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==William Case==
==William Case==
[[File:WilliamCaseFromTheIllustratedHistoryOfMethodism.JPG|William Case|right|thumb]]
[[Image:ReverendWilliamCaseAndWifeElizaBarnesCase.png|right|thumb|William Case with Eliza Barnes Case.]]
'''William Case''' ([[August 27]], [[1780]] - [[October 19]], [[1855]]) was a Methodist missionary and teacher.
'''William Case''' ([[August 27]], [[1780]] - [[October 19]], [[1855]]) was a Methodist missionary and teacher.


=== Young preacher ===
Born in [[Swansea, Massachusetts]] to farmers of modest means, Case's boyhood is not well recorded.<ref name = "CarrollV1P1">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I}}</ref> His family moved to central [[New York]] at some point during his childhood. Case converted to [[Methodism]] in February 1803.<ref name = "CarrollV1P10">Carroll, volume 1, page 10</ref> He was active in the church, as an exhorter, then local preacher, and was recommended for membership in the New York Conference in 1805 and taken on trial for the ministry. Case volunteered to be circuit rider for the [[Bay of Quinte]] circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P18">Carroll, volume 1, page 18</ref> He rode the circuit with [[Nathan Bangs]]. In 1805, there was little Methodist presence in the Circuit. No Methodist society existed in [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]], and they were forced to preach in the market. Case proved a popular preacher here, especially with young people. His good looks, wit and friendly manner endeared him to residents. Both he and Bangs were talented singers, a talent which they put to great use in the preaching. Whenever they rode into a town, they would gather a crowd by walking through the streets singing hymns, before preaching and exhorting.<ref name = "CarrollV1P112">Carroll, Volume I, page 112</ref> During Case's time in the Bay of Quinte, the first [[camp meeting]] in Canada was held there, near [[Adolphustown]]. Other preachers present at the meeting were Nathan Bangs, [[Henry Ryan]], [[Daniel Pickett]], [[Sylvanus Keeler]] and [[Thomas Madden]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P113">Carroll, Volume I, page 113</ref> More than 2500 people attended the camp meeting.<ref name = "CarrollV1P115">Carroll, Volume I, page 115</ref> That year, owing in large part to the successful camp meeting, 187 people in Upper Canada converted to Methodism, with 146 in the Bay of Quinte Circuit, increasing the total number of Methodists in Canada to approximately 2375.<ref name = "CarrollV1P118">Carroll, Volume I, page 118</ref>


Born in [[Swansea, Massachusetts]] to farmers of modest means, Case's boyhood is not well recorded.<ref name = "CarrollV1P1">Carroll, volume I, page 1</ref> His family lived somewhere in the Swansea area, and, as [[baptists]], probably attended the [[Hornbine Baptist Church]] in his youth.<ref name = "LAMB">{{cite book | title = Canada: Portraits of Faith | last = Lamb | first = William | editor = Michael D. Clarke | ISBN = 978-0968183502 | year = 1998 | url = http://www.ccheritage.ca/biographies/williamcase | publisher = Reel to Real}}</ref> His family moved to central [[New York]] at some point during his childhood. Case converted to [[Methodism]] in February 1803.<ref name = "CarrollV1P10">Carroll, volume 1, page 10</ref> He was active in the church, as an exhorter, then local preacher, and was recommended for membership in the New York Conference in 1805 and taken on trial for the ministry. Case volunteered to be circuit rider for the [[Bay of Quinte]] circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P18">Carroll, volume 1, page 18</ref> He rode the circuit with [[Nathan Bangs]]. In 1805, there was little Methodist presence in the Circuit. No Methodist society existed in [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]], and they were forced to preach in the market. Case proved a popular preacher here, especially with young people. His good looks, wit and friendly manner endeared him to residents. Both he and Bangs were talented singers, a talent which they put to great use in the preaching. Whenever they rode into a town, they would gather a crowd by walking through the streets singing hymns, before preaching and exhorting.<ref name = "CarrollV1P112">Carroll, Volume I, page 112</ref> During Case's time in the Bay of Quinte, the first [[camp meeting]] in Canada was held there, near [[Adolphustown]]. Other preachers present at the meeting were Nathan Bangs, [[Henry Ryan]], [[Daniel Pickett]], [[Sylvanus Keeler]] and [[Thomas Madden]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P113">Carroll, Volume I, page 113</ref> More than 2500 people attended the camp meeting.<ref name = "CarrollV1P115">Carroll, Volume I, page 115</ref> That year, owing in large part to the successful camp meeting, 187 people in Upper Canada converted to Methodism, with 146 in the Bay of Quinte Circuit, increasing the total number of Methodists in Canada to approximately 2375.<ref name = "CarrollV1P118">Carroll, Volume I, page 118</ref>
In 1806 he was transferred to the [[Oswegatchie]] circuit, where he laboured under Gershom Pearse.<ref name = "CarrollV1P126">Carroll, volume I, page 126</ref> At the 1807 conference near [[Albany, New York]], Case was ordained a [[deacon]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P141">Carroll, volume 1, page 141</ref> After two years in the wilderness of Upper Canada, Case requested an easier assignment, hoping to be assigned to a city. He was instead assigned to [[Ulster County, New York]], to his dismay. His experience there was positive, however, as he was mentored by Elias Vanderlip, and he would later recall the appointment positively. The 1808 conference assigned case back to Upper Canada, as he rode the circuit of [[Ancaster, Ontario|Ancaster]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P154">Carroll, volume 1, page 154</ref> Case was assigned the circuit of [[Detroit]] in 1809.<ref name = "CarrollV1P180">Carroll, volume 1, page 180</ref> After five years old riding circuits, Case was promoted to Presiding Elder of the Cayuga district, covering New York.<ref name = "CarrollV1P203">Carroll, volume 1, page 203</ref> He stayed on for two years, the spent two years as Presiding Elder of the Oneida district, and one as Presiding Elder of the Chenango district.<ref name = "CarrollV1P314">Carroll, volume 1, page 314</ref> In 1810, a letter from Case to [[Bishop]] [[Francis Asbury]] was published in the [[Methodist Magazine]]. At this point, Case abandoned his journal, and began writing regular reports on the progress of Methodists in Upper Canada and the north-west United States.<ref name = "CCH">{{cite web | url = http://www.ccheritage.ca/biographies/williamcase.php | title = William Case | publisher = Stephen Plamondon}}</ref>


In 1806 he was transferred to the [[Oswegatchie]] circuit, where he laboured under [[Gershom Pearse]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P126">Carroll, volume I, page 126</ref> At the 1807 conference in [[Coeyman's Patent, New York]], Case was received into full connexion, and ordained a [[deacon]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P141">Carroll, volume 1, page 141</ref> After two years in the wilderness of Upper Canada, Case requested an easier assignment, hoping to be assigned to a city. He was instead assigned to [[Ulster County, New York]], to his dismay. Ulster was a large circuit that would require large amounts of tavelling through very rural or unpopulated areas. His experience there was positive, however, as he was mentored by [[Elias Vanderlip]], and he would later recall the appointment positively. At the 1808 conference he was voluntarily assigned case back to Upper Canada, and rode the circuit of [[Ancaster, Ontario|Ancaster]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P154">Carroll, volume 1, page 154</ref> The circuit was newly created that year from the Niagara Circuit, and centred on Bowman's Chapel, south-west of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]]. The area was colloquially known as ''Methodist Mountain''.<ref name = "CarrollV1P159">Carroll, volume I, page 159</ref> By the year's end, some three hundred individuals were members of the Methodist church in the Ancaster Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P163">Carroll, volume I, page 163</ref>
After the conclusion of the War, the 1815 conference assigned Case to Canada once again.<ref name = "CarrollV2P2">Carroll, volume 2, page 2</ref> Having risen in the Methodist ranks, he was named the Presiding Elder for Upper Canada. The following year, he switched jobs with [[Henry Ryan]], Presiding Elder of [[Lower Canada]].<ref name = "CarrollV2P36">Carroll, volume 2, page 36</ref> He kept that position after the 1817 conference.<ref name = "CarrollV2P91">Carroll, volume 2, page 91</ref>


=== Rising star ===
Case was made superintendent of Indian schools and missions in Upper Canada in 1828.


Case was assigned the Mission of [[Detroit]] in 1809, the first Methodist preacher ever assigned there.<ref name = "CarrollV1P180">Carroll, volume 1, page 180</ref><ref name = "COM293">{{cite book | url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=PLoaAAAAYAAJ | title = Cyclopedia of Methodism: Embracing Sketches of Its Rise, Progress, and Present Condition | last = Simpson | first = Matthew | publisher = Everts & Stewart | date = 1878 | page = 293}}</ref> He travelled from Ancaster, preaching in the young towns of [[London, Ontario|London]] and [[Malden, Ontario|Malden]] before reaching [[Amherstburg, Ontario|New Settlement]] on the Upper Canada side of the border. There he found a society with little religious instruction or adherence, and what he did find was not to his tastes. The occasional [[Roman Catholic]] or [[Anglican]] preacher was not a teetotaller or stern adherent like Case, but engaged in horse-racing, dancing, gambling and excessive drinking with the residents, to Case's chagrin.<ref name = "CarrollV1P182">Carroll, volume I, page 182</ref> No Methodist preachers had travelled the area since [[Nathan Bangs]] in 1804. Case's reception was hostile; local magistrates fined people who hosted his sermons in their houses, and Case was threatened with violence. Case was not dismayed by this opposition, but found his strength in it, and his passion for preaching was inflamed with every difficulty he faced.<ref name = "CarrollV1P183">Carroll, volume I, page 183</ref> Amongst the people of Detroit, Case also found some who welcomed him. As he preached, Case attracted growing crowds and increasing numbers of converts. Although he had planed to travel extensively in [[western Ontario|the close-by parts of Upper Canada]], he found all his time occupied in New Settlement.<ref name = "CarrollV1P184">Carroll, volume I, page 184</ref> Although Case had planned to Detroit immeadiately, his arrival there was delayed until the end of September, having set out in June, by the revival he sparked in New Settlement. In Detroit, his reception was better, and the governor made available the council house for Case to preach in.<ref name = "CarrollV1P185">Carroll, volume I, page 185</ref> Case drew good crowds in Detroit, but the number of converts was small, and no Methodist society was formed there. On the Canadian side of the border he was more successful. In his year there, 78 people converted to Methodism, and Methodist societies were founded in London, Malden, Colchester and Gosfield.<ref name = "CarrollV1P186">Carroll, volume I, page 186</ref> While Bangs' time in the area had converted a few to the Methodist church, they quickly fell out of practice after he left. The same reversion did not occur after Case departed the circuit for a new assignment in 1810. The Methodists Societies established then persisted, and grew, after Case moved on.<ref name = "CarrollV1P187">Carroll, volume I, page 187</ref>
In 1837, he was made head of the Wesleyan industrial school for Indians in [[Alnwic, Ontario]]. He stayed in that position until 1851.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.albertasource.ca/methodist/Pictures/william_case.htm | title = William Case, Pioneer Methodist Missionary | work = Alberta Online Encyclopedia | publisher = Heritage Community Foundation}}</ref>


Case's success in Detroit had caught the eye of [[Bishop Asbury]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P191">Carroll, volume I, page 191</ref> After five years of riding circuits, Case was promoted to Presiding Elder of the Cayuga district, in [[Upstate New York]]. In 1810, under Case's leadership, membership in the Methodist Society there increased by 589 individuals.<ref name = "CarrollV1P203">Carroll, volume 1, page 203</ref> He stayed on for a second year,<ref name = "CarrollV1P240">Carroll, volume I, page 240</ref> then spent two years as Presiding Elder of the Oneida district.<ref name = "CarrollV1P314" /> During his tenure there, the Oneida district had ten Circuits, with seventeen preachers under his supervision.<ref name = "CarrollV1P314">Carroll, volume I, page 314</ref> He spent 1814 as the Presiding Elder of the Chenango district.<ref name = "CarrollV1P314">Carroll, volume 1, page 314</ref> Chenango had 8 circuits and 15 preachers.<ref name = "CarrollV1P314" /> Due to his closeness to the battlefronts, Case often ministered to the injured after battles. He was present at the scene of the [[Battle of Sackett's Harbor]] a few hours after it took place, finding himself concerned with the dying men, and what might become of their families, but not attached to any idea of [[nationalism]], later writing "I know not that I felt any partiality for Americans more than Englishmen: all of one creation - alike subjects of redeeming blood, all accountable to the King of kings, and deserving of the same condemnation."<ref name = "CarrollV1P317">Carroll, volume I, page 317</ref> In 1810, a letter from Case to [[Bishop]] [[Francis Asbury]] was published in the [[Methodist Magazine]]. At this point, Case abandoned his journal, and began writing regular reports on the progress of Methodists in Upper Canada and the north-west United States.<ref name = "CCH">{{cite web | url = http://www.ccheritage.ca/biographies/williamcase.php | title = William Case | publisher = Stephen Plamondon}}</ref>
==Contemporaries==
# [[William Losee]]
##Links needed to [[Elder Garrettson]]; who is this? And [[Darius Dunham]].


== James Aikens ==
=== Presiding elder ===
'''James Aikens''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].


[[Image:ReverendWilliamCaseAndWifeElizaBarnesCase.png|right|thumb|William Case with Eliza Barnes Case.]]
Aikens was born in [[Ireland]] in 1778, and came to the [[United States]] in 1792. Aikens' family settled in [[Pennsylvania]], where he converted to Methodism in 1795. He was accepted on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1801, and assigned to the Oswegotchie Circuit. In successive years, he worked the following circuits: Northumberland, Northampton, St. Martins, Accomack, Milford, Cambridge, Somerset, Bristol, Cecil, Talbot, Accomack, Milford, New-Mills, Freehold, Asbury, Trenton, Freebond, Hamburg, Salem and Bergin. Bergin was the circuit in rode in 1823. He died at the house of [[John Theel]], on 1823.<ref name = "CarrollV1P63">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 63}}</ref>


After the conclusion of the War, the 1815 conference assigned Case to Canada once again.<ref name = "CarrollV2P2">Carroll, volume 2, page 2</ref> Having risen in the Methodist ranks, he was named the Presiding Elder for Upper Canada.<ref name = "BDCM">{{cite book | url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=oQ8BFk9K0ToC | title = Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions | last = Anderson | first = Gerald | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing | date = 1999 | ISBN = 0802846807 | pages = 119}}</ref> At that time, the Upper Canada district extended from Detroit to Kingston.<ref name = "CarrollV2P7">Carroll, volume II, page 7</ref> Over the course of the war, half of the Methodists in Upper Canada had left there church, and Case faced a heavy workload.<ref name = "CarrollV2P8">Carroll, volume II, page 8</ref> Case represented the Genesee District at the 1816 Delegated Annual Conference, which met on May 1st in Baltimore.<ref name = "CarrollV2P28">Carroll, volume II, page 28</ref> That year, he switched jobs with [[Henry Ryan]], Presiding Elder of [[Lower Canada]].<ref name = "CarrollV2P36">Carroll, volume 2, page 36</ref> He kept that position after the 1817 conference.<ref name = "CarrollV2P91">Carroll, volume 2, page 91</ref> In 1817, the Genesee Conference began publishing the [[American Methodist Magazine]], and Case prepared several articles for the magazine.<ref name = "CarrollV2P131">Carroll, volume II, page 131</ref> In 1818, Case served on a committee to draft a constitution empowering the conference to receive legacies.<ref name = "CarrollV2P170">Carroll, volume II, page 170</ref>
== William Anson ==
'''William Anson''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].


By 1820, Case had risen to the position of Secretary of the Genesee conference, and was responsible for organising the annual conference of 1820, which occurred in Niagara in July.<ref name = "CarrollV2P292">Carroll, volume II, page 292</ref>
Anson was born in the [[United States]], but after being received on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1800, his first assignment was to [[Canada]], where he rode the [[Bay of Quinte]] Circuit. His senior colleage on the circuit was [[Sylvanus Keeler]]. He remained in Canada the next year, but was moved to the Oswegotchie Circuit, with [[James Aikens]] as his assistant. In 1802 he was assigned to [[Grand Isle (island)|Grand Isle]], in the American part of [[Lake Champlain]]. In 1803 he was moved to Vergennes Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P64">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 64}}</ref> He returned to Canada in 1805, riding the [[Home District]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P65}>Carroll, Volume I, page 65</ref> He returned to his native United States in 1806, riding the Pitsfield Circuit. Following this, he rode the South Britain Circuit in 1807. At the 1808 conference, he was made Presiding Elder of the Ashgrove District, a position he remained in through 1811. He spent 1812 and 1813 as Presiding Elder of the Rhinebeck District. He bounced around as a superintendent after this, in the circuits of Duchess, Rhinebeck, Saratoga, Pittstown, Chatham, Hudson and Pittsfield through 1822. <ref name = "CarrollV1P66">Carroll, Volume I, page 66</ref>


In 1821, he term as presiding elder of the Lower Canada district ended, and he was made the presiding elder of the Upper Canada district once again.<ref name = "CarrollV2P304">Carroll, volume II, page 304</ref> Case began taking an strong interest in Upper Canada's Indians, serving on a ''Committee on Indian Affairs'' starting in 1821,<ref name = "CarrollV2P349">Carroll, volume II, page 349</ref> and became especially active after the conversion of bilingual [[Peter Jones (missionary)|Peter Jones]] in 1823 allowed effective preaching to the [[Ojibwe]].<ref name = "BDCM" /> In 1825, a second Ojibwe convert joined the missionaries' ranks under Case, [[John Sunday]].<ref name = "HPOUC">{{cite book | url = http://books.google.ca/books?id=1gR6AAAAMAAJ | title = History of the Province of Ontario, (Upper Canada.) | last = Canniff | first = William | publisher = A.H. Hovey | date = 1872 | page = 323}}</ref>
Anson was declared a [[supernumerary]] in 1823, but was placed in charge of Ballstown Spa and Saratoga Springs. These were light duties, and Anson had another supernumerary preacher as a colleage. He remained in this position through 1838. He was [[superannuated]] in 1839, and died in 1848.<ref name = "CarrollV1P66" />


== Nathan Bangs ==
=== Teacher and mentor ===
'''Nathan Bangs''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].


Case was made superintendent of Indian schools and missions in Upper Canada in 1828.
Bangs was born in [[New England]] in 1779 and was educated at a common-school. His father attempted to give Bangs a [[classical education]] himself, but this did not take. His father subsequently taught him [[surveying]]. Around 1792 the family moved to the [[Delaware River]] valley area of [[New York]]. There he was exposed to travelling Methodist preachers, and he converted to Methodism, along with his mother and siblings. Three of his brothers would become Methodist preachers.<ref name = "CarrollV1P27" />


In 1837, he was made head of the Wesleyan industrial school for Indians in [[Alnwic, Ontario]]. He stayed in that position until 1851.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.albertasource.ca/methodist/Pictures/william_case.htm | title = William Case, Pioneer Methodist Missionary | work = Alberta Online Encyclopedia | publisher = Heritage Community Foundation}}</ref>
Bangs left New York on [[May 9]], [[1799]], travelling to [[Upper Canada]]. There he intended to find work as a surveyor, as there was much demand for surveying in Upper Canada. Bangs travelled with his sister and her husband. He settled around Niagara, where he became a class leader in the local Methodist class. In 1801, he worked as an assistant to [[Joseph Sawyer]], a local circuit rider.<ref name = "CarrollV1P28">Carroll, Volume I, page 28</ref> Bangs was received on trial for the Methodist [[itinerary]] in 1802.<ref name = "CarrollV1P27">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 27}}</ref> The former [[Niagara]] district was split in two that year, with Bangs assigned to the new [[Long Point]] circuit. The 1803 conference assigned him to [[Bay of Quinte]] and the [[Home district]]. He travelled to the 1804 conference in [[New York City]] where he was ordained a [[Deacon]] and an [[Elder]], and taken into full [[connexion]]. He was assigned to [[Thames River (Ontario)|River la French]]. He wandered as far as [[Detroit]], preaching not only to Christians, but also unconverted Indians and white settlers who had never heard a sermon.<ref name = "CarrollV1P29">Carroll, Volume I, page 29</ref>

==Luthar Bishop==
'''Luthar Bishop''' was a Methodist circuit rider.

His place of birth is unknown. Bishop was received on trial in 1803, and assigned to the Oswegotchie circuit as assistant to [[Vannest]]. In 1804 he was assigned to be [[Daniel Pickett]]'s assistant, riding the [[Niagara]] and [[Long Point]] circuits. In 1805 he rode the Long Point circuit, this time alone.<ref name = "CarrollV1P34">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 34}}</ref> He was moved to Smith's Creek in 1806.<ref name = "CarrollV1P125">Carroll, volume I, page 125</ref>

== Michael Coate ==
'''Michael Coate''' was a Methodist circuit rider.

Coate was born in [[Burlington County]], [[New Jersey]] in 1767.<ref name = "CarrollV1P51">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 51}}</ref> His family were [[Quakers]], but converted to [[Methodism]] in his youth, being the first family in their area to do so. His brother [[Samuel Coate|Samuel]] was received on trial in 1794, and that year Michael began exhorting. Michael was received on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1795, and was made a [[Circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]] on the Columbia Circuit of [[New York]]. He stayed on that circuit in 1796. In 1797, he was put on the Middletown Circuit of [[Connecticut]]. In 1798, he was volunteered to ride in [[Upper Canada]], after being encouraged by his brother, and was assigned to the [[Niagara]] Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P52">Carroll, Volume I, page 52</ref>

At the 1799 annual conference, Coate was [[ordain]]ed an Elder, and appointed to [[New York City]]. He rode the Pittsfield and Whitingham Circuit in Massechusetts in 1800. He was assigned to New York City again at the 1801 conference. He rode the New London Circuit in Connecticut in 1802. He was returned to New York City in 1803 and 1804. While in New York, he married Mehetabel Briggs. He was moved to [[Philidelphia]] in 1805, and remained there in 1806. In both 1807 and 1808 he was assigned to [[Baltimore]], and Philidelphia again in 1809. He last year of circuit riding was 1810, when he rode the Burlington Circuit around his New Jersey birthplace.<ref name = "CarrollV1P52" />

In 1811, Coate was made Presiding Elder of the West Jersey District. He remained in that position through 1814.<ref name = "CarrollV1P52" /> Around the time of the 1814 annual conference, Coate took ill. He died [[August 1]], [[1814]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P53">Carroll, Volume I, page 53</ref>

== Samuel Coate ==
'''Samuel Coate''' was a [[Methodism|Methodist]] preacher.

Born in [[Burlington, New Jersey]] to [[Quaker]] parents, Coate's family converted to Methodism in his youth. Coate was received on trial as a [[Circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]] in 1794, and rode the Flanders tract. The next year he was stationed in [[Albany, New York]]. In 1796, he was assigned to circuits in Canada, where he remained for four years. There he was remarkably successful. In 1800 he was assigned to Burlington, New Jersey. His circuit for 1801 was [[Philidelphia]]. In 1802 he was assigned to [[Baltimore]]. He stayed there until a return to Canada in 1804. Here he was married to a Miss Dulmage, possibly previously.<ref name = "CarrollV1P19">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 19}}</ref>

== James Coleman ==
'''James Coleman''' was a Methodist preacher.

Coleman was born [[October 30]], [[1766]] in [[Black River township, New Jersey]]. His parents were [[Presbyterians]], and he was raised in that religion.<ref name = "CarrollV1P40">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 40}}</ref> In 1777, the family moved across the [[Allegheny Mountains]] to [[Monongahela Township, Pennsylvania|Monongahela]]. Here Coleman was exposed to little religion, beyong "some vague notions of the providence of God". During the 1780s, Methodist [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit riders]] began to frequent the area, and Coleman eagerly attended sermons. Sometime in the 1780s, Coleman was drafted into military service for ongoing conflicts with local Indians. He refused to comply, and obtained a preaching licence. He told his captain of this, who told him if he wanted to preach, he would have to do so in the army. An officer and two or three other men were sent to seize him, but after hearing him preach, declined to do so.<ref name = "CarrollV1P41">Carroll, Volume I, page 41</ref>

In 1791, Coleman was received on trial for the Methodist itinerary. That year he was assigned as a rider on the Redstone circuit. In 1792, he was assigned to the Litchfield circuit, in [[New York]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P41" /> In 1793, he was assigned to ride the Fairfield circuit in New York. In 1794, he was moved to the Upper [[Upper Canada]] circuit. In 1795, he was moved to the Oswegotchie circuit, covering the eastern part of Upper Canada. The record of his assignment in 1796 has been lost, but in 1797 he was assigned to the [[Niagara]] circuit, where [[Michael Coate]] was his assistant. In 1798 he rode the Niagara circuit alone.<ref name = "CarrollV1P42">Carroll, Volume I, page 42</ref> He returned to New York, where he served as a circuit rider until 1824, when poor health resulted in him being declared [[superannuated]] at the annual conference.<ref name = "CarrollV1P43">Carroll, Volume I, page 43</ref>

Coleman died [[February 5]], [[1842]] in [[Ridgefield, Connecticut]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P44">Carroll, Volume I, page 44</ref>

== Seth Crowell ==
'''Seth Crowell''' was a Methodist [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Crowell was born in [[Toland, Connecticut]] in 1781. His family moved to [[Chatham, Connecticut]] in 1783, where Crowell was raised. He converted to [[Methodism]] in 1797. He began exhorting at some point, then in 1801 was accepted on trial for the Methodist itinerary. He volunteered to be sent to [[Canada]], and was assigned to the [[Niagara]] Circuit in 1801. In 1802 he was assigned to the Oswegotchie and Ottawa Circuit, but during the year some re-arrangements took place, and he spent some time around the [[Bay of Quinte]]. There, with his short stature and boyish looks he acquired the nickname ''Little Crowell''.<ref name = "CarrollV1P61">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 61}}</ref> In 1803 he was ordained a [[Deacon]] and made an Elder, then assigned to the Fletcher Circuit. In 1804, he was assigned to the Brandon Circuit. In 1805, he was assigned to the Albany Circuit, and in 1806 to the [[New York City|City of New York]]. He spent 1807 has a missionary in the New York Conference, and in 1808 he was stationed in [[Schenectday]]. In 1809 he was declared [[supernumerary]], and the same the next year. He returned to work in 1811, as Presiding Elder of Chatham. He was moved to the Reading Circuit in 1812. Still in ill health, he was declared [[superannuated]] in 1813. He returned to work in 1816, however, as a missionary in the New York Conference. He spent 1817 and 1818 as a circuit rider in New York City, and was located there in 1819. He stayed then in New York City until his death on [[July 6]], [[1824]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P62">Carroll, Volume I, page 62</ref>

== Samuel Draper ==
'''Samuel Draper''' was a Methodist circuit rider.

Draper was accepted on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1801. He was assigned to the [[Bay of Quinte]] Circuit. After one year riding in Canada, he returned to the [[New York]] conference, where he rode circuits until his death in 1824. He rode the Cambridge Circuit from 1819 - 1823.<ref name = "CarrollV1P59">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 59}}</ref>

== Darius Dunham ==
'''Darius Dunham''' was a [[Methodism|Methodist]] [[Circuit rider (religious)| circuit rider]]. His blunt style earnt him the nickname "Scolding Dunham". Dunham was known as a [[pious]] and [[witty]] man, too. On one occasion he was chastised by a new [[magistrate]] for riding a fine [[horse]] when his predecessor had ridden a [[donkey]]. Dunham agreed with the magistrate's assessment, and that he would ride a donkey, but that the task of finding one was difficult as the "government having made up all the asses into magistrates!"<ref name = "CarrollV1P38">Carroll, Volume I, page 38</ref>

Dunham received an education in sciences, but decided to pursue a career in the priesthood instead. In 1788 he was received on trial, and assigned the newly created Shoreham circuit to ride. In 1789 he rode the Cambridge circuit, and in 1790 he was ordained a deacon. He remained on the Cambridge circuit that year.<ref name = "CarrollV1P36">Carroll, Volume I, page 36</ref> He rode the Columbia circuit in 1791. He was ordained a deacon in 1792, and was assigned to ride the Cataraqui circuit, centred on [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P12">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 12}}</ref> Both he and [[William Losee]], another circuit rider on the neighbouring Oswegotchie circuit courted Elizabeth Detlor of Fredericksburgh. Detlor married Dunham, and the grief drove Losee out of the service.<ref name = "CarrollV1P13">Carroll, Volume I, page 13</ref> Dunham was not assigned any circuits in 1793-1794. In 1794-1795, Dunham was made the presiding Elder of the Lower Canada circuit, with one other circuit rider under him, [[James Coleman]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P14">Carroll, Volume I, page 14</ref> He was bounced around various Upper Canada and Lower Canada circuits until 1800.

At the New York conference in 1800, Dunham was "located", after 12 years of circuit riding.<ref name = "CarrollV1P15">Carroll, Volume I, page 15</ref>He settled near [[Napanee, Ontario|Napanee, Upper Canada]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P37">Carroll, Volume I, page 37</ref>

== Reuben Harris ==
'''Reuben Harris''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Harris was born in [[Canterbury, Connecticut]] in 1776. Harris converted to Methodism in 1800. Upon his conversion, he began to study its teachings quite diligently, and was licensed as a [[Methodist local preacher|local preacher]] on [[November 26]], [[1802]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P71">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 71}}</ref> He was accepted on trial for the Methodist itinerary at the 1803 conference and volunteered to ride a circuit in Upper Canada. The 1804 conference returned him to Upper Canada. At the 1805 conference, he was received into full connexion, and ordained a deacon. He was assigned to the Brandon Circuit in Vermont. He rode the Fletcher Circuit in 1806. He was ordained a [[Methodist Elder|Elder]] at the 1807 conference, and assigned to the Middletown Circuit in [[Connecticut]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P72">Carroll, Volume I, page 72</ref>

Harris continued circuit riding in [[New York]] and [[New England]] through 1823. That year he was declared [[supernumerary]] at the Methodists' annual conference. He returned to active service in 1829, and was again declared supernumerary in 1834. He was [[superannuated]] in 1839, and moved to [[Chardon, Ohio]], where he did odd preaching as his health permitted. He died February 15, 1844.<ref name = "CarrollV1P72" />

== James Herron ==
'''James Herron''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Herron was received on trial in 1799, and assigned to the Chester and Strasbourgh Circuit in the Philidelphia District. He was assigned to the Oswegotchie Circuit in 1800, as the assistant to [[Joseph Jewell]]. Jewell suffered some malady of his leg, and in 1801 was sent to the Dorchester Circuit, where the travel would be less stressful. He rode other circuits within the Delaware and Eastern Shore District through 1805. When the Philidelphia Conference was organized in 1805, Herron was transferred to it, but generally rode the same area he had previously, riding circuits in Newburgh, New Jersey Tioga, Annamessex, Duck Creek, Accomack, Dorchester, Somersett, Annamessex, Milford and Accomack, in order. He was appointed Presiding Elder of the Susquehanna District in 1808. He was located in 1814, likely having married about this time.<ref name = "CarrollV1P67">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 67}</ref>

== Samuel Howe ==
'''Samuel Howe''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Born in [[Belcher, Massechusetts]] in 1781, Howe moved with his family to [[Decatur, New York]] in 1798. He soon became involved with the Methodist church there. Showing a talent for [[public speaking]], he began exhorting soon after his conversion. Excelling at this, he was licensed to preach as a [[Methodist local preacher|local preacher]]. He was received on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1802, and assigned to western [[New York]]. The next year he was assigned to the [[Long Point]] and [[Niagara]] Circuit of [[Upper Canada]]. At the 1804 conference, he was [[ordain]]ed a [[deacon]] and assigned to the [[Ottawa River|Ottawa]] Circuit. He returned to the United States the next year, riding the Fletcher Circuit in [[Vermont]]. He was ordained an [[Elder (Methodism)|Elder]] in 1806, and remained on the Fletcher Circuit. He moved to the Scenectady Circuit in 1807, the Albany Circuit in 1808, the Mongomery Circuit in 1809, the Cambridge Circuit in 1810 and the Brandon Circuit in 1811. Due to family troubles, he was returned [[superannuated]] in 1812, but resumed circuit riding in 1813, on the Middlebury Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P69">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 69}</ref> In 1814, he rode the Pitstown Circuit. After this, Saratoga in 1815; Middlebury in 1816; [[New York City]] in 1817 and 1818; Rhinebeck in 1819 and 1820; Montgomery in 1821; Saratoga in 1822 and 1823; Cambridge in 1824 and 1825; Chatham in 1826 and 1827; Pitstown in 1828 and 1829 and the Lee Circuit in 1830. He was [[superannuated]] in 1831, unable to continue riding circuits. He died [[February 16]], [[1858]] at the [[funeral]] of an old friend.<ref name = "CarrollV1P70">Carroll, Volume I, page 70</ref>

== Joseph Jewell ==
'''Joseph Jewell''' was a Methodist circuit rider.

Jewell was born in [[Ireland]], but immigrated to the [[United States]] as a child. His family settled in [[Pennsylvania]], where he converted to [[Methodism]]. He was received on trial as a [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]] in 1795. His first circuit was the Dover Circuit. Records are lost of his activives in 1796-1798, but at the 1799 conference he was made an Elder. He was assigned to be Presiding Elder of the Canada District, where he remained through 1803. He returned to the United States, being stationed on the Lewiston Circuit in 1804, and appointed the superintendent of the Genesee District from 1805 - 1809. He organized the first [[camp-meeting]] in [[New York]], which took place in his district in 1805.<ref name = "CarrollV1P57">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 57}}</ref> Jewell was declared [[superannuated]] in 1808 and located in 1810.<ref name = "CarrollV1P58">Carroll, Volume I, page 58</ref>

== Sylvanus Keeler ==
'''Sylvanus Keeler''' was a Methodist preacher.

He converted to [[Methodism]] while living in [[Elizabethtown, Ontario|Elizabethtown, Upper Canada]]. From a poor family, Keeler received no schooling, and was barely literate when he began preaching. He dedicated himself to learning to read and write. A shy speaker at first, with practice his speaking voice became clear and strong with practice. He was received on trial in 1795, and assigned the [[Bay of Quinte]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit to ride]]. For unknown reasons, he retired from the church after one year. However, it may have related to a marriage and the beginnings of his family. He was again received on trial in 1800, and stationed again on the Bay of Quinte circuit, where he was assigned again in 1801.<ref name = "CarrollV1P21">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 21}}</ref> That year, he was received into full [[connexion]]. In 1802 he was assigned to the Oswagotchie and Ottawa circuits. These circuits were also ridden by [[Seth Crowell]] and [[Nehemiah U. Tomkins]]. In 1803, he rode the [[Long Point, Ontario|Long Point]] and [[Niagara]] circuits. In 1804 he rode Quinte again, and in 1805 Oswagotchie, by then free of Ottawa.<ref name = "CarrollV1P22">Carroll, Volume I, page 22</ref> In 1806 he returned to the United States, riding the St. Lawrence Circuit in New York.<ref name = "CarrollV1P125">Carroll, volume I, page 125</ref>

== Thomas Madden ==
'''Thomas Madden''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Born in 1780 in [[Cambridge, New York]], Madden's family moved to [[Earnestown, Upper Canada]] in 1789. During a visit to his hometown of Cambridge in 1797, to visit old friends, he was exposed to Methodist preachers. While there, he converted, becoming deeply pious. Returning to Upper Canada, he began exhorting, then preaching locally, before being accepted on trial by the New York conference in 1802. That year, he was assigned to ride the [[Long Point]] circuit, with [[Nathan Bangs]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P32">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 32}}</ref> In 1803 he was assigned to the [[Bay of Quinte]] circuit. At the 1804 conference he was ordained a [[Deacon]] and an [[Elder]], and assigned to the Oswegotchie circuit. At the 1805 conference, a new circuit was creaked around Smith's Creek, and Elder [[William Case]] assigned Madden to it.<ref name = "CarrollV1P33">Carroll, Volume I, page 33</ref> In 1806, he was moved to the [[Long Point]] Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P125">Carroll, Volume I, page 125</ref>

== Samuel Merwin ==
'''Samuel Merwin''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

After working as a [[local preacher]] for several years, Merwin was accepted on trial by the New York Conference in 1800. He was assigned to ride the [[Long Island]] Circuit. In 1801, he was assigned to the Redding Circuit, and in 1802 the Adams Circuit. In 1803 he volunteered to ride in Canada and was assigned to [[Montreal]]. He remained in Montreal in 1804, but had little success in converting its inhabitants to Methodism.<ref name = "CarrollV1P83">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 83}}</ref> He transfered to [[New York City]] in 1805, and rode circuits in the New York District, the Baltimore District, the Philidelphia District and the New England District until his death on January 13, 1839. In administrative tasks, he showed a great talent for resolving disputes and differences among the members of the church.<ref name = "CarrollV1P84">Carroll, Volume I, page 84</ref>

== Caleb Morris ==
'''Caleb Morris''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Morris was received on trial in 1800, and assigned to the Herkimer Circuit, where he served as the assistant to [[Anthony Turk]]. The next year he was assigned to the Ottawa Circuit with [[John Robinson]], his only forray into Canada. In 1802, he rode the Greenwich and Warren Circuit, and in 1803 he rode the Litchfield Circuit. He was ordained an Elder in 1804, and stationed at Cape May in the Philidelphia Conference. In 1805, he served as assistant to [[James Herron]] on the Dutch Creek Circuit. He spent 1807 as Presiding Elder on the St. Martins Circuit, and was located in 1808.<ref name = "CarrollV1P67">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 67}}</ref>

== George Neal ==
'''George Neal''' (ca. 1748 - ca. 1839) was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Neal was born in the [[Southern United States]] in an [[Irish people|Irish]] family. During the [[American Revolution]], he fought as a [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|loyalist]], joining the [[cavalry]] as a [[major]]. After the revolution, he converted to Methodist and soon began working as a [[local preacher]]. He expressed interest in working as a travelling preacher, but ill health prvented this. In 1787 he travelled to Canada, preaching in the [[Niagara]] region. Neal received a poor welcome there, on occasion being assaulted by locals offended by his preaching against their behaviours. Despite the hostility, he begain laying the groundwork for future Methodist circuit riders to travel in [[Upper Canada]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P88">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 88}}</ref> Neal remained in Upper Canada, mostly in the [[Niagara]] region and the [[Long Point]] region until his death in 1839.<ref name = "CarrollV1P91">Carroll, Volume I, page 91</ref>

== Gersham Pearse ==
'''Gersham Pearse''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Pearse's place of birth is unknown, but he grew up near [[New York City]]. He was received on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1803, and assigned to the Plattsburgh circuit. There he served as assistant to [[Henry Ryan]]. In 1804 he was assigned to the Fletcher circuit, as assistant to [[Samuel Draper]]. In 1805 he was given his own circuit to ride, [[Niagara]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P33">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 33}}</ref>

== Robert Perry ==
'''Robert Perry''' was a Methodist circuit rider.

Born in [[Upper Canada]] in the [[Bay of Quinte]] area to [[United Empire Loyalist]] parents, Perry was received on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1805, and assigned to ride the Glengarry circuit, near [[Ottawa]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P35">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 35}}</ref> In 1806, he was moved to the [[Niagara]] Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P131">Carroll, volume I, page 131</ref>

== Andrew Prindle ==
'''Andrew Prindle''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Prindle was born in the [[Prince Edward County, Ontario|Prince Edward District]] of [[Upper Canada]], on April 3, 1780. He received his education there. As one of the [[first white child|first white kids]] born in the province, there were no schools and no books. He began attending Methodist Churchs at age 16, but did not convert until age 18.<ref name = "CarrollV1P133">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 133}}</ref> He was accepted on trial as a circuit rider in 1806, and assigned to the [[Ottawa valley|Ottawa]] Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P134">Carroll, volume I, page 134</ref>

==Daniel Pickett==
Pickett was born and raised in [[the Canadas]].

Pickett was received on trial as a [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]] in 1800. He was assigned the [[Ottawa River|Grand River]] circuit. In 1801 he was assigned to the [[Bay of Quinte]] circuit as assistant to [[Sylvanus Keeler]]. In 1802, he was assigned to the [[Niagara]] circuit, where he was the assistant to [[John Robinson]]. In 1803 he again rode the Grand River circuit, and in 1804 he was back on the Niagara circuit, which by then included [[Long Point]]. [[Luther Bishop]] was assignd to be his assistant during his second tour of Niagara.<ref name = "CarrollV1P26">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 26}}</ref>
In 1805, Pickett was a circuit rider on the [[Yonge Street]] circuit, under Elder [[Samuel Coate]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P19">Carroll, Volume I, page 19</ref> He remained on the Yonge Street Circuit in 1806.<ref name = "CarrollV1P126">Carroll, Volume I, page 126</ref>

== John Robinson ==
'''John Robinson''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Robinson was born [[November 26]], [[1769]] in [[Maryland]]. He was [[baptized]] by [[George Whitfield]]. Robinson converted to [[Methodism]] when he was nineteen. He was received on trial in 1789, the year after his conversion, but rode only for a single year. He was received on trial again in 1794, and assigned to ride the Freehold Circuit in [[New Jersey]]. He spent 1795 riding the Chester and Lancaster Circuit of [[Pennsylvania]]. He served as assistant to [[Solomon Sharpe]] in 1796, riding the Milford Circuit. He served with [[Anthony Turk]] on the Delaware Circuit in 1797, and rode the circuit the next year with [[William Vredenburg]] as his assistant. He rode the Dorchester Circuit in 1799, and the [[Mohawk Valley|Mohawk Circuit]] in 1800.<ref name = "CarrollV1P55">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 55}}</ref>

In 1801 Robinson volunteered to ride a circuit in Canada, and was assigned to the Ottawa Circuit, with [[Caleb Morris]] as his assistant. The next year he was moved to the [[Niagara]] Circuit, where [[Daniel Pickett]] served as his assistant.<ref name = "CarrollV1P55" /> Regarded as a talented preacher, Robinson was entrusted as Presiding Elder of the Upper Canada District at the 1803 convention. He was officially located at the 1804 convention. That year, however, his romantic interest fell serious ill, and Robinson neglected his duties to care for her. They married as soon as she was well, and settled on a farm provided by Robinson's father in law. There he preached locally. Robinson died in 1848 in [[Philidelphia]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P56">Carroll, Volume I, page 56</ref>

== Martin Ruter ==
'''Martin Ruter''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Ruter was born [[April 3]], [[1785]] to religious parents in [[Charlestown, Massachusetts]]. Ruter showed an interest in a career as a preacher from a very young age, and in 1799 he joined the Methodist Church and began religious studies. He received a licence to exhort in the summer of 1800, after being examined by [[Reverend]] [[John Broadhead]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P85">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 85}}</ref> He travelled with Broadhead for a few months, exhorting while Broadhead preached, to gain a feeling for the role. He was licensed as a preacher in the fall, and rode the Wetherfeld Circuit in [[Vermont]] during the fall and winter of 1800. In June 1801, Ruter was accepted on trial for the Methodist itinerary at the New York Conference's annual meeting. He was assigned to ride the Chesterfield Circuit. In 1802 he was assigned to the Landhoff Circuit in New Hampshire. He was admitted as a [[Deacon]] in 1803, and assigned to the Adam Circuit. In 1804 he volunteered to ride a circuit in Canada, and was assigned to [[Montreal]]. He was ordained an [[Elder (methodism)|Elder]] at the 1805 conference and assigned to the Bridgewater Circuit in [[New Hampshire]]. In 1806 he rode the Northfield Circuit. In 1807, he rode the Portsmouth and Nottingham Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P86">Carroll, Volume I, page 86</ref>

In 1808, Ruter was appointed to the Boston Circuit, and was elected a delegate to the first Delegated General Conference. In 1809 and 1810, he served as Presiding Elder of the New Hampshire District. The next year, he was in [[Portland, Maine]], and in 1812 and 1813 he was located in North Yarmouth. He returned to circuit riding in 1814, on the North Yarmouth and Freeport Circuit. In 1815, he was assigned to [[Salisbury, Massachusetts]]. In 1816, he was in [[Baltimore]] and in 1817 he was in [[Philadelphia]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P86" />

Ruter was award a [[Master of Arts]] degree from [[Asbury College]] in Baltimore in 1818. The same year he was placed in charge of the New Market Wesleyan Academy. The next year he was assigned to [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], but remained at the Academy with the blessing of the Presiding Elder.<ref name = "CarrollV1P86" />

At the 1820 annual conference, Ruter was elected to conduct the business of the Wesleyan Book Agency, a position he was re-elected to in 1824.<ref name = "CarrollV1P86" /> He was granted a [[Doctor of Divinity]] degree from the [[Transylvania University of Kentucky]] in 1822, without his knowledge. He was elected president of [[Augusta College]] in Kentucky. In order to remain active as a preacher, he requested and received a transfer to the Pittsburgh Conference, and preached in Pittsburgh in 1833 and 1834. He then went to Meadville, to preside over [[Alleghany College]]. He remained in that position through 1837. He resigned the position to take up a new position as the superintendent of a [[mission]] in [[Texas]]. After several months in Texas, of setting up schools and churches, and preaching and education, he was struck ill and forced to return to [[Washington, D.C.]] to find a physician to address his illness. They were unable to do anything for him, and he died [[May 16]], [[1838]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P87">Carroll, Volume I, page 87</ref>

== Henry Ryan ==
'''Henry Ryan''' was a Methodist preacher.

Ryan was usually though to be of Irish descent, but his place of birth is unknown. His contemporaries referred to him as an Irishman on occasion, and he was probably born in Ireland. His speech was unaccented by American standards, however, and he likely immigrated to the United States while very young. He lived in the [[Province of New York]], either [[Albany, New York|Albany]] or [[New York City]] in his youth.<ref name = "CarrollV1P23">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 23}}</ref>

Before his conversion to [[Methodism]], Ryan was a stage [[boxer]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P23" /> After his conversion to Methodism, Ryan worked as a local preacher in [[Duchess County|Duchess County, New York]] for more then three years before taking up [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit riding]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P24">Carroll, Volume I, page 24</ref>He was received on trial in 1800, and his first assigned circuit was Verginnis Circuit of [[Vermont]], which he rode for two years. He then spent on year on the Fletcher Circuit, also in Vermont, and two on the Plattsburgh Circuit in New York.<ref name = "CarrollV1P25">Carroll, Volume I, page 25</ref> In 1805, he rode the [[Bay of Quinte]] circuit with [[William Case (missionary)|William Case]], under the supervision of Elder [[Samuel Coate]]. He remained on the Bay of Quinte Circuit in 1806.<ref name = "CarrollV1P126">Carroll, Volume I, page 126</ref>

== Joseph Sawyer ==
'''Joseph Sawyer''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Sawyer was born in [[New York City]] in 1771. He family was wealthy, and Sawyer received a good education. Sawyer was received on trial for the Methodist itineracy in 1797 and was assigned to the Saratoga Circuit, where he assisted [[Joel Ketchum]]. The next year he rode the Pittsfield Circuit. In 1799 his trial status ended and he was assigned to the Vergennes Circuit, where he was an assistant to [[Joseph Mitchell]]. On Vergennes, he also took forays into [[Lower Canada]] to preach.<ref name = "CarrollV1P119">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 119}}</ref> Sawyer volunteered for an assigned in Canada in 1800, and was assigned to the [[Niagara]] Circuit. Preaching there, he converted [[Nathan Bangs]] to Methodism, who began serving as his assistant within the year.<ref name = "CarrollV1P119">Carroll, Volume I, page 119</ref> He remained on the Niagara Circuit in 1801, with [[Seth Crowell]] as his assistant.<ref name = "CarrollV1P121">Carroll, Volume I, page 121</ref> In 1802 he was moved to the [[Bay of Quinte]] Circuit, where he remained in 1803. He returned to New York in 1804, riding the Croton Circuit that year, and the New Rochelle Circuit in 1805.<ref name = "CarrollV1P123">Carroll, Volume I, page 123</ref>

Sawyer was assigned to the role of Presiding Elder of the Lower Canada District in 1806. Being settled into a more permanent role, he married Chloe Bailey, the daughter of prominant [[Cornwall, Ontario|Cornwall]] Methodist [[John Bailey]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P124">Carroll, Volume I, page 124</ref>

== Nehemia U. Tompkins ==
'''Nehemia U. Tompkins''' was a [[Methodist]] [[circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Tompkins was received on trial by the New York Conference in 1801. In 1802, he volunteered to ride a circuit in Upper Canada, and was assigned to the Oswegotchie Circuit. He returned to New York in 1803, where he rode circuits until he was located in 1809.<ref name = "CarrollV1P83">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 83}}</ref>

== Peter Vannest ==
'''Peter Vannest''' was a [[Methodist]] [[Circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Vannest was born August 5, 1759 in [[Bethlehem Township, New Jersey]]. Vannest moved with his family to [[Philidelphia]] in 1771. In Philidelpha, he was "powerfully awakened to a sense of sin", and lived in constant state of guilt. He first became interested in religion in 1780, but it was not until 1788 that he converted to Methodism. Vannest was in [[Bristol]], [[England]], and an acquaintence took him to a Methodist [[sermon]] by [[Thomas Warwick]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P73">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 73}}</ref> He began attending class meetings and after three years, he was appointed a class leader of a class in Bedminster. He began preaching locally, and returned to North America in 1796.<ref name = "CarrollV1P74">Carroll, Volume I, page 74</ref>

When he returned to America, he was received on trial by the Philidelphia Conference, and assigned to the Salem Circuit in New Jersey. He had arrived later in the season, and did not travel the circuit. He did attend the 1797 conference in Duck Creek, and was again received on trial. He was assigned to ride the Middletown Circuit, alongside [[Michael Coate]]. He split his time in 1798 on the Middletown and Croton Circuits. In 1799, he rode the newly created Whitingham Circuit. In 1800 he rode the Fletcher Circuit, and in 1801 the New London Circuit. Both these circuits lead him to take occasional trips through Upper Canada. In 1802, he was assigned to the [[Bay of Quinte]] Circuit, in Upper Canada, and he was assigned to the Oswegotchie Circuit in 1803.<ref name = "CarrollV1P74" /> In 1804 he returned to New Jersey, and rode circuits in that district until his retirement in 1818.<ref name = "CarrollV1P80">Carroll, Volume I, page 80</ref> He remained on the rolls of the [[superannuated]] until his death on October 18, 1851.<ref name = "CarrollV1P82">Carroll, Volume I, page 82</ref>

== Thomas Whitehead ==
'''Thomas Whitehead''' was a [[Methodist]] [[Circuit rider (religious)|circuit rider]].

Whitehead was born in 1762 in [[Duchess County, New York]]. Whitehead converted to Methodism in 1780, and was working as a [[local preacher]] in [[New York City]] and [[Albany, New York|Albany]] by 1783.<ref name = "CarrollV1P131">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 131}}</ref> At some point he was sent as a missionary to [[Nova Scotia]], where his name appears in the Methodist records from 1791. Although records remain sparse from this period, his obituary indicates he remained in Nova Scotia and [[New Brunswick]] until 1806, when he moved to the New York Conference. Preachers from the British Conference had been displacing American ones in Nova Scotia. Coming to New York, Whitehead's six children made him a poor candidate for a circuit rider, and Bishop Asbury only accepted him into the conference on the condition that he travel to Upper Canada, to which he agreed. He travelled to the [[Niagara]] region of Upper Canada, and located his family in the hamlet of [[St. David's, Ontario|St. David's]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P132">Carroll, volume I, page 132</ref>

== Elijah Woolsey ==
'''Elijah Woolsey''' was a Methodist circuit rider.

Woolsey was accepted on trial for the Methodist itinerary in 1793.<ref name = "CarrollV1P44">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 44}}</ref> He rode the Cambridge circuit, in [[New York]], that year. In 1794, he was transfered to the Lower Circuit in Upper Canada, covering the [[Bay of Quinte]], [[Kingston, Ontario|Kingston]] and much of the surrounding area. The next year, he was assigned to the Bay of Quinte circuit, with [[Sylvanus Keeler]] as his assistant. In 1796, he returned to the United States, riding the Redding circuit in Connecticut before locating. He resumes circuit riding in 1800, however, spending a year on the Newburg circuit in [[New York]], then two on the Flanders circuit of [[New Jersey]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P45">Carroll, Volume I, page 45</ref>

In 1803, Woolsey was appointed presiding Elder of the Albany district. He remained in that position until 1807, when he was moved to Brooklyn. After a year in Brooklyn, he resumed circuit riding, riding the Croton circuit in 1808. In 1809, he rode the Pitsfield Circuit in [[Massachusetts]]. After this, he spent 1810 and 1811 on the Duchess Circuit in New York, and 1812 on the Rhinebeck Circuit, also in New York. He returned to New England in 1813, riding the Middletown circuit, followed by the Stratford Circuit in 1814 and the Redding Circuit in 1815. He spent the next eight years riding circuits in New York; the Duchess Circuit, the Courtlandt Circuit, the Newburg Circuit, the Croton Circuit and the New Rochelle Circuit. He returned to New England in 1824, riding the Redding Circuit once again, and again in 1825. From 1826 through 1828 he was in charge of the New Rochelle Circuit in New York.<ref name = "CarrollV1P45" />

At the 1829 conference he was declared a [[Supernumerary]]. Despite this, he rode circuits intermittenly, the Courtlandt Circuit for five years, then the Rochelle Circuit for four more. At the 1838 conference he was made a [[Superannuated]] vetern, and he retired permanently from circuit riding. He died in 1849.<ref name = "CarrollV1P45" />

== Calvin Wooster ==
'''Calvin Wooster''' was a Methodist circuit rider.

Born [[May 20]], [[1771]], Wooster became a [[born again]] Christian [[December 1]], [[1791]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P46">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 46}}</ref> He was accepted on trial for the Methodist itinerary at the 1793 conference, and assigned to [[circuit rider (religious)|ride the]] Grandville Circuit in Massechussetts. In 1794, he was assigned to the Elizabeth Town Circuit in New Jersey, and in 1795 he was assigned to the Columbia Circuit in New York. In 1796, he volunteered to ride in Upper Canada, and was assigned to the Oswegotchie Circuit.<ref name = "CarrollV1P47">Carroll, Volume I, page 47</ref> Although Wooster was a preacher of significant faith and fervor, he had a poor constitution, and after circuiting riding in Upper Canada through 1797, he returned to his parent home ill, and died [[November 6]], [[1798]].<ref name = "CarrollV1P51">Carroll, Volume I, page 51</ref>


Case died in October in 1855, due to complications from injuries he sustained when he was thrown from a horse. His body was buried in the Cemetary of the [[Alderville Indian Reserve]].<ref name = "LAMB" />
== Assignments ==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Year
!Lower Canada Presiding Elder
!Montreal
!Quebec
!Ottawa
!Missionary to the French
|-
|1806
|Samuel Coate
|Samuel Coate
|Nathan Bangs
|Andrew Prindle
|William Snyder
|}


== Membership ==
== Notes ==
<references />
{|
|-
|1792 || 165<ref name = "CarrollV1P12">{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I | pages = 12}}</ref>
|-
|1793 || 345<ref name = "CarrollV1P12" />
|-
|1794 || 332<ref name = "CarrollV1P13">Carroll, Volume 1, page 13</ref>
|-
|1795 || 483
|-
|1796 || 474
|-
|1797 || 795
|-
|1798 || 899
|-
|1799 || 869
|-
|1800 || 996
|-
|1801 || 1159
|-
|1802 || 1502
|-
|1803 || 1600
|-
|1804 || 1649
|-
|1805 || 1787
|}


==References==
== References ==
*{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1867 | volume = I}}
{{reflist}}
*{{cite book | title = Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855 | last = Carroll | first = John | place = Toronto | publisher = Wesleyan Conference Office | date = 1869 | volume = II}}

Latest revision as of 18:07, 18 December 2012

William Case[edit]

William Case

William Case (August 27, 1780 - October 19, 1855) was a Methodist missionary and teacher.

Young preacher[edit]

Born in Swansea, Massachusetts to farmers of modest means, Case's boyhood is not well recorded.[1] His family lived somewhere in the Swansea area, and, as baptists, probably attended the Hornbine Baptist Church in his youth.[2] His family moved to central New York at some point during his childhood. Case converted to Methodism in February 1803.[3] He was active in the church, as an exhorter, then local preacher, and was recommended for membership in the New York Conference in 1805 and taken on trial for the ministry. Case volunteered to be circuit rider for the Bay of Quinte circuit.[4] He rode the circuit with Nathan Bangs. In 1805, there was little Methodist presence in the Circuit. No Methodist society existed in Kingston, and they were forced to preach in the market. Case proved a popular preacher here, especially with young people. His good looks, wit and friendly manner endeared him to residents. Both he and Bangs were talented singers, a talent which they put to great use in the preaching. Whenever they rode into a town, they would gather a crowd by walking through the streets singing hymns, before preaching and exhorting.[5] During Case's time in the Bay of Quinte, the first camp meeting in Canada was held there, near Adolphustown. Other preachers present at the meeting were Nathan Bangs, Henry Ryan, Daniel Pickett, Sylvanus Keeler and Thomas Madden.[6] More than 2500 people attended the camp meeting.[7] That year, owing in large part to the successful camp meeting, 187 people in Upper Canada converted to Methodism, with 146 in the Bay of Quinte Circuit, increasing the total number of Methodists in Canada to approximately 2375.[8]

In 1806 he was transferred to the Oswegatchie circuit, where he laboured under Gershom Pearse.[9] At the 1807 conference in Coeyman's Patent, New York, Case was received into full connexion, and ordained a deacon.[10] After two years in the wilderness of Upper Canada, Case requested an easier assignment, hoping to be assigned to a city. He was instead assigned to Ulster County, New York, to his dismay. Ulster was a large circuit that would require large amounts of tavelling through very rural or unpopulated areas. His experience there was positive, however, as he was mentored by Elias Vanderlip, and he would later recall the appointment positively. At the 1808 conference he was voluntarily assigned case back to Upper Canada, and rode the circuit of Ancaster.[11] The circuit was newly created that year from the Niagara Circuit, and centred on Bowman's Chapel, south-west of Hamilton. The area was colloquially known as Methodist Mountain.[12] By the year's end, some three hundred individuals were members of the Methodist church in the Ancaster Circuit.[13]

Rising star[edit]

Case was assigned the Mission of Detroit in 1809, the first Methodist preacher ever assigned there.[14][15] He travelled from Ancaster, preaching in the young towns of London and Malden before reaching New Settlement on the Upper Canada side of the border. There he found a society with little religious instruction or adherence, and what he did find was not to his tastes. The occasional Roman Catholic or Anglican preacher was not a teetotaller or stern adherent like Case, but engaged in horse-racing, dancing, gambling and excessive drinking with the residents, to Case's chagrin.[16] No Methodist preachers had travelled the area since Nathan Bangs in 1804. Case's reception was hostile; local magistrates fined people who hosted his sermons in their houses, and Case was threatened with violence. Case was not dismayed by this opposition, but found his strength in it, and his passion for preaching was inflamed with every difficulty he faced.[17] Amongst the people of Detroit, Case also found some who welcomed him. As he preached, Case attracted growing crowds and increasing numbers of converts. Although he had planed to travel extensively in the close-by parts of Upper Canada, he found all his time occupied in New Settlement.[18] Although Case had planned to Detroit immeadiately, his arrival there was delayed until the end of September, having set out in June, by the revival he sparked in New Settlement. In Detroit, his reception was better, and the governor made available the council house for Case to preach in.[19] Case drew good crowds in Detroit, but the number of converts was small, and no Methodist society was formed there. On the Canadian side of the border he was more successful. In his year there, 78 people converted to Methodism, and Methodist societies were founded in London, Malden, Colchester and Gosfield.[20] While Bangs' time in the area had converted a few to the Methodist church, they quickly fell out of practice after he left. The same reversion did not occur after Case departed the circuit for a new assignment in 1810. The Methodists Societies established then persisted, and grew, after Case moved on.[21]

Case's success in Detroit had caught the eye of Bishop Asbury.[22] After five years of riding circuits, Case was promoted to Presiding Elder of the Cayuga district, in Upstate New York. In 1810, under Case's leadership, membership in the Methodist Society there increased by 589 individuals.[23] He stayed on for a second year,[24] then spent two years as Presiding Elder of the Oneida district.[25] During his tenure there, the Oneida district had ten Circuits, with seventeen preachers under his supervision.[25] He spent 1814 as the Presiding Elder of the Chenango district.[25] Chenango had 8 circuits and 15 preachers.[25] Due to his closeness to the battlefronts, Case often ministered to the injured after battles. He was present at the scene of the Battle of Sackett's Harbor a few hours after it took place, finding himself concerned with the dying men, and what might become of their families, but not attached to any idea of nationalism, later writing "I know not that I felt any partiality for Americans more than Englishmen: all of one creation - alike subjects of redeeming blood, all accountable to the King of kings, and deserving of the same condemnation."[26] In 1810, a letter from Case to Bishop Francis Asbury was published in the Methodist Magazine. At this point, Case abandoned his journal, and began writing regular reports on the progress of Methodists in Upper Canada and the north-west United States.[27]

Presiding elder[edit]

William Case with Eliza Barnes Case.

After the conclusion of the War, the 1815 conference assigned Case to Canada once again.[28] Having risen in the Methodist ranks, he was named the Presiding Elder for Upper Canada.[29] At that time, the Upper Canada district extended from Detroit to Kingston.[30] Over the course of the war, half of the Methodists in Upper Canada had left there church, and Case faced a heavy workload.[31] Case represented the Genesee District at the 1816 Delegated Annual Conference, which met on May 1st in Baltimore.[32] That year, he switched jobs with Henry Ryan, Presiding Elder of Lower Canada.[33] He kept that position after the 1817 conference.[34] In 1817, the Genesee Conference began publishing the American Methodist Magazine, and Case prepared several articles for the magazine.[35] In 1818, Case served on a committee to draft a constitution empowering the conference to receive legacies.[36]

By 1820, Case had risen to the position of Secretary of the Genesee conference, and was responsible for organising the annual conference of 1820, which occurred in Niagara in July.[37]

In 1821, he term as presiding elder of the Lower Canada district ended, and he was made the presiding elder of the Upper Canada district once again.[38] Case began taking an strong interest in Upper Canada's Indians, serving on a Committee on Indian Affairs starting in 1821,[39] and became especially active after the conversion of bilingual Peter Jones in 1823 allowed effective preaching to the Ojibwe.[29] In 1825, a second Ojibwe convert joined the missionaries' ranks under Case, John Sunday.[40]

Teacher and mentor[edit]

Case was made superintendent of Indian schools and missions in Upper Canada in 1828.

In 1837, he was made head of the Wesleyan industrial school for Indians in Alnwic, Ontario. He stayed in that position until 1851.[41]

Case died in October in 1855, due to complications from injuries he sustained when he was thrown from a horse. His body was buried in the Cemetary of the Alderville Indian Reserve.[2]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 1
  2. ^ a b Lamb, William (1998). Michael D. Clarke (ed.). Canada: Portraits of Faith. Reel to Real. ISBN 978-0968183502.
  3. ^ Carroll, volume 1, page 10
  4. ^ Carroll, volume 1, page 18
  5. ^ Carroll, Volume I, page 112
  6. ^ Carroll, Volume I, page 113
  7. ^ Carroll, Volume I, page 115
  8. ^ Carroll, Volume I, page 118
  9. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 126
  10. ^ Carroll, volume 1, page 141
  11. ^ Carroll, volume 1, page 154
  12. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 159
  13. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 163
  14. ^ Carroll, volume 1, page 180
  15. ^ Simpson, Matthew (1878). Cyclopedia of Methodism: Embracing Sketches of Its Rise, Progress, and Present Condition. Everts & Stewart. p. 293.
  16. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 182
  17. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 183
  18. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 184
  19. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 185
  20. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 186
  21. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 187
  22. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 191
  23. ^ Carroll, volume 1, page 203
  24. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 240
  25. ^ a b c d Carroll, volume I, page 314 Cite error: The named reference "CarrollV1P314" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  26. ^ Carroll, volume I, page 317
  27. ^ "William Case". Stephen Plamondon.
  28. ^ Carroll, volume 2, page 2
  29. ^ a b Anderson, Gerald (1999). Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 119. ISBN 0802846807.
  30. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 7
  31. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 8
  32. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 28
  33. ^ Carroll, volume 2, page 36
  34. ^ Carroll, volume 2, page 91
  35. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 131
  36. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 170
  37. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 292
  38. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 304
  39. ^ Carroll, volume II, page 349
  40. ^ Canniff, William (1872). History of the Province of Ontario, (Upper Canada.). A.H. Hovey. p. 323.
  41. ^ "William Case, Pioneer Methodist Missionary". Alberta Online Encyclopedia. Heritage Community Foundation.

References[edit]

  • Carroll, John (1867). Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855. Vol. I. Toronto: Wesleyan Conference Office.
  • Carroll, John (1869). Case and his cotemporaries, or, The Canadian itinerants' memorial constituting a biographical history of Methodism in Canada, from its introduction into the Province, till the death of the Rev. Wm. Case in 1855. Vol. II. Toronto: Wesleyan Conference Office.
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