A History Of The Rise Of Methodism In America - Media Sabda Org

A HISTORY
OF THE
RISE OF METHODISM IN AMERICA
by
John Lednum
CHAPTER 18
Kent Circuit, the first formed on the Peninsula, appears on the Minutes in 1774. It had been some
four years growing up, from the time that Mr. Strawbridge preached the first Methodist sermon at
Mr. John Randle's, in Werton, that was preached on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The next
appointments established after Werton were those on Bohemia Manor, at Mr. Hersey's, and at the
school house near Messrs. Ephraim and Robert Thompson's. The fourth was at Mr. Hinson's. The
fifth at Georgetown Cross Roads. Afterwards, Mr. Gibbs' and the Still Pond appointment. Thus far
had the Methodists gone on this Shore up to September, 1773. Isaac Rollin, sent by Mr. Asbury in
December, 1772, had been a good deal with them, and some of them were tired of his philippics
[lengthy expositions, presentations]. In November, 1773, Mr. William Watters came to Kent. In him
the people saw a serious dignity, and sweetness of spirit combined with zeal, that were every way
agreeable to them, and the work prospered. It was in the form of a two weeks circuit, supplied by one
preacher. Mr. Watters made some new appointments for preaching in Kent. Among those established
about this time we may mention one at Newtown Chester, the original name of Chestertown; another
at Mr. Solomon Simmons', near the head of Sassafras. Afterwards, there were appointments in
Quaker Neck, and on Easterly Neck Island. Also, One in Cecil county, in Sassafras Neck, known by
the name of Johntown. We have also seen that Mr. Watters made an appointment at Mr. John
Fogwell's in 1773, who lived a mile or two south of Sudlersville, in Queen Anne's county. By this
time, we may suppose, there were other appointments in the county, especially the one which has
long been known as "Dudley's," near Sudlersville. This stand was occupied as early as 1774; and it
is likely that a society was formed this year, which has continued ever since.
During this year, the first Methodist chapel on the Peninsula was erected, called "Kent Meeting
House." Just when the timbers were prepared for raising the house, some wicked persons, out of
hatred to the cause, came by night and cut up a part of the frame, and carried it some distance and
burned it. This act of malevolence did not stop the work; the friends of the cause rallied, and the
house was set up. It has been called "Hinson's Chapel." At this chapel rests the dust of John Smith,
the first itinerant that came into the work from Kent county, Md. Here, also, sleep the remains of the
Christian philosopher, William Gill, who with his fingers closed his own eyes as he was sinking into
the long sleep of the grave; and were it said that he, while yet able, preached his own funeral, we
should receive it as characteristic of this man, who was so fully freed from the fear of death.
It would seem that the first society in Kent was formed in the beginning of 1773, and that it was
in the neighborhood of the present Hinson's Chapel; nor does it appear that there was more than one
society at this time in the county. There were a number of preaching places, such as Messrs.
Randle's, Gibbs', Hinson's, Howard's in Still Pond, and Dixon's, at Georgetown Cross Roads: Mr.
Kennard, also, received the preachers. It was not long before societies were raised up in Werton, Still
Pond, and Georgetown Cross Roads.