregation and an open time at Knotty Pine chapel. Here we have a little revival.

Tuesday, 13. I had about sixty people at Wicocon: I spoke as I felt, on Jer xiii, 11. I mourned over the people and left them.

I came to Hardy's, where I spoke with some light on Matt xxii, 5. 1 unhappily ran a splinter into my leg, which has alarmed me.

8 Fullford lived in Norfolk County. (Ibid., 95.)

Francis Poythress was presiding elder on the district, which included Brunswick, Sussex, and Amelia counties.

8 Nixonton was on Little River in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Asbury had entered the state through Camden County and proceeded southward along the general course pursued by him in 1784.

In a letter to Asbury written from Knotty Pine Chapel in Gates County, North

Carolina, on March 17, 1799, Mrs. I. (or J.) Baker, wife of a preacher, mentioned Ann

Gipson among those who had died in the community. "Ann Gipson, converted from

the height of pride and vanity to a humble lover of God and man; full of good works."

(Moore: Pioneers of Methodism in North Carolina and Virginia, 35; also Letters.)

534 NORTH CAROLINA February22,1787

1 found we bad to go twelve miles by water, and send the horses another way. 0 what a world of swamps, and rivers, and islands, we live in here! I met brother B- and A-; two devoted young men; the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Virginia. At the desire of several of the brethren I preached at Washington,10 where many collected in the court house, whom I addressed on my favourite text, 1 Tim. i, 15. Three miles on the water, and riding three more on roads under the water (such is the inundated state of the country), made our jaunt unpleasant.

Thursday, 22. We set off for Newbern. Stopped at Kemp's Ferry, kept by Curtis, where we were kindly entertained gratis. I feel heaviness through labour and temptation, yet I am given up to God.

Friday, 23.1 arrived at Newbern. I felt the power of death as I journeyed along. We rode round the town, and could get no certain information about preaching, brother Cole" being absent. We were at last taken in at Mr. Lathrop's. The place and people were in such a state, that I judged, by my own feelings, it would be as well to leave them just as I found them

-and so I did.

Tuesday, 27. It was rather a dry time at the love feast and sacrament. There was some life and melting while I enforced, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth." We then rode to H-'s on Island Creek. I went alone into the woods, and had sweet converse with God. At night we were poorly provided against the weather; the house was unfinished; and, to make matters worse, a horse kicked the door open, and I took a cold, and had the toothache, with a high fever.

Thursday, March 1. I had more hearers, and they were more attentive than I expected: I trust it was a profitable time. Rode to brother Johnson's

-without the labour of slaves he manages to have abundance for man and beast.

Tuesday, 6. My horse is stiff, and almost foundered, and there is an appearance of a swelling on his head. I have always had hard struggles to get to Charleston. Lord, give me patience, and bear me up!

Wednesday, 7. Crossed the main fork of Black River, and came through a wild country to Colonel R-'s: the colonel's wife is a tender, devoted woman.

Thursday and Friday, 8, 9. Directed our course to the south: crossed

10 There were Methodists in Washington, Beaufort County, as early as 1784. it was taken into the Pamlico Circuit in 1789. The first meetinghouse was built in 1789, largely by Ralph Potts, an Englishman who is regarded as the father of Methodism in Washington. It was on the east side of Market Street near the courthouse. Asbury visited the community in 1801 and 1802. (Grissom, op. cit., 150, 152.)

11 Lee Roy Cole (1749-1830) was the elder over the circuits which included Newbern.

He was licensed to preach by George Shadford and went to North Carolina in 1777.

He was ordained at the Christmas Conference. For some reason he was suspended in

1785 but was readmitted the following year. (See note under December 20, 1786;

Grissom cit. )

SOUTH CAROLINA March 11, 1787 535

Cape Fear, and reached Drowning Creek. Rested a day at W-- 's a

kind people, but without religion.

South Carolina

Sunday, 11. Preached at Robinson's new court house." Rode in the evening to M-'s. Crossed Little Pedee; stopped at Smith's,13 ate a morsel, and came on to Buck Swamp.'4

Thursday, 15. Preached at the new church at Sweet's'5: here 1 heard that Doctor Coke was in Charleston. Proceeded thence to the widow Port's, where I had much ado to prevail on brother Hull to stay.'6

We rode nearly fifty miles to get to Georgetown. Here the scene was greatlychanged-almost the whole town came together to hear the word of the Lord.

We arrived at Charleston, and met Dr. Coke. Here we have already a spacious house prepared for us,'7 and the congregations are crowded and solemn.

Sunday, 25. I enlarged on, "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house

12 The new courthouse was the present Lumberton in Robeson County, North Carolina.

13 The Rev. Moses Smith, a local preacher, lived near the present Mullins, South Carolina. Macedonia Church at Mullins is the successor of the society formed by him.

14 Asbury entered South Carolina on this trip through the present Dillon (then

Marion) County and crossed the Little Pee Dee River east of the present town of Dillon.

The map of 1823 shows three bridges over the river in the general area of the present

Dillon-Marion County line. Buck Swamp was in the upper part of Marion County

immediately west of the Little Pee Dee, extending from near the community called

Springville to the river near its junction with the present Lumber River, then known as

Drowning Creek. He went southward by way of the present Dillon, Latta, Marion, and

Centenary to Britton's Neck. (Sec note under January 4, 1786.)

15 Sweet's church was fifteen miles south of Marion. It became Bare Pond Church and is now Soule's Chapel, located on the original site.

16 Asbury crossed the Great Pee Dee River at Port's (Porter's) Ferry. The "Widow Port" may have been the widow of the man who established the ferry. He then followed his previous route over Lynch's Creek, Black Mingo, and Black River to Georgetown. (See notes under February 23, 1785; January 4, 1786.) Hope Hull, later to be the father of Methodism in Georgia, was then on the Pee Dee Circuit with Jeremiah Mastin.

"From Georgetown he went along the route of his first tour in 1785 to Charleston. The "spacious house," just completed, was the Cumberland Street Church, then known as the "blue meeting house" to distinguish it from the "white meeting house" or Circular Congregational Church. This first Methodist meetinghouse in Charleston was a plain wooden structure sixty by forty feet in size, with galleries for Negroes, and cost one thousand pounds in addition to the three hundred pounds paid for the lot on Cumberland Street. The Cumberland Street Church was only a block from St. Phillip's Episcopal Church and a block from the Independent or Circular Congregational Church. (Shipp: Methodism in South Carolina, 164, 169; Betts: History of South Carolina Methodism, 60.)

536 SOUTH CAROLINA March 27, 1787

of God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness"; at night again on Isaiah xlv, 22. We held our conference'8 in this city.

Tuesday, 27. We exchanged sentiments on matters freely.

Wednesday, 28. The Doctor treated on the qualifications and duties of a deacon.

Thursday, 29. Our conference ended.19

Friday, 30. I left the city, and rode thirty miles, although my horse had been injured by over-feeding. Next day I rode forty miles through the rain, and begged a lodging with Doctor W.

Sunday, April 1. We came to Santee Ferry, and there was such an overflowing of water in our route that we had to swim upon our horses several times: my horse performed so well that I was not wet much higher than my knees: that day we rode thirty miles, and the next day fifty miles, and came to Moore's.20 Here we met with brother R. Swift, who had been near death, but then was recovering: we advised him to go with us for his life. The people here begin to feel, and yield to the power of truth.

Wednesday, 4. At Camden I preached on, "They made light of it":

thence we rode on to quarterly meeting, where I met with a multitude of people who were desperately wicked-but God hath wrought among them: we had little rest by day or night.

Friday, 6. Rode forty miles to preaching at Jackson's; and then to brother Pace's.21

North Carolina

Saturday and Sunday, 7, 8. Attended Anson quarterly meeting, in North Carolina: the Doctor preached on, The love of Christ, and I on, "The grace of God that bringeth salvation"; sacrament followed.

From Saturday to Saturday. I have ridden about three hundred miles,

See letter to Richard Whatcoat, March 25, 1787.

"This four-day conference was the first ever held in South Carolina. Jesse Lee (History of the Methodists, 128) says that in this year Asbury prepared a new form of the minutes which stated that one of the duties of the conference was the "electing and ordaining of Bishops, Elders and Deacons." "This was the first time that our Superintendents ever gave themselves the title of Bishops in the minutes. They changed the title themselves without the consent of the conference." At the next conference a majority of the preachers agreed to let the word remain, and in the minutes of 1788 Asbury and Coke were called bishops.

20 Captain Moore lived near Wedgefield. Asbury followed the route taken in 1786, going seventy miles northwest on the old State Road which approximates the present U.S. Highway 176. A little east of Orangeburg he turned more directly north, crossed the Santee River at the ferry near the present Lone Star at the northern end of Lake Marion, and proceeded along the east bank of the Wateree River to Camden.

"From Camden the bishop went along a route now traversed by U.S. Highway 601 through the present Kershaw and a little north of Pageland crossed into Anson County, North Carolina.

NORTH CAROLINA AprillO,1787 537

and have preached only about half the time. 0 may the Lord seal and water his own word, that all this toil of man and beast be not in vain!

Tuesday, 10. The Doctor and myself preached to a few simple people at W.'s, I hope not in vain. At our next meeting we had many hearers. We have scarcely time to eat or sleep.

Thursday, 12. I preached at Salisbury. Afterward rode to Huggins's, where we had many hearers, and a melting among the people.

Good Friday, 13. I was much led out at Caton's. Thence to M'Knight's chapel," where we found a living people.

Saturday, 14. We hasted to C-y church, where we had many people:

after riding twenty-two miles, we had another meeting about six o'clock; and about midnight got to bed.

Sunday, 15. Rose about six o'clock, and went to Newman's church,23 where the Doctor and myself both preached: the people were rather wild, and we were unwell. I came to Arnat's about eight o'clock, having ridden forty miles: the Doctor went by Dick's ferry, and did not get in until near midnight.

Virginia

Monday, 16. Rode to Jeremiah White's,24 and on Tuesday, about fifty miles to Page Mann's, in Charlotte county, Virginia.

Wednesday, 18. Rode to Rough Creek.25 On Thursday, the 19th, our conference began at William White's.26 We had much preaching, morning, noon, and night, and some souls were converted to God.

Saturday, 21. 1 gave them a discourse on Jer. iii, 15: "And I will give you pastors according to my heart."

Sunday, 22. Doctor (Coke) spoke on the qualifications of a deacon; and I gave them a charge. Some said there were three thousand people to hear: it was a solemn, weighty time.

22 McKnight's Chapel, named for George McKnight, was in Yadkin, now Forsyth County, North Carolina, near Clemmonsville, now Clemmons. Conferences were held here in 1789, 1790, and 1791. McKnight's home was one of the earliest preaching places for the Methodists. An inscription on his tombstone in the cemetery of Sharon Church near Lewisville reads: "The memory of George McKnight Senu [Senior] born July 8, 1765. Departed this life March 22, 1847. He livd 81 years 8 mont and 14 days. In youth he joind the Methad [Methodists] then maryed got sotfkt [sophisticated] joind the Morafens [Moravians] then moved to Stoks had preaching in his oan house." (Grissom, op. cit., 95, 126 if. Inscription furnished by G. R. Stafford of Lewisville.)

23Newman's Church was in Rockingham County, North Carolina.

24 Jeremiah White lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. (Heads of Families, 42.)

25See letter to an unnamed person, April, 1787.

26 William White lived in Charlotte County, Virginia, and there was a Rough Creek Church in the same county.

538 VIRGINIA April23,)787

Monday, 23. We called at Hampden and Sydney college,'7 in Prince

Edward: the outside has an unwieldy, uncommon appearance, for a seminary of learning; what the inside is, I know not. The president, Mr.

I. Smith, is a discreet man, who conducts himself well. About half past eleven o'clock we reached John Finney's, in Amelia, having ridden about sixty miles. I want to live more constantly in the spirit of prayer.

Wednesday, 25. Preached at I. Anderson's,28 and then rode to Manchester,29 where I preached again. The Doctor preached in Richmond.

Thursday, 26. Went onwards to the north. We have made it a point to pray in the families where we lodge, whether public or private; and generally where we stop for refreshment.

Saturday, 28. At night the Doctor preached in Alexandria; and again on the Sabbath morning, to many hearers.

Maryland

We were kindly entertained on Sunday night at Shadrach Turner's," near Bladensburg, Maryland, and on Monday reached Baltimore about noon.

We had some warm and close debates8' in conference; but all ended in love and peace. After much fatigue and trouble, our conference ended on Monday, the seventh of May. We went forward to Perry Hall. Thence we went to Cokesbury; drew a deed for the conveyance of the property of the college, and settled our temporal matters there.

27 Hampden Sydney College is one of the oldest Presbyterian colleges in America.

"Probably Anderson's in Chesterfield County. (See Journal entry for April 16, 1804.)

29 Manchester, now South Richmond, first appeared as an appointment in 1793 under the name "Richmond and Manchester." In the same year the appointment dropped out of the Minutes, and the churches in Richmond and Manchester were evidently put on a circuit. However, out of this movement grew Manchester Methodism and Central Church, the mother church.

30 Bishop Asbury had held the Frederick Circuit quarterly meeting at the home of

Shadrach Turner near Bladensburg, Maryland, ten years previoulsy. Even earlier it had

been a Methodist preaching place. (Journal of Thomas Rankin, June 30, 1775; May 6

and August 14, 1776.)

31 The "warm and close debates" were occasioned by Bishop Coke, acting under instruction from Wesley, changing the conference from Abingdon, Maryland, July 24, as set by the previous conference, to Baltimore, May 1, and by Wesley's further instruction that Richard Whatcoat and Freeborn Garrettson be appointed superintendents with Asbury. The protest against absentee superintendency resulted in Dr. Coke signing a certificate to the conference never "to exercise any government whatever in said Methodist Church during my absence from the United States." The conference refused to elect Whatcoat and struck the name of Wesley from the list of superintendents, later restoring it. (See Minutes of the General Conference, 1787; Ware, op. cIt., 129; Lee:

A Short History of the Methodists, 124, 125; Lee: Life and Times of the Rev. Jesse Lee, 188-97.)

MARYLAND May9,1787 539 Wednesday, May 9. Many attended at Elkton, and we were received by

the Rudolph family32 with great respect.

Pennsylvania-New Jersey

Thursday, 10. We attended at Wilmington (Delaware) at noon; and at Chester at night.

Friday, 11. We reached Philadelphia, where the Doctor" preached that and the following evening. We spent the Sabbath in the city, and on Monday came to Trenton, where we found a lifeless people.

Tuesday, 15. The Doctor preached with life in the Episcopal church at Elizabethtown (New Jersey), and we had a good time.

New York

Wednesday, 16. Arrived in New York and rested. On Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, the Doctor preached34 with great energy and acceptance.

Tuesday, 22. After long silence,35 I preached on, "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest."

Rode twenty miles on Long Island, to Hempstead Harbour,36 and preached with some liberty in the evening. I am now out of the city, and have time to reflect: my soul turns to its rest, and to its labour for souls, in which I can live more by rule.

32 This family lived in the residence built by Tobias Rudolph in 1768. It stood three doors east of the courthouse in Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland. The Rudolphs were Episcopalians and hospitable to Methodist itinerants. (Johnson, History of Cecil County, Maryland, 447.)

33 Asbury was accompanied by Thomas Coke and "Black Harry" Hosier and perhaps by other preachers who were appointed to their posts by the Baltimore Conference. The John Street Records show that the church paid a part of "Black Harry's" travel expense.

34 Coke had come to New York to sail for England. No ship was available, and he returned to Philadelphia on the following Tuesday and sailed for Dublin on the twentyseventh. According to the Records, the congregation at John Street gave him more than nineteen pounds for his expenses. (Coke, Journal, ad. loc.; Seaman, op. cit., 95~97.)

35 Asbury's "long silence" indicates that Coke must have done all the preaching during his stay in New York.

"The trip to Hempstead Harbor, the present Roslyn, was probably made on Wednesday, May 23. Peter Moriarty had been appointed to the Long Island Circuit, where Thomas Ware during the previous year had developed the work started by Ezekiel Cooper in 1785.

540 NEW YORK May 24, 1787

Thursday, 24. I rose very sick-felt solemn and devoted to God. I preached in a paper mill37 on, "If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God."

I preached at Mosquito Cove,38 where many attended notwithstanding the rain: there was a power went with the word.

Saturday, 26. Rode to -: our friends had procured the Presbyterian church39 for me. I felt a spirit of life on these words, "Be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." I called to see my old friend and assistant, James Glassbrook,40 who was the first preacher I travelled with upon a regular appointment in England. He is now a Presbyterian minister; much changed in his outward man, but I believe his sentiments are much the same as when I first knew him. The Lord be with and bless him!

Sunday, 27. I came to Harper's, where we have a little new house, and about thirty members :41 I hope, and expect, in a few years, to see a circuit of six weeks formed here, and four or five hundred members in society. The people on this island, who hear the Gospel, are generally poor, and these are the kind I want, and expect to get. I have had great assistance and freedom in speaking.

Monday, 28. Came to New York. Preached at night on, "They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, and they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." I found it necessary to stop brother

37 The paper mill, where Asbury had probably preached also on the previous day, was a large building frequently used for meetings. It was near a small lake in what is now Roslyn Park. The original foundations still exist. The American Legion building now occupies the spot and has a replica of the old mill wheel.

38 This paragraph should probably be dated Friday the twenty-fifth. Mosquito Cove, the present Glen Cove, was about four miles from Hempstead Harbor or Roslyn. It was the birthplace of Nicholas Snethen, who later traveled with the bishop and was known as "Asbury's Silver Trumpet." (Seaman, op. cit., 149; Warriner: Old Sands Street Church, 493.)

39Asbury's preaching place was probably Hempstead, where the Presbyterians had a good church.

40 Asbury had been appointed to assist Glassbrook on the Bedfordshire Circuit when Asbury was admitted on trial at the English Conference of 1767. Glassbrook was received by the New York Presbytery in 1786, but there is no record of a pastorate until 1788 and 1789, when the Minutes of the Philadelphia Presbytery mention him in connection with congregations at Pettigrew and Fairfield. He may have been the Mr. G. mentioned by Asbury on July 4, 1794.

41This church was at Newtown, where Captain Thomas Webb began preaching in

1768 at the home of James Harper (1742-1819), and the class was related to the New York society. Joseph Harper, son of James, had four sons who were outstanding Methodists and founders of the publishing house of Harper Brothers. The chapel was at the intersection of Dry Harbor and Juniper Swamp roads. In 1836 a larger church was erected on land secured from Joseph Harbor. It is now the Middle Village Methodist Church, second oldest in the New York area. (Records of Middle Village Methodist Church and 185th anniversary brochure.)

NEW YORK May29,1787 541

Hickson from going to Nova Scotia: brother Cromwell is married, and I expect brother Jessop will go alone.42

Tuesday, 29. I delivered a close and awful discourse on, "They shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob," &c. 1. A Scriptural view of the kingdom of heaven. 2. The subjects or citizens thereof. 3. Sit down with Abraham, famous for faith; Isaac, for justice, truth, meditation, and walking with God; and Jacob, mighty in prayer. I was in prayer until near midnight. 0 Lord, make me all life and love, patience and resignation under the troubles of the Church, and disappointment of its ministers.

Sunday, June 3. I had a gracious time on 2 Cor. iv, 1-4. Ordained Ezekiel Cooper43 a deacon. In the afternoon my soul had peace whilst I enlarged on Matt. xviii, 15, to the end.

Tuesday, 5. Preached on, "No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of heaven." I felt freedom and power in speaking.

Wednesday, 6. Met leaders and trustees and after some explanation, settled matters relative to singing in public worship. I preached at the poor-house44 on "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." My soul has peace. I keep myself busy in visiting the families of the society, or the sick, or meeting class, if some other business does not call

me.

Sunday, 10. 1 bad some life in preaching on Luke iv, 18, and in the

42 Freeborn Garrettson and James Cromwell had been sent to Nova Scotia by the Christmas Conference in 1784, and they had laid the foundations of the work there. At Coke's request they returned to the United States in this year, and Coke and Asbury at Wesley's suggestion asked Garrettson to accept ordination as superintendent over all the work in British North America and the West Indies. The plan was not carried out, however, largely because Garrettson did not want to sever his connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and soon the Nova Scotia work was wholly British. (For a discussion of this affair see Candler: Life of Thomas Coke and Barclay, op. cit., I, 166-75.) Woolman Hickson's health was impaired, and Cromwell's married state made his going inadvisable. William Jessop went alone, but he fell ill and returned after a few months. Hickson formed the first class in Brooklyn; he died the following year and was buried in John Street Church.

43 Ezekiel Cooper (1763-1847), one of the most notable of the early Methodist leaders, was born in Maryland and converted by Freeborn Garrettson. He was appointed to a circuit at the Christmas Conference in 1784. He preached in New York and New Jersey with distinction and became Book Editor and Publishing Agent in 1790 on the death of John Dickins. He was a member of seven General Conferences (1804-32) and at his death was the only survivor of the Christmas Conference. His voluminous correspondence is at Garrett Biblical Institute. (See Sprague's Annals, VII, 108 if.; Stevens, op. cit., III, 180 if.; Seaman, op. cit., 87-90, 122, 128-33; Dictionary of American Biography, IV, 397, 398. Phoebus' noted Beanis of Light on Early Methodism in America is based on Cooper's documents.)

44The New York Poor House was located deep in The Commons, apparently near the northeast corner of the present City Hall Park.

542 NEW YORK June II, 1787

afternoon on "I thank thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent," &c.

Monday, 11. I left the city in great union with the Lord and with the Church. My soul is variously exercised: I want the country air, and to live more in the spirit and solitude of prayer. Came to East Chester and preached in the shell of the new church'5 on "To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts"; the power of God was felt. I came to the widow Bartow's,46 where I lay sick fifteen years ago, and was treated with the greatest tenderness. May the Lord reward them all a hundred fold, and convert their souls!

Tuesday, 12. I found it the same at New Rochelle town as in time past:

will it always be so If there is no change I shall trouble them no more. In the afternoon I rode to C-'s, where I laboured many years ago, and there is some fruit remaining to this day.

Wednesday, 13. We had a long and warm ride to North Castle.47 Here a multitude were gathered together, to whom I spoke in an orchard on "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins." I was quite unwell, faint yet pursuing.

Rode to R-'s, of the society of Friends,48 who received us with great love.

At Hall's49 a multitude came to hear, whom I exhorted to "seek the Lord while he might be found."

I was happy in being alone. I poured out my soul to God for the whole work, and the dear people and preachers of my charge. My body is weak

-my soul enjoys peace. I have power over all sin, and possess a spirit of prayer and watchfulness: I feel myself dead to all below, and desire to live only for God and souls.

45The new church was probably in New Rochelle, which was less than a mile from

East Chester. The church at East Chester was not erected until 1797. (Journal entry for

September 27, 1797; De Vinne: "History of Methodism on New Rochelle Circuit,"

Methodist Magazine and Quarterly Review, XIV, 203, April, 1832.)

46 This was the widow of Theodosius Bartow. She cared for Asbury in a serious illness during his first winter in America. (See Journal entry for January 23, 1772.)

There are two townships in Westchester County with similar names, New Castle and North Castle. Asbury had not previously visited North Castle, which had been covered by Thomas Ware the preceding year. The village and township was seven miles or more north of White Plains and was the scene of the capture of Major John Andre, the British spy connected with Benedict Arnold's treasonable plot to deliver West Point. (See Journal entry for June 16; Lossing: Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution, I, 698 if.) A short time previously a chapel, outgrowth of the New Rochelle Society, had been built near the center of North Castle Township at School Street and Cox Avenue in the present village of Armonk, and it was here that Asbury preached.

48 The Quaker center was the Chappaqua Monthly Meeting of New Castle township.

49James Hall lived between present Chappaqua and Mount Kisco and was active in the class organized by Ware at Bedford in the area in 1786. (See Journal entry for May 27, 1805; Scharf, op. cit., II, 627.)

NEW YORK June 15, 1787 543

Friday, 15. I preached to a listening multitude at Peekskill ;50 and was alarming and close on, "By grace ye are saved through faith. I thought there were no people here of spiritual understanding; but I was informed, to my comfort, that a number of simple-hearted people had formed themselves into a society for prayer: perhaps these will be some of the first-fruits in this place.

Saturday, 16. Rode over the mountains, and was gratified with the sight of a remarkable recess for the Americans during the last war: the names of Andre and Arnold, with which misfortune and treachery are so unhappily and intimately blended, will give celebrity to West Point, had it been less deserving of notice than its wonderful appearance really makes it. It is commanded by mountains rising behind, and appears to be impregnable: there are block houses on the east; and on the west, stores, barracks, and fortifications. From West Point we crossed a high mountain,51 and came to Newburg.52

Sunday, 17. In the love feast, sacrament, and public exercises, we were employed nearly seven hours : there was some life in the love feast, but the congregation appeared very little moved under preaching.

Monday, 18. I presume I had nearly seven hundred hearers at Allen's, 53 to whom I spoke with some power on Luke xi, 13. I baptized several adults, and some children; and came to Wyatt's,54 and baptized others. Thence to Mr. Ellison's55, whose wife (a Dutch lady) entertained us like a queen.

50 Peekskill was named for an early Dutch explorer, Jam Peek, who anchored near there while exploring the area. Whitefield preached in the mansion of a merchant, Daniel Birdsall, there in July, 1770. Asbury preached either in the Birdsail home or in that of Jonathan Ferris, who was a leader in the class which Garrettson formed in 1788. (Scharf, op. cit., 391, 394.)

51 This mountain was Storm King. Asbury crossed the Hudson at King's Ferry from Verplank's Point to Stony Point. (Patterson: Peekskill in the American Revolution, 6.)

62 In 1786 Ezekiel Cooper and John McClaskey preached in this section. The latter preached in the home of Elnathan Foster on the site of the present Calvary Presbyterian Church at Newburgh and formed a class there. Asbury probably preached at Foster's on this occasion. (Ruttenber: History of Newburgh, 324, 325.)

53 This "Allen" was probably the widow Allison who lived in the outskirts of New-burgh and whose home was noted as a Methodist preaching place. (Historical Records of Newburgh.)

54 Samuel Wyatt lived in New Marlboroughtown, the present Marlboro, between Newburgh and Middlehope. The place was also called Keytown. Cooper and McClaskey had formed a class in his home. (Ruttenber, op. cit.)

66 This was John Ellison, who lived at New Windsor, the present Vail's Gate, about four miles southeast of Newburgh. He inherited a large estate from his father and lived in a stone mansion which is now preserved by the state of New York as a historic site. He was the Methodist leader in the vicinity, and in 1790 he built a structure of which the second story was a chapel. The present church at Vail's Gate was built on a lot provided by Ellison in 1806 and is the oldest in continuous use on the west bank of the Hudson. His wife was the former Catherine Johnson (Jansen) of a leading family in Kingston, New York. Their marriage license was dated September 7, 1760. (Records of town of Kingston.)

544 NEW YORK June2O,1787

I visited Colonel P-, supposed to be at the point of death: after a close examination, I administered the sacrament to him.

Wednesday, 20. 1 came to Warwick,56 where I suppose not less than a thousand people were collected: I was very low both in body and spirit, but felt stirred up at the sight of such a congregation, and was moved and quickened while I enlarged on Gal. i, 4. I baptized some and administered the sacrament to many communicants.

New Jersey

Thursday, 21. A multitude attended at Benjamin's,57 in a barn. Here God has wrought a great work for a poor, blind, ignorant people.

Friday, 22. I preached at the stone church,58 after riding upwards of thirty miles: we then rode until ten o'clock in the night through a heavy rain. I was much tried in body and mind: I had nothing to eat but a little bread and milk, and that made me sick.

Saturday, 23. We had a good time at Sweezy's.59 After administering the sacrament, we had another long ride after night.

Sunday, 24. I preached in the woods 60 to nearly a thousand people. I was much oppressed by a cold, and felt very heavy in body and soul. Like Jonah, I went and sat down alone. I had some gracious feelings in the sacrament-others also felt the quickening power of God. I baptized a

56 Methodism was introduced in Warwick, New York, in 1786, the first service being held in the home of Colonel David McCamley. (Ruttenber and Clark: History of Orange County, New York, 591.)

67 Nathan Benjamin developed the society at or near Hamburg in Vernon Township,

Sussex County, New Jersey, in 1786 or 1787, under the ministry of Ezekiel Cooper.

He was a Revolutionary soldier and late in life was a trustee in the church at Vernon.

(Phoebus, op. cit., 46, 68; Snell: History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey,

70, 356; Ruttenber and Clark, op. cit., 134, 135.) Atkinson in Memorials of New Jersey

Methodism erroneously identifies Asbury's preaching place as Banghart's, but Banghart

lived in Oxford Township of present Warren County around fifty miles away.

58 The stone church was in Johnsonburg, which was early designated as "Log Jail"

because it was the county seat of Sussex County. It is now in Warren County. The stone

building is now known as the Van Ness house. (See Journal entries for June 27, 1789,

and April25, 1807; Snell, op. cit., 692; New Jersey Guide,455 ; Gordon's Gazetteer, 164.) 59 Joseph Sweezy lived near Hope in present Warren County, New Jersey, eight miles

from the Delaware River. There were several other members of the family in the area. Methodism was established there in 1785 by Adam Cloud and Matthew Greentree, the preachers on the circuit. A log meetinghouse was erected two miles northeast of Hope in 1810. (Atkinson, op. cit., 381; Phoebus, op. cit., 68; Shampanore: History and Directory of Warren County, 24; Honeyman: Northwestern New Jersey, II, 706, 707; Snell, op. cit., 665, 666.)

60 This was probably at Flanders, near the present Budd Lake. It was one of Ezekiel Cooper's preaching places. (Phoebus, op. cit., 68; Pitney, History of Morris County, 193.)

 

546 NEW JERSEY Junc' 26, 1787

number of infants and adults, by sprinkling and by immersion. 1 felt my body quite weary in, but my spirit not of, the work of God.

Tuesday, 26. Preached at William Wallace's61 to a dull, contracted people. Since last Monday two weeks, I have ridden about three hundred and fifty miles.

Wednesday, 27. We had a warm ride through a fertile, pleasant country to Trenton.

Pennsylvania

On Thursday, the 28th, to Philadelphia. Here I found Thomas Vasey62 had scattered firebrands, and thrown dirt to bespatter us.

Friday and Saturday 29, 30. Taken up in writing letters, packing up books and begging for the college.

Sunday, July 1. Preached three times in the city of Philadelphia-on Monday, 2, to a few simple-hearted souls at Radnor.63

Tuesday, 3. We had a flat time at the Valley."

Wednesday, 4. We had a few feeling souls at Uwchland ;65 afterward went to Coventry Forge.66

Saturday, 7.1 had some energy in preaching to a few people at Morganstown.67

Sunday, 8. Preached at Evans's, Uwchland ;68 a poor people for religion:

I hope, nevertheless, that God will visit them.

Monday, 9. Preached at John Miller's,69 who has a pious wife.

61 William Wallace kept an inn, which is still standing, in Somerville, Somerset

County, New Jersey. It is a noted landmark which was occupied by Washington in 1778

and 1779. This was a Dutch Reformed community not hospitable to Methodism,

(Snell, op. cit., 145, 646, 656, 678; New Jersey, Guide to Present and Past, 551.)

62 Thomas Vasey had left the Methodists and been ordained by Anglican Bishop White. (See Journal entry for June 1, 1786. Also July 15 and September 1, 1787.)

63 The Radnor church, which is still active, is on the old Lancaster or Conestoga Road in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The society was formed in 1780 or 1781 by the Rev. George Main. The first meetinghouse was built in 1783 on land deeded by Evan James, in whose mansion services were previously conducted.

64 See note under February 5, 1781.

65 Uwchland was a township in Chester County, site of Benson's mcetinghouse. (See note under October 7, 1781.)

66Coventry, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was the home of Mrs. Grace. (See note under May 23, 1776; also July 6, 1792; July 24, 1799; April 10, 1812.)

67Morganstown, Berks County, Pennsylvania, was settled by a Welchman, Thomas Morgan, in 1730.

68 Thomas Evans lived in Uwchland Township near the Friends meetinghouse. In Hollingsworth's transcription of the Journal Uwchland was called Richiand.

69 John Miller lived at Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A Methodist class met in his house, and William Colbert preached in his barn. (See Colbert's manuscript Journal.)

MARYLAND JulyI3,1787 547

Maryland

Friday, 13. We rode to Hagerstown; and found it a journey of about fifty miles: we and our horses were weary enough. I was sorry to hear that the people came twice to hear me last year, and the lameness of my horse caused me to disappoint them.

Saturday, 14. At five o'clock in the evening the court house was opened; a few of the great and many of the poor attended, to whom I spoke with Divine assistance. I preached again on Sunday at eleven o'clock.

I find Thomas Vasey has misrepresented us as having cast off Mr. Wesley, making this a plea for his re-ordination.70

West Virginia

Monday, 16. Set out for the Springs.71 In the first place we missed our way; then my baggage-horse ran back two miles: I was tried not a little. 0, how sad the reflection, that matters trifling as these should make a person so uneasy. We reached the Springs about seven o'clock. I preached the two following days with some satisfaction. By advancing nine pounds, for nails and planks, I engaged brother Eaton to have our chapel covered by first of August.

Maryland

Friday, 20. We had a heavy ride to Oldtown: we met with a kind reception; and had a reviving season in the family.

Saturday, 21. Was a day of rest to my soul and body. Preached on Cant. iv, 16.

Sunday, 22. We had sacrament, attended with some power, in the evening.

Tuesday, 24. There were to have been great doings at Cumberland, but

70 Vasey's dissatisfaction arose from his belief that faith had not been kept with the commitment made by the Christmas Conference which reads: "During the life of the Rev. Mr. Wesley, we acknowledge ourselves his sons in the gospel, ready in matters of church government to obey his commands." Wesley's name had been omitted from the General Minutes, and the conference had acted unfavorably on Wesley's appointment of Whatcoat and Garrettson as general superintendents. Vasey was critical of Asbury, at whose consecration he had assisted, for not protesting against changing the name of his office from superintendent to bishop, a move opposed by Wesley. (Lee: A Short History of the MethodIsts, 126; Bangs, op. cit., I, 258, 259.)

71 The Springs were at Bath, the present Berkeley, West Virginia.

548 MARYLAND Ju1y27,1787

Mr. Bower,72 a minister, failed coming. I had a good time in Mr. Bell's mill,73 on, "Thou art fairer than the sons of men."

We had feeling and weeping at Barratt's; my subject, "I sleep, but my heart waketh," &c., eight or nine verses. I feel a sweetness of spirit, and much of the love of Christ. Came to Cresap's.

Friday, 27. Ordained brother Phcebus deacon,74 and had a serious time.

West Virginia

Sunday, 29. At Jones's,75 all death! death! death! My mind was devoted to God. I administered the sacrament, but could find no openings. Rode to Oldtown, Maryland. Six years ago I preached in this place, when there was scarcely a soul that knew anything of God; now there are sixty in membership, many of whom are happy in the knowledge of the truth. We held a love feast and had a quickening time.

Tuesday, 31. Rode to the Springs (Bath), much tried in spirit. I gave myself to reading and prayer.

Wednesday, August 1. Preached at Bath.

Sunday, 5. Preached on 1 Pet. iii, 9, to a large congregation, with but little liberty.

Monday, 6. I began my lectures on the Prophecies by Bishop Newton, and had more hearers than I expected. The weather is very warm; many are sickly; and continued changes of corners and goers; all this leaves but little opportunity for prayer. I forbear reading on account of my eyes, lest I should not be able to read in public.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 7, 8. Had very few to hear, so I gave them up:

everything that is good is in low estimation at this place. I will return to my own studies: if the people are determined to go to hell, I am clear of their blood. My soul is clothed in sackcloth and covered with ashes before the Lord.

Thursday, 9. I enjoy some peace.

Friday, 10. I feel calm within, and the want of more life, and more love to God, and more patience with sinners. I read my Testament. 0! what a weariness would life be without God, and love, and labour! The

72 This may have been the Rev. George Bower who was the incumbent of the parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church which embraced much of western Maryland. (Scharf: History of Western Maryland, II, 1078, 1084; Rightmeyer: Maryland's Established Church, 164.)

73 Bell's Mill, probably on Evitts Creek near Cumberland, was operated by Thomas Bell. (See manuscript Journal, George Wells, October 9, 1790, Lovely Lane Museum, Baltimore.)

74 William Phoebus (1754-1831) was on the Redstone Circuit at this time.

Jones was the present Fort Ashby, Mineral County, West Virginia.

WEST VIRGINIA August 21, 1787 549

first two weeks of my time at Bath have been spent in carrying on the building of the new chapel, reading Newton on the Prophecies, visiting, bathing, &c. My soul has been under great trials, at times, but hitherto the Lord has helped.

Tuesday, 21. 0, how sweet will labour, and Christian society, and the solitary woods be to me!

Thursday, 23. I have been under great exercises, but was divinely assisted in preaching on, "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous," &c.

Sunday, 26. 1 preached on, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings," &c. It was a solemn time-my soul was stayed upon God. We had a melting sacrament and love feast, and many spoke. The devil is angry, and so are his children: brother Whatcoat spoke at the steps, and it was with difficulty the people kept themselves within decent bounds of respect.

Friday, 31. I gave them my farewell address at Bath, and had many hearers.

Saturday, September 1. I set out in the rain, and came to the widow Stroud's, where I met with Thomas Vasey who made some acknowledgments for what he had said in the heat of his zeal at Philadelphia and at Bath.

Sunday, 2. I attended at a place where every one has liberty to preach; but it so happened that no one had an appointment there but myself. The Methodists would do well to withdraw from this as a preaching place in their circuit. I had a large congregation at Shepherdstown, to whom I spoke, on Luke iv, 18. I have had some trials and great consolations; and, at times, it is a Paradise regained with me since I left Bath and the wicked there.

Maryland

Friday, 7. I had a cold time at Reistertown, on, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion." Thence I rode to the new church,76 where I had much more life. Came to Baltimore. The weather is extremely warm.

Sunday, 9. Preached in the morning-my text, "Thou art fairer than the sons of men:" in the afternoon at Mr. Otterbein's church: and at night on, "They shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south," &c. Large crowds attended: I was straitened in speaking. The following was a week of haste and business. Wednesday, I went to Perry Hall; thence to Cokesbury-fixed the price of

76 This chapel, only two years old, occupied the site of the one in which Robert Strawbridge preached. Stones from it were used in the erection of the present Old Stone Chapel in Pikesville, Maryland. The cornerstone reads 1786 for the first building, 1862 for the second.

550 MARYLAND September 16, /787

board, and the time for opening the college. On Friday, I returned to Baltimore. In the midst of business my mind is calm.

Sunday, 16. Preached at Baltimore and Fell's Point. On Monday, the people waited nearly two hours at Daniel Evans's before I arrived, owing to my horse being out of the way: I found he had stuck a nail into his loot, so that I had to leave him. Under these discouraging circumstances [was much exercised: nevertheless, I had liberty in speaking, and there was a melting time among the people. Thence I hastened to Hunt's chapel, where I enlarged on, "I know you, that you have not the love of God in you."

I rode by John Colgate's gate-an old stand of mine. It is now, in two senses, fallen into decay. The want of religion oftentimes causes the want of economy. Ah! how do the persons and fashions of this world pass away!

Tuesday, 18. I found the work of God in a reviving state at G-'s.

Wednesday, 19. I had a liberal opening at John Wilson's, on "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Thence I hastened to the Fork church, and preached on Cant. iii, 1-6. I lamented the gayety of the children of Methodists; but yet they do not appear to be so full of enmity against God and his people as other children.

I hastened to Cokesbury, it being the examination: some gentlemen and some triflers were present. Friday, I preached at Josias Dallam's.

Saturday, 22. 1 preached at Havre de Grace, on Acts ii, 23.

Sunday, 23. I had a large congregation at Elkton, and some power attended the word. In the evening spoke at Isaac Tussey's.

Monday, 24. 1 had a large, solemn congregation at Wilmington. I feel a persuasion that God will revive his work at this place.

Pennsylvania

Tuesday, 25. I attended at Chester; and next day came to Philadelphia. I had liberty in speaking on Cant. v, 6-10. On Thursday and Friday, I had not freedom as I wished. I was seized with a violent headache, exceeding anything, as I thought, I had ever felt.

Saturday, 29. I felt a little better. My mind was stayed upon God.

Sunday, 30. We had a good sacramental occasion. In the afternoon brother Willis77 preached; and at night I had some enlargement on Ephes. iv, 17-19.

Wednesday, October 3. I met the people, and explained the nature and design of the college.78

Thursday, 4. I preached on the primitive design of the Church.

77 The Rev. Henry Willis was the elder at New York. He was the first man to be ordained by Asbury. (See Journal entry for January 18, 1785.)

78 The college was Cokesbury College in Maryland.

PENNSYLVANIA October 5, /787 . 551

Friday, 5. We had an uncommon love feast-a gracious season-much speaking. On Saturday I met a class.

Sunday, 7. There was life in the administration of the sacrament. I felt humbled before the Most High. I trust the Lord will revive his work, and make his power known.

Monday, 8. I came to Chester, and preached on, "My grace is sufficient

for thee."

Tuesday, 9. I had unusual freedom in speaking at Aaron Matson's. Thence I pushed on through the rain, and was sorely tempted to complain.

Delaware

Wednesday, 10. I was at Wilmington; and next day came late to Joseph Dickerson's.

I visited Duck Creek Cross Roads,72 where we have a comfortable house, which cost about two hundred pounds.

Saturday, 13. Came to Dover very unwell, and brother Ira Ellis80 preached in my stead.

Sunday, 14. I read prayers, and preached on 2 Tim. iii, 10; and solemnly set apart Jacob Brush8' and Ira Ellis, for the office of deacon: I trust it was a profitable time. I spent two days at Thomas White's.

Tuesday, 16. I preached the funeral sermon of Joshua Barwick-a faithful steady man, who had followed the Lord about ten years; my text was, "These all died in the faith."

Thursday, 18. I had Divine aid in preaching at Milford's:82 the house was open, and the day was cold.

Friday, 19. Came in the evening to Shanklands. Here I found the people in disorder and violence about the election; some had gone so far as to take up fire-arms.

This was the present Smyrna.

80 Ira Ellis, a brother of Reuben Ellis, was then on the Kent Circuit. (For "A Sketch of the Labours and Travels of Ira Ellis," 178 1-95, by himself, followed by a certificate of recommendation by Asbury and Whatcoat with a tribute from the former, see Journal entry for February 17, 1805; Sweet: Religion on the American Frontier, IV, 710, 711.)

81 Jacob Brush was born near Merrick, Long Island, in 1762 and died of yellow fever in New York City on September 24, 1795. He was interred at the Forsyth Street Church. At the time of Asbury's visit he was on the Dover Circuit. (General Minutes, 1, 66; Seaman: Annals of New York Methodism, 114, 136; Hallman, op. cit., 60; Wakeley, op. cit., 367-70.)

82 More than a decade before Milford, Delaware (Sussex County), was laid out in

1787, John Cooper preached in the nearby home of Renyear William. The old Method-ist Cemetery, North and Third Streets, was the site of the unfinished chapel to which Asbury refers. Asbury, who preached in the community in 1778, records about eighteen visits to Milford. (Scharf, op. cit., 11, 1198; Hallman, op. cit., 117; Lednum, op. cit., 254, 255; Colbert's Journal, Milford Circuit, II, 65-115.) Milford Circuit first appears in 1789. (Hynson: Historical Etchings of Milford and Vicinity, 47-49.)

552 DELAWARE October 21, 1787

Sunday morning, 21. Before sacrament I preached on Psalm ii, 24, 25 ;83 and then in Lewes, on, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world," &c.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 23, 24. I had a good time at quarterly meeting, at the Sound church: thence, through a barren, sandy country, we came to Evans's church,84 where we had a good and gracious time, more so than I have felt for some time. From Evans's we rode to the beach, and gratified our curiosity with the sight of the raging, roaring sea.

Wednesday, 24. I spoke closely upon the discipline of the Church: my subject, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine," &c. After meeting, we had a very long ride to brother Bowen's.85

Virginia

Friday, 26. After preaching at Parnell's, on, "I will give them a heart to know me," &c., I rode in the evening to Downing's.86

Saturday, 27. Reached Paramore's87 at night.

Sunday, 28. We had a gracious time indeed.

Monday, 29. There were life and power among the people in the sacrament and love feast. I was greatly comforted to find the Lord had greatly blessed the labours of brother Sparks,88 and that a revival had taken place all round the circuit. In the evening I rode to Burton's, in Virginia. The former inhabitants have gone to the dust.

It seemed as if I was let into heaven, while I enlarged on, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.' We have twenty miles, and sometimes more,

83Psalm 2 has only twelve verses. There is no indication as to what passage this was.

84 The site of this chapel has not been definitely identified. It is probable that Asbury meant the Old Line Chapel of which Jacob Evans was a trustee. it was on his route to Accomack County, Virginia.

The singular experience of how an early circuit rider, inquiring the way to Accomack County, Virginia, was misdirected into the Cypress Swamp only to emerge at the home of Jephthah Bowen is often told. The visit of the stranger led to the conversion of the Bowen family, the introduction of Methodism into that region, and the erection of Bowen Chapel, the first in Worcester County. (Boehm, op. cit., 66, 67; Journal entry for July 12, 1796.)

William Downing, Richard Drummond, and Jonathan Garrettson of Accomack County, and John Johnson of Northampton County, each donated land for the building of a chapel, thereby perpetuating their names in the Methodist annals of the Eastern Shore. (Clark: Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, 175.)

87 Paramore's, Burton's, and Downing's were the earliest preaching places on the

Eastern Shore of Virginia. In 1787 a survey of William Paramore's plantation showed

911 acres. "He took his religion seriously and set free his ten slaves." (Whitelaw:

Virginia's Eastern Shore, 869.)

"Minutes, Northampton Circuit, 1787.

VIRGINIA November 1, 1787 553

a day to travel; but we have fine roads, kind friends, and good entertain-me nt.

Thursday, November 1. The people coming in still after I began, caused me to lengthen out my discourse. Came afterward to Captain Burton's, and spoke with life and consolation.

Maryland

Friday, 2. Was a day of sore exercise of soul, and barren preaching. I visited Mr. R., and administered the sacrament to him. Rested that evening with Mr. Thomas Curtis.

Saturday, 3. Quarterly meeting. I was close on keeping the feast, and on discipline-some felt the word.

Sunday, 4. Preached on, "Thou shalt arise and favour Zion." I believe God will make his power known; and I trust brother Joseph Everett will be made a blessing, as well by strictness of discipline, as by faithful preaching.

Monday, 5. 1 had a few living people at John Phcebus's.89 My soul is given up to God; but I have felt Satan near. Lord, help, or I perish!

Sunday, 11. I had some light in preaching at the Fork chapel.90 Spent the evening with brother Ennall.91

Monday, 12. I preached at Hopper's.92 Thence I rode to Johnson's chapel,93 and spoke on 2 Tim. 1: 8-12. I had some enlargement.

89 Probably John Phoebus of Quantico Neck, Somerset County, to whose home Asbury hastened on October 28, 1783, to conduct the funeral of William Wright. He was a brother of the Rev. William Phoebus, M.D. Annemessex Chapel, which became Phoebus Chapel, is now the Oriole Church. (Colbert's Journal, IV, 27, 34, 42; Boehm, op. cit., 70.)

90 The Fork's Chapel was located in Dorchester County.

91 Henry Ennalls lived near the Choptank River about twelve miles from Cambridge. His sisters were instrumental in establishing Methodism in Dorchester County. Ennalls was a trustee of Cokesbury College, led in the erection of Ennall's Chapel, and by his hospitality and generosity became one of the most influential Methodists of the Eastern Shore. (Boehm, op. cit., 57-64; Phoebus, op. cit., 116; Stevens, op. cit., II, 254.)

92 In September, 1783, Philip Cox, then on the Annamessex Circuit, wrote Thomas Haskins that "Colonel Hopper and several great men have been brought in since Christmas." (See original letter in the Harper Memorial Library, University of Chicago.) Earlier, while a resident of Caroline County, the colonel had served six years as sheriff and three years in the Assembly. Following his arrival in Queen Annes County he opened his house for preaching, and the society became the nucleus of the present Epworth Church, Centerville. A daughter married the Rev. Hugh Neill. (Hailman, op.

cit., 325; Emory: History of Queen Annes County, 175, 231, 367.)

Johnson's Chapel, the site of which cannot be identified, was probably somewhere in Queen Annes County. (Haliman, op. cit., 114; Ware, op. cit., 108.)

554 MARYLAND November 18, 178

After riding thirty miles and preaching twice, we held a watch night at Todd's.94

Sunday, 18. We went to church at Cambridge, and heard a sermon. Afterward I spoke to a large congregation at Tucker's, on Rom. x, 1-4. Upon the whole, it has been a laborious, trying time of late.

Tuesday, 20. We rode through excessive rain thirty miles. Our quarterly meeting at Frazier's chapel was large and lively. I had very few to hear at Doctor Allen's,95 the fiery edge is greatly worn off there.

Thursday, 22. We had a feeling time at Bolingbroke; but it is not here as in months past. 0 how soon does the power or religion decline! I came to Easton, Talbot county, where we had a watch night, and the gentry had a ball.

Friday, 23. We had a gracious season at the Bayside, where many attended.

Saturday, 24. My soul is dejected. 0 that it were perfectly resigned to the will of God!

Sunday, 25. I stopped at Keet's,96 on my way to Kent Island. Although under a great depression of spirits, I was uncommonly led out whilst I enlarged on, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion," to a large assembly of people.

Monday, 26. My mind is still depressed. I called on poor Colonel H., who bears his imprisonment for debt with great fortitude. I had a good time at Boardley's,97 notwithstanding two drunken men came in and made some disturbance.

Friday, 30. Cold, straitened for time at Tuckahoe; something better at Choptank. I here heard of the conduct of Adam Cloud ;98 he is gone from

was the home of Levin Todd, located in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County,

Delaware. The successor to this society, organized about 1777, is Todd Chapel, west of

Farmington on the Farmington Circuit. (Scharf, op. cit., ii, 1177; Lednum, op. cit., 202,

261; Hallman, op. cit., 121, 245.)

95 This was Moses D. Allen, M.D. After meeting him on December 6, 1784, at Bolingbroke, near Trappe, Talbot County, Thomas Coke wrote: "Dr. Allen is a physician of great eminence in these parts, and a most precious man of excellent sense, and of the greatest simplicity." (See Coke's Journal, 49.) He was one of the original trustees of Cokesbury College. (Armstrong: Old Baltimore Conference, 89; Hallman, op. cit., 104.)

96 The presence of several Keets families in both Talbot and Queen Annes counties makes identification of this preaching place uncertain. However, since Asbury visited it while en route from Bayside Chapel (Wittman) to Kent Island, it must have been in Talbot County rather than the home of Thomas Keets, a trustee of Wye Chapel, Queen Annes County. (Hallman, op. cit., 115, 329.)

97 John W. Boardley, or Bordley, lived southwest of Wye Mills, a village located in both Queen Annes and Talbot counties. The last of the three services conducted by Asbury at Boardleys was in a barn. (See Journal entry for October 13, 1792.) In 1816 John W. Boardley was a committeeman from Corsica, Queen Annes County, to obtain subscriptions for a parsonage for Queen Anne's Circuit. (Emory, op. cit., 236.)

98 Adam Cloud, brother of Robert, and a member of a pioneer Methodist family of New Castle County, Delaware, became a traveling preacher in 1781. Although in the

MARYLAND December 3, 1787 555

us at last. There were many people at Barratt's chapel during quarterly meeting, but I had little life in speaking.

Monday, December, 3. We had a melting time at Queen Anne's chapel. I enforced, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

Tuesday, 4. At Chestertown, I had but little life on Isa. liii, 1-5. At night the Lord was with us indeed, while I enforced, "Let your moderation be known to all men."

Wednesday, 5. After preaching at Worton chapel, we set out to cross the Chesapeake Bay, and were on the water until ten o'clock at night.

Thursday, 6. We opened our college, and admitted twenty-five students. I preached on, "Trust in the Lord, and do good." On the Sabbath I spoke on, "0 man of God, there is death in the pot;" and on Monday, "They are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them." From Cokesbury I came to Baltimore, where I was closely employed and much in haste about temporal concerns.

Saturday, 15. I had a cold ride to Annapolis; and but few to hear me on Sunday morning. Brother Hagerty99 attempted to travel with me, but was soon glad to resign. My soul has been kept in peace, and for three weeks past I have enjoyed a most devoted frame of mind.

Thursday, 20. We must now direct our course for Lancaster, Virginia, through a barren route of sixty miles. This is the only uncultivated part of Maryland; and God will surely visit these people, and bless them in his own time, if they hear his voice. We crossed Patuxent River at sunrise:

brother James Riggin having undertaken to be our guide, led us ten miles out of our way.

Virginia

Bearing near to Port Tobacco, we came to the ferry, crossed about sunset, and put up at Mrs. Hooe's,' where we paid eight shiffings for our oats, and six for our fodder-all this exclusive of charge for lodging, as she said.

Friday, 21. Reached Pope's some time in the night. On Saturday I read

Minutes of 1788 his name appears under those who "desist from traveling," he actually

was expelled for improper conduct. (Minutes of the Annual Conferences, 1773-1828,

30; Lee, op. cit., 136; Lednum, op. cit., xv, 57, 58; Adkinson: Methodism in New Jersey,

350, 351; Bangs, op. cit., I, 275; letter of Jesse Lee to Ezekiel Cooper, April 16, 1807;

Manuscript 37, Ezekiel Cooper Collection, Garrett Biblical Institute, Evanston,

Illinois.)

99 John Hagerty was one of the traveling elders of the circuits through which Asbury was en route to Virginia.

was Hooe's (Hoe's) Ferry, which crossed the Potomac River from Cedar Point, Maryland, to Colonel Richard Hooe's in Virginia. (Wilstach: Tidewater Virginia, 295, 296.)

556 VIRGINIA December 23, 1787

the apostolical canons, published by Johnson-curious enough. He is a violent Churchman, and appears to have little charity for the Presbyterians, upon whom he is unmercifully severe. I have been sorely tempted, and at sword's point with the enemy.

Sunday, 23. I had very little life in preaching to a few dead souls at Pope's.101 On Monday, at Hutt's, it was nearly the same both in preaching and sacrament. In the evening, at brother Cannon's,102 the Lord powerfully broke into my soul, and the cloud disappeared. That night while sleeping, I dreamed I was praying for sanctification, and God very sensibly filled me with love, and I waked shouting glory, glory to God! My soul was all in a flame. I had never felt so much of God in my life; and so I continued. This was on Christmas day-a great day to me.

I rode to the Widow Woolard's,103 and preached on, "For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." During the last five days, we have ridden one hundred and forty miles. We crossed Wicomoco, and came to G's. Death prevails here. My spirit was clothed in sackcloth.

Saturday and Sunday, 29, 30. Held quarterly meeting at Lancaster meeting house. There was a large gathering, and some life on the first day. On Sunday there was much snow, and only about three hundred people attended. I ordained E. Ellis a deacon.

101 Pope lived in Westmoreland County.

102 Hutt and Cannon also resided in Westmoreland County. (Butts, op. cit., 93.)

103 The Widow Woolard lived in Westmoreland County. (See Asbury's letter to Ezekiel Cooper dated December 24, 1788, and written from Woolard's.)