Evening journal., 1903-03-21
METHODISM IN
TALBOT COUNTY
Dates Back to the Time of the
Rev. Joseph Cromwell
in III
PREACHED FROM JAIL WINDOW
Religious Enemies Could Not Prevent
the Rev. Joseph Hartley From Ex.
pounding the eospel-Pastors Of the
Easton Church.

pounding the cospel-Pastors Of the |
Easton Church.
Special 90 the Evening Journal.
Easton Nd, March 2l-Methodism In |
Talbot dates back 10 the year 1777. The
Rev. Joseph Cromwell. who at that
time was preacher in charge OF Kent
circuit, which at that tlme embraced
all of New Castle county, Delaware. and
the whole of Cecil. Queen Anne and
Kent counties in Maryland. IS Thought
to have been the first one to introduce
his doctrine in Ialbot county. The Rev.
William Walters visited the county In
l17s and organized the first Methodist
society in St Michae's and WAS sue
cesslul in gaining converts TO the
faith, During that year he had as am
assistant the Rev. Joseph Hartley a
young man of iwepresslble zeal, always
ready and eager 10 preach the power OF
Jesus in the salvation of souls HIS
came TO Eastcn and WAS Immediately
arrested and placed in the old frame
jail, then situated in Washington
street for violating an act of Assem-
bly, THAT prohibited amy public teacher
IRON preaching or teaching without
inst having taken the oath OF al
legiance to the independent State OF
Maryland. He had already taken an
oath of allegiance to the United Col
ionies, and before that to the independ-
ent State Of Delaware, and undoubtedly
thought the cath Of allegiance to the
United Colonies WAS sufficient TO allow
him to preach In all the States. But
his ecclesiastical enemies took advan-
tage of his ignorance Of the law and
had him imprisoned az mentioned
above. But that did not stop him from
preaching. Crowds used to gather in
front of his cell window. and the prie-
oner used to expOund the gospel to
them, and many being converted start
led a Methodist society in EastOn. After
that the Methodist society was never
without a pastor In charge Seventeen
hundred and eighty-One found the
Revs. Henry Willis and jeremiah Lam,
bert as the preachers in charge of Tai
bot circuit, which was formed that
freeborn Garrettson. He remained soy
elal years, although the term of a pas
tor in those days did not extend over
from three to six months. He was re-
moved by Asbury, however, in the fall
lof 1874. and appointed to Charleston.
S. c. But DR.. Coke arrived in Amer
lea at this time. and at the meeting OF
Coke and Asbury at Barretts Chanel.
it was decided that GaTretison should
act as their agent 10 summon the
preachers to the Christmas Confer
once, which was to be held In Balti-
none. So he acted In his capacity in
stead Of going to Charleston. This
Conference by the way. was the first
Episcopal organization in this country.
) II antedated the Protestant Episcopal
by three years. About this time pre-
: lsiding elders were appointed to over
look the work of the preachers on the
g different circuits. In 17S6 Richard
Whatcoat afterwards bishop was
presiding elder with James White and
Wilson Lee as preachers for Talbot
county Many conversions are report
ed TO have taken place in Talbot dur
Ing their pastorate. In 1887 three pre-
siding elders were assigned to the Pen
insula. Thomas S. Chow was presiding
4 elder for Talbot
3 This experiment proved unsatisfac-
tory and was abandoned at the next
session Of Conference. In Nav. 1887.
the Rev. Mr.. Garrettson organized the
FIRST Methodist church in Easton. A
o building in Washington street, it is
I thought, was rented by the organiza-
o ton. But in a short time it was found
s too small to accommodate the ever-in-
creasing membership and a new church
g was built on a lot near where the
e Roman Catholic Church now stands in
o Goldsborough street. Since that time
I the Methodists of Easton have always
had churches in the town. In 1891 the
a Rev. Robert Sparks. grandfather OF
4 General Richard Thomas. cashier of thg
r Easton National Bank, was preacher
o in charge. In 1898 the yellow fever
4 WAS raging throughout the country
h land there wiais no Conference held fol
e this district until September, for feal
+ that some strangers might attend from
n some infected district and thus cause
r. the disease to spread. SO Talbot cir.
= CUT WIS ltib WiilOul u pItdcutI Aol
Il that year We win now pass over tn,
r years 1894 and 1895 and come TO 1896
a Great political excitement was agitat
q ing the country at this time, the
" Methodists favoring Jefferson for the
a Presidency of the United States and the
d Protestant. Episcopal Church being fol
Adams During this contest the AIetho
q dists lost quite a number of its mem
"a beTs through dissatisfaction and othe
h causes, but the Rev. James Tillford. by
his logical sermons and exhortations
succeeded in getting the majority CT IN.
flock back again. and with the new con
4 lverts gained the church entered upon (
n lnew era of prosperity. In 1899 the Rev
z William Bishop was the pastor il
z charge at Faston. During this year th
first Sunday school was started in Eas