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 31
Kent Circuit was greatly enlarged in 1777. Joseph Cromwell, under whose pungent preaching
many were awakened and brought in among the Methodists, was one of the four sent to this circuit
this year. It was in this year, if not the previous one, that Methodism entered Talbot county. Wye,
St. Michael's, and the Bayside, seem to be the oldest stands in the county. About the same time
several appointments were made in Kent county, Del.; one in the neighborhood of Thomas' Chapel;
another at Mr. Richard Shaw's, who lived southwest of Dover.
It was in the year 1777, that Dr. Edward White, who lived in Kent county, Del., near
Whiteleysburg, began to follow the Methodists, and invited the preachers to his house to preach.
Soon after, his uncle, Mr. Thomas White, entertained them.
There was another appointment at Mr. James Layton's (who became a local preacher), in
Marshyhope; there was preaching, and a society was formed this year (1777), which is still
represented at Hardisty's meeting house. Another appointment was made at the widow Jump's, who
lived in sight of the present Todd's Chapel, where the meeting is still continued that was began at
her house. Of the same date was the appointment at Friend Reynear Williams', who lived in
Mispillion, a little below the present town of Milford.
In 1777, at least three appointments for preaching were made in Sussex county, Del. One of these
was in North West Fork, at Charles Twyford's, who lived near by the present Trinity Church
(namesake of Trinity, in Eighth by Race, in Philadelphia), on Seaford Circuit. Mr. Twyford became
a local preacher, and, as a good man, the people had unbounded confidence in him. The society that
was raised up at Mr. Twyford's, became extinct at his death; and, after the lapse of an age, another
society sprung up as from the dormant seed of the old one, and Trinity Church was built on the spot
of the old meeting of 1777.
Near the town of Bridgeville, at the house of Robert Layton (the maternal grandfather of the
writer), another appointment was made this year.
In 1777, an appointment was made on Cedar Creek, at the house of an old Presbyterian, the
initials of whose name were J. K. There were Kanes and Killingsworths in that region; but whether
it was either or neither of these names, we may not affirm. In one respect, he was somewhat singular
[17]
-- in keeping his coffin ready made in his house. At his house there was a class. This meeting was
removed to Mr. Shockley's, in Slaughter Neck.
Such were the metes and bounds of Kent Circuit, in the latter end of the Conference year of 1777.
Its beginning was at Elk River, in Cecil county, and its lower extremity, at Cedar Creek, and on the