Middletown transcript., 1893-03-18
BETHESDA CHURCH.

n
Middletown.
Preaching in Middletown by the
Methodist itinerants dates back to
very early period in the history of this
great religious movement.
This town is by its geographical po-
sition, as related to adjacent points,
where the first Methodist Evangellsts
worked with such success, made it a
convenient place to tarry at least long
enough 10 deliver the gospel message.
Georye Whitefield was in New Castle
County as early as 1740, and preached
with great eloquence and power De.
fore the coming of Mr. Wesley's repre-
sentatives. Captain Thomas Webt
preached in Wilmington, New Castle
and the forest of the Brandywine II
1859 and on a later date he went al
far as Kent and Queen AIMS counties
in Maryland. John King and Richard
Wright were in this territory in 177G
and 1771, the latter spent the winter OF
1771 on Bohemia Manor. Francis As
bury came in 1772, he had charge of
Baltimore circnit in 1913, this circ ut
included, beside five counties in Mary
Iand. all that parton New Castle
County lying south of Wilmington.
Cecil circuit appears in the minutes in
1888, and then embraced all the terri
tory east of the Susquehanna River,
extending as far as Smyrna, taking in
Thoronghfare Neck in Delaware, and
Sassafras in Maryland.
The gradual development of a plan
of visitation. and more general super
Sision of the work, found Middletown
in the line of travel, going east and
west, as well as ON the main highway
running north and south, on the Upper
Peninsula.
In November 1883, Asbury says: Il
preached at Duck Creek, stopped and
gave them discourse at Middletown,
and spent the evening with worthy,
kind friend" November 21st, 1890
at Cecil Quarterly meeting held at
Dickinson's, we had many people and
some life.'' This extract from As
bury's journal, shows that this work
on the east side of the lower part of
New Castle County was within the
bounds of Cecil circuit. In May 1871
the annual conference was held at Duck
Creek. Sunday, 18th. two elders and
three deacOns were ordained. After
the ordination l rode to Middletown,
Delaware, and preached to a large
congregation. Monday 10Th, l rode to
New Castle, and had the last interview
with DIR. Coke"
On the 25th of July 1895, Asbury
says: II stopped at Middletown, Will
mington and Chester, on my way to
Philadelphia.
The Hersey family, as is well known,
figured prominently in the early period
of Methodist history in this county
One of four brothers, Benjamin Hersey
at the close of the last century lived
at Noxentown Mills. He was promi-
nent member and class leader at Dick
inson's. From the records of Cecil
circuit we learn, the third Quarterly
Conference was held in Thoroughfair
Neck, February 9-10, 1900 Thomas
Ware presided, The next year 1901,
in the month of January, the Quart
erly Conference was held at the same
place. At this time most wonderful
revival of religion spread through all
this section of country.
Asbury says under date of May 27th,
1901: II preached at Dickinson's from
Matt. 25, 48;after service rode home
with Benjamin Hersey of Noxentown
Mills, from this place l proceeded in
great haste, through extreme heat, to
Philadelphia, preached there Sunday
and was present at the annual confer
ence on Monday.
Ii is therefore evident that in the
latter part of the last, and in the first
years OF the present century, Middle
town was one of the appointments of
Cecil circuit, and was frequently Wis
ited by Bishop Asbury, and other of
the ministers Of that period. 1t after
ward belonged to Smyrna circuit, and
at one time was an appointment in
with New Castle, and prob
ably was with delaware City In the
minutes of Smyrna circuit, Quarterly
under date of August go,
1926, the next Quarterly Conference
was appointed to be held in Middle
town, and at the first Quarterly Con
ference of 1928, Middletown was ap-
portioned $26 for preachers sala ry
having at that time 40 members.
In 1888 Middletown appears for the
first time in the annual conference
minutes, with Cantwell's Bridge. These
two places reported i46 white and 81
colored members and $3.50 for super
preachers.
At the session of the Philadeiphia
in 1859 Odessa and Middle