346 History of Methodism 



lina about 1786, I think, and settled on a section of 

 land lying on Tinker's Creek, located by himself, after 

 pitching his tent on it only as a new-comer. On this 

 lot of land my brother and myself were raised up. 

 The family moved to Georgia in 1804, but we remained 

 in South Carolina. My brother devoted his time 

 pretty much to preaching; I mine to a small school as 

 teacher ; both of us looking to the itinerancy with anx- 

 ious solicitude. And in December, 1804, in Charles- 

 ton, we were admitted on trial in the Conference, both 

 of us on the same day and hour. And of this class I 

 am the only survivor. 



"Of our early days, a few things must be said. 

 There was no open religion in my father's house, but 

 religion was reverently recognized by our parents ; so 

 that although we grew up without the benefit of re- 

 ligious example, we did have the benefit of religious 

 indoctrinations of mind. There was very little preach- 

 ing in our region, and what there was was badly suit- 

 ed to the condition of sinners, until 1799. That year 

 our portion of the district was included in the old 

 Edisto Circuit, and in those days a circuit was a cir- 

 cuit. James Jenkins and Moses Matthews, were the 

 pioneers of Methodism in that portion of Barnwell 

 then known as the Three Runs. As a great favor, 

 they were allowed to preach at my uncle Lewis Weath- 

 ersby's house, about a mile from my father's. My aunt 

 Weathersby had imbibed a love of Methodism in 

 North Carolina, before her removal, and hailed their 

 coming among us as a blessing. My father despised 

 the race with bitterness. My mother , I think, like her 

 sister, had a liking to Methodism. But not one of 

 our family ever attended a Methodist service until 

 August. Then my brother and myself obtained leave 



