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

that new country; several societies were formed by his ministry, and one of the first Methodist
chapels in this country was Van Pelt's Meeting house. He was one of the Fathers of Methodism in
East Tennessee, where he settled between 1780 and 1790. He was a close and constant friend of
Bishop Asbury. He will be long remembered by the people of the French Broad country." If Mr. Van
Pelt once lived in Alexandria on the Potomac, he had previously lived on Staten Island, New York.
On the 13th of November, 1771, Mr. Asbury preached his first sermon in New York. He formed
a circuit around this city which embraced Staten Island, Westchester, Eastchester, West Farms, Rye,
Mamaroneck, and New Rochelle. Many of the people of this region had descended from the
Huguenots. In his Journal, vol. i., p. 6, he tells us that on Saturday, Nov. 24 (1771), he went with
Brother Sause and Brother White to Westchester; here, his friends obtained from the mayor the court
house, in which he preached, twice on the following Sabbath: the mayor, and other chief men of the
town, were among his hearers; and, while they listened with solemn attention, the power of God
rested on both, speaker and hearers. In the evening he preached at West Farms, in the house of Mr.
Molloy. On the two following days he preached again in Westchester, and lodged with the mayor.
Returning to New York, he preached there on the following Sabbath; but, as Mr. Boardman was
in the city, Mr. Asbury returned to Westchester and put up with Dr. White. On Sabbath morning he
preached in the court house, where he expected to preach at night; but his friend Molloy informed
him that it was shut against him; however, a tavern keeper accommodated him with a room. In the
evening he preached at West Farms, and lodged with Mr. Oakley. This family, like most who
received the messengers of the gospel, became Methodists.
Dec. 10, he paid his first visit to New Rochelle, and was kindly received by Mr. Deveau and
family, in whose house he preached twice. After preaching at Rye, Eastchester and Mamaroneck,
where good impressions were made, he returned to New York, where he labored the following
Sabbath.
During Christmas week he visited Staten Island, and was kindly received by Justice Wright, Peter
Van Pelt, and Mr. Ward -- preaching in all three of their houses.
January 1, 1772, Mr. Asbury was in New York; but soon afterwards, in company with Mr. Sause,
went to West Farms, preaching in brother Molloy's house; also at Westchester. At West Farms,
Friend Hunt was so affected that he had preaching in his house, though a Quaker; both he and Mr.
Molloy were now awakened. After preaching to an attentive people at Mr. Deveau's, and to many
at Mamaroneck, he addressed a crowd of willing hearers at Friend Burling's -- a new place. We find
him next laboring at Mr. Deveau's, and at Brother Hunt's. From here he went to New City, and was
well received by Mr. Bartoe. He also preached on Philips Manor. Next, at New Rochelle, where he
for the first time preached in the house of Mr. Peter Bonnette. He now had two preaching places at
New Rochelle, Deveau's and Bonnett's. After preaching at New City, he lodged with his friend Pell;
from here he went to his friend Bartoe's, where he was compelled to stay for several days, on account
of sickness. Dr. White kindly and gratuitously attended him. While here he was visited by Mr. De
Lancey, son of Gov. De Lancey, who lived near Salem, who invited him to his house. From Mr.
Bartoe's, Mr. Asbury went to New York; this was in March, 1772. Mr. Pilmoor was in New York
at this time and Mr. Boardman in Philadelphia.