[August 26, 1803] — to Daniel Hitt

Asbury was traveling through Pennsylvania in August, 1803, going west. Bishop Whatcoat became sick and “concluded he must stop, or go on with me and die by inches.” Asbury needed another companion. He wrote the letter on August 26. (See Journal.) Henry Boehm joined Asbury and traveled with him, but it is not stated how long. Asbury arrived at Isaac Meek’s in Ohio on Monday, September 12, and left on Tuesday. Evidently Daniel Hitt and his brother, Benjamin, met Asbury at Meek’s a few days later. They had ridden 120 miles together after leaving Meek’s by September 17.

[PENTZ, NEAR YORK, PA.]¹

[August 26, 1803]

[TO DANIEL HITT]

My dear Child:²

I thought, by your not appearing sooner, that you were sick. I feel peculiar delicacy about your going at all. Your brother says you are much weakened and dejected: as such I fear to take you into the wilderness and to leave you there. You are now in a healthy country, and among your friends; and there I wish you to stay. If Benny³ can come, if you can spare him, unless you wish him to stay and take care of you. I can employ John Cullison⁴ to go to Hockhocking. I shall wait at Meek’s⁵ till Tuesday: I could till Thursday, but then the ride would be too dreadful. I have been pretty severely wrought in this District with labor and affliction. I am better, but I find it hard to spare myself. We have good prospects in this country. As to wine, barks, and Twilington,⁶ I have them at your service. I have also most excellent laudanum; forty or fifty drops might break the ague. But I had one man to die in my company, and always feel afraid of forcing sick men. Brother Whatcoat said he must leave me or die, and that by inches. Your brother will tell you my talking, as you have my writing. Thine as ever,

F. ASBURY

The Quarterly Review of the M.E. Church, South, XIV (1860), 472