Francis Asbury's Journal

1786

122 entries · 1786-01-04 to 1786-12-23

4 January 1786

South Carolina

Asbury at Beesontown in Pennsylvania, on his first western trip Source illustration; reproduced in the orientation of the supplied page. ASB_VOL1.PDF, PDF page 484. Open full-size figure

I rode my sore-backed horse about thirty miles to Dunham’s, in Britton’s Neck.¹ Dunham is in despair: this, perhaps, is constitutional—or it may be owing to his circumstances; the awakening of God’s Spirit, or the combination of all these may have produced this effect. I borrowed brother A——’s horse, and we went on. We crossed Great Pedee, and Lynch’s creek, and wet my books: coming to Black Mingo, we lodged at a tavern, and were well used.² Sleeping upstairs, I was afraid the shingles, if not the roof of the house, would be taken away with the wind.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 484

Notes (2)

Asbury entered the state in upper Marion (now Dillon) County, crossing the Little Pee Dee River. Britton’s Neck is in lower Marion County. Britton’s Neck Methodist Church is no longer active, having merged with Central Church on the Centenary charge. There were then or soon thereafter four meetinghouses along the route, one of which was near the junction of Great Pee Dee and Lynch’s Creek. (See Map, 1823.) ↩
This was doubtless at Port’s (Porter’s) Ferry where Asbury frequently stayed. It was five miles west of Britton’s Neck. The Bishop crossed the Great Pee Dee here and crossed Lynch’s Creek at Wrag’s Ferry into Williamson County. He followed Black Mingo Creek and Black River to the Black Mingo settlement along the route of his previous trip in 1785. This became his favorite route through the region. ↩

7 January 1786

SaturdaySouth Carolina

I preached at Georgetown twice to about eighty people each time; this is a poor place for religion. Here I was met by brother Henry Willis.¹

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 484

Notes (1)

Henry Willis was the “presiding elder” of the district which included the Yadkin and Holston circuits covering northern and western North Carolina and all the Holston country of Tennessee and Virginia. ↩

10 January 1786

TuesdaySouth Carolina

Rode to Wappetaw. It was no small comfort to me to see a very good frame prepared for the erection of a meeting house for us, on that very road¹ along which, last year, we had gone pensive and distressed, without a friend to entertain us.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 484

Notes (1)

This was the coast road to Wappetaw Swamp just below Awendaw. He had crossed the Santee at Myzack’s Ferry. ↩

11 January 1786

WednesdaySouth Carolina

Preached at Sinclair Capers’s¹—we had a good time, and many hearers, considering that neither place or weather was favourable: my soul enjoyed great peace, and I was much engaged with God that my labours might not be in vain. From Capers’s I came to Cain Hoy by water. I was grieved at Beverly Allen’s² conduct; hurt to the cause of God may follow.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 484

Notes (2)

Leaving Georgetown, Asbury proceeded along his 1785 route until he was within twenty-five miles of Charleston. Then he turned southwest over the Wappetaw Swamp Bridge to Cainhoy, which was inland from Caper’s Island and Caper’s Inlet on the coast. Between the bridge and Cainhoy lived Captain George Sinclair Capers, the uncle of William Capers who was to become famous as the founder and superintendent of the Plantation Missions and a bishop. Bishop Caper’s mother, née Mary Singletary, and her parents are buried at Cainhoy. Bishop Capers says that his father, William Capers, was converted this year under the preaching of Asbury’s companion Henry Willis. (Life of William Capers, D.D., autobiography completed by Wightman, 12, 24, 41.) ↩
Beverly Allen, soon to become an apostate and a criminal, had not gone to his appointment in Georgia but worked around Cainhoy, South Carolina, and Anson, North Carolina. Asbury apparently did not trust him in spite of his standing and so confided to Bishop Coke. ↩

13 January 1786

FridaySouth Carolina

I came to Charleston: being unwell, brother Willis supplied my place.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 485

15 January 1786

SundaySouth Carolina

We had a solemn time in the day, and a full house and good time in the evening. My heart was much taken up with God. Our congregations are large, and our people are encouraged to undertake the building of a meeting house this year. Charleston has suffered much—a fire about 1700—again in November, 1740—and lastly, the damage sustained by the late war: the city is now in a flourishing condition.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 485

20 January 1786

FridaySouth Carolina

I left the city, and found the road so bad that I was thankful I had left my carriage, and had a saddle and a good pair of boots.¹ We were water bound at Wassamaw, where I found a few who had been awakened by the instrumentality of our preachers. I was comforted in reading Mr. Zublee’s account of the death of some pious Germans; and also Mrs. Fletcher’s² account of her husband’s death.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 485

Notes (2)

Leaving Charleston, Asbury followed a new route. He went northward along the old State Road to Wassamaw Swamp in the present Berkeley County. ↩
John Fletcher of Madeley died August 14, 1785, in his fifty-sixth year. He was a saintly man, second in the Methodist command, and chosen by Wesley as his successor. He wrote two famous works, Appeal to Matter of Fact and Common Sense, on human depravity, and Checks to Antinomianism, against Calvinism. He married Mary Bosanquet, who became a preacher and took his place in the parish of Madeley after his death. ↩

23 January 1786

MondaySouth Carolina

The Wassamaw being still impassable, we directed our course up the low lands through the wild woods,¹ until we came to Mr. Winter’s, an able planter, who would have us to dine with him and stay the night. His wife’s mother being ill and desiring the sacrament, we went to her apartment, and there had a melting, solemn time: in this worthy family we had prayer night and morning.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 485

Notes (1)

Detouring around Wassamaw Swamp, Asbury proceeded along the route of the present Holly Hill and Cameron, and a little west of the present St. Matthews. ↩

24 January 1786

TuesdaySouth Carolina

We made an early start. We stopped at a tavern for breakfast; the landlord had seen and heard me preach three years before in Virginia, and would receive no pay. That evening we came to Mrs. B.’s. We rode fifty miles to the Congaree: we lodged where there were a set of gamblers: I neither ate bread nor drank water with them. We left these blacklegs early next morning, and after riding nine miles, came to a fire, where, stopping and broiling our bacon, we had a high breakfast. At Weaver’s ferry we crossed the Saluda.¹ Here once lived that strange, deranged mortal, who proclaimed himself to be God: report says, that he killed three men for refusing their assent to his godship: he gave out his wife to be the Virgin Mary, and his son Jesus Christ; and when hanged at Charleston, promised to rise the third day.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 485

Notes (1)

The Saluda and Broad rivers unite at Columbia to form the Congaree. The “Congarees” and the tavern were in the upper part of the present Calhoun County. Asbury proceeded along the lower or western bank of the Congaree via Granby, south of the present Columbia, and crossed the Saluda at Weaver’s Ferry, later called Hart’s Ferry, at a point which is now the eastern shore of Lake Murray above Columbia. ↩

27 January 1786

FridaySouth Carolina

I had near four hundred hearers at Parrott’s log church, near Broad River.¹ We have ridden about two hundred miles in the last eight days.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 485

Notes (1)

Asbury followed the road up the west side of Broad River through Newberry County. Parrott’s Log Meeting House has not been certainly identified, but it was probably in Newberry County near the present town of Blair in Fairfield County, and was evidently due to the work of the Rev. James Foster from Virginia. ↩

29 January 1786

SundayNorth Carolina

Having, by appointment, to preach on Sandy River, we set off in the rain which had been falling all the night before: the first little stream we attempted to cross had well-nigh swept brother M’Daniel away. We rode on to Little Sandy, but found it too much swollen for us to ford; going up the stream, we crossed over on a log, our horses swimming over; having gained the opposite bank, we continued on about twenty miles, and had a trying time: I was happy, although brother Willis was afraid we should be obliged to sleep in the woods.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 486

30 January 1786

MondayNorth Carolina

We rode to friend Terry’s;¹ but here we met with our old difficulties, and were compelled to go up higher. Coming to Great Sandy, we crossed the river at Walker’s mill; and here we were in danger of losing both our horses; the water came with such rapidity from the dam that it swept them down the stream under a log: we at length came to father Seally’s:² here we stayed to refit, and had everything comfortable. I preached on Wednesday, after which I had one hundred and fifty miles to ride to White’s, Mulberry Fields, near the mouth of John’s River. NORTH CAROLINA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 486

Notes (2)

Asbury crossed the Broad River near its junction with the Enoree near Blair and entered Fairfield County. Terry’s was on the border of Fairfield and Chester counties and appears as “Tan Yard” on the old maps. ↩
Father Seally lived a little west of the present town of Chester (Chesterville) probably on Seally’s Creek. From this point the bishop proceeded through York County into North Carolina. ↩

2 February 1786

ThursdayNorth Carolina

Thursday, February 2.¹ We made a push for the Highlands, and got as far as brother Smith’s. On Friday we aimed to get to the Horse Ford; but missing our way, we made but twenty-five miles, reaching Herman’s, who treated us kindly, and would receive nothing—this was well for us, for we had but little to give.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 486

Notes (1)

Asbury entered North Carolina into present Cleveland County and proceeded northward. ↩

4 February 1786

SaturdayNorth Carolina

Was a very rainy day; however, we pushed on, and rode this day about fifty miles. We crossed the north branch of the Catawba River, and arriving late at the south branch, we providentially met with a man who was acquainted with the ford and piloted us safe over; it was dark, and the river mild: through a heavy day’s journey we came, wet and weary, to Mr. Moore’s.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 486

5 February 1786

SundayNorth Carolina

I preached at brother Connelly’s, where there is a large society, and a revival of religion.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 486

6 February 1786

MondayNorth Carolina

We rode to W. White’s, and appointed preaching for the next day; here I had about one hundred hearers.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 486

8 February 1786

WednesdayNorth Carolina

We rode forty computed, and, perhaps, in truth, fifty miles, to quarterly meeting at Gordon’s, at the Mulberry Fields, on the Yadkin River: here we met with brothers Ivey, Bingham, and Williamson.¹ Thursday, the sacrament was a time of refreshing.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 486

Notes (1)

The quarterly conference was for the Yadkin Circuit. Richard Ivey was the elder over the Caswell, Salisbury, and Halifax circuits; and Henry Bingham and Thomas Williamson were on the Yadkin Circuit. (Minutes, 1785.) Asbury was in Caldwell and Wilkes counties. ↩

11 February 1786

SaturdayNorth Carolina

I rode through rain and hail to B——’s, and preached to a few serious people on Psalm 128, and we were blessed together. O, what happiness do they lose who never visit the poor in their cottages!

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

12 February 1786

SundayNorth Carolina

At Joseph Herndon’s¹ it was a chilly day, but there was some life among the people.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

Notes (1)

Colonel Joseph Herndon lived in eastern Wilkes County, North Carolina. (See note under Journal entry for January 28, 1785.) ↩

13 February 1786

MondayNorth Carolina

There were many to hear at K——’s.

My rides are little short of twenty miles a day in this mountainous country, besides my public labours: my soul has peace, but this body is heavy and afflicted with pain.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

14 February 1786

TuesdayNorth Carolina

We rode through the snow to Heady’s, where, to my surprise, I found that the poor people had built a good house of logs; and not satisfied with this, they must needs collect a little money for me, if I would receive it.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

19 February 1786

SundayNorth Carolina

Preached at Morgan Bryan’s. Next day I set off in the rain, and travelled with it: we swam Grant’s creek, and reached Salisbury in the evening, wet and weary. I thought we should scarcely have preachers at the time appointed, but the bad weather did not stop their coming. We spent three days in conference, and went through our business with satisfaction.¹ Having sent our horses into the country, we could not get them when they were wanted; I therefore borrowed brother Tunnell’s² horse, and went on to my appointments.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

Notes (2)

The conference at Salisbury was one of three held in 1786, the others being at Lane’s Chapel in Virginia the following April and at Baltimore in May. Twenty-four preachers attended the Salisbury conference, seven of them being entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Fishburn. The latter had joined the society under Beverly Allen in 1783. (Lednum, op. cit., 374; Grissom, op. cit., 126. See note under Journal entry for February 10, 1785.) ↩
John Tunnell (1755-90) was one of the preachers ordained at the Christmas Conference and had been stationed at Charleston, South Carolina, but later became one of the pioneers of Methodism in the Holston country, where he died at Sweet Springs, Virginia, in July, 1790. Asbury preached his funeral. (See Journal entry for July 10, 1790; Price: Holston Methodism, I, 176-83.) ↩

1 March 1786

WednesdayNorth Carolina

I found many waiting at Newman’s church, Rockingham county, to whom I enlarged on, “Christ our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.” Provisions here are scarce: some of our friends from the Delaware are suffering. I arrived in the night at A. Arnett’s: my being in a poor cottage did not prevent my being happy, for God was with me.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

2 March 1786

ThursdayNorth Carolina

I preached on, “This do in remembrance of me;” and it was a solemn, good time.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

4 March 1786

SaturdayNorth Carolina

At the widow Dick’s the preachers fell in with each other: there were Foster, Ellis, L., and Hull;¹ the latter is a smooth-tongued pretty speaker, a youth that promises fair for future usefulness.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 487

Notes (1)

James Foster was elder in Georgia, Reuben Ellis an elder in North Carolina, and Hope Hull was on the Pee Dee Circuit. The L might have been Jesse Lee, who had strong North Carolina connections but who was at this time on the Caroline Circuit in Maryland. He was on that circuit until March of this year and was at the conference in Virginia on April 10. It would have been possible for him to attend the North Carolina session in the interim. (Lee: Life and Times of the Rev. Jesse Lee, 182.) ↩

7 March 1786

TuesdayNorth Carolina

At Stanfield’s I had many hearers, and more liberty in speaking than I have had for some time past. It is hard to get and preserve the spirit of preaching: it seems as if God, at times and places, withholds his Spirit from his servants; or else the power of Satan is so strong as to depress the life and liberty of the speaker.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

10 March 1786

FridayNorth Carolina

I rode once more to Hillsboro, where I met with a cool reception: I am now satisfied never to visit that place again until they have a society formed, constant preaching, and a desire to see me. O, what a county this is! We can but just get food for our horses. I am grieved, indeed, for the sufferings, the sins, and the follies of the people.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

21 March 1786

TuesdayNorth Carolina

Came to Whitaker’s chapel, near Fishing Creek,¹ where I spoke, with but little consolation to myself, to about seventy souls. I feel my body unwell; but my soul is stayed in cheerful dependence upon God.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

Notes (1)

Whitaker’s Chapel on Fishing Creek in Halifax County, North Carolina, was notable and was perhaps the meetinghouse of John Dickins when he lived in the county. Nearby lived Mr. Long and Mr. Bustian who made the first gifts to the school which Dickins had planned. (See Journal entries for June 19, 1780.) ↩

22 March 1786

WednesdayNorth Carolina

Rode to D.’s chapel, where I was met by about fifty hearers: spirituous liquors have greatly injured the people here.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

24 March 1786

FridayNorth Carolina

At Conniconnara chapel. I had nearly gone through my subject, when a man began to talk; his brother carried him away, after fruitless endeavours to silence him. Brother Dickins spoke, and I came away in great pain to brother Clayton’s.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

25 March 1786

SaturdayNorth Carolina

I took some Hiera Picra,¹ and felt better. Read our Form of Discipline, in manuscript, which brother Dickins has been preparing for the press.²

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

Notes (2)

Hiera Picra was “a cathartic powder made of aloes and canella bark.” (Webster’s New International Dictionary.) ↩
This was the first Discipline in its present form. Dickins after two years at Wesley Chapel in New York had returned to North Carolina to serve the Bertie Circuit. This circuit was formed from a part of the Roanoke Circuit in 1783 and contained some of the points served previously by Dickins. At the Salisbury Conference he was again sent to New York, later to become the first Book Agent. (See note under Journal entry for June 18, 1780; Minutes; Moore: Pioneers of Methodism in North Carolina and Virginia, 106-17; Grissom, op. cit., 60-61, 103.) ↩

26 March 1786

SundayNorth Carolina

We had a large congregation, and a solemn time at brother Clayton’s. After meeting returned to brother Dickins’s. He and his wife cleave to God; but there is a great declension elsewhere.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

28 March 1786

TuesdayNorth Carolina

I called on sister Bruce, at whose house I preached when she lived near Portsmouth, Virginia. I found her at the point of death, her soul filled with the peace and love of God.

VIRGINIA

I came on to Roanoak chapel, where I was led to be sharp while treated on the form of godliness without the power.

I found the Lord was working among the people at Young’s, in Mecklenburg, and felt myself to be in a warmer clime. We had a gracious time at quarterly meeting, especially at the sacrament: the words of our excellent sister Jones, both in speaking and in prayer, were sweetly and powerfully felt. The second day was great, both in preaching and love feast: my soul was melted; I have not witnessed such a meeting in the South.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 488

1 April 1786

SaturdayVirginia

Rode through the rain twenty-four miles to the widow Bedford’s, where but a few, besides the society, came. I met the married men and women apart, and there were tenderness and tears, greatly felt, and copiously shed, among them.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

7 April 1786

FridayVirginia

I preached at Merritt’s chapel, with but little life. I rode down to Mason’s that night, much weakened through abstinence. A deep dejection seized my spirits, so that I could hardly bear up. On the Sabbath day I preached at Moss’s, to a large congregation. We went forwards towards Lane’s church: here our conference was held—some spirits were tried before it ended. Here ten young men offered themselves on probation.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

13 April 1786

ThursdayVirginia

Rode through the rain to N. Lee’s.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

14 April 1786

FridayVirginia

Arrived in Petersburg, and had but a dull time.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

16 April 1786

SundayVirginia

Being Easter-day, I preached at the Manakintown on Colossians 3:1-4, with some freedom.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

17 April 1786

MondayVirginia

I directed my course northward, and on Thursday the twentieth reached Alexandria.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

23 April 1786

SundayVirginia

Hail, glorious Lord! After deep exercises of body and mind, I feel a solemn sense of God on my heart. I preached by day in the court house, on 1 Peter 3:10; and in the evening at the Presbyterian church, on Luke 19:41, 42. Alexandria must grow: and if religion prospers among them, it will be blessed. I drew a plan, and set on foot a subscription for a meeting house.

MARYLAND

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

26 April 1786

WednesdayVirginia

Arrived in Baltimore, and was occupied until the following Saturday in collecting money for the books, and inspecting the accounts of the Book Concern.¹

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 489

Notes (1)

This is Asbury’s first reference to the Book Concern. Although its management both before and after its official organization in 1789 caused Asbury much work and worry, he left his estate to the Concern. (See Journal entry for June 6, 1813.) ↩

30 April 1786

SundayWest Virginia

I preached three times, and made a collection to defray the expenses of sending missionaries to the western settlements;¹ I spoke twice on the same subject through the course of the week.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

Notes (1)

These missionaries were doubtless James Haw and Benjamin Ogden, first preachers appointed to Kentucky, and Thomas Humphreys and John Majors, volunteers for Georgia. (Lee: A Short History of the Methodists, 121, 123, 360, 361; Barclay, op. cit., I, 126, 197.) ↩

8 May 1786

MondayWest Virginia

Our conference began at Abingdon,¹ where love, candour, and precision, marked our deliberations.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

Notes (1)

The session of the preceding conference decided that the conference for 1786 should be held on May 8 in Baltimore. Apparently the change to Abingdon was made to promote interest in Cokesbury College. (General Minutes, 1785 and 1786.) ↩

13 May 1786

SaturdayWest Virginia

We find that the college is now only fit for covering, and we are already in debt nearly £900, and money is scarce. Came to Baltimore to spend another tedious week.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

19 May 1786

FridayWest Virginia

My soul is stayed upon the Lord; and all within me longs for God—even the living God.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

21 May 1786

SundayWest Virginia

I preached in the new meeting house in Light street, on “I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” And in the evening I spoke on 1 Kings 9:6-9; it was a very solemn time, a warning to our young people.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

23 May 1786

TuesdayWest Virginia

We had a watch night, brother Whatcoat preached; it was a moving season.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

31 May 1786

WednesdayWest Virginia

Came to Antietam settlement,¹ and spoke in a Dutch church: a travelling ministry would be more productive of good among these people; their preachers and people are too fond of settling, and having things established on the regular plan.

WEST VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

Notes (1)

The settlement was on Antietam Creek, Washington County, Maryland, near the present Sharpsburg. The population was mostly German, and through Otterbein doors were opened for Methodist preaching. The Beeler family led in promoting Methodism in that region. (Scharf, op. cit., II, 1207, 1209, 1210.) ↩

1 June 1786

ThursdayWest Virginia

I reached Shepherdstown with difficulty, and in pain. I was blest, and delivered my own soul. The people here are displeased with me because I do not send them brother Thomas Vasey.¹ Riding through so much wet and damp weather has caused the inflammation of my foot, and I am afraid of being stopped: this is a great trial to me; Lord, give me a perfect resignation! We have had rain for eighteen days successively, and I have ridden about two hundred miles in eight or nine days; a most trying time indeed.

VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

Notes (1)

Thomas Vasey (1742-1826) was ordained as presbyter, or elder, by John Wesley in 1784 and sent to America with Coke and Whatcoat. He was elder in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and then accepted reordination by Bishop White of the Anglican Church and returned to England. In 1789 he re-entered the Methodist itinerancy. (Stevens, op. cit., II, 155-57; see Journal entry for September 1, 1787.) ↩

3 June 1786

SaturdayWest Virginia

We rode twenty-eight miles along very bad roads to Milburn’s.¹ Brother Watters preached.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 490

Notes (1)

John Milburn lived about four miles from Winchester, Virginia, where he built Milburn Chapel. He was a traveling preacher from 1787 to 1799. (Scott and Ayres manuscripts; Whatcoat’s Journal, August 22, 1789.) ↩

4 June 1786

SundayWest Virginia

The Lutheran minister began a few minutes before I got into Winchester. I rode leisurely through the town, and preached under some spreading trees on a hill,¹ on Joshua 24:19, to many white and black people. It was a solemn, weighty time; all was seriousness and attention. I then went once more to Newtown;² here I preached on 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. I had but little freedom in speaking. I called on Mr. Otterbein: we had some free conversation on the necessity of forming a church among the Dutch, holding conferences, the order of its government, &c. WEST VIRGINIA

——³ Rode to Col. Seymour’s,⁴ as welcome as snow in harvest. My soul is kept in peace; but my poor body is much fatigued, and I am lame withal. I came over a rough road to Johnson’s,⁵ and preached to a most insensible people.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 491

Notes (5)

There was no Methodist meetinghouse in Winchester, Virginia, until 1793. (See the Scott manuscript.) ↩
Newtown was the present Stephens City, Frederick County, Virginia. ↩
This entry is undated in the Journal, but June 11 seems likely. ↩
Colonel Felix Seymour (1728-98), a Revolutionary officer who came from Ireland in 1740, lived near Petersburg; and his home was a preaching place. The community of Seymoursville in Grant County, West Virginia, is named for the family. (See the Ayres manuscript, March 12, 1788.) ↩
This family is unidentified, though it may have been Abraham Johnson. The Scott manuscript says he lived on Patterson Creek in present Grant County, West Virginia. ↩

12 June 1786

MondayWest Virginia

Rode thirty-one miles; spoke at Dewitt’s to about fifty people; rather hard this, after riding so far: I shall go elsewhere, and do more good, I hope.

MARYLAND

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 491

13 June 1786

TuesdayWest Virginia

I had an open time at Col. Barratt’s. My lameness discourages me. Praise the Lord! there is a little religion on the Maryland side of the Potomac, and this is some comfort, without which this Alleghany would make me gloomy indeed. Sick or lame, I must try for Redstone to-morrow. My mind has been deeply impressed with the necessity of getting our people to set apart the five o’clock hour wholly for prayer; to establish prayer meetings, and to speak evil of no man.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 491

15 June 1786

ThursdayWest Virginia

We rode about twenty-two miles, and were kindly entertained for five shillings and sixpence.¹ WEST VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 491

Notes (1)

The place of entertainment was at John Simpkins’ inn. (See note for Journal entry under July 10, 1785.) ↩

17 June 1786

SaturdayWest Virginia

We had a heavy ride to Morgantown. I was to have been there at four o’clock, but missing my way, I made it six.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 491

18 June 1786

SundayWest Virginia

We had a great day. When I had done preaching brother Enoch Matson¹ exhorted with life and power, and the power of God was felt among the people. I suppose there were nearly six hundred hearers present.

PENNSYLVANIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 491

Notes (1)

Enoch Matson was elder over the Redstone and Allegheny circuits. (See Minutes.) ↩

20 June 1786

TuesdayWest Virginia

Being court time at Beesontown¹ our congregation was large; perhaps not less than six hundred people. My foot continues swelled and uneasy; but I desire to praise the Lord under every affliction.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 492

Notes (1)

Beesontown was the present Uniontown, Pennsylvania. ↩

22 June 1786

ThursdayWest Virginia

Crossed the Monongahela at Redstone at Old Fort,¹ where they are building a town. I am now among some of my old friends that moved from Maryland to this country.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 492

Notes (1)

Brownsville, Pennsylvania, at the point where Redstone Creek flows into the Monongahela River, was often called “Redstone Old Fort” because of prehistoric earthworks nearby. (Buck, op. cit., 98.) ↩

23 June 1786

FridayWest Virginia

I was much blessed, and had many to hear at S. Litton’s. We are now going to the frontiers, and may take a peep into the Indian land.¹ This is a fruitful district, and I hope it will prosper in religion. I have lately been sorely assaulted by Satan, and much blessed of the Lord.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 492

Notes (1)

The limits of white occupation were defined as the line of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, according to the terms of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix of 1768 with Iroquois Confederacy. Across the rivers was Indian land. Asbury does not make record of having crossed the river, but the manuscript Journal of John Smith, one of the circuit riders on the Redstone Circuit this year, shows that he did make the crossing and set foot on the soil of Ohio. ↩

24 June 1786

SaturdayWest Virginia

The people were very still, and very lifeless at Lackey’s.¹ I felt the power of death, and my spirits were low. This is death—when religion and every comfortable accommodation are wanting. Lord, sanctify all these for my humiliation!

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 492

Notes (1)

Thomas Lackey (1745-1816) emigrated from New Jersey and settled on the head-waters of North Ten Mile Creek, just south of Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1772. There is good evidence pointing to his home as a preaching place by Eli Shickle, one of Strawbridge’s local preachers, as early as 1772, though no official society was organized there until the laying out of the Redstone Circuit in 1784. This society at Lackey’s is the direct predecessor of the First Methodist Church in Washington, Pennsylvania. (Smeltzer, op. cit., 38-40.) ↩

25 June 1786

SundayWest Virginia

We had a wild company at Dennis’s, to whom I was led to be pointed, on Isaiah 55:6, 7. After preaching we ate a little bread and butter, and rode fifteen miles to Doddridge’s Fort.¹ We arrived just at sunset, and I was comforted in the company of brother Smith,² and others of my old friends from Maryland.

WEST VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 492

Notes (2)

John Doddridge (1745-91) settled in Independence Township near the Pennsylvania-Virginia line in 1773 and built a fort that same year. The fall after this visit by Asbury, Doddridge built a Methodist chapel near the fort, it being the fourth Methodist chapel in the region west of the mountains. Joseph Doddridge, son of John, served as a Methodist itinerant from 1788 to 1791. He then entered the Episcopal ministry. He also qualified as a physician and served as missionary in the Upper Ohio Valley. Joseph Doddridge was the author of Notes on the Settlements and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania, from 1763 to 1783, inclusive. (Smeltzer, op. cit., 67-68; Payton: Our Fathers Have Told Us, 75-76; Mulkearn and Pugh: A Traveler’s Guide to Historic Western Pennsylvania, 339-40.) ↩
John Smith (1758-1812) was appointed to Redstone Circuit this year. He was a native of Kent County, Maryland. (Minutes, 1813; Stevens: History of Methodist Episcopal Church, II, 147.) ↩

26 June 1786

MondayWest Virginia

Preached in Coxe’s Fort¹ on the Ohio river,² on “Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land.” Psalm 37:2, 3. We found it necessary to return, they said twelve, but I thought fifteen miles. We were lost in the woods, and it rained all the way. We, however, came in about eight o’clock, and about ten laid ourselves down to rest in peace.

PENNSYLVANIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 492

Notes (2)

Coxe’s Fort was a Methodist preaching place on the original Redstone Circuit, two miles north of Wellsburg, Brooke County, West Virginia. (Smeltzer, op. cit., 49.) ↩
Asbury and John Smith went into the present state of Ohio on this day, being the first Methodist preachers within that state of whom there is record. The opinion has been that George Callahan was the first preacher in what was to be the state of Ohio and that his visit took place in September of 1787. (See article Introduction of Methodism in Ohio in “Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society Publications,” 165 ff.) Proof of Asbury’s “peep into the Indian land” (Journal entry for June 23, 1786) is found in the manuscript Journal of John Smith: “June 26, 1786: Crost the great Ohio into the Indian Contry in company with Mr. Asbury, Henry, and several others. This river runs into the Missesippy bordering upon south Amarica inhabited by the spanyards…” Smith’s reference to “south Amarica” means the section that later became the Louisiana Purchase. It is not known whether Asbury or others preached in Ohio in 1786, but there is a possibility that there was preaching at the blockhouse at Carpenter’s station or at some other fortification. ↩

27 June 1786

TuesdayWest Virginia

I had a large congregation, and Divine aid. We hasted away to a little town called Washington—wicked enough at all times, but especially now at court time. We had uncomfortable lodgings. Riding hard all day, and loss of sleep at night, never fail laying me under affliction.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 492

29 June 1786

ThursdayMaryland

I had enlargement in speaking to three or four hundred people, at Roberts’s chapel,¹ on Luke 4:18.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 493

Notes (1)

Robert’s Chapel was the first Methodist meeting house west of the mountains, erected in 1784 or 1785. It was 4.5 miles south of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, on the farm of Roger Roberts. It has continuity in the West Bend Methodist Church of the Pittsburg Conference. (Smeltzer, op. cit., 66-67.) ↩

30 June 1786

FridayMaryland

Occasion was given to-day for expressions of wonder by a clerical character, that any one should be able to preach who had not acquired learning. What Jesuitical stupidity was here manifested! We came to the widow Murphy’s.¹ The family are kind, and the mother professes religion.

July 1 and 2. I spoke in the new church at Beesontown.² We had a feeling, gracious season. The sacrament was, I trust, attended with a blessing.

MARYLAND

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 493

Notes (2)

Mrs. Ann Murphy (1731-1814) was an early leader of Methodism in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, having moved from Ellicott’s Mill in Maryland in 1780 and settled west of Uniontown. Her home was a regular stopping place for the Methodist itinerants. On Saturday, May 26, 1787, during the quarterly meeting on the Redstone Circuit, Robert Ayres made the following entry in his Journal: “After Meeting we walked up to Sister Murphy’s and tarried and fifteen or twenty of us slept in one spliced long bed.” ↩
This was the first Methodist meetinghouse in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the predecessor of the present Asbury Methodist Church. It must have been built in the spring of 1786 since both Asbury and Ayres refer to it as “new” that spring. This makes it the second oldest Methodist building in the region, being preceded only by Roberts Chapel. (Smeltzer, op. cit., 67.) ↩

3 July 1786

MondayMaryland

We came in haste to Simpkins and thence to Barratt’s.¹ We rode through gloomy mountains, and over rough roads for two hours in the dark, where both man and horse were in danger; but the Lord was our preserver, and no accident happened to us.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 493

Notes (1)

(See note under Journal entry for July 12, 1782.) Colonel Barratt resided on the Braddock Road, eight miles northwest of Cumberland. (Manuscript diary of Robert Ayres, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh.) Later Asbury found “Colonel Barratt of Alleghany and his wife” at Mount Gerizim, three miles southeast of Cynthia, Kentucky. (Journal entry for October 22, 1805.) In 1811 Asbury met Colonel Barratt’s third son, probably Abner, at Urbana, Ohio. (Journal entry for September 20, 1811; Henry Howe: Historical Collections of Ohio, II, 372.) ↩

4 July 1786

TuesdayMaryland

I came to Barratt’s, where God spoke to the hearts of a few souls, who were not a little moved. Here I was almost ready to drop for want of sleep.

I found an appointment had been made for me at Friend’s Cove.¹ I hesitated to go, but being unwilling to disappoint the people, I set out, and must needs stray two miles out of my way to see a curious spring, which ebbs and flows, but not regularly. What with rocks and logs in our route, the way was so rough, it was a mercy that ourselves and our horses escaped unhurt. I came to the Cove, and preached on Luke 11:13. I have been greatly tempted to impatience and discontent. The roads are bad; my horse’s hind feet without shoes; and but little to eat. To this I may add, that the lodgings are unclean and uncomfortable. I rode across the mountain to Spurgin’s,² where I met with a number of serious souls. I do not repent coming fifteen miles. I preached on, “That we may have boldness in the day of judgment.”

I rode twenty-two miles to Foster’s,³ along a blind path, and came in about nine o’clock, and was thankful. I have, in six days, ridden about one hundred and fifty miles, on as bad roads as any I have seen on the continent.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 493

Notes (3)

Friend’s Cove was a preaching place on the Bath Circuit. ↩
S. Spurgin’s house was a preaching place on the Bath Circuit. ↩
John Foster lived about eleven miles from Old Town and six miles from Cumberland, Maryland. He was ordained deacon by Asbury in 1787. (See the Ayres manuscript for August and September, 1787.) ↩

9 July 1786

SundayWest Virginia

I rested from riding. Preached on, “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” I had sweet communion with God in the woods. My soul hath rest in the Lord.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 494

10 July 1786

MondayWest Virginia

Came to Old Town, and preached on 1 Timothy 1:15; and administered the sacrament.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 494

11 July 1786

TuesdayWest Virginia

I rested to look over some papers and prepare some parchments. Spent nearly a third of the day in prayer, that the Lord would go with me to the Springs. O what hath God wrought for brother John Jeremiah Jacob and his wife since I lodged with them four years ago! I believe from that day the Lord heard our prayers for them. There has been a remarkable storm of hail at and about the warm springs, by which great damage has been sustained. Some of the hail, it was said, measured seven inches in circumference.

WEST VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 494

13 July 1786

ThursdayWest Virginia

I came to Bath; the water made me sick. I took some pills, and drank chicken-broth, and mended. I am ill in body, and dispirited. I am subject to a headache, which prevents my reading or writing much, and have no friends here; but I desire to trust the Lord with all my concerns. Having no appointments for three weeks to come, I have concluded to stay here awhile; and I am the more inclined so to do, as I am apprehensive my stomach wants all the healing efficacy of the waters to restore it to its proper tone.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 494

16 July 1786

SundayWest Virginia

I had some Divine assistance in speaking to the people under the trees, on “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” In the afternoon I enlarged on, “Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Quite weak, and considerably affected by the water.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 494

20 July 1786

ThursdayWest Virginia

I am better. Employed in reading Mr. Harvey, and Brooks’s Practice of Physic. More than ordinary in prayer, and spoke in public every other night.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 495

30 July 1786

SundayWest Virginia

I spoke plainly and closely in the playhouse, on “O! wicked man, thou shalt surely die.” The people were serious. I cannot get the people to attend preaching except on the Sabbath. This evil is to be remedied only, I presume, by our getting a preaching house, and preaching therein by candle-light.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 495

5 August 1786

SaturdayWest Virginia

I began to pack up, in hopes of moving on Monday.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 495

6 August 1786

SundayWest Virginia

I had a serious, little congregation in the country.¹ Returned to town, and preached at four o’clock.

A pleasing thought passed through my mind: it was this, that I was saved from the remains of sin. As yet, I have felt no returns thereof. I was solemnly impressed with the account of the death of poor Styor,² a German, who dropped down suddenly, and died. He was a man of piety, and had a gift to preach; had a noble spirit, and sound judgment. I have spent twenty-three days at this place of wickedness (Bath). We are trying what can be done towards building a house for worship:³ we collected something on the Sabbath for that purpose, and it appears the business is entered upon with spirit. My horse was running in the pasture last week, and hurt himself, so that I find him utterly incapable of travelling, and that I am compelled to linger here another week. This, as it is, I am willing to do, for the sake of the people, the cause of God, and my health; and I am disposed to consider it a providential call, although I should not remain, were my horse able to carry me away. I sent brother Caleb Boyer⁴ to my appointments, and directed him when and where to appoint for me. My hopes revive here, and I trust my labour is not all in vain.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 495

Notes (4)

The preaching place was probably the home of Archibald Wiggins about four miles from Bath. He later moved to Mason County, Kentucky, and settled on Licking Creek. (Whatcoat’s Journal for August 7, 1789; Ayres and Scott manuscripts.) ↩
This man was probably a lay preacher of the Otterbein group. ↩
The Methodist meetinghouse which Asbury wanted at Bath (see Journal entry for July 13, 1786) was started this year but was not completed for more than a year. (See Journal entries for July 16 and August 10, 1787.) ↩
Caleb Boyer was elder over the Philadelphia and Little York circuits. (See Lednum, op. cit., 413; and Minutes.) ↩

15 August 1786

TuesdayWest Virginia

I preached for the last time during this visit, but the people showed but little affection for the word.

Capon River being full, I crossed in a canoe, and found my horse better. The cut was a deep one, but we applied a piece of bacon to the wound, bound some leather round it, and on Thursday I took my departure from this unhappy place.

Came to my old friend, Benjamin Boydstone’s. I had the happiness of seeing that tender woman, his wife, who careth for the preachers as for her own soul; full oft hath she refreshed my spirit: her words, looks, and gestures, appear to be heavenly. Here I could make no stay, lest I should miss my appointments in Philadelphia; and if so, be too late for those made in the Jerseys and New York.

MARYLAND—NEW JERSEY

Sunday morning. Rode twenty miles to Pipe Creek chapel,¹ and preached to a large congregation.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 495

Notes (1)

Pipe Creek Chapel was occasionally used in referring to Stone Chapel, erected in 1783 on the site of Poulson Chapel, successor to Strawbridge’s Log Meeting House. It is still in use. ↩

21 August 1786

MondayNew York

Reached Mr. Gough’s, where I spent two days. The weather was very warm; but for one hundred miles and upwards I have had it sufficiently agreeable.

Came to Abingdon. Our college is still without a cover, and our managers, as I expected, almost out of breath. I made but little stay, but hasted on to Philadelphia, and arrived there on the twenty-sixth, Saturday.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 496

28 August 1786

MondayNew York

I came to Trenton; and thence proceeded on to Brunswick. I was accidentally, or rather providentially, favoured with a ride in a carriage; else I know not how I should have proceeded on my journey. NEW YORK

I reached New York on the thirty-first of August, having travelled three hundred and fifty miles since I left Bath, in Virginia. I was taken ill, and was confined about eight days, during which time I was variously tried and exercised in mind. I spent some time in looking over my journals, which I have kept for fifteen years back.¹ Some things I corrected, and some I expunged. Perhaps, if they are not published before, they will be after my death, to let my friends and the world see how I have employed my time in America. I feel the worth of souls, and the weight of the pastoral charge, and that the conscientious discharge of its important duties requires something more than human learning, unwieldy salaries, or clerical titles of D.D., or even bishop. The eyes of all—both preachers and people, will be opened in time.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 496

Notes (1)

The Journal so faithfully kept by Asbury was carefully edited several times by various persons. John Dickins and his wife, Eliza, were the first to whom Asbury submitted his manuscripts for revision. (See the Introduction to this volume.) ↩

16 September 1786

SaturdayNew York

It was a very solemn season at the ordination of brother Dickins to the eldership.¹ I gave the charge from 1 Timothy 3:10, 14. In the afternoon I preached to the people from these words, “Pray for us;” and in the evening from “The world by wisdom knew not God: it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe.” I met the society, and opened my mind to them on various subjects.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 496

Notes (1)

John Dickins had been sent to the Bertie Circuit in North Carolina in 1785 and returned to New York in 1786. He was ordained deacon at the Christmas Conference in 1784 and elected an elder at one of the Conferences in 1786, though he was not ordained when elected, probably because he was not present. This solemn service of ordination of a prominent man may have been on Sunday, September 17, rather than on Saturday as indicated. ↩

19 September 1786

TuesdayNew Jersey

I rose with a sense of God upon my soul.

I have been a little grieved with letters from ——:¹ but it is in vain to look for more than man in the best of men. My witness is on high; and I shall have respect to my Great Shepherd in all things. After preaching on “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,” &c., and settling some temporal matters relative to the support of the stationed preachers,² I left the city and came to Elizabethtown. At seven o’clock I preached, and had much liberty.

NEW JERSEY

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

Notes (2)

The undesignated correspondent may have been Thomas Vasey. (See Journal entries for June 27, July 14, and September 1, 1787.) ↩
These preachers were John Tunnell, elder; John Dickins, New York; Thomas Ware, Long Island; and Robert Cloud, Newark. Full support for the year was paid to Tunnell and Dickins, and a small payment was made to Cloud. Asbury received seventeen pounds for personal requirements and cost of his illness. (See John Street Church Records, I.) ↩

22 September 1786

FridayNew Jersey

We dined at Amboy, and reached Monmouth at night.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

23 September 1786

SaturdayNew Jersey

I preached with life and love at Leonard’s.¹ The people here appear very lifeless. I have lately been much tried and much blessed.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

Notes (1)

The present community of Leonards is on the site of former farms of the Leonard family, a mile from Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Captain William Leonard and his son William entertained the preachers. (Lewis: History of Monmouth County, II, 149, 150; New Jersey, a Guide to its Present and Past, 675.) ↩

26 September 1786

TuesdayNew Jersey

I had many to hear at Potter’s church,¹ but the people were insensible and unfeeling.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

Notes (1)

The Potter Church was at Good Luck, now Lanoka Harbor, in Ocean County, New Jersey. Here John Murray, founder of Universalism in this country, first preached in America. Thomas Potter built the church in 1766 because his wife objected to preaching in the home. He left it to Murray on his death, and the Methodists bought it in 1809. It was rebuilt in 1841 and now stands in its cemetery at Murray’s Grove near a brick church of later construction. (Heston, op. cit., I, 249; New Jersey, a Guide to its Present and Past, 557, 558.) ↩

27 September 1786

WednesdayNew Jersey

I met with brothers Phoebus [?] and Budd.¹ We sailed over the bay to the sea, for the benefit of the air.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

Notes (1)

William Phoebus was assigned to New Jersey in 1785; his name does not appear in 1786, and he may have remained there. William Budd was a local preacher from New Mills who accompanied Pedicord and the other itinerants frequently and who may be the person referred to, although there were several Budds. They sailed over Great Bay through Little Egg Inlet. Asbury had come via Wareton and Tuckertown. ↩

28 September 1786

ThursdayNew Jersey

Since this day week we have ridden about one hundred and fifty miles over dead sands, and among a dead people, and a long space between meals.¹

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

Notes (1)

Asbury had now gone inland to Batstow, the present Pleasant Mills. Here was the old Brainerd Free Church, which later became a Methodist meetinghouse where Simon Lucas preached and died. (For the complicated road system of southern New Jersey see Heston, op. cit., I, 249, 274-86, 287-99; Historic Roadsides in New Jersey.) ↩

29 September 1786

FridayNew Jersey

I preached in a close, hot place, and administered the sacrament. I was almost ready to faint. I feel fatigued and much dispirited. We lodged at Freedom Lucas’s, near Batstow, an honest-hearted man.¹ We shall see whether he will continue to be the same simple-hearted Christian he now is, when he gets possession of the estate which, it is said, has fallen to him in England.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

Notes (1)

Freedom and Simon Lucas were brothers. (See note under Journal entry for September 17, 1785.) A later descendant was the Rev. Arthur Lucas of the Newark Conference, who died in 1944. Simon was known as “Daddy” or “Father” Lucas. He was the original “Father Lawrence” of Charles J. Patterson’s novel Kate Aylesford. ↩

1 October 1786

SundayNew Jersey

We had a very large congregation; to whom I enforced, “Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be saved.” Cape-May.—We stopped at the Cape.¹ I find there is a great dearth of religion in these parts; and my spirit is clothed in sackcloth before the Lord.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 497

Notes (1)

This was Cape May. ↩

3 October 1786

TuesdayNew Jersey

At Peter Cressy’s¹ we had a few cold hearers—the glory is strangely departed.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

Notes (1)

Peter Cressy lived in Cape May County and was a magistrate. (Lednum, op. cit.,360.) ↩

5 October 1786

ThursdayNew Jersey

There are a few pious souls at Gough’s;¹ but here also there is an evident declension. My soul is under deep exercise on account of the deadness of the people, and my own want of fervour and holiness of heart.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

Notes (1)

The Gough, or Goff, family lived near the Cape May-Cumberland County line. Benjamin Abbott had a fine meeting there around 1783. (Lednum, op. cit., 294.) ↩

6 October 1786

FridayNew Jersey

At Morris River church,¹ I was warm and close on, “Lord, are there few that be saved?” The people were attentive to the word.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

Notes (1)

See note under Journal entry for September 17, 1785. ↩

8 October 1786

SundayNew Jersey

At New England Town we had a small house and large congregation. I had liberty in preaching on, “By grace are ye saved through faith.” Thence I proceeded to M——’s, where I had poor times. Next day I felt quite unwell for want of rest, so annoyed were we the night before.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

12 October 1786

ThursdayNew Jersey

I was shut up in speaking on 1 Corinthians 1:30. At Murphy’s¹ we had many dull, prayerless people. We came to the widow Ayres’s;² the mother and daughters are serious, and the son thoughtful. The weather is oppressively warm, and I feel weary and faint. I was much shut up at Bethel,³ on 1 Peter 3:18. Three times have I been here, and always straitened in spirit.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

Notes (3)

John Murphy lived at the Friendship Church on Salem Circuit. (Atkinson, op. cit., 234.) ↩
Mrs. Susannah Ayres (Ayars) was one of the first Methodists in Pittsgrove, ten or twelve miles from Shiloh. She was probably related to the family of Robert Ayres, a Seventh-Day Baptist, who in 1705 founded Shiloh, first called Cohansey Corners. When a log church was moved, it stuck on some rocks, whereupon Ayres announced that “the Ark of the Lord rested at Shiloh.” He had two thousand acres of land which he sold to people of his own faith. (Historic Roadsides in New Jersey, 38.) ↩
Bethel is the present-day Hurffville. The church was instituted as early as 1771, and ten years later a Methodist society was also started at nearby Paulsboro. Bethel gave its name to one of the circuits in 1790. (Heston: South Jersey: A History, I, 444; Journal entry for September 29, 1790.) ↩

14 October 1786

SaturdayNew Jersey

Came to Sandstown:¹ the weather very warm, and the people dull: I administered the sacrament, and rode away to Cooper’s ferry,² where we left our horses and crossed to the city, (Philadelphia:) here I found brother Whatcoat, with whom I took sweet counsel. PENNSYLVANIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

Notes (2)

Sandtown was the present Mount Royal, New Jersey. Its former designations were Sandstown and also Berkely, a village in Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, on Mantua Creek, four miles southwest from Woodbury. It is not to be confused with the present Sandtown in Burlington County. Atkinson (op. cit., 366) says, “There must have been a society there, or else it does not seem probable he would have held a sacramental service.” (Gordon’s Gazetteer of New Jersey, 1834, 233; Heston, op. cit., I, 397.) ↩
Cooper’s ferry was at Camden. ↩

15 October 1786

SundayNew Jersey

I had some energy in speaking, and at sacrament. In the afternoon it was a feeling time, on “The Lord will give grace and glory.” NEW JERSEY

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

16 October 1786

MondayNew Jersey

Rode to Mount Holly, where I preached on “Come, ye blessed of my Father,” &c.; and then at New Mills, on “Suffering affliction with the people of God.”

At Burlington I enlarged on, “Neither is there salvation in any other,” &c.: these are not a zealous people for religion.

PENNSYLVANIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

18 October 1786

WednesdayNew Jersey

We returned to the city of Philadelphia. Next day I preached, and was close and pointed.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 498

20 October 1786

FridayMaryland

I was led to treat on the sufferings of God’s people; as entirely distinct from those they endure in common with other men, and certainly unavoidable by all who are really alive to God. I found it necessary to change some official men; and to take proper steps in preparing to defray our church debt, which is now £500. I gave them a sermon on “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.”

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 499

22 October 1786

SundayMaryland

In the afternoon I left the city, and preached in the evening at Chester.

DELAWARE

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 499

23 October 1786

MondayMaryland

I rode forty-five miles to Dickerson’s,¹ in the Delaware State. Preached at Little Creek,² and then rode five miles to Dover, and preached in the court house. I bless God for peace of mind, and communion with him.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 499

Notes (2)

Joseph Dickerson, who in July, 1789, donated land on which a chapel named for him was erected near Dexter’s Corner, New Castle County. It was the successor to White’s Chapel located between Townsend and Pine Tree. (Scharf, History of Delaware, II, 1021.) ↩
Methodist preaching began in 1778 in Little Creek Hundred, Kent County, Delaware. That year Gum Swamp Chapel was built and occupied its original site until 1875 when the improved structure was moved to Little Creek Landing about a mile distant. (Ibid., II, 1121.) ↩

29 October 1786

SundayMaryland

I had many to hear at Dover, and had power and liberty in speaking on Galatians 1:5: we also had a good sacramental time. In the afternoon I spoke on the latter part of my text—how and what it is to suffer according to the will of God. Thence to Thomas White’s, where I was closely employed.

MARYLAND

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 499

5 November 1786

SundayMaryland

I preached at Cambridge, on “We preach Christ crucified,” &c.; little light, and less heat. I was blessed in my own soul, and had liberty in preaching at M’Keel’s¹ in the afternoon, where there is some revival among the people.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 499

Notes (1)

John McKeel, or McKell, lived near Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland. (Hallman, op. cit., 116; Journal of Thomas Haskins, November 26, 1782.) ↩

9 November 1786

ThursdayMaryland

I rode to Mr. Bartholomew Ennals’s;¹ the notice was short, and the congregation small; the word, nevertheless, reached some hearts. I crossed at Vienna, a dead and dark place for religion.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 499

Notes (1)

Bartholomew Ennalls played an early and conspicuous part in planting Methodism in Dorchester County, Maryland. He was among those who joined in the persecution of Freeborn Garrettson at Cambridge. (Boehm, op. cit., 58; see Journal entry for April 18, 1802.) ↩

10 November 1786

FridayMaryland

We had more than I expected of hearers at Quantico chapel. Thence I went to Wicomico River, and lodged at Captain Conaway’s,¹ where we met with a kind reception. I feel the need of being more than ever given up to God. I preached in Curtis’s chapel:² our love feast was lively: several holy women spoke of the perfect love of God.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 499

Notes (2)

Captain Conaway resided in Wicomico County near the river of that name. Richard Whatcoat rode with the captain from Thomas Garrettson’s near Vienna to Quantico. (Sweet: Religion on the American Frontier, IV, 84; Hallman, op. cit., 108.) ↩
Curtis Chapel, erected about 1784, stood three miles east of Westover, Somerset County. It was long a preaching place on the two-hundred-mile Annamessex Circuit. Coke visited the chapel in 1784, and Whatcoat visited there November 5 and 7, 1789. (Boehm, op. cit., 68, 69; Sweet, op. cit., IV, 83.) ↩

12 November 1786

SundayDelaware

According to the custom of the place, I preached to accommodate them; my subject was Joshua 14:8.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

13 November 1786

MondayDelaware

I had about fifty hearers at Miles’s chapel,¹ where I preached a funeral sermon on Ezekiel 36:25.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

Notes (1)

Miles Chapel was erected in 1784 by members of a society organized two years earlier. In 1813 when a new church was built, it was given the name St. Peters and is located two miles northeast of Crisfield, Somerset County. (Hallman, op. cit., 117, 353.) ↩

14 November 1786

TuesdayDelaware

I crossed Pocomoke River, and had some enlargement in preaching at Melvin’s chapel.

VIRGINIA

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

16 November 1786

ThursdayDelaware

Rode to Paramore’s. The winter comes on apace. I am at times beset with temptation; but sin is as hateful to me as ever.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

17 November 1786

FridayDelaware

The weather was cold and rainy, so that there were but few people at the widow Burton’s; among these there were some who enjoyed, and others panting after, the perfect love of God.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

19 November 1786

SundayDelaware

I rode about twenty miles through the rain to Garrettson chapel, where about fifty whites, and as many blacks met me, to whom I preached with liberty.

MARYLAND

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

20 November 1786

MondayDelaware

I rode about forty-five miles; and on Tuesday preached at Snow Hill¹ to about one hundred people. Here I visited some prisoners under sentence of death; they were sunk down with fear and horror. DELAWARE

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

Notes (1)

Snow Hill is in Worcester County, Maryland. ↩

24 November 1786

FridayDelaware

My soul has peace under sore temptation. I want to live from moment to moment under a sense of God.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

25 November 1786

SaturdayDelaware

We had a cold, long ride to the sound.¹ On Sunday we had an open house, and the weather was very cold; but my preaching was not all in vain: I spoke from these words, “I will give them a heart of flesh.”

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

Notes (1)

Old Sound Chapel was built in 1784 by the society which Freeborn Garrettson organized in 1779 near the present village of Roxana, Sussex County, Delaware. (Garrettson, op. cit., 107, 110; Scharf: History of Delaware, lI, 1343.) ↩

27 November 1786

MondayDelaware

I rode thirty miles to Lewes very unwell. I preached at Shankland’s,¹ and the people were serious, but I was compelled to cease from speaking by a violent pain in my head, accompanied by a fever.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

Notes (1)

Asbury first visited the Shankland home near Lewes, Delaware, September 25, 1779. Listed among the persons taxable in Lewes and Rehoboth Hundred in 1785 were Robert, David, and Rhoads Shankland. The last named sold a lot on May 7, 1788, on which Ebenezer Church, near Lewes, was built. (Scharf, op. cit., II, 1220; Hallman, op. cit., 120, 268; Turner, Some Records of Sussex County, Delaware, 46, 47, 340, 341.) ↩

28 November 1786

TuesdayDelaware

I preached in the court house at Lewes and I trust the word went with some weight; the congregation was large.

MARYLAND

I attended a quarterly meeting at William Frazier’s, where I rested from travelling two days: the first day I spoke on “Fight the good fight of faith;” and on the second, “Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be saved.” My soul was blessed, although our meeting was cold; and our dwelling-house crowded with a dozen preachers, besides others.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 500

3 December 1786

SundayMaryland

Preached at Tuckahoe chapel,¹ on “These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.” I spoke again at widow Lyder’s² at four o’clock.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 501

Notes (2)

Tuckahoe, or Ebenezer, Chapel was the first Methodist place of worship in Caroline County, Maryland. Its origin dates from a day in 1776 when Freeborn Garrettson, preaching from horseback to the militia, won the converts who became the nucleus of the society. Historically it is associated with Squire Henry Downs who was converted while Thomas Chew, whom he had sentenced for preaching, was serving his jail sentence in the former’s home. It was at a camp meeting at Hillsboro that Jesse Lee was stricken and his body was first interred near Ebenezer Chapel. (Extracts of the Journal of Thomas Coke, 49, 54; Hallman, op. cit., 122, 286.) ↩
Mrs. Lyder was a resident of Dorchester County, Maryland. (Hallman, op. cit., 116.) Robert Ayres in his plan of the Dorchester Circuit, 1785, lists as a preaching place the “Widow Tyler.” Inasmuch as the “Widow Lyder” is unmentioned by Ayres, it seems probable that “Tyler” is the correct name. (Manuscript Journal of Robert Ayres.) ↩

4 December 1786

MondayMaryland

I rode to the bay-side through snow and hail, and met about one hundred people:¹ this we owe to the revival of religion among them. Our return thence was through heavy roads. I stopped in my way at Henry Banning’s,² whose wife felt conviction under my preaching three years ago.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 501

Notes (2)

The Bayside Society organized in 1777 frequently met in the home of a Mr. Bonnall. About 1782 the society erected the first Methodist meetinghouse in Talbot County. The records indicate its successor was built on land called “Miles End,” one mile from Wittman. When in 1906 the congregation moved to Wittman, its church took the name of the village. Wittman Church is now on the Bayside Circuit. ↩
Henry Banning lived in Hopkins Neck, Miles River, Talbot County, Maryland. His name appears in the census of Mills Hundred, 1776. (Brumbaugh, op. cit., 227; Hallman, op. cit., 104.) ↩

5 December 1786

TuesdayMaryland

I had a few people at Bolinbroke,¹ and spent the evening with Colonel Burkhead, who wants to know the Lord; he opened his mind to me with great freedom and tenderness. Brother James White² says that five hundred souls have joined society in this circuit (Talbot) this year; that half that number profess to have found the Lord; and more than one hundred to have obtained sanctification: good news this, if true. DELAWARE

At Barratt’s chapel there was some move during the course of the quarterly meeting, especially at the love feast. I rode in the evening to Dover, and preached on “So is every one that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.”

MARYLAND

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 501

Notes (2)

Bolinbroke Chapel stood on the road between Trappe and the Cambridge Ferry, Talbot County. When this chapel was built is unknown, but Bishop Thomas Coke preached and administered the Sacrament there on December 6, 1784. (Coke, op. cit., 49; Hallman, op. cit., 106, 337.) ↩
James White, a native of Maryland, was a traveling preacher from 1781 to his death in 1789. He was serving the Talbot Circuit at the time of Asbury’s visit. (Minutes.) ↩

15 December 1786

FridayMaryland

Editorial note: The supplied edition cites “Hosea 14:14” (ASB_VOL1.PDF, PDF page 501), but this is not a valid reference in the library’s KJV numbering. The historical wording is retained; the intended passage has not been established. The 1821 printed journal also reads “Hos. xiv. 14”; that older witness does not remove the citation difficulty. Francis Asbury, Journal (1821), PDF page 10.

We had a heavy ride to Queen Anne’s chapel. I did not arrive there until near two o’clock. My soul melted for backsliders. I was much led out on Hosea 14:14; and hope it will never be forgotten. We dined, and then rode to Newtown by sunset.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 501

17 December 1786

SundayMaryland

A day of rest to my soul. I preached and administered the sacrament in Newtown.¹ They have a comfortable house for worship here, especially in the winter. Came to Worton chapel,² and had some life in speaking to a few people.

We waited at the widow Frisby’s³ for a boat to cross the Chesapeake bay; but none was to be had. We rode round the head of Elk River, and crossed the Susquehanna: we came in, after riding that evening in the rain and snow, with the wind in our faces, about twenty miles.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 501

Notes (3)

Although the name of the county seat of Kent County was officially changed from New Town to Chestertown in 1780, use of the former persisted. Strawbridge preached the first Methodist sermon in Kent County two or three years before Asbury visited it. In 1773 a society was organized in Chestertown, although Kent Meeting House about five miles south became the focal point for Eastern Shore Methodism. In 1776 Thomas Rankin used the courthouse as a preaching place. In 1780 a lot was purchased in Chestertown, and soon thereafter the erection of a church was begun. (Phoebus, op. cit., 24, 25; Lee: Life and Times of the Rev. Jesse Lee, 186; Rankin: manuscript Journal, 160; Methodist Magazine, XI, 135-41; Journal entries for December, 1772; April 13, 1802; April 20, 1803.) ↩
Near Worton, several miles northwest of Chestertown, Maryland, a log structure was erected about 1780 by the congregation that formerly had met in the home of Henry Randall. Apparently because of its proximity to Worton, it took the name of Worton Chapel, although that village was without a Methodist church until 1901. (Hallman, op. cit., 318, 319; Rankin manuscript Journal for numerous references.) ↩
Mrs. Frisby lived in or near Rock Hall, Kent County, Maryland, which was then the terminus of the post road from the North. Here ferry service was long in operation across Chesapeake Bay. (Maryland, a Guide to the Old Line State, 384; Phoebus, Beams of Light, 24.) ↩

21 December 1786

ThursdayVirginia

Reached the college; and on Friday went to Baltimore, where I was in great haste to settle the business of the Book Concern,¹ and of the college.

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 502

Notes (1)

While John Dickins was stationed in New York City from 1783 to 1789, with the exception of one year, it is believed that he was following Asbury’s instructions to contract for the printing of certain books. Toward the close of 1786 the bishop was eager not only to settle the current accounts but to launch a more extensive program which appeared in the Discipline the next year. Jesse Lee wrote, “From that time we began to print more of our books in the United States… principally in New York.” (Discipline, 1787; Lee: Short History of the Methodists, 129.) ↩

23 December 1786

SaturdayVirginia

We called a meeting of the trustees, formed our constitution, and elected new members. I preached twice on the Sabbath, and ordained Woolman Hickson¹ and Joseph Cromwell to the eldership. I met the trustees and adjusted the accounts. We find we have expended upwards of £2,000; we agreed to finish two rooms, and to send for Mr. Heath for our president.² On Tuesday I left town, and came to Annapolis about seven o’clock. Finding my appointments were not made, I determined to direct my course towards Alexandria. The Lord has been powerfully at work at Annapolis since I was here last autumn; twenty or thirty whites and some blacks have been added to the society.

VIRGINIA

I reached Alexandria, and on Saturday preached in the court house, on, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”

ASB_VOL1.PDF, p. 502

Notes (2)

At this time Woolman Hickson, who became a traveling preacher in 1782, was serving the Baltimore Circuit. (Lednum, op. cit., 342-44; Wakeley, op. cit., 313-15; Atkinson: Memorials of Methodism in New Jersey, 305-13; Warriner: Old Sands Street Methodist Church of Brooklyn, N.Y., 5-7, 59-61.) ↩
Levi Heath received Anglican orders at the hands of the Bishop of Hereford, England, in 1783. After serving as principal of Cokesbury College, he became the rector of parishes in Maryland, New Jersey, western Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He died in 1805 or 1806 while in charge of Norbone Parish, Berkley County, Virginia. (Rightmyer: The Anglican Church in Delaware, 121.) ↩