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 21
Brunswick Circuit, in Virginia, had been formed during the last two years. Norfolk was the first
charge formed in this province; and what was called Petersburg, in 1773, was named on the Minutes
of 1774, Brunswick. In 1772, at least three societies were formed in this province: one in Norfolk,
another in Portsmouth, and a third at William Owens' -- some six miles out of Portsmouth.
The following were some of the oldest societies in Virginia:
The one at Samuel Yeargan's, where the first Methodist chapel was built.
The society at Mr. Nathaniel Lee's, was formed in the early part of 1774. It is most likely that Mr.
Lee was awakened under Mr. Jarratt, as he and his companion had both obtained a sense of the
Divine favor before the Methodists came into his neighborhood. When this society was formed by
Mr. Williams, Mr. Lee, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, and their two sons -- John and Jesse -- belonged to it.
Mr. Lee lived near Petersburg, and at his house the Methodists preached. He was soon appointed a
class leader, which office he filled for many years; and died in 1820, in the 90th year of his age. His
family consisted of twelve children, seventy-three grandchildren, and sixty-six great grandchildren.
His two eldest sons, John and Jesse, were Methodist preachers.
At Mr. Lane's, who it seems lived in Sussex county, where the second chapel was erected in 1774
or 1775. Mr. Lane died this year, "full of faith, and hope, and love;" and his funeral sermon was
preached by Mr. Asbury. This society was one of the very best in Virginia.
Captain William Boisseau, or as he was commonly called, Boushell, who, we suppose, lived in
Dinwiddie county; and who was the chief instrument in building the third chapel in Virginia in 1775
or 1776, was a truly devout man, and soon went to the "house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens." After his death, this ancient society declined, as he was the chief support of it.
At Mr. Mabry's, in Greensville county, where the fourth meeting house was built in 1776, there
was one of the first societies.
The meeting at Robert Jones', in Sussex county, was among the first established. Mr. Joseph
Hartly, whose dust sleeps in Talbot county, Maryland, it seems belonged to this society before he
became a traveling preacher. Here Mr. Asbury found his sister, weeping on account of his absence.
In 1810, Mr. Robert Jones was alive, and happy in God, in his 72d year.
At Merritt's appointment, the society built a meeting house about 1778; which was about the sixth
Methodist chapel in Virginia.