The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-12-08
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
CHESAPEAKE CITY.
BY THE REV. +. IL. NELSON.

| house OF worship which has been built
by the Methodists. In 1740 Geo. White
field visited Bohemia Manor and on the
! Gath of November preached at the house
OF Mrs. Bayard to an audience of 1000 per-
sons. Success attended his labors, and the
prominent families brought into the
church were the Bayards, Bouchelles,
Sluyters, Herseys and Bassetts. At pres
ent there is room in the house occupied
by Mr.. Conner, in which Mr.. White
field slept, prayed and studied, known as
'Whtefield's room"
In I'LL Capt. Hood brought Francis
try. Mr.. Wright spent most of his first
winterin Maryland on Bohemia Manor, and
was the only Methodist minister in this
part OF the country at that time. He at
once began to cultivate the field for the
| Master and Methodism. Mr.. Solomon
Hersey was the first convert aud had
| preaching in his house for many years.
Bishop Asbury visited Mr.. Wright the
first week in April, 1772, and on the fol-
lowing Sabbath preached three times in
Solomon Hersey's house. He also visited
| this section in October of the same year,
preaching often, and again in December
and after preaching spoke to each one
concerning the state of their soul.
1u 1882, ten years after organization,
| the society built log chapel called Be
thesda, about three quarters of a mile
west of the present building. In this un-
pretentions temple Bishop Asbury, Benz.
Abbot, Freedom Garretson, Capt. Webb
and others dispensed the word of life and
| rejoiced with the new born souls in the
wonderful displays of redeeming grace.
| In 1884 the log chapel was superseded
by a new building, erected at the place
where the third building now stands.
The stills, corner posts and sleepers were
taken from the log chapel, and these in
| turn served in the erection of the present
house, the material thus used being 106
| years old.
Owing to changes in appointments and
small attendance the Manor was without
| preaching for several years. At the
| Fourth Quarterly Conference of Chesa-
peake City held January I'd, 1856, the
Board OF Trustees of Bethesda. or Manor,
was renewed and steps taken toward the
| building of new church. The dedica-
of ha third hr, i1Iinr Nnyam-
Der 21st, 1856, Rev. j. P. Otis preaching
the dedlcatory sermon from LIST Samuel,
7, ~; Rev. T. A. Fl. o. Brien preacher in
charge aud Rev. Chas. Hill presiding elder.
Chesapeake City as village dates
| back to 1929 the time of the construction
of the Chesapeake & Delaware canal. An
attempt to pass boats through in Septem-
Der of that proved unsuccessful, as there
seemed to be more whiskey than water.
! Brother Samuel Thompson, now an hon.
ored member of Bethel Church, built the
first house in Chesapeake City. The first
church, erected about this time, was
built by the Methodist Professionals on the
lot now owned by the Methodist Epsco-
| pal Church and donated to the latter by
Richard H. Blyard The NJ. P. Church
was changed into school house and
afterwards moved down the street. Last
year it was converted into dwelling and
is owned by brother Jos. II. Brooks.
The first Methodist Episcopal Church
was dedicated in the spring of 1S4S by
Rev. Anthony Atwood. The first trus-
tees were Joseph Bryan, Daniel Karsner,
father of DIR. Karsner, John Burbage,
VIM. P Chopper, John Peach, William
Crow and John Adams. The building of
the church was largely due to the efforts
of Joseph Bryan. His estimable wife was
abundant in the work of the church,
aided as they were by many who have
gone from labor to reward and who know
the JOYS of the church triumphant.
In 1857 ten feet more added made the
dimensions as at present, 32X6O.
After the division of Cecil Circuit,
Chesapeake City was included in Bethel
Circuit, the appointments being Bethel,
Chesapeake City and Manor. At the
the formation of the Wilmington Confer
ence the circuit was on Wilmington Dis
trict with John D. Curtis, presiding elder,
and John w. Pierson, preacher in charge.
At the first session the circuit was placed
on aston District. John B. Qrigg, pre-
siding elder, and w. w. Redman, preacher
in charge. At the second session Chesa-
D ,ake City was made station. with
James Esgate as pastor, who remained
one year, afterwards taking supernum-
erary relation. He was followed by j. E
Kidney who remained two years.
In 1878 Chesapeake City was changed
from Easton to Wilmington District
where it has since remained. Bethesda
or Manor vas added and Geo. r. Bristol
appointed to the charge. At the end o.
his first year Manor and Port Hermor
were united as charge and left to bt
supplied. Beginning with his last yea
and continuing till near the close OF thu
pastorate of 7. A. II. O'Brien, Chesa
peake CITY was a station. With the re
building of the Manor Church alread,
referred to it was added to Chesapeake
I CITY when it has. since remained. Sine
the administration of Mr.. Bristor tn
following pastors have served the charge
E. B. Newman, 1875 to 1876; John d
j Kemp, 1877, 1878 to 1879; j. w. Ham
G mersley, 1880; F. j. Cochran, 1881 to 1885,
G In 1888 Chesapeake City was left to b
# supplied. Henry Calclazer who was sta
8 toned at Bethel supplied the pulpit OF
t casonally. During the year services {
\ VIM. f. Tomklnson were secured. 81
# was followed by 7. A. III. O'Brien VIII
n remained three years, 1884, 1885 to 1885,
n E. H. Nelson, 1887 TO 1888.
II An effort is being made TO build brio
e church in Chesapeake City to take tt
= place of the old frame structure and 1t
@ hoped that enough funds may be secure
# by spring to commence work.
~ RISING SUN CHURCH
BY THE REV. ISAAC JEWELL.