Smyrna times., 1879-07-23
For the Smyrna Times.
A Brief History OfSmyrna Circuit Com
piled from the Old Records.
ny REV. P. H. RAWLINS.

Lednum in his work entitled Rise of
Methodism in America informs us that
Methodist preaching was first introduced
| into Kent County, Del, in the neighbor-
hood of the Forest, now Thomas Chapel
at present one of the appointments on
Marydel Circuit-about 1775 or l776. At
Richard Shaw's a society was soon formed,
which in the beginning was an important
| society, and among the oldest in Kent
County. Mr.. Shaw's house was the first
house that Mr.. Asbury had in that region.
From this society, Methodism was intro.
duced into Dover. In 1778 Methodist
preaching was established at Mr.. Boyer's,
Dover; Mr.. billiards. above Dover. In
! ITS or 1879 Methodism had its commence.
ment at Mr.. Wells, who lived near Blackis-
toms Cross Roads-this meeting is now
represented by Blackiston's Chapel. In
the Alley at Joseph Wyatt's, also at Wilds
and Stockly's. Near Kenton, at Scottens
and the widow Howard's and at Mr.. Stur.
| giss', who lived between Kenton and Dover.
At Heather's who lived near Holdens.
Also at the house of Mr.. Coombe who had
been raised friend. He was the grand
father of the Rev. Pennel Coombe, of the
Philadelphia Conference and lived near
Berry town. About the same time Metho-
dism was introduced into Duck Creek Cross
Roads, (Smyrna) and the house of Mr..
James Stevenson was the preaching place,
and during service at this place their enc
mics frequently put a pry under the
house and tryed their utmost to upset it.
In December 1880 Mr.. Asbury preached
for the first time to about 800 persons in
this place. Some time after this, Mr.
Jospeh Wyatt moved into the village, and
the preaching was at his house.
ain 1856 the first house of worship was
erected in Duck Creek Cross Roads (Smyrna)
thirty feet square costing two hundred
pounds, which Mr. Asbury called "a com.
Portable house. In 1778 Mr.. Turner, a
local preacher, from New Jersey, came into
New Castle County, and was the first
preacher in Appoquinimin&, and from
thence Methodist preaching was intro
duced, in l77S or 1779, into the neighbor-
hood Of Severson's, which is represented
by the present society at that place. A
church was built of logs for said society in
1882 or 1888 which was replaced by the
present beautiful house in 1874. In the
beginning of the year 1779, Mr.. Asbury
went into little circuit, that had Just been
formed on the eastern side of Kent county,
reaching from Mispillion to Duck Creek.
Dover circuit was formed in 1882 and
first appears in the minutes in 1888. "On
this new circuit David Abbot was preacher,
and in October of this year, 1882, his father,
Rev. Benjamin Abbot, came on and filled
the appointments for his son. Mr.. Abbot
overlook his son preaching to large con.
gregation on the Sabbath, in an orchard
which was on the right hand side of the
road from Duck Creek Cross Roads to Duck
Creek village"
Benjamin Abbot was one of the most
laborious and useful of the pioneer Metho-
J dist preachers in America. He was born
, in Pennsylvania in 1882 and died 1896
Though illiterate he was earnest, eloquent
| enthusiastic and self sacrificing, and
thousands were added to the church
) through his labors."
} David Abbot was converted under the
ministry of Philip Catch in the year 1773
8 Began his itinerant life in 1871 and after
1894 appears to have spent the rest of hi:
i life in the local ranks. He was faithful
Z christian"
ain September 1888, Thomas Ware
Z having been recommended to Mr.. Asbury
: by Mr.. Pedicard, who was his spiritua
s father, was sent to fill vacancy on Dove
Z Circuit. He was born 1853 and died 1912
Z In 1887 he volunteered to 60 to East Ten
o nessee where he travelled extensively ant
< was instrumental in the conversion of I
. large number Of persons. He returned
e. East in 1871. He was at the Christina
. Conference in 1884. At the General Con
Il ference Of 1912 he was elected book agent
He had well balanced mind, and was
x solid and instructive preacher"
"He felt on coming to Dover Circuit tha
= he was engaging in an awfully responsible
cjling, and withal going among strangers
but the simplicity, urbanity and fcrVen
piety of the Methodist, on the charge, mad
him feel that he was in the right place
N after visiting a society, he longed to retur
TO it again. Here he found some Metht
dists in the first circle of life; who in tn
4. midst Of wealth were following the sci
20 denying Savior"
IS In 1886 Ira Ellis, who was a native
70 70 Sussex County, was one of the preachers
40 Dover Circuit. Mr.. Asbury says of hil
80 that he was "a man of quick and soil
40 parts, ,undissembled sincerity, great modest
.o5 deep fidelity, great ingenuity and uncor
.SS mon power of reasoning, good man of eve
80 temper and good preacher"
is Thomas Foster and Evan Rogers we
aass stationed on this charge in 1871 and JOSEF
iSs Everett was Presiding Elder. "He W
ed, born 1892, awakened at the time of one
'ht Mr.. Whitfelds tours through the countr
!. and united in 1853 with the Presbyterii
. Church, but under the excitement of Il
times he declined in his religious e
perience. In 1778, after having been
IT the Revolutionary army, he heard Franc
IL Asbury at DR.. Whites in Maryland al
becomingdeeplys stirred, subsequently unit
with the Methodists, In 1880 he CO.
menced travelling ON Dorchester Circu
tnr and the following year was admitted
loi trial in the Conference. He continued
fill important appointments, being amo
the number of the most active Presidi
re Elders, until In 1905 his name appe
al, among the superannuated preachers.
"'" was remarkably useful preacher, and '
-. distinguished "for the boldness, the point
day. ness, pHainness and energy with which
PANS rebuked sin and warned the sinner of
danger. He died shouting GLORY, Gle
Glory October 10th, 1909" In 1903
re- name appears again as the P. e. of
- District and William Hunter, Jesses j
tice and Thomas Walker were the prea
ers on Dover Circuit.
"William Hunter was native of Tyre
door Ireland. When about twenty four year
rage age he was converted and joined the "
leyan society, and shortly after his conf
)N ton with the church began to preach.
- became personally acquainted with
Wesley and felt so drawn towards him
he decided to accompany him from p
T. A..A H.. lee e -