A Short History Of The Methodists... - Media Sabda Org

month of September, 1795, being about thirty-three years of age. Those who knew him have no
doubt but he died in the Lord, and now rests from his labours.
2d. Stephen Davis was a native of Gloucester county in Virginia. He died in Norfolk of the yellow
fever, in August 1795. He was about 30 years of age. He had been a traveling preacher about seven
years. He was a pious man, and possessed a very strong memory. He was persuaded to take part with
those who made a division among us in the south of Virginia, but he was soon convinced of his error,
and became a faithful and successful defender of the order and government of our connection, and
greatly assisted in promoting the union of our body. He laboured frequently with his own hands,
when he had it in his power; and when he died, he left his clothes and money to be divided among
the traveling preachers belonging to the Virginia conference. We have sufficient reason to believe
that he died in the fear and favour of God.
3d. William Jessop, was a native of Sussex county in Delaware state. He had traveled and
preached about eleven years, and was a man of great simplicity and godly sincerity. He laboured
beyond his bodily strength; and had traveled and preached in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York states. He had also spent some years in preaching the
gospel in the British provinces of Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. He was a tender-hearted
preacher, and spake with great animation. He said some time before he died, that he had not heard
a sermon from any Methodist preacher for some years without weeping under it more or less; and
yet, during that time he did not remember that he had ever wept, while he himself was preaching.
He died in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in the latter end of the year 1795. He appeared to be
remarkably happy in the close of his life, and after taking something to moisten his mouth, he turned
over and said, "It is enough. Glory, glory, glory;" and died in peace.
4th. Reuben Ellis, had been traveling and preaching about 19 years, in which time he had
preached in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; and Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
His preaching was weighty and powerful; he was a faithful friend, who sought not his own ease, but
the glory of God, and the salvation of men. He married in the last year of his life, but continued to
labour in the word and doctrine. He was a native of North Carolina, where he began his ministerial
labours. He was a large man, but of a slender constitution. His last station was in Baltimore, where
he ended his warfare in February 1796.
5th. Richard Ivey, was a native of Sussex county in Virginia; he had traveled and preached about
17 years. He had traveled pretty extensively, from New Jersey to the south parts of Georgia, and was
a man of quick and solid parts, and preached with a good degree of animation. A little before his
death, he returned home to his native place, and was making some preparation to settle himself,
when he was taken sick, and died in the latter part of the year 1795.
6th. Francis Acuff, was born in Culpeper county in Virginia, and was brought up in Sullivan
county in Tennessee. He died in August 1795, in Kentucky, in the 25th year of his age. He had
traveled upwards of two years; and was a man of improvable parts, was much beloved, and greatly
lamented by his family and christian friends.