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

was unpremeditated and without wager; and like John Gilpin's, unwelcome, and all to himself. In
this spirit sinners have often endeavored to retaliate on Methodist preachers.
At Purdin's that good man Dr. Bowness belonged; also Brother Beauchamp, who, we think, was
the father of the Rev. William Beauchamp. Several of the Clarkes and Davises, of this county,
became Methodists in the beginning. There were at least thirty new appointments for preaching
opened up in the state of Delaware in 1779, from Appoquinimink to the Cypress Swamp.
In Kent county preaching was introduced into the house of Mr. Coombe, who had been raised a
Friend. He lived near Berrytown. Mr. Coombe's family became Methodists, as most of his
descendants are at this day. His grandson, the Rev. Pennel Coombe, is a member of the Philadelphia
Conference. Mr. Dill, now freed from all desire to "look a Methodist preacher out of countenance,"
countenanced them by having them preach in his house. At Fatad's Mill (now Smith's Mill), on the
head of Choptank river, there was preaching and a society. Benjamin Blackiston, who lived near
Blackiston's Chapel, had preaching in his house.
About this time Methodism was introduced into Duck Creek Cross Roads; the preaching was at
Mr. James Stephenson's; this was the commencement of Methodism in the present town of Smyrna.
In December, 1780, Mr. Asbury met about three hundred persons at this place, where he, for the first
time, preached to them. Some time after this, Mr. Joseph Wyatt, a preacher, moved into this village,
and the preaching was at his house. In 1784, when Dr. Coke and Mr. Whatcoat first passed through
this place they were entertained by Mr. John Cole, who at that time seems to have been a prominent
member of the Duck Creek society. In 1786 the Methodists erected their first house of worship in
this place, thirty feet square, at a cost of two hundred pounds, which Mr. Asbury called "a
comfortable house." [21]
Dr. Cook, who lived below Smyrna, and who married Miss Sarah, daughter of Judge White,
united with the Methodists not long after this. In the same region the Raymonds, Cummings, Halls,
Parsons, and Kirkleys, were early members of society.
In the Neck there was an appointment at Severson's, where a chapel was built a few years after
of logs, which is still a place of preaching, with a society. There was preaching at Mr. Lockwood's,
near Kent county Poor house; this appointment is now represented at the Union, on Dover Circuit.
Also, in the southwest corner of Sussex county, Jonathan Boyer's, Levin Bacon's, Messrs. Freeny's
and Calloway's, whose grandson is a laborer in the Philadelphia Conference. In Northwest Forks,
at Morgan Williams' and Spencer Hitche's. In Nanticoke there was preaching at Sharp's, Alexander
Laws', and John Lewis'. Mr. Rawlston also received and entertained the preachers.
The two Miss Ennalls, we have already seen, were the first Methodists in Dorchester. Mr. Henry
Airey, who lived southeast of Cambridge, was the first man; at his house the first society was
formed, and he was class leader over it; at his house the first quarterly meeting in the county was
held. Next, Col. Vickar's, where another society was raised up; he was, also, a great Methodist. There
were appointments at Kane's, McKeel's, Johnson's, Todd's, Hooper's, Tucker's, in Cambridge, and
on Taylor's Island there were, no doubt, many others of which we cannot speak. Messrs. Henry and