Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-09-19
nfETH0DIsr NOTES.
"Reminiscences of Cecil Circuir-Otd
AsbuEy Hnd Port Penn-The Conn
lng Celebration.

"Reminiscences of Cecil Circutf-Otd
Asbury ssnd Port Penn-The Conn
ing Celebration.
Four years after the organization of
the Methodist Episcopal church in
America Cecil circuit was formed and
embraced part OF Chesapeake district,
which covered the most historical torri-
tory in all Methodism. When Cecil cir
cult was formed Richard Whatcoat was
presiding elder of the district, and was
followed in the eldership the next year by
3. Everett.
The Rev. Everett Joined the ninth
Methodist conference held in America.
II was held in Baltimore 1871. For about
80 years this pioneer itinerant itinerated
| through the states of Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia,
giving time, talents, in fact his all, to
the cause he espousod. Mr.. Everett was
exceedingly eccentric, yet accomplished
great good for the church on this PENN.
sula. He was twice elder of Chesapeake
| district, the second time in 1901, and 1t
was that year that Port Penn wss made
an appointment on Cecil circuit.
Port Penn ss an appointment was
abandoned for many years, Asbury, it
appears having taken its place.
| Asbury was erected in 1910 about
] three miles 'som Port Penn on the estate
| of the Rev. Thomas Smith, who was that
year senior preacher on Cecil circuit. It
was through the fundamentally OF the
Revs. Il. Smith and Lawrence McOoombs
that Asbury WAS built. The Rev. Nc
Ooombs was born in Kent county, Del,
the same year that Methodism was
planted on the Peninsula. He formed
the conference of 1892, took q location in
1906, was admitted again in 1915, and
died June 18th, 1896. AT the time he
aided in securing Asbury for the Metho-
dists, he kept store at the head of Sasss-
fras, Cecil county, Nd. McCoom bs was
leading man of his denomination. He
volunteered for the defence of Havre de
Grace, when the English vessels threat
ened the town.
Many strong men in Methodism havs
preached in the Asbury Church, among
whom we might mention Bishops Asbury
aud Scott, Henry Boehm Bishop Asbury's
travelling companior). and j. McOloskey,
w. Torbert, W. Bishop, Thomas Ware,
j. Lybran6, Lawrence Lawrenson, Mat.
thew Sorin, Henry White, J. Cunning
ham, Daniel Lambden and Solomon
Sharp.
until about so years ago. Meetings we're
chen held in e school house, revival
followed and q church was built in Port
Penn in 1913. The Rev. Stephen Town
send was then pastor.
Many prominent Methodist preacher!
have occupied the pu.pit at Port Penn
among whom may ba remembered DAME
Lambellen, Anthony Atwood, T. j.
Thompson, William Vine and james
Cunningham Of the presiding elders, ant
William Ryden, John Ledum, 8. O
] Thomas, j. 3. Mccullough, Alfred Cook
man, William Brisbane, James B. Ayres
, Elon j. Way, George W. Brindls, ohr
France, W. Fl. Fries, Il. w. Todd snt
! George Wiltshire.
, George Wiltshire's eccentrioities mad
, him prominent. He resided in this com
muuity as supernumery OF the Phila
! delphia Conference, aud frequentl,
preached in tine Methodist church at Por
Penn, On one occasion he prefaced hi
!. sermon with remarks like this: Brethren
!, 1 don't feel much like preaching. w
/ got such bad cold In my head" Will
9 that he drew from his pocket an apology
r for handkerchief, held it up before tn
: congregation assembled, appearing to b
lost in making an examination, when sud
denly he astonished everybody by sayin
/. swell, declare if I AMT got piece c
somebody's uuderclothes instead Of
Q handkerchief" Sobriety went by tn
. board. Brother Wiltshire, notwithstan6
ing his peculiar ways, was greatly re
spscted by the people throughout tn
community, and dearly loved by thos
|; who knew him. His grave is in Unio
i cemetery on Appoqainimink circuit an
r remains unmarked. Is there not some on
I who will show their regard for Fathe
n Wiltshire by placing stone TO hi
!. memory
FEED. G.. MoK1NsEY.