The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-02-28
j y. sts sts II II 'ts 'i' u y y y
MASON COUNTY FIRST
Mrs. Clara Degman Hook
. j. j. ). ]. \ i !. !. !. J. i \ +
CHAPTER vi.

Probably but few Of the living resi-
dents of Mason county know how
closely our county and her citizens
are connected with the great religious
and other nationwide movements
which have in the past stirred all
America and even other parts OF the
world.
For instance the growth of the
Methodist church in America should
be of intense interest to Mason coun-
tians.
Where John Wesley and his asso-
ciates had fairly launched their new
doctrine of experienced religion In
England. their wonderful eloquence
and welcome message soon converted
thousands, who enthusiastically pro-
ceeded at once to pass 1t along to
others.
Some of these voluntary missionar-
les visited the County Of Limerick
Ireland and made many converts, re-
sulting in lasting benefit to the local.
ity.
In 1853 John Wesley himself visit
ed there and found that one OF the
residents there, Phillip Embury mad
become converted and was class
leader and local preacher.
Among the lay members who were
most active was Mrs. Barbara Heck
who was so earnest worker in Amer
lea a few years later. He also. found
three young men worthy of special
mention. They were the three sons
of an aged Catholic, Peter Denghman
Matthias, Obed and Peter Dengh'
man were most likely young men
having receaved exceptional instruc'
ton from the village priest with the
intention of eventually making OF
them, priests.
Their learning was centered more
upon the languages than other stu
dies and their proficiency In English
Latin and Greek, besides their native
Irish was very considerable.
Upon the death of their last re-
naming parent, their father, the
youths were easily persuaded to joir
a group of their neighbOrs who were
emigrating to the New World In 176s
: In search of a land of great religious
freedom.
Embury had in 1850 led party, in
GLIDING their former friend, Mrs. Heck
to America and 1t was to these friends
in New York that the new arrivals
first proceeded.
While there, they attended the
weekly class meeting in the home Of
Phillip Embury and heard him preach
the first Methodist sermon ever
preached in America, without waiting
to see the completion of Wesley Chap
ell, New York, the first Methodist
Church built in America, they wen'
down into Kent county, Delware In
1866, and almost Immediately, Peter
the youngest brother, was there unit
ed in marriage to Lavinia, daughter o.
John and Jemima Ponder, with whom
they had made the long voyage across
the sea.
Peter Denghman III. did not live
long to enjoy the blessings of hi
adopted country, for at the outbreal
of the Revolutionary War he enlisted
with a Maryland regiment undel
George Washington and fell at thu
Battle of Long Island August 26, 1776
HIS brave wife Lavinia reared theil
only son Peter iii. in a very credit
able manner. seeing that he received
as thorough, an education as th'
times afforded and added to this
training In the ship carpenters trade
Notwithstanding his mothers love
and care for him and her Widowed
condition, the thoughtless boy, pur
sued by that heritage of unrest which
has been the nemesis Of the family
through all generations. left his hom'
at the early age Of 20 and as his faith
err had done, travelled Westward.
He joined himself to q party newll