The Indianapolis journal., 1903-08-14
APIONEER OF METHODISM
To THE REV. MOSES ASHWORTH
THAT HONORABLE TITLE BELONGS.
First Regularly Appointed Methodist
Minister i'm Indiana. He Now Lies
in an Unmarked Grave
Of the Indianapolis Journal.

Correspondence OF the Indianapolis Journal.
NASHVILLE. Tenn. Aug. 1S.-Now that
continual celebrations are the order in the
Methodism of Indiana. the following may
not be without interest. In 1893, while serv-
ing charge i'm the Pocket of Indiana
visited the cemetery of Prairie Chapel. which
then belonged to Mount Vernon circuit L
had been informed that the grave of Moses
Ashworth. the first regularly appointed
Methodist preacher to Indiana. was here.
1t was there. but the identical spot could
not be- located, the gravestones having all
been removed and the entire place pIowed
up. The place had been suffered to fall into
neglect and the owner of the adjacent farm
believed the place would look better if
plowed than II allowed To grow up in briars
and weeds. But the law did not take that
view of il subsequently,. Looking among the
gravestones which lay in the fence corner
i found the stone that once marked the
last resting place of Moses Ashworth. but it
was broken IL contained the following in
script;On: Moses Ashworth born 1888. died
February, ISIS" There was also another
stone. in a perfect condition. with the in
scription: Eliza H., wife of NJ. W Ash
worth. Born July "a. 17S7. died Jan. Is. 1886 -
Also one of Christopher Ashworth Born
March L. 1892: died Sept. II. ls47. Beloved in
life. lamentcd in death" Also one of Ma
tiIda c.. daughter of w. L. and S. j. Ash
worth. Born Feb. TO- 1S49 aged years and
Z days. 1 learned that the remaining
relatives Of Moses Ashworth had many
years ago removed to Illinois. In the gen.
craI minutes of the Methodist Episcopal
Church | find that Moses Ashworth was re-
ceived trial into the Western Confer
ence In 1896. Peter Cartwright had been
received into the same conference the year
previous and was now appointed to the Sci
oto circuit. i'm the Ohio district. Moses Ash
worth as junior preacher was appoint ted
with Asa Shinn. to the Salt river circuit
which was then part of the Kentucky
district.
He was succeeded at Silver Creek by
Josiah Crawford Silver Creek Is familiar
small stream in Clark county. Indiana. and
in 1S0s IL appears for the first time i'm the
several minutes. II appears that southern
Indiana had been previously visited by itin-
Grant preachers, but that Moses Ashworth
conference was regularly appointed to that
region.
IN ITINERANT SERVICE.
in 1910 1 find that. together with eight
others. he located. which I'm those days of
privation. was frequent occurrence with
such men as had families looking to them
for support. In 1915 1 find his name again
on the minutes. appointed to Stone river
and Lebanon. which are both i'm this State
OF Tennessee. In 1916 he was appointed TO
Flint river, the conference including also
the Illinois, Missouri and Mississippi dis
trfcts- II Is also the year in which Francis
Asbury died at the age Of seventy years
the man who in the time of his long minis
try preached from 15.0o0 20 1900 sermons.
presided over 2O0 conferences. Travelled on
this continent over 100000 miles, and ..per-
haps ordained more ministers than any
other man ever did
In 1917 Ashworth was appointed TO I>eb-
anon In 1878 i find him again appointed to
Lebanon and ordained elder. In 1919 he
again took location From thereon his
nsme appears no more in the minutes. and
a3 he had taken a location his obituary
does not subsequently, appear I'm the general
minutes. IL is proper. though. that at this
time notice be taken of him. and some suit
able reparation made for the desecration OF
his last resting place.
Since writing the above. while making a
research In the Rev. John Il. McFerrin's
History OF Methodism I'm TenneSsee,' I
ind the following concerning Moses Ash
worth:
He was this year received on trial He
continued his work a short time and located.
lie afterwards became a member OF the
Tennessee Coz ference and during the years
ls17 and isis travelled the Lebanon cir