March 26, 1801 — to George Roberts

The most interesting part of this letter is that dealing with the preaching and quarterly conference appointments. The letter shows Asbury’s method of getting around. As a rule his itinerary was set up before he got to the various churches and preaching places. He was driven to make the appointments, which had been arranged well in advance. What a schedule it was can be clearly seen. There was no time for emergencies and the many illnesses he suffered. His life is all the more remarkable when it is seen through his preaching appointments.

PORTSMOUTH, VA.

March 26, 1801

[TO GEORGE ROBERTS]¹

My very dear Roberts:

Grace and peace attend thee and thine now and ever. We have toiled along the sea coast, solitary sands, long leafed pines, creeks, rivers and swamps of South Carolina and North [Carolina] to Norfolk, between 600 and 700 miles and have nearly filled 4000 since our start at Baltimore. The want of water, the changes of mush have affected me some, but oh the winter of religion, the spring of trade, staves and shingles, ship building, all afloat. Oh now I am talking of temporals. John Hodges² an old Methodist near Portsmouth was spoken to by Brother Simpson, he was here to supply Adam Fonderdon with what card boards he will command and Hodges thinks he had better have them longer than a correct length, lest they shrink, crack or damage, and better cut plain than thin, on one side, but safe. If Fonderdon will order by letter directed to John Hodges near the Great Bridge, Norfolk, to the care of John Stratton. [line defaced]

I must also desire that Brother Morrell and yourself make no manner of excuses from coming to the yearly conference at Pipe Creek; let your stall³ feed flocks in Baltimore, have a church for their luxury; remember Nicholas Snethen, and George Roberts, and Thomas Morrell are our committee of compilation. I am determined to do as little of that as can be. I would submit to men of sense and candor; but when men put on such airs, as some do, whom I know have no more sense nor learning than myself I will not commit myself to such judges and such critics. Our appointments⁴ we wish made with great punctuality and notariety through Maryland in the west.

April 27 Federal City Where and what time is to be set Tuesd. 28 Montgomery Court House 12 oc⁵

Wed. 29 Goshen Meeting House 12 oc

Thurs. 30 Pipe Creek

Baltimore Conference

Friday May 1st

Saturd. 2nd

Sund. 3rd

Mond. 4th

Tuesd. 5th

Wed. 6th

Thursd. 7th Ryster 12 oc, Stone Chapel 5 oc

Baltimore City

Frid. 8th

Sat. 9th

Sund. 10th

appointments to be made by your judgment for the bishop on Mon. Monday 11 Perry Hall 12 oc

Tuesd. 12 Gunpowder at 12 oc Abingdon 5 oc

Wed. 13 Bush Chapel 12 oc Swan Neck 4 oc Thence then we [cross] the River, we shall send our appointments to the other shore, but lest they should fail, if you have an opportunity, they are as follows

North East 14, 12 oc

Frid. 15 Carnanual Bethel

Bohemia at 12 Mannor Chapel 4 oc

Satur. 16 Georgetown at Roads 12 oc

Sund. 17 Still Pond 12 oc

Chester at 3 oc

Mond. 18 Church Hill

Tuesd. 19 Centerville 12 oc

Wed. 20 Easton

Thurd. 21 Boling Rock 12 oc

Frid. 22 Cambridge 12 oc

Sat. 23 Fraser’s 12 oc

Sund. 24 Chop Tank 12 oc

Mon. 25 Milford 12 oc

Tuesd. 26 Brick Chapel 12 oc

Wed. 27 Dover 12 oc

Thurd. 28 Cross Roads 12 oc

Friday 29 Dickinson 11 oc

Wilmington night

Saturd. 30 Philadelphia

And so we go. You will send a correct copy to the shore if you can; as we wish to let them know when we are coming. Farewell my love to all. Thine, F. ASBURY

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)